System and method for indicating uplink information

Abstract

A system and method for a wireless communication system are disclosed. In one aspect, the wireless communication method includes receiving a positioning request from a network by a wireless communication device. The positioning request includes a request for at least one of performing a UL-TDOA positioning method, performing a multi-RTT positioning method, performing a DL-TDOA positioning method, performing a DL-AoD positioning method, performing a UL-AoA positioning method, or reporting measurement information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Technical Field The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication including, but not limited to, systems and methods for indicating uplink information.

Background Art

[0002] Background The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®), a standards organization, is currently promoting the specification of a new radio interface called 5G New Radio (5G NR), as well as a next-generation packet core network (NG-CN or NGC). 5G NR has three main components, namely, a 5G access network (5G-AN), a 5G core network (5GC), and a user equipment (UE). To facilitate the activation of different data services and requirements, the elements of the 5GC, also called network functions (NFs), are simplified and some of them are software-based and can be adapted as needed.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] Summary In one aspect, the wireless communication method includes receiving, by a wireless communication device, a positioning request from a network. The positioning request includes a request for performing an uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) positioning method, a multi-round trip time (RTT) positioning method, a downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) positioning method, a downlink angle of departure (DL-AoD) positioning method, an uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA) positioning method, or reporting measurement information, among at least one of them. The method includes reporting, by the wireless communication device, measurement information to the network. The measurement information includes at least one of a UL-TDOA measurement result, a multi-RTT measurement result, a DL-TDOA measurement result, a DL-AoD measurement result, a UL-AoA measurement result, a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource identifier (ID), an SRS resource set ID, a UE transmission (Tx) timing error group (TEG) ID, an association relationship between SRS signaling and the UE Tx TEG, or antenna reference point (ARP) information of the SRS signaling. The SRS signaling includes at least one of an SRS resource or an SRS resource set.

[0004] In some embodiments, the network includes a base station and a location management function (LMF), the positioning request is configured by the base station, and the method further includes reporting, by the wireless communication device, measurement information in at least one of a measurement report, uplink control information (UCI), channel state information (CSI) feedback, or a PUCCH resource to the base station.

[0005] In some embodiments, the network includes a base station and an LMF, the positioning request is configured by the LMF, and the method further includes reporting, by the wireless communication device, measurement information in at least one of a UL-TDOA report, a multi-RTT report, or a DL-TDOA report to the LMF.

[0006] In some embodiments, the LMF requests the base station to configure a positioning request.

[0007] In some embodiments, the positioning requirement includes a period for reporting measurement information.

[0008] In some embodiments, the method further includes, in response to determining that a period for reporting a positioning requirement or measurement information is not received by the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device determining that the period for reporting the measurement information is the same as the period of the reporting configuration.

[0009] In some embodiments, the reporting configuration includes at least one of a measurement report, UCI, CSI feedback, physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources, UL-TDOA report, multi-RTT report, DL-TDOA report.

[0010] In some embodiments, the method further includes, in response to determining that a period for reporting a positioning requirement or measurement information is not received by the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device determining that the period for reporting the measurement information is a subset of the period of the reporting configuration.

[0011] In some embodiments, the reporting configuration includes at least one of a measurement report, UCI, CSI feedback, PUCCH resources, UL-TDOA report, multi-RTT report, DL-TDOA report.

[0012] In some embodiments, reporting the measurement information includes reporting an association relationship between SRS signaling and UE Tx TEG using a bitmap.

[0013] In some embodiments, the association relationship between SRS signaling and UE Tx TEG in the first period for reporting measurement information is the same as the association relationship between SRS signaling and UE Tx TEG in the second period for reporting measurement information. The SRS signaling is not transmitted in the first period for reporting measurement information, and the SRS signaling is transmitted in the second period for reporting measurement information. The second period for reporting measurement information is the most recent period before the first period for reporting measurement information.

[0014] In some embodiments, the UE Tx TEG associated with the SRS signaling in the third period is the default UE Tx TEG, and the SRS signaling is not transmitted in the third period for reporting measurement information.

[0015] In some embodiments, the measurement information further includes an indication. The indication indicates whether the transmission timing of the UE receive - transmission (Rx - Tx) time difference measurement value is based on the transmission timing of the uplink subframe that is closest in time to the downlink subframe received from the network, or based on the transmission timing of the uplink subframe in which one or more associated SRS signals are transmitted.

[0016] In some embodiments, the multi - RTT measurement result includes at least one of one or more serving cell indexes associated with the associated SRS signaling, one or more SRS resource IDs, one or more SRS resource set IDs, one or more UE Tx TEG IDs, one or more timestamps associated with the SRS resource ID, or one or more timing qualities of the transmission timing.

[0017] In some embodiments, the DL - TDOA measurement result includes one timestamp for each cell pair to which two reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement values associated with the same positioning reference signal (PRS) resource are applied.

[0018] In some embodiments, the DL-TDOA measurement results include one or more RSTD measurements, and the maximum number of RSTD measurements for each pair of cells is greater than 4.

[0019] In some embodiments, the associated PRS resource ID or PRS resource set ID need not be reported, and the DL-TDOA measurement results, multi-RTT measurement results, or DL-AoD measurement results include ARP information corresponding to the associated PRS resource or associated PRS resource set.

[0020] Another aspect is a wireless communication device including at least one processor and a memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to read code from the memory and implement a wireless communication method. The wireless communication method includes receiving, by the wireless communication device, a positioning request from a network. The positioning request includes a request for at least one of performing a UL-TDOA positioning method, performing a multi-RTT positioning method, performing a DL-TDOA positioning method, performing a DL-AoD positioning method, performing a UL-AoA positioning method, or reporting measurement information. The method includes reporting, by the wireless communication device, measurement information to the network. The measurement information includes at least one of UL-TDOA measurement results, multi-RTT measurement results, DL-TDOA measurement results, DL-AoD measurement results, UL-AoA measurement results, SRS resource ID, SRS resource set ID, UE Tx TEG ID, an association relationship between SRS signaling and UE Tx TEG, or ARP information of SRS signaling. The SRS signaling includes at least one of an SRS resource or an SRS resource set.

[0021] Another aspect is a computer program product comprising computer-readable program media code which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to implement a wireless communication method. The wireless communication method includes receiving a positioning request from a network by a wireless communication device. The positioning request includes a request for performing at least one of the following: implementing a UL-TDOA positioning method, implementing a multi-RTT positioning method, implementing a DL-TDOA positioning method, implementing a DL-AoD positioning method, implementing a UL-AoA positioning method, or reporting measurement information. The method includes reporting measurement information to the network by the wireless communication device. The measurement information includes at least one of the following: UL-TDOA measurement results, multi-RTT measurement results, DL-TDOA measurement results, DL-AoD measurement results, UL-AoA measurement results, SRS resource ID, SRS resource set ID, UE Tx TEG ID, an association relationship between SRS signaling and UE Tx TEG, or ARP information of SRS signaling. The SRS signaling includes at least one of an SRS resource or an SRS resource set.

[0022] Another aspect is a wireless communication method including transmitting a positioning request to a wireless communication device by a network. The positioning request includes a request for at least one of performing a UL-TDOA positioning method, performing a multi-RTT positioning method, performing a DL-TDOA positioning method, performing a DL-AoD positioning method, performing a UL-AoA positioning method, or reporting measurement information. The method also includes receiving measurement information from the wireless communication device by the network. The measurement information includes at least one of a UL-TDOA measurement result, a multi-RTT measurement result, a DL-TDOA measurement result, a DL-AoD measurement result, a UL-AoA measurement result, an SRS resource ID, an SRS resource set ID, a UE Tx TEG identifier, an association relationship between SRS signaling and the UE Tx TEG, or ARP information of the SRS signaling. The SRS signaling includes at least one of an SRS resource or an SRS resource set.

[0023] In some embodiments, the network includes a base station and an LMF, and the positioning request is configured by the base station. The method further includes receiving, by the base station, measurement information in at least one of a measurement report, UCI, CSI feedback, or a PUCCH resource from the wireless communication device.

[0024] In some embodiments, the LMF requests the base station to configure a positioning request.

