Communicating maximum amplitude data associated with a reference signal for positioning

Abstract

In one embodiment, a first node (e.g., a UE or a BS) performs a channel response measurement on a reference signal for positioning (e.g., a UL reference signal such as an SRS for positioning, or a DL PRS). The first node determines, for each of a plurality of peaks detected in the channel response measurement, peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on a maximum amplitude relative to a reference value. The first node reports the peak-specific information for the plurality of peaks to a second node (e.g., a BS, a UE, or an LMF). The second node receives the peak-specific information and determines a positioning estimate for the UE based on the peak-specific information.

Description

Claim of Priority

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 025,000, filed May 14, 2020, and U.S. Non - Provisional Application No. 17 / 319,339, filed May 13, 2021, both entitled "COMMUNICATING PEAK MAGNITUDE DATA ASSOCIATED WITH A REFERENCE SIGNAL FOR POSITIONING", both of which have been assigned to the assignee of this application and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication, and more particularly, to communicating peak magnitude data associated with a reference signal for positioning.

Background Art

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0003] Wireless communication systems have evolved through various generations, including the first-generation analog wireless telephone service (1G), the second-generation (2G) digital wireless telephone service (including the interim 2.5G network), the third-generation (3G) high-speed data and Internet-capable wireless service, and the fourth-generation (4G) service (e.g., LTE (registered trademark) or WiMax (registered trademark)). Currently, there are many different types of wireless communication systems in use, including cellular and personal communication service (PCS) systems. Examples of well-known cellular systems include the cellular analog advanced mobile phone system (AMPS), and digital cellular systems based on code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), and variants of TDMA for mobile access such as the global system for mobile (GSM (registered trademark)).

[0004]

[0004] The fifth-generation (5G) wireless standard, known as New Radio (NR), enables, among other improvements, higher data transfer speeds, a greater number of connections, and better coverage. The 5G standard by the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance is designed to provide data rates of tens of megabits per second to each of tens of thousands of users and data rates of one gigabit per second to tens of workers on an office floor. Hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections should be supported to enable large-scale wireless sensor deployments. Therefore, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communication must be significantly improved compared to current 4G standards. Additionally, signaling efficiency must be extended and latency substantially reduced compared to current standards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005]

[0005] The following presents a simplified summary related to one or more aspects disclosed in this specification. Accordingly, the following summary should not be regarded as an extensive summary related to all contemplated aspects, nor should the following abstract be regarded as identifying the main or important elements related to all contemplated aspects or delineating the scope associated with any particular aspect. Thus, the following summary has the sole purpose of presenting, in a simplified form, specific concepts related to one or more aspects related to the mechanisms disclosed in this specification, prior to the detailed description presented below.

[0006]

[0006] In one aspect, a method of operating a first node includes performing channel response measurements for a reference signal for positioning, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurements, determining peak-specific information comprising at least peak magnitude data based on a peak magnitude relative to a reference value, and reporting the peak-specific information for the plurality of peaks to a second node.

[0007]

[0007] In some aspects, the reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurements, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of departure related to a peak relative from a base station (BS).

[0008]

[0008] In some aspects, the reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurements, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of arrival related to a peak at a base station (BS).

[0009]

[0009] In some embodiments, the first node corresponds to a user equipment (UE), and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF).

[0010]

[0010] In some embodiments, the second node corresponds to a user equipment (UE) or a location management function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS).

[0011]

[0011] In some embodiments, the number of multiple peaks is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE's capability indication.

[0012]

[0012] In some embodiments, multiple peaks exclude peaks related to each maximum amplitude with respect to a reference value that is below a maximum amplitude threshold.

[0013]

[0013] In some embodiments, the maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE's capability indication.

[0014]

[0014] In some embodiments, multiple peaks exclude peaks outside a defined time window.

[0015]

[0015] In some embodiments, the defined time window is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE's capability indication.

[0016]

[0016] In some embodiments, the defined time window is defined with respect to a reference timing.

[0017]

[0017] In some embodiments, the reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node at which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0018]

[0018] In some embodiments, the method includes peak timing data based on peak timing relative to a reference timing.

[0019]

[0019] In some embodiments, the reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node at which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0020]

[0020] In some embodiments, the maximum amplitude data comprises the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak.

[0021]

[0021] In one embodiment, a method of operating a second node includes receiving, from a first node, peak-specific information associated with a plurality of peaks within a channel response measurement for a reference signal for positioning, the peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on a maximum amplitude relative to a reference value; and determining a positioning estimate for a user equipment (UE) based on the peak-specific information.

[0022]

[0022] In some embodiments, the reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of departure associated with the relative peak from a base station (BS).

[0023]

[0023] In some embodiments, the reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of arrival associated with the peak at a base station (BS).

[0024]

[0024] In some embodiments, the first node corresponds to a UE and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF).

[0025]

[0025] In some aspects, the second node corresponds to a UE or a Location Management Function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a Base Station (BS).

[0026]

[0026] In some aspects, the number of multiple peaks is configured by a UE, a Base Station (BS), or a core network component based on UE capability indication.

[0027]

[0027] In some aspects, multiple peaks exclude peaks associated with each maximum amplitude relative to a reference value below a maximum amplitude threshold.

[0028]

[0028] In some aspects, the maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value is configured by a UE, a Base Station (BS), or a core network component based on UE capability indication.

[0029]

[0029] In some aspects, multiple peaks exclude peaks outside a defined time window.

[0030]

[0030] In some aspects, the defined time window is configured by a UE, a Base Station (BS), or a core network component based on UE capability indication.

[0031]

[0031] In some aspects, the defined time window is defined with respect to a reference timing.

[0032]

[0032] In some aspects, the reference timing corresponds to the estimated Time of Arrival (TOA) of a wireless node at which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from a serving Base Station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0033]

[0033] In some aspects, the method includes peak timing data based on peak timing relative to a reference timing.

[0034]

[0034] In some aspects, the reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node at which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0035]

[0035] In some aspects, the maximum amplitude data comprises the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak.

[0036]

[0036] In one aspect, the first node includes a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to perform channel response measurements on a reference signal for positioning, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurements, determine peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on the maximum amplitude relative to a reference value, and report the peak-specific information for the plurality of peaks to a second node.

[0037]

[0037] In some aspects, the reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurements, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of departure associated with the relative peak from the base station (BS).

[0038]

[0038] In some aspects, the reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurements, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of arrival associated with the peak at the base station (BS).

[0039]

[0039] In some aspects, the first node corresponds to a user equipment (UE), and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF).

[0040]

[0040] In some embodiments, the second node corresponds to a user equipment (UE) or a location management function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS).

[0041]

[0041] In some embodiments, the number of multiple peaks is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication.

[0042]

[0042] In some embodiments, multiple peaks exclude peaks associated with each maximum amplitude relative to a reference value that is below a maximum amplitude threshold.

[0043]

[0043] In some embodiments, the maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value are configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication.

[0044]

[0044] In some embodiments, multiple peaks exclude peaks outside a defined time window.

[0045]

[0045] In some embodiments, the defined time window is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication.

[0046]

[0046] In some embodiments, the defined time window is defined relative to a reference timing.

[0047]

[0047] In some embodiments, the reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node at which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0048]

[0048] In some embodiments,

[0049] In some aspects, the reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of the wireless node at which the reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0049]

[0050] In some aspects, the maximum amplitude data comprises the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak.

[0050]

[0051] In one aspect, the second node includes a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor receiving, via the at least one transceiver, from the first node, peak-specific information associated with a plurality of peaks within the channel response measurement for the reference signal for positioning, the peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on the maximum amplitude relative to a reference value; and determining a positioning estimate for a user equipment (UE) based on the peak-specific information.

[0051]

[0052] In some aspects, the reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of departure associated with the relative peak from the base station (BS).

[0052]

[0053] In some aspects, the reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of arrival associated with the peak at the base station (BS).

[0053]

[0054] In some aspects, the first node corresponds to a UE, and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF).

[0054]

[0055] In some aspects, the second node corresponds to a UE or a Location Management Function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a Base Station (BS).

[0055]

[0056] In some aspects, the number of multiple peaks is configured by a UE, a Base Station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE's capability indication.

[0056]

[0057] In some aspects, multiple peaks exclude peaks associated with each maximum amplitude relative to a reference value that is below a maximum amplitude threshold.

[0057]

[0058] In some aspects, the maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value is configured by a UE, a Base Station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE's capability indication.

[0058]

[0059] In some aspects, multiple peaks exclude peaks outside a defined time window.

[0059]

[0060] In some aspects, the defined time window is configured by a UE, a Base Station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE's capability indication.

[0060]

[0061] In some aspects, the defined time window is defined relative to a reference timing.

[0061]

[0062] In some aspects, the reference timing corresponds to the estimated Time of Arrival (TOA) of a wireless node at which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from a serving Base Station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0062]

[0063] In some aspects,

[0064] In some aspects, the reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node at which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0063]

[0065] In some aspects, the maximum amplitude data comprises the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak.

[0064]

[0066] In one aspect, the first node includes means for performing channel response measurements on a reference signal for positioning, means for determining peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on the maximum amplitude relative to a reference value for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurements, and means for reporting the peak-specific information for the plurality of peaks to a second node.

[0065]

[0067] In some aspects, the reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurements, the peak-specific information further comprises the angle of departure associated with the relative peak from the base station (BS).

[0066]

[0068] In some aspects, the reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurements, the peak-specific information further comprises the angle of arrival associated with the peak at the base station (BS).

[0067]

[0069] In some aspects, the first node corresponds to a user equipment (UE), and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF).

[0068]

[0070] In some aspects, the second node corresponds to a user equipment (UE) or a location management function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS).

[0069]

[0071] In some aspects, the number of multiple peaks is configured by a user equipment (UE), a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an ability indication of the UE.

[0070]

[0072] In some aspects, multiple peaks exclude peaks associated with respective maximum amplitudes relative to a reference value that is below a maximum amplitude threshold.

[0071]

[0073] In some aspects, the maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value is configured by a user equipment (UE), a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an ability indication of the UE.

[0072]

[0074] In some aspects, multiple peaks exclude peaks outside a defined time window.

[0073]

[0075] In some aspects, the method includes means for peaking timing data based on peak timing relative to a reference timing.

[0074]

[0076] In some aspects, the maximum amplitude data comprises a reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak.

[0075]

[0077] In one aspect, the defined time window is configured by a user equipment (UE), a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an ability indication of the UE, the first node according to claim 69.

[0076]

[0078] In some aspects, the defined time window is defined relative to a reference timing.

[0077]

[0079] In some aspects, the reference timing corresponds to an estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node at which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, an estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0078]

[0080] In one aspect, the reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node at which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, for the first node according to claim 73.

[0079]

[0081] In one aspect, the second node includes means for receiving, from the first node, peak-specific information related to a plurality of peaks in a channel response measurement for a reference signal for positioning, the peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on a maximum amplitude relative to a reference value; and means for determining a positioning estimate for a user equipment (UE) based on the peak-specific information.

[0080]

[0082] In some aspects, the reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected in the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of departure related to the relative peak from a base station (BS).

[0081]

[0083] In some aspects, the reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected in the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of arrival related to the peak at a base station (BS).

[0082]

[0084] In some aspects, the first node corresponds to a UE and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF).

[0083]

[0085] In some aspects, the second node corresponds to a UE or a location management function (LMF) and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS).

[0084]

[0086] In some aspects, the number of the plurality of peaks is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an indication of the UE's capabilities.

[0085]

[0087] In some aspects, the plurality of peaks excludes peaks associated with each maximum amplitude relative to a reference value that is below the maximum amplitude threshold.

[0086]

[0088] In some aspects, the maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value is configured by the UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an indication of the UE's capabilities.

[0087]

[0089] In some aspects, the plurality of peaks excludes peaks outside a defined time window.

[0088]

[0090] In some aspects, the defined time window is configured by the UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an indication of the UE's capabilities.

[0089]

[0091] In some aspects, the defined time window is defined relative to a reference timing.

[0090]

[0092] In some aspects, the reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node from which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0091]

[0093] In some aspects, the method includes means for peaking timing data based on peak timing relative to a reference timing.

[0092]

[0094] In some aspects, the reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node from which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0093]

[0095] In some aspects, the maximum amplitude data comprises the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak.

[0094]

[0096] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a first node, cause the first node to perform a channel response measurement on a reference signal for positioning, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, determine peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on a maximum amplitude relative to a reference value, and report the peak-specific information for the plurality of peaks to a second node.

[0095]

[0097] In some aspects, the reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of departure associated with a relative peak from a base station (BS).

[0096]

[0098] In some aspects, the reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of arrival associated with a peak at a base station (BS).

[0097]

[0099] In some aspects, the first node corresponds to a user equipment (UE), and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF).

[0098]

[0100] In some aspects, the second node corresponds to a user equipment (UE) or a location management function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS).

[0099]

[0101] In some aspects, the number of the plurality of peaks is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication.

[0100]

[0102] In some embodiments, a plurality of peaks excludes peaks associated with respective maximum amplitudes relative to a reference value that is below a maximum amplitude threshold.

[0101]

[0103] In some embodiments, the maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value is configured by a user equipment (UE), a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an indication of the UE's capabilities.

[0102]

[0104] In some embodiments, a plurality of peaks excludes peaks outside a defined time window.

[0103]

[0105] In some embodiments, the defined time window is configured by a user equipment (UE), a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an indication of the UE's capabilities.

[0104]

[0106] In some embodiments, the defined time window is defined relative to a reference timing.

[0105]

[0107] In some embodiments, the reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node from which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0106]

[0108] In some embodiments,

[0109] In some embodiments, the reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node from which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0107]

[0110] In some embodiments, the maximum amplitude data comprises the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak.

[0108]

[0111] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a second node, cause the second node to receive, from a first node, peak-specific information related to a plurality of peaks in a channel response measurement for a reference signal for positioning, wherein the peak-specific information comprises at least maximum amplitude data based on a maximum amplitude relative to a reference value; and determine a positioning estimate for a user equipment (UE) based on the peak-specific information.

[0109]

[0112] In some aspects, the reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected in the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of departure related to the relative peak from a base station (BS).

[0110]

[0113] In some aspects, the reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected in the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of arrival related to the peak at a base station (BS).

[0111]

[0114] In some aspects, the first node corresponds to a UE, and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF).

[0112]

[0115] In some aspects, the second node corresponds to a UE or a location management function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS).

[0113]

[0116] In some aspects, the number of the plurality of peaks is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication.

[0114]

[0117] In some aspects, the plurality of peaks excludes peaks related to respective maximum amplitudes with respect to a reference value that are below a maximum amplitude threshold.

