Time and frequency resource level muting for reconfigurable intelligent surfaces

Abstract

Techniques for wireless communication are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of wireless communication implemented by a base station (BS) includes obtaining a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), where the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources at which the RIS should be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or disabled to reflect a transmit beam, and requesting the RIS to be enabled or disabled according to the resource-level muting bitmap.

Description

Priority claims

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority to Greek Patent Application No. 20210100004, entitled "TIME AND FREQUENCY RESOURCE LEVEL MUTING OF RECONFIGURABLE INTELLIGENT SURFACES," filed on January 4, 2021, which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Technical Field]

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communications. [Background technology]

[0003] Wireless communication systems have evolved through various generations, including first-generation analog wireless telephone service (1G), second-generation (2G) digital wireless telephone service (including intermediate 2.5G and 2.75G networks), third-generation (3G) high-speed data, Internet-enabled wireless service, and fourth-generation (4G) service (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax). Currently, there are many different types of wireless communication systems in use, including cellular and personal communications services (PCS) systems. Examples of 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), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and the like.

[0004]

[0004] The fifth-generation (5G) wireless standard, known as New Radio (NR), requires, among other improvements, higher data rates, a greater number of connections, and better coverage. The 5G standard from the Next Generation Mobile Network Alliance is designed to provide data rates of tens of megabits per second to each of tens of thousands of users and 1 gigabit per second to dozens of workers on an office floor. To support large sensor deployments, hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections should be supported. Therefore, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communications should be significantly enhanced compared to the current 4G standard. Furthermore, signaling efficiency should be enhanced and latency should be significantly reduced compared to current standards. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The following presents a simplified summary related to one or more aspects disclosed herein. As such, the following summary is not intended to be an extensive overview related to all contemplated aspects, nor is it intended to identify key or critical elements related to all contemplated aspects or to delineate the scope related to particular aspects. As such, the following summary has the sole purpose of presenting some concepts related to one or more aspects related to the mechanisms disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the detailed description presented below.

[0006]

[0006] In some aspects, a method of wireless communication implemented by a base station (BS) includes obtaining a resource level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), wherein the resource level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources on which the RIS should be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or should be disabled to reflect a transmit beam, and requesting the RIS to be enabled or disabled in accordance with the resource level muting bitmap.

[0007]

[0007] In some aspects, a method of wireless communication implemented by a user equipment (UE) includes obtaining a resource level muting bitmap for a RIS, wherein the resource level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources over which the RIS is to be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or disabled to reflect a transmit beam; receiving a first reference signal; and determining, based on the resource level muting bitmap, whether the first reference signal is received from a BS or a RIS.

[0008]

[0008] In some aspects, the BS includes 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: obtain a resource level muting bitmap for the RIS, wherein the resource level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources where the RIS should be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or should be disabled to reflect a transmit beam; and cause the at least one transceiver to send a request to the RIS to enable or disable the RIS in accordance with the resource level muting bitmap.

[0009]

[0009] In some aspects, the UE includes 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: obtain a resource level muting bitmap for the RIS, wherein the resource level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources for which the RIS is to be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or disabled to reflect a transmit beam; receive a first reference signal; and determine, based on the resource level muting bitmap, whether the first reference signal is received from a BS or a RIS.

[0010]

[0010] In some aspects, the BS includes means for obtaining a resource level muting bitmap for the RIS, where the resource level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources for which the RIS should be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or disabled to reflect a transmit beam, and means for requesting the RIS to be enabled or disabled in accordance with the resource level muting bitmap.

[0011]

[0011] In some aspects, the UE includes means for obtaining a resource level muting bitmap for the RIS, where the resource level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources on which the RIS is to be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or disabled to reflect a transmit beam; means for receiving a first reference signal; and means for determining, based on the resource level muting bitmap, whether the first reference signal is received from the BS or the RIS.

[0012]

[0012] In some aspects, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions, the set of instructions comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a BS, cause the BS to obtain a resource level muting bitmap for a RIS, wherein the resource level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources for which the RIS should be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or disabled to reflect a transmit beam, and request the RIS to be enabled or disabled in accordance with the resource level muting bitmap.

[0013]

[0013] In some aspects, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions, the set of instructions comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a UE, cause the UE to: obtain a resource level muting bitmap for a RIS, wherein the resource level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources for which the RIS will be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or will be disabled to reflect a transmit beam; receive a first reference signal; and determine, based on the resource level muting bitmap, whether the first reference signal was received from a BS or a RIS.

[0014] Other objects and advantages associated with the embodiments disclosed herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art based on the accompanying drawings and detailed description.

[0015]

[0015] The accompanying drawings are presented to aid in the explanation of various aspects of the present disclosure and are provided merely to illustrate, not to limit, the aspects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1]

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A]

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network structure, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network structure, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A]

[0018] 1 is a simplified block diagram of several sample aspects of components that may be employed in a user equipment (UE) and configured to support communication as taught herein; [Figure 3B]1 is a simplified block diagram of several sample aspects of components that may be employed in a base station and configured to support communication as taught herein; [Figure 3C] 1 is a simplified block diagram of several sample aspects of components that may be employed in a network entity and configured to support communications as taught herein; [Figure 4A]

[0019] 1 illustrates an example frame structure and channels within the frame structure, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] 1 illustrates an example frame structure and channels within the frame structure, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4C] 1 illustrates an example frame structure and channels within the frame structure, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4D] 1 illustrates an example frame structure and channels within the frame structure, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A]

[0020] 10A-10C illustrate various patterns of DL PRS resources within a slot, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5B] 10A-10C illustrate various patterns of DL PRS resources within a slot, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5C] 10A-10C illustrate various patterns of DL PRS resources within a slot, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 6A]

[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates examples of DL PRS resource repetition and beam sweeping options, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] FIG. 10 illustrates examples of DL PRS resource repetition and beam sweeping options, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 7A]

[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a TRP-based PRS muting option, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7B] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a TRP-based PRS muting option, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7C]FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a TRP-based PRS muting option, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8]

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for time and frequency resource level muting of a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), according to some aspects. [Figure 9]

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for time and frequency resource level muting of a RIS, in accordance with some aspects. [Figure 10A]

[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of time and frequency resource level muting of a RIS, in accordance with some aspects. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of time and frequency resource level muting of a RIS, in accordance with some aspects. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of time and frequency resource level muting of a RIS, in accordance with some aspects. [Figure 11]

[0026] 1 is a flowchart of an example process related to time and frequency resource level muting of a RIS, in accordance with some aspects. [Figure 12] 1 is a flowchart of an example process related to time and frequency resource level muting of a RIS, in accordance with some aspects. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017]

[0027] Aspects of the present disclosure are provided in the following description and related drawings, directed to various examples provided for purposes of illustration. Alternative aspects may be devised without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, well-known elements of the present disclosure will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the present disclosure.

[0018]

[0028] The words "exemplary" and / or "example" are used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" and / or "example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Likewise, the term "aspects of the present disclosure" does not require that all aspects of the present disclosure include the described feature, advantage or mode of operation.

[0019]

[0029] 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 referenced throughout the following description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof, depending in part on the particular application, in part on the desired design, in part on the corresponding technology, etc.

[0020]

[0030] Further, many aspects are described in terms of sequences of actions to be performed by, for example, elements of a computing device. It will be appreciated that various actions described herein may be performed by particular circuitry (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by program instructions executed by one or more processors, or a combination of both. Furthermore, a sequence of actions described herein may be considered to be embodied as a whole in any form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a corresponding set of computer instructions that, when executed, cause or instruct associated processors of a device to perform the functions described herein. Accordingly, various aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied in a number of different forms, all of which are contemplated to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, for each aspect described herein, the corresponding form of any such aspect may be described herein, for example, as “logic configured to” perform the described actions.

[0021]

[0031] The terms “user equipment” (UE) and “base station,” as used herein, are not intended to be specific to or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (RAT) unless otherwise specified. Generally, a UE may be any wireless communication device (e.g., a mobile phone, a router, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a consumer asset tracking device, a wearable (e.g., a smart watch, glasses, an augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) headset, etc.), a vehicle (e.g., an automobile, a motorcycle, a bicycle, etc.), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.) used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network. A UE may be mobile or (e.g., at some times) stationary and may communicate with a radio access network (RAN). The term “UE” as used herein may be referred to interchangeably as an “access terminal” or “AT,” “client device,” “wireless device,” “subscriber device,” “subscriber terminal,” “subscriber station,” “user terminal” or “UT,” “mobile device,” “mobile terminal,” “mobile station,” or variations thereof. Generally, a UE can communicate with a core network via a RAN, through which the UE can be connected to external networks 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 a UE, such as via a wired access network, a wireless local area network (WLAN) network (e.g., based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 specification, etc.), etc.

[0022]

[0032] Depending on the network in which it is deployed, a base station may operate according to one of several RATs in communication with UEs and may alternatively be referred to as an access point (AP), network node, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), new radio (NR) Node B (also referred to as gNB or gNode B), etc. Base stations may be used primarily to support wireless access by UEs, including supporting data, voice, and / or signaling connections for supported UEs. In some systems, a base station may provide purely edge node signaling functionality, while in other systems, it may provide additional control and / or network management functions. A communication link through which a UE can send signals to a base station is called an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., a reverse traffic channel, a reverse control channel, an access channel, etc.). A communication link through which a base station can send signals to a UE is called a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., a paging channel, a control channel, a broadcast channel, a forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term Traffic Channel (TCH) may refer to either an uplink / reverse traffic channel or a downlink / forward traffic channel.

[0023]

[0033] The term "base station" may refer to a single physical transmit receiving point (TRP) or multiple physical TRPs, which may or may not be collocated. For example, when the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP may be an antenna of the base station corresponding to the base station's cell (or several cell sectors). When the term "base station" refers to multiple collocated physical TRPs, the physical TRP may be an array of antennas of the base station (e.g., 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 TRP may 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 may be a serving base station that receives measurement reports from a UE and a neighbor base station whose reference RF signal the UE is measuring. A TRP is a point from which a base station transmits and receives wireless signals, and therefore, as used herein, references to transmission from or reception at a base station should be understood as referring to the particular TRP of the base station.

[0024]

[0034] In some implementations that support UE positioning, a base station may not support wireless access by the UE (e.g., may not support data, voice, and / or signaling connections for the UE), but instead may transmit reference signals to the UE to be measured by the UE and / or may receive and measure signals transmitted by the UE. Such a base station may be referred to as a positioning beacon (e.g., when transmitting signals to the UE) and / or a location measurement unit (e.g., when receiving and measuring signals from the UE).

[0025]

[0035] An "RF signal" comprises electromagnetic waves of a given frequency that transport information through space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter may transmit a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to a receiver. However, a receiver may receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through a multipath channel. The same transmitted RF signal on different paths between a transmitter and a receiver is sometimes referred to as a "multipath" RF signal.

[0026]

[0036] 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 100 (sometimes referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) 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 eNBs and / or ng-eNBs where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an LTE network, or gNBs where 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.

[0027]

[0037] The base stations 102 collectively form the RAN and may interface with a core network 170 (e.g., Evolved Packet Core (EPC) or 5G Core (5GC)) through backhaul links 122 and through the core network 170 to one or more location servers 172 (which may be part of the core network 170 or external to the core network 170). In addition to other functions, the base stations 102 may perform functions related to one or more of forwarding user data, radio 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 balancing, distribution for Non-Access Stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracing, RAN Information Management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of alert messages. The base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through EPC / 5GC) via backhaul links 134, which may be wired or wireless.