[0025] In some embodiments, the network includes a base station and an LMF, and the positioning request is configured by the LMF. The method further includes receiving, by the LMF, measurement information in at least one of a UL-TDOA report, a multi-RTT report, or a DL-TDOA report from the wireless communication device.

[0026] In some embodiments, the network includes a base station and an LMF, and when a first condition is satisfied, the base station transmits SRS coordinate information to the LMF. The SRS coordinate information includes at least one of SRS coordinates, SRS ARP information, or SRS antenna panel information.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first condition includes at least one of: the received beam information associated with the positioning measurement is not reported by the base station; the SRS signaling associated with the positioning measurement is quasi-collocated (QCL) with a PRS resource or a synchronization signal block (SSB) resource, and the PRS resource or the SSB resource is not configured using geographical coordinates; or the received beam information associated with the positioning measurement is not reported by the base station, and the SRS signaling associated with the positioning measurement is not configured using spatial relationship information.

[0028] In some embodiments, the method further includes the network determining, according to the UE capability report, that the transmission timing of the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement value is based on the transmission timing of an uplink subframe in which one or more associated SRS resources are transmitted.

[0029] In some embodiments, the UE capability report includes at least one of an indication that the wireless communication device supports TEG, or an indication that the wireless communication device supports determining the transmission timing of the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement value according to the transmission timing of an uplink subframe in which one or more associated SRS resources are transmitted.

[0030] Another aspect is a wireless communication device including at least one processor and a memory. The at least one processor is configured to read code from the memory and implement a wireless communication method. The wireless communication method includes the network transmitting a positioning request to the wireless communication device. The positioning request includes a request for at least one of performing a UL-TDOA positioning method, performing a multi-RTT positioning method, performing a DL-TDOA positioning method, performing a DL-AoD positioning method, performing a UL-AoA positioning method, or reporting measurement information. The method also includes the network receiving measurement information from the wireless communication device. The measurement information includes at least one of a UL-TDOA measurement result, a multi-RTT measurement result, a DL-TDOA measurement result, a DL-AoD measurement result, a UL-AoA measurement result, an SRS resource ID, an SRS resource set ID, a UE Tx TEG identifier, an association relationship between SRS signaling and the UE Tx TEG, or ARP information of the SRS signaling. The SRS signaling includes at least one of an SRS resource or an SRS resource set.

[0031] Another aspect is a computer program product including computer-readable program media code, where when the code is executed by at least one processor, it causes the at least one processor to implement a wireless communication method. The wireless communication method includes transmitting a positioning request to a wireless communication device by a network. The positioning request includes a request for at least one of performing a UL-TDOA positioning method, performing a multi-RTT positioning method, performing a DL-TDOA positioning method, performing a DL-AoD positioning method, performing a UL-AoA positioning method, or reporting measurement information. The method also includes receiving measurement information from the wireless communication device by the network. The measurement information includes at least one of a UL-TDOA measurement result, a multi-RTT measurement result, a DL-TDOA measurement result, a DL-AoD measurement result, a UL-AoA measurement result, an SRS resource ID, an SRS resource set ID, a UE Tx TEG identifier, an association relationship between SRS signaling and UE Tx TEG, or ARP information of SRS signaling. The SRS signaling includes at least one of an SRS resource or an SRS resource set. The present invention provides, for example, the following. (Item 1) A wireless communication method, wherein a wireless communication device receives a positioning request from a network, the positioning request including a request for at least one of performing an uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) positioning method, performing a multi-round trip time (RTT) positioning method, performing a downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) positioning method, performing a downlink angle of departure (DL-AoD) positioning method, performing an uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA) positioning method, or reporting measurement information, and the wireless communication device reports the measurement information to the network, the measurement information including at least one of a UL-TDOA measurement result, a multi-RTT measurement result, a DL-TDOA measurement result, a DL-AoD measurement result, a UL-AoA measurement result, a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource identifier (ID), an SRS resource set ID, a user equipment (UE) transmission (Tx) timing error group (TEG) ID, an association relationship between SRS signaling and the UE Tx TEG, or antenna reference point (ARP) information of the SRS signaling, the SRS signaling including at least one of an SRS resource or an SRS resource set, A method including the above. (Item 2) The network includes a base station and a location management function (LMF), the positioning request is configured by the base station, and the method further includes the wireless communication device reporting the measurement information in at least one of a measurement report, uplink control information (UCI), channel state information (CSI) feedback, or a PUCCH resource to the base station. The method according to Item 1. (Item 3) The network includes a base station and a location management function (LMF), the positioning request is configured by the LMF, and the method further includes the wireless communication device reporting the measurement information in at least one of a UL-TDOA report, a multi-RTT report, or a DL-TDOA report to the LMF. The method according to Item 1. (Item 4) The method according to Item 2, wherein the LMF requests the base station to configure the positioning request. (Item 5) The positioning requirement is the method according to item 1, including a period for reporting measurement information. (Item 6) The method according to item 5, further comprising determining, by the wireless communication device, that the period for reporting the positioning requirement or the measurement information is the same as the period of the reporting configuration in response to determining that the period for reporting the positioning requirement or the measurement information is not received by the wireless communication device. (Item 7) The method according to item 6, wherein the reporting configuration includes at least one of measurement report, uplink control information (UCI), channel state information (CSI) feedback, physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource, UL-TDOA report, multi-RTT report, and DL-TDOA report. (Item 8) The method according to item 5, further comprising determining, by the wireless communication device, that the period for reporting the positioning requirement or the measurement information is a subset of the period of the reporting configuration in response to determining that the period for reporting the positioning requirement or the measurement information is not received by the wireless communication device. (Item 9) The method according to item 8, wherein the reporting configuration includes at least one of measurement report, uplink control information (UCI), channel state information (CSI) feedback, physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource, UL-TDOA report, multi-RTT report, and DL-TDOA report. (Item 10) The method according to item 1, wherein reporting the measurement information includes reporting the association relationship between the SRS signaling and the UE Tx TEG using a bitmap. (Item 11) The association relationship between the SRS signaling and the UE Tx TEG in the first period for reporting the measurement information is the same as the association relationship between the SRS signaling and the UE Tx TEG in the second period for reporting the measurement information. The SRS signaling is not transmitted in the first period for reporting the measurement information. The SRS signaling is transmitted in the second period for reporting the measurement information. The second period for reporting the measurement information is the most recent period before the first period for reporting the measurement information. The method according to item 9. (Item 12) The UE Tx TEG associated with the SRS signaling in the third period is the default UE Tx TEG, and the SRS signaling is not transmitted in the third period in which the measurement information is reported, the method according to item 9. (Item 13) The measurement information further includes an indication, and the indication indicates whether the transmission timing of the UE receive-transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference measurement value is based on the transmission timing of the uplink subframe that is closest in time to the downlink subframe received from the network, or based on the transmission timing of the uplink subframe in which one or more associated SRS signals are transmitted, the method according to item 1. (Item 14) The multi-RTT measurement result includes at least one of one or more serving cell indexes of associated SRS signaling, one or more SRS resource IDs, one or more SRS resource set IDs, one or more UE Tx TEG IDs, one or more timestamps associated with the SRS resource ID, or one or more timing qualities of the transmission timing, the method according to item 1. (Item 15) The DL-TDOA measurement result includes one timestamp for each cell pair to which two reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement values associated with the same positioning reference signal (PRS) resource are applied, the method according to item 1. (Item 16) The DL-TDOA measurement result includes one or more reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement values, and the maximum number of the RSTD measurement values for each pair of cells is greater than 4, the method according to item 1. (Item 17) The associated positioning reference signal (PRS) resource ID or PRS resource set ID need not be reported, the DL-TDOA measurement result, the multi-RTT measurement result, or the DL-AoD measurement result includes ARP information corresponding to the associated PRS resource or the associated PRS resource set, the method according to item 1. (Item 18) A wireless communication device comprising at least one processor and a memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to read code from the memory and implement the method according to item 1. (Item 19) A computer program product comprising computer-readable program media code stored therein, wherein when the code is executed by at least one processor, the at least one processor is caused to implement the method described in item 1. (Item 20) A wireless communication method, wherein a positioning request is transmitted to a wireless communication device by a network, the positioning request including a request for at least one of performing an uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) positioning method, performing a multi-round trip time (RTT) positioning method, performing a downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) positioning method, performing a downlink angle of departure (DL-AoD) positioning method, performing an uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA) positioning method, or reporting measurement information. wherein the measurement information is received from the wireless communication device by the network, the measurement information including at least one of a UL-TDOA measurement result, a multi-RTT measurement result, a DL-TDOA measurement result, a DL-AoD measurement result, a UL-AoA measurement result, a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource identifier (ID), an SRS resource set ID, a user equipment (UE) transmission (Tx) timing error group (TEG) identifier, an association relationship between SRS signaling and UE Tx TEG, or antenna reference point (ARP) information of SRS signaling, and the SRS signaling includes at least one of an SRS resource or an SRS resource set. A method comprising the above. (Item 21) The network includes a base station and a location management function (LMF), the positioning request is configured by the base station, the method further includes receiving, by the base station, the measurement information in at least one of a measurement report, uplink control information (UCI), channel state information (CSI) feedback, or a PUCCH resource from the wireless communication device. The method according to item 20. (Item 22) The method according to item 21, wherein the LMF requests the base station to configure the positioning request. (Item 23) The network includes a base station and a location management function (LMF), the positioning request is configured by the LMF, The method further includes receiving, by the LMF, the measurement information in at least one of the UL-TDOA report, the multi-RTT report, and the DL-TDOA report from the wireless communication device. The method according to item 20. (Item 24) The network includes a base station and a Location Management Function (LMF). The method according to item 20, wherein when a first condition is satisfied, the base station transmits SRS coordinate information to the LMF, and the SRS coordinate information includes at least one of SRS coordinates, SRS ARP information, or SRS antenna panel information. (Item 25) The first condition is that received beam information associated with the positioning measurement is not reported by the base station, that SRS signaling associated with the positioning measurement is quasi-collocated (QCL) with a positioning reference signal (PRS) resource or a synchronization signal block (SSB) resource, and the PRS resource or the SSB resource is not configured using geographical coordinates, or that received beam information associated with the positioning measurement is not reported by the base station, and SRS signaling associated with the positioning measurement is not configured using spatial relationship information The method according to item 24, including at least one of the above. (Item 26) The method according to item 20, further including determining, by the network according to the UE capability report, that the transmission timing of the UE receive-transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference measurement value is based on the transmission timing of an uplink subframe in which one or more associated SRS resources are transmitted. (Item 27) The UE capability report includes at least one of an indication that the wireless communication device supports TEG, or an indication that the wireless communication device supports determining the transmission timing of the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement value according to the transmission timing of the uplink subframe in which the one or more associated SRS resources are transmitted. The method according to item 26. (Item 28) A wireless communication device including at least one processor and a memory, wherein the at least one processor reads code from the memory and is configured to implement the method according to item 20. (Item 29) A computer program product comprising computer-readable program media code stored therein, wherein when the code is executed by at least one processor, the at least one processor is caused to implement the method according to item 20.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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[0036] Detailed Description To enable those skilled in the art to make and use the present solution, various exemplary embodiments of the present solution are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, after reading the present disclosure, various changes or modifications to the examples described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the present solution. Therefore, the present solution is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and applications described and illustrated herein. Further, the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein is merely an exemplary approach. Based on design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of steps of the disclosed methods or processes can be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present solution. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or operations in a sample order, and the present solution is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented unless otherwise specified.