[0115]

[0118] In some aspects, the maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value are configured by the UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an indication of the UE's capabilities.

[0116]

[0119] In some aspects, multiple peaks exclude peaks outside a defined time window.

[0117]

[0120] In some aspects, the defined time window is configured by the UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an indication of the UE's capabilities.

[0118]

[0121] In some aspects, the defined time window is defined with respect to a reference timing.

[0119]

[0122] In some aspects, the reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node from which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0120]

[0123] In some aspects,

[0124] In some aspects, the reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node from which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0121]

[0125] In some aspects, the maximum amplitude data comprises the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak.

[0122]

[0126] Other objects and advantages related to the aspects disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of how to implement the invention.

[0123]

[0127] The accompanying drawings are provided to assist in the description of various aspects of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit it, but rather are provided merely to illustrate those aspects.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0124]

Figure 1

[0128] A diagram showing an exemplary wireless communication system according to various aspects.

Figure 2A

[0129] A diagram showing an exemplary wireless network structure according to various aspects.

Figure 2B

Figure 3A

[0130] A simplified block diagram of some exemplary aspects of components that can be employed in a wireless communication node and configured to support the communications taught herein.

Figure 3B

Figure 3C

Figure 4A

[0131] A diagram showing an example of a frame structure and channels within the frame according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 4B

Figure 5

[0132] A diagram showing an exemplary PRS configuration for a cell supported by a wireless node.

Figure 6

[0133] A diagram showing an exemplary wireless communication system according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 7

[0134] A diagram showing an exemplary wireless communication system according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 8A

[0135] A graph showing the RF channel response in a receiver over time, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

Figure 8B

[0136] A diagram showing this separation of clusters in AoD.

Figure 9

[0137] A diagram showing the channel response in a UE receiver, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 10

[0138] A diagram showing the channel response in a UE receiver, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 11

[0139] A diagram showing a method of wireless communication, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

Figure 12

Figure 13

[0140] A diagram showing the channel response in a UE receiver, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 14

[0141] A diagram showing the channel response in a UE receiver, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 15

[0142] A diagram showing the channel response in a UE receiver, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0125]

[0143] Aspects of the present disclosure are provided in the following description and associated drawings directed to various examples provided for purposes of explanation. Alternative aspects may be devised without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, well-known elements of the present disclosure are not described in detail or are omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the present disclosure.

[0126]

[0144] The words "exemplary" and / or "example" are used herein to mean "an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" and / or "example" should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Similarly, the term "aspects of the present disclosure" does not require that all aspects of the present disclosure include the described features, advantages, or modes of operation.

[0127]

[0145] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the information and signals described below may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout the following description may be represented, in part, depending on a particular application example, in part on a desired design, in part on the corresponding technology, etc., by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0128]

[0146] Furthermore, many aspects are described with respect to a series of actions that should be performed, for example, by elements of a computing device. It will be recognized that the various actions described herein may be implemented by a specific circuit (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by program instructions executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of both. Furthermore, the series of actions (one or more) described herein should be considered to be implemented in their entirety within any form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores a corresponding set of computer instructions that, when executed, cause the associated processor of the device to perform or cause to be performed the functions described herein. Thus, the various aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied in several different forms all of which are contemplated to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, for each of the aspects described herein, the corresponding form of any such aspect may be described herein, for example, as "logic configured to" perform the described actions.

[0129]

[0147] As used herein, the terms "user equipment" (UE) and "base station" are not intended to be specific to or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (RAT) unless otherwise stated. Generally, a UE can be any wireless communication device used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network (e.g., a mobile phone, a router, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a tracking device, a wearable (e.g., a smartwatch, glasses, an augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) headset, etc.), a vehicle (e.g., a car, a motorcycle, a bicycle, etc.), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.). The UE can be mobile or (e.g., at some times) stationary and can communicate with a radio access network (RAN). As used herein, the term "UE" may be interchangeably referred to as "access terminal" or "AT", "client device", "wireless device", "subscriber device", "subscriber terminal", "subscriber station", "user terminal" or UT, "mobile terminal", "mobile station", or variants thereof. Generally, the UE can communicate with a core network via the RAN, and through the core network, the UE can be connected to an external network such as the Internet and other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for connecting to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible for the UE, such as via a wired access network, a wireless local area network (WLAN) network (e.g., based on IEEE802.11, etc.).

[0130]

[0148] The base station may operate according to one of several RATs it is communicating with the UE, depending on the network it is deployed in. Alternatively, it may be called an access point (AP), network node, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), new radio (NR) Node B (also called gNB or g-node B), etc. In addition, in some systems, the base station may provide only a pure edge node signaling function, while in other systems, it may provide additional control and / or network management functions. The communication link through which the UE can send signals to the base station is called the uplink (UL) channel (e.g., reverse traffic channel, reverse control channel, access channel, etc.). The communication link through which the base station can send signals to the UE is called the downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., paging channel, control channel, broadcast channel, forward traffic channel, etc.). The term traffic channel (TCH) as used herein can refer to either the UL / reverse traffic channel or the DL / forward traffic channel.

[0131]

[0149] The term "base station" can refer to a single physical transmit-receive point (TRP), or multiple physical TRPs that may or may not be collocated. For example, when the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP can be the base station's antenna corresponding to the base station's cell. When the term "base station" refers to multiple collocated physical TRPs, the physical TRPs can be an array of antennas of the base station (such as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or when the base station employs beamforming). When the term "base station" refers to multiple non-collocated physical TRPs, the physical TRPs can be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transport medium) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, the non-collocated physical TRPs can be the serving base station that receives measurement reports from the UE and the neighbor base station whose reference RF signal the UE is measuring. Since the TRP is the point from which the base station transmits and receives wireless signals, references in this specification to transmissions from the base station or receptions at the base station should be understood to refer to a particular TRP of the base station.

[0132]

[0150] An "RF signal" comprises an electromagnetic wave of a given frequency that transports information through the space between a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter used in this specification can transmit a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to the receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of the RF signal through a multipath channel, the receiver can receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same transmitted RF signal on different paths between the transmitter and the receiver may be referred to as a "multipath" RF signal.

[0133]

[0151] According to various aspects, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary wireless communication system 100 (which may also be referred to as a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)). The wireless communication system 100 may include various base stations 102 and various UEs 104. The base stations 102 may include macrocell base stations (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cell base stations (low-power cellular base stations). In one aspect, the macrocell base stations may include an eNB to which the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an LTE network, or a gNB to which the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an NR network, or a combination of both, and the small cell base stations may include femtocells, picocells, microcells, etc.

[0134]

[0152] The base stations 102 collectively form a RAN and interface with a core network 170 (e.g., an evolved packet core (EPC) or a next-generation core (NGC)) through a backhaul link 122, and may interface to one or more location servers 172 through the core network 170. In addition to other functions, the base stations 102 may perform functions related to one or more of transferring user data, wireless channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setup and release, load distribution, distribution for non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and device tracing, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through the EPC / NGC) via a backhaul link 134 that may be wired or wireless.

[0135]

[0153] The base station 102 can wirelessly communicate with the UE 104. Each of the base stations 102 can provide communication coverage to its respective geographical coverage area 110. In one aspect, one or more cells can be supported by the base stations 102 in each coverage area 110. A "cell" is a logical communication entity used for communication with a base station (e.g., via some frequency resource such as a carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, band, etc.), and can be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCI), a virtual cell identifier (VCI)) for distinguishing cells operating via the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells can be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine type communication (MTC), narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or others) that can provide access to different types of UEs. Since a cell is supported by a specific base station, the term "cell" can refer to either or both of the logical communication entity and the base station that supports it, depending on the context. In some cases, the term "cell" can also refer to the geographical coverage area (e.g., a sector) of a base station as long as a carrier frequency is detected and can be used for communication within some portion of the geographical coverage area 110.

[0136]

[0154] The geographical coverage areas 110 of neighboring macro cell base stations 102 can partially overlap (e.g., in a handover region), but some of the geographical coverage areas 110 can be significantly overlapped by a larger geographical coverage area 110. For example, a small cell base station 102' can have a coverage area 110' that significantly overlaps with the coverage areas 110 of one or more macro cell base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell base stations and macro cell base stations can be known as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network can also include a home eNB (HeNB) that can provide services to a restricted group known as a closed subscriber group (CSG).

[0137]

[0155] The communication link 120 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may include UL transmissions (also called reverse links) from the UE 104 to the base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) transmissions (also called forward links) from the base station 102 to the UE 104. The communication link 120 may use MIMO antenna technologies, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link 120 may be through one or more carrier frequencies. The carrier allocation may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL than for UL).

[0138]

[0156] The wireless communication system 100 may further include a WLAN access point (AP) 150 communicating with a WLAN station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in an unlicensed frequency spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz). When communicating in the unlicensed frequency spectrum, the WLAN STA 152 and / or the WLAN AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) procedure or a listen before talk (LBT) procedure before communicating to determine whether the channel is available.

[0139]

[0157] The small cell base station 102' may operate in licensed and / or unlicensed frequency spectrums. When operating in the unlicensed frequency spectrum, the small cell base station 102' may adopt LTE or NR technologies and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum as used by the WLAN AP 150. The small cell base station 102' adopting LTE / 5G in the unlicensed frequency spectrum may boost the coverage to the access network and / or increase its capacity. NR in the unlicensed spectrum may sometimes be called NR-U. LTE in the unlicensed spectrum may sometimes be called LTE-U, licensed assisted access (LAA), or MulteFire.

[0140]

[0158] Wireless communication system 100 may further include an mmW base station 180 that can operate in millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies and / or near mmW frequencies while communicating with UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a part of RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range from 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters. Radio waves in this band are sometimes called millimeter waves. Near mmW may extend downward to a frequency of 3 GHz with a wavelength of 100 millimeters. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, also called centimeter waves. Communication using the mmW / near mmW radio frequency band has high path loss and a relatively short range. The mmW base station 180 and the UE 182 may utilize beamforming (transmission and / or reception) via an mmW communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. Further, in an alternative configuration, it will be understood that one or more base stations 102 may also transmit using mmW or near mmW and beamforming. Thus, it will be understood that the above description is merely an example and should not be construed as limiting the various aspects disclosed herein.

[0141]

[0159] Transmission beamforming is a technique for focusing RF signals in a specific direction. Conventionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal omnidirectionally, i.e., in all directions. In transmission beamforming, the network node determines where a given target device (e.g., a UE) is located (with respect to the transmitting network node) and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that specific direction, thereby providing a faster and stronger RF signal (in terms of data rate) to the receiving device(s). To change the directivity of the RF signal when transmitting, the network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of one or more transmitters that are broadcasting the RF signal. For example, the network node can use an array of antennas (referred to as a "phased array" or "antenna array") that can create a beam of RF waves that can be "steered" to point in different directions without actually moving the antennas. In particular, the RF current from the transmitter is supplied to the individual antennas with an appropriate phase relationship such that the radio waves from the separate antennas add to each other to increase the radiation in the desired direction while canceling and suppressing the radiation in the undesired directions.

[0142]

[0160] The transmission beams can be quasi - collocated, which means that, regardless of whether the transmission antennas of the network node are physically collocated or not, the transmission beams appear to have the same parameters to the receiver (e.g., UE). In NR, there are four types of quasi - collocation (QCL) relationships. In particular, a given type of QCL relationship means that some parameters regarding a second reference RF signal on a second beam can be derived from information regarding a source reference RF signal on a source beam. Thus, if the source reference RF signal is of QCL type A, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift, Doppler spread, mean delay, and delay spread of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is of QCL type B, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and Doppler spread of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is of QCL type C, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and mean delay of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is of QCL type D, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the spatial reception parameters of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0143]

[0161] In receive beamforming, the receiver uses a receive beam to amplify the RF signals detected on a given channel. For example, the receiver can increase the gain setting of an array of antennas and / or adjust the phase setting in that direction in order to amplify the RF signals received from a particular direction (e.g., increase its gain level). Thus, when the receiver is said to beamform in a certain direction, it means that the beam gain in that direction is high relative to the beam gains along other directions, or that the beam gain in that direction is the highest compared to the beam gains in that direction of all other receive beams available to the receiver. This results in a stronger received signal strength (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR), etc.) of the RF signals received from that direction.

[0144]

[0162] Receive beams can be spatially related. Spatial relationship means that the parameters for the transmit beam for a second reference signal can be derived from information regarding the receive beam for the first reference signal. For example, a UE may use a particular receive beam to receive a reference downlink reference signal (e.g., a synchronization signal block (SSB)) from a base station. The UE can then form a transmit beam for sending an uplink reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal (SRS)) to that base station based on the parameters of the receive beam.

[0145]

[0163] Note that the "downlink" beam can be either a transmission beam or a reception beam depending on the entity forming it. For example, when the base station forms a downlink beam to transmit a reference signal to the UE, the downlink beam is a transmission beam. However, when the UE forms a downlink beam, it is a reception beam for receiving the downlink reference signal. Similarly, the "uplink" beam can be either a transmission beam or a reception beam depending on the entity forming it. For example, when the base station forms an uplink beam, it is an uplink reception beam, and when the UE forms an uplink beam, it is an uplink transmission beam.

[0146]

[0164] In 5G, the frequency spectrum in which wireless nodes (e.g., base stations 102 / 180, UEs 104 / 182) operate is divided into multiple frequency ranges: FR1 (from 450 to 6000 MHz), FR2 (from 24250 to 52600 MHz), FR3 (above 52600 MHz), and FR4 (between FR1 and FR2). In a multi-carrier system such as 5G, one of the carrier frequencies is called the "primary carrier" or "anchor carrier" or "primary serving cell" or "PCell", and the remaining carrier frequencies are called "secondary carriers" or "secondary serving cells" or "SCells". In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is the carrier that operates on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) used by the UE 104 / 182 and the cell with which the UE 104 / 182 either performs the initial radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or starts the RRC connection re-establishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common and UE-specific control channels and can be a carrier within the authorized frequency (however, this is not always the case). The secondary carrier can be configured when the RRC connection is established between the UE 104 and the anchor carrier and is a carrier that operates on a second frequency (e.g., FR2) and can be used to provide additional radio resources. In some cases, the secondary carrier can be a carrier in the unlicensed frequency. The secondary carrier may contain only the necessary signaling information and signals. For example, since both the primary uplink carrier and the primary downlink carrier are typically UE-specific, what is UE-specific may not be present in the secondary carrier. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 in the cell can have different downlink primary carriers. The same is true for the uplink primary carrier. The network can change the primary carrier of any UE 104 / 182 at any time. This is done, for example, to distribute the load across different carriers.Regardless of whether it is a PCell or an SCell, since a "serving cell" corresponds to a carrier frequency / component carrier on which some base station is communicating, terms such as "cell", "serving cell", "component carrier", "carrier frequency", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0147]

[0165] For example, still referring to FIG. 1, one of the frequencies utilized by macro cell base station 102 can be an anchor carrier (or "PCell"), and other frequencies utilized by macro cell base station 102 and / or mmW base station 180 can be secondary carriers ("SCells"). Simultaneous transmission and / or reception of multiple carriers enables UE104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rate. For example, two aggregated 20 MHz carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically lead to a doubling of the data rate (i.e., 40 MHz) compared to what can be achieved by a single 20 MHz carrier.