[0028]

[0038] The base stations 102 may wirelessly communicate with the UEs 104. Each of the base stations 102 may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area 110. In one aspect, one or more cells may be supported by the base station 102 in each coverage area 110. A “cell” is a logical communication entity used for communication with a base station (e.g., over some frequency resource, referred to as a carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, band, etc.) and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCI), a virtual cell identifier (VCI), a cell global identifier (CGI)) to distinguish between cells operating over the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine type communication (MTC), narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or others) that may provide access to different types of UEs. Because a cell is supported by a particular base station, the term “cell” may refer to either or both the logical communication entity and the base station that supports it, depending on the context. In some cases, the term "cell" may also refer to the geographic coverage area (e.g., sector) of a base station, so long as the carrier frequency can be detected and used for communication within some portion of the geographic coverage area 110.

[0029]

[0039] The geographic coverage areas 110 of neighboring macrocell base stations 102 may partially overlap (e.g., in handover regions), but some of the geographic coverage areas 110 may be significantly overlapped by larger geographic coverage areas 110. For example, a small cell base station 102' may have a coverage area 110' that significantly overlaps with the coverage area 110 of one or more macrocell base stations 102. A network including both small cell base stations and macrocell base stations may be known as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include Home eNBs (HeNBs) that may serve restricted groups known as Closed Subscriber Groups (CSGs).

[0030]

[0040] The communication link 120 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may include uplink transmissions from the UE 104 to the base station 102 (also called a reverse link) and / or downlink transmissions from the base station 102 to the UE 104 (also called a forward link). The communication link 120 may use MIMO antenna techniques, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link 120 may be over one or more carrier frequencies. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to the downlink and uplink (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for the downlink than for the uplink).

[0031]

[0041] The wireless communication system 100 may further include a wireless local area network (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 a channel is available.

[0032]

[0042] 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 employ LTE or NR technology and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum used by the WLAN AP 150. A small cell base station 102' employing LTE / 5G in the unlicensed frequency spectrum may boost coverage to and / or increase the capacity of the access network. NR in the unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as NR-U. LTE in the unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as LTE-U, Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), or MultiFire.

[0033]

[0043] The wireless communication system 100 may further include a millimeter wave (mmW) base station 180 that may operate in mmW and / or near-mmW frequencies in communication with the UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is the RF portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 and 10 millimeters. Radio waves in this band are sometimes referred to as millimeter waves. Near-mmW may extend down to frequencies of 3 GHz with wavelengths of 100 millimeters. The very high frequency (SHF) band, also referred to as centimeter wave, extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz. Communications using the mmW / near-mmW radio frequency bands have high path loss and relatively short range. The mmW base station 180 and the UE 182 may utilize beamforming (transmit and / or receive) over the mmW communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that in alternative configurations, one or more base stations 102 may also transmit using mmW or near mmW and beamforming. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above description is by way of example only and should not be construed as limiting various aspects disclosed herein.

[0034]

[0044] Transmit beamforming is a technique for focusing an RF signal in a particular direction. Traditionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal in all directions (omnidirectionally). With transmit beamforming, the network node determines where a given target device (e.g., UE) is located (relative to the transmitting network node) and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that particular direction, thereby providing a faster (in terms of data rate) and stronger RF signal to the receiving device(s). To change the directionality 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 broadcasting the RF signal. For example, the network node may use an array of antennas (called a “phased array” or “antenna array”) that creates beams of RF waves that can be “steered” to point in different directions without actually moving the antennas. In particular, RF current from the transmitter is supplied to individual antennas with the proper phase relationship so that the waves from the separate antennas add together to increase radiation in desired directions while canceling and suppressing radiation in undesired directions.

[0035]

[0045] A transmit beam may be quasi-colocated, meaning that the transmit beam appears to a receiver (e.g., a UE) to have the same parameters regardless of whether the network node's transmit antennas themselves are physically colocated. In NR, there are four types of quasi-colocation (QCL) relationships. In particular, a given type of QCL relationship means that some parameters related to a target reference RF signal on a target beam can be derived from information about a source reference RF signal on a source beam. If the source reference RF signal is 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 a target reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL Type B, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and Doppler spread of a target reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL Type C, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and Doppler spread of a target reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL Type D, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate spatial reception parameters of a target reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0036]

[0046] In receive beamforming, a receiver uses receive beams to amplify RF signals detected on a given channel. For example, the receiver can increase the gain setting and / or adjust the phase setting of an antenna array in a particular direction to amplify (e.g., increase its gain level) an RF signal received from that direction. Thus, when a receiver is said to beamform in a direction, it means that the beam gain in that direction is higher relative to the beam gains along other directions, or that the beam gain in that direction is 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 signal received from that direction.

[0037]

[0047] The receive beams may be spatially related. Spatial relationship means that parameters for a transmit beam for a second reference signal may be derived from information about the receive beam for the first reference signal. For example, a UE may use a particular receive beam to receive one or more reference downlink reference signals (e.g., a positioning reference signal (PRS), a tracking reference signal (TRS), a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), a cell-specific reference signal (CRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a synchronization signal block (SSB), etc.) from a base station. The UE can then form a transmit beam for sending one or more uplink reference signals (e.g., an uplink positioning reference signal (UL-PRS), a sounding reference signal (SRS), a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a PTRS, etc.) to that base station based on the parameters of the receive beam.

[0038]

[0048] Note that a "downlink" beam can be either a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if a base station forms a downlink beam to transmit a reference signal to a UE, the downlink beam is a transmit beam. However, if the UE forms a downlink beam, it is a receive beam to receive the downlink reference signal. Similarly, an "uplink" beam can be either a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if the base station forms an uplink beam, it is an uplink receive beam, and if the UE forms an uplink beam, it is an uplink transmit beam.

[0039]

[0049] In 5G, the frequency spectrum in which wireless nodes (e.g., base station 102 / 180, UE 104 / 182) operate is divided into multiple frequency ranges: FR1 (450 to 6000 MHz), FR2 (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 referred to as the “primary carrier” or “anchor carrier” or “primary serving cell” or “PCell,” and the remaining carrier frequencies are referred to as “secondary carriers” or “secondary serving cells” or “SCells.” In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is the carrier operating on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) utilized by the UE 104 / 182 and the cell in which the UE 104 / 182 either performs an initial radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiates an RRC connection re-establishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common and UE-specific control channels and may be a carrier in licensed frequencies (although this is not always the case). The secondary carrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2) that may be configured once an RRC connection is established between the UE 104 and the anchor carrier and may be used to provide additional radio resources. In some cases, the secondary carrier may be a carrier in unlicensed frequencies. The secondary carrier may contain only necessary signaling information and signals; for example, since both the primary uplink carrier and the primary downlink carrier are typically UE-specific, signaling information and signals that are UE-specific may not be present in the secondary carrier. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 in a cell may 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 balance the load on different carriers.Since a "serving cell" (whether a PCell or an SCell) corresponds to the carrier frequency / component carrier over which some base station is communicating, terms such as "cell," "serving cell," "component carrier," and "carrier frequency" may be used interchangeably.

[0040]

[0050] For example, still referring to FIG. 1, one of the frequencies utilized by the macrocell base station 102 may be an anchor carrier (or “PCell”), and other frequencies utilized by the macrocell base station 102 and / or the mmW base station 180 may be secondary carriers (“SCells”). Simultaneous transmission and / or reception of multiple carriers allows the UE 104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rates. For example, two 20 MHz aggregated carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically lead to a doubling of the data rate (i.e., 40 MHz) compared to that achieved by a single 20 MHz carrier.

[0041]

[0051] Wireless communications system 100 may further include a UE 164, which may communicate with macrocell base station 102 via communications link 120 and / or with mmW base station 180 via mmW communications link 184. For example, macrocell base station 102 may support a PCell and one or more SCells for UE 164, and mmW base station 180 may support one or more SCells for UE 164.

[0042]

[0052] In the example of FIG. 1, one or more Earth-orbiting Satellite Positioning System (SPS) space vehicles (SVs) 112 (e.g., satellites) may be used as independent sources of location information for any of the illustrated UEs (shown in FIG. 1 as a single UE 104 for simplicity). The UE 104 may include one or more dedicated SPS receivers specially designed to receive signals from the SVs 112 to derive geolocation information. An SPS generally includes a system of transmitters arranged to enable a receiver (e.g., the UE 104) to determine its location on or above the Earth based at least in part on signals 124 received from a transmitter (e.g., the SVs 112). Such transmitters typically transmit signals 124 marked with a repetitive pseudorandom noise (PN) code of a set number of chips. While typically located in the SVs 112, transmitters may sometimes be located on ground-based control stations, base stations 102, and / or other UEs 104.

[0043]

[0053] Use of SPS signals may be augmented by various satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS), which may be associated with or otherwise enabled for use with one or more global and / or regional navigation satellite systems. For example, SBAS may include augmentation system(s) that provide integrity information, differential corrections, etc., such as the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), the Multi-functional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), the Global Positioning System (GPS)-aided Geo Augmented Navigation or GPS and Geo Augmented Navigation system (GAGAN), etc. Thus, as used herein, SPS may include any combination of one or more global and / or regional navigation satellite systems and / or augmentation systems, and SPS signals may include SPS signals, SPS-like signals, and / or other signals related to such one or more SPSs.

[0044]

[0054] The wireless communication system 100 may further include one or more UEs, such as a UE 190, that indirectly connect to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links (referred to as “sidelinks”). In the example of FIG. 1, the UE 190 has a D2D P2P link 192 with one of the UEs 104 connected to one of the base stations 102 (e.g., through which the UE 190 may indirectly obtain cellular connectivity) and a D2D P2P link 194 with a WLAN STA 152 connected to a WLAN AP 150 (through which the UE 190 may indirectly obtain WLAN-based Internet connectivity). In one example, the D2D P2P links 192 and 194 may be supported using any well-known D2D RAT, such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct® (WiFi®-D), Bluetooth®, etc.

[0045]

[0055] 2A shows an example wireless network structure 200. For example, a 5GC 210 (also referred to as a Next Generation Core (NGC)) may be functionally considered to have control plane functions 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and user plane functions 212 (e.g., UE gateway functions, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.) that operate cooperatively to form a core network. A user plane interface (NG-U) 213 and a control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect a gNB 222 to the 5GC 210, specifically to the control plane function 214 and the user plane function 212. In an additional configuration, an ng-eNB 224 may also be connected to the 5GC 210 via the NG-C 215 to the control plane function 214 and the NG-U 213 to the user plane function 212. Additionally, the ng-eNB 224 may communicate directly with the gNB 222 via a backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 may have only one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of both the ng-eNB 224 and the gNB 222. Either the gNB 222 or the ng-eNB 224 may communicate with the UE 204 (e.g., any of the UEs shown in FIG. 1). Another optional aspect may include a location server 230, which may be in communication with the 5GC 210 to provide location assistance to the UE 204. The location servers 230 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, may each correspond to a single server. The location servers 230 may be configured to support one or more location services for UEs 204 that can connect to the location server 230 via the core network, the 5GC 210, and / or the Internet (not shown). Furthermore, the location server 230 may be integrated into components of the core network or alternatively, may be external to the core network.

[0046]

[0056] 2B shows another exemplary wireless network structure 250. For example, a 5GC 260 may be considered functionally as a control plane function provided by an access and mobility management function (AMF) 264 and a user plane function provided by a user plane function (UPF) 262, which operate cooperatively to form a core network (i.e., the 5GC 260). A user plane interface 263 and a control plane interface 265 connect the ng-eNB 224 to the 5GC 260, specifically to the UPF 262 and the AMF 264, respectively. In an additional configuration, the gNB 222 may also be connected to the 5GC 260 via the control plane interface 265 to the AMF 264 and the user plane interface 263 to the UPF 262. Additionally, the ng-eNB 224 may communicate directly with the gNB 222 via the backhaul connection 223, with or without gNB direct connectivity to the 5GC 260. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 may have only one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of both the ng-eNB 224 and the gNB 222. Either the gNB 222 or the ng-eNB 224 may 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 264 via an N2 interface and with the UPF 262 via an N3 interface.

[0047]

[0057] The AMF 264 functions include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful intercept, transport for session management (SM) messages between the UE 204 and a session management function (SMF) 266, a transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and authorization, transport for 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 264 also interacts with an authentication server function (AUSF) (not shown) and the UE 204 to receive intermediate keys established as a result of the UE 204 authentication process. In the case of UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) subscriber identity module (USIM)-based authentication, the AMF 264 retrieves security material from the AUSF. The AMF 264 functions also include security context management (SCM). The SCM receives keys from the SEAF that it uses to derive access network-specific keys. The AMF 264 functions also include location service management for barred services, transport for location service messages between the UE 204 and the Location Management Function (LMF) 270 (acting as the location server 230), transport for location service messages between the new RAN 220 and the LMF 270, Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer identifier allocation for interworking with EPS, and UE 204 mobility event notification. Additionally, the AMF 264 also supports functions for non-(3rd Generation Partnership Project) access networks.

[0048]

[0058] The functions of the UPF 262 include serving as an anchor point for intra / inter-RAT mobility (when applicable), serving as an outer protocol data unit (PDU) session point for 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., uplink / downlink rate enforcement, reflective QoS marking in the downlink), uplink traffic validation (service data flow (SDF) to QoS flow mapping), transport-level packet marking in the uplink and downlink, downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification triggering, and sending and forwarding one or more "termination markers" to the source RAN node. The UPF 262 may also support the transfer of location service messages over the user plane between the UE 204 and a location server such as the Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP) 272.

[0049]

[0059] The functions of the SMF 266 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 262 to route traffic to the appropriate destination, control of policy enforcement and parts of QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface through which the SMF 266 communicates with the AMF 264 is called the N11 interface.

[0050]

[0060] Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270, which may be in communication with the 5GC 260 to provide location assistance to the UE 204. The LMF 270 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, may each correspond to a single server. The LMF 270 may be configured to support one or more location services for UEs 204 that can connect to the LMF 270 via a core network, the 5GC 260, and / or via the Internet (not shown). The SLP 272 may support similar functions as the LMF 270, but the LMF 270 may communicate with the AMF 264, the new RAN 220, and the UE 204 via a control plane (e.g., using interfaces and protocols intended to carry signaling messages rather than voice or data), and the SLP 272 may communicate with the UE 204 and external clients (not shown in FIG. 2B) via a user plane (e.g., using protocols intended to carry voice and / or data, such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and / or IP).

[0051]

[0061] 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate several example 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 perform any of the network functions described herein, including location server 230 and LMF 270) to support file transmission operations as 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 a communication system. For example, other devices in the system may include similar components to 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 via different technologies.

[0052]

[0062] The UE 302 and the base station 304 each include a wireless wide area network (WWAN) transceiver 310 and 350, respectively, and provide means for communicating (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, means for measuring, means for adjusting, means for refraining from transmitting, etc.) over one or more wireless communications networks (not shown), such as an NR network, an LTE network, a GSM network, etc. The WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may be connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356, respectively, for communicating with other network nodes, such as other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., eNBs, gNBs), etc., over at least one designated RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.) over a wireless communications medium of interest (e.g., some set of time / frequency resources in a particular frequency spectrum). The WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may be variously configured for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358, respectively (e.g., messages, instructions, information, etc.), and conversely, for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358, respectively (e.g., messages, instructions, information, pilots, etc.) in accordance with a designated RAT. In particular, the WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 include one or more transmitters 314 and 354, respectively, for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358, and one or more receivers 312 and 352, respectively, for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358, respectively.

[0053]

[0063] The UE 302 and the base station 304 also, in at least some cases, include wireless local area network (WLAN) transceivers 320 and 360, respectively. The WLAN transceivers 320 and 360 are connected to one or more antennas 326 and 366, respectively, and may provide means for communicating (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, means for measuring, means for tuning, means for refraining from transmitting, etc.) with other network nodes, such as other UEs, access points, base stations, etc., via at least one designated RAT (e.g., WiFi, LTE-D, Bluetooth, etc.) over a wireless communication medium of interest. The WLAN transceivers 320 and 360 may be variously configured to transmit and encode signals 328 and 368, respectively (e.g., messages, instructions, information, etc.), and conversely, to receive and decode signals 328 and 368, respectively (e.g., messages, instructions, information, pilots, etc.), in accordance with the designated RAT. In particular, WLAN transceivers 320 and 360 each include one or more transmitters 324 and 364, respectively, for transmitting and encoding signals 328 and 368, and one or more receivers 322 and 362, respectively, for receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368.

[0054]

[0064] A transceiver circuit including at least one transmitter and at least one receiver may, in some implementations, comprise an integrated device (e.g., implemented as transmitter and receiver circuitry in a single communications device), in some implementations, comprise separate transmitter and receiver devices, or in other implementations, may be implemented in other manners. In one aspect, a transmitter may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such as an antenna array, that enable each device to perform transmit “beamforming” as described herein. Similarly, a receiver may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such as an antenna array, that enable each device to perform receive beamforming as described herein. In one aspect, a transmitter and a receiver may share the same multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such that each device can only receive or transmit at a given time, rather than both receive and transmit simultaneously. The wireless communication device of the UE 302 and / or base station 304 (e.g., one or both of the transceivers 310 and 320 and / or 350 and 360) may also include a network listen module (NLM) or the like for performing various measurements.

[0055]

[0065] The UE 302 and base station 304 also, in at least some cases, include satellite positioning system (SPS) receivers 330 and 370. The SPS receivers 330 and 370 may be connected to one or more antennas 336 and 376, respectively, and may provide a means for receiving and / or measuring SPS signals 338 and 378, respectively, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) signals, Galileo signals, BeiDou signals, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC), Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), etc. The SPS receivers 330 and 370 may comprise any suitable hardware and / or software for receiving and processing the SPS signals 338 and 378, respectively. The SPS receivers 330 and 370 request information and actions from other systems as appropriate and perform the calculations necessary to determine the positions of the UE 302 and base station 304 using the measurements obtained via any suitable SPS algorithms.

[0056]

[0066] The base station 304 and the network entity 306 each include at least one network interface 380 and 390, respectively, providing means for communicating (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, etc.) with other network entities. For example, the network interfaces 380 and 390 (e.g., one or more network access ports) may be configured to communicate with one or more network entities via a wire-based or wireless backhaul connection. In some aspects, the network interfaces 380 and 390 may be implemented as transceivers configured to support wire-based or wireless signal communication. This communication may involve, for example, sending and receiving messages, parameters, and / or other types of information.

[0057]

[0067] The UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 also include other components that may be used in conjunction with the operations disclosed herein. The UE 302 includes processor circuitry implementing a processing system 332, e.g., for providing wireless positioning-related functionality and other processing functions. The base station 304 includes a processing system 384, e.g., for providing wireless positioning-related functionality and other processing functions disclosed herein. The network entity 306 includes a processing system 394, e.g., for providing wireless positioning-related functionality and other processing functions disclosed herein. The processing systems 332, 384, and 394 may therefore provide means for processing, such as means for determining, means for calculating, means for receiving, means for transmitting, means for indicating, etc. In one aspect, the processing systems 332, 384, and 394 may 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.

[0058]

[0068] The UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 include memory circuitry implementing memory components 340, 386, and 396, respectively (e.g., each including a memory device) for maintaining information (e.g., information indicative of reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.). The memory components 340, 386, and 396 may therefore provide means for storing, means for retrieving, means for maintaining, etc. In some cases, the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 may include positioning modules 342, 388, and 398, respectively. The positioning modules 342, 388, and 398 may be hardware circuits that are part of or coupled to the processing systems 332, 384, and 394, respectively, that, when executed, cause the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 to perform the functions described herein. In other aspects, the positioning modules 342, 388, and 398 may be external to the processing systems 332, 384, and 394 (e.g., part of a modem processing system, integrated with another processing system, etc.). Alternatively, the positioning modules 342, 388, and 398 may be memory modules stored in the memory components 340, 386, and 396, respectively, that, when executed by the processing systems 332, 384, and 394 (or modem processing system, another processing system, etc.), cause the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 to perform the functions described herein. Figure 3A shows possible locations for the positioning module 342, which may be part of the WWAN transceiver 310, the memory component 340, the processing system 332, or any combination thereof, or may be a standalone component. FIG. 3B illustrates possible locations for a positioning module 388, which may be part of the WWAN transceiver 350, memory component 386, processing system 384, or any combination thereof, or may be a stand-alone component.FIG. 3C illustrates possible locations for a positioning module 398, which may be part of the network interface(s) 390, memory component 396, processing system 394, or any combination thereof, or may be a stand-alone component.

[0059]

[0069] The UE 302 may include one or more sensors 344 coupled to the processing system 332 to provide a means for sensing or detecting movement and / or orientation information that is independent of movement data derived from signals received by the WWAN transceiver 310, the WLAN transceiver 320, and / or the SPS receiver 330. By way of example, the sensor(s) 344 may include an accelerometer (e.g., a microelectromechanical system (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 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 position in a 2D and / or 3D coordinate system.

[0060]

[0070] Additionally, the UE 302 includes a user interface 346 that provides means for providing instructions (e.g., audible and / or visual instructions) to a user and / or for receiving user input (e.g., upon user actuation of a sensing device such as a keypad, touchscreen, microphone, etc.). Although not shown, the base station 304 and the network entity 306 may also include user interfaces.

[0061]

[0071] Referring more particularly to the processing system 384, in the downlink, IP packets from the network entity 306 may be provided to the processing system 384. The processing system 384 may implement functionality for an RRC layer, a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. The processing system 384 may provide RRC layer functions related to 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 reporting; PDCP layer functions related to header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functions related to transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction via Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ), concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions related to mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0062]

[0072] The transmitter 354 and receiver 352 may implement Layer 1 (L1) functions related to various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on transport channels, forward error correction (FEC) coding / decoding of transport channels, interleaving, rate matching, mapping onto physical channels, modulation / demodulation of physical channels, and MIMO antenna processing. The transmitter 354 handles 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-level quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols may then be split into parallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarriers, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., a pilot) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then combined with each other using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to generate a physical channel carrying a time-domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM symbol streams are spatially precoded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator may be used to determine coding and modulation schemes and for spatial processing. The channel estimates may be derived from a reference signal and / or channel condition feedback transmitted by the UE 302. 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.

[0063]

[0073] At the UE 302, the receiver 312 receives signals through its respective antenna(s) 316. The receiver 312 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carriers and provides the information to the processing system 332. The transmitter 314 and receiver 312 implement Layer 1 functionality related to various signal processing functions. The receiver 312 may perform spatial processing on the information to recover the spatial streams destined for the UE 302. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 302, they may be combined into a single OFDM symbol stream by the receiver 312. The receiver 312 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain using a fast Fourier transform (FFT). 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 point transmitted by the base station 304. These soft decisions may be based on channel estimates calculated by a channel estimator. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted on the physical channel by the base station 304. The data and control signals are then provided to a processing system 332 that implements Layer 3 (L3) and Layer 2 (L2) functions.

[0064]

[0074] In the uplink, the processing system 332 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header recovery, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the core network. The processing system 332 is also responsible for error detection.

[0065]

[0075] Similar to the functionality described with respect to downlink transmissions by the base station 304, the processing system 332 provides RRC layer functions related to system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions related to header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functions related to transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions related to 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 hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0066]

[0076] Channel estimates derived by the channel estimator from a reference signal or feedback transmitted by the base station 304 may be used by the transmitter 314 to select an appropriate coding and modulation scheme and to enable spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the transmitter 314 may be provided to different antenna(s) 316. The transmitter 314 may modulate an RF carrier with each spatial stream for transmission.

[0067]

[0077] Uplink transmissions are processed at the base station 304 in a manner similar to that described with respect to the receiver function at the UE 302. The receiver 352 receives signals through its respective antenna(s) 356. The receiver 352 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to the processing system 384.

[0068]

[0078] In the uplink, the processing system 384 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header recovery, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 302. The IP packets from the processing system 384 may be provided to the core network. The processing system 384 is also responsible for error detection.

[0069]

[0079] For convenience, the UE 302, the base station 304, and / or the network entity 306 are illustrated in Figures 3A-3C as including various components that may be configured in accordance with various examples described herein, although it will be appreciated that the illustrated blocks may have different functions in different designs.

[0070]

[0080] The various components of the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 may communicate with each other via data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392, respectively. The components of FIGS. 3A-3C may be implemented in various ways. In some implementations, the components of FIGS. 3A-3C may be implemented in one or more circuits, such as, for example, one or more processors and / or one or more ASICs (which may include one or more processors), where each circuit may use and / or incorporate at least one memory component for storing information or executable code used by the circuit to provide its functionality. For example, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 310-346 may be implemented by the processor and memory component(s) of the UE 302 (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 350-388 may be implemented by the processor and memory component(s) of the base station 304 (e.g., by execution of appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Additionally, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 390-398 may be implemented by a processor and memory component(s) of the network entity 306 (e.g., by execution of appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). For simplicity, various operations, acts, and / or functions are described herein as being performed "by the UE," "by the base station," "by the network entity," etc. However, it will be appreciated that such operations, acts, and / or functions may actually be performed by particular components or combinations of components of the UE 302, base station 304, network entity 306, etc., such as processing systems 332, 384, 394, transceivers 310, 320, 350, and 360, memory components 340, 386, and 396, positioning modules 342, 388, and 398, etc.

[0071]

[0081] Various frame structures may be used to support downlink and uplink transmissions between network nodes (e.g., base stations and UEs). Figure 4A is a diagram 400 illustrating an example of a downlink frame structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4B is a diagram 430 illustrating an example of channels within a downlink frame structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4C is a diagram 450 illustrating an example of an uplink frame structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4D is a diagram 470 illustrating an example of channels within an uplink frame structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels.

[0072]

[0082] FIG. 4A is a diagram 400 illustrating an example of a downlink frame structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. LTE, and in some cases, NR, utilizes OFDM on the downlink and single-carrier frequency-division multiplexing (SC-FDM) on the uplink. However, unlike LTE, NR has the option to use OFDM on the uplink as well. OFDM and SC-FDM partition the system bandwidth into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, also commonly referred to as tones, bins, etc. Each subcarrier may be modulated with data. Generally, modulation symbols are sent in the frequency domain with OFDM and in the time domain with SC-FDM. The spacing between adjacent subcarriers may be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) may depend on the system bandwidth. For example, the subcarrier spacing may be 15 kilohertz (kHz), and the minimum resource allocation (resource block) may be 12 subcarriers (or 180 kHz). Thus, the nominal FFT size may be equal to 128, 256, 512, 1024, or 2048 for a system bandwidth of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 megahertz (MHz), respectively. The system bandwidth may also be partitioned into subbands. For example, a subband may cover 1.08 MHz (i.e., 6 resource blocks), and there may be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 subbands for a system bandwidth of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 MHz, respectively.

[0073]

[0083] LTE supports a single numerology (subcarrier spacing (SCS), symbol length, etc.). In contrast, NR may support multiple numerologies (μ), e.g., subcarrier spacings of 15 kHz (μ=0), 30 kHz (μ=1), 60 kHz (μ=2), 120 kHz (μ=3), and 240 kHz (μ=4), or greater, may be available. At each subcarrier spacing, there are 14 symbols per slot. For a 15 kHz SCS (μ=0), there is one slot per subframe, 10 slots per frame, the slot duration is 1 millisecond (ms), the symbol duration is 66.7 microseconds (μs), and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) with a 4K FFT size is 50. For a 30 kHz SCS (μ=1), there are two slots per subframe, 20 slots per frame, slot duration is 0.5 ms, symbol duration is 33.3 μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) with a 4K FFT size is 100. For a 60 kHz SCS (μ=2), there are four slots per subframe, 40 slots per frame, slot duration is 0.25 ms, symbol duration is 16.7 μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) with a 4K FFT size is 200. For a 120 kHz SCS (μ=3), there are eight slots per subframe, 80 slots per frame, slot duration is 0.125 ms, symbol duration is 8.33 μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) with a 4K FFT size is 400. For 240 kHz SCS (μ=4), there are 16 slots per subframe, 160 slots per frame, slot duration is 0.0625 ms, symbol duration is 4.17 μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) is 800 with a 4K FFT size.

[0074]

[0084] In the example of Figures 4A-4D, a 15 kHz numerology is used. Thus, in the time domain, a 10 ms frame is divided into 10 equally sized subframes of 1 ms each, with each subframe containing one time slot. In Figures 4A-4D, time is represented horizontally (on the X-axis), with time increasing from left to right, and frequency is represented vertically (on the Y-axis), with frequency increasing (or decreasing) from bottom to top.

[0075]

[0085] A resource grid may be used to represent a time slot, with each time slot including one or more time-parallel resource blocks (RBs) (also referred to as physical RBs (PRBs)) in the frequency domain. The resource grid is further divided into multiple resource elements (REs). An RE may correspond to one symbol length in the time domain and one subcarrier in the frequency domain. In the numerology of FIGS. 4A-4D, for a normal cyclic prefix, an RB may include 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 7 consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 84 REs. For an extended cyclic prefix, an RB may include 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 6 consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 72 REs. The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0076]

[0086] Some of the REs carry downlink reference (pilot) signals (DL-RS), which may include PRS, TRS, PTRS, CRS, CSI-RS, DMRS, PSS, SSS, SSB, etc. Figure 4A shows example locations of REs carrying PRS (labeled "R").

[0077]

[0087] A set of resource elements (REs) used for transmitting a PRS is called a "PRS resource." A set of resource elements can span multiple PRBs in the frequency domain and can span "N" consecutive symbols (e.g., one or more) within a slot in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol in the time domain, a PRS resource occupies consecutive PRBs in the frequency domain.

[0078]

[0088] The transmission of PRS resources within a given PRB has a particular comb size (also called "comb density"). The comb size "N" represents the subcarrier spacing (or frequency / tone spacing) within each symbol of the PRS resource configuration. Specifically, for comb size "N," a PRS is transmitted in every Nth subcarrier of a symbol of the PRB. For example, for Com 4, for each symbol of the PRS resource configuration, an RE corresponding to every fourth subcarrier (such as subcarriers 0, 4, 8) is used to transmit the PRS of the PRS resource. Currently, comb sizes of Com 2, Com 4, Com 6, and Com 12 are supported for DL-PRS. Figure 4A shows an example PRS resource configuration for Com 6 (spanning six symbols). That is, the location of the shaded RE (labeled "R") indicates the Com 6 PRS resource configuration.

[0079]

[0089] Currently, DL-PRS resources can span two, four, six, or 12 consecutive symbols within a slot with a fully frequency-domain staggered pattern. DL-PRS resources can be configured in any upper-layer configured downlink or flexible (FL) symbol of a slot. There can be a constant energy per resource element (EPRE) for all REs of a given DL-PRS resource. Below are the frequency offsets between symbols for comb sizes of 2, 4, 6, and 12 across 2, 4, 6, and 12 symbols. 2-symbol Com2:{0,1}, 4-symbol Com2:{0,1,0,1}, 6-symbol Com2:{0,1,0,1,0,1}, 12-symbol Com2:{0,1,0,1,0,1,0,1,0,1,0,1}, 4-symbol Com4:{0,2,1,3}, 12-symbol Com4:{0,2,1,3,0,2,1,3,0,2,1,3}, 6-symbol Com6:{0,3,1,4,2,5}, 12-symbol Com6:{0,3,1,4,2,5,0,3,1,4,2,5}, and 12-symbol Com12:{0,6,3,9,1,7,4,10,2,8,5,11}.

[0080]

[0090] A "PRS resource set" is a set of PRS resources used for transmitting PRS signals, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource ID. Furthermore, the PRS resources in a PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP. A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and associated with a specific TRP (identified by a TRP ID). Furthermore, the PRS resources in a PRS resource set have the same periodicity, a common muting pattern configuration, and the same repetition factor (e.g., "PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor") across slots. The periodicity is the time from the first repetition of the first PRS resource of a first PRS instance to the same first repetition of the same first PRS resource of the next PRS instance. The periodicity may have a length selected from 2^μ*{4,5,8,10,16,20,32,40,64,80,160,320,640,1280,2560,5120,10240} slots, where μ = 0, 1, 2, 3. The repetition factor may have a length selected from {1,2,4,6,8,16,32} slots.

[0081]

[0091] A PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set is associated with a single beam (or beam ID) transmitted from a single TRP (where a TRP may transmit one or multiple beams). That is, each PRS resource in a PRS resource set may be transmitted on a different beam, and thus a "PRS resource" or simply a "resource" may also be referred to as a "beam." Note that this does not have any implications regarding whether the TRP and the beam on which the PRS is transmitted are known to the UE.

[0082]

[0092] A "PRS instance" or "PRS occasion" is one instance of a periodically repeating time window (e.g., a group of one or more contiguous slots) during which a PRS is expected to be transmitted. A PRS occasion may also be referred to as a "PRS positioning occasion," "PRS positioning instance," "positioning occasion," "positioning instance," "positioning repetition," or simply an "occasion," "instance," or "repetition."

[0083]

[0093] A "positioning frequency layer" (also simply referred to as a "frequency layer") is a collection of one or more PRS resource sets across one or more TRPs with the same values ​​for several parameters. Specifically, the collection of PRS resource sets has the same subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix (CP) type (meaning that all numerologies supported for PDSCH are also supported for PRS), the same Point A, the same value of downlink PRS bandwidth, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same comb size. The Point A parameter takes the value of the parameter "ARFCN-ValueNR" ("ARFCN" stands for "Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number"), which is an identifier / code that specifies the pair of physical radio channels used for transmission and reception. The downlink PRS bandwidth may have a granularity of four PRBs, with a minimum of 24 PRBs and a maximum of 272 PRBs. Currently, up to four frequency layers are defined, and up to two PRS resource sets can be configured per TRP per frequency layer.

[0084]

[0094] The concept of frequency layers is somewhat similar to that of component carriers and bandwidth portions (BWPs), except that component carriers and BWPs are used by one base station (or macrocell base station and small cell base station) to transmit data channels, and frequency layers are used by several (usually three or more) base stations to transmit PRSs. A UE may indicate the number of frequency layers it can support when sending its positioning capabilities to the network, such as during an LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) session. For example, a UE may indicate whether it can support one or four positioning frequency layers.

[0085]

[0095] FIG. 4B is a diagram 430 illustrating an example of channels within a downlink frame structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4B illustrates an example of various channels within a downlink slot of a radio frame. In NR, the channel bandwidth or system bandwidth is divided into multiple BWPs. A BWP is a contiguous set of PRBs selected from a contiguous subset of common RBs for a given numerology on a given carrier. Generally, up to four BWPs can be specified on the downlink and uplink. That is, a UE can be configured with up to four BWPs on the downlink and up to four BWPs on the uplink. At a given time, only one BWP (uplink or downlink) can be active, meaning that a UE can receive or transmit on only one BWP at a time. On the downlink, the bandwidth of each BWP should be equal to or greater than the bandwidth of an SSB, but it may or may not include the SSB.

[0086]

[0096] Referring to FIG. 4B, a primary synchronization signal (PSS) is used by a UE to determine subframe / symbol timing and physical layer identity. A secondary synchronization signal (SSS) is used by a UE to determine a physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identity and the physical layer cell identity group number, the UE can determine the PCI. Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the DL-RS mentioned above. A physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carrying an MIB can be logically grouped using the PSS and SSS to form an SSB (also referred to as SS / PBCH). The MIB provides the number of RBs in the downlink system bandwidth and the system frame number (SFN). A physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not transmitted over the PBCH, such as system information blocks (SIBs), and paging messages.

[0087]

[0097] The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carries downlink control information (DCI) in one or more control channel elements (CCEs), each of which contains one or more RE group (REG) bundles (which may span multiple symbols in the time domain). Each REG bundle contains one or more REGs, and each REG corresponds to 12 resource elements (one resource block) in the frequency domain and one OFDM symbol in the time domain. The set of physical resources used to carry the PDCCH / DCI is called a control resource set (CORESET) in NR. In NR, the PDCCH is limited to a single CORESET and transmitted with its own DMRS. This enables UE-specific beamforming for the PDCCH.

[0088]

[0098] In the example of Figure 4B, there is one CORESET per BWP, and the CORESET spans three symbols in the time domain (although it could be only one or two symbols). Unlike the LTE control channel, which occupies the entire system bandwidth, in NR, the PDCCH channel is localized to a unique region (i.e., the CORESET) in the frequency domain. Therefore, the frequency components of the PDCCH shown in Figure 4B are shown as being smaller than a single BWP in the frequency domain. Note that although the illustrated CORESET is contiguous in the frequency domain, it does not have to be contiguous. Furthermore, the CORESET can span fewer than three symbols in the time domain.

[0089]

[0099] The DCI in the PDCCH carries information about uplink resource allocations (persistent and non-persistent), called uplink grants and downlink grants, respectively, and a description of the downlink data to be transmitted to the UE. More specifically, the DCI indicates resources scheduled for a downlink data channel (e.g., PDSCH) and an uplink data channel (e.g., PUSCH). Multiple (e.g., up to eight) DCIs may be configured in the PDCCH, and these DCIs may have one of multiple formats. For example, there are different DCI formats for uplink scheduling, downlink scheduling, uplink transmit power control (TPC), etc. The PDCCH may be transported by one, two, four, eight, or 16 CCEs to accommodate different DCI payload sizes or coding rates.

[0090]

[0100] FIG. 4C is a diagram 450 illustrating an example of an uplink frame structure according to an aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4C, some of the REs (labeled “R”) carry DMRS for channel estimation at a receiver (e.g., a base station, another UE, etc.). The UE may further transmit an SRS, for example, in the last symbol of a slot. The SRS may have a comb structure, and the UE may transmit the SRS on one of the combs. In the example of FIG. 4C, the illustrated SRS is comb 2 spanning one symbol. The SRS may be used by the base station to obtain channel state information (CSI) for each UE. The CSI describes how an RF signal propagates from the UE to the base station and represents the combined effects of scattering, fading, and power attenuation over distance. The system uses the SRS for resource scheduling, link adaptation, massive MIMO, beam management, etc.

[0091]

[0101] Currently, an SRS resource can span 1, 2, 4, 8, or 12 consecutive symbols within a slot with comb sizes of Comb 2, Comb 4, or Comb 8. Below are the frequency offsets between symbols for the currently supported SRS comb patterns: Comb2 with 1 symbol: {0}, Comb2 with 2 symbols: {0,1}, Comb2 with 4 symbols: {0,1,0,1}, Comb4 with 4 symbols: {0,2,1,3}, Comb4 with 8 symbols: {0,2,1,3,0,2,1,3}, Comb4 with 12 symbols: {0,2,1,3,0,2,1,3,0,2,1,3}, Com8 with 4 symbols: {0,4,2,6}, Com8 with 8 symbols: {0,4,2,6,1,5,3,7}, and Com8 with 12 symbols: {0,4,2,6,1,5,3,7,0,4,2,6}.

[0092]

[0102] A set of resource elements used for transmitting an SRS is called an "SRS resource" and may be identified by the parameter "SRS-ResourceId." The set of resource elements may span multiple PRBs in the frequency domain and may span N (e.g., one or more) consecutive symbols within a slot in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol, the SRS resources occupy consecutive PRBs. An "SRS resource set" is a set of SRS resources used for transmitting an SRS signal and is identified by an SRS resource set ID ("SRS-ResourceSetId").

[0093]

[0103] Generally, a UE transmits an SRS to enable a receiving base station (either a serving base station or a neighboring base station) to measure the channel quality between the UE and the base station. However, the SRS can also be used as an uplink positioning reference signal for uplink positioning procedures such as UL-TDOA, multi-RTT, DL-AoA, etc.

[0094]

[0104] Several extensions over the previous definition of SRS have been proposed for SRS-for-positioning (also called "UL-PRS"), including new staggered patterns within SRS resources (except for single symbol / comb 2), new comb types for SRS, new sequences for SRS, a higher number of SRS resource sets per component carrier, and a higher number of SRS resources per component carrier. Furthermore, the parameters "SpatialRelationInfo" and "PathLossReference" should be configured based on downlink reference signals or SSBs from neighboring TRPs. Furthermore, one SRS resource may be transmitted outside the active BWP, and one SRS resource may span multiple component carriers. Also, SRS may be configured in the RRC connected state and transmitted only within the active BWP. Furthermore, frequency hopping, no repetition factor, a single antenna port, and new lengths for SRS (e.g., 8 and 12 symbols) are possible. Also, there may be open-loop power control and no closed-loop power control, and Com8 (i.e., SRS transmitted in every 8th subcarrier in the same symbol) may be used. Finally, the UE may transmit from multiple SRS resources for UL-AoA through the same transmit beam. All of these are additional features to the current SRS framework, configured through RRC upper layer signaling (and potentially triggered or activated through the MAC Control Element (CE) or DCI).

[0095]

[0105] FIG. 4D is a diagram 470 illustrating an example of channels in an uplink frame structure according to an aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 4D illustrates an example of various channels in an uplink slot of a frame according to an aspect of the present disclosure. A random access channel (RACH), also referred to as a physical random access channel (PRACH), may be within one or more slots in a frame based on a PRACH configuration. The PRACH may include six consecutive RB pairs within a slot. The PRACH enables a UE to perform initial system access and achieve uplink synchronization. A physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) may be located on the edge of the uplink system bandwidth. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as scheduling requests, CSI reports, channel quality indicators (CQIs), precoding matrix indicators (PMIs), rank indicators (RIs), and HARQ ACK / NACK feedback. A physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) carries data and may further be used to carry a buffer status report (BSR), a power headroom report (PHR), and / or UCI.

[0096]

[0106] Note that the terms “positioning reference signal” and “PRS” generally refer to specific reference signals used for positioning in NR and LTE systems. However, as used herein, the terms “positioning reference signal” and “PRS” may refer to any type of reference signal that can be used for positioning, such as, but not limited to, PRS, TRS, PTRS, CRS, CSI-RS, DMRS, PSS, SSS, SSB, SRS, and UL-PRS defined in LTE and NR. Furthermore, the terms “positioning reference signal” and “PRS” may refer to downlink or uplink positioning reference signals unless otherwise indicated by the context. If further distinction is needed between PRS types, downlink positioning reference signals may be referred to as “DL-PRS,” and uplink positioning reference signals (e.g., SRS, PTRS for positioning) may be referred to as “UL-PRS.” Furthermore, for signals that can be transmitted in both uplink and downlink (e.g., DMRS, PTRS), the signals may be prefixed with “UL” or “DL” to distinguish the direction. For example, "UL-DMRS" can be distinguished from "DL-DMRS."

[0097]

[0107] Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C show various patterns of DL PRS resources within a slot. Figure 5A shows a "Comb 2, 6 symbols" pattern with DL-PRS-ResourceSymbolOffset=4, Figure 5B shows a "Comb 6, 12 symbols" pattern with DL-PRS-ResourceSymbolOffset=6, and Figure 5C shows various other allowable patterns, highlighting the points that "Comb N" means that the pattern in any symbol repeats every N frequency bands, "M symbols" means that the pattern spans M consecutive symbols within the slot, and DL-PRS-ResourceSymbolOffset refers to the number of symbols in the slot that are transmitted before PRS resources are transmitted according to the pattern. In 5G, DL PRS resources span 2, 4, 6, or 12 consecutive symbols within a slot with a full frequency-domain staggered pattern. DL PRS resources can be configured in any higher-layer configured DL or front-loaded (FL) symbols of a slot. There is a constant energy per resource element (EPRE) for all REs of a given DL PRS resource. The table below lists some of the allowable patterns of DL PRS resources within a slot.

[0098] [Table 1]

[0099]

[0108] 6A and 6B show examples of DL PRS resource repetition and beam sweeping options. Because the transmitter is using beam sweeping and wants to transmit at least one DL PRS in each beam, DL PRS resource transmissions may be repeated several times, for example, to compound gains for coverage extension, for other reasons, or a combination thereof. The PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor parameter defines the number of times each PRS resource is repeated for a single instance of a PRS resource set. Typical values ​​for PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor are 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, and 31. The PRS-ResourceTimeGap parameter indicates the offset in slots between two repeated instances of DL PRS resources corresponding to the same PRS resource ID within a single instance of a DL PRS resource set. Typical values ​​for PRS-ResourceTimeGap are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32. Figure 6A shows the results when PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor=4 and PRS-ResourceTimeGap=1. Figure 6B shows the results when PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor=4 and PRS-ResourceTimeGap=4. The duration spanned by one DL PRS resource set containing repeated DL PRS resources should not exceed the PRS periodicity. The UE may or may not support RX beam sweeping depending on the UE implementation.

[0100]

[0109] Figures 7A, 7B, and 7C show examples of TRP-based PRS muting options. In Figures 7A and 7B, both the first TRP (TRP1) and the second TRP (TRP2) are interleaved with each other and transmit DL PRSs using a Comb 2, 2 symbol format. Similarly, the third TRP (TRP3) and the fourth TRP (TRP4) are interleaved with each other and transmit DL PRSs using a Comb 2, 2 symbol format. In the examples in Figures 7A and 7B, TRP1 through TRP4 also use the same symbol offset. In the examples shown in Figures 7A and 7B, there are two PRS occasions shown, with each PRS occasion including two repetitions, but the same concepts described herein may apply to PRS configurations with other numbers of occasions, repetitions, or both.

[0101]

[0110] Figure 7A shows PRS muting by occasion. The bitmap indicates during which PRS occasions DL PRS transmissions should be active ("1") or muted ("0"). For TRP1 and TRP2, the bitmap value is {1,0}, indicating that PRS transmissions are active during both repetitions in the first occasion and muted during both repetitions in the second occasion. For TRP3 and TRP4, the bitmap value is {0,1}, indicating that PRS transmissions are muted during both repetitions in the first occasion and active during both repetitions in the second occasion.

[0102]

[0111] Figure 7B shows PRS muting per repetition. The bitmap indicates during which PRS repetitions the DL PRS transmission should be active ("1") or muted ("0"). For TRP1 and TRP2, the bitmap value is {1,0}, indicating that the PRS transmission is active during the first repetition of each occasion and muted during the second repetition of each occasion. For TRP3 and TRP4, the bitmap value is {0,1}, indicating that the PRS transmission is muted during the first repetition of each occasion and active during the second repetition of each occasion.

[0103]

[0112] FIG. 7C illustrates both per-occasion and per-repetition PRS muting. The occasion bitmap indicates during which occasions DL PRS transmission should be active (“1”) or muted (“0”), and the repetition bitmap indicates during which repetitions DL PRS transmission should be active (“1”) or muted (“0”). In the aspect shown in FIG. 7C, DL PRS transmission is active only if both the occasion bitmap and the repetition bitmap contain an active indication. Using the example bitmap shown in FIG. 7C, i.e., the occasion bitmap values ​​are {0,1} and the repetition bitmap values ​​are {0,0,1,0}, then the DL PRS is active only during the third repetition within the second occasion. Figure 7C shows a PRS configuration where PRS-ResourceTimeGap=1 (e.g., as shown in Figure 6A), but the same principles apply for PRS configurations where PRS-ResourceTimeGap has a value other than 1 (e.g., as shown in Figure 6B).

[0104]

[0113] FIG. 8 illustrates a system 800 for time and frequency resource-level muting of a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) 802, according to some aspects. A RIS is an artificial structure with engineered electromagnetic (EM) properties that can collect wireless signals from a transmitter and passively beamform the wireless signals toward a desired receiver. The RIS can be configured to reflect incident waves in a desired direction. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a first BS 102a controls the RIS 802, while a second BS 102b does not control the RIS 802. The enhanced capabilities of the system 800 can provide technical benefits in several scenarios.

[0105]

[0114] 8, the first BS 102a is attempting to communicate with the first UE 104a, which is behind an obstruction 804 (e.g., a building, hill, or other obstruction) and is therefore unable to receive what would normally be an LOS beam from the first BS 102a, i.e., transmit beam 2. In this scenario, the first BS 102a may instead use transmit beam 1 to direct signals to the RIS 802, and the first BS 102a configures the RIS 802 to reflect incoming transmit beam 1 toward the first UE 104a and around the obstruction 804. Note that the first BS 102a may configure the RIS 802 for UE use in the UL, for example, so that the first UE 104a can use the RIS 802 to bounce UL signals to the first BS 102a, thus bypassing the obstruction 804.

[0106]

[0115] In another scenario, the first BS 102a may be aware that an obstacle, such as obstacle 804 in Figure 8, may create a dead zone, e.g., a geographic area where the signal from the BS 102a is attenuated, making the signal difficult to detect by UEs within the dead zone. In this scenario, the BS 102a may bounce a signal off the RIS 802 into the dead zone to provide coverage to devices that may be in the dead zone, including devices that the BS 102a is not currently aware of.

[0107]

[0116] Yet another scenario in which system 800 provides technical advantages is one involving low-tier (e.g., low power, low bandwidth, low antenna count, low baseband processing capability) UEs, such as “NR light” or “NR RedCap” UEs, which may not have the capability to hear or detect PRS transmitted from non-serving gNBs, especially for gNBs far from the UE. Similarly, SRS measurement by a non-serving gNB of SRS from a low-tier UE may be insufficient. In some situations, the same problem may apply for UEs that are not low-tier UEs. When, for whatever reason, the UE is unable to detect a sufficient number of positioning signals from different TRPs, use of the RIS 802 can provide one or more additional positioning signals from a single TRP. When multiple positioning signals are provided by the same TRP, the issue of network synchronization error between TRPs becomes irrelevant, and its obstacle to high-precision positioning is avoided. An example of this particular scenario is shown in FIG. 8.

[0108]

[0117] 9 illustrates a system 900 for time and frequency resource level muting of a RIS, in accordance with some aspects. The top portion of FIG. 9 illustrates the geographic locations of entities involved in an exemplary scenario, and the bottom portion of FIG. 9 illustrates the timing of signal transmissions and reflections in this exemplary scenario.

[0109]

[0118] In FIG. 9, a serving gNB (SgNB) or other type of serving base station sends a set of positioning reference signals to a target UE. A first PRS 902 is directed toward a first RIS (RIS1), a second PRS 904 is directed toward a second RIS (RIS2), and a third PRS 906 is directed toward the target UE. Referring now to the lower portion of FIG. 9, the third PRS 906 first arrives at the UE at time ToA(SgNB). The first PRS 902 arrives at RIS1 at time Tprop(SgNB->RIS1), and RIS1 transmits a reflected PRS signal 908, which arrives at the UE at time ToA(RIS1). The second PRS 904 arrives at RIS2 at time Tprop(SgNB->RIS2), and RIS2 transmits a reflected PRS signal 910, which arrives at the UE at time ToA(RIS2). The UE measures the time of arrival (Rx) of each of PRS signal 906, PRS signal 908, and PRS signal 910. The UE is provided with the PRS real time difference (PRTD) between pairs of PRS transmissions.

[0110]

[0119] RSTD is the difference between the time it takes for one reference signal to reach the UE and the time it takes for another reference signal to reach the UE. Therefore, RSTD is the difference between one reference ToA and another reference ToA.

[0111]

[0120] 9, the UE may calculate ToA (=Rx-Tx), i.e., values ​​for ToA(SgNB), ToA(RIS1), and ToA(RIS2), as well as an RSTD value for each pair, for each of the third PRS 906, reflected PRS signal 908, and reflected PRS signal 910. For example, the UE may calculate RSTD between SgNB and RIS1 using the following formula:

[0112]

number

[0113] where: Rx(SgNB) is the time when the UE receives PRS906, Rx(RIS1) is the time when the UE receives PRS908, PRTD is the transmission time offset between PRS906 and PRS908, Tprop(SgNB->RIS1) is the time it takes for PRS902 to reach RIS1. Note that the transmission time for each PRS is not required. In this example, the formula would calculate the difference between the time it takes for PRS 906 to reach the UE from the SgNB and the time it takes for PRS 908 to reach the UE from RIS1.

[0114]

[0121] In the case of UE-assisted positioning, the UE may report RSTD without including PRTD, and the network will calculate the UE's position based on PRTD data known to the network but not by the UE. However, for the UE to perform UE-based positioning (as opposed to UE-assisted positioning), the calculation of RSTD requires knowledge of the value of PRTD. In some aspects, the value of PRTD is signaled to the UE via assistance data provided by a location server. In some aspects, the UE may use the received PRTD value as an "expected RSTD," which can inform the UE where it should search for PRS. In some aspects, the UE may be provided with a "PRTD uncertainty" value that the UE can use to aid its PRS search window selection. In some aspects, Tprop(SgNB->RIS1) may be estimated through radio access technology (RAT) techniques (e.g., NR-based positioning) or RAT-independent methods (e.g., high-precision PRS or other hybrid positioning methods).

[0115]

[0122] In some aspects, the UE may know the geographic locations of RIS1 and RIS2, in which case the UE may estimate its own position via triangulation techniques using the values ​​of RSTD for the pair of SgNB, RIS1, and RIS2.

[0116]

[0123] In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the SgNB may have configured RIS1 to reflect the incoming PRS signal 902 in an intended direction, e.g., via link 912 between the SgNB and RIS1. In some situations, RIS1 may not need to be configured for this purpose; e.g., because RIS1 was already properly configured to reflect the incoming PRS signal in an intended direction, because RIS1 is not configurable by the SgNB but provides a suitable reflected signal anyway, or because RIS1 was configured by an entity other than the SgNB. The same may be true for RIS2, e.g., via link 914 between the SgNB and RIS2. The intended direction of the reflected signal may be chosen for various reasons, such as to have the signal reach a target UE in a known location, to have the signal reach the target area regardless of whether the target UE is in that area (e.g., if the LOS signal from the SgNB is blocked by a known obstacle), other reasons, or some combination thereof. The SgNB may not know the location of the target UE and may not know whether the UE is in the target area. The SgNB relies on the UE to measure the RIS reflected signal.

[0117]

[0124] The signals that the RIS receives from the serving base station may be omnidirectional or beamformed, and the reflected beams generated by the RIS may similarly be omnidirectional or beamformed in nature. When the RIS receives signals from the serving base station, the RIS may generate reflected signals that are wider, narrower, or the same width in their transmission profile. For example, the SgNB may transmit a narrowly beamformed PRS to RIS1, and RIS1 may reflect a more widely dispersed signal toward the UE, such as in situations where the UE's location is not precisely known. Similarly, RIS1 may reflect a more focused signal toward a target UE, such as when the UE's location is estimated with some reliability and a narrower beam would provide a better signal-to-noise ratio toward the target UE.

[0118]

[0125] In some aspects, the SgNB may dynamically control the behavior of the RISs under its control during the process of transmitting multiple PRS signals. In the scenario shown in FIG. 9, for example, the SgNB may control RIS2 so that it is disabled while the SgNB is transmitting PRS signal 902 toward RIS1, control RIS1 so that it is disabled while the SgNB is transmitting PRS signal 904 toward RIS2, and control RIS1 and RIS2 so that both are disabled while the SgNB is transmitting PRS signal 906 directly toward the UE. In this way, the SgNB can reduce or eliminate the possibility that the target UE will receive a reflection from the RIS when reflections are not desired, e.g., so that the PRS signal 906 does not reflect off RIS1 or RIS2 and reaches the target UE. It should be noted that the order of transmission of the PRS signals is exemplary and not limiting, for example, in some aspects the SgNB may transmit the PRS first towards the target UE, then towards RIS2, then towards RIS1, or in any other order. Also, it should be noted that while Figure 9 shows an example using two RISs, the same concept may apply for any number of RISs greater than zero.

[0119]

[0126] 10A, 10B, and 10C illustrate examples of time and frequency resource level muting of a RIS according to some aspects. In FIG. 10A and 10B, both a first TRP (TRP1) and a second TRP (TRP2) transmit a DL PRS using a Comb 2, 2 symbol format, interleaved with each other, and a RIS (e.g., RIS 802 in FIG. 8) is available in the network. In the example shown in FIG. 10A and 10B, there are two PRS occasions shown, with each PRS occasion including two repetitions, but the same concepts described herein may be applied to PRS configurations having other numbers of occasions, repetitions, or both.

[0120]

[0127] 10A illustrates time and frequency resource level muting of the RIS according to one aspect. In the aspect shown in FIG. 10A, the PRS bitmap indicates during which PRS occasions the DL PRS transmission should be active (“1”) or muted (“0”). For TRP1 and TRP2, the bitmap value is {1,0}, indicating that the PRS transmission is active during both repetitions in the first occasion and muted during both repetitions in the second occasion. The RIS bitmap indicates during which active DL PRS transmissions the RIS should be on (“1”) or off (“0”). For the RIS, the bitmap value is {1,0}, indicating that the RIS is on (active) during the first active PRS transmission, in this example, the first PRS iteration of the first PRS occasion, and off (inactive or disabled) during the second active PRS transmission, in this example, the second PRS iteration of the first PRS occasion. In the example shown in FIG. 10A, the status of the RIS is determined by performing a logical AND of the PRS bitmap and the RIS bitmap, and because the PRS transmission is muted for all PRS iterations during the second PRS occasion, the RIS is also off during all PRS iterations during the second PRS occasion. In another aspect, the RIS bitmap identifies the PRS iterations for which the RIS is on or off, regardless of the PRS occasion. In this aspect, the RIS may be on during the first PRS iteration of the second PRS occasion, but because the PRS signal is muted, there is no PRS signal for the RIS to reflect.

[0121]

[0128] FIG. 10B illustrates time and frequency resource level muting of the RIS according to another aspect. In the aspect shown in FIG. 10B, a PRS bitmap indicates during which PRS repetitions the DL PRS transmission should be active (“1”) or muted (“0”). For TRP1 and TRP2, the bitmap value is {1,0}, indicating that the PRS transmission is active during the first repetition of each occasion and muted during the second repetition of each occasion. The RIS bitmap indicates during which active DL PRS transmission the RIS should be on (“1”) or off (“0”). For the RIS, the bitmap value is {0,1}, indicating that the RIS is off during the first active PRS transmission, in this example, during the second PRS repetition of the first PRS occasion, and is off during the second active PRS transmission, in this example, during the second PRS repetition of the second PRS occasion. 10B, the status of the RIS is determined by performing a logical AND of the PRS bitmap and the RIS bitmap, and because PRS transmission is muted for the first PRS repeat of every PRS occasion, the RIS is also off during the PRS repeat of every PRS occasion. In another aspect, the RIS bitmap identifies the PRS repeats for which the RIS is on or off, regardless of the PRS occasion. In this aspect, the RIS may be on during the second PRS repeat of the second PRS occasion, but because the PRS signal is muted, there is no PRS signal for the RIS to reflect.

[0122]

[0129] FIG. 10C illustrates PRS-based RIS muting according to yet another embodiment. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10C, a PRS occasion bitmap indicates during which occasions DL PRS transmissions should be active (“1”) or muted (“0”), a PRS repetition bitmap indicates during which repetitions DL PRS transmissions should be active (“1”) or muted (“0”), and a RIS bitmap indicates for which PRS repetitions the RIS should be on (“1”) or off (“0”). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10C, DL PRS transmissions are active only if both the PRS occasion bitmap and the PRS repetition bitmap contain active indications. Using the example bitmaps shown in FIG. 10C, i.e., if the PRS occasion bitmap values ​​are {0,1} and the PRS repetition bitmap values ​​are {0,1,1,0}, then the DL PRS is active only during the second and third repetitions within the second PRS occasion. The RIS bitmap is {0,1,0,0}, so the RIS is active only during the second PRS repeat in the second PRS occasion. In the example shown in FIG. 10C, the status of the RIS is determined by performing a logical AND of the PRS repeat bitmap and the RIS bitmap, and because PRS transmission is muted for all PRS repeats in the first PRS occasion, the RIS is also off during all PRS repeats in the first PRS occasion. In another aspect, the RIS bitmap identifies the PRS repeats for which the RIS is on or off, regardless of the PRS occasion. In this aspect, the RIS may be on during the second PRS repeat of the first PRS occasion, but because the PRS signal is muted, there is no PRS signal for the RIS to reflect. Figure 10C shows a PRS configuration in which PRS-ResourceTimeGap=1 (e.g., as shown in Figure 6A), but the same principles apply for PRS configurations in which PRS-ResourceTimeGap has a value other than 1 (e.g., as shown in Figure 6B).

[0123]

[0130] 11 is a flowchart of an example process 1100 related to time and frequency resource level muting of a RIS, according to some aspects. In some implementations, one or more process blocks of FIG. 11 may be performed by a BS (e.g., BS 102 of FIG. 1, BS 304 of FIG. 4). In some implementations, one or more process blocks of FIG. 11 may be performed by another device, or a group of devices separate from or including the BS. Additionally or alternatively, one or more process blocks of FIG. 11 may be performed by one or more components of the BS 304, such as the processing system 384, the memory 386, the WWAN transceiver 350, the WLAN transceiver 360, and the network interface 380.

[0124]

[0131] 11, process 1100 may include obtaining a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), where the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources where the RIS should be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or should be disabled to reflect a transmit beam (block 1102). For example, a BS may obtain the resource-level muting bitmap for the reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) from a radio access network (RAN) node or a core network node.

[0125]

[0132] As further shown in FIG. 11 , process 1100 may include enabling or disabling the RIS according to a resource-level muting bitmap (block 1104). For example, the BS may request that the RIS be enabled or disabled according to a resource-level muting bitmap, as described above. In some aspects, the RIS is enabled or disabled according to a value of a bit in the bitmap. In some aspects, the BS requests the RIS to enable or disable the RIS by sending a message indicating that the RIS should be enabled or disabled. In some aspects, the RIS may enable or disable itself in response to receiving this message, e.g., the RIS always accepts the request. In other aspects, the RIS may be able to determine whether to accept the request. For example, if the RIS is controlled by multiple TRPs or BSs, the RIS may not be able to accept a particular request to disable or enable itself and may therefore choose to ignore the particular request. For example, one TRP may request that the RIS disable itself, while another TRP may request that the RIS enable itself during the same time interval. In this scenario, the RIS may be configured to give higher priority to valid requests, give higher priority to invalid requests, give higher priority to requests from one TRP over requests from another TRP, etc. In some aspects, the RIS may communicate to the requesting entity whether the RIS accepted the request, e.g., whether the RIS performed the requested action.

[0126]

[0133] In some aspects, at least one of the sets of time and frequency resources comprises a set of time and frequency resources reserved for transmitting a positioning reference signal (PRS). In some aspects, each bit in the resource-level muting bitmap represents a PRS occasion for which a RIS is enabled or disabled. In some aspects, each bit in the resource-level muting bitmap represents a PRS repetition for which a RIS is enabled or disabled within each PRS occasion. In some aspects, the RIS is enabled or disabled according to a combination of the value of the bit in the bitmap and the value of another indicator associated with muting or enabling transmission of the PRS. In some aspects, each bit in the resource-level muting bitmap represents a RIS that has a known association with a specified PRS.

[0127]

[0134] In some aspects, at least one of the sets of time and frequency resources comprises a set of time and frequency resources reserved for receiving a sounding reference signal (SRS). In some aspects, each bit of the resource-level muting bitmap represents an SRS occasion for which RIS is enabled or disabled. In some aspects, each bit of the resource-level muting bitmap represents an SRS repetition for which RIS is enabled or disabled within each SRS occasion.

[0128]

[0135] In some aspects, enabling or disabling the RIS according to the resource level muting bitmap may include configuring the RIS to reflect a received signal to a user equipment (UE), and process 1100 may further include transmitting a first positioning reference signal (PRS) to the UE (block 1106), optionally configuring the RIS to reflect the received signal to the UE (block 1108), and transmitting a second PRS to the RIS (block 1110).

[0129]

[0136] Process 1100 may optionally include indicating, to the UE, a transmit time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS (block 1112). In some aspects, indicating the transmit time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS comprises providing the transmit time offset via explicit signaling, indicating the transmit time offset based on a PRS mapping, or a combination thereof.

[0130]

[0137] Process 1100 may optionally include receiving, from the UE, downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS (block 1114) and calculating an estimated position of the UE based on the RSTD measurements (block 1116). In some aspects, receiving downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS comprises receiving a reception time, an arrival time, or a combination thereof for the first PRS and the second PRS.

[0131]

[0138] In some aspects, process 1100 optionally includes receiving, from the UE, an estimated location of the UE (block 1118).

[0132]

[0139] 11 shows example blocks of process 1100, in some implementations process 1100 may include additional, fewer, different, or differently configured blocks than those shown in FIG 11. Additionally or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 1100 may be performed in parallel.

[0133]

[0140] 12 is a flowchart of an example process 1200 related to time and frequency resource level muting of a RIS, according to some aspects. In some implementations, one or more process blocks of FIG. 12 may be performed by a UE (e.g., the UE 104 of FIG. 1, the UE 302 of FIG. 3A). In some implementations, one or more process blocks of FIG. 12 may be performed by another device or a group of devices separate from or including the UE. Additionally or alternatively, one or more process blocks of FIG. 12 may be performed by one or more components of the UE 302, such as the processing system 332, the memory 340, the WWAN transceiver 310, the WLAN transceiver 320, and the user interface 346.

[0134]

[0141] 12, process 1200 may include obtaining a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), where the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources where the RIS is to be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or is to be disabled from reflecting a transmit beam (block 1202). For example, a UE may obtain a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), where the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources where the RIS is to be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or is to be disabled from reflecting a transmit beam, as described above.

[0135]

[0142] 12, process 1200 may include receiving a first reference signal (block 1204). For example, the UE may receive the first reference signal as described above.

[0136]

[0143] 12, process 1200 may include determining whether the first reference signal is received from the BS or the RIS based on the resource level muting bitmap (block 1206). For example, the UE may determine whether the first reference signal is received from the BS or the RIS based on the resource level muting bitmap, as described above.

[0137]

[0144] In some aspects, the process 1200 optionally includes calculating a time of arrival (ToA) from the TRP or from the RIS as determined by the resource level muting bitmap (block 1208).

[0138]

[0145] In some aspects, the first reference signal comprises a first positioning reference signal (PRS), and the method optionally includes receiving a second PRS (block 1210) and transmitting downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS to a base station (BS), where one of the first PRS signal and the second PRS signal was received from the BS and the other of the first PRS signal and the second PRS signal was received from the RIS (block 1212).

[0139]

[0146] In some aspects, process 1200 optionally includes obtaining a transmit time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS (block 1214), calculating an estimated location of the UE based on the RSTD measurements and the transmit time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS (block 1216), and transmitting the estimated location of the UE to the BS (block 1218). In some aspects, obtaining the transmit time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS comprises receiving the transmit time offset via explicit signaling, determining the transmit time offset based on PRS mapping, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, transmitting downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS comprises transmitting a receive time, an arrival time, or a combination thereof for the first PRS and the second PRS.

[0140]

[0147] 12 illustrates example blocks of process 1200, in some implementations, process 1200 may include additional, fewer, different, or differently configured blocks than those shown in FIG 12. Additionally or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 1200 may be performed in parallel.

[0141]

[0148] The techniques described herein offer several technical advantages. Because the techniques described above allow positioning to be performed using only a single SgNB, the techniques described above are suitable for use by low-tier UEs because measurements of neighboring cells are not required. Because network synchronization error is not an issue for single-cell positioning methods such as those disclosed herein, these methods have the potential for greater accuracy than conventional methods that require measurements of neighboring cells. It should be noted that in some aspects, these techniques may also be applied in combination with conventional techniques that require measurements of neighboring cells.

[0142]

[0149] In the above detailed description, it can be seen that different features are grouped together in examples. This mode of disclosure should not be understood as an intention that the exemplary clauses have more features than are expressly set forth in each clause. Rather, various embodiments of the present disclosure may include fewer than all features of each disclosed exemplary clause. Accordingly, the following clauses should be considered incorporated herein, with each clause standing as a separate example by itself. While each dependent clause may refer to a specific combination with one of the other clauses in the clause, the aspect(s) of that dependent clause are not limited to that specific combination. It will be appreciated that other exemplary clauses may also include combinations of the dependent clause(s) aspect(s) with the subject matter of any other dependent clause or independent clause, or any combination of features with other dependent and independent clauses. The various embodiments disclosed herein expressly include combinations of specific combinations (e.g., inconsistent aspects, such as defining an element as both an insulator and a conductor) unless these combinations are expressly expressed or can be readily inferred to be unintended. Furthermore, it is also contemplated that aspects of a clause may be included in any other independent clause, even if that clause is not directly dependent on that independent clause.

[0143]

[0150] Example implementations are described in the following numbered clauses.

[0144]

[0151] Clause 1. A method of wireless communications implemented by a base station (BS), the method comprising: obtaining a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS); and enabling or disabling the RIS in accordance with the resource-level muting bitmap, wherein the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources where the RIS should be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or should be disabled to reflect a transmit beam.

[0145]

[0152] Clause 2. The method of clause 1, wherein the RIS is enabled or disabled according to the value of a bit in a bitmap.

[0146]

[0153] Clause 3. The method of any of clauses 1 to 2, wherein at least one of the sets of time and frequency resources comprises a set of time and frequency resources reserved for transmitting a positioning reference signal (PRS).

[0147]

[0154] Clause 4. The method of clause 3, wherein each bit in the resource-level muting bitmap represents a PRS occasion for which the RIS is enabled or disabled.

[0148]

[0155] Clause 5. The method of any of clauses 3 to 4, wherein each bit in the resource-level muting bitmap represents a PRS iteration for which the RIS is enabled or disabled within each PRS occasion.

[0149]

[0156] Clause 6. The method of any of clauses 3 to 5, wherein the RIS is enabled or disabled according to a combination of the value of a bit in the bitmap and the value of another indicator related to muting or enabling the transmission of the PRS.

[0150]

[0157] Clause 7. The method of any of clauses 3 to 6, wherein each bit in the resource-level muting bitmap represents a RIS that has a known association with a specified PRS.

[0151]

[0158] Clause 8. The method of any of clauses 1 to 7, wherein at least one of the sets of time and frequency resources comprises a set of time and frequency resources reserved for receiving a sounding reference signal (SRS).

[0152]

[0159] Clause 9. The method of clause 8, wherein each bit in the resource level muting bitmap represents an SRS occasion for which the RIS is enabled or disabled.

[0153]

[0160] Clause 10. The method of any of clauses 8 to 9, wherein each bit in the resource level muting bitmap represents an SRS iteration for which the RIS is enabled or disabled within each SRS occasion.

[0154]

[0161] Clause 11. The method of any of clauses 1 to 10, wherein enabling or disabling the RIS in accordance with the resource level muting bitmap may comprise configuring the RIS to reflect received signals to a user equipment (UE), the method further comprising transmitting a first positioning reference signal (PRS) to the UE and transmitting a second PRS to the RIS.

[0155]

[0162] Clause 12. The method of clause 11, further comprising receiving, from the UE, downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS.

[0156]

[0163] Clause 13. The method of clause 12, further comprising calculating an estimated location of the UE based on the RSTD measurements.

[0157]

[0164] Clause 14. The method of any of clauses 12 to 13, further comprising receiving, from the UE, an estimated location of the UE.

[0158]

[0165] Clause 15. The method of any of clauses 12 to 14, further comprising configuring the RIS to reflect the received signal to the UE prior to transmitting the second PRS.

[0159]

[0166] Clause 16. The method of clause 15, further comprising configuring the RIS to not reflect received signals to the UE prior to transmitting the first PRS.

[0160]

[0167] Clause 17. The method of any of clauses 12 to 16, further comprising indicating to the UE, prior to receiving the RSTD measurement, a transmission time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS.

[0161]

[0168] Clause 18. The method of clause 17, wherein indicating a transmission time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS comprises providing a transmission time offset via explicit signaling, indicating a transmission time offset based on a PRS mapping, or a combination thereof.

[0162]

[0169] Clause 19. The method of any of clauses 12 to 18, wherein receiving downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS comprises receiving a reception time, an arrival time, or a combination thereof for the first PRS and the second PRS.

[0163]

[0170] Clause 20. A method of wireless communications implemented by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: obtaining a resource level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), wherein the resource level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources at which the RIS is to be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or is to be disabled to reflect a transmit beam; receiving a first reference signal; and determining, based on the resource level muting bitmap, whether the first reference signal is received from a base station (BS) or from the RIS.

[0164]

[0171] Clause 21. The method of clause 20, further comprising calculating a time of arrival (ToA) or a reference signal time difference (RSTD) from the BS or from the RIS as determined by the resource level muting bitmap.

[0165]

[0172] Clause 22. The method of any of clauses 20 to 21, wherein the first reference signal comprises a first positioning reference signal (PRS), and the method further comprises receiving a second PRS; and transmitting downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS to a base station (BS), wherein one of the first PRS and the second PRS is received from a BS and the other of the first PRS and the second PRS is received from a RIS.

[0166]

[0173] Clause 23. The method of clause 22, further comprising: obtaining a transmission time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS; calculating an estimated location of the UE based on the RSTD measurements and the transmission time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS; and transmitting the estimated location of the UE to the BS.

[0167]

[0174] Clause 24. The method of clause 23, wherein determining a transmission time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS comprises receiving the transmission time offset via explicit signaling, determining the transmission time offset based on a PRS mapping, or a combination thereof.

[0168]

[0175] Clause 25. The method of any of clauses 22 to 24, wherein transmitting downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS comprises transmitting a reception time, an arrival time, or a combination thereof for the first PRS and the second PRS.

[0169]

[0176] Clause 26. An apparatus comprising a memory and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory, wherein the memory and the at least one processor are configured to perform the method of any of clauses 1 to 25.

[0170]

[0177] Clause 27. An apparatus comprising means for carrying out the method according to any one of clauses 1 to 25.

[0171]

[0178] Clause 28. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable comprising at least one instruction for causing a computer or processor to perform a method according to any of clauses 1 to 25.

[0172]

[0179] Additional aspects include at least the following:

[0173]

[0180] In one aspect, a method of wireless communication implemented by a base station (BS) includes obtaining a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), and requesting the RIS to be enabled or disabled according to the resource-level muting bitmap, wherein the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources where the RIS should be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or should be disabled to reflect a transmit beam.

[0174]

[0181] In some aspects, the RIS is required to be enabled or disabled according to the value of a bit in a bitmap.

[0175]

[0182] In some aspects, at least one of the sets of time and frequency resources comprises a set of time and frequency resources reserved for transmitting a positioning reference signal (PRS).

[0176]

[0183] In some aspects, each bit in the resource-level muting bitmap represents a PRS occasion for which the RIS is enabled or disabled.

[0177]

[0184] In some aspects, each bit in the resource-level muting bitmap represents a PRS repetition for which the RIS is enabled or disabled within each PRS occasion.

[0178]

[0185] In some aspects, the RIS is required to be enabled or disabled according to a combination of the value of a bit in the bitmap and the value of another indicator related to muting or enabling transmission of the PRS.

[0179]

[0186] In some aspects, each bit in the resource-level muting bitmap represents a RIS that has a known association with a specified PRS.

[0180]

[0187] In some aspects, at least one of the sets of time and frequency resources comprises a set of time and frequency resources reserved for receiving a sounding reference signal (SRS).

[0181]

[0188] In some aspects, each bit in the resource-level muting bitmap represents an SRS occasion for which the RIS is enabled or disabled.

[0182]

[0189] In some aspects, each bit in the resource level muting bitmap represents an SRS iteration for which the RIS is enabled or disabled within each SRS occasion.

[0183]

[0190] In some aspects, requesting the RIS to be enabled or disabled according to the resource level muting bitmap comprises configuring the RIS to reflect the received signal to a user equipment (UE), the method further comprising transmitting a first positioning reference signal (PRS) to the UE and transmitting a second PRS to the RIS.

[0184]

[0191] In some aspects, the method includes receiving, from a UE, downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for a first PRS and a second PRS.

[0185]

[0192] In some aspects, the method includes calculating an estimated location of the UE based on the RSTD measurements.

[0186]

[0193] In some aspects, the method includes receiving, from the UE, an estimated location of the UE.

[0187]

[0194] In some aspects, the method includes configuring the RIS to reflect a received signal to the UE prior to transmitting the second PRS.

[0188]

[0195] In some aspects, the method includes configuring the RIS to not reflect received signals to the UE prior to transmitting the first PRS.

[0189]

[0196] In some aspects, the method includes indicating a transmission time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS to the UE prior to receiving the RSTD measurement.

[0190]

[0197] In some aspects, indicating the transmission time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS comprises providing the transmission time offset via explicit signaling, indicating the transmission time offset based on a PRS mapping, or a combination thereof.

[0191]

[0198] In some aspects, receiving downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS comprises receiving a receive time, an arrival time, or a combination thereof for the first PRS and the second PRS.

[0192]

[0199] In one aspect, a method of wireless communications implemented by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: obtaining a resource level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), wherein the resource level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources on which the RIS is to be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or is to be disabled to reflect a transmit beam; receiving a first reference signal; and determining, based on the resource level muting bitmap, whether the first reference signal is received from a base station (BS) or the RIS.

[0193]

[0200] In some aspects, the method includes calculating a time of arrival (ToA) or a reference signal time difference (RSTD) from the BS or from the RIS as determined by a resource level muting bitmap.

[0194]

[0201] In some aspects, the first reference signal comprises a first positioning reference signal (PRS), and the method further comprises receiving a second PRS and transmitting a downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement for the first PRS and the second PRS to a base station (BS), wherein one of the first PRS and the second PRS is received from the BS and the other of the first PRS and the second PRS is received from the RIS.

[0195]

[0202] In some aspects, the method includes obtaining a transmit time offset between a first PRS and a second PRS, calculating an estimated location of the UE based on the RSTD measurements and the transmit time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS, and transmitting the estimated location of the UE to a BS.

[0196]

[0203] In some aspects, determining the transmit time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS comprises receiving the transmit time offset via explicit signaling, determining the transmit time offset based on a PRS mapping, or a combination thereof.

[0197]

[0204] In some aspects, transmitting downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS comprises transmitting a receive time, an arrival time, or a combination thereof for the first PRS and the second PRS.

[0198]

[0205] In one aspect, a base station (BS) includes 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: obtain a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS); wherein the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources where the RIS should be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or should be disabled to reflect a transmit beam; and cause the at least one transceiver to send a request to the RIS to enable or disable the RIS according to the resource-level muting bitmap.

[0199]

[0206] In some aspects, the RIS is required to be enabled or disabled according to the value of a bit in a resource level muting bitmap.

[0200]

[0207] In some aspects, at least one of the sets of time and frequency resources comprises a set of time and frequency resources reserved for transmitting a positioning reference signal (PRS).

[0201]

[0208] In some aspects, each bit in the resource-level muting bitmap represents a PRS occasion for which the RIS is enabled or disabled.

[0202]

[0209] In some aspects, each bit in the resource-level muting bitmap represents a PRS repetition for which the RIS is enabled or disabled within each PRS occasion.

[0203]

[0210] In some aspects, the RIS is required to be enabled or disabled according to a combination of the value of a bit in a resource level muting bitmap and the value of another indicator associated with muting or enabling transmission of the PRS.

[0204]

[0211] In some aspects, each bit in the resource-level muting bitmap represents a RIS that has a known association with a specified PRS.

[0205]

[0212] In some aspects, at least one of the sets of time and frequency resources comprises a set of time and frequency resources reserved for receiving a sounding reference signal (SRS).

[0206]

[0213] In some aspects, each bit in the resource-level muting bitmap represents an SRS occasion for which the RIS is enabled or disabled.

[0207]

[0214] In some aspects, each bit in the resource level muting bitmap represents an SRS iteration for which the RIS is enabled or disabled within each SRS occasion.

[0208]

[0215] In some aspects, requesting the RIS to be enabled or disabled according to the resource level muting bitmap comprises configuring the RIS to reflect the received signal to a user equipment (UE), wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the at least one transceiver to transmit a first positioning reference signal (PRS) to the UE and to cause the at least one transceiver to transmit a second PRS to the RIS.

[0209]

[0216] In some aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to receive, from the UE, downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS.

[0210]

[0217] In some aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to calculate an estimated location of the UE based on the RSTD measurements.

[0211]

[0218] In some aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to receive, from the UE, an estimated location of the UE.

[0212]

[0219] In some aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to, prior to causing the at least one transceiver to transmit the second PRS, cause the at least one transceiver to transