Dynamic Search Window for Arrival Angle Estimation

Abstract

The method (2200) performed by the first network node (560) includes sending (2202) a message including search window information to the second network node (560), the search window information including information associated with an expected angle and information associated with an uncertainty level of the expected angle. The first network node receives (2204) a response message from the second network node. The response message includes feedback associated with use of the search window information by the second network node.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication and, more specifically, relates to systems and methods for providing a dynamic search window for angle-of-arrival estimation.

Background Art

[0002] Positioning has been a topic in the standardization of Long-Term Evolution (LTE) since the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 9 (Rel.9). Initially, the main objective was to meet the regulatory requirements for emergency call positioning, but other use cases such as positioning for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) have become important.

[0003] FIG. 1A shows an architecture that supports positioning in New Radio (NR). Specifically, FIG. 1A shows the Location Service (LCS) protocol of Release 15 (Rel.15) of the Next Generation - Radio Access Network (NG-RAN). The Location Management Function (LMF) is a location node in NR. There is also an interaction between the location node and the gNodeB (gNB) via a protocol called the NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa). The interaction between the gNB and the device is supported via the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol, while the location node interfaces with the User Equipment (UE) via the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP). LPP is common to both NR and LTE.

[0004] Regarding FIG. 1A, it should be noted that the gNB and the Next Generation eNodeB (ng-eNB) may not always be present. In addition, it should be noted that when both the gNB and the ng-eNB are present, the NG-C interface exists for only one of them.

[0005] In the legacy LTE standard, the following techniques are supported: · Extended Cell Identifier (Cell ID): Essentially, the Cell ID information is used to associate the device with the serving area of the serving cell, and additional information is used to determine a more refined granularity of location. · Assisted Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS): GNSS information is acquired by the device and supported by assistance information provided from the Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC) to the device. · Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA): The device estimates the time difference of reference signals from multiple different base stations and transmits it to the E-SMLC for multilateration. · Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (UTDOA): The device is required to transmit a specific waveform, and that specific waveform is detected at known positions by multiple location measurement units (e.g., eNodeB (eNB)). Those measurement results are transferred to the E-SMLC for multilateration.

[0006] In NR Release 16 (Rel.16), several positioning features including reference signals, measurements, and positioning methods were standardized.

[0007] Regarding reference signals, a new downlink (DL) reference signal was standardized. The main advantage of the NR DL positioning reference signal (NR DL PRS) compared to the corresponding LTE DL PRS in LTE is the increased bandwidth, which can be configured from 24 resource blocks (RB) to 272 RB, and provides a significant improvement in the accuracy of time of arrival (TOA). The NR DL PRS can be configured with a comb factor of 2, 4, 6, or 12. Comb-12 enables twice the number of orthogonal signals of the Comb-6 LTE PRS. In Rel.16, beam sweeping is also supported on the NR DL PRS.

[0008] Additionally, a new uplink (UL) reference signal based on the NR UL sounding reference signal (SRS) has been introduced and is called "SRS for positioning". The Rel.16 NR SRS for positioning enables a longer signal of up to 12 symbols (compared to 4 symbols for the Rel.15 SRS) and a flexible position within a slot (only the last 6 symbols of the slot were available for the Rel.15 SRS). Also, a staggered comb reference element (RE) pattern is also possible, which is for improved TOA measurement Fixed range and a more orthogonal signal. The use of a cyclic shift longer than the result of dividing the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol by the comb factor, however, is not supported by Rel.16, even though it is the main advantage of the comb staggering in at least indoor scenarios. Power control based on the synchronization signal block (SSB) and DL PRS of adjacent cells is supported along with the quasi-colocation (QCL) relationship for the channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), SSB, DL PRS or other SRS.

[0009] Regarding positioning techniques, the NR positioning in Rel.16 supports the following methods that already existed in LTE but were extended for NR: Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (DL TDOA), UL TDOA, Enhanced Cell ID (E-CID), and Radio Access Technology (RAT)-independent methods (such as those based on non-3GPP sensors like GPS (Global Positioning Satellites), pressure sensors, Wifi signals, Bluetooth, etc.). Additionally, several new methods for positioning have been incorporated into NR. One such method is multi-cell Round Trip Time (RTT), during which the LMF collects RTT measurement results as a basis for multi-lateration. Other methods include Downlink Angle of Departure (AoD) and Uplink Angle of Arrival (AoA), in which multi-lateration is performed using angle and power (e.g., Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP)) measurement results.

[0010] Regarding the measurement techniques in NR Rel.16, the following UE measurements are standardized: · Downlink Reference Signal Time Difference Measurement (DL RSTD)... enables, for example, DL TDOA positioning · Multi-cell UE Receiver-Transmitter (Rx-Tx) Time Difference Measurement... enables multi-cell RTT measurement · DL PRS RSRP

[0011] Additionally, in NR Rel.16, the following gNB measurements are standardized: · Uplink Relative Time of Arrival (UL-RTOA)... beneficial for UL TDOA positioning · gNB Rx-Tx Time Difference... beneficial for multi-cell RTT measurement · Uplink Sounding Reference Signal - RSRP (UL SRS-RSRP) · Angle of Arrival (Azimuth-of-Arrival) and Zenith of Arrival (Zenith-of-Arrival)

[0012] Regarding the signal configuration in NR Rel.16, the DL PRS is configured separately by each cell. The LMF, which may also be called a location server, collects all configurations via the NRPPa protocol before sending the assistance data (AD) message to the UE via the LPP protocol. In the UL, the SRS signal is configured by the serving gNB in RRC, and in turn, the serving gNB transfers appropriate SRS configuration parameters to the LMF upon request.

[0013] However, there is a problem. For example, in Release 17 (Rel.17), it was agreed to standardize extensions especially for the DL AoD method and the UL AoA method. In the UL AoA-based method, the UE transmits SRS towards the gNB, and the gNB measures the AoA of that SRS.

[0014] For example, regarding UL AoA, the following agreement was made during the RAN1#104e session: NR supports at least the following additional assistance signaling from the LMF to the gNB / transmission and reception point (TRP) to facilitate UL measurements of UL-AOA: · Indication of the expected angle of arrival (AoA) / angle of arrival zenith (ZoA) value and the uncertainty range(s) of (the expected AoA / ZoA value)

[0015] Details of the procedures for providing the above assistance were left for future consideration. Similarly, the reference angle of the expected AoA / ZoA was left for future consideration. It can be noted that in this regulation, AoA and ZoA are abbreviations for angle of arrival azimuth and angle of arrival zenith, respectively. However, here, the abbreviation AoA is used for the angle of arrival azimuth, and UL-AOA will be used for the uplink angle of arrival. Where AoA is used, it may be understood to include the angle of arrival as well, unless otherwise indicated.

[0016] Since the LMF believes that the signal transmitted by the UE will reach the gNB / TRP, the goal of the above agreement is to have the LMF notify the gNB of the angular window. However, there are potential issues associated with the window indicated by the LMF. For example, the LMF may have an incorrect view of the possible AoA and may provide an inaccurate window. More specifically, the LMF may provide an incorrect window center or an incorrect window size. In addition, it is possible that the UL SRS signal reaches the gNB / TRP from several directions corresponding to different paths. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Certain aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure may provide solutions to these or other problems. For example, according to one embodiment, details of a method, procedure, system, and signaling for the exchange of information between a gNB and an LMF are provided that enable the LMF to calculate and dynamically update an angular search window for each gNB / TRP. The proposed information exchange between the LMF and the gNodeB enables the angular search window to be dynamically optimized over time.

[0018] According to one embodiment, a method by a first network node includes transmitting a message including search window information to a second network node. The search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with a level of uncertainty of the expected angle. The first network node receives a response message from the second network node. The response message includes feedback associated with the use of the search window information by the second network node.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the first network node is adapted to send a message including search window information to the second network node. The search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with an uncertainty level of the expected angle. The first network node is adapted to receive a response message from the second network node. The response message includes feedback associated with the use of the search window information by the second network node.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the method by the second network node includes receiving a message including search window information from the first network node. The search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with an uncertainty level of the expected angle. The second network node sends a response message to the first network node. The response message includes feedback associated with the use of the search window information by the second network node.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the second network node is adapted to receive a message including search window information from the first network node. The search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with an uncertainty level of the expected angle. The second network node is adapted to send a response message to the first network node. The response message includes feedback associated with the use of the search window information by the second network node.

[0022] One embodiment may provide one or more of the following technical advantages. For example, one technical advantage may be that one embodiment enables a gNodeB to be required to send AoA search window information, particularly to an LMF. Thus, one embodiment can be used to minimize the overhead for NRPPa.

[0023] As another example, a technical advantage could be that a certain embodiment improves the positioning performance by providing more meaningful UL-AOA measurement results. According to certain embodiments, more meaningful UL-AOA measurement results could be made possible by: · The UL-AoA search window information IE enables the LMF to control which UL-AoA measurements the gNB / TRP performs. · The UL-AoA search window information IE enables the gNodeB to perform more refined AoA measurements within a limited area. · The information content of various positioning measurements can vary depending on, for example, what other measurements are available, or on prior information regarding the UE's location.

[0024] The proposed dynamic and adaptive updating of the UL-AoA search window information IE over time enables the LMF to control the positioning measurement results collected by the network. This capability can be used by the LMF to ensure that the most meaningful measurements are made.

[0025] As yet another example, a technical advantage could be that a certain embodiment incorporates a UL-AoA search window response to enable more accurate location identification by the LMF. As yet another example, a technical advantage could be that a certain embodiment provides feedback to the LMF regarding the window of uncertainty of the AoA / ZoA transmitted in the measurement assistance data, enabling the LMF to update its knowledge and potentially future assistance data.

[0026] Other advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. A certain embodiment may not have any of the recited advantages, or may have some or all of them.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] For a more complete understanding of the disclosed embodiments and their features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0028]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24

Figure 25

Figure 26

Figure 27

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, other embodiments are also within the scope of the disclosed subject matter, and the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments described herein. Rather, those embodiments are provided as examples to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0030] Generally, all terms used herein should be construed according to their ordinary meanings in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and / or suggested from the context in which they are used. All references to an element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. should be construed openly as a reference to at least one example of those elements, apparatus, components, means, steps, etc., unless otherwise explicitly stated. Any method step disclosed herein need not be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and / or it is not implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any embodiment disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, if appropriate. Similarly, any advantage of any embodiment may apply to any other embodiment, and vice versa. Other objects, features, and advantages of the embodiments included will become apparent from the following description.

[0031] In some embodiments, the more general term "network node" may be used, which may correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node that communicates (either directly or via other nodes) with a UE and / or with other network nodes. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, MeNB, eNB, network nodes belonging to MCG or SCG, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio nodes such as MSR BS, eNodeB, gNodeB, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling the relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission point, transmission node, RRU, RRH, nodes within a distributed antenna system (DAS), core network nodes (e.g., MSC, MME, etc.), O&M, OSS, SON, positioning nodes (e.g., E-SMLC), MDT, test equipment (physical node or software), etc.

[0032] In some embodiments, the non-limiting term user equipment (UE) or wireless device may be used, which may refer to any type of wireless device that communicates with network nodes and / or with other UEs within a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UEs are target device, device-to-device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or machine-to-machine (M2M) communication-capable UE, PDA, PAD, tablet, mobile terminal, smartphone, laptop embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongle, UE category M1, UE category M2, ProSe UE, V2V UE, V2X UE, etc.

[0033] In addition, the specialized terms such as base station / gNodeB and UE should be considered non-limiting and, in particular, do not imply any hierarchical relationship between the two; generally, "gNodeB" may be considered as device 1 and "UE" as device 2, and the two devices communicate with each other over some wireless channel. Also, hereinafter, the transmitter or receiver may be either gNB or UE.

[0034] According to an embodiment, details of a method, procedure, system, and signaling for the exchange of information between a gNB and an LMF are provided that enable the LMF to calculate and dynamically update an angular search window for each gNB / TRP. The proposed information exchange between the LMF and the gNB enables the angular search window to be dynamically optimized over time.

[0035] Sending a measurement window is widespread in time-based measurements because the true value of the time at which the measurement should be made is within the range of a bounded useful interval. On the other hand, for angle measurements, due to the nature of scattering, the true measurement may be random and distributed over the entire range from 0° to 360°. However, according to an embodiment, details of a method, procedure, system, and signaling are provided that enable the gNB and the LMF to do the following: · Enable feedback and correction for the initial angle window and the expected UL-AoA provided to the gNodeB. · Signal from the gNodeB whether the gNodeB used that window during AoA calculation or whether the gNodeB used some other window. · Signal only partial information from the LMF. For example, signal only the expected azimuth of arrival or elevation of arrival and do not signal the window if the LMF cannot calculate the window with uncertainty. ·From the LMF, an angular window can be composed of a plurality of sub-windows, thus enabling the realization of both continuous and discontinuous angular ranges.

[0036] According to a specific embodiment, for example, an IE that accommodates the expected AoA and its uncertainty may be provided as AoA search window information. In a specific embodiment, the AoA search window information may include information related to either or both of the angles of AoA and ZoA.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a UL-AoA positioning procedure 100 according to an embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 2 shows an exemplary signaling diagram showing an exemplary interaction between a UE 105, a serving gNB 110, one or more neighboring gNBs 115, and an LMF 120 according to an embodiment.

[0038] As depicted in FIG. 2, the exemplary UL-AoA positioning procedure 100 may include, among other things, one or more of the following groups of steps: [Step 0]: Transfer of initial information, where a first network node (such as the LMF 120) and a second network node (such as the serving gNB 110) can exchange, for example, the configuration of the SRS to be measured and other initial parameters. ·In a specific embodiment, the gNB 110 may signal whether it should receive the AoA search window information IE. This depends on whether it plans to use an AoA search window in its own AoA measurement algorithm. If the gNB 110 does not signal its intention, the decision on whether to send the AoA search window information IE is delegated to the LMF 120. [Step 1]: The UE 105 and the LMF 120 exchange LPP capability information. [Step 2]: The LMF 120 sends an NRPPa positioning information request to the serving gNB 110. [Steps 3 and 3a]: The serving gNB 110 determines the UL SRS resources in step 3 and then transmits the UE SRS configuration to the UE 105 in step 3a. [Step 4]: The serving gNB 110 transmits an NRPPa positioning information response. [Steps 5a, 5b, and 5c]: The LMF 120 transmits an NRPPa positioning activation request to the serving gNB 110 in step 5a. The serving gNB 110 activates the UE SRS transmission in step 5b and transmits an NRPPa positioning activation response to the LMF 120 in step 5c. [Step 6]: The LMF 120 transmits an NRPPa measurement request (NRPPa MEASUREMENT REQUEST). In this step, the LMF 120 provides the UL-SRS configuration to the selected gNBs (for example, the serving gNB 110 and the neighboring gNB 115) and includes all the information required to enable the gNBs and the transmit and receive points (TRPs) to perform UL measurements. The above measurement request message includes information used for UL procedures such as, for example, UL RTOA, the UL part of the RTT, eCID measurement results, and AoA. · In a specific embodiment, an information element (IE) that accommodates the expected AoA and its uncertainty may be provided as AoA search window information. This may be an information element as an option transmitted from the LMF 120 to the gNB within the NRPPa measurement request message during step 6. In a specific embodiment, if the gNodeB 110 signals in step 0 that it does not desire the AoA search window information, the LMF 120 does not include it in the NRPPa measurement request. · In other specific embodiments, the signaling of the AoA search window information may take the form of an information element as a new option within the F1 positioning measurement request (F1 POSITIONING MEASUREMENT REQUEST) in the scenario of a split gNB architecture. [Step 7]: The gNodeBs 110 - 115 perform measurements and calculate the UL AoA. [Step 8]: Each gNodeB 110-115 transmits a NRPPa MEASUREMENT RESPONSE to the LMF 120. In Release 16, this message consists of: · PCI, GCI, and TRP ID of the measurement · UL arrival angle (azimuth and elevation angles) · UL-SRS-RSRP · Timestamp of the measurement · Quality for each measurement Steps 6-8 may be repeated for any number of measurements.