[0037] Mobile communication technology and environment

[0038] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary wireless communication system 100 in which the techniques disclosed herein may be implemented, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the following description, the wireless communication system 100 may implement any wireless network, such as a cellular network or a NarrowBand Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network. Such an exemplary system 100 includes a base station (BS) 102 (also referred to as a wireless communication node) and a UE 104 (also referred to as a wireless communication device) that can communicate with each other via a communication link 110 (e.g., a wireless communication channel), and a cluster of cells 126, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 that overlap a geographic area 101. In some examples, the network refers to one or more BSs (e.g., BS 102) that communicate with the UE 104, as well as backend entities and functions (e.g., LMF). In other words, the network refers to the components of the system 100 other than the UE 104. In FIG. 1, the BS 102 and the UE 104 are included within the respective geographic boundaries of the cell 126. Each of the other cells 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 may include at least one base station operating in its assigned bandwidth to provide appropriate wireless coverage to its targeted users.

[0039] For example, the BS 102 may operate in an assigned channel transmission bandwidth to provide appropriate coverage to the UE 104. The BS 102 and the UE 104 can communicate with each other via a downlink wireless frame 118 and an uplink wireless frame 124, respectively. Each wireless frame 118 / 124 may be further divided into subframes 120 / 127 that may include data symbols 122 / 128. In the present disclosure, the BS 102 and the UE 104 are generally described herein as non-limiting examples of "communication nodes" that can practice the methods disclosed herein. Such communication nodes may be capable of performing wireless and / or wired communication according to various embodiments of the present solution.

[0040] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system 200 for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals (e.g., OFDM signals or OFDMA signals) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. System 200 may include components and elements configured to support known or conventional operating features that need not be described in detail herein. In an exemplary embodiment, system 200 can be used to communicate (e.g., transmit and receive) data symbols in a wireless communication environment such as system 100 of FIG. 1 as described above.

[0041] System 200 generally includes a base station 202 (hereinafter, “BS202”) and a user equipment device 204 (hereinafter, “UE204”). BS202 includes a BS transceiver module 210, a BS antenna 212, a BS processor module 214, a BS memory module 216, and a network communication module 218, and each module is coupled and interconnected with each other as needed via a data communication bus 220. UE204 includes a UE (user equipment) transceiver module 230, a UE antenna 232, a UE memory module 234, and a UE processor module 236, and each module is coupled and interconnected with each other as needed via a data communication bus 240. BS202 communicates with UE204 via a communication channel 250, and the communication channel can be any wireless channel or other medium suitable for data transmission as described herein.

[0042] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, system 200 may further include any number of modules other than those shown in FIG. 2. Those skilled in the art will understand that the various exemplary blocks, modules, circuits, and processing logics described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in hardware, computer-readable software, firmware, or any practical combination thereof. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability and compatibility of hardware, firmware, and software, the various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are described generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software can depend on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art who are proficient in the concepts described herein can implement such functionality in a manner suitable for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0043] According to some embodiments, the UE transceiver 230 may be referred to herein as an "uplink" transceiver 230 that includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and an RF receiver, each including circuitry coupled to the antenna 232. Alternatively, a duplex switch (not shown) may couple the uplink transmitter or receiver to the uplink antenna in a time-division duplexing manner. Similarly, according to some embodiments, the BS transceiver 210 may be referred to herein as a "downlink" transceiver 210 that includes an RF transmitter and an RF receiver, each including circuitry coupled to the antenna 212. Alternatively, a downlink duplex switch may couple the downlink transmitter or receiver to the downlink antenna 212 in a time-division duplexing manner. The operations of the two transceiver modules 210 and 230 may be time-aligned such that the downlink transmitter is coupled to the downlink antenna 212 while at the same time the uplink receiver circuitry is coupled to the uplink antenna 232 to receive transmissions via the wireless transmission link 250. Conversely, the operations of the two transceivers 210 and 230 may be time-aligned such that the uplink transmitter is coupled to the uplink antenna 232 while at the same time the downlink receiver is coupled to the downlink antenna 212 to receive transmissions via the wireless transmission link 250. In some embodiments, there is close time synchronization with a minimum guard time during changes in the duplex direction.

[0044] UE transceiver 230 and base station transceiver 210 communicate via a wireless data communication link 250 and are configured to cooperate with appropriately configured RF antenna devices 212 / 232 that can support a particular wireless communication protocol and modulation scheme. In some exemplary embodiments, UE transceiver 210 and base station transceiver 210 are configured to support industry standards such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and emerging 5G standards. However, it is understood that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to application to specific standards and related protocols. Rather, UE transceiver 230 and base station transceiver 210 may be configured to support alternative or additional wireless data communication protocols, including future standards or variants thereof.

[0045] According to various embodiments, BS202 can be, for example, an evolved Node B (eNB), a serving eNB, a target eNB, a femto station, or a pico station. In some embodiments, UE204 can be embodied in various types of user devices such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet, a laptop computer, a wearable computing device, and the like. Processor modules 214 and 236 may be implemented or realized using a general-purpose processor, a content addressable memory, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, any suitable programmable logic device, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Thus, the processor may be realized as a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, and the like. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors cooperating with a digital signal processor core, or any other such configuration.

[0046] Furthermore, the steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, firmware, software modules executed by respective processor modules 214 and 236, or any practical combination thereof. Memory modules 216 and 234 can be implemented as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. In this regard, memory modules 216 and 234 can be coupled to respective processor modules 210 and 230 so that the processor modules 210 and 230 can read information from and write information to the memory modules 216 and 234, respectively. Memory modules 216 and 234 may also be integrated into respective processor modules 210 and 230. In some embodiments, memory modules 216 and 234 may each include a cache memory for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions executed by respective processor modules 210 and 230. Memory modules 216 and 234 may also each include non-volatile memory for storing instructions executed by respective processor modules 210 and 230.

[0047] The network communication module 218 generally represents the hardware, software, firmware, processing logic, and / or other components of base station 202 that enable bidirectional communication between base station transceiver 210 and other network components and communication nodes configured to communicate with base station 202. For example, network communication module 218 may be configured to support Internet or WiMAX traffic. In a typical arrangement, but not limited to, network communication module 218 provides an 802.3 Ethernet (registered trademark) interface so that base station transceiver 210 can communicate with a conventional Ethernet (registered trademark)-based computer network. In this way, network communication module 218 may include a physical interface for connecting to a computer network (e.g., a mobile switching center (MSC)). As used herein, the terms "configured to" and "configured so as to" and their conjugations with respect to a specified operation or function refer to a device, component, circuit, structure, machine, signal, etc. that is physically configured, programmed, formatted, and / or arranged to perform the specified operation or function.

[0048] The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model (referred to as the "Open Systems Interconnection model" in this specification) is a conceptual and logical layout that defines network communication used by systems (e.g., wireless communication devices, wireless communication nodes) that are open to interconnection and communication with other systems. The model is divided into seven sub-components or layers, each of which represents a conceptual set of services provided to the layers above and below. The OSI model also defines a logical network and effectively describes computer packet transfer by using different layer protocols. The OSI model is sometimes referred to as the seven-layer OSI model or the seven-layer model. In some embodiments, the first layer can be the physical layer. In some embodiments, the second layer can be the MAC layer. In some embodiments, the third layer can be the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer. In some embodiments, the fourth layer can be the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer. In some embodiments, the fifth layer can be the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer. In some embodiments, the sixth layer can be the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) layer or the Internet Protocol (IP) layer, and the seventh layer can be other layers.

[0049] Timing delay and / or timing error

[0050] On the TRP and / or UE side, there may be a timing delay or timing error between the baseband and the antenna, which disturbs the measurement results in the timing-based positioning method. There is a timing error group in which the measurement values or signals have the same or similar timing delay or timing error. Therefore, in order to obtain higher measurement accuracy, it is necessary to measure or cancel the timing error / delay. Also, when there are timing errors and / or timing error groups, it is also necessary to report and / or indicate the relative relationship about the timing error group.

[0051] In NR, positioning methods for providing accurate location information to the UE are discussed. In time-based positioning methods such as DL / UL-TDOA and multi-RTT methods, there are timing error groups where the measurements or signals have the same timing delay or timing error. In the UL-TDOA method, there is no UL measurement result reporting procedure. Therefore, in order to mitigate the timing error, it is necessary to report to the network the UL SRS resources associated with the UE Tx TEG.

[0052] The Rx / Tx timing delay between the baseband and the RF chain may be embedded in the timing measurement, because the duration measured for positioning at both the TRP and the UE, e.g., the propagation time, is cut off at the antenna side while the time point is recorded at the baseband. In the present disclosure, the term "timing delay" may be interchangeable with "timing error", "transmission delay", "transmission error", "group delay" or "group error". In the present disclosure, "TRP" may be referred to as "gNB", "eNB", "NG-RAN node", or "base station".

[0053] A TEG is a group of UL / DL positioning signals or DL / UL measurements that have the same timing error or timing errors within a certain margin. A Tx TEG can include transmission positioning signals within a group that have the same Tx timing error or timing errors within a certain margin. An Rx TEG can include UL or DL measurements within a group that have the same Rx timing error or timing errors within a certain margin. The TRP may include a plurality of Tx TEGs and / or a plurality of Rx TEGs. The UE may include a plurality of Tx TEGs and / or a plurality of Rx TEGs.

[0054] For example, TEG can be divided according to dimensions of a frequency layer, a beam (spatial transmission filter), and / or a panel (RF chain, antenna, antenna reference point). For example, a PRS resource or a set of PRS resources within a frequency layer having a transmission beam on one of the panels is within one TRP Tx TEG. A PRS resource or a set of PRS resources within another frequency layer having the same transmission beam on the same panel can be within another TRP Tx TEG.

[0055] For example, the gNB can assume (or determine) that a PRS resource or a set of PRS resources at a single TRP having the same configured / shown coordinates is within one TRP Tx TEG. The gNB can assume (or determine) that UL measurement values derived from SRS resources configured using the same coordinate PRS resources are within one TRP Rx TEG, or the gNB can assume (or determine) UL measurement values derived from SRS resources configured using PRS resources, where the PRS resources are within one TRP Tx TEG.

[0056] In the case of a UE, DL measurement values can include or belong to one or more measurement types including RSTD measurement values, RSRP measurement values, or Rx-Tx time difference measurement values. In the case of a TRP, UL measurement values can include or belong to one or more measurement types including RTOA measurement values, RSRP measurement values, or Rx-Tx time difference measurement values.

[0057] In the present disclosure, the SRS resource can be an SRS for positioning or a normal configured SRS, e.g., an SRS configured using a usage method. The SRS resource can also be a set of SRS resources. The association relationship between the SRS resource and the UE Tx TEG can also be the association relationship between the set of SRS resources and the UE Tx TEG.

[0058] In the present disclosure, the gNB can be a serving gNB or an adjacent gNB.

[0059] In the present disclosure, a base station, gNB, TRP, NG-RAN node, ng-eNB, TP (transmission point), or RP (reception point) may be interchangeable.

[0060] In the present disclosure, the association relationship between the SRS resource / SRS resource set and the UE Tx TEG may include the SRS resource ID / SRS resource set ID associated with the UE Tx TEG ID. For example, SRS resource 1 and SRS resource 2 can be associated with UE Tx TEG1, and SRS resource set 1 can be associated with UE Tx TEG2, and so on.

[0061] In some configurations, the network requests the UE to report the SRS ID, the measurement result of each SRS, and the association relationship between the SRS and the TX TEG.

[0062] In some embodiments, in the UL-TDOA method or the multi-RTT positioning method, the LMF or gNB may request the UE to report at least one of the following measurement information, namely, the SRS resource ID, the SRS resource set ID, the UE Tx TEG ID, the association relationship between the SRS resource and the UE Tx TEG, and the association between the SRS resource set and the UE Tx TEG. The above-mentioned association relationship can be based on some or all of the configured SRS resources / SRS resource sets. The LMF and gNB can also request the UE to report the measurement information during the configured period. The UE can receive the request, and the UE can transmit the measurement information to the network based on the request.

[0063] When the request comes from the serving gNB, the request to report the aforementioned measurement information may be included in at least one of the following IEs, namely, SRS config, MeasObjectCLI, MeasObjectCLINR, MeasConfig, CSI-ReportConfig, CSI-AperiodicTriggerStateList, PUCCH-Config, PUSCH-Config. Under this scenario, the LMF can send a request to the serving gNB. The request can be included in the Requested SRS Transmission Characteristics or the MEASUREMENT REQUEST IE. The serving gNB receives the request and sends an SRS configuration including the request in the SRS configuration IE to the UE.

[0064] When the request comes from the LMF, the request to report the association relationship between the SRS and the UE Tx TEG may be included in at least one of the following IEs, namely, RequestLocationInformation, NR-Multi-RTT-RequestLocationInformation-r16, NR-DL-AoD-RequestLocationInformation-r16, NR-DL-TDOA-RequestLocationInformation-r16. Alternatively, the UE can report the association relationship between the SRS resource and the UE Tx TEG in a newly defined IE, which is used for UL measurement value or information reporting. This IE is used to report UL-TDOA and UL-AoA measurement results, or information related to UL positioning. This IE is different from the UL capability transfer IE.

[0065] Alternatively, when the UE is scheduled using some positioning method such as multi-RTT, DL-TDOA or UL-TDOA, the UE should report the measurement information without an explicit request.

[0066] In some configurations, in the measurement report, the UE reports the relationship between the SRS and the TX TEG to the gNB. In the UCI, the UE reports the relationship between the SRS and the TX TEG to the gNB.

[0067] When the UE is configured using the UL-TDOA method or the multi-RTT method, the UE reports the association relationship between the SRS and the UE Tx TEG in the measurement report to the serving gNB, and the UE can report that relationship in at least one of the following IEs, namely, measurementReport, MeasResults.

[0068] The UE reports the association relationship between the SRS and the UE Tx TEG to the serving gNB in the UCI. For example, the UE can report the association relationship with periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic CSI feedback in response to the indication of the CSI-ReportConfig IE.

[0069] The UE can use a specific PUCCH resource to report the association relationship between the SRS and the UE Tx TEG to the serving gNB. The function of this PUCCH resource is to transmit the aforementioned association relationship. The PUCCH resource can have different formats, for example, format 0, format 1... format 4, etc. The PUCCH resource used to convey the association relationship can be of any format. Therefore, the PUCCH resource capable of transmitting the association relationship is not limited to a specific format. The PUCCH can be configured to be periodic, semi-periodic, or aperiodic.

[0070] In some configurations, the UE reports the association relationship using a 2D bitmap.

[0071] The UE can report the association relationship between the SRS and the UE Tx TEG using a bitmap (or matrix). The SRS and the UE Tx TEG typically have a one-to-one mapping. If the bitmap is two-dimensional, in this bitmap, the rows can be the SRS resource IDs and the columns can be the UE Tx TEG IDs. For the rows, the SRS resource set IDs can be in ascending (or descending) order, and within each set, the SRS resource IDs within each set can be in ascending (or descending) order. Each element in this two-dimensional bitmap can be represented by 1 bit indicating whether the SRS resource and the UE Tx TEG match (are associated). All configured SRS resources for positioning are included in this bitmap.

[0072] The reported bitmap can also be made one-dimensional by creating a vector of two-dimensional bitmaps. For example, the total number of bits in the bitmap can be the number of rows × the number of columns. For example, the SRS resources are ordered first by the Tx TEG ID and second by the ascending order of the SRS resource set ID.

[0073] In some configurations, the UE reports the association periodically, and the period is configurable.

[0074] The UE can report the association relationship between the SRS and the UE Tx TEG to the network periodically. The UE can configure the period for reporting the association. The configured period for reporting the association relationship can be included in the positioning request. The configured period for reporting the association relationship can be the same as or similar to the period of the reporting configuration in which the association relationships are reported together. For example, the period for reporting the association relationship can be a subset of the period for the reporting configuration in which the association relationships are reported together. Alternatively, the configured period for reporting the association relationship between the SRS and the UE Tx TEG can be any other value.

[0075] If the UE is not configured using reporting periods, or if the UE does not receive a positioning request, the period for reporting the association relationship may be the same as the period of the reporting configuration in which the association relationships are both reported by default.

[0076] The reporting configuration can be a measurement report, UCI, CSI feedback, PUCCH resource, UL-TDOA report, multi-RTT report, DL-TDOA report, or a new information element report to the LMF or gNB. The measurement report refers in particular to the measurement report in the RRC signaling from the UE to the serving gNB.

[0077] In some configurations, the UE can update the association relationship bitmap in each report. In one measurement information reporting period, the SRS that is not transmitted can retain the UE Tx TEG association relationship of the last transmitted association relationship.

[0078] Alternatively, in one measurement information reporting period, the SRS that is not transmitted can fallback to the default UE Tx TEG. The default Tx TEG can be defined at an earlier time. The default UE Tx TEG can be any UE Tx TEG. The default UE Tx TEG can be reported to the network through UE capabilities or through UE measurement reports, or can be reported together with the association relationship to the network.

[0079] In some configurations, the Tx timing for forming the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement value is the transmission timing of the uplink subframe #j that is closest in time to the downlink subframe #i received from the positioning node.

[0080] The network can determine whether the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement value is based on (a) the transmission timing of the uplink subframe #j that is closest in time to the downlink subframe #i received from the positioning node, or (b) the transmission timing of the uplink subframe #j that actually transmits the associated SRS resource, according to the indication in the UE positioning measurement report.

[0081] In the first method, in the multi-RTT report, a parameter indicating whether the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement value is based on (a) or (b) should be reported together with the measurement result, for example, in the NR-multi-RTT-SignalMeasurementInformation IE. This parameter is a boolean value. When the network receives the value of this parameter as true, it can mean that the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement value is based on (b), for example, the transmission timing of the uplink subframe #j that actually transmits the associated SRS resource.

[0082] In the second method, the parameter to be reported as needed can be reported within the multi-RTT report. The parameter can be reported to indicate that the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement value is based on (b). If the parameter is not reported, it can mean that the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement value is based on (a), for example, the transmission timing of the uplink subframe #j that is closest in time to the downlink subframe #i received from the positioning node.

[0083] The network can determine whether the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement value is based on (a) the transmission timing of the uplink subframe #j that is closest in time to the downlink subframe #i received from the positioning node, or (b) the transmission timing of the uplink subframe #j that actually transmits the associated SRS resource, according to the UE capability report.

[0084] UE capabilities include at least one of whether the UE supports TEG or whether the UE supports using the transmission timing of the uplink subframe #j that actually transmits the associated SRS resource to determine the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement. If the UE supports TEG or if the UE supports (b), the network and the UE determine that the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement is based on (b), and vice versa.

[0085] In some configurations, the UE can transmit the SRS to a specific TRP according to an explicit indication of the TRP information in the SRS configuration or SRS request. When UL positioning or UL+DL positioning is used, the gNB can indicate to the UE which SRS is within a specific TRP. The UE can receive one or more lists, each of which includes SRS resources or SRS resource sets directed to a specific TRP.

[0086] In some configurations, the Tx timing quality is reported in the multi-RTT report.

[0087] In the multi-RTT report, the UE can further report at least one of the following information: SRS resource ID, SRS resource set ID, timestamp for the reported SRS resource, Rx-Tx time difference measurement associated with the reported SRS resource, SRS antenna coordinates, relative distance between transmission antennas, angle of the transmission antenna, UE Tx TEG ID, timing quality of the transmission timing, SRS RSRP result for the reported SRS resource.

[0088] In the multi-RTT report, if the Tx TEG ID is reported, several SRS resource IDs associated with the Tx TEG ID can be reported together. Each SRS resource ID can be associated with a timestamp.

[0089] In some configurations, when the same PRS of a TRP is received simultaneously (or almost simultaneously) by different UE Rx TEGs, two RSTD measurement values can be associated with this same PRS resource. The two RSTD measurement values can have the same reference timing and share the same timestamp in the DL-TDOA report. For example, the UE can report only one timestamp, which can be applied to the two RSTD measurement values associated with the same PRS resource.

[0090] Alternatively, when the same PRS of a TRP is received simultaneously (or almost simultaneously) by different UE Rx TEGs, two different measurement values of the Rx-Tx time can be associated with this same PRS resource. The two different measurement values of the Rx-Tx time can share the same timestamp in the multi-RTT report. For example, the UE reports only one timestamp, and this timestamp is applied to the two UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement values associated with the same PRS resource.

[0091] In some configurations, the maximum number of reported RSTD measurement values per TRP pair is increased.

[0092] The maximum number of measurements and reported RSTD measurement values per TRP pair can be increased in DL-TDOA. When the same PRS of a TRP is received simultaneously (or almost simultaneously) by different UE Rx TEGs, the maximum number of additional RSTD measurement values per TRP pair for DL-TDOA can be enhanced to be greater than 3. For example, the maximum number of additional RSTD measurement values per TRP pair for DL-TDOA can be 7. For example, the UE can be configured to measure and report a maximum of X DL RSTD measurement values per cell pair according to the UE capabilities, where each measurement value is between different pairs of DL PRS resources or DL PRS resource sets within the DL PRS configured for those cells, and X is greater than 4, such as 8 or another integer.

[0093] The measurement per TRP and the maximum number of reported Rx-Tx time difference measurement values can be increased in multi-RTT. When the same PRS of a TRP is received simultaneously (or almost simultaneously) by different UE Rx TEGs, the maximum number of additional Rx-Tx time difference measurement values per TRP for multi-RTT can be enhanced to be greater than 3. For example, the maximum number of additional Rx-Tx time difference measurement values in a single measurement element for multi-RTT can be 7. For example, a UE can be configured to measure and report a maximum of X UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement values corresponding to a single configured SRS resource or resource set for positioning, where X is greater than 4, such as 8 or another integer.

[0094] The above-described TRP pairs can also be described as cell pairs.

[0095] In some configurations, when the PRS is configured with different ARPs, the UE reports measurement-related ARP information.

[0096] When the DL PRS is associated with different geographical coordinates or ARPs and the PRS resource ID and / or PRS resource set ID are not reported, when reporting multi-RTT, DL-TDOA, and DL-AoD measurement results, the UE can report, together with the measurement results, the panel of the received PRS resource or PRS resource set, ARP, or geographical coordinate information.

[0097] Alternatively, when the DL PRS is associated with different ARPs, the UE can report the DL-PRS resource ID or DL-PRS resource set ID.

[0098] The panel information or ARP information can be a panel ID or ARP ID. When the panel or ARP can be associated with the UE Rx TEG, the above-described panel information or ARP information can be a UE Rx TEG ID.

[0099] The UE may include a plurality of antenna groups located at slightly different geographical coordinates. The antenna group can be called an ARP (Antenna Reference Point). The UE may have many antenna panels for transmitting SRS. The ARP is similar to the antenna panel. The UE can report that the ARP information corresponds to the transmitted SRS resource or SRS resource set. The ARP information can be reported together with the association relationship between the SRS resource / SRS resource set and the UE Tx TEG.

[0100] In some configurations, after the conditions are met, the TRP reports the received coordinates of the SRS.

[0101] Each NG-RAN node can serve several TRPs, TPs, or RPs. Each TRP, TP, or RP may include a plurality of antenna groups located at slightly different geographical coordinates. The antenna group can be called an ARP. In the UL-TDOA, UL-AoA, or multi-RTT method, if at least one of the following conditions is met, the NG-RAN node can report its RSRP, RTOA, or gNB Rx-Tx time difference measurement value together with the received SRS coordinates to which the SRS is associated with the measurement result, the received associated SRS ARP information, or the received associated SRS panel information to the LMF.

[0102] (1) When the LMF does not request the NG-RAN node to report the Measurement Beam Information and the NG-RAN node does not report the Measurement Beam Information.

[0103] (2) The LMF requests the NG-RAN node to report Measurement Beam Information, the NG-RAN node reports the Measurement Beam Information, and when the SRS is associated with a PRS resource or an SSB resource and the PRS resource or the SSB resource is not configured using coordinate information.

[0104] (3) The LMF does not request the NG-RAN node to report Measurement Beam Information, the NG-RAN node does not report the Measurement Beam Information, and when the SRS is not configured using a QCL relationship, e.g., spatial relationship information.

[0105] (4) The LMF does not request the NG-RAN node to report Measurement Beam Information, the NG-RAN node does not report the Measurement Beam Information, and the SRS is configured using a QCL relationship and the SRS is QCLed with a PRS resource or an SSB resource. However, the PRS resource or the SSB resource is not configured using coordinate information.

[0106] The panel information or the ARP information can be a panel ID or an ARP ID. When the panel or the ARP can be associated with the TRP Rx TEG, the above-mentioned panel information or ARP information can be a TRP Rx TEG ID.

[0107] For example, the NG-RAN node reports the measurement results to the LMF together with the received associated SRS coordinates, or the received associated SRS ARP information, or the received associated SRS panel information, and this report can be reported in a MEASUREMENT RESPONSE message, or a MEASUREMENT REPORT message, or a MEASUREMENT UPDATE message. Alternatively, the received associated SRS coordinates, the received associated SRS ARP information, or the received associated SRS panel information can be reported in a POSITIONING INFORMATION RESPONCE message, a POSITIONING INFORMATION UPDATE message, a TRP INFORMATION RESPONCE message, or a POSITIONING ACTIVATION RESPONCE message.

[0108] In some embodiments, after the UE transmits the SRS to the TRP, the TRP can report the coordinates of the received SRS to the LMF. Both the TRP and the LMF belong to the network.

[0109] In some configurations, the network indicates to the UE some indices of SRS resources or SRS resource sets when the UE is configured to enter the RRC inactive state. The indices can function as the SRS configuration used in the UE small data transmission (SDT) state.

[0110] When the UE is configured to enter the RRC inactive state, the UE can be indicated at some indices of the SRS resource or SRS resource set. Some indices of the SRS resource or SRS resource set can function as the SRS configuration used in the UE SDT state. The indicated indices can be configured in the SuspendConfig or RRCRelease IE, and the indicated indices can also be configured in RRC signaling after the SDT state is activated. The indicated indices are selected (e.g., picked up) from the latest SRS configuration in the RRC connection state before the RRC inactive state.

[0111] Alternatively, the UE is configured using the SRS configuration in the SuspendConfig or RRCRelease IE, and the SRS configuration is used when the UE enters the SDT state.

[0112] Alternatively, the UE is configured using the SRS configuration in RRC signaling after the SDT state is activated.

[0113] When the UE receives an indication of the SRS transmitted in the SDT state, the UE can transmit the same SRS as the SRS indication in the SuspendConfig or RRCRelease IE.

[0114] In the SDT state, the UE can receive DCI and MAC-CE signaling from the NG-RAN node. Therefore, the SRS indicated for the UE to transmit in the SDT state can be periodic, semi-periodic, or aperiodic.

[0115] In some configurations, when the UE is configured to enter the RRC inactive state, the network indicates to the UE an index of the SRS resource or SRS resource set, and the index is derived from the SRS configuration in the RRC connection state.

[0116] When the UE is configured to enter the RRC inactive state, the UE may be indicated at some indices of the SRS resource or SRS resource set. The index of the SRS resource or SRS resource set can be derived from the SRS configuration in the RRC connected state. The UE may additionally indicate a part of the SRS configuration that is different from the original SRS configuration of the SRS resource or SRS resource set. The original SRS configuration can mean the SRS configuration in the RRC connected state. The indicated index can be configured in the SuspendConfig or RRCRelease IE, and the indicated index can also be configured in the RRC signaling after the SDT state is activated. For example, the UE can transmit SRS in the SDT state or RRC inactive state according to two parts of the SRS configuration, namely, the original SRS configuration of the indicated index and the additionally indicated SRS configuration. For the IEs indicated in both the additional SRS configuration and the original SRS configuration, the values of these IEs in the additionally indicated SRS configuration can cover the values of these IEs in the original SRS configuration. For only the IEs indicated in the additional SRS configuration, the UE can adopt the values of these IEs as indications in the additional SRS configuration. For only the IEs indicated in the original SRS configuration, the UE can adopt the values of these IEs as indications in the original SRS configuration.

[0117] For example, if the original SRS configuration indicates that SRS resource set 1 uses the path loss reference RS as the SSB, and the additional SRS configuration indicates that SRS resource set 1 uses the path loss reference RS as the CSI-RS, when the UE transmits SRS resource set 1 in the SDT state or RRC inactive state, the UE can use the path loss reference RS as the CSI-RS.

[0118] The additional SRS configuration can be any IE in the SRS config IE.

[0119] In some configurations, when the network is configured for the UE to enter the RRC inactive state, the network indicates to the UE an index of an SRS resource or an SRS resource set, and the index can function as an SRS configuration used in the RRC inactive state.

[0120] When the UE is configured to enter the RRC inactive state, the UE can be indicated at some indexes of an SRS resource or an SRS resource set, and some indexes of the SRS resource or the SRS resource set can function as an SRS configuration used in the RRC inactive state. Some indexes of the SRS resource or the SRS resource set can be picked up from the SRS configurations in the RRC connected state. The indicated indexes can be configured in the SuspendConfig or RRCRelease IE.

[0121] The UE reports whether it has the ability to transmit periodic SRS in the RRC inactive state.

[0122] The present disclosure includes various technical solutions related to reporting and / or indicating a relative relationship about the TEG when a timing error exists.

[0123] In some embodiments, the gNB requests the UE to report an SRS resource ID, measurement results for each SRS resource, an association relationship between the SRS and the UE Tx TEG, and the periodicity of the association relationship report.

[0124] In some embodiments, the LMF may request the gNB to configure at least one of a request to report an association relationship between the SRS and the UE Tx TEG and the periodicity of the reported association relationship.

[0125] In some embodiments, the UE reports an association relationship between the SRS and the UE Tx TEG to the serving gNB in a measurement report.

[0126] In some embodiments, the UE reports the association relationship between the SRS and the UE Tx TEG to the serving gNB in the UCI.

[0127] In some embodiments, the UE reports the association relationship between the SRS and the UE Tx TEG to the serving gNB on a specific PUCCH resource.

[0128] In some embodiments, the UE can report, together with the association relationship between the SRS and the UE Tx TEG, at least the following information, namely, the timestamp for each SRS resource, the SRS antenna coordinates, the relative distance between the antennas, and the angle of the antennas.

[0129] In some embodiments, the UE uses a bitmap to report the association relationship between the SRS and the UE Tx TEG.

[0130] In some embodiments, the UE is configured using a period for reporting the association relationship between the SRS and the UE Tx TEG to the network.

[0131] In some embodiments, the configured period for reporting the association relationship can be the same as or relative to the period of the multi-RTT report.

[0132] In some embodiments, the period of the CSI feedback is the same as the period of reporting the association relationship.

[0133] In some embodiments, in one period, the non-transmitted SRS maintains the UE Tx TEG association relationship of the last transmitted association relationship.

[0134] In some embodiments, in one period, the non-transmitted SRS falls back to the default UE Tx TEG.

[0135] In some embodiments, the network determines whether the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement value is based on (a) the transmission timing of the uplink subframe #j that is closest in time to the downlink subframe #i received from the positioning node, and (b) the transmission timing of the uplink subframe #j that actually transmits the associated SRS resource, according to the indication in the UE positioning measurement report.

[0136] In some embodiments, the network determines whether the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement value is based on (a) the transmission timing of the uplink subframe #j that is closest in time to the downlink subframe #i received from the positioning node, and (b) the transmission timing of the uplink subframe #j that actually transmits the associated SRS resource, according to the UE capability report.

[0137] In some embodiments, the UE capability includes at least one of whether the UE supports TEG or whether the UE supports using the transmission timing of the uplink subframe #j that actually transmits the associated SRS resource to determine the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement value.

[0138] In some embodiments, the multi-RTT report should include at least one of the serving cell index, SRS resource ID, SRS resource set ID, UE Tx TEG ID, and timing quality of the Tx timing.

[0139] In some embodiments, in the multi-RTT report, when the Tx TEG ID is reported, some SRS resource IDs associated with the Tx TEG ID may be reported together. Each SRS resource ID is associated with a timestamp.

[0140] In some embodiments, the UE reports only one timestamp, and this timestamp is applied to two RSTD measurement values associated with the same PRS resource.

[0141] In some embodiments, the maximum number of measurements per TRP pair in DL-TDOA and the reported RSTD measurement values is increased.

[0142] In some embodiments, the maximum number of measurements per TRP pair in multi-RTT and the reported RSTD measurement values is increased.

[0143] In some embodiments, when reporting multi-RTT and DL-TDOA results where the DL PRS is associated with different ARPs, the UE reports the measurement results associated with the ARP.

[0144] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an exemplary wireless communication process 400 according to some embodiments. Process 400 is performed by a UE. Process 400 includes receiving a positioning request (402). The positioning request includes a request for at least one of performing a UL-TDOA positioning method, performing a multi-RTT positioning method, performing a DL-TDOA positioning method, performing a DL-AoD positioning method, performing a UL-AoA positioning method, or reporting measurement information. Process 400 includes reporting measurement information to the network (404). The measurement information includes at least one of UL-TDOA measurement results, multi-RTT measurement results, DL-TDOA measurement results, DL-AoD measurement results, UL-AoA measurement results, SRS resource ID, SRS resource set ID, UE Tx TEG ID, the association relationship between SRS signaling and UE Tx TEG, or the ARP information of SRS signaling. The SRS signaling includes at least one of an SRS resource or an SRS resource set.

[0145] In some embodiments, the UE reports not only measurement information but also DL-TDOA measurement results and / or multi-RTT measurement results.

[0146] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of an exemplary wireless communication process 500 according to some embodiments. The process 500 is executed by a UE. The process 500 includes receiving a positioning request (502). The positioning request includes a request for performing at least one of a UL-TDOA positioning method, a multi-RTT positioning method, a DL-TDOA positioning method, a DL-AoD positioning method, a UL-AoA positioning method, or reporting measurement information. The positioning request includes a period for reporting measurement information. In response to determining that the positioning request or the period for reporting measurement information is not received by the wireless communication device, the process 500 includes determining that the period for reporting measurement information is the same as the period of the reporting configuration (504). The process 500 includes reporting the measurement information to the network (506). The measurement information includes at least one of a UL-TDOA measurement result, a multi-RTT measurement result, a DL-TDOA measurement result, a DL-AoD measurement result, a UL-AoA measurement result, an SRS resource ID, an SRS resource set ID, a UE Tx TEG ID, an association relationship between SRS signaling and the UE Tx TEG, or ARP information of the SRS signaling. The SRS signaling includes at least one of an SRS resource or an SRS resource set.

[0147] In some embodiments, the reporting configuration includes at least one of a measurement report, UCI, CSI feedback, PUCCH resource, UL-TDOA report, multi-RTT report, DL-TDOA report, or new information element report.

[0148] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an exemplary wireless communication process 600 according to some embodiments. Process 600 is executed by a UE. Process 600 includes receiving a positioning request (602). The positioning request includes a request for performing at least one of an UL-TDOA positioning method, a multi-RTT positioning method, a DL-TDOA positioning method, a DL-AoD positioning method, an UL-AoA positioning method, or reporting measurement information. The positioning request includes a period for reporting measurement information. In response to determining that the positioning request or the period for reporting measurement information is not received by the wireless communication device, process 600 includes determining by the wireless communication device that the period for reporting measurement information is a subset of the period of the reporting configuration (604). Process 600 includes reporting the measurement information to the network (606). The measurement information includes at least one of an UL-TDOA measurement result, a multi-RTT measurement result, a DL-TDOA measurement result, a DL-AoD measurement result, an UL-AoA measurement result, an SRS resource ID, an SRS resource set ID, a UE Tx TEG ID, an association relationship between SRS signaling and the UE Tx TEG, or ARP information of the SRS signaling. The SRS signaling includes at least one of an SRS resource or an SRS resource set.

[0149] In some embodiments, the reporting configuration includes at least one of a measurement report, UCI, CSI feedback, PUCCH resource, UL-TDOA report, multi-RTT report, DL-TDOA report, or new information element report.

[0150] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an exemplary wireless communication process 700 according to some embodiments. Process 700 is executed by a TRP. Process 700 includes sending a positioning request to a wireless communication device (702). The positioning request includes a request for performing at least one of an UL-TDOA positioning method, performing a multi-RTT positioning method, performing a DL-TDOA positioning method, performing a DL-AoD positioning method, performing an UL-AoA positioning method, or reporting measurement information. Process 700 also includes receiving measurement information from the wireless communication device (704). The measurement information includes at least one of an UL-TDOA measurement result, a multi-RTT measurement result, a DL-TDOA measurement result, a DL-AoD measurement result, an UL-AoA measurement result, an SRS resource ID, an SRS resource set ID, a UE Tx TEG ID, an association relationship between SRS signaling and the UE Tx TEG, or ARP information of the SRS signaling. The SRS signaling includes at least one of an SRS resource, or an SRS resource set.