[0148]

[0166] Wireless communication system 100 can further include one or more UEs, such as UE190, that are indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. In the example of FIG. 1, UE190 has a D2D P2P link 192 with one of UE104s that is connected to one of base stations 102 (e.g., through which UE190 can indirectly obtain cellular connectivity), and a D2D P2P link 194 with WLAN STA152 that is connected to WLAN AP150 (e.g., through which UE190 can indirectly obtain WLAN-based Internet connectivity). In one example, D2D P2P links 192 and 194 can be supported using any well-known D2D RAT, such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi (registered trademark) Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0149]

[0167] The wireless communication system 100 may further include a UE 164 that can communicate with the macrocell base station 102 via a communication link 120 and / or communicate with the mmW base station 180 via an mmW communication link 184. For example, the macrocell base station 102 may support a PCell and one or more SCell for the UE 164, and the mmW base station 180 may support one or more SCell for the UE 164.

[0150]

[0168] According to various aspects, FIG. 2A shows an exemplary wireless network structure 200. For example, NGC 210 (also referred to as "5GC") can be functionally regarded as control plane functions 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and user plane functions 212 (e.g., UE gateway function, access to the data network, IP routing, etc.) that operate cooperatively to form a core network. The user plane interface (NG-U) 213 and the control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect gNB 222 to NGC 210, particularly to the control plane function 214 and the user plane function 212. In an additional configuration, eNB 224 can also be connected to NGC 210 via NG-C 215 to the control plane function 214 and NG-U 213 to the user plane function 212. Further, eNB 224 can communicate directly with gNB 222 via a backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 can have only one or more gNB 222s, while other configurations include one or more of both eNB 224 and gNB 222. Either gNB 222 or eNB 224 can communicate with UE 204 (e.g., any of the UEs shown in FIG. 1). Another optional aspect can include a location server 230 that may be communicating with NGC 210 to provide location assistance to UE 204. The location server 230 can be implemented as a plurality of distinct servers (e.g., physically distinct servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.) or, alternatively, can correspond to each single server. The location server 230 can be configured to support one or more location services for UE 204 that can connect to the location server 230 via the core network, NGC 210, and / or the Internet (not shown). Further, the location server 230 can be integrated into the components of the core network or, alternatively, can be external to the core network.

[0151]

[0169] According to various aspects, FIG. 2B shows another exemplary wireless network structure 250. For example, the NGC 260 (also referred to as "5GC") can be considered, functionally, as a control plane function provided by the access and mobility management function (AMF) / user plane function (UPF) 264 that operates collaboratively to form the core network (i.e., NGC 260), as well as a user plane function provided by the session management function (SMF) 262. The user plane interface 263 and the control plane interface 265 connect the eNB 224 to the NGC 260, particularly to the SMF 262 and the AMF / UPF 264 respectively. In an additional configuration, the gNB 222 can also be connected to the NGC 260 via a control plane interface 265 to the AMF / UPF 264 and a user plane interface 263 to the SMF 262. Further, the eNB 224 can communicate directly with the gNB 222 via the backhaul connection 223, with or without using the gNB direct connectivity to the NGC 260. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 can have only one or more gNB 222s, and other configurations can include one or more of both the eNB 224 and the gNB 222. Either the gNB 222 or the eNB 224 can communicate with the UE 204 (e.g., any of the UEs shown in FIG. 1). The base stations of the new RAN 220 communicate with the AMF side of the AMF / UPF 264 via the N2 interface and with the UPF side of the AMF / UPF 264 via the N3 interface.

[0152]

[0170] The functions of the AMF include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transport of session management (SM) messages between the UE 204 and the SMF 262, a transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and authorization, transport of short message service (SMS) messages between the UE 204 and a short message service function (SMSF) (not shown), and a security anchor function (SEAF). The AMF also interacts with an authentication server function (AUSF) (not shown) and receives an intermediate key established as a result of the UE 204 authentication process. In the case of authentication based on a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) subscriber identity module (USIM), the AMF retrieves security material from the AUSF. The functions of the AMF also include security context management (SCM). The SCM receives a key from the SEAF that it uses to derive an access network specific key. The functions of the AMF also include location service management for regulatory services, transport of location service messages between the UE 204 and a location management function (LMF) 270 and between the new RAN 220 and the LMF 270, allocation of EPS bearer identifiers for interoperability with an evolved packet system (EPS), and UE 204 mobility event notification. Further, the AMF also supports functions for non-3GPP (registered trademark) access networks.

[0153]

[0171] The functions of the UPF include, when applicable, acting as an anchor point for mobility within / across RATs, acting as an external protocol data unit (PDU) session point of interconnection to a data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., gating, redirection, traffic steering), lawful interception (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, quality of service (QoS) handling for the user plane (e.g., UL / DL rate enforcement, reflective QoS marking in DL), UL traffic verification (service data flow (SDF) to QoS flow mapping), transport level packet marking in UL and DL, DL packet buffering and DL data notification triggering, sending and forwarding one or more “end markers” to the source RAN node.

[0154]

[0172] The functions of the SMF262 include session management, UE Internet protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of user plane functions, configuration of traffic steering in the UPF for routing traffic to appropriate destinations, policy enforcement and partial control of QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface through which the SMF262 communicates with the AMF side of the AMF / UPF264 is called the N11 interface.

[0155]

[0173] Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270 that may communicate with the NGC 260 to provide location assistance to the UE 204. The LMF 270 may be implemented as a plurality of distinct servers (e.g., physically distinct servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.) or, alternatively, may correspond to each single server. The LMF 270 may be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204 that may be connected to the LMF 270 via the core network NGC 260 and / or via the Internet (not shown).

[0156]

[0174] Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C show some exemplary components (represented by corresponding blocks) that may be incorporated in a UE 302 (which may correspond to any of the UEs described herein), a base station 304 (which may correspond to any of the base stations described herein), and a network entity 306 (which may correspond to or implement any of the network functions described herein, including a location server 230 and an LMF 270) to support the file transfer operations taught herein. It will be appreciated that these components may be implemented in different types of devices (e.g., in an ASIC, in a system-on-chip (SoC), etc.) in different implementations. The illustrated components may also be incorporated in other devices in the communication system. For example, other devices in the system may include similar components as those described to provide similar functionality. Also, a given device may include one or more of the components. For example, a device may include multiple transceiver components that enable the device to operate on multiple carriers and / or communicate by different technologies.

[0157]

[0175] UE 302 and base station 304 each include a wireless wide area network (WWAN) transceiver 310 and 350 configured to communicate via one or more wireless communication networks (not shown), such as an NR network, an LTE network, a GSM network, etc. WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 can each be connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356 to communicate with other network nodes, such as other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., eNB, gNB), etc., via at least one designated RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.) over the respective wireless communication medium (e.g., some set of time / frequency resources in a particular frequency spectrum). WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 can be variously configured to transmit and encode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, instructions, information, etc.) and, conversely, to receive and decode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, instructions, information, pilots, etc.) according to the designated RAT. In particular, transceivers 310 and 350 each include one or more transmitters 314 and 354, respectively, to transmit and encode signals 318 and 358, and each include one or more receivers 312 and 352, respectively, to receive and decode signals 318 and 358.

[0158]

[0176] UE 302 and base station 304 also each include, in at least some cases, wireless local area network (WLAN) transceivers 320 and 360. WLAN transceivers 320 and 360 can be connected to one or more antennas 326 and 366, respectively, to communicate with other network nodes such as other UEs, access points, base stations, etc. over the respective wireless communication medium via at least one designated radio access technology (RAT) (e.g., WiFi, LTE-D, Bluetooth, etc.). WLAN transceivers 320 and 360 can be variously configured to transmit and encode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, instructions, information, etc.) according to the designated RAT, and conversely, to receive and decode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, instructions, information, pilots, etc.). In particular, transceivers 320 and 360 each include one or more transmitters 324 and 364, respectively, to transmit and encode signals 328 and 368, and each include one or more receivers 322 and 362, respectively, to receive and decode signals 328 and 368.

[0159]

[0177] A transceiver circuit including a transmitter and a receiver may, in some implementations, comprise an integrated device (e.g., implemented as the transmitter circuit and the receiver circuit of a single communication device), in some implementations, may comprise a separate transmitter device and a separate receiver device, or in other implementations, may be implemented in other ways. In one aspect, the transmitter may include or be coupled to a plurality of antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 336, and 376), such as an antenna array, that enable each device to perform transmission “beamforming” as described herein. Similarly, the receiver may include or be coupled to a plurality of antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 336, and 376), such as an antenna array, that enable each device to perform reception beamforming as described herein. In one aspect, the transmitter and the receiver may share the same plurality of antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 336, and 376) such that each device can perform only reception or only transmission at a given time, rather than performing both reception and transmission simultaneously. The wireless communication devices of devices 302 and / or 304 (e.g., one or both of transceivers 310 and 320 and / or 350 and 360) may also comprise, for example, a network listening module (NLM) for performing various measurements.

[0160]

[0178] Devices 302 and 304 also include, in at least some instances, satellite positioning system (SPS) receivers 330 and 370. SPS receivers 330 and 370 can be respectively connected to one or more antennas 336 and 376 for receiving SPS signals 338 and 378, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) signals, Galileo signals, Beidou signals, India's Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC), Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), etc. SPS receivers 330 and 370 can each comprise any suitable hardware and / or software for receiving and processing SPS signals 338 and 378. SPS receivers 330 and 370 appropriately request information and operations from other systems and perform the calculations necessary to determine the positions of devices 302 and 304 using measurements obtained by any suitable SPS algorithm.

[0161]

[0179] Base station 304 and network entity 306 each include at least one network interface 380 and 390 for communicating with other network entities. For example, network interfaces 380 and 390 (e.g., one or more network access ports) can be configured to communicate with one or more network entities via a wire-based or wireless backhaul connection. In some aspects, network interfaces 380 and 390 can be implemented as transceivers configured to support wire-based or wireless signal communication. This communication can be involved in, for example, transmitting and receiving messages, parameters, or other types of information.

[0162]

[0180] Devices 302, 304, and 306 also include other components that can be used with the operations disclosed herein. UE 302 includes, for example, a processor circuit that implements a processing system 332 for providing functions related to false base station (FBS) detection disclosed herein and for providing other processing functions. Base station 304 includes, for example, a processing system 384 for providing functions related to FBS detection disclosed herein and for providing other processing functions. Network entity 306 includes, for example, a processing system 394 for providing functions related to FBS detection disclosed herein and for providing other processing functions. In one aspect, processing systems 332, 384, and 394 can include, for example, one or more general-purpose processors, multi-core processors, ASICs, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices or processing circuits.

[0163]

[0181] Devices 302, 304, and 306 include memory circuits that implement memory components 340, 386, and 396, respectively (each including a memory device, for example), to maintain information (such as information indicating reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.). In some cases, devices 302, 304, and 306 can each include positioning measurement modules 342, 388, and 389. Positioning measurement modules 342, 388, and 389 can be hardware circuits that are part of or coupled to processing systems 332, 384, and 394, respectively, that, when executed, cause devices 302, 304, and 306 to perform the functions described herein. Alternatively, positioning measurement modules 342, 388, and 389 can be memory modules stored in memory components 340, 386, and 396 (shown in FIGS. 3A - 3C) that, when executed by processing systems 332, 384, and 394, cause devices 302, 304, and 306 to perform the functions described herein.

[0164]

[0182] UE 302 may include one or more sensors 344 coupled to a processing system 332 to provide movement and / or orientation information that is independent of movement data derived from signals received by a WWAN transceiver 310, a WLAN transceiver 320, and / or a GPS receiver 330. By way of example, the sensor(s) 344 may include an accelerometer (e.g., a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device), a gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor (e.g., a compass), an altimeter (e.g., a barometric altimeter), and / or any other type of movement detection sensor. Moreover, the sensor(s) 344 may include multiple different types of devices and may combine their outputs to provide movement information. For example, the sensor(s) 344 may use a combination of a multi-axis accelerometer and an orientation sensor to provide the ability to calculate a position in a 2D and / or 3D coordinate system.

[0165]

[0183] Further, UE 302 includes a user interface 346 for providing an indication (e.g., an audible and / or visual indication) to a user and / or receiving user input (e.g., upon actuation of a sensing device such as a keypad, a touch screen, a microphone, etc.). Although not shown, devices 304 and 306 may also include a user interface.

[0166]

[0184] Looking at the processing system 384 in more detail, in the downlink, IP packets from the network entity 306 can be provided to the processing system 384. The processing system 384 can implement functions for the RRC layer, the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. The processing system 384 is associated with RRC layer functions related to the broadcasting of system information (e.g., Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB)), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-RAT mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reports, header compression / decompression, and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; PDCP layer functions related to the transfer of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; RLC layer functions related to the transfer of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions related to the mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0167]

[0185] The transmitter 354 and the receiver 352 may implement layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) coding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping onto the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. The transmitter 354 processes the mapping to signal constellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), multi-value quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols may then be split into parallel streams. Each stream is then mapped to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarriers to generate a physical channel carrying a time-domain OFDM symbol stream, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., a pilot) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then synthesized with each other using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT). The OFDM stream is spatially precoded to generate multiple spatial streams. The channel estimates from the channel estimator may be used to determine the coding and modulation schemes and for spatial processing. The channel estimates may be derived from reference signals transmitted by the UE 302 and / or channel state feedback. Each spatial stream may then be provided to one or more different antennas 356. The transmitter 354 may modulate an RF carrier with each spatial stream for transmission.

[0168]

[0186] In UE 302, receiver 312 receives signals through its respective antenna(s) 316. Receiver 312 recovers the information modulated on the RF carrier and provides the information to processing system 332. Transmitter 314 and receiver 312 implement layer 1 functions related to various signal processing functions. Receiver 312 may perform spatial processing on the information to recover the spatial streams directed to UE 302. If multiple spatial streams are directed to UE 302, they may be combined by receiver 312 into a single OFDM symbol stream. Receiver 312 then uses a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to convert the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency domain signal comprises a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier and the reference signal are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted by base station 304. These soft decisions may be based on the channel estimates calculated by the channel estimator. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted by base station 304 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to processing system 332 which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functions.