[0039] In a specific embodiment, an information element as an option that may be referred to here as the AoA search window response IE may be included in the NRPPa measurement response. This IE provides feedback on how the AoA search window information was used by the gNB 110. For subsequent measurement iterations, this feedback can be used along with the actual UL-AoA measurement results to refine the UL-AoA search window IE in Step 6.

[0040] In other specific embodiments, an information element as an option called the AoA search window response may be included within the F1AP POSITIONING MEASUREMENT RESPONSE in the scenario of a split gNB architecture.

[0041] According to an embodiment further described here, the AoA search window information IE and the AoA search window response IE can be further evolved.

[0042] Additionally, according to an embodiment, an iterative procedure is proposed in which the AoA search window information IE signaled in step 6 can be dynamically adapted over time. For example, the LMF 120 may, in an embodiment, receive new measurement results with information about the position of each UE 105 periodically and / or continuously. Thus, which search window information is optimal may change over time.

[0043] According to a specific embodiment, the UL-AoA search window information provided by the LMF 120 to each gNB / TRP 110-115 may take any one or more of the following formats: 1. For the incoming zenith angle or incoming azimuth angle or both, a pair {μ, σ}, where μ is the expected angle and σ is its uncertainty. The variables μ, σ can take integer values in the range from 0 to N-1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees. 2. In an embodiment, σ, which is the uncertainty of the incoming zenith angle and / or the uncertainty of the incoming azimuth angle, is an optional field. If the field is absent, the LMF signals that it has no prior knowledge of it. 3. For the incoming zenith angle or incoming azimuth angle or both, a pair {k 1 , k 2}, where k 1 is the lower bound of the window and k 2 is the upper bound of the window. The variables k 1 , k 2 can take integer values in the range from 0 to N-1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees. 4. The UL-AoA search window can consist of a list of sub-windows, each one taking the above format 1, 2 or 3.

[0044] Format 4 with multiple sub-windows may be relevant, for example, when the UL-AoA of both the LOS path and additional multipaths should be measured.

[0045] One embodiment relates to UL AoA search window responses. For example, in one embodiment, the gNB / TRP 110-115 may have some knowledge or information that the LMF 120 does not have access to something that motivates the gNB / TRP to override the AoA search window proposed by the LMF 120 and instead attempt to search in a different region. In order for the LMF 120 to be able to optimally locate the UE 105, it is important for the LMF 120 to know the AoA search window actually used by the gNB / TRP 110-115.

[0046] According to a specific embodiment, the AoA search window response provided by the gNB 110-115 to the LMF 120 may take any one or more of the following formats: · A logical (Boolean) flag indicating whether the AoA search window provided by the LMF 120 was used. This information is useful to the LMF. For example, it can be used to signal to the LMF that the transmitted window from the LMF did not contain any usable SRS signals that were received. · Any one of Formats 1-4 described above for the UL-AoA search window information, but here it is interpreted that the window was actually used. · The gNB 110-115 can transmit two types of measurement results, one generated using the uncertainty window proposed by the LMF 120 and the other generated without using the uncertainty window. Both of those measurement results may be transmitted together to the LMF 120, in which case there will be two possible results of the AoA measurement results based on the window proposed by the LMF and the window derived by the gNodeB. The gNB 110-115 could also transmit multiple measurement results corresponding to different windows.

[0047] Additionally, an embodiment defines how the UL AoA search window information IE should be used by gNB / TRP 110-115. For example, in one embodiment, gNB / TRP 110-115 may report only UL-AoA within a specified search window range. This may be considered a strict interpretation of the AoA search window IE.

[0048] In other specific embodiments, gNB / TRP 110-115 may be given room to report UL-AoA outside the search window signaled by LMF 120. This may be considered a lenient interpretation of the AoA search window IE. The lenient interpretation may be beneficial when gNB / TRP 110-115 has access to information that allows for a clearer choice regarding the UL-AoA search window than LMF 120, but still benefits from receiving a proposal for the AoA search window from LMF 120.

[0049] In other specific embodiments, gNB 110-115 may notify LMF 120 whether a strict interpretation and / or a lenient interpretation of the AoA search window IE is possible. In other embodiments, gNB 110-115 may notify LMF 120 whether a strict interpretation or a lenient interpretation of the AoA search window IE was used.

[0050] An embodiment is related to the calculation of UL AoA search window information by LMF 120. For example, according to one embodiment, LMF 120 may receive new measurement results with information regarding the location of each UE 105 continuously, substantially continuously, and / or periodically. In that way, what search window information is optimal can change over time depending on the intention.

[0051] It is noted above that steps 6 - 8 of FIG. 2 may be repeated for any number of measurements. FIG. 3 shows an information exchange loop 200 for a dynamic UL - AoA search window according to an embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 3 shows an information feedback loop in which steps 6 - 8 are repeated such that the LMF 120 can collect measurement results and request new measurements. As shown, the LMF 120 operates to estimate the position of the UE with uncertainty. Additionally, for each gNB / TRP 110 - 115, the LMF 120 receives measurement responses in step 8 and updates the UL - AoA search window based on those measurement responses prior to transmitting a new measurement request.

[0052] One embodiment is related to maximizing the probability of finding the LOS UL AoA within the search window.

[0053] For example, in a specific embodiment of step 6, the proposed UL - AoA search window information IE should be selected to maximize the probability that the LOS UL - AoA is within the search window. This should be done for each TRP in the area for each iteration of the measurement.

[0054] The motivation may be that the LMF continuously tracks the position of the UE, likely based on a number of measurement results from different sources. In addition to 5G positioning measurements, this may include GNSS measurements or readings from a barometric sensor (for height) of the UE. In addition to estimating the point of the UE's position, the LMF may estimate the uncertainty in the position in various directions or the full probability density function (PDF) for the UE's position. The uncertainty in the UE's position estimate (or the PDF of the UE's position) depends on many factors, such as the environment surrounding the UE, the speed of the UE, and the quality of past positioning measurements.

[0055] Given the location of the TRP, the estimated result and uncertainty of the UE's position (or the PDF of the UE's position) can be mapped to the expected UL-AoA along with the uncertainty about the line-of-sight path towards the TRP. The UL-AoA search window information IE for the TRP should be selected accordingly.

[0056] Since the LMF receives additional measurement results from the gNodeB in step 8, it should update its UE position estimation result or position PDF. Consequently, in step 6 of the next iteration, the UL-AoA search window information IE should be updated accordingly.

[0057] One embodiment is related to multipath UL AoA. For example, in one embodiment, a strict interpretation of the UL-AoA search window is assumed, and the LMF may send a series of measurement requests with separate UL-AoA search windows. As a result, any UL-AoA reported in a series of measurement responses corresponds to a different path. For example, the AoA search window in azimuth is 30 - 60 degrees at t = 1, 60 - 90 degrees at t = 2, 90 - 120 degrees at t = 3, etc.

[0058] Figure 4 shows a (temporal) sequence 300 of separate UL-AoA search windows used for multipath UL-AoA measurement according to one embodiment. In this example, the search windows are 30 - 60 degrees at t = 1, 60 - 90 degrees at t = 2, and 90 - 120 degrees at t = 3. No UL-AoA is found at t = 1, UL-AoA = 80 degrees is reported at t = 1, and UL-AoA = 110 degrees is reported at t = 2. Thus, it is possible to achieve multipath UL-AoA measurement in this way.

[0059] Some embodiments are related to positioning only in a specific area. For example, in some embodiments, the intention of the LMF120 is not to provide ubiquitous positioning, but rather to provide positioning limited to a certain area. For example, for legal reasons, it may be prohibited to track the UE105 outside a geographical area such as a factory. In this case, a strict interpretation of the UL-AoA search window IE (see Section 5.1) can be used to impose a restriction on the geographical area where positioning is performed.

[0060] Figure 5 shows an exemplary signaling 400 for the periodic calculation of the UL AoA search window according to some embodiments. In the illustrated signaling, the UE105 transmits the UL SRS to the gNB110 / 115 at step 401a. According to some embodiments, the gNB110~115 calculate the antenna array element phase difference measurement, TA, and RSRP based on the UL SRS transmitted from the UE105, and transmit them to the LMF120 at step 402. Either the gNB110~115 or the LMF120 performs a mapping function / procedure of what the expected window AoA should be based on the TA phase difference measurement result and RSRP at that time. At step 403, the LMF120 calculates the UL AoA search window based on the gNB measurement report received at step 402.

[0061] In some cases, the LMF120 may optionally consider other inputs such as the speed of the UE105 received at step 401b, the UE DL RSRP measurement result, the inertial motion unit (IMU) sensor information, and the map of the search window for the UL AoA. The UL-AoA search window calculated by the LMF can be provided via NRPPa.

[0062] In some embodiments, LMF120 may perform a correlation operation between DL-PRS RSRP (DL-AoD) and the RSRP and UL-AoA (gNB RSRP) obtained from the UL AoA or SSB / CSI-RS at that time to determine a new UL AoA search window by extrapolation. gNBs 110-115 continuously calculate the drift rate of the TA and supply it to LMF 1 20. LMF120 takes into account how UE105 is moving and adapts the search window accordingly.

[0063] In some cases, LMF120 may consider some IMU sensor information report to determine the trajectory of the UE and predict / extrapolate and determine the next search window for UL-AoA.

[0064] According to an embodiment, LMF120 may indicate a confidence level in the search window information. As noted above, the LMF may use various information sources to construct the search window. These sources can be E-CID information, GNSS reports from the UE, previously reported measurement results, other UE parameters such as the speed of the UE, etc. Although these various information sources may still result in very similar windows, they can have different effects on the final UL position estimation using UL-AoA measurement results. The network can also use this information for the planning and prioritization of UL-AoA measurements. For example, a search window constructed using GNSS reports may be less reliable than a search window constructed using previous measurement results of UE105. Since UL-AoA measurements can be very scenario-dependent, a high-density urban scenario can result in very uncertain results. A window based on timing measurements can have a bounded uncertainty at levels such as 10m, 20m, etc. On the other hand, in a certain scenario, the angular uncertainty can have a completely uninformative uniform probability within the range of [-180, 180].

[0065] The reliability level determined based on the changing information sources used to construct the discovery window can be indicated to network nodes 110-115 by the LMF120 in various ways. Various levels of reliability can be set and indicated by bit combinations, or some value or flag may be transmitted.

[0066] Generally speaking, the information enables the network (e.g., network nodes 110-115) to use the discovery window more intelligently.

[0067] FIG. 6 shows a wireless network according to some embodiments. Although the subject matter described herein may be implemented in any suitable type of system using any suitable components, the embodiments disclosed herein are described in connection with wireless networks such as the exemplary wireless network shown in FIG. 6. For simplicity, the wireless network of FIG. 6 depicts only network 506, network nodes 560 and 560b, and wireless device 510. In practice, the wireless network may further include any additional elements suitable for supporting communication between wireless devices or between a wireless device and other communication devices, such as landline telephones, service providers, or some other network node or end device. Of the illustrated components, network node 560 and wireless device 510 are depicted with additional detail. The wireless network may provide communication and other types of services to one or more wireless devices to facilitate access to and / or use of services provided by or via the wireless network.

[0068] The wireless network may include any type of communication, telecommunications, data, cellular, and / or wireless network or other similar type of system, and / or interface with them. In some embodiments, the wireless network may be configured to operate according to a specific standard or other type of predefined rules or procedures. Thus, specific embodiments of the wireless network may implement communication standards such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), LTE (Long Term Evolution) and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G standards, WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) standards such as IEEE802.11 standards, and / or any other suitable wireless communication standards such as WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), Bluetooth, Z-Wave and / or ZigBee standards.

[0069] Network 506 may include one or more backhaul networks, core networks, IP networks, PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Networks), packet data networks, optical networks, WAN (Wide-Area Networks), LAN (Local Area Networks), WLAN (Wireless Local Area Networks), wired networks, wireless networks, metropolitan area networks, and other networks that enable communication between devices.

[0070] The network node 560 and the wireless device 510 include various components, which are described in more detail below. These components operate in cooperation to provide the functionality of the network node and / or the wireless device, such as providing a wireless connection in a wireless network. In various embodiments, the wireless network may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, base stations, controllers, wireless devices, relays, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals, regardless of whether the connection is wired or wireless.

[0071] FIG. 7 shows a network node 560 as an example according to an embodiment. As used herein, a network node is a device that can communicate directly or indirectly with a wireless device and / or other network nodes, and is configured, arranged, and / or operable as such, or a device that enables and / or provides wireless access to a wireless device, and / or performs other functions (e.g., management) in a wireless network within the wireless network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., wireless access points) and base stations (BSs) (e.g., wireless base stations, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), and NR Node B (gNB)). Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or put another way, their transmit power levels), in which case they may also be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay donor node that controls relay nodes or relays. A network node may include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station, such as a centralized digital unit and / or a remote radio unit (RRU), also sometimes referred to as a remote radio head (RRH). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna, such as an antenna-integrated radio. A part of a distributed radio base station may be referred to as a node within a distributed antenna system (DAS). Another example of a network node includes multi-standard radio (MSR) devices such as MSR BS, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNC) or base station controllers (BSC), base transceiver stations (BTS), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell / multicast coordination entities (MCE), core network nodes (e.g., MSC, MME), O&M nodes, OSS nodes, SON nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., E-SMLC) and / or MDT. As another example, a network node may be a virtual network node as described in more detail below.However, more generally, a network node can enable and / or provide access to a wireless network to a wireless device, or provide some service to a wireless device accessing the wireless network, and can represent any suitable device (or set of devices) so configured, arranged, and / or operable.

[0072] In FIG. 7, network node 560 includes processing circuitry 570, device-readable medium 580, interface 590, auxiliary equipment 584, power supply 586, power circuitry 587, and antenna 562. Although network node 560 shown in the exemplary wireless network of FIG. 5 can represent a device that includes the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may include network nodes with different combinations of components. It should be understood that a network node includes any suitable combination of hardware and / or software required to perform the tasks, features, functions, and methods disclosed herein. Moreover, the components of network node 560 are depicted as a single box located within a larger box or nested within multiple boxes, but in reality, a network node may include multiple different physical components that make up the single component shown (e.g., device-readable medium 580 may include multiple RAM modules along with multiple separate hard drives).

[0073] Similarly, network node 560 may be composed of a plurality of physically distinct components (e.g., Node B components and RNC components, or BTS components and BSC components, etc.) that each of its respective components may have. In a scenario where network node 560 comprises a plurality of distinct components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of those distinct components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control a plurality of Node Bs. In such scenarios, each unique pair of Node B and RNC may, in some instances, be regarded as a single distinct network node. In some embodiments, network node 560 may be configured to support a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be made redundant (e.g., separate device-readable media 580 for different RATs), and some components may be reused (e.g., the same antenna 562 may be shared by those RATs). Network node 560 may include a plurality of sets of various exemplary components for various wireless technologies integrated into network node 560, such as wireless technologies like GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, or Bluetooth. Those wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chips or sets of chips and other components within network node 560.

[0074] The processing circuit 570 is configured to perform any determination, calculation, or similar operation (e.g., an acquisition operation) described herein as provided by a network node. These operations performed by the processing circuit 570 may include, for example, converting the acquired information into other information, comparing the acquired information or the converted information with the information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the acquired information or the converted information, and making a determination as a result of that processing, to process the information acquired by the processing circuit 570.

[0075] The processing circuit 570 may include one or more combinations of a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a central processing unit, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or other suitable computing device, resource, or a combination of hardware, software, and / or encoded logic, operable to provide the functionality of the network node 560 alone or in cooperation with other components of the network node 560 such as the device-readable medium 580. For example, the processing circuit 570 may execute instructions stored in the device-readable medium 580 or in a memory within the processing circuit 570. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features, functions, or benefits discussed herein. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 570 may include a system-on-chip (SOC).

[0076] In some embodiments, processing circuit 570 may include one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuit 572 and baseband processing circuit 574. In some embodiments, radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuit 572 and baseband processing circuit 574 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), substrates, or units, such as a radio unit and a digital unit. In alternative embodiments, some or all of RF transceiver circuit 572 and baseband processing circuit 574 may be on the same chip or set of chips, substrate, or unit.