[0151] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an exemplary wireless communication process 800 according to some embodiments. The process 800 is executed by a TRP. The process 800 includes transmitting a positioning request to a wireless communication device (802). The positioning request includes a request for performing a UL-TDOA positioning method, performing a multi-RTT positioning method, performing a DL-TDOA positioning method, performing a DL-AoD positioning method, performing a UL-AoA positioning method, or reporting measurement information for at least one of them. The process 800 also includes receiving measurement information from the wireless communication device (804). The measurement information includes at least one of a UL-TDOA measurement result, a multi-RTT measurement result, a DL-TDOA measurement result, a DL-AoD measurement result, a UL-AoA measurement result, an SRS resource ID, an SRS resource set ID, a UE Tx TEG ID, an association relationship between SRS signaling and the UE Tx TEG, or ARP information of the SRS signaling. The SRS signaling includes at least one of an SRS resource or an SRS resource set. The process 800 includes determining (806) that, according to the UE capability report, the transmission timing of the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement value is based on the transmission timing of an uplink subframe in which one or more associated SRS resources are transmitted.

[0152] Although various embodiments of the present solution have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example only and not by way of limitation. Similarly, the various figures can depict an exemplary architecture or configuration provided to enable those skilled in the art to understand the exemplary features and functions of the present solution. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the solution is not limited to the exemplary architecture or configuration shown, and can be implemented using various alternative architectures and configurations. Further, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, one or more features of one embodiment can be combined with one or more features of another embodiment described herein. Therefore, the scope and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments described above.

[0153] Also, it should be understood that any reference in this specification to an element using terms such as "first", "second", etc. generally does not limit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, these terms can be used in this specification as a convenient means to distinguish two or more elements or examples of elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not mean that only two elements can be used, or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0154] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols that may be referred to in the above description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0155] Those skilled in the art will further understand that any of the various exemplary logical blocks, modules, processors, means, circuits, methods, and functions described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware (e.g., digital implementation, analog implementation, or a combination of the two), firmware, various forms of programs or design code incorporating instructions (for convenience, referred to herein as "software" or "software modules"), or any combination of these technologies. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware, firmware, and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been generally described in terms of their functions. Whether such functions are implemented as hardware, firmware, or software, or as a combination of these techniques, depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functions in various ways for each specific application, but such implementation decisions do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0156] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various exemplary logical blocks, modules, devices, components, and circuits described herein can be implemented within or executed by an integrated circuit (IC) that can include a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof. The logical blocks, modules, and circuits can further include antennas and / or transceivers for communicating with various components within a network or within a device. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in combination with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration for performing the functions described herein.

[0157] When implemented in software, the functions can be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Accordingly, the steps of the methods or algorithms disclosed herein can be implemented as software stored on a computer-readable medium. A computer-readable medium includes both a computer storage medium and a communication medium that can enable the transfer of a computer program or code from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0158] As used herein, the term "module" refers to software, firmware, hardware, and any combination of these elements for performing the associated functions described herein. Further, for purposes of discussion, the various modules are described as individual modules. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, two or more modules can be combined to form a single module that performs the associated functions according to embodiments of the present solution.

[0159] Furthermore, in embodiments of the present solution, a memory or other storage device, as well as communication components, may be used. For the sake of clarity, it will be understood that the above description has described embodiments of the present solution with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of functions between different functional units, processing logic elements, or domains may be used without detracting from the present solution. For example, functions shown to be performed by separate processing logic elements or controllers may be performed by the same processing logic element or controller. Thus, references to specific functional units are not indicative of a strict logical or physical structure or arrangement, but rather are merely references to suitable means for providing the described functions.

[0160] Various modifications to the embodiments described in this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown herein, but rather should be accorded the widest scope consistent with the novel features and principles disclosed herein, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, wherein a wireless communication device receives a positioning request from a network, the positioning request including reporting measurement information and a period for reporting the measurement information, and the wireless communication device reports the measurement information to the network during the period for reporting the measurement information, the measurement information including an association relationship between a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource and a user equipment (UE) transmission (Tx) timing error group (TEG). A wireless communication method comprising the above.

2. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein SRS signaling includes the SRS resource.

3. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device periodically reports the measurement information to the network.

4. When the positioning reference signal (PRS) of a transmit-receive point (TRP) is received by a plurality of different UE receive (Rx) TEGs, the maximum number of additional reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement values for each TRP pair for downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) is greater than 3. The wireless communication method according to claim 1.

5. When the positioning reference signal (PRS) of a transmit-receive point (TRP) is received by a plurality of different UE receive (Rx) TEGs, the maximum number of additional Rx-Tx time difference measurement values for each TRP pair for multi-round trip time (RTT) is greater than 3. The wireless communication method according to claim 1.

6. A wireless communication method, wherein a network transmits a positioning request to a wireless communication device, the positioning request including reporting measurement information and a period for reporting the measurement information, and the network receives the measurement information from the wireless communication device during the period for reporting the measurement information, the measurement information including an association relationship between a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource and a user equipment (UE) transmission (Tx) timing error group (TEG). A wireless communication method comprising the above.

7. The wireless communication method according to claim 6, wherein SRS signaling includes the SRS resource.

8. The wireless communication method according to claim 6, wherein the network periodically receives the measurement information from the wireless communication device.

9. When the positioning reference signal (PRS) of a transmission / reception point (TRP) is received by a plurality of different UE reception (Rx) TEGs, the maximum number of additional reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement values for each TRP pair regarding the downlink arrival time difference (DL-TDOA) is greater than 3. The wireless communication method according to claim 6.

10. When the positioning reference signal (PRS) of a transmission / reception point (TRP) is received by a plurality of different UE reception (Rx) TEGs, the maximum number of additional Rx-Tx time difference measurement values for each TRP pair regarding the multi-round trip time (RTT) is greater than 3. The method according to claim 6.

11. A wireless communication device, wherein the wireless communication device comprises at least one processor, the at least one processor receives a positioning request from a network via a transceiver, the positioning request including reporting measurement information and a period for reporting the measurement information, reports the measurement information to the network via the transceiver during the period for reporting the measurement information, the measurement information including an association relationship between a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource and a user equipment (UE) transmission (Tx) timing error group (TEG), is configured to perform. A wireless communication device.

12. The wireless communication device according to claim 11, wherein SRS signaling includes the SRS resource.

13. The wireless communication device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is configured to periodically report the measurement information to the network via the transceiver.

14. When the positioning reference signal (PRS) of a transmission / reception point (TRP) is received by a plurality of different UE reception (Rx) TEGs, the maximum number of additional reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement values for each TRP pair regarding the downlink arrival time difference (DL-TDOA) is greater than 3. The wireless communication device according to claim 11.

15. When the positioning reference signal (PRS) of a transmission / reception point (TRP) is received by a plurality of different UE reception (Rx) TEGs, the maximum number of additional Rx-Tx time difference measurement values for each TRP pair regarding the multi-round trip time (RTT) is greater than 3. The wireless communication device according to claim 11.

16. A network node, wherein the network node comprises at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: transmit a positioning request to a wireless communication device via a transceiver, the positioning request including reporting measurement information and a period for reporting the measurement information; receive, from the wireless communication device via the transceiver, the measurement information during the period for reporting the measurement information, the measurement information including an association relationship between a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource and a user equipment (UE) transmission (Tx) timing error group (TEG); A network node configured to perform the above.

17. The network node according to claim 16, wherein SRS signaling includes the SRS resource.

18. The network node according to claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is configured to periodically receive the measurement information from the wireless communication device via the transceiver.

19. The network node according to claim 16, wherein when a positioning reference signal (PRS) of a transmit-receive point (TRP) is received by a plurality of different UE receive (Rx) TEGs, the maximum number of additional reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement values for each TRP pair for downlink arrival time difference (DL-TDOA) is greater than 3.

20. The network node according to claim 16, wherein when a positioning reference signal (PRS) of a transmit-receive point (TRP) is received by a plurality of different UE receive (Rx) TEGs, the maximum number of additional Rx-Tx time difference measurement values for each TRP pair for multi-round trip time (RTT) is greater than 3.

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