[0169]

[0187] In the UL, processing system 332 provides demultiplexing in reverse between the transport channel and the logical channel, packet reassembly, decoding, header recovery, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the core network. Processing system 332 is also responsible for error detection.

[0170]

[0188] Similar to the functions described for DL transmission by base station 304, the processing system 332 includes RRC layer functions associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); transfer of upper layer PDUs; error correction via ARQ; concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs; resegmentation of RLC data PDUs; reordering of RLC data PDUs; RLC layer functions; mapping between logical channels and transport channels; multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs); demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs; scheduling information reporting; error correction via HARQ; priority handling; and logical channel prioritization.

[0171]

[0189] Channel estimates derived by a channel estimator from reference signals or feedback transmitted by base station 304 can be used by transmitter 314 to select an appropriate coding and modulation scheme and to enable spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by transmitter 314 can be provided to different antennas 316 (one or more). Transmitter 314 can modulate an RF carrier with each spatial stream for transmission.

[0172]

[0190] UL transmission is processed at base station 304 in a manner similar to that described for the receiver function in UE 302. Receiver 352 receives signals through its respective antennas 356 (one or more). Receiver 352 recovers the information modulated on the RF carrier and provides the information to processing system 384.

[0173]

[0191] In the UL, the processing system 384 provides demultiplexing between the transport channel and the logical channel, packet reassembly, decoding, header restoration, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 302. The IP packets from the processing system 384 can be provided to the core network. The processing system 384 is also responsible for error detection.

[0174]

[0192] For the sake of convenience, the apparatuses 302, 304, and / or 306 are shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C as including various components that can be configured according to the various examples described herein. However, it will be understood that the illustrated blocks may have different functions in different designs.

[0175]

[0193] The various components of apparatuses 302, 304, and 306 can communicate with each other via data buses 334, 382, and 392, respectively. The components of FIGS. 3A - 3C can be implemented in various ways. In some implementations, the components of FIGS. 3A - 3C can be implemented in one or more circuits, such as one or more processors and / or one or more ASICs (which may include one or more processors). Here, each circuit uses at least one memory component to store information or executable code used by the circuit to provide this functionality and / or can incorporate it. For example, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 310 - 346 can be implemented by the processor of UE 302 and (one or more) memory components (e.g., by execution of appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Similarly, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 350 - 389 can be implemented by the processor of base station 304 and (one or more) memory components (e.g., by execution of appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Also, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 390 - 396 can be implemented by the processor of network entity 306 and (one or more) memory components (e.g., by execution of appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). For simplicity, various operations, actions, and / or functions are described herein as being performed "by the UE", "by the base station", "by the positioning entity", etc. However, as will be understood, such operations, actions, and / or functions can actually be performed by specific components or combinations of components of a UE, base station, positioning entity, etc., such as processing systems 332, 384, 394, transceivers 310, 320, 350, and 360, memory components 340, 386, and 396, positioning measurement modules 342, 388, 389, etc.

[0176]

[0194] FIG. 4A is a diagram 400 showing an example of a DL frame structure according to an aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 4B is a diagram 430 showing an example of a channel within the DL frame structure according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels.

[0177]

[0195] LTE, and in some cases NR, utilize OFDM on the downlink and single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) on the uplink. However, unlike LTE, NR has an option to use OFDM on the uplink as well. OFDM and SC-FDM divide the system bandwidth into a plurality (K) of orthogonal subcarriers, also commonly referred to as tones, bins, etc. Each subcarrier can be modulated with data. Generally, modulated symbols are sent in the frequency domain with OFDM and in the time domain with SC-FDM. The spacing between adjacent subcarriers can be fixed, and the total number (K) of subcarriers can depend on the system bandwidth. For example, the subcarrier spacing can be 15 kHz, and the minimum resource allocation (resource block) can be 12 subcarriers (or 180 kHz). Thus, the nominal FFT size can be equal to 128, 256, 512, 1024, or 2048 for system bandwidths of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 megahertz (MHz), respectively. The system bandwidth can also be divided into subbands. For example, a subband can cover 1.08 MHz (i.e., 6 resource blocks), and there can be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 subbands for system bandwidths of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 MHz, respectively.

[0178]

[0196] LTE supports a single numerology (subcarrier spacing, symbol length, etc.). In contrast, NR can support multiple numerologies, for example, subcarrier spacings of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, and 204 kHz, or larger, may be available. Table 1 provided below lists some of the various parameters for different NR numerologies.

[0179]

Table 1

[0180]

[0197] In the examples of FIGS. 4A and 4B, a numerology of 15 kHz is used. Thus, in the time domain, a frame (e.g., 10 ms) is divided into 10 equal-sized sub-frames of 1 ms each, and each sub-frame contains one time slot. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, time is represented horizontally (e.g., on the X-axis), time increases from left to right, frequency is represented vertically (e.g., on the Y-axis), and frequency increases (or decreases) from bottom to top.

[0181]

[0198] A resource grid may be used to represent time slots, and each time slot contains one or more time-parallel resource blocks (RBs, also called physical RBs (PRBs)) in the frequency domain. The resource grid is further divided into a plurality of resource elements (REs). An RE may correspond to one symbol length in the time domain and one sub-carrier in the frequency domain. In the numerology of FIGS. 4A and 4B, for the normal cyclic prefix, an RB may contain 12 consecutive sub-carriers in the frequency domain for a total of 84 REs, and may contain 7 consecutive symbols (OFDM symbols in the case of DL, SC-FDMA symbols in the case of UL) in the time domain. For the extended cyclic prefix, an RB may contain 12 consecutive sub-carriers in the frequency domain for a total of 72 REs, and may contain 6 consecutive symbols in the time domain. The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0182]

[0199] As shown in Fig. 4A, some of the REs carry a DL reference (pilot) signal (DL-RS) for channel estimation in the UE. The DL-RS may include a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), and their exemplary locations are marked as "R" in Fig. 4A.

[0183]

[0200] Fig. 4B shows an example of various channels within the DL subframe of a frame. The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carries DL control information (DCI) within one or more control channel elements (CCEs), each CCE contains nine RE groups (REGs), and each REG contains four consecutive REs within an OFDM symbol. The DCI carries information regarding UL resource allocation (persistent and non-persistent) and a description of the DL data transmitted to the UE. Multiple (e.g., up to eight) DCIs may be configured in the PDCCH, and these DCIs can have one of multiple formats. For example, there are different DCI formats for UL scheduling, non-MIMO DL scheduling, MIMO DL scheduling, and UL power control.

[0184]

[0201] The primary synchronization signal (PSS) is used by the UE to determine subframe / symbol timing and physical layer identification information. The secondary synchronization signal (SSS) is used by the UE to determine the physical layer cell identification information group number and radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identification information and the physical layer cell identification information group number, the UE can determine the PCI. Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the above-mentioned DL-RS. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carrying the MIB can be logically grouped using the PSS and SSS to form the SSB (also called SS / PBCH). The MIB gives the number of RBs in the DL system bandwidth and the system frame number (SFN). The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not transmitted through the PBCH such as the system information block (SIB), and paging messages.

[0185]

[0202] In some cases, the DL RS shown in Figure 4A can be a positioning reference signal (PRS). Figure 5 shows an exemplary PRS configuration 500 for a cell supported by a wireless node (such as base station 102). Figure 5 shows how a PRS positioning occasion is determined by the system frame number (SFN), the cell-specific subframe offset (Δ PRS ) 552, and the PRS periodicity (T PRS ) 520. Generally, the cell-specific PRS subframe configuration is defined by the "PRS configuration index" I PRS included in the observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) assistance data. The PRS periodicity (T PRS ) 520 and the cell-specific subframe offset (Δ PRS ) are defined based on the PRS configuration index I PRS as shown in Table 2 below.

[0186]

Table 2

[0187]

[0203] The PRS configuration is defined with reference to the SFN of the cell that transmits the PRS. The PRS instance has N PRS for the first subframe among the N downlink subframes that include the first PRS positioning occasion,

[0188]

Number

[0189] may be satisfied, where n f is an SFN where 0 ≤ n f ≤ 1023, and n s is a slot number within the radio frame defined by 0 ≤ n s ≤ 19, T f is the PRS periodicity 520, and Δ PRS is the cell-specific subframe offset 552. PRS

[0190]

[0190]

[0204] As shown in FIG. 5, the cell-specific subframe offset Δ PRS 552 may be defined with respect to the number of subframes transmitted from system frame number 0 (slot "number 0", marked as slot 550) to the start of the first (subsequent) PRS positioning occasion. In the example of FIG. 5, the number (N PRS ) of consecutive positioning subframes in each of the consecutive PRS positioning occasions 518a, 518b, and 518c is equal to 4. That is, each shaded block representing the PRS positioning occasions 518a, 518b, and 518c represents four subframes.

[0191]

[0205] In some aspects, when the UE receives the PRS configuration index I PRS in the OTDOA assistance data for a particular cell, the UE uses Table 2 to determine the PRS periodicity T PRS 520 and the PRS subframe offset Δ PRSbe able to determine. The UE may then determine the radio frame, subframe, and slot when the PRS is scheduled in the cell (e.g., using Equation (1)). The OTDOA assistance data may be determined, for example, by a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270), and includes assistance data for the reference cell and several neighbor cells supported by various base stations.

[0192]

[0206] Generally, the PRS occasions from all cells in a network using the same frequency are time-aligned and may have a fixed known time offset (e.g., cell-specific subframe offset 552) with respect to other cells in a network using different frequencies. In an SFN-synchronized network, all wireless nodes (e.g., base station 102) may be aligned with respect to both the frame boundary and the system frame number. Thus, in an SFN-synchronized network, all cells supported by various wireless nodes may use the same PRS configuration index for any particular frequency of PRS transmission. On the other hand, in an SFN-asynchronous network, various wireless nodes may be aligned with respect to the frame boundary rather than the system frame number. Thus, in an SFN-asynchronous network, the PRS configuration index for each cell may be configured separately by the network so that the PRS occasions are time-aligned.

[0193]

[0207] If the UE is able to obtain the timing of at least one cell, e.g., the reference cell or the serving cell, such as the SFN, the UE may determine the timing of the PRS occasions of the reference and neighbor cells for OTDOA positioning. The timing of other cells may then be derived by the UE, for example, based on the assumption that the PRS occasions from different cells overlap.

[0194]

[0208] 3GPP Rel.16 introduced various NR positioning aspects aimed at increasing the location accuracy of positioning methods involved in (one or more) measurements related to one or more UL or DL PRS (such as widebandwidth (BW), FR2 beam sweep, angle-based measurements such as angle of arrival (AoA) and angle of departure (AoD) measurements, multi-cell round-trip time (RTT) measurements, etc.). When latency reduction is prioritized, UE-based positioning techniques (such as DL-only techniques without UL location measurement reports) are commonly used. However, when latency is not as much of an issue, UE-assisted positioning techniques can be used, whereby data measured by the UE is reported to network entities (such as location server 230, LMF 270, etc.). The latency associated with UE-assisted positioning techniques can be somewhat reduced by implementing the LMF in the RAN.

[0195]

[0209] Layer 3 (L3) signaling (such as RRC or location positioning protocol (LPP)) is generally used to transport reports containing location-based data related to UE-assisted positioning techniques. L3 signaling is associated with relatively high latency (such as exceeding 100 ms) compared to layer 1 (L1 or PHY layer) signaling or layer 2 (L2 or MAC layer) signaling. In some cases, lower latency (such as lower than 100 ms, lower than 10 ms, etc.) between the UE and the RAN for location-based reports may be desired. In such cases, L3 signaling may not be able to reach these lower latency levels. The L3 signaling for positioning measurements can comprise any of the following combinations. · One or more TOA, TDOA, RSRP, or Rx-Tx measurements, · One or more AoA / AoD (for example, only DL AoA and UL AoD reporting for gNB->LMF is currently agreed upon) measurements, ·One or more multipath reporting measurements, e.g., path-by-path ToA, RSRP, AoA / AoD (e.g., currently only path-by-path ToA is permitted in LTE) ·One or more motion states (e.g., walking, driving, etc.) and (e.g., for the current UE) trajectories, and / or ·One or more reporting quality indications.

[0196]

[0210] More recently, L1 and L2 signaling has been intended for use related to PRS-based reporting. For example, L1 and L2 signaling is currently used in some systems to transport CSI reports (e.g., reports such as channel quality indication (CQI), precoding matrix indicator (PMI), layer indicator (LI), L1-RSRP, etc.). CSI reports may comprise a set of fields in a predefined order (e.g., as defined by the relevant standards). A single UL transmission (e.g., on PUSCH or PUCCH) may include multiple reports, herein referred to as "sub-reports", which are configured according to a predefined priority (e.g., as defined by the relevant standards). In some designs, the predefined order may be based on the period of the relevant sub-report (e.g., aperiodic / semi-persistent / periodic (A / SP / P) over PUSCH / PUCCH), the measurement type (e.g., whether it is L1-RSRP or not), the index of the serving cell (e.g., in the case of carrier aggregation (CA)), and the reportconfigID. In the case of two-part CSI reports, part 1 of all the reports is grouped together, part 2 is grouped separately, and each group is encoded separately (e.g., the payload size of part 1 is fixed based on configuration parameters, but the size of part 2 is variable and depends on configuration parameters and further the content of the relevant part 1). The number of coded bits / symbols that will be output after coding and rate matching is calculated based on the number of input bits and beta factors for each relevant standard. The linkage (e.g., time offset) is defined between the instance of the measured RS and the corresponding report. In some designs, CSI-like reporting of PRS-based measurement data using L1 and L2 signaling may be implemented.

[0197]

[0211] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary wireless communication system 600 according to various aspects of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 6, a UE 604 that may correspond to any of the UEs described above with respect to FIG. 1 (e.g., UE 104, UE 182, UE 190, etc.) attempts to calculate an estimate of its location or assist another entity (e.g., a base station or core network component, another UE, a location server, a third party application, etc.) in calculating an estimate of its location. The UE 604 can communicate wirelessly with a plurality of base stations 602a - d (collectively base stations 602), which may correspond to any combination of the base stations 102 or 180 and / or the WLAN AP 150 of FIG. 1 that use RF signals and standardized protocols for modulation of RF signals and exchange of information packets. By extracting different types of information from the exchanged RF signals and utilizing the layout of the wireless communication system 600 (i.e., the location, geometry, etc. of the base stations), the UE 604 can determine its location in a predefined reference coordinate system or assist in the determination of its location. In one aspect, the UE 604 may specify its location using a two - dimensional coordinate system, but the aspects disclosed herein are not so limited, and if additional dimensions are desired, it may also be applicable to use a three - dimensional coordinate system to determine the location. Further, although FIG. 6 shows one UE 604 and four base stations 602, it is understood that there may be more UE 604s and more or fewer base stations 602.

[0198]

[0212] To support location estimation, base station 602 may be configured to cause UE 604 to measure a reference RF signal timing difference (e.g., OTDOA or RSTD) between a pair of network nodes and / or to identify a beam that best excites a LOS or the shortest radio path between UE 604 and transmitting base station 602, by broadcasting a reference RF signal (e.g., positioning reference signal (PRS), cell-specific reference signal (CRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), synchronization signal, etc.) to UE 604 in their coverage areas. Identifying the (one or more) LOS / shortest path beams is interesting because these beams can then be used for OTDOA measurements between pairs of base stations 602, and also because identifying these beams can directly provide some positioning information based on the beam direction. Further, these beams can then be used for other location estimation methods that require an accurate ToA, such as round-trip time estimation-based methods.

[0199]

[0213] As used herein, "network node" can be a base station 602, a cell of base station 602, a remote radio head, an antenna of base station 602, where the location of the antenna of base station 602 is separate from the location of base station 602 itself or any other network entity capable of transmitting a reference signal. Further, as used herein, "node" can refer to either a network node or a UE.

[0200]

[0214] A location server (e.g., location server 230) may send assistance data to the UE 604 that includes identification information of one or more neighbor cells of the base station 602 and configuration information for the reference RF signals transmitted by each neighbor cell. Alternatively, the assistance data may originate directly from the base station 602 itself (e.g., in an overhead message broadcast periodically). Alternatively, the UE 604 may be able to detect the neighbor cells of the base station 602 itself without using the assistance data. The UE 604 may measure the OTDOA from individual network nodes and / or the RSTD between reference RF signals received from pairs of network nodes (e.g., if given, based in part on the assistance data) and optionally report them. Using these measurements and the known locations of the measured network nodes (i.e., the (one or more) base stations 602 or antennas that transmitted the reference RF signals measured by the UE 604), the UE 604 or the location server may determine the distance between the UE 604 and the measured network nodes, thereby calculating the location of the UE 604.

[0201]

[0215] The term "position estimation" is used herein to refer to the estimation of the position for UE604, which may be geographical (e.g., with latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude), or may be urban (e.g., with an exact point or area within or near a building or location address such as a landmark like a building name, a specific entrance to a building, a specific room or suite in a building, or a town square). Position estimation may also be referred to by terms such as "location", "position", "fix", "position fix", "location fix", "location estimation", "fix estimation", or some other term. The means of obtaining a location estimate are commonly referred to as "positioning", "location determination", or "position determination". A specific solution for obtaining a position estimate may be referred to as a "position solution". A specific method for obtaining a position estimate as part of a position solution may be referred to as a "positioning method" or a "position determination method".

[0202]

[0216] The term "base station" can refer to a single physical transmission point or multiple physical transmission points that may or may not be collocated. For example, when the term "base station" refers to a single physical transmission point, the physical transmission point can be the antenna of the base station (e.g., base station 602) corresponding to the cell of the base station. When the term "base station" refers to multiple collocated physical transmission points, the physical transmission points can be an array of antennas (as in the case of a MIMO system or when the base station employs beamforming). When the term "base station" refers to multiple non-collocated physical transmission points, the physical transmission points can be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transport medium) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, the non-collocated physical transmission points can be the serving base station that receives measurement reports from the UE (e.g., UE 604) and the neighbor base station that the UE is measuring the reference RF signal from. Thus, FIG. 6 shows a manner in which base stations 602a and 602b form a DAS / RRH 620. For example, base station 602a can be the serving base station of UE 604, and base station 602b can be the neighbor base station of UE 604. Thus, base station 602b can be the RRH of base station 602a. Base stations 602a and 602b can communicate with each other via a wired or wireless link 622.

[0203]

[0217] In order to accurately determine the position of UE604 using OTDOA and / or RSTD between RF signals received from a pair of network nodes, UE604 needs to measure a reference RF signal received over a LOS path (or, if a LOS path is not available, the shortest NLOS path) between UE604 and a network node (e.g., base station 602, antenna). However, since RF signals spread from a transmitter and reflect off other objects such as hills, buildings, water, etc. on their way to a receiver, RF signals move not only along the LOS / shortest path between the transmitter and the receiver, but also along several other paths. Thus, FIG. 6 shows several LOS paths 610 and several NLOS paths 612 between base station 602 and UE604. In particular, FIG. 6 shows base station 602a transmitting via LOS path 610a and NLOS path 612a, base station 602b transmitting via LOS path 610b and two NLOS paths 612b, base station 602c transmitting via LOS path 610c and NLOS path 612c, and base station 602d transmitting via two NLOS paths 612d. As shown in FIG. 6, each NLOS path 612 reflects off some object 630 (e.g., a building). As will be appreciated, each LOS path 610 and NLOS path 612 transmitted by base station 602 can be transmitted by different antennas of base station 602 (as shown in, e.g., a MIMO system), or can be transmitted by the same antenna of base station 602 (thereby indicating the propagation of the RF signal). Further, as used herein, the term "LOS path" refers to the shortest path between a transmitter and a receiver, and can be the shortest NLOS path rather than an actual LOS path.

[0204]

[0218] In one aspect, one or more of the base stations 602 may be configured to use beamforming to transmit RF signals. In that case, some of the available beams may focus on the RF signals transmitted along the LOS path 610 (e.g., the beam generates the highest antenna gain along the LOS path), while other available beams may focus on the RF signals transmitted along the NLOS path 612. A beam having a high gain along a certain path and thus focusing on the RF signals along that path may still have some RF signals propagating along other paths, and the intensity of those RF signals naturally depends on the beam gain along those other paths. An "RF signal" comprises an electromagnetic wave that transports information through the space between a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter used herein may transmit a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to a receiver. However, as will be further described below, a receiver may receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal due to the propagation characteristics of the RF signals through a multipath channel.

[0205]

[0219] When the base station 602 uses beamforming to transmit RF signals, the beam of interest for data communication between the base station 602 and the UE 604 will be the beam that carries the RF signal arriving at the UE 604 with the highest signal strength (e.g., as indicated by the received signal received power (RSRP) or SINR in the presence of a directional interference signal), while the beam of interest for position estimation will be the beam that carries the RF signal exciting the shortest path or the LOS path (e.g., the LOS path 610). In some frequency bands, for commonly used antenna systems, the same beam will result. However, generally, in other frequency bands such as mmW where a large number of antenna elements may be used to create a narrow transmit beam, they may not be the same beam. As will be described below with reference to FIG. 7, in some cases, the signal strength of the RF signal on the LOS path 610 may be weaker than the signal strength of the RF signal on the NLOS path 612 where the RF signal arrives later due to propagation delay (e.g., due to obstacles).

[0206]

[0220] Figure 7 shows an exemplary wireless communication system 700 according to various aspects of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 7, a UE 704 that may correspond to the UE 604 of FIG. 6 attempts to calculate an estimate of its position or assist another entity (e.g., a base station or core network component, another UE, a location server, a third-party application, etc.) in calculating an estimate of its position. The UE 704 may communicate wirelessly with a base station 702 that may correspond to one of the base stations 602 of FIG. 6 using a standardized protocol for RF signal and RF signal modulation and exchange of information packets.

[0207]

[0221] As shown in FIG. 7, the base station 702 utilizes beamforming to transmit a plurality of beams 711-715 of RF signals. Each of the beams 711-715 can be formed and transmitted by an array of antennas of the base station 702. Although FIG. 7 shows a base station 702 transmitting five beams 711-715, it will be understood that there may be more or fewer than five beams, and beam shapes such as peak gain, width, and sidelobe gain may vary between the beams being transmitted, and some of the beams may be transmitted by different base stations.

[0208]

[0222] A beam index can be assigned to each of a plurality of beams 711 - 715 to distinguish an RF signal associated with one beam from an RF signal associated with another beam. Further, an RF signal associated with a particular beam of the plurality of beams 711 - 715 may carry a beam index indicator. The beam index can also be derived from the time of transmission of the RF signal, e.g., frame, slot, and / or OFDM symbol number. The beam index indicator can be, for example, a 3-bit field for uniquely distinguishing up to 8 beams. If two different RF signals with different beam indices are received, this would indicate that the RF signals were transmitted using different beams. If two different RF signals share a common beam index, this would indicate that the different RF signals were transmitted using the same beam. Another way to explain that two RF signals are transmitted using the same beam is to state that the (one or more) antenna ports used for transmission of the first RF signal are spatially quasi-collocated with the (one or more) antenna ports used for transmission of the second RF signal.

[0209]

[0223] In the example of FIG. 7, UE 704 receives a NLOS data stream 723 of an RF signal transmitted on beam 713 and a LOS data stream 724 of an RF signal transmitted on beam 714. Although FIG. 7 shows the NLOS data stream 723 and the LOS data stream 724 as a single line (dashed line and solid line respectively), it should be understood that the NLOS data stream 723 and the LOS data stream 724 may each comprise a plurality of rays (i.e., “clusters”) by the time they reach UE 704 due to, for example, the propagation characteristics of the RF signal through a multipath channel. For example, a cluster of RF signals is formed when electromagnetic waves are reflected by multiple surfaces of an object, and the reflections each travel a distance that is several wavelengths (e.g., centimeters) longer or shorter than the others and arrive at the receiver (e.g., UE 704) from approximately the same angle. The “cluster” of received RF signals generally corresponds to a single transmitted RF signal.

[0210]

[0224] In the example of FIG. 7, the NLOS data stream 723 is not initially directed towards UE 704, but it may be possible, as should be understood, like the RF signal on the NLOS path 612 of FIG. 6. However, it can be reflected by a reflector 740 (e.g., a building) and reach UE 704 without obstacles and thus can still be a relatively strong RF signal. In contrast, the LOS data stream 724 is directed towards UE 704 but passes through an obstacle 730 (e.g., a destructive environment such as vegetation, buildings, hills, clouds or smoke, etc.), which can significantly degrade the RF signal. As should be understood, the LOS data stream 724 is weaker than the NLOS data stream 723, but since the LOS data stream 724 travels a shorter path from the base station 702 to UE 704, the LOS data stream 724 will arrive at UE 704 before the NLOS data stream 723.

[0211]

[0225] As described above, the beam of interest for data communication between a base station (e.g., base station 702) and a UE (e.g., UE 704) is the beam that carries the RF signal arriving at the UE with the maximum signal strength (e.g., maximum RSRP or SINR). However, the beam of interest for position estimation is the beam (e.g., beam 714) that excites the LOS path and carries the RF signal having the maximum gain along the LOS path among all other beams. That is, even if beam 713 (NLOS beam) slightly excites the LOS path (although not focusing along the LOS path, due to the propagation characteristics of the RF signal), the weak signal of the LOS path of beam 713 may not be reliably detectable (if any), compared to the weak signal from beam 714, and thus may lead to a larger error when performing the positioning measurement.

[0212]

[0226] The beam of interest for data communication and the beam of interest for position estimation can be the same beam for some frequency bands, but for other frequency bands such as mmW, they may not be the same beam. Thus, referring to FIG. 7, if UE 704 is not simply attempting to measure the reference RF signal transmitted by base station 702 while participating in a data communication session with base station 702 (e.g., base station 702 is the serving base station for UE 704), the beam of interest for the data communication session can be beam 713 because it carries the unobstructed NLOS data stream 723. However, the beam of interest for position estimation is beam 714 because it carries the strongest LOS data stream 724, even though it is obstructed.

[0213]

[0227] FIG. 8A is a graph 800A showing the RF channel response over time in a receiver (e.g., UE 704) according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Under the channel shown in FIG. 8A, the receiver receives a first cluster of two RF signals on the channel tap at time T1, a second cluster of five RF signals on the channel tap at time T2, a third cluster of five RF signals on the channel tap at time T3, and a fourth cluster of four RF signals on the channel tap at time T4. In the example of FIG. 8A, since the first cluster of RF signals at time T1 arrives first, it is presumed to be the LOS data stream (i.e., the data stream arriving via LOS or the shortest path) and may correspond to the LOS data stream 724. The third cluster at time T3 is composed of the strongest RF signals and may correspond to the NLOS data stream 723. From the transmitter side, each cluster of received RF signals may comprise portions of RF signals transmitted at different angles and thus each cluster may be said to have a different angle of departure (AoD) from the transmitter. FIG. 8B is a diagram 800B showing this separation of clusters in AoD. RF signals transmitted within the AoD range 802a may correspond to one cluster (e.g., "cluster 1") in FIG. 8A, and RF signals transmitted within the AoD range 802b may correspond to a different cluster (e.g., "cluster 3") in FIG. 8A. Note that while the AoD ranges of the two clusters shown in FIG. 8B are spatially separated, the AoD ranges of some clusters may also be partially overlapping although the clusters are temporally separated. For example, this may occur when two separate buildings at the same AoD from the transmitter reflect signals towards the receiver. Note that while FIG. 8A shows clusters of two to five channel taps (or "peaks"), it is understood that the clusters may have more or fewer channel taps than shown.

[0214]

[0228] In some designs, the earliest channel taps of the RS, such as the PRS or the SRS for positioning, are used to determine their respective TOAs. However, if the time synchronization between the UE and the network is not aligned, as shown in FIG. 9, an error may occur in the TOA estimation at the UE. FIG. 9 shows a channel response 900 at a UE receiver according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Due to the timing misalignment at the UE, the channel tap 902 associated with gNB2 and the channel tap 904 associated with gNB1 are received at the UE receiver. Due to the timing misalignment at the UE, the UE measures the arrival times of the channel taps 902 and 904 with respect to an inaccurate timing reference that is not aligned with the gNB, which results in an error in the TOA estimation for the RS from gNB1 and gNB2. Although not explicitly shown, a similar timing misalignment may occur at the gNB with respect to the measurement of an uplink reference signal for positioning, such as the SRS for positioning.

[0215]

[0229] If the timing offset between the UE and the network is common to all PRS signals from different gNBs, the UE can remove the influence of this offset by considering the difference between the TOAs. For example, the UE may be configured to report a reference signal time difference (RSTD) that is the arrival time difference (TDOA) of the PRS from two different gNBs.

[0216]

[0230] Due to the multipath nature of the channel, the channel estimated by the UE may include several taps corresponding to multiple signal paths. In some cases, the UE may need to balance the need to not misdeclare noisy samples as the earliest channel tap for the purpose of identifying the earliest channel tap. In some cases, when the direct path between the gNB and the UE is blocked, the LOS channel tap may be significantly attenuated. This results in the UE estimating the TOA based on the second or other subsequent channel taps, which may lead to an overestimation of the TOA. This scenario is shown in Figure 10, which depicts the channel response 1000 in a UE receiver according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 10, the earliest channel tap 1002 is weaker with respect to the maximum amplitude, while the later channel tap 1004 is stronger with respect to the maximum amplitude. Thus, the channel tap 1004 can be used to derive the TOA, which results in an overestimation of the TOA (which in turn increases the error in the associated positioning estimate based on the overestimated TOA). Although not explicitly shown, similar measurement errors can occur at the gNB with respect to the measurement of uplink reference signals for positioning, such as SRS for positioning.

[0217]

[0231] In some designs, the UE or the gNB may also be configured to report the timing of additional paths of the channel with respect to a reference timing such as the estimated TOA. In some cases, the reporting of the timing of the additional paths may be insufficient because the network may not be able to determine whether the reported taps correspond to true paths or are false taps due to noise. In such situations, if the UE or the gNB sends more channel metrics based on the channel estimate, this may enable the network (or the UE) to make a more accurate determination regarding the earliest tap, possibly considering other available information in some cases. In such cases, it is generally desirable to keep the reporting overhead small to conserve communication resources.

[0218]

[0232] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to the detection and / or reporting of maximum amplitude data associated with a set of channel response measurements for positioning reference signals, such as DL PRS or UL SRS for positioning. In some designs, the detection and / or reporting of such maximum amplitude data may facilitate a more accurate derivation of the TOA for the associated reference signal (e.g., by more accurately identifying the earliest or LOS channel tap for the reference signal), which provides a technical advantage of reducing errors in positioning estimation for the UE.

[0219]

[0233] FIG. 11 shows an exemplary process 1100 of wireless communication according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, process 1100 may be performed by a first node, such as UE 302 of FIG. 3A or BS 304 of FIG. 3B.

[0220]

[0234] At 1110, a first node (e.g., positioning measurement module 342, receiver 312, receiver 352, positioning measurement module 388, etc.) performs channel response measurements on a reference signal for positioning. In some designs, the channel response measurements may comprise SINR measurements. In some designs, the first node may correspond to a UE, and the reference signal for positioning may correspond to PRS. In other designs, the first node may correspond to a BS (or gNB), and the reference signal for positioning may correspond to SRS for positioning. However, other types of reference signals for positioning may be used in other designs.

[0221]

[0235] At 1120, a first node (e.g., receiver 312, PRS measurement module 342, receiver 352, positioning measurement module 388, etc.) determines peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on the maximum amplitude relative to a reference value for each of a plurality of peaks detected within a channel response measurement. In some designs, the maximum amplitude data may include the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak. In some designs, the channel response measurement may comprise measuring a series of samples over a time period with respect to a channel response metric (e.g., SINR). In some designs, the plurality of peaks may comprise the top N peaks with respect to SINR or magnitude, where N is configured by a base station (e.g., via L1, L2, or L3 RRC or LPP signaling, etc.). In some designs, the first node may correspond to a UE, the reference signal for positioning may correspond to a PRS, and the value of N may be configured by the base station in conjunction with PRS configuration signaling. In some designs, the first node may correspond to a BS, the reference signal for positioning may correspond to an SRS for positioning, and the value of N may be configured by the base station in conjunction with SRS configuration signaling. In some designs, the reference value may be configured by a base station (e.g., via L1, L2, or L3 RRC or LPP signaling, etc.). In other designs, the reference value may be determined independently at the UE (e.g., as the maximum or median value of the magnitude of channel estimation samples). In one example, the time associated with each of the plurality of peaks may also be determined relative to a reference timing (e.g., the estimated TOA for a reference signal for positioning, the estimated TOA from the serving BS, or a combination thereof). In a further example, the plurality of peaks (N peaks) may conform to a peak separation parameter. For example, the peak separation parameter may specify a minimum separation between peaks (e.g., 1 ms).In some designs, the peak separation parameter may be associated with a reference timing for the time window (e.g., the peak separation parameter may specify the timing of the highest peak as the reference timing, and may specify that N peaks must fall within a threshold time period away from this reference timing).

[0222]

[0236] At 1130, a first node (e.g., transmitter 314, transmitter 324, transmitter 354, transmitter 364, etc.) reports peak-specific information about a plurality of peaks to a second node. In some designs, the second node may correspond to a BS (or gNB). In other designs, the second node may correspond to a UE. In some designs, the report at 1130 may correspond to a PRS measurement report transmitted after a PRS measurement period. In other designs, the first node may correspond to a BS (or gNB), and the second node may correspond to an LMF (e.g., an LMF integrated with the gNB, in which case the report is an internal report, or an LMF external to the gNB, in which case the report may be sent to the LMF via backhaul signaling). In some designs, the report at 1130 may correspond to an SRS for a positioning measurement report transmitted after an SRS for a positioning measurement period.

[0223]

[0237] FIG. 12 shows an exemplary process 1200 of wireless communication according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, process 1200 may be performed by a second node such as UE 302 of FIG. 3A, BS 304 of FIG. 3B, an LMF in the RAN (e.g., a portion of BS 304), an external LMF such as LMF 270 or 306.

[0224]

[0238] At 1210, a second node (e.g., receiver 352, receiver 362, receiver 312, receiver 322, (one or more) network interfaces 390, etc.) receives from a first node (e.g., a UE or a BS) peak-specific information related to multiple peaks within a channel response measurement for a reference signal for positioning, and the peak-specific information comprises at least maximum amplitude data based on a maximum amplitude relative to a reference value. In some designs, the maximum amplitude data may include a reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak. In one example, the peak-specific information received at 1210 may be based on a report transmitted at 1130 of FIG. 11. For example, the maximum amplitude data may be based on a series of samples measured at the UE over a time period with respect to a channel response metric (e.g., SINR). In some designs, the multiple peaks may comprise the top N peaks with respect to SINR, where N is configured by the base station (e.g., via L1, L2, or L3 RRC or LPP signaling, etc.). In some designs, the reference signal for positioning may correspond to a PRS, and the value of N may be configured by the base station in conjunction with PRS configuration signaling. In other designs, the reference signal for positioning may correspond to an SRS for positioning, and the value of N may be configured by the base station in conjunction with SRS configuration signaling. In some designs, the reference value may be configured by the base station (e.g., via L1, L2, or L3 RRC or LPP signaling, etc.). In other designs, the reference value may be determined independently at the UE (e.g., as a maximum or median value of the magnitude of channel estimation samples). In one example, the time associated with each of the multiple peaks may also be determined with respect to a reference timing (e.g., an estimated TOA for a reference signal for positioning, an estimated TOA from the serving BS, or a combination thereof). In a further example, the multiple peaks (N peaks) may comply with a peak separation parameter. For example, the peak separation parameter may specify a minimum separation between peaks (e.g., 1 ms).In some designs, the peak separation parameter can be associated with a reference timing for the time window (e.g., the peak separation parameter can specify the timing of the highest peak as the reference timing, and can specify that N peaks must enter within a threshold time period away from this reference timing).

[0225]

[0239] At 1220, a second node (e.g., PRS measurement module 388, processing system 384, PRS measurement module 342, processing system 332, processing system 394, positioning measurement module 389, etc.) determines a positioning estimate for the UE based on peak-specific information. In some designs, the determination at 1220 can be implemented via an LMF integrated with the BS (e.g., in a scenario where the second node is the BS). In other designs, the determination at 1220 can be implemented via the UE itself (e.g., in a scenario where the second node is the UE). In some designs, the determination at 1220 evaluates peak-specific information to determine whether the estimated TOA at the first node requires correction (e.g., whether the estimated TOA at the first node can be inaccurate due to a UE-side timing error (or a similar gNB-side timing error) as in the case of FIG. 9, and / or whether the estimated TOA at the first node can be inaccurate because the LOS path is too weak to be detected as in the case of FIG. 10). In particular, the evaluation at 1220 can include the following. · One or more other PRS reports from the same UE, · One or more other SRS reports from the same BS, · One or more gNB-side measurements (e.g., the angle of arrival or time of arrival of an uplink reference signal from the UE, etc.), · One or more UE-side measurements (e.g., the angle of departure or time of departure of an uplink reference signal from the UE, etc.), · One or more gNB-centric properties (e.g., location, downtilt, etc.), or · Any combination thereof.

[0226]

[0240] Referring to FIGS. 11 to 12, various parameters (e.g., the number of peaks or N, the maximum amplitude threshold, the maximum amplitude reference value, the time window, the peak separation parameter, etc.) can be configured by the BS (or gNB), by the UE, or by a core network component based on UE capability signaling (e.g., signaling by which the UE notifies the network about the values of the parameters it can support (e.g., the maximum number of taps it can signal, the maximum size threshold it can operate with, or the maximum time window it can adapt for processing, etc.)). Various signaling related to the communication of the configured parameters mentioned above can include upper layer protocol signaling (e.g., L3 signaling such as LPP or L3 RRC), signaling exchanged from the LMF to the gNB (e.g., NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa)), lower layer signaling (e.g., L1 or L2 RRC, other physical layer or L1 communication between the UE and the gNB, etc.), or a combination thereof. In an implementation where various parameters (e.g., the number of peaks or N, the maximum amplitude threshold, the maximum amplitude reference value, the time window, the peak separation parameter, etc.) are configured by the UE, the UE can signal the network the value(s) of these parameters (e.g., in relation to a report such as a PRS measurement report).

[0227]

[0241] Referring to FIGS. 11 to 12, in an example where the reference signal for positioning corresponds to a DL reference signal such as PRS, for each of the plurality of peaks detected in the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information can further include the angle of departure (AoD) (e.g., from the BS) related to the peak. In an alternative example where the reference signal for positioning corresponds to a UL reference signal such as SRS, for each of the plurality of peaks detected in the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information can further include the angle of arrival (AoA) (e.g., at the BS) related to the peak.

[0228]

[0242] FIG. 13 shows an exemplary implementation 1300 of FIGS. 11-12, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, where a plurality of peaks comprises N peaks (N = 4) across a series of detected channel taps. In FIG. 13, the plurality of peaks comprises four peaks shown as P1, P2, P3, and P4, where the first node identifies P2 as the LOS path for determining the estimated TOA of the PRS or SRS for positioning (e.g., because the maximum amplitude of P1 was considered too low at the first node as in the case of FIG. 10). However, P1 is captured among the top N peaks, and thus its magnitude data is reported to the second node along with the magnitude data for P2, P3, and P4. The second node evaluates the reported magnitude data for P1 - P4 and determines that P1, rather than P2, corresponds to the LOS path, thereby enabling correction of the TOA of the PRS or SRS for positioning. For example, in a scenario where the first node corresponds to a UE and the second node corresponds to a BS, the BS may compare the PRS measurement report from the UE with one or more other measurements or reports to reach the conclusion that P1 was the true LOS path (i.e., the true TOA). In an alternative example, in a scenario where the first node corresponds to a BS and the second node corresponds to a UE, the UE may compare the SRS measurement report from the BS with one or more other measurements or reports to reach the conclusion that P1 was the true LOS path (i.e., the true TOA).

[0229]

[0243] Referring to FIGS. 11-12, in some designs, N may function as a maximum value rather than a required value. In this case, one or more secondary criteria may be evaluated to determine whether a particular peak is suitable for inclusion (or exclusion) into the plurality of peaks for which magnitude data is reported.

[0230]

[0244] FIG. 14 shows a channel response 1400 in a wireless node receiver (e.g., a UE or a BS) that excludes peaks from FIGS. 11 - 12 that are related to each maximum amplitude with respect to a reference value below the maximum amplitude threshold. In FIG. 14, the maximum amplitude threshold is shown as X, and any peak (or channel tap) with a maximum amplitude below X does not become part of the plurality of peaks. Thus, even when N = 4, in the example of FIG. 14, only three peaks (P1, P2, and P3) are included among the plurality of peaks, and P4 is excluded because it is outside (or below) X.

[0231]

[0245] FIG. 15 shows a channel response 1500 in a wireless node receiver (e.g., a UE or a BS) that excludes peaks from FIGS. 11 - 12 that are outside a defined time window T. In one example, the defined time window can be defined with respect to a reference timing such as the estimated TOA of the BS that transmitted the PRS, the estimated TOA from the serving BS, the estimated TOA of the UE that transmitted the SRS for positioning, or a combination thereof. In FIG. 15, when N = 4, four peaks (P1, P2, P3, and P5) are included among the plurality of peaks, and P4 is excluded because it is outside (or below) the defined time window T.

[0232]

[0246] In other designs, a combination of secondary criteria can be applied with respect to the plurality of peaks. For example, a combination of the maximum amplitude threshold X and the defined time window T can be implemented.

[0233]

[0247] Referring to FIGS. 11-12, in some designs, the manner in which the value of N, any of the various thresholds, and / or information specific to the reported peak are incorporated into the positioning estimate can be improved via the use of machine learning (ML). In this case, rather than being pre-configured or configured dynamically, the various values and / or algorithms are determined more dynamically in a manner that allows the values and / or algorithms to be optimized based on various criteria such as environmental factors, specific gNB configurations (e.g., location, downtilt, hardware group delay or antenna-to-baseband delay, etc.), specific UE configurations (e.g., model type, hardware group delay or antenna-to-baseband delay, etc.).

[0234]

[0248]

[0249] In the above detailed description, it can be seen that different features are grouped into examples. This mode of disclosure should not be understood as intending that the exemplary clauses have more features than those explicitly stated in each clause. Rather, the various aspects of the present disclosure may include fewer than all of the features of the individual exemplary clauses disclosed. Accordingly, the following clauses should be considered to be incorporated herein, and each clause can exist as a separate example by itself. Each dependent clause can refer to a specific combination with one of the other clauses in the clause, but the aspect(s) of that dependent clause is not limited to the specific combination. It will be understood that other exemplary clauses can also include combinations of aspect(s) of dependent clauses with the subject matter of any other dependent or independent clause, or combinations of any features with other dependent and independent clauses. The various aspects disclosed herein explicitly include these combinations only if a particular combination (e.g., defining an element as both an insulator and a conductor, etc., conflicting aspects) is not explicitly stated or cannot be readily inferred. Further, it is also intended that an aspect of a clause can be included in any other independent clause even if that clause is not directly dependent on that independent clause.

[0235]

[0250] Implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses.

[0236]

[0251] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout 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.

[0237]

[0252] Clause 1. A method of operating a first node, comprising performing a channel response measurement on a reference signal for positioning, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, determining peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on a maximum amplitude relative to a reference value, and reporting the peak-specific information for the plurality of peaks to a second node.

[0238]

[0253] Clause 2. The method according to clause 1, wherein the reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of departure related to the relative peak from a base station (BS).

[0239]

[0254] Clause 3. The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 2, wherein the reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of arrival related to the peak at a base station (BS).

[0240]

[0255] Clause 4. The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the first node corresponds to a user equipment (UE), and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF).

[0241]

[0256] Clause 5. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 4, wherein the second node corresponds to a user equipment (UE) or a location management function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS).

[0242]

[0257] Clause 6. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 5, wherein the number of multiple peaks is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication.

[0243]

[0258] Clause 7. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein the multiple peaks exclude peaks related to each maximum amplitude with respect to a reference value below a maximum amplitude threshold.

[0244]

[0259] Clause 8. The method according to Clause 7, wherein the maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value are configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication.

[0245]

[0260] Clause 9. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 8, wherein the multiple peaks exclude peaks outside a defined time window.

[0246]

[0261] Clause 10. The method according to Clause 9, wherein the defined time window is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication.

[0247]

[0262] Clause 11. The method according to Clause 10, wherein the defined time window is defined with respect to a reference timing.

[0248]

[0263] Clause 12. The method according to Clause 11, wherein the reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node at which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0249]

[0264] Clause 13. For each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises peak timing data based on the peak timing relative to a reference timing, according to the method described in any of Clauses 1 to 12.

[0250]

[0265] Clause 14. The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of the wireless node at which the reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, according to the method described in Clause 13.

[0251]

[0266] Clause 15. The maximum amplitude data comprises the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each respective peak, according to the method described in any of Clauses 1 to 14.

[0252]

[0267] Clause 16. A method of operating a second node, comprising receiving from a first node peak-specific information associated with a plurality of peaks within a channel response measurement for a reference signal for positioning, the peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on the maximum amplitude relative to a reference value, and determining a positioning estimate for a user equipment (UE) based on the peak-specific information.

[0253]

[0268] Clause 17. The reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of departure associated with the relative peak from the base station (BS), according to the method described in Clause 16.

[0254]

[0269] Clause 18. The reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of arrival associated with the peak at the base station (BS), according to the method described in any of Clauses 16 to 17.

[0255]

[0270] Clause 19. The method according to any one of Clauses 16 to 18, wherein the first node corresponds to the UE and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF).

[0256]

[0271] Clause 20. The method according to any one of Clauses 16 to 19, wherein the second node corresponds to the UE or a location management function (LMF) and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS).

[0257]

[0272] Clause 21. The method according to any one of Clauses 16 to 20, wherein the number of multiple peaks is configured by the UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication.

[0258]

[0273] Clause 22. The method according to any one of Clauses 16 to 21, wherein the multiple peaks exclude the peaks related to each maximum amplitude with respect to a reference value that is below a maximum amplitude threshold.

[0259]

[0274] Clause 23. The maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value are configured by the UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication, according to the method described in Clause 22.

[0260]

[0275] Clause 24. The method according to any one of Clauses 16 to 23, wherein the multiple peaks exclude the peaks outside a defined time window.

[0261]

[0276] Clause 25. The defined time window is configured by the UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication, according to the method described in Clause 24.

[0262]

[0277] Clause 26. The defined time window is defined with respect to a reference timing, according to the method described in any one of Clauses 24 to 25.

[0263]

[0278] Clause 27. The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of the wireless node from which the reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, and is the method described in any of Clauses 24 to 26.

[0264]

[0279] Clause 28. For each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises peak timing data based on the peak timing relative to the reference timing, and is the method described in any of Clauses 16 to 27.

[0265]

[0280] Clause 29. The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of the wireless node from which the reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, and is the method described in Clause 28.

[0266]

[0281] Clause 30. The maximum amplitude data comprises the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak, and is the method described in any of Clauses 16 to 29.

[0267]

[0282] Clause 31. A first node comprising a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to perform a channel response measurement on a reference signal for positioning, determine, for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on the maximum amplitude relative to a reference value, and report the peak-specific information for the plurality of peaks to a second node.

[0268]

[0283] Clause 32. The reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises the angle of departure associated with the relative peak from the base station (BS), and is the first node described in Clause 31.

[0269]

[0284] Clause 33. The reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises the angle of arrival associated with the peak at the base station (BS), the first node according to any one of Clauses 31 to 32.

[0270]

[0285] Clause 34. The first node corresponds to a user equipment (UE), and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF), the first node according to any one of Clauses 31 to 33.

[0271]

[0286] Clause 35. The second node corresponds to a user equipment (UE) or a location management function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS), the method according to any one of Clauses 31 to 34.

[0272]

[0287] Clause 36. The number of the plurality of peaks is configured by the UE, the base station (BS), or a core network component based on the UE's capability indication, the first node according to any one of Clauses 31 to 35.

[0273]

[0288] Clause 37. The plurality of peaks excludes the peaks associated with their respective maximum amplitudes with respect to a reference value below the maximum amplitude threshold, the first node according to any one of Clauses 31 to 36.

[0274]

[0289] Clause 38. The maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value is configured by the UE, the base station (BS), or a core network component based on the UE's capability indication, the first node according to Clause 37.

[0275]

[0290] Clause 39. The plurality of peaks excludes the peaks outside the defined time window, the first node according to any one of Clauses 31 to 38.

[0276]

[0291] Clause 40. The defined time window is the first node described in Clause 39, which is constituted by a user equipment (UE), a base station (BS), or a core network component based on the UE's capability indication.

[0277]

[0292] Clause 41. The defined time window is the first node described in Clause 40, which is defined with respect to a reference timing.

[0278]

[0293] Clause 42. The reference timing is the first node described in Clause 41, which corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node from which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0279]

[0294] Clause 43. For each of a plurality of peaks detected within a channel response measurement, the peak-specific information, wherein at least one processor is further configured to peak timing data based on the peak timing with respect to the reference timing, of the first node described in any one of Clauses 31 to 42.

[0280]

[0295] Clause 44. The reference timing is the first node described in Clause 43, which corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node from which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0281]

[0296] Clause 45. The maximum amplitude data is the first node described in any one of Clauses 31 to 44, which includes the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak.

[0282]

[0297] Clause 46. A second node comprising a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive, from a first node via the at least one transceiver, peak-specific information related to a plurality of peaks within a channel response measurement for a reference signal for positioning, the peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on a maximum amplitude relative to a reference value, and to determine a positioning estimate for a user equipment (UE) based on the peak-specific information.

[0283]

[0298] Clause 47. The second node according to clause 46, wherein the reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of departure related to the relative peak from a base station (BS).

[0284]

[0299] Clause 48. The second node according to any one of clauses 46 to 47, wherein the reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of arrival related to the peak at a base station (BS).

[0285]

[0300] Clause 49. The second node according to any one of clauses 46 to 48, wherein the first node corresponds to a UE and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF).

[0286]

[0301] Clause 50. The second node according to any one of clauses 46 to 49, wherein the second node corresponds to a UE or a location management function (LMF) and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS).

[0287]

[0302] Clause 51. The number of the plurality of peaks is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication.

[0288]

[0303] Clause 52. The second node according to any of Clauses 46 to 51, wherein a plurality of peaks exclude peaks related to each maximum amplitude with respect to a reference value below the maximum amplitude threshold.

[0289]

[0304] Clause 53. The second node according to Clause 52, wherein the maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication.

[0290]

[0305] Clause 54. The second node according to any of Clauses 46 to 53, wherein a plurality of peaks exclude peaks outside a defined time window.

[0291]

[0306] Clause 55. The second node according to Clause 54, wherein the defined time window is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication.

[0292]

[0307] Clause 56. The second node according to any of Clauses 54 to 55, wherein the defined time window is defined with respect to a reference timing.

[0293]

[0308] Clause 57. The second node according to any of Clauses 54 to 56, wherein the reference timing corresponds to an estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node at which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, an estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0294]

[0309] Clause 58. For each of a plurality of peaks detected within a channel response measurement, the first node according to any of Clauses 46 to 57, wherein at least one processor is further configured to peak timing data based on peak timing with respect to a reference timing.

[0295]

[0310] Clause 59. The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of the wireless node from which the reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, and is the second node described in Clause 58.

[0296]

[0311] Clause 60. The maximum amplitude data is the second node described in any of Clauses 46 to 59, which includes the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak.

[0297]

[0312] Clause 61. The first node, which includes means for performing channel response measurements on a reference signal for positioning, means for determining peak-specific information for each of a plurality of peaks detected in the channel response measurements, based on at least the maximum amplitude relative to a reference value, and means for reporting the peak-specific information for the plurality of peaks to a second node.

[0298]

[0313] Clause 62. The reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected in the channel response measurements, the peak-specific information further includes the angle of departure associated with the relative peak from the base station (BS), and is the first node described in Clause 61.

[0299]

[0314] Clause 63. The reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected in the channel response measurements, the peak-specific information further includes the angle of arrival associated with the peak at the base station (BS), and is the first node described in any of Clauses 61 to 62.

[0300]

[0315] Clause 64. The first node corresponds to a user equipment (UE), and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF), and is the first node described in any of Clauses 61 to 63.

[0301]

[0316] Clause 65. The method according to any one of Clauses 61 to 64, wherein the second node corresponds to a user equipment (UE) or a location management function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS).

[0302]

[0317] Clause 66. The number of multiple peaks is the first node according to any one of Clauses 61 to 65, which is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an ability indication of the user equipment (UE).

[0303]

[0318] Clause 67. The multiple peaks are the first node according to any one of Clauses 61 to 66, which excludes the peaks related to each maximum amplitude with respect to a reference value below a maximum amplitude threshold.

[0304]

[0319] Clause 68. The maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value are the first node according to Clause 67, which is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an ability indication of the user equipment (UE).

[0305]

[0320] Clause 69. The multiple peaks are the first node according to any one of Clauses 61 to 68, which excludes the peaks outside a defined time window.

[0306]

[0321] Clause 70. The defined time window is the first node according to Clause 69, which is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an ability indication of the user equipment (UE).

[0307]

[0322] Clause 71. The defined time window is the first node according to Clause 70, which is defined with respect to a reference timing.

[0308]

[0323] Clause 72. The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node at which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, which is the first node according to Clause 71.

[0309]

[0324] Clause 73. For each of a plurality of peaks detected within a channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises means for peaking timing data based on the peak timing relative to a reference timing, the first node according to any one of Clauses 61 to 72.

[0310]

[0325] Clause 74. The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node at which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, the first node according to Clause 73.

[0311]

[0326] Clause 75. The maximum amplitude data comprises the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak, the first node according to any one of Clauses 61 to 74.

[0312]

[0327] Clause 76. A second node, comprising means for receiving, from the first node, peak-specific information associated with a plurality of peaks within a channel response measurement for a reference signal for positioning, the peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on the maximum amplitude relative to a reference value, and means for determining a positioning estimate for a user equipment (UE) based on the peak-specific information.

[0313]

[0328] Clause 77. The reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected within a channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises the angle of departure associated with the relative peak from a base station (BS), the second node according to Clause 76.

[0314]

[0329] Clause 78. The reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of a plurality of peaks detected within a channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises the angle of arrival associated with the peak at a base station (BS), the second node according to any one of Clauses 76 to 77.

[0315]

[0330] Clause 79. The first node corresponds to a UE, and the second node corresponds to a second node described in any of Clauses 76 to 78 that corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF).

[0316]

[0331] Clause 80. The second node corresponds to a UE or a location management function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a second node described in any of Clauses 76 to 79 that corresponds to a base station (BS).

[0317]

[0332] Clause 81. The number of multiple peaks is a second node described in any of Clauses 76 to 80 that is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication.

[0318]

[0333] Clause 82. The multiple peaks are a second node described in any of Clauses 76 to 81 that excludes peaks each related to a maximum amplitude with respect to a reference value below a maximum amplitude threshold.

[0319]

[0334] Clause 83. The maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value are a second node described in Clause 82 that is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication.

[0320]

[0335] Clause 84. The multiple peaks are a second node described in any of Clauses 76 to 83 that excludes peaks outside a defined time window.

[0321]

[0336] Clause 85. The defined time window is a second node described in Clause 84 that is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a UE capability indication.

[0322]

[0337] Clause 86. The defined time window is a second node described in any of Clauses 84 to 85 that is defined with respect to a reference timing.

[0323]

[0338] Clause 87. The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of the wireless node from which the reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, and is the second node described in any of Clauses 84 to 86.

[0324]

[0339] Clause 88. For each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises means for peaking timing data based on the peak timing relative to the reference timing, and is the second node described in any of Clauses 76 to 87.

[0325]

[0340] Clause 89. The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of the wireless node from which the reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, and is the second node described in Clause 88.

[0326]

[0341] Clause 90. The maximum amplitude data comprises the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each respective peak, and is the second node described in any of Clauses 76 to 89.

[0327]

[0342] Clause 91. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a first node, cause the first node to perform channel response measurements on a reference signal for positioning, determine peak-specific information for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on the maximum amplitude relative to a reference value, and report the peak-specific information for the plurality of peaks to a second node.

[0328]

[0343] Clause 92. The reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises the angle of departure associated with the relative peak from the base station (BS), and is the non-transitory computer-readable medium described in Clause 91.

[0329]

[0344] Clause 93. The reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises the angle of arrival associated with the peak at the base station (BS), the non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of Clauses 91 to 92.

[0330]

[0345] Clause 94. The first node corresponds to a user equipment (UE), and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF), the non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of Clauses 91 to 93.

[0331]

[0346] Clause 95. The second node corresponds to a user equipment (UE) or a location management function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS), the non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of Clauses 91 to 94.

[0332]

[0347] Clause 96. The number of the plurality of peaks is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an ability indication of the user equipment (UE), the non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of Clauses 91 to 95.

[0333]

[0348] Clause 97. The plurality of peaks excludes the peaks associated with their respective maximum amplitudes with respect to a reference value below the maximum amplitude threshold, the non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of Clauses 91 to 96.

[0334]

[0349] Clause 98. The maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an ability indication of the user equipment (UE), the non-transitory computer-readable medium according to Clause 97.

[0335]

[0350] Clause 99. A non - transitory computer - readable medium according to any one of Clauses 91 to 98, wherein a plurality of peaks excludes peaks outside a defined time window.

[0336]

[0351] Clause 100. A non - transitory computer - readable medium according to Clause 99, wherein the defined time window is configured by a user equipment (UE), a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an ability indication of the UE.

[0337]

[0352] Clause 101. A non - transitory computer - readable medium according to Clause 100, wherein the defined time window is defined with respect to a reference timing.

[0338]

[0353] Clause 102. A non - transitory computer - readable medium according to Clause 101, wherein the reference timing corresponds to an estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node from which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, an estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0339]

[0354] Clause 103. For each of a plurality of peaks detected within a channel response measurement, a non - transitory computer - readable medium according to any one of Clauses 91 to 102, wherein one or more instructions further cause a first node to peak timing data based on peak timing with respect to the reference timing.

[0340]

[0355] Clause 104. A non - transitory computer - readable medium according to Clause 103, wherein the reference timing corresponds to an estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node from which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, an estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof.

[0341]

[0356] Clause 105. A non - transitory computer - readable medium according to any one of Clauses 91 to 104, wherein the maximum amplitude data comprises a reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak.

[0342]

[0357] Clause 106. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a second node, cause the second node to receive, from a first node, peak-specific information related to a plurality of peaks in a channel response measurement for a reference signal for positioning, the peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on a maximum amplitude relative to a reference value, and to determine a positioning estimate for a user equipment (UE) based on the peak-specific information.

[0343]

[0358] Clause 107. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to clause 106, wherein the reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected in the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of departure related to the relative peak from a base station (BS).

[0344]

[0359] Clause 108. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 106 to 107, wherein the reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected in the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of arrival related to the peak at a base station (BS).

[0345]

[0360] Clause 109. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 106 to 108, wherein the first node corresponds to a UE and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF).

[0346]

[0361] Clause 110. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 106 to 109, wherein the second node corresponds to a UE or a location management function (LMF) and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS).

[0347]

[0362] Clause 111. The number of multiple peaks is a non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any of Clauses 106 to 110, which is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on the UE's capability indication.

[0348]

[0363] Clause 112. The multiple peaks are a non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any of Clauses 106 to 111, which excludes the peaks associated with their respective maximum amplitudes with respect to a reference value that is below the maximum amplitude threshold.

[0349]

[0364] Clause 113. The maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value are a non-transitory computer-readable medium according to Clause 112, which is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on the UE's capability indication.

[0350]

[0365] Clause 114. The multiple peaks are a non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any of Clauses 106 to 113, which excludes the peaks outside the defined time window.

[0351]

[0366] Clause 115. The defined time window is a non-transitory computer-readable medium according to Clause 114, which is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on the UE's capability indication.

[0352]

[0367] Clause 116. The defined time window is a non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any of Clauses 114 to 115, which is defined with respect to a reference timing.

[0353]

[0368] Clause 117. The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of the wireless node at which the reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, and is a non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any of Clauses 114 to 116.

[0354]

[0369] Clause 118. For each of a plurality of peaks detected within channel response measurement, information specific to the peak, wherein one or more instructions further cause a second node to peak timing data based on peak timing relative to a reference timing to a non - transitory computer - readable medium according to any one of Clauses 106 to 117.

[0355]

[0370] Clause 119. The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node at which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, to a non - transitory computer - readable medium according to Clause 118.

[0356]

[0371] Clause 120. The maximum amplitude data comprises the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak, to a non - transitory computer - readable medium according to any one of Clauses 106 to 119.

[0357]

[0372] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various exemplary logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have generally been described above in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in various ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0358]

[0373] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented or performed using a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may 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 conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0359]

[0374] The methods, sequences and / or algorithms described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented directly in hardware, in software modules executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. The software modules can reside in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM (registered trademark)), registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal (e.g., a UE). In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

[0360]

[0375] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the described functionality may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionality may be stored on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. A computer-readable medium includes both a computer storage medium and a communication medium including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise 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 carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. As used herein, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, where disk generally magnetically reproduces data, and disc optically reproduces data with a laser. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0361]

[0376] The above disclosure shows exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, but it should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended patent claims. The functions, steps, and / or actions of the method claims according to the aspects of the present disclosure described herein need not be performed in a particular order. Further, elements of the present disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, but the plural is contemplated unless expressly stated to be limited to the singular. The invention described in the claims of the present application at the time of filing is appended below. [C1] A method for operating a first node, comprising: performing a channel response measurement on a reference signal for positioning; for each of a plurality of peaks detected in the channel response measurement, determining peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on the maximum amplitude with respect to a reference value; reporting the peak-specific information for the plurality of peaks to a second node; The method comprising. [C2] The reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, for each of the plurality of peaks detected in the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of departure related to the peak relative to a base station (BS), The method according to C1. [C3] The reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, for each of the plurality of peaks detected in the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of arrival related to the peak at a base station (BS), The method according to C1. [C4] The first node corresponds to a user equipment (UE), and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF), The method according to C1. [C5] The second node corresponds to a user equipment (UE) or a location management function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS), The method according to C1. [C6] The number of the plurality of peaks is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an ability indication of the user equipment (UE), The method according to C1. [C7] The plurality of peaks excludes peaks related to respective maximum amplitudes with respect to the reference value that are below a maximum amplitude threshold, The method according to C1. [C8] The maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an ability indication of the user equipment (UE), The method according to C7. [C9] The plurality of peaks excludes peaks outside a defined time window, The method according to C1. [C10] The defined time window is the method described in C9, which is configured by a user equipment (UE), a base station (BS), or a core network component based on the UE's capability indication. [C11] The defined time window is the method described in C10, which is defined with respect to a reference timing. [C12] The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of the wireless node from which the reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, as described in C11. [C13] For each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises peak timing data based on the peak timing with respect to the reference timing, as described in C1. [C14] The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of the wireless node from which the reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, as described in C13. [C15] The maximum amplitude data comprises the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak, as described in C1. [C16] A method for operating a second node, receiving, from a first node, peak-specific information related to a plurality of peaks within a channel response measurement for a reference signal for positioning, wherein the peak-specific information comprises at least maximum amplitude data based on the maximum amplitude with respect to a reference value, determining a positioning estimate for a user equipment (UE) based on the peak-specific information, comprising the method. [C17] The reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises the departure angle associated with the peak relative to the base station (BS), as described in C16. [C18] The reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises the angle of arrival associated with the peak at the base station (BS), as described in C16. [C19] The method according to C16, wherein the first node corresponds to the UE, and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF). [C20] The method according to C16, wherein the second node corresponds to the UE or a location management function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS). [C21] The method according to C16, wherein the number of the plurality of peaks is configured by the UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an UE capability indication. [C22] The method according to C16, wherein the plurality of peaks excludes peaks related to respective maximum amplitudes with respect to the reference value that is below a maximum amplitude threshold. [C23] The method according to C22, wherein the maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value is configured by the UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an UE capability indication. [C24] The method according to C16, wherein the plurality of peaks excludes peaks outside a defined time window. [C25] The method according to C24, wherein the defined time window is configured by the UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an UE capability indication. [C26] The method according to C24, wherein the defined time window is defined with respect to a reference timing. [C27] The method according to C24, wherein the reference timing corresponds to an estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node from which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, an estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof. [C28] The method according to C16, wherein for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises peak timing data based on a peak timing with respect to a reference timing. [C29] The method according to C28, wherein the reference timing corresponds to an estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node from which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, an estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof. [C30] The method according to C16, wherein the maximum amplitude data comprises a reference signal received power (RSRP) related to each peak. [C31] A first node, a memory, at least one transceiver, At least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, comprising, the at least one processor is performing a channel response measurement on a reference signal for positioning, for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, determining peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on a maximum amplitude relative to a reference value, and reporting the peak-specific information for the plurality of peaks to a second node. A first node configured to perform the above. [C32] The reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of departure associated with the peak relative to a base station (BS). The first node according to C31. [C33] The reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of arrival associated with the peak at a base station (BS). The first node according to C31. [C34] The first node corresponds to a user equipment (UE), and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF). The first node according to C31. [C35] The second node corresponds to a user equipment (UE) or a location management function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS). The first node according to C31. [C36] The number of the plurality of peaks is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a capability indication of the user equipment (UE). The first node according to C31. [C37] The plurality of peaks excludes peaks associated with respective maximum amplitudes with respect to the reference value that are below a maximum amplitude threshold. The first node according to C31. [C38] The maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value are configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a capability indication of the user equipment (UE). The first node according to C37. [C39] The plurality of peaks excludes peaks outside a defined time window. The first node according to C31. [C40] The defined time window is the first node described in C39, which is constituted by a user equipment (UE), a base station (BS), or a core network component based on the capability indication of the UE. [C41] The defined time window is the first node described in C40, which is defined with respect to a reference timing. [C42] The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of the wireless node where the reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, and is the first node described in C41. [C43] For each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to peak timing data based on the peak timing with respect to the reference timing, is the first node described in C31. [C44] The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of the wireless node where the reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, and is the first node described in C43. [C45] The maximum amplitude data comprises the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each respective peak, and is the first node described in C31. [C46] A first node, means for performing a channel response measurement on a reference signal for positioning; means for determining, for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on the maximum amplitude with respect to a reference value; means for reporting the peak-specific information for the plurality of peaks to a second node; A first node comprising. [C47] The reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of departure associated with the peak relative to the base station (BS), which is the first node described in C46. [C48] The reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of arrival associated with the peak at the base station (BS). The first node described in C46. [C49] The first node described in C46, wherein the first node corresponds to a user equipment (UE), and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF). [C50] The first node described in C46, wherein the second node corresponds to a user equipment (UE) or a location management function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS). [C51] The first node described in C46, wherein the number of the plurality of peaks is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an ability indication of a user equipment (UE). [C52] The first node described in C46, wherein the plurality of peaks excludes peaks associated with respective maximum amplitudes with respect to the reference value that is below a maximum amplitude threshold. [C53] The first node described in C52, wherein the maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an ability indication of a user equipment (UE). [C54] The first node described in C46, wherein the plurality of peaks excludes peaks outside a defined time window. [C55] The first node described in C54, wherein the defined time window is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an ability indication of a user equipment (UE). [C56] The first node described in C55, wherein the defined time window is defined with respect to a reference timing. [C57] The first node described in C56, wherein the reference timing corresponds to an estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node from which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, an estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof. [C58] For each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the first node described in C46 further comprises means for peaking timing data based on peak timing with respect to a reference timing for the peak-specific information. [C59] The first node described in C58, wherein the reference timing corresponds to an estimated time of arrival (TOA) of a wireless node from which a reference signal for positioning is transmitted, an estimated TOA from a serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof. [C60] The maximum amplitude data is the first node according to C46, which includes the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak. [C61] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed by a first node, cause the first node to perform channel response measurements on a reference signal for positioning; for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurements, determine peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on a maximum amplitude relative to a reference value; and report the peak-specific information for the plurality of peaks to a second node; A non-transitory computer-readable medium that causes the above to be performed. [C62] The reference signal for positioning is a downlink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurements, the peak-specific information further includes an angle of departure associated with the peak relative to a base station (BS). The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to C61. [C63] The reference signal for positioning is an uplink reference signal, and for each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurements, the peak-specific information further includes an angle of arrival associated with the peak at a base station (BS). The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to C61. [C64] The first node corresponds to a user equipment (UE), and the second node corresponds to a base station (BS) or a location management function (LMF). The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to C61. [C65] The second node corresponds to a user equipment (UE) or a location management function (LMF), and the first node corresponds to a base station (BS). The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to C61. [C66] The number of the plurality of peaks is configured by a UE, a base station (BS), or a core network component based on a capability indication of a user equipment (UE). The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to C61. [C67] The plurality of peaks excludes peaks associated with respective maximum amplitudes relative to the reference value that are below a maximum amplitude threshold. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to C61. [C68] The maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value is the non-transitory computer-readable medium according to C67, configured by a user equipment (UE), a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an ability indication of the UE. [C69] The plurality of peaks is the non-transitory computer-readable medium according to C61, excluding peaks outside a defined time window. [C70] The defined time window is the non-transitory computer-readable medium according to C69, configured by a user equipment (UE), a base station (BS), or a core network component based on an ability indication of the UE. [C71] The defined time window is the non-transitory computer-readable medium according to C70, defined with respect to a reference timing. [C72] The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of the wireless node from which the reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, and is the non-transitory computer-readable medium according to C71. [C73] For each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information, wherein the one or more instructions further cause the first node to peak timing data based on the peak timing with respect to the reference timing, is the non-transitory computer-readable medium according to C61. [C74] The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of the wireless node from which the reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, and is the non-transitory computer-readable medium according to C73. [C75] The maximum amplitude data comprises the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak, and is the non-transitory computer-readable medium according to C61.

Claims

1. A method for operating a base station (BS), comprising: performing a channel response measurement on an uplink reference signal for positioning; for each of a plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, determining peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on a maximum amplitude relative to a reference value; reporting the peak-specific information for the plurality of peaks to a second node; wherein the number of the plurality of peaks is configured based on an indication of the capabilities of a user equipment (UE).

2. A method for operating a second node, comprising: receiving, from a base station (BS), peak-specific information related to a plurality of peaks within a channel response measurement on an uplink reference signal for positioning, the peak-specific information comprising at least maximum amplitude data based on a maximum amplitude relative to a reference value; determining a positioning estimate for a user equipment (UE) based on the peak-specific information; wherein the number of the plurality of peaks is configured based on an indication of the capabilities of the UE.

3. For each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises an angle of arrival related to the peak at the BS. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second node corresponds to the UE or a location management function (LMF).

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of the plurality of peaks is configured by the UE, the BS, or a core network component based on an indication of the capabilities of the UE.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of peaks excludes peaks related to respective maximum amplitudes relative to the reference value that are below a maximum amplitude threshold.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the maximum amplitude threshold and / or the reference value is configured by the UE, the BS, or a core network component based on an indication of the capabilities of the UE.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of peaks excludes peaks outside a defined time window.

9. The defined time window is configured by the UE, the BS, or a core network component based on the UE's capability indication, and optionally, the defined time window is defined with respect to a reference timing, the method according to claim 8.

10. The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of the wireless node at which the uplink reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, the method according to claim 9.

11. For each of the plurality of peaks detected within the channel response measurement, the peak-specific information further comprises peak timing data based on the peak timing with respect to the reference timing, the method according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The reference timing corresponds to the estimated time of arrival (TOA) of the wireless node at which the reference signal for positioning is transmitted, the estimated TOA from the serving base station (BS), or a combination thereof, the method according to claim 11.

13. The maximum amplitude data comprises the reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with each peak, the method according to claim 1 or 2.

14. A node in a wireless network, a memory, at least one transceiver, at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, comprising, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, a node in a wireless network.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a node, cause the node to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

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