[0077] In an embodiment, some or all of the functionality described herein as provided by a network node, base station, eNB, or other such network device may be performed by processing circuit 570 executing instructions stored in a device-readable medium 580 or memory within processing circuit 570. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by processing circuit 570 in a hardwired manner, such as without executing instructions stored in a separate or discrete device-readable medium. In any of those embodiments, processing circuit 570 may be configured to perform the described functionality, whether or not instructions stored in a device-readable storage medium are executed. The benefits provided by such functionality are enjoyed by network node 560 as a whole, and / or by end users and the wireless network generally, and are not limited to processing circuit 570 alone or other components of network node 560.

[0078] The device-readable medium 580 may include any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory, including but not limited to persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (e.g., hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., flash drive, compact disc (CD) or digital video disc (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory device. The device-readable medium 580 may store an application including one or more of computer programs, software, logic, rules, code, tables, etc., executable by the processing circuit 570 and available to the network node 560, and / or any suitable instructions, data or information including other instructions. The device-readable medium 580 may be used to store any calculation results generated by the processing circuit 570 and / or any data received via the interface 590. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 570 and the device-readable medium 580 may be considered integrated.

[0079] Interface 590 is used for wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data among network node 560, network 506 and / or wireless device 510. As shown in the figure, interface 590 includes, for example, port / terminal 594 for transmitting and receiving data to and from network 506 over a wired connection. Interface 590 also includes a wireless front-end circuit 592 that can be connected to antenna 562 or in some embodiments is part of antenna 562. The wireless front-end circuit 592 includes a filter 598 and an amplifier 596. The wireless front-end circuit 592 can be connected to antenna 562 and processing circuit 570. The wireless front-end circuit may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 562 and processing circuit 570. The wireless front-end circuit 592 can receive digital data to be transmitted to other network nodes or wireless devices via a wireless connection. The wireless front-end circuit 592 can convert the digital data into a wireless signal having appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filter 598 and / or amplifier 596. The wireless signal can then be transmitted via antenna 562. Similarly, when data is received, antenna 562 can collect the wireless signal, and then the wireless signal can be converted into digital data by wireless front-end circuit 592. The digital data can be passed to processing circuit 570. In other embodiments, the interface may include different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0080] In an alternative embodiment, network node 560 may not include a separate radio front-end circuit 592. Instead, processing circuit 570 may include a radio front-end circuit and may be connected to antenna 562 without a separate radio front-end circuit 592. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of RF transceiver circuit 572 may be considered part of interface 590. In yet another embodiment, interface 590 may include one or more ports or terminals 594, radio front-end circuit 592, and RF transceiver circuit 572 as part of a wireless unit (not shown), and interface 590 may communicate with baseband processing circuit 574, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0081] Antenna 562 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays configured to transmit and / or receive wireless signals. Antenna 562 may be coupled to radio front-end circuit 592 and may be any type of antenna capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data and / or signals. In some embodiments, antenna 562 may include one or more omnidirectional antennas, sector antennas, or panel antennas operable to transmit and receive wireless signals, for example, between 2 GHz and 66 GHz. Omnidirectional antennas may be used to transmit and receive wireless signals in any direction, sector antennas may be used to transmit and receive wireless signals from devices within a specific area, and panel antennas may be line-of-sight antennas used to transmit and receive relatively linear wireless signals. In some examples, the use of more than one antenna may be referred to as MIMO. In one embodiment, antenna 562 may be separate from network node 560 and may be connectable to network node 560 through an interface or port.

[0082] Antenna 562, interface 590, and / or processing circuit 570 may be configured to perform any of the receiving operations and / or any of the obtaining operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data, and / or signals may be received from a wireless device, other network nodes, and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, antenna 562, interface 590, and / or processing circuit 570 may be configured to perform any of the transmitting operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data, and / or signals may be transmitted to a wireless device, other network nodes, and / or any other network equipment.

[0083] Power circuit 587 may include a power management circuit or be coupled to a power management circuit and is configured to supply power to components of network node 560 for performing the functionality described herein. Power circuit 587 may receive power from power source 586. Power source 586 and / or power circuit 587 may be configured to provide power to the various components of network node 560 in a form suitable for each component (e.g., at the voltage and current levels required for each respective component). Power source 586 may be either included in power circuit 587 and / or network node 560 or external thereto. For example, network node 560 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., an electrical outlet) via an input circuit or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuit 587. As a further example, power source 586 may include a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack that is connected to or integrated with power circuit 587. The battery may provide backup power in case of a failure of an external power source. Other types of power sources such as a solar power generation device may also be used.

[0084] Alternative embodiments of network node 560 may include additional components other than those shown in FIG. 7 that may be responsible for providing a functional perspective of the network node that includes any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, network node 560 may include a user interface device that enables input of information to network node 560 and enables output of information from network node 560. This may enable a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions on network node 560.

[0085] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary wireless device 510. According to an embodiment, as used herein, a wireless device is a device that is capable of wirelessly communicating with a network node and / or other wireless devices, and is configured, arranged, and / or operable as such. Unless otherwise noted, the term wireless device may be used interchangeably herein with user equipment (UE). Communicating wirelessly may include transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for carrying information through the air. In some embodiments, the wireless device may be configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For example, the wireless device may be designed to transmit information to the network according to a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to a request from the network. Examples of wireless devices include, but are not limited to, smartphones, mobile phones, cell phones, VoIP (Voice over IP) phones, wireless local loop phones, desktop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless cameras, game consoles or devices, music storage devices, playback appliances, wearable terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, tablets, laptops, laptop embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), smart devices, wireless customer premise equipment (CPE), vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, etc. The wireless device may be used, for example, for sidelink communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), or vehicle-to-everything (V2 XBy implementing the 3GPP standard, device-to-device (D2D) communication may be supported, and in this case, it may be referred to as a D2D communication device. As another specific example, in the Internet of Things (IoT) scenario, a wireless device may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurement and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurement to other wireless devices (WDs) and / or network nodes. In this case, the wireless device may be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device and may be referred to as an MTC device in the 3GPP context. As one specific example, the wireless device may be a user equipment (UE) implementing the 3GPP narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) standard. Specific examples of such machines or devices include sensors, meter devices such as power meters, industrial machines, household or personal electrical appliances (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, etc.), or personal wearable devices (e.g., watches, fitness trackers, etc.). In other scenarios, the wireless device may represent a vehicle or other device capable of monitoring and / or reporting on its operating status or other functions associated with its operation. The wireless device as described above may represent an endpoint of a wireless connection, and in this case, the device may be referred to as a wireless terminal. Further, the wireless device as described above may be mobile, and in this case, it may be referred to as a mobile device or a mobile terminal.

[0086] As illustrated, wireless device 510 includes antenna 511, interface 514, processing circuitry 520, device-readable medium 530, user interface device 532, auxiliary device 534, power source 536, and power circuitry 537. Wireless device 510 may include one or more sets of the illustrated components for various wireless technologies supported by wireless device 510, such as, by way of example only, GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, WiMAX, or Bluetooth wireless technologies. Those wireless technologies may be integrated as the same or different chips within wireless device 510 or as a set of chips as other components.

[0087] Antenna 511 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays configured to transmit and / or receive wireless signals and is connected to interface 514. In some alternative embodiments, antenna 511 may be separate from wireless device 510 and may be connectable to wireless device 510 through an interface or port. Antenna 511, interface 514, and / or processing circuitry 520 may be configured to perform any of the receiving or transmitting operations described herein as being performed by the wireless device. Any information, data, and / or signals may be received from network nodes and / or other wireless devices. In some embodiments, the radio front-end circuitry and / or antenna 511 may be considered an interface.

[0088] As illustrated, interface 514 includes a wireless front-end circuit 512 and an antenna 511. The wireless front-end circuit 512 includes one or more filters 518 and amplifiers 516. The wireless front-end circuit 512 is connected to the antenna 511 and the processing circuit 520 and is configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna 511 and the processing circuit 520. The wireless front-end circuit 512 may be coupled to the antenna 511 or may be part of the antenna 111. In some embodiments, the wireless device 510 may not include a separate wireless front-end circuit 512. Rather, the processing circuit 520 may include a wireless front-end circuit and may be connected to the antenna 511. Similarly, in some embodiments, some or all of the RF transceiver circuit 522 may be considered part of the interface 514. The wireless front-end circuit 512 may receive digital data to be transmitted to other network nodes or wireless devices via a wireless connection. The wireless front-end circuit 512 may convert the digital data into a wireless signal having appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of the filter 518 and / or amplifier 516. The wireless signal may then be transmitted via the antenna 511. Similarly, when data is received, the antenna 511 may collect the wireless signal, and then the wireless signal may be converted into digital data by the wireless front-end circuit 512. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuit 520. In other embodiments, the interface may include different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0089] The processing circuit 520 may include one or more combinations of a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a central processing unit, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or other suitable computing device, resource, or hardware, software, and / or encoded logic, which are operable to provide the functionality of the wireless device 510, either alone or in cooperation with components of other wireless devices 510 such as a device-readable medium 530. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features or benefits discussed herein. For example, the processing circuit 520 may execute instructions stored in the device-readable medium 530 or in memory within the processing circuit 520 to provide the functionality disclosed herein.

[0090] As illustrated, processing circuit 520 includes one or more of RF transceiver circuit 522, baseband processing circuit 524, and application processing circuit 526. In other embodiments, the processing circuit may include different components and / or different combinations of components. In one embodiment, the processing circuit 520 of wireless device 510 may include a system-on-a-chip (SOC). In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuit 522, baseband processing circuit 524, and application processing circuit 526 may be on separate chips or a set of chips. In an alternative embodiment, some or all of baseband processing circuit 524 and application processing circuit 526 may be combined onto one chip or a set of chips, and RF transceiver circuit 522 may be on a separate chip or a set of chips. In a further alternative embodiment, some or all of RF transceiver circuit 522 and baseband processing circuit 524 may be on the same chip or a set of chips, and application processing circuit 526 may be on a separate chip or a set of chips. In yet another alternative embodiment, some or all of RF transceiver circuit 522, baseband processing circuit 524, and application processing circuit 526 may be combined in the same chip or a set of chips. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuit 522 may be part of interface 514. RF transceiver circuit 522 may condition RF signals for processing circuit 520.

[0091] In some embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein as being performed by the wireless device may be provided by executing instructions stored on a device-readable medium 530, which may be a computer-readable storage medium in some embodiments, by a processing circuit 520. In alternative embodiments, some or all of that functionality may be provided by the processing circuit 520 in a hardwired manner, etc., without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium. In any of those specific embodiments, the processing circuit 520 can be configured to perform the described functionality, whether or not instructions stored on a device-readable storage medium are executed. The benefits provided by such functionality are enjoyed by the wireless device 510 as a whole, and / or by the end user and the wireless network in general, without being limited to the processing circuit 520 alone or other components of the wireless device 510.

[0092] The processing circuit 520 can be configured to perform any determination, calculation, or similar operation (e.g., an acquisition operation) described herein as being performed by the wireless device. Such operations performed by the processing circuit 520 may include processing information obtained by the processing circuit 520, for example, by converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or the converted information with information stored in the wireless device 510, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or the converted information, and making a determination as a result of that processing. 。

[0093] The device-readable medium 530 can be operative to store an application including one or more of a computer program, software, logic, rules, code, tables, etc., executable by the processing circuit 520, and / or other instructions. The device-readable medium 530 can store information, data, and / or instructions used by the processing circuit 520, such as computer memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM)), mass storage media (e.g., hard disk), removable media (e.g., CD (Compact Disk) or DVD (Digital Video Disk)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory device. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 520 and the device-readable medium 530 may be considered integrated.

[0094] The user interface device 532 may provide components that enable a human user to interact with the wireless device 510. Such interactions can take many forms, such as visual, auditory, tactile, etc. The user interface device 532 may be operable to generate output to the user and enable the user to provide input to the wireless device 510. The type of interaction may vary depending on the type of user interface device 532 attached to the wireless device 510. For example, if the wireless device 510 is a smartphone, the interaction may be via a touch screen. If the wireless device 510 is a smart meter, the interaction may be through a screen that provides usage amounts (e.g., the number of gallons used), or a speaker that provides an alarm sound (e.g., when smoke is detected). The user interface device 532 may include an input interface, devices and circuits, as well as an output interface, devices and circuits. The user interface device 532 is configured to enable input of information to the wireless device 510 and is connected to the processing circuit 520 to enable the processing circuit 520 to process the input information. The user interface device 532 may include, for example, a microphone, a proximity or other sensor, a key / button, a touch display, one or more cameras, a USB port, or other input circuits. The user interface device 532 is also configured to enable output of information from the wireless device 510 and enable the processing circuit 520 to output information from the wireless device 510. The user interface device 532 may include, for example, a speaker, a display, a vibration circuit, a USB port, a headphone interface, or other output circuits. Using one or more input / output interfaces, devices and circuits of the user interface device 532, the wireless device 510 may communicate with the end user and / or the wireless network and enable them to benefit from the functionality described herein.

[0095] Auxiliary device 534 is operable to provide more specific functionality that may not generally be performed by a wireless device. It may include dedicated sensors for making measurements for various purposes, interfaces for additional types of communication such as wired communication, etc. Inclusion thereof and the components of auxiliary device 534 may vary depending on the embodiment and / or scenario.

[0096] Power source 536 may be in the form of a battery or battery pack in some embodiments. Other types of power sources such as an external power source (e.g., an electrical outlet), a solar power generation device, or a fuel cell may also be used. Wireless device 510 may further include a power circuit 537 for transmitting power from power source 536 to various parts of wireless device 510 that require power to perform any of the functionality described or shown herein. Power circuit 537 may include a power management circuit in some embodiments. Power circuit 537 may additionally or alternatively be operable to receive power from an external power source, in which case wireless device 510 may be connectable to an external power source (such as an electrical outlet) via an input circuit or interface such as a power cable. Power circuit 537 may be operable to transmit power from an external power source to power source 536 in some embodiments. This may be for, example, charging power source 536. Power circuit 537 may perform some shaping, conversion, or other modification to the power from power source 536 to make it suitable for each component of wireless device 510 that is a power recipient.

[0097] Figure 9 shows one embodiment of a UE according to the various aspects described herein. As used herein, a user equipment or UE need not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the associated device. Instead, a UE may represent a device (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller) that is intended for sale to or operation by a human user but is not initially associated with a particular human user. Alternatively, a UE may represent a device (e.g., a smart power meter) that is not intended for sale to or operation by an end user and that may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user. UE 600 may be any UE identified by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including an NB-IoT UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an extended MTC (eMTC) UE. UE 600, as shown in FIG. 7, is an example of a wireless device configured for communication according to one or more communication standards promulgated by the 3GPP, such as the GSM, UMTS, LTE, and / or 5G standards of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). As previously mentioned, the terms wireless device and UE may be used interchangeably. Thus, although a UE is shown in FIG. 9, the components discussed herein are equally applicable to a wireless device, and vice versa.

[0098] In FIG. 9, UE 600 includes a processing circuit 601 operatively coupled to an input / output interface 605, a radio frequency (RF) interface 609, a network connection interface 611, a random access memory (RAM) 617, a read-only memory (ROM) 619, and a storage medium 6 2It includes a memory 615 including 1 etc., a communication subsystem 631, a power supply 633, and / or any other components, or any combination thereof. The storage medium 621 includes an operating system 623, an application program 625, and data 627. In other embodiments, the storage medium 621 may include other similar types of information. A certain UE may utilize all of the components shown in FIG. 6, or only a subset of those components. The level of integration between components may vary between one UE and another UE. Further, a certain UE may include multiple instances of components, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0099] In FIG. 9, the processing circuit 601 may be configured to process computer instructions and data. The processing circuit 601 may be operable to execute machine instructions stored as a machine-readable computer program in a memory, such as any sequential state machine, programmable logic with appropriate firmware, one or more stored programs, a general-purpose processor such as a microprocessor or a digital signal processor (DSP) with appropriate software, or any combination of the above, such as a hardware-implemented state machine (e.g., in discrete logic, FPGA, ASIC, etc.). For example, the processing circuit 601 may include two central processing units (CPUs). The data may be information in a form suitable for use by a computer.

[0100] In the illustrated embodiment, the input / output interface 605 may be configured to provide a communication interface for input devices, output devices, and input / output devices. The UE 600 may be configured to use an output device via the input / output interface 605. The output device may use the same type of interface port as the input device. For example, a USB port may be used to provide input to and output from the UE 600. The output device may be a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smart card, other output devices, or any combination thereof. The UE 600 may be configured to use an input device via the input / output interface 605 to enable a user to capture information to the UE 600. The input device may include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, and a smart card, etc. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor for sensing input from a user. The sensor may be, for example, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an inclination sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, other similar sensors, or any combination thereof. For example, the input device may be an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a digital camera, a microphone, and an optical sensor.

[0101] In FIG. 9, the RF interface 609 can be configured to provide a communication interface to RF components such as a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna. The network connection interface 611 can be configured to provide a communication interface to the network 643a. The network 643a can include wired and / or wireless networks such as a LAN (Local-Area Network), a WAN (Wide-Area Network), a computer network, a wireless network, a telecommunications network, other similar networks, or any combination thereof. For example, the network 643a may include a Wi-Fi network. The network connection interface 611 can be configured to include a receiver and a transmitter interface used to communicate with one or more other devices on a communication network according to one or more communication protocols such as Ethernet, TCP / IP, SONET, or ATM. The network connection interface 611 can implement receiver and transmitter functionality appropriate for a communication network link (e.g., optical and electrical). The receiver and transmitter functions may share circuit components, software, or firmware, or alternatively may be implemented separately.

[0102] RAM 617 may be configured to interface with the processing circuit 601 via the bus 602 to provide storage and caching of data or computer instructions during the execution of software programs such as an operating system, application programs, and device drivers. ROM 619 may be configured to provide computer instructions or data to the processing circuit 601. For example, ROM 619 may be configured to store invariant low-level system code or data of basic system functions stored in non-volatile memory, such as basic I / O (basic input and output), startup, or reception of keystrokes from a keyboard. The storage medium 621 may be configured to include a memory such as RAM, ROM, PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), magnetic disk, optical disk, floppy disk, hard disk, removable cartridge, or flash drive. In one example, the storage medium 621 may be configured to include an application program 625 such as an operating system 623, a web browser application, a widget or gadget engine, or other application, and a data file 627. The storage medium 621 may store any of a wide variety of operating systems or combinations of multiple operating systems for use by the UE 600.

[0103] The memory medium 621 can be configured to include a plurality of physical drive units such as RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks), floppy disk drives, flash memories, USB flash drives, external hard disk drives, thumb drives, pen drives, key drives, HD-DVD (High-Density Digital Versatile Disc), optical disk drives, internal hard disk drives, Blu-Ray optical disk drives, HDDS (Holographic Digital Data Storage) optical disk drives, external mini DIMM (Dual In-Line Memory Module), SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), external micro DIMM SDRAM, and smart card memories such as SIM / RUIM (Subscriber Identity Module or Removable User Identity Module) modules. The memory medium 621 can enable the UE600 to access computer-executable instructions or application programs stored in a temporary or non-temporary memory medium to offload or upload data. Items of products such as those using a communication system can be tangibly embodied in the memory medium 621 which may include a device-readable medium.

[0104] In FIG. 9, the processing circuit 601 may be configured to communicate with the network 643b using the communication subsystem 631. The network 643a and the network 643b may be one or more of the same network or different networks. The communication subsystem 631 may be configured to include one or more transceivers used to communicate with the network 643b. For example, the communication subsystem 631 may be configured to include one or more transceivers used to communicate with one or more remote transceivers of other wireless devices, UEs, or other devices capable of wireless communication such as base stations of a radio access network (RAN) according to one or more communication protocols such as IEEE802.6, CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, LTE, UTRAN, or WiMax. Each transceiver may include a transmitter 633 and / or a receiver 635 that implements the functionality of a transmitter or receiver (e.g., frequency allocation, etc.) appropriate for the RAN link. Further, the transmitter 633 and the receiver 635 of each transceiver may share circuit components, software, or firmware, or alternatively may be implemented separately.

[0105] In the illustrated embodiment, the communication functions of the communication subsystem 631 can include data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communication such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of GPS (Global Positioning System) for location determination, other similar communication functions, or any combination thereof. For example, the communication subsystem 631 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, Bluetooth communication, and GPS communication. The network 643b can include wired and / or wireless networks such as a LAN (Local-Area Network), WAN (Wide-Area Network), computer network, wireless network, telecommunications network, other similar networks, or any combination thereof. For example, the network 643b may include a cellular network, Wi-Fi network, and / or a proximity network. The power supply 613 can be configured to provide power to the components of the UE 600 in alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC).

[0106] The features, benefits, and / or functions described herein may be implemented in one of the components of the UE 600 or may be distributed across multiple components of the UE 600. Further, the features, benefits, and / or functions described herein may be implemented in any combination of hardware, software, or firmware. In one example, the communication subsystem 631 may be configured to include any of the components described herein. Further, the processing circuitry 601 may be configured to communicate with any of such components over the bus 602. In other examples, any of such components may be program instructions stored in memory, represented by such program instructions that perform the corresponding functions described herein when executed by the processing circuitry 601. In other examples, the functionality of any of such components may be divided between the processing circuitry 601 and the communication subsystem 631. In other examples, computationally non-intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware, and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0107] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing a virtualization environment 700 in which functions implemented according to some embodiments can be virtualized. In this context, virtualization means for generating a virtual version of an apparatus or device may include a virtualized hardware platform, a storage device, and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization relates to an implementation method that can be applied to a node (e.g., a virtualized base station or a virtualized radio access node), a device (e.g., a UE, a wireless device, or any other type of communication device), or a component thereof, at least a part of whose functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components (e.g., via one or more applications, components, functions, virtual machines, or containers running on one or more physical processing nodes in one or more networks).

[0108] In some embodiments, some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines implemented within one or more virtual environments 700 hosted by one or more of the hardware nodes 730. Further, in embodiments where the virtual nodes are not wireless access nodes or do not require wireless connectivity (e.g., core network nodes), the network nodes may be virtualized as a whole.

[0109] The above functions may be implemented by one or more applications 720 (alternatively, may be referred to as software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) operable to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein. The application 720 is executed in a virtualized environment 700 that provides the hardware 730 including the processing circuit 760 and the memory 790. The memory 790 includes instructions 795 executable by the processing circuit 760, whereby the application 720 is operable to provide one or more of the features, benefits, and / or functions disclosed herein.

[0110] The virtualized environment 700 includes a general-purpose or special-purpose network hardware device 730 or processing circuit 760 that includes a set of one or more processors, which may be COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) processors, dedicated ASICs, or any other type of processing circuit including digital or analog hardware components or special-purpose processors. Each hardware device may include a memory 790-1 that may be a non-persistent memory for temporarily storing software executed by instructions 795 or processing circuit 760. Each hardware device may include one or more network interface controllers (NICs) 770, also known as network interface cards, that include a physical network interface 780. Additionally, each hardware device may include a non-transitory and persistent machine-readable storage medium 790-2 that stores software 795 and / or instructions executable by processing circuit 760. The software 795 may include any type of software including software for instantiating one or more virtualization layers (also referred to as hypervisors) 750, software for executing virtual machines 740, and software that enables the functions, features, and / or benefits described in some of the embodiments described herein.

[0111] The virtual machine 740 includes virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interfaces, and virtual storage and may be executed by a corresponding virtualization layer 750 or hypervisor. Various embodiments of instances of virtual appliances 720 may be implemented in one or more of the virtual machines 740, and the implementation may be made in various ways.

[0112] During operation, processing circuit 760 executes software 795 to instantiate a hypervisor or virtualization layer 750, which may also be referred to as a virtual machine monitor (VMM). The virtualization layer 750 presents a virtual operating platform that appears to the virtual machines 740 as networking hardware.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 10, the hardware 730 may be a stand-alone network node with general or specialized components. The hardware 730 may include an antenna 7225 and may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, the hardware 730 may be part of a larger class of hardware where multiple hardware nodes cooperate and are managed via MANO (Management and Orchestration) 7100 (such as within a data center or customer premise equipment (CPE)), and the MANO 7100 oversees, among other things, the lifecycle management of the application 720.

[0114] The virtualization of hardware is, in some contexts, referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV can be used to consolidate many types of network equipment into industry-standard high-volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage that can be located within data centers and customer premise equipment.

[0115] In the context of NFV, the virtual machine 740 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were running on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of the virtual machines 740, and the portion of the hardware 730 that executes the virtual machine, form separate virtual network elements (VNEs), whether the hardware is dedicated to the virtual machine and / or shared by the virtual machine with other virtual machines 740.

[0116] Also in the context of NFV, a virtual network function (VNF) is responsible for handling a proprietary network function running in one or more virtual machines 740 at the top of the hardware networking infrastructure 730, corresponding to the application 720 in FIG. 10.

[0117] In some embodiments, one or more wireless units 7200 each including one or more transmitters 7220 and one or more receivers 7210 may be coupled to one or more antennas 7225. The wireless unit 7200 may communicate directly with the hardware node 730 via one or more suitable network interfaces and may be used in combination with virtual components to provide wireless capabilities to virtual nodes such as wireless access nodes or base stations.

[0118] In some embodiments, some signaling can be made to operate with the use of the control system 7230, which may alternatively be used for communication between the hardware node 730 and the wireless unit 7200.

[0119] FIG. 11 shows a telecommunications network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer according to some embodiments.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 11, according to one embodiment, a communication system includes a telecommunications network 810 such as a 3GPP-type cellular network. The telecommunications network 810 includes an access network 811 such as a radio access network and a core network 814. The access network 811 includes a plurality of base stations 812a, 812b, 812c such as NB, eNB, gNB, or other types of radio access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 813a, 813b, 813c. Each base station 812a, 812b, 812c is connectable to the core network 814 over a wired or wireless connection 815. A first UE 891 located in the coverage area 813c is configured to be wirelessly connected to or paged by the corresponding base station 812c. A second UE 892 within the coverage area 813a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 812a. In this example, although a plurality of UEs 891, 892 are illustrated, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to situations where there is a single UE within a coverage area or where a single UE is connected to the corresponding base station 812.

[0121] The telecommunications network 810 is itself connected to a host computer 830, which may be embodied as the hardware and / or software of a stand-alone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, or as processing resources within a server farm. The host computer 830 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by or for a service provider. The connections 821 and 822 between the telecommunications network 810 and the host computer 830 may extend directly from the core network 814 to the host computer 830 or may be connected via an optional intermediate network 820. The intermediate network 820 may be one or a combination of a public, private, or hosted network, and if so may be a backbone network or the Internet. Specifically, the intermediate network 820 may include two or more sub-networks (not shown).

[0122] The communication system of FIG. 11 enables connectivity between the connected UEs 891, 892 and the host computer 830 as a whole. That connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 850. The host computer 830 and the connected UEs 891, 892 are configured to communicate data and / or signaling via the OTT connection 850 using the access network 811, the core network 814, any intermediate network 820, and a possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediate steps. The OTT connection 850 can be transparent in the sense that participating communication devices along the path of the OTT connection 850 are not aware of the routing of the uplink and downlink communications. For example, the base station 812 need not be notified of or require notification about the past routing of incoming downlink communications with data to be transferred (e.g., handed over) from the host computer 830 to the connected UE 891. Similarly, the base station 812 does not need to recognize the future routing of outgoing uplink communications from the UE 891 towards the host computer 830.

[0123] FIG. 12 shows a host computer that communicates with a user equipment via a base station on a partially wireless connection according to some embodiments.

[0124] An exemplary implementation according to one embodiment of the UE, base station, and host computer discussed in the previous paragraph will now be described with reference to FIG. 12. In communication system 900, host computer 910 comprises hardware 915 including a communication interface 916 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of different communication devices of communication system 900. Host computer 910 further comprises a processing circuit 918 that may have storage and / or processing capabilities. Specifically, processing circuit 918 may include one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Host computer 910 further comprises software 911 stored within or accessible by host computer 910, the software 911 being executable by processing circuit 918. Software 911 includes host application 912. Host application 912 may be operable to provide services to remote users such as UE 930 that is connected via an OTT connection 950 terminating at UE 930 and host computer 910. During the provision of services to the remote user, host application 912 may provide user data transmitted using OTT connection 950.

[0125] The communication system 900 further includes a base station 920 provided in a telecommunication system. The base station 920 includes hardware 925 that enables communication with a host computer 910 and a UE 930. The hardware 925 may include a communication interface 926 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of different communication devices of the communication system 900, and a wireless interface 927 for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection 970 with a UE 930 located within a coverage area (not shown in FIG. 12) served by the base station 920. The communication interface 926 may be configured to facilitate a connection 960 to the host computer 910. The connection 960 may be direct or may pass through a core network of the telecommunication system (not shown in FIG. 12) and / or one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware 925 of the base station 920 further includes a processing circuit 928 that may include one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instruction sets. The base station 920 further has software 921 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

[0126] The communication system 900 further includes the UE 930 already mentioned. Its hardware 935 may include a radio interface 937 configured to set up and maintain a radio connection 970 with a base station that serves the coverage area where the UE 930 is located at that time. The hardware 935 of the UE 930 further includes a processing circuit 938 that may include one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instruction sets. The UE 930 further includes software 931 stored within or accessible by the UE 930 and executable by the processing circuit 938. The software 931 includes a client application 932. The client application 932 may be operable to provide services to human or non - human users via the UE 930 with the support of the host computer 910. In the host computer 910, the host application 912 to be executed may communicate with the client application 932 to be executed via the OTT connection 950 that terminates at the UE 930 and the host computer 910. During service provision to the user, the client application 932 may receive request data from the host application 912 and provide user data as a response to the request data. The OTT connection 950 may transfer both request data and user data. The client application 932 may interact with the user to generate the user data it provides.

[0127] Note that the host computer 910, base station 920, and UE 930 shown in FIG. 12 may be similar or identical to one of the host computer 830, base stations 812a, 812b, 812c in FIG. 11, and one of the UEs 891, 892, respectively. That is to say, the internal operations of these entities may be as shown in FIG. 12, and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of FIG. 11.

[0128] In FIG. 12, an OTT connection 950 is abstractly depicted to illustrate communication between a host computer 910 and a UE 930 via a base station 920 without explicit reference to any intermediate devices and the exact routing of messages through those devices. The network infrastructure may determine the routing, and the network infrastructure may be configured to hide the routing from a service provider operating the UE 930 or the host computer 910 or both. While the OTT connection 950 is active, the network infrastructure may further make decisions to dynamically change the routing (e.g., based on load balancing considerations or network reconfiguration).

[0129] The wireless connection 970 between the UE 930 and the base station 920 complies with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of the OTT services provided to the UE 930 using the OTT connection 950, and the wireless connection 970 forms the last segment thereof. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments improve data rate, latency, and / or power consumption, thereby providing benefits such as reduced user wait times, relaxed restrictions on file size, better responsiveness, and / or longer battery life.

[0130] For the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency, and other factors improved by one or more embodiments, a measurement procedure may be provided. There may further be optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 950 between the host computer 910 and the UE 930 in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and / or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 950 may be implemented in the software 911 and hardware 915 of the host computer 910, or the software 931 and hardware 935 of the UE 930, or both. In multiple embodiments, sensors (not shown) through which the OTT connection 950 passes may be deployed within or associated with the communication device, and those sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying the quantitative values of the monitoring results exemplified above or supplying the values of other physical quantities, and the quantities to be monitored may be calculated or estimated from them by the software 911, 931. The reconfiguration of the OTT connection 950 may include message format, retransmission settings, suitable routing, etc., and the reconfiguration may not affect the base station 920 and may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station 920. Such procedures and functionality may be known or in use in the art. In one embodiment, the measurement may include unique UE signaling that facilitates measurements such as throughput, propagation time, and latency by the host computer 910. The measurement may be implemented in such a way that the software 911 and 931 monitor propagation time, errors, etc. while transmitting messages that are specifically empty or "dummy" messages using the OTT connection 950.

[0131] FIG. 13 is a flowchart depicting a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system may include a host computer, a base station, and a UE, as described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. For the sake of brevity of the present disclosure, only references to the figures of FIG. 13 will be included in this section. In step 1010, the host computer provides user data. In sub-step 1011 (which may be optional) of step 1010, the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In step 1020, the host computer starts transmitting the user data to a UE that will carry it. In step 1030 (which may be optional), the base station transmits the user data carried in the above transmission started by the host computer to the UE according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure. In step 1040 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with a host application executed by the host computer.

[0132] FIG. 14 is a flowchart depicting a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system may include a host computer, a base station, and a UE, as described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. For the sake of brevity of the present disclosure, only references to the figures of FIG. 14 will be included in this section. In step 1110 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional sub-step (not shown), the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In step 1120, the host computer starts transmitting the user data to a UE that will carry it. The transmission may pass through the base station according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure. In step 1130 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the above transmission.

[0133] FIG. 15 is a flowchart depicting a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system may include a host computer, a base station, and a UE, as described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. For the sake of brevity of the present disclosure, only references to the figures of FIG. 15 will be included in this section. In step 1210 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step 1220, the UE provides user data. In sub-step 1221 (which may be optional) of step 1220, the UE provides user data by executing a client application. In sub-step 1211 (which may be optional) of step 1210, the UE executes a client application that provides user data in reaction to receiving the input data provided by the host computer. During the provision of the user data, the client application being executed may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data is provided, the UE starts transmitting the user data to the host computer in sub-step 1230 (which may be optional). In step 1240 of the method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure.

[0134] FIG. 16 is a flowchart depicting a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system may include a host computer, a base station, and a UE as described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. For the sake of brevity of the present disclosure, only references to the figures of FIG. 16 will be included in this section. In step 1310 (which may be optional), according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In step 1320 (which may be optional), the base station starts transmitting the received user data to the host computer. In step 1330 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

[0135] FIG. 17 shows a method 1400 by a first network node according to an embodiment. In step 1402, the first network node transmits a message including search window information to a second network node. The search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with a level of uncertainty of the expected angle. In a specific embodiment, the first network node includes an LMF 120, and the second network node includes a gNB or a TRP 110-115.

[0136] In various specific embodiments, the method may additionally or alternatively include one or more of the step groups or function groups of examples of Group A and Group E described later.

[0137] FIG. 18 shows a schematic block diagram of a virtual device 1500 within a wireless network (e.g., the wireless network shown in FIG. 6). The device may be implemented in a wireless device or a network node (e.g., the wireless device 510 or network node 560 shown in FIG. 6). The device 1500 is operable to perform the exemplary methods described with reference to FIG. 17 and possibly any other processes or methods disclosed herein. Also, it should be understood that the method of FIG. 17 is not necessarily performed solely by the device 1500. At least some of the operations of the above method can be executed by one or more other entities.

[0138] The virtual device 1500 may include a processing circuit that can include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, and may also include other digital hardware that can include, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP) and special-purpose digital logic. The processing circuit may be configured to execute program code stored in a memory, which may include one or more types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, and the like. The program code stored in the memory includes program instructions for executing one or more electrical communication and / or data communication protocols, and instructions for performing one or more of the techniques described herein in a plurality of embodiments. In some embodiments, the processing circuit may be used to cause the transmission module 1510 and any other suitable unit of the device 1500 to perform corresponding functions according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0139] According to an embodiment, the transmission module 1510 may perform some of the transmission functions of the apparatus 1500. For example, the transmission module 1510 may transmit a message including search window information to other network nodes. The search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with a level of uncertainty of the expected angle. In a specific embodiment, the transmission module 1510 may be associated with the LMF, and the other network node may be a gNB or a TRP.

[0140] Optionally, in a specific embodiment, the virtual apparatus may additionally include one or more modules for performing any of the step groups or providing any of the function groups in the exemplary embodiments of Group A and Group E described later.

[0141] As used herein, the terms unit or module may have their conventional meaning in the field of electronic devices, electrical devices, and / or electronic devices. For example, they may include an electrical circuit and / or an electronic circuit, a device, a module, a processor, a memory, a logic solid state element and / or a discrete device, a computer program, or instructions for performing respective tasks, procedures, calculations, outputs, and / or display functions, such as those described herein.

[0142] FIG. 19 shows a method 1600 by a second network node according to an embodiment. In step 1602, the first network node receives a message including search window information from the first network node. The search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with a level of uncertainty of the expected angle. In a specific embodiment, the second network node includes a gNB or TRPs 110-115, and the first network node includes an LMF 120.

[0143] In various specific embodiments, the above method may include any one or more of the step groups or function groups of the examples of Group B and Group E described later.

[0144] FIG. 20 shows a schematic block diagram of a virtual device 1700 within a wireless network (e.g., the wireless network shown in FIG. 3). The device may be implemented in a wireless device or a network node (e.g., the wireless device 510 or network node 560 shown in FIG. 6). The device 1700 is operable to perform the exemplary methods described with reference to FIG. 19 and perhaps any other processes or methods disclosed herein. Also, it should be understood that the method of FIG. 19 is not necessarily performed solely by the device 1700. At least some of the operations of the above method can be performed by one or more other entities.

[0145] The virtual device 1700 may include a processing circuit that may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, and may also include other digital hardware such as a digital signal processor (DSP) and special purpose digital logic. The processing circuit may be configured to execute program code stored in a memory, which may include one or more types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. The program code stored in the memory includes program instructions for executing one or more electrical communication and / or data communication protocols, and instructions for performing one or more of the techniques described herein in multiple embodiments. In some embodiments, the processing circuit may be used to cause the receiving module 1710 and any other suitable unit of the device 1700 to perform corresponding functions according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0146] According to an embodiment, the receiving module 1710 may perform some of the receiving functions of the apparatus 1700. For example, the receiving module 1710 may receive a message including search window information from another network node. The search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with a level of uncertainty of the expected angle. In a specific embodiment, the receiving module 1710 may be associated with the gNB or the TRP 110-115, and the other network node may be the LMF 120.

[0147] Optionally, in a specific embodiment, the virtual apparatus may additionally include one or more modules for performing any of the step groups or providing any of the function groups in the examples of Group B and Group E described later.

[0148] FIG. 21 shows a method 1800 by a first network node according to an embodiment. In step 1802, the first network node transmits a message including search window information to the second network node. The search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with a level of uncertainty of the expected angle. In step 1804, the first network node receives at least one measurement result from the second network node based at least in part on the search window information. In step 1806, the first network node refines and / or adapts the search window information based on the at least one measurement result.

[0149] In various specific embodiments, the method may additionally or alternatively include one or more of the step groups or function groups in the examples of Group C and Group E described later.

[0150] FIG. 22 shows a schematic block diagram of a virtual device 1900 within a wireless network (e.g., the wireless network shown in FIG. 6). The device may be implemented in a wireless device or network node (e.g., the wireless device 510 or network node 560 shown in FIG. 6). The device 1900 is operable to perform the exemplary methods described with reference to FIG. 21 and possibly any other processes or methods disclosed herein. Also, it should be understood that the method of FIG. 21 is not necessarily performed solely by the device 1900. At least some of the operations of the above method can be executed by one or more other entities.

[0151] The virtual device 1900 may include a processing circuit that can include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, and may also include other digital hardware that can include a digital signal processor (DSP) and special purpose digital logic, etc. The processing circuit may be configured to execute program code stored in a memory, which may include one or more types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. The program code stored in the memory includes program instructions for executing one or more electrical communication and / or data communication protocols, and instructions for performing one or more of the techniques described herein in multiple embodiments. In some implementations, the processing circuit may be used to cause the transmission module 1910, the reception module 1920, the refinement and / or adaptation module 1930, and any other suitable unit of the device 1900 to perform corresponding functions according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0152] According to an embodiment, the transmission module 1910 may perform some of the transmission functions of the apparatus 1900. For example, the transmission module 1910 may transmit a message including search window information to a second network node. The search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with a level of uncertainty of the expected angle.

[0153] According to an embodiment, the reception module 1920 may perform some of the reception functions of the apparatus 1900. For example, the reception module 1920 may receive at least one measurement result from a second network node based at least in part on the search window information.

[0154] According to an embodiment, the refinement and / or adaptation module 1930 may perform some of the refinement and / or adaptation functions of the apparatus 1900. For example, the refinement and / or adaptation module 1930 may refine and / or adapt the search window information based on the at least one measurement result.

[0155] Optionally, in a specific embodiment, the virtual apparatus may additionally include one or more modules for performing any of the step groups or providing any of the function groups in the examples of Group C and Group E described later.

[0156] FIG. 23 shows a method by a second network node according to an embodiment. In step 2002, the second network node receives a message including search window information from a first network node. The search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with a level of uncertainty of the expected angle. In step 2004, the second network node transmits at least one measurement result based at least in part on the search window information to the second network node.

[0157] In various specific embodiments, the above method may include any one or more of the step groups or function groups of the examples of Group D and Group E described later.

[0158] FIG. 24 shows a schematic block diagram of a virtual device 2100 within a wireless network (e.g., the wireless network shown in FIG. 6). The device may be implemented in a wireless device or a network node (e.g., the wireless device 510 or the network node 560 shown in FIG. 6). The device 2100 is operable to perform the exemplary methods described with reference to FIG. 23 and possibly any other processes or methods disclosed herein. Also, it should be understood that the method of FIG. 23 is not necessarily performed solely by the device 2100. At least some of the operations of the above method can be performed by one or more other entities.

[0159] The virtual device 2100 may include a processing circuit that may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, and may also include other digital hardware such as a digital signal processor (DSP) and special purpose digital logic. The processing circuit may be configured to execute program code stored in a memory, which may include one or more types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, and the like. The program code stored in the memory includes program instructions for executing one or more electrical communication and / or data communication protocols, and instructions for performing one or more of the techniques described herein in multiple embodiments. In some embodiments, the processing circuit may be used to cause the receiving module 2110 and the transmitting module 2120, and any other suitable units of the device 2100, to perform the corresponding functions according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0160] According to an embodiment, the receiving module 2110 may perform some of the receiving functions of the apparatus 2100. For example, the receiving module 2110 may receive a message including search window information from a first network node. The search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with a level of uncertainty of the expected angle.

[0161] According to an embodiment, the transmitting module 2120 may perform some of the transmitting functions of the apparatus 2100. For example, the transmitting module 2110 may transmit at least one measurement result based at least in part on the search window information to the first network node.

[0162] Optionally, in a specific embodiment, the virtual apparatus may additionally include one or more modules for performing any of the step groups or providing any of the function groups in the examples of Group D and Group E described later.

[0163] FIG. 25 shows a method 2200 by a first network node 560 according to an embodiment. The method starts at step 2202, and the first network node transmits a message including search window information to a second network node 560. The search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with a level of uncertainty of the expected angle. At step 2204, the first network node 560 receives a response message from the second network node 560. The response message includes feedback associated with the use of the search window information by the second network node 560.

[0164] Generally recognized, the term search window information, as used herein, may include and / or be replaced with the terms "AoA search window information" and / or "AoA assistance information".

[0165] In a specific embodiment, the feedback associated with the use of the search window information indicates at least one of how the search window information was used by the second network node 560 and whether the search window information was used by the second network node 560.

[0166] In a specific embodiment, the feedback is indicated as a flag.

[0167] In a specific embodiment, the feedback indicates that a usable reference signal was received based on the search window information or that a usable reference signal was not found based on the search window information.

[0168] In a specific embodiment, the first network node 560 receives at least one measurement result from the second network node based at least in part on the search window information. The first network node 560 refines and / or adapts the search window information based on the at least one measurement result.

[0169] In a specific embodiment, the message includes an NRPPA measurement request message, and the response message includes an NRPPA measurement response message. In this scenario, the first network node includes a location server, and the second network node includes a CU.

[0170] In other specific embodiments, the message includes an F1 positioning measurement request message, the first network node includes a CU, and the second network node includes a DU.

[0171] In a specific embodiment, the information associated with the expected angle includes at least one of the expected AoA and the expected ZoA.

[0172] In a specific embodiment, the information associated with the expected angle uncertainty level indicates a value representing the level of expected angle uncertainty, or that the first network node has no knowledge of the level of expected angle uncertainty.

[0173] In a specific embodiment, the message includes SRS configuration information for the execution of at least one measurement by the second network node, and the at least one measurement includes at least one of UL-RTOA Measurement , UL RTT measurement, e-CID measurement, AoA measurement, and ZoA measurement.

[0174] In a specific embodiment, the first network node 560 receives a request for search window information from the second network node 560, and the search window information is included in a message based on the request for search window information.

[0175] In a specific embodiment, the response message includes at least one of the physical cell identifier (PCI) of at least one measurement, the cell global identifier (CGI) of at least one measurement, the transmission and reception point identifier of at least one measurement, uplink AoA, uplink sounding reference signal-reference signal received power, a timestamp associated with at least one measurement, and a quality level associated with at least one measurement.

[0176] In a specific embodiment, the response message includes indicating that the second network node 560 used a search window different from the search window information.

[0177] In a specific embodiment, the first network node 560 adapts the search window information based on the response message and transmits the adapted search window information to the second network node 560.

[0178] FIG. 26 shows a method 2300 by a second network node 560 according to an embodiment. The method starts at step 2302, where the second network node 560 receives a message including search window information from the first network node 560. The search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with a level of uncertainty of the expected angle. The second network node 560 transmits a response message to the first network node 560. The response message includes feedback associated with the use of the search window information by the first network node 560.

[0179] Generally recognized, the term search window information, as used herein, may include and / or be replaced with the terms "AoA search window information" and / or "AoA assistance information".

[0180] In a specific embodiment, the feedback associated with the use of the search window information indicates at least one of how the search window information was used by the second network node 560 and whether the search window information was used by the second network node 560.

[0181] In a specific embodiment, the feedback is indicated as a flag.

[0182] In a specific embodiment, the feedback indicates that a usable reference signal was received based on the search window information or that a usable reference signal was not found based on the search window information.

[0183] In a specific embodiment, the second network node 560 transmits at least one measurement result to the first network node 560 based at least in part on the search window information. The second network node 560 receives from the first network node additional search window information adapted based on the at least one measurement result.

[0184] In a specific embodiment, the message includes an NRPPA measurement request message, the response message includes an NRPPA measurement response message, the first network node includes a location server, and the second network node includes a CU.

[0185] In a specific embodiment, the message includes an F1 positioning measurement request message, the first network node includes a CU, and the second network node includes a DU.

[0186] In a specific embodiment, the angle information associated with the expected angle includes at least one of the expected AoA and the expected ZoA.

[0187] In a specific embodiment, the information associated with the uncertainty level of the expected angle indicates a value representing the uncertainty level of the expected angle, or that the second network node has no knowledge of the uncertainty level of the expected angle.

[0188] In a specific embodiment, the message includes SRS configuration information for performing at least one measurement by the second network node 560.

[0189] In a specific embodiment, the second network node 560 performs the at least one measurement based on at least one of the configuration information and the search window information.

[0190] In a specific embodiment, the at least one measurement is UL-RTOA Measurementincludes at least one of UL RTT measurement, e-CID measurement, AoA measurement, and ZoA measurement.

[0191] In a specific embodiment, the response message includes at least one of a physical cell identifier (PCI) of at least one measurement, a cell global identifier (CGI) of at least one measurement, a transmit-receive point identifier of at least one measurement, an uplink AoA, an uplink sounding reference signal-reference signal received power, a time stamp associated with at least one measurement, and a quality level associated with at least one measurement.

[0192] In a specific embodiment, the response message includes indicating that the first network node 560 used a search window different from the search window information.

[0193] In a specific embodiment, the second network node 560 sends a request for search window information to the first network node 560, and the search window information is included in a message based on the request for search window information.

[0194] [Additional Information] Extensions have been proposed for the UL-AoA positioning solution. For example, Doppler reporting and accuracy improvement for UL-AoA have been made.

[0195] The UL-AoA of a signal from a moving UE can be estimated from the measured Doppler shift and UE velocity vector. Such an estimate can be valuable in the context of information integration since it is independent of other methods for UL-AoA estimation.

[0196] As shown in FIG. 27 and shown two-dimensionally for simplicity, the uplink SRS has an angle of arrival "β" at the TRP. The UE is moving at a speed "ν". The TRP can estimate the angle of arrival from the following mathematical formula:

Number

[0197] Consideration 1: When the speed of the UE and the carrier frequency are known, the angle of arrival of the UL-SRS transmitted by the UE at the TRP can be estimated.

[0198] Proposal 1: The speed of the UE should be reported to the network in order to estimate the AoA at the TRP.

[0199] As another example, assistance data may be used to facilitate the UL measurement of the UL AoA. During the RAN1#104b period, the following points were agreed upon:

[0200] NR supports at least the following additional assistance signaling from the LMF to the gNB / TRP to facilitate the UL measurement of the UL-AOA: · Indication of the expected AoA / ZoA value and the uncertainty range(s) of (the expected AoA / ZoA value) · Future For Further Study (FFS): Details of the procedure for providing the above assistance · FFS: The reference angle of the expected AoA / ZoA

[0201] The discussion on the reference angle of the expected AoA / ZoA did not converge during the meeting and was left as FFS. From the perspective of the gNB, the reference angle of the expected AoA depends on the coordinate system (whether the Global Coordinate System (GCS) or the Local Coordinate System (LCS) can be used). Since the gNB can convert the GCS to the LCS if necessary, all the LMF has to do is to provide the expected AoA / ZoA in the GCS.

[0202] Regarding the details of the procedure for providing the expected AoA / ZoA and uncertainty window, there are two aspects to be discussed: · Should the gNB always expect that the expected AoA / ZoA and uncertainty window will be transmitted? · Should the gNB receive the expected AoA / ZoA and uncertainty window each time an SRS measurement / report is requested, or only for the first measurement / report? Both issues are suitable for discussion in RAN3. For UL-RTOA, as part of the configuration information transmitted in the first measurement report, a time window is signaled to the gNB and can also be updated by the LMF via an update of the measurement result. In the same way, we propose that the expected angle window can also be updated by the LMF.

[0203] Since the gNB may not require this signaling, it is important for the LMF to know in advance whether the gNB should receive the expected AoA / ZoA and uncertainty window. Therefore, it is also proposed that the gNB can send that it will require the expected AoA / ZoA and uncertainty window at the beginning steps of the AoA procedure (e.g., when transmitting the SRS configuration).

[0204] Proposal 2: The gNB can signal that it requires the expected AoA / ZoA and uncertainty window.

[0205] Proposal 3: The expected AoA / ZoA and uncertainty window are provided to the gNB by the LMF via GCS.

[0206] Proposal 4: The gNB can (optionally) provide the expected AoA / ZoA and uncertainty window during the initial LMF measurement request message as part of the SRS configuration. The LMF can also (optionally) provide an update regarding the expected AoA / ZoA and uncertainty window as part of the measurement update message. RAN3 can discuss the details of the request procedure.

[0207] Sending measurement windows is widespread in time-based measurements. In timing measurements, the true value of the time at which the measurement should be made is within the range of a bounded useful interval. On the other hand, for angle measurements, due to the nature of scattering, the true measurement may be random and distributed over the entire range from 0° to 360°. Therefore, we propose that when the window will span 360 degrees, the LMF only needs to signal the expected AoA without an uncertainty window. Furthermore, the uncertainty window can be calculated by the LMF using various inputs, and the reliability of that window can vary based on what was available to the LMF. Therefore, it is proposed to also signal a quality indicator as part of the message of the expected AoA / ZoA and the uncertainty window.

[0208] Proposal 5: When the LMF sends the expected AoA / ZoA and the uncertainty window, the uncertainty window can be omitted by the gNB.

[0209] Proposal 6: The LMF includes a quality indicator as part of the message that includes the expected AoA / ZoA and the uncertainty window.

[0210] Additionally, it is important that the gNodeB can correct the angle window in response to the LMF by the above procedure. Clearly, the measured AoA enables correcting the expected AoA. Similarly, the gNodeB should be able to correct the uncertainty window. The LMF may have a wrong view of the possible angles of arrival and provide a wrong window center and a wrong window size.

[0211] Regarding the uncertainty window, the following feedback is useful for the LMF: · Whether the gNodeB could use the window or it was off-target · If so, what windows were used by the gNodeB

[0212] Proposal 7: The gNodeB may provide an update to the uncertainty window as part of the measurement report. · FFS: Details of the update (e.g., the window used by the gNodeB, an indicator that the window was used).

[0213] Proposal 8: Transmit LS to RAN3 reflecting the impact of NRPPa

[0214] As another example, an extension of the report for a linear array antenna is proposed.

[0215] During RAN1#104b, the following points were agreed: · Further consider which options are used to potentially extend the signaling of UL-AOA measurement reports in the case of a linear array antenna - Option 1: The gNB reports the UL-AOA measurement results that are a function of the actual angle of arrival in azimuth and angle of arrival in zenith in a given coordinate system - Option 2: The z-axis of the LCS is defined along the linear array axis. The gNB reports only the ZoA relative to the z-axis in the LCS, and a transformation function from the LCS to the GCS is used to set up a specific z-axis direction.

[0216] Other options are not excluded from the consideration. As touched upon during RAN1#104e, in the ULA, the AoA report can provide meaningful measurement results in only one dimension. See R1-2007577 ("Positioning enhancement in Rel-17", Huawei, HiSilicon, RAN1#103e). Since the antenna is a ULA, elevation information is not available. Based on the RSRP and the measured AoA, the gNB can report only a cone of uncertainty about the UE's location centered along the antenna axis.

[0217] As long as the LMF knows that the geometry of the antenna for measurement is a ULA, both of the options proposed in RAN1#104e should be suitable. In Option 1, Node B converts the ULA angle measurement result to AoA / ZoA (converts β to α / γ pair), and then it will be sent to the LMF. However, the gNB of the network should also signal to the LMF that the measurement result is derived from the ULA-based measurement result, so that the LMF can consider the "cone of uncertainty" for measurement. In Option 2, the measurement result already uses the antenna of Node B as the reference z-axis. However, the LMF needs to convert it back to the GCS for the purpose of integrating all measurement results from multiple different gNBs. Moreover, the measurement report needs to be redefined only to characterize the ZoA. Therefore, since these two options seem to have the same complexity for the network, Option 1 that has no impact on the format of the measurement report is preferred. The only additional information required is that the LMF should know that the antenna is of the ULA type.

[0218] Proposal 9: When the antenna of the gNodeB is an equally-spaced linear array antenna, the gNB reports the UL-AOA measurement result that is a function of the actual azimuth angle of arrival and zenith angle in a given coordinate system (Option 1 in RAN1#104e).

[0219] As another example, an extension of the report for additional paths is proposed.

[0220] During the period of RAN1#104b, the following points were agreed upon: · NR supports the gNB reporting M (M>1) UL-AOA (AoA / ZoA) measurement values to the LMF for at least the first arrival path - FFS: Support for UL-AOA measurement results for additional paths - FFS: Support for N (N≧1) UL-AOA values per path for additional paths -FFS: Can multiple values correspond to the same timestamp? ·FFS: Further details of measurement and reporting ·Note: Reporting by gNB to LMF is optional

[0221] Regarding the UL-AOA (AoA / ZoA) information for paths other than the first path, it can also improve the positioning accuracy. Especially in a controlled environment such as an industry hall, ray tracing can be performed, and machine learning algorithms utilize such information for positioning purposes. Reporting of UL-AOA measurement results for additional paths is supported. Since stronger additional paths are more beneficial for such purposes, it is proposed that the gNB should report the group of paths with strong detection intensity as the additional path group. Since this is a gNB measurement, many paths should be reported.

[0222] Consideration 2: Signaling from the gNB will enable multiple paths.

[0223] The advantage of reporting more than one UL-AoA measurement result for the first arriving path is that the gNB can report the AoA for different multiple SRS resources and different multiple receive beams or antenna panels. Since additional paths are beneficial, the first path to be measured must always exist. Therefore, the number N of values for each additional path cannot exceed the number M of values for the first arriving path.

[0224] Proposal 10: Support reporting multiple AoA measurement results for each (first or additional) path within the range of one timestamp

[0225] Proposal 11: The maximum number of measurement results for each path is the same for the first path and additional paths.

[0226] As a conclusion, the following considerations were made: When the speed and carrier frequency of the UE in Investigation 1 are known, the angle of arrival of the UL-SRS transmitted by the UE at the TRP can be estimated. Investigation 2 Signaling from the gNodeB will enable multiple paths.

[0227] Based on the discussions in the previous section, the following is proposed: Proposal 1 For estimating the AoA at the TRP, the speed of the UE should be reported to the network.

[0228] Proposal 2 The gNodeB can signal the need for the expected AoA / ZoA and uncertainty window.

[0229] Proposal 3 The expected AoA / ZoA and uncertainty window are provided to the gNodeB by the LMF via the GCS.

[0230] Proposal 4 The gNodeB can (optionally) provide the expected AoA / ZoA and uncertainty window during the initial LMF measurement request message as part of the SRS configuration. The LMF can also (optionally) provide an update regarding the expected AoA / ZoA and uncertainty window as part of the measurement update message. RAN3 can discuss the details of the request procedure.

[0231] Proposal 5 When the LMF transmits the expected AoA / ZoA and uncertainty window, the uncertainty window is optional.

[0232] Proposal 6 The LMF includes a quality indicator as part of the message containing the expected AoA / ZoA and uncertainty window.

[0233] Proposal 7 The gNodeB can provide an update to the uncertainty window as part of the measurement report. ·FFS: Details of the update (e.g., the window used by the gNodeB, an indicator that the window was used)

[0234] Transmit LS to RAN3 reflecting the impact of Proposal 8 NRPPa

[0235] Proposal 9 If the gNodeB antenna is an equally-spaced linear array antenna, the gNB reports UL-AOA measurement results that are a function of the actual arrival azimuth and elevation angles in a given coordinate system (Option 1 in RAN1#104e).

[0236] Proposal 10 Support reporting multiple AoA measurement results within the range of one time stamp for each (first or additional) path

[0237] Proposal 11 The maximum number of measurement results per path is the same for the first path and additional paths.

[0238] [Example] Example A1: A method by a first network node, comprising transmitting a message including search window information to a second network node, wherein the search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with an uncertainty level of the expected angle.

[0239] Example A2: The method of Example A1, wherein the angle information associated with the expected angle includes at least one of an expected arrival azimuth angle (AoA) and an expected arrival elevation angle (ZoA).

[0240] Example A3: The method of any one of Examples A1 to A2, wherein the information associated with the uncertainty level of the expected angle indicates a value representing the uncertainty level of the expected angle.

[0241] Example A4: The method of any one of Examples A1 to A2, wherein the information associated with the uncertainty level of the expected angle indicates that the first network node does not have knowledge of the uncertainty level of the expected angle.

[0242] Example A5: A method according to any one of Examples A1 to A4, wherein the search window information includes a pair {μ, σ}, μ is the expected angle, and σ is the uncertainty level of the expected angle.

[0243] Example A6: A method according to Example A5, wherein each of μ and σ can take an integer within the range from 0 to N - 1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees.

[0244] Example A7: A method according to any one of Examples A1 to A6, wherein the search window information includes a pair {k 1 , k 2}, where k 1 is the lower limit of the window and k 2 is the upper limit of the window.

[0245] Example A8: A method according to Example A7, wherein each of {k 1 , k 2} can take an integer within the range from 0 to N - 1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees.

[0246] Example A9: A method according to any one of Examples A1 to A8, wherein the search window information includes a list of sub - windows.

[0247] Example A10: A method according to any one of Examples A1 to A9, wherein the message includes a positioning measurement request message.

[0248] Example A11: A method according to any one of Examples A1 to A10, wherein the search window information includes a search window information element (IE) (i.e., AoA search window information).

[0249] Example A12: A method according to any one of Examples A1 to A11, wherein the message includes configuration information for at least one measurement to be performed by the second network node.

[0250] Example A13: A method according to the method of Example A12, wherein the configuration information includes a sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration.

[0251] Example A14: A method according to any one of Examples A12 to A13, wherein at least one measurement includes at least one of an uplink relative time of arrival (UL-RTOA) measurement, an uplink round-trip time (UL RTT) measurement, an extended cell ID (e-CID) measurement, an AoA measurement, and a ZoA measurement.

[0252] Example A15: A method according to any one of Examples A1 to A14, further comprising autonomously determining by the first network node to include the search window information in the message.

[0253] Example A16: A method according to the method of Example A15, wherein autonomously determining to include the search window information in the message is based on receiving from the second network node information that the second network node used the search window information previously provided.

[0254] Example A17: A method according to any one of Examples A1 to A14, further comprising receiving a request for the search window information from the second network node, wherein the search window information is included in the message based on the request for the search window information.

[0255] Example A18: A method according to the method of Example A17, wherein the request for the search window information is received in a message from the second network node during an initial exchange of configuration information between the first network node and the second network node.

[0256] Example A19: A method according to the method of Example A17, wherein the configuration information includes a sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration.

[0257] Example A20: A method according to any one of Examples A1 to A19, further comprising receiving a response message from the second network node.

[0258] Example A21: A method according to Example A20, wherein the response message includes at least one of a PCI, CGI, and / or TRP ID of at least one measurement, a UL AoA, an uplink sounding reference signal-reference signal received power (UL SRS-RSRP), a timestamp associated with at least one measurement, and a quality level associated with at least one measurement.

[0259] Example A22: A method according to any one of Examples A20 to A21, wherein the response message includes an NRPPA measurement response message.

[0260] Example A23: A method according to any one of Examples A20 to A22, wherein the response message includes feedback associated with how and / or whether the search window information was used by the second network node.

[0261] Example A24: A method according to Example A23, wherein the feedback is indicated as a logical flag.

[0262] Example A25: A method according to any one of Examples A23 to A24, wherein the feedback indicates that a usable reference signal was received based on the search window information.

[0263] Example A26: A method according to any one of Examples A23 to A24, wherein the feedback indicates that a usable reference signal was not found based on the search window information.

[0264] Example A27: A method according to any one of Examples A23 to A26, wherein the feedback indicates the actual search window used by the second network node, and the actual search window is represented as a pair {μ, σ}, where μ is the actual angle and σ is the uncertainty level of the expected angle.

[0265] Example A28: A method according to Example A27, wherein each of μ and σ can take an integer value in the range from 0 to N - 1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees.

[0266] Example A29: A method according to any one of Examples A23 to A28, wherein the feedback indicates the actual search window used by the second network node, and the actual search window is represented as a pair {k 1 , k 2}}, where k 1 is the lower limit of the actual search window and k 2 is the upper limit of the actual search window.

[0267] Example A30: A method according to Example A29, wherein each of {k 1 , k 2} can take an integer value in the range from 0 to N - 1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees.

[0268] Example A31: A method according to any one of Examples A23 to A30, wherein the feedback includes a list of actual sub - windows.

[0269] Example A32: A method according to any one of Examples A20 to A31, wherein the response message includes indicating that the second network node has used a search window different from the search window information.

[0270] Example A33: A method according to any one of Examples A20 to A32, wherein the response message includes at least one measurement result generated using the search window information from the first network node and / or at least one measurement result generated using a search window different from the search window information.

[0271] Example A34: A method according to any one of Examples A20 to A33, further comprising refining and / or adapting the search window information based on the response message.

[0272] Example A35: A method according to the method of Example A34, further comprising transmitting the refined and / or adapted search window information to the second network node.

[0273] Example A36: A method according to any one of Examples A1 to A35, wherein the first network node includes a location management function.

[0274] Example A37: A method according to any one of Examples A1 to A36, wherein the second network node includes a gNodeB (gNB) or a transmission and reception point (TRP).

[0275] Example A38: A first network node comprising a processing circuit configured to execute any one of the methods of Examples A1 to A37.

[0276] Example A39: A computer program comprising a set of instructions that, when executed on a computer, execute any one of the methods of Examples A1 to A39.

[0277] Example A40: A computer program product comprising a computer program comprising a set of instructions that, when executed on a computer, execute any one of the methods of Examples A1 to A39.

[0278] Example A41: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions that, when executed by a computer, execute any of the methods of Examples A1 to A39.

[0279] Example B1: A method by a first network node, comprising receiving, from a second network node, a message including search window information, wherein the search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with a level of uncertainty of the expected angle.

[0280] Example B2: The method of Example B1, wherein the angle information associated with the expected angle includes at least one of an expected angle of arrival (AoA) and an expected zenith angle of arrival (ZoA).

[0281] Example B3: The method of any one of Examples B1 to B2, wherein the information associated with the level of uncertainty of the expected angle indicates a value representing the level of uncertainty of the expected angle.

[0282] Example B4: The method of any one of Examples B1 to B2, wherein the information associated with the level of uncertainty of the expected angle indicates that the first network node has no knowledge of the level of uncertainty of the expected angle.

[0283] Example B5: The method of any one of Examples B1 to B4, wherein the search window information includes a pair {μ, σ}, where μ is the expected angle and σ is the level of uncertainty of the expected angle.

[0284] Example B6: The method of Example B5, wherein each of μ and σ can take an integer value in the range from 0 to N - 1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees.

[0285] Example B7: The method of any one of Examples B1 to B6, wherein the search window information is a pair {k 1 , k2} including k 1 is the lower limit of the window, and k 2 is the upper limit of the window, method.

[0286] Example B8: The method of Example B7, wherein {k 1 , k 2} each can take an integer within the range from 0 to N - 1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees, method.

[0287] Example B9: The method of any one of Examples B1 to B8, wherein the search window information includes a list of sub - windows, method.

[0288] Example B10: The method of any one of Examples B1 to B9, wherein the message includes a positioning measurement request message, method.

[0289] Example B11: The method of any one of Examples B1 to B10, wherein the search window information includes a search window information element (IE) (i.e., AoA search window information), method.

[0290] Example B12: The method of any one of Examples B1 to B11, wherein the message includes configuration information for performing at least one measurement by the first network node, method.

[0291] Example B13: The method of Example B12, wherein the configuration information includes a sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration, method.

[0292] Example B14: The method of any one of Examples B12 to B13, further including performing the at least one measurement based on at least one of the configuration information and the search window information, method.

[0293] Example B15: A method according to any one of Examples B12 to A14, wherein at least one measurement includes at least one of an uplink relative time of arrival (UL-RTOA) measurement, an uplink round-trip time (UL RTT) measurement, an extended cell ID (e-CID) measurement, an AoA measurement, and a ZoA measurement.

[0294] Example B16: A method according to any one of Examples B12 to B15, further comprising transmitting a response message to the second network node.

[0295] Example B17: A method according to Example B16, wherein the response message includes at least one of a PCI, a CGI, and / or a TRP ID of at least one measurement; a UL AoA; an uplink sounding reference signal-reference signal received power (UL SRS-RSRP); a timestamp associated with at least one measurement; and a quality level associated with at least one measurement.

[0296] Example B18: A method according to any one of Examples B16 to B17, wherein the response message includes an NRPPA measurement response message.

[0297] Example B19: A method according to any one of Examples B16 to B18, wherein the response message includes feedback associated with how and / or whether the search window information was used by the first network node.

[0298] Example B20: A method according to Example B19, wherein the feedback is indicated as a logical flag.

[0299] Example B21: A method according to any one of Examples B19 to B20, wherein the feedback indicates that a usable reference signal was received by the first network node based on the search window information.

[0300] Example B22: A method according to any one of Examples B19 to B20, wherein the feedback indicates that a usable reference signal has not been found by the first network node based on the search window information.

[0301] Example B23: A method according to any one of Examples B19 to B22, wherein the feedback indicates the actual search window used by the first network node, and the actual search window is represented as a pair {μ, σ}, where μ is the actual angle and σ is the uncertainty level of the expected angle.

[0302] Example B24: A method according to the method of Example B23, wherein each of μ and σ can take an integer within the range from 0 to N - 1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees.

[0303] Example B25: A method according to any one of Examples B19 to B24, wherein the feedback indicates the actual search window used by the first network node, and the actual search window is represented as a pair {k 1 , k 2}, where k 1 is the lower limit of the actual search window and k 2 is the upper limit of the actual search window.

[0304] Example B26: A method according to the method of Example B25, wherein each of {k 1 , k 2} can take an integer within the range from 0 to N - 1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees.

[0305] Example B27: A method according to any one of Examples B19 to B26, wherein the feedback includes a list of actual sub - windows.

[0306] Example B28: A method according to any one of Examples B16 to B27, wherein the response message includes indicating that the first network node used a search window different from the search window information.

[0307] Example B29: A method according to any one of Examples B16 to B28, wherein the response message includes at least one measurement result generated using the search window information from the second network node and / or at least one measurement result generated using a search window different from the search window information.

[0308] Example B30: A method according to any one of Examples B16 to B29, further comprising receiving, from the second network node, refined and / or adapted search window information based on the response message.

[0309] Example B31: A method according to any one of Examples B1 to B30, further comprising transmitting a request for the search window information to the second network node, wherein the search window information is included in a message based on the request for the search window information.

[0310] Example B32: A method according to Example B31, wherein the request for the search window information is transmitted in a message to the second network node during an initial exchange of configuration information between the first network node and the second network node.

[0311] Example B33: A method according to Example B32, wherein the configuration information includes a sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration.

[0312] Example B34: A method according to any one of Examples B1 to B33, wherein the first network node includes a gNodeB (gNB) or a transmission and reception point (TRP).

[0313] Example B35: A method according to any one of Examples B1 to B34, wherein the second network node includes a Location Management Function (LMF).

[0314] Example B36: A first network node comprising a processing circuit configured to execute any of the methods of Examples B1 to B35.

[0315] Example B37: A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, execute any of the methods of Examples B1 to B35.

[0316] Example B38: A computer program product comprising a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, execute any of the methods of Examples B1 to B35.

[0317] Example B39: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer, execute any of the methods of Examples B1 to B35.

[0318] Example C1: A method by a first network node, comprising: transmitting a message including search window information to a second network node, wherein the search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with an uncertainty level of the expected angle; receiving at least one measurement result from the second network node based at least in part on the search window information; and refining and / or adapting the search window information based on the at least one measurement result.

[0319] Example C2a: A method according to Example C1, wherein the angle information associated with the expected angle includes at least one of an expected Angle of Arrival (AoA) and an expected Zenith Angle of Arrival (ZoA).

[0320] Example C2b: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C2a, wherein the message includes an NRPPa positioning measurement request message.

[0321] Example C2c: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C2a, wherein the message includes an F1 positioning measurement request message, and the network node includes a gNodeB with a split architecture.

[0322] Example C2d: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C2c, wherein the at least one measurement result includes a plurality of continuously received measurement results.

[0323] Example C2e: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C2c, wherein the at least one measurement result includes a plurality of substantially continuously received measurement results.

[0324] Example C2f: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C2c, wherein the at least one measurement result includes a plurality of periodically received measurement results.

[0325] Example C2g: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C2f, further comprising estimating the position of the wireless device based on the at least one received measurement result.

[0326] Example C2h: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C2g, wherein the search window information is refined to maximize the probability that the line of sight associated with the wireless device is within the range of the search window.

[0327] Example C2i: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C2h, wherein the search window information is refined for each TRP in the area.

[0328] Example C2j: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C2i, wherein the search window information is refined and / or adapted based on at least one location of the TRP.

[0329] Example C2k: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C2j, further comprising configuring the second network node to report only measurement results generated within a search window associated with the search window information.

[0330] Example C2l: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C2j, further comprising configuring the second network node to report measurement results generated within a search window associated with the search window information and measurement results generated outside the search window associated with the search window information.

[0331] Example C2m: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C2l, further comprising receiving, from the second network node, information indicating that the second network node is configured to report only measurement results generated within a search window associated with the search window information.

[0332] Example C2n: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C2l, further comprising receiving, from the second network node, information indicating that the second network node is configured to report measurement results generated within a search window associated with the search window information and measurement results generated outside the search window associated with the search window information.

[0333] Example C3: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C2n, wherein the information associated with the uncertainty level of the expected angle indicates a value representing the level of uncertainty of the expected angle.

[0334] Example C4: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C2n, wherein the information associated with the uncertainty level of the expected angle indicates that the first network node does not have knowledge of the level of uncertainty of the expected angle.

[0335] Example C5: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C4, wherein the search window information includes a pair {μ, σ}, where μ is the expected angle and σ is the uncertainty level of the expected angle.

[0336] Example C6: A method according to the method of Example C5, wherein each of μ and σ can take an integer value within the range from 0 to N - 1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees.

[0337] Example C7: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C6, wherein the search window information includes a pair {k 1 , k 2}, where k 1 is the lower limit of the window and k 2 is the upper limit of the window.

[0338] Example C8: A method according to the method of Example C7, wherein each of {k 1 , k 2} can take an integer value within the range from 0 to N - 1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees.

[0339] Example C9: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C8, wherein the search window information includes a list of sub - windows.

[0340] Example C10a: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C9, wherein the message includes a positioning measurement request message.

[0341] Example C10b: A method according to the method of Example C10a, further including transmitting a plurality of measurement request messages, each measurement request message including an individual one of the plurality of search windows.

[0342] Example C10c: A method according to Example C10b, wherein each of the plurality of search windows is associated with an individual one of the plurality of paths.

[0343] Example C10d: A method according to Example C10b, further comprising receiving, from the second network node, a plurality of response messages, each response message being associated with an individual one of the plurality of search windows.

[0344] Example C10e: A method according to any one of Examples C10a to C10d, wherein the plurality of measurement request messages are transmitted in sequence according to a certain time interval.

[0345] Example C11: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C10e, wherein the search window information includes a search window information element (IE) (i.e., AoA search window information).

[0346] Example C12: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C11, wherein the message includes configuration information for performing at least one measurement by the second network node.

[0347] Example C13: A method according to Example C12, wherein the configuration information includes a sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration.

[0348] Example C14: A method according to any one of Examples C12 to C13, wherein the at least one measurement includes at least one of an uplink relative time of arrival (UL-RTOA) measurement, an uplink round trip time (UL RTT) measurement, an extended cell ID (e-CID) measurement, an AoA measurement, and a ZoA measurement.

[0349] Example C15: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C14, further comprising autonomously determining, by the first network node, to include the search window information in the message.

[0350] Example C16: The method of Example C15, wherein the autonomous determination of including the search window information in the message is based on the reception of information from the second network node that the second network node has used the search window information provided last time.

[0351] Example C17: The method of any one of Examples C1 to C14, further comprising receiving a request for obtaining the search window information from the second network node, wherein the search window information is included in the message based on the request for obtaining the search window information.

[0352] Example C18: The method of Example C17, wherein the request for obtaining the search window information is received in a message from the second network node during an initial exchange of configuration information between the first network node and the second network node.

[0353] Example C19: The method of Example C17, wherein the configuration information includes a sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration.

[0354] Example C20: The method of any one of Examples C1 to C19, wherein the measurement result is received in a response message.

[0355] Example C21: The method of Example C20, wherein the response message includes at least one of PCI, CGI, and / or TRP ID of at least one measurement; UL AoA; uplink sounding reference signal-reference signal received power (UL SRS-RSRP); a timestamp associated with at least one measurement; and a quality level associated with at least one measurement.

[0356] Example C22a: The method of any one of Examples C20 to C21, wherein the response message includes an NRPPA measurement response message.

[0357] Example C22b: A method according to any one of Examples C20 to C21, wherein the response message includes an F1AP positioning measurement response message, and the first network node includes a gNodeB with a split architecture.

[0358] Example C23: A method according to any one of Examples C20 to C22b, wherein the response message includes feedback associated with how and / or whether the search window information was used by the second network node.

[0359] Example C24: A method according to the method of Example C23, wherein the feedback is indicated as a logical flag.

[0360] Example C25: A method according to any one of Examples C23 to C24, wherein the feedback indicates that a usable reference signal was received based on the search window information.

[0361] Example C26: A method according to any one of Examples C23 to C24, wherein the feedback indicates that a usable reference signal was not found based on the search window information.

[0362] Example C27: A method according to any one of Examples C23 to C26, wherein the feedback indicates the actual search window used by the second network node, and the actual search window is represented as a pair {μ, σ}, where μ is the actual angle and σ is the uncertainty level of the expected angle.

[0363] Example C28: A method according to the method of Example C27, wherein each of μ and σ can take an integer value in the range from 0 to N - 1, thereby providing a resolution of 360 / N degrees.

[0364] Example C29: Any one of the methods of Examples C23 to C28, wherein the feedback indicates the actual search window used by the second network node, and the actual search window is represented as a pair {k 1 , k 2}, where k 1 is the lower limit of the actual search window and k 2 is the upper limit of the actual search window.

[0365] Example C30: The method of Example C29, wherein each of {k 1 , k 2} can take an integer within the range from 0 to N - 1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees.

[0366] Example C31: Any one of the methods of Examples C23 to C30, wherein the feedback includes a list of actual sub - windows.

[0367] Example C32a: Any one of the methods of Examples C20 to C31, wherein the response message includes indicating that the second network node used a search window different from the search window information.

[0368] Example C32b: Any one of the methods of Examples C20 to C32a, wherein the response message indicates whether the second network node is configured to report only the measurement results generated using the search window information from the first network node and / or whether the second network node is configured to report the measurement results generated using the search window information and the measurement results generated outside the search window information.

[0369] Example C33: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C32, wherein the at least one measurement result includes at least one measurement result generated using the search window information from the first network node, and / or at least one measurement result generated using a search window different from the search window information.

[0370] Example C34: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C32, wherein the at least one measurement result includes only the measurement results generated using the search window information from the first network node.

[0371] Example C35: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C34, further comprising transmitting the refined and / or adapted search window information to the second network node.

[0372] Example C36: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C35, wherein the first network node includes a location management function.

[0373] Example C37: A method according to any one of Examples C1 to C36, wherein the second network node includes a gNodeB (gNB) or a transmission and reception point (TRP).

[0374] Example C38: A first network node comprising a processing circuit configured to execute any one of the methods of Examples C1 to C37.

[0375] Example C39: A computer program comprising a set of instructions that, when executed on a computer, execute any one of the methods of Examples C1 to C39.

[0376] Example C40: A computer program product comprising a computer program comprising a set of instructions that, when executed on a computer, execute any one of the methods of Examples C1 to C39.

[0377] Example C41: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions that, when executed by a computer, execute any of the methods of Examples C1 to C39.

[0378] Example D1: A method by a first network node, comprising receiving, from a second network node, a message including search window information, the search window information including information associated with an expected angle and information associated with an uncertainty level of the expected angle, and transmitting at least one measurement result, at least partially based on the search window information, to the second network node.

[0379] Example D2a: A method of exemplary embodiment D1, wherein the angle information associated with the expected angle includes at least one of an expected angle of arrival (AoA) and an expected zenith angle of arrival (ZoA).

[0380] Example D2b: A method of any one of Examples D1 to D2a, wherein the message includes an NRPPa positioning measurement request message.

[0381] Example D2c: A method of any one of Examples D1 to D2a, wherein the message includes an F1 positioning measurement request message, and the network node includes a gNodeB with a split architecture.

[0382] Example D2d: A method of any one of Examples D1 to D2c, wherein the at least one measurement result includes a plurality of continuously transmitted measurement results.

[0383] Example D2e: A method of any one of Examples D1 to D2c, wherein the at least one measurement result includes a plurality of substantially continuously transmitted measurement results.

[0384] Example D2f: A method according to any one of Examples D1 to D2c, wherein the at least one measurement result includes a plurality of measurement results transmitted periodically.

[0385] Example D2h: A method according to any one of Examples D1 to D2f, further comprising receiving refined search window information based on the at least one measurement result.

[0386] Example D2i: A method according to the method of exemplary embodiment D2h, wherein the refined search window information is refined to maximize the probability that a line of sight associated with the wireless device is within the range of the search window.

[0387] Example D2j: A method according to any one of Examples D2h to D2i, wherein the search window information is refined for each TRP in the area.

[0388] Example D2k: A method according to any one of Examples D2h to D2j, wherein the search window information is refined based on at least one location of the TRP.

[0389] Example D2l: A method according to any one of Examples D1 to D2k, wherein the first network node is configured to report only measurement results generated within a search window associated with the search window information.

[0390] Example D2m: A method according to any one of Examples D1 to D2k, wherein the first network node is configured to report measurement results generated within a search window associated with the search window information and measurement results generated outside the search window associated with the search window information.

[0391] Example D2n: Information indicating that the first network node is configured to report only measurement results generated within a search window associated with the search window information, in any one of the methods of Examples D1 to D2o, is transmitted to the second network node, The method further includes.

[0392] Example D2o: Information indicating that the first network node is configured to report measurement results generated within a search window associated with the search window information and measurement results generated outside the search window associated with the search window information, in any one of the methods of Examples D1 to D2o, is transmitted to the second network node, The method further includes.

[0393] Example D3: In any one of the methods of Examples D1 to D2o, the information associated with the uncertainty level of the expected angle indicates a value representing the level of uncertainty of the expected angle.

[0394] Example D4: In any one of the methods of Examples D1 to D2o, the information associated with the uncertainty level of the expected angle indicates that the first network node does not have knowledge of the level of uncertainty of the expected angle.

[0395] Example D5: In any one of the methods of Examples D1 to D4, the search window information includes a pair {μ, σ}, where μ is the expected angle and σ is the uncertainty level of the expected angle.

[0396] Example D6: In the method of Example D5, each of μ and σ can take an integer value in the range from 0 to N - 1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees.

[0397] Example D7: In any one of the methods of Examples D1 to D6, the search window information includes a pair {k 1 , k 2}, where k 1is the lower limit of the window, and k 2 is the upper limit of the window, a method.

[0398] Example D8: The method of Example D7, wherein {k 1 , k 2} can each take an integer within the range from 0 to N - 1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees, a method.

[0399] Example D9: The method of any one of Examples D1 to D8, wherein the search window information includes a list of sub - windows, a method.

[0400] Example D10a: The method of any one of Examples D1 to D9, wherein the message includes a positioning measurement request message, a method.

[0401] Example D10b: The method of Example D10a, further comprising receiving a plurality of measurement request messages, each measurement request message including an individual one of the plurality of search windows, a method.

[0402] Example D10c: The method of Example D10b, wherein each of the plurality of search windows is associated with an individual one of a plurality of paths, a method.

[0403] Example D10d: The method of Example D10b, further comprising receiving a plurality of response messages from the second network node, each response message being associated with an individual one of the plurality of search windows, a method.

[0404] Example D10e: The method of any one of Examples D10b to D10d, wherein the plurality of measurement request messages are transmitted in order according to a certain time interval, a method.

[0405] Example D11: The method of any one of Examples D1 to D10e, wherein the search window information includes a search window information element (IE) (i.e., AoA search window information), a method.

[0406] Example D12: A method according to any one of Examples D1 to D11, wherein the message includes configuration information for performing at least one measurement by the first network node.

[0407] Example D13: A method according to the method of Example D12, wherein the configuration information includes a sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration.

[0408] Example D14: A method according to any one of Examples D12 to D13, further comprising performing the at least one measurement based on at least one of the configuration information and the search window information.

[0409] Example D15: A method according to any one of Examples D12 to D14, wherein the at least one measurement includes at least one of an uplink relative time of arrival (UL-RTOA) measurement, an uplink round trip time (UL RTT) measurement, an extended cell ID (e-CID) measurement, an AoA measurement, and a ZoA measurement.

[0410] Example D16: A method according to any one of Examples D12 to D15, further comprising transmitting a response message to the second network node.

[0411] Example D17: A method according to the method of Example D16, wherein the response message includes at least one of a PCI, CGI, and / or TRP ID of the at least one measurement; a UL AoA; an uplink sounding reference signal-reference signal received power (UL SRS-RSRP); a timestamp associated with the at least one measurement; and a quality level associated with the at least one measurement.

[0412] Example D18a: A method according to any one of Examples D16 to D17, wherein the response message includes an NRPPA measurement response message.

[0413] Example D18b: A method according to any one of Examples D16 to D17, wherein the response message includes an F1AP positioning measurement response message, and the first network node includes a gNodeB with a split architecture.

[0414] Example D19: A method according to any one of Examples D16 to D18b, wherein the response message includes feedback associated with how and / or whether the search window information is used by the first network node.

[0415] Example D20: A method according to the method of Example D19, wherein the feedback is indicated as a logical flag.

[0416] Example D21: A method according to any one of Examples D19 to D20, wherein the feedback indicates that a usable reference signal has been received by the first network node based on the search window information.

[0417] Example D22: A method according to any one of Examples D19 to D20, wherein the feedback indicates that a usable reference signal has not been found by the first network node based on the search window information.

[0418] Example D23: A method according to any one of Examples D19 to D22, wherein the feedback indicates the actual search window used by the first network node, and the actual search window is represented as a pair {μ, σ}, where μ is the actual angle and σ is the uncertainty level of the expected angle.

[0419] Example D24: A method according to the method of Example D23, wherein each of μ and σ can take an integer value in the range from 0 to N - 1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees.

[0420] Example D25: Any one of the methods of Examples D19 to D24, wherein the feedback indicates the actual search window used by the first network node, and the actual search window is represented as a pair {k 1 , k 2}, where k 1 is the lower limit of the actual search window and k 2 is the upper limit of the actual search window.

[0421] Example D26: The method of Example D25, wherein each of {k 1 , k 2} can take an integer within the range from 0 to N - 1, whereby the resolution is 360 / N degrees.

[0422] Example D27: Any one of the methods of Examples D19 to D26, wherein the feedback includes a list of actual sub-windows.

[0423] Example D28a: Any one of the methods of Examples D16 to D27, wherein the response message includes indicating that the first network node used a search window different from the search window information.

[0424] Example D28b: Any one of the methods of Examples D16 to D28a, wherein the response message is configured to report only the measurement results generated by the first network node using the search window information from the first network node, and / or indicates whether the first network node is configured to report the measurement results generated using the search window information and the measurement results generated outside the search window information.

[0425] Example D29a: A method according to any one of Examples D16 to D28b, wherein the response message includes at least one measurement result generated using the search window information from the second network node and / or at least one measurement result generated using a search window different from the search window information.

[0426] Example D29b: A method according to any one of Examples D1 to D29a, wherein the at least one measurement result includes only the measurement result generated using the search window information from the second network node.

[0427] Example D30: A method according to any one of Examples D20 to D29b, further comprising receiving, from the second network node, refined and / or adapted search window information based on the response message.

[0428] Example D31: A method according to any one of Examples D1 to D30, further comprising transmitting a request for the search window information to the second network node, wherein the search window information is included in the message based on the request for the search window information.

[0429] Example D32: A method according to Example D31, wherein the request for the search window information is transmitted in a message to the second network node during an initial exchange of configuration information between the first network node and the second network node.

[0430] Example D33: A method according to Example D32, wherein the configuration information includes a sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration.

[0431] Example D34: A method according to any one of Examples D1 to D33, wherein the first network node includes a gNodeB (gNB) or a transmission and reception point (TRP).

[0432] Example D35: A method which is any one of the methods of Examples D1 to D34, wherein the second network node includes a location management function (LMF).

[0433] Example D36: A first network node comprising a processing circuit configured to execute any of the methods of Examples D1 to D35.

[0434] Example D37: A computer program including a set of instructions that, when executed on a computer, execute any of the methods of Examples D1 to D35.

[0435] Example D38: A computer program product including a computer program that includes a set of instructions that, when executed on a computer, execute any of the methods of Examples D1 to D35.

[0436] Example D39: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions that, when executed by a computer, execute any of the methods of Examples D1 to D35.

[0437] Example E1: A network node comprising a processing circuit configured to execute any of the step groups of the examples of Groups A, B, C, and D, and a power supply circuit configured to supply power to the wireless device.

[0438] Example E2: A communication system including a host computer, wherein the host computer includes a processing circuit configured to provide user data and a communication interface configured to transfer the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a wireless device, the cellular network includes a network node, the network node includes a wireless interface and a processing circuit, and the processing circuit of the network node is configured to execute any of the step groups of the examples of Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D.

[0439] Example E3: A communication system including the network node, which is the communication system of the foregoing embodiment.

[0440] Example E4: A communication system including the wireless device in addition to the communication systems of the foregoing two embodiments, where the wireless device is configured to communicate with the network node.

[0441] Example E5: A communication system including the processing circuit of the host computer in the communication systems of the foregoing three embodiments, where the processing circuit of the host computer is configured to provide the user data by executing a host application, and the wireless device includes a processing circuit configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

[0442] Example E6: A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node, and a wireless device, including providing user data in the host computer and starting a transmission to carry the user data to the wireless device via a cellular network including the network node in the host computer, where the network node executes any one of the step groups in any of the examples of Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D.

[0443] Example E7: A method including further transmitting the user data in the network node, which is the method of the foregoing embodiment.

[0444] Example E8: A method including further executing a client application associated with the host application in the wireless device, where the user data is provided by executing a host application in the host computer, which is the method of the foregoing two embodiments.

[0445] Example E9: A wireless device configured to communicate with a network node, the wireless device comprising a wireless interface and a processing circuit configured to execute that of the three foregoing embodiments.

[0446] Example E10: A communication system including a host computer comprising a communication interface configured to receive user data derived from a transmission signal from a wireless device to a network node, the network node comprising a wireless interface and a processing circuit, the processing circuit of the network node being configured to execute any of the step groups of any of the examples of Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D.

[0447] Example E11: A communication system which is the communication system of the foregoing embodiment and further includes the network node.

[0448] Example E12: A communication system which is the communication system of the two foregoing embodiments and further includes the wireless device, the wireless device being configured to communicate with the network node.

[0449] Example E13: A communication system which is the communication system of the three foregoing embodiments, wherein the processing circuit of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, and the wireless device is configured to provide the user data to be received by the host computer by executing a client application associated with the host application.

[0450] Example E14: A method according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the network node includes a base station.

[0451] Example E15: A method according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the wireless device includes a user equipment (UE).

[0452] Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems and devices described herein. The components of the systems and devices may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and devices may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. Additionally, the operations of the systems and devices may be performed using any suitable logic, including software, hardware, and / or other logic. As used herein, "each" refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

[0453] Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the methods described herein. The methods may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, the steps may be performed in any suitable order.

[0454] Although the present disclosure has been described from the perspective of certain embodiments, variations and substitutions of those embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of those embodiments does not limit the present disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method (2200) performed by a first network node (560), comprising: sending, to a second network node (560), a message comprising search window information, the search window information comprising: an expected angle of arrival azimuth (AoA) and an expected angle of arrival zenith (ZoA) information associated with an expected angle comprising at least one of, and information associated with a level of uncertainty of the expected angle; and receiving, from the second network node, at least one measurement result comprising information about the location of a user equipment (UE) based at least in part on the search window information; sending, to the second network node, additional search window information adapted to the location of the UE based on the at least one measurement result; receiving, from the second network node, a response message, the response message comprising: a physical cell identifier of at least one measurement, a cell global identifier of at least one measurement, a transmit receive point identifier of at least one measurement, an uplink AoA, an uplink sounding reference signal - reference signal received power, a timestamp associated with at least one measurement, and a quality level associated with at least one measurement, comprising at least one of; a method comprising.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the message comprises a new radio positioning protocol A (NRPPA) measurement request message, the response message comprises an NRPPA measurement response message, the first network node comprises a location server, the second network node comprises a central unit (CU).

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the message comprises an F1 positioning measurement request message, the first network node comprises a central unit (CU), and the second network node comprises a distributed unit (DU).

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information associated with the level of uncertainty of the expected angle is a value representing the level of uncertainty of the expected angle, or an indication that the first network node has no knowledge of the level of uncertainty of the expected angle, indicating.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the message includes sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information for performing at least one measurement by the second network node, and the at least one measurement includes at least one of an uplink relative time of arrival (UL-RTOA) measurement, an uplink round-trip time (UL RTT) measurement, an extended cell ID (e-CID) measurement, an AoA measurement, and a ZoA measurement.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving, from the second network node, a request for obtaining the search window information, wherein the search window information is included in the message based on the request for obtaining the search window information.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the response message includes indicating that the second network node has used a search window different from the search window information.

8. A method (2300) performed by a second network node (560), receiving, from a first network node (560), a message including search window information, wherein the search window information includes an expected angle of arrival (AoA) and an expected zenith angle of arrival (ZoA) information associated with an expected angle including at least one of them, and information associated with an uncertainty level of the expected angle, and transmitting, to the first network node, at least one measurement result including information about the position of a user equipment (UE) based at least in part on the search window information; receiving, from the first network node, additional search window information adapted to the position of the UE based on the at least one measurement result; transmitting, to the first network node, a response message, wherein the response message includes a physical cell identifier of at least one measurement, a cell global identifier of at least one measurement, a transmit-receive point identifier of at least one measurement, an uplink AoA, an uplink sounding reference signal-reference signal received power, a timestamp associated with at least one measurement, and a quality level associated with at least one measurement, including at least one of them, comprising a method.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the message includes a New Radio Positioning Protocol A (NRPPA) measurement request message, the response message includes an NRPPA measurement response message, the first network node includes a location server, the second network node includes a Central Unit (CU), a method.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the message includes an F1 positioning measurement request message, the first network node includes a Central Unit (CU), the second network node includes a Distributed Unit (DU), a method.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the information associated with the uncertainty level of the expected angle is a value representing the level of uncertainty of the expected angle, or the fact that the second network node does not have knowledge of the level of uncertainty of the expected angle, a method indicating the above.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the message includes sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information for performing at least one measurement by the second network node.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising performing the at least one measurement based on at least one of the configuration information and the search window information.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one measurement includes at least one of an Uplink Relative Time of Arrival (UL-RTOA) measurement, an Uplink Round Trip Time (UL RTT) measurement, an Extended Cell ID (e-CID) measurement, an AoA measurement, and a ZoA measurement.

15. The method according to claim 8, wherein the response message includes indicating that the second network node used a search window different from the search window information.

16. The method according to claim 8, further comprising sending a request for the search window information to the first network node, wherein the search window information is included in the message based on the request for the search window information.

17. A first network node (560), wherein To send a message including search window information to the second network node (560), wherein the search window information is associated with an expected angle including at least one of an expected angle of arrival (AoA) and an expected zenith angle of arrival (ZoA), and information associated with an uncertainty level of the expected angle, and including information associated with an uncertainty level of the expected angle, and to receive, from the second network node, at least one measurement result including information regarding the position of a user equipment (UE) based at least in part on the search window information; to send, to the second network node, additional search window information adapted to the position of the UE based on the at least one measurement result; to receive, from the second network node, a response message, wherein the response message includes at least one of a physical cell identifier of at least one measurement, a cell global identifier of at least one measurement, a transmit / receive point identifier of at least one measurement, an uplink AoA, an uplink sounding reference signal - reference signal received power, a timestamp associated with at least one measurement, and a quality level associated with at least one measurement, and a first network node adapted to perform the above. **Claim 18** The first network node according to claim 17, further adapted to perform any one of claims 2 - 7. **Claim 19** A second network node (560), to receive, from the first network node, a message including search window information, wherein the search window information is associated with an expected angle including at least one of an expected angle of arrival (AoA) and an expected zenith angle of arrival (ZoA), and information associated with an uncertainty level of the expected angle, and including information associated with an uncertainty level of the expected angle, and to send, to the first network node, at least one measurement result including information regarding the position of a user equipment (UE) based at least in part on the search window information; to receive, from the first network node, additional search window information adapted to the position of the UE based on the at least one measurement result; To send a response message to the first network node, the response message comprising: a physical cell identifier of at least one measurement, a cell global identifier of at least one measurement, a transmit / receive point identifier of at least one measurement, uplink angle of arrival, uplink sounding reference signal-reference signal received power, a timestamp associated with at least one measurement, and a quality level associated with at least one measurement, comprising at least one of the above, a second network node adapted to perform the above.

20. The second network node according to claim 19, further adapted to perform any one of claims 9 to 16.

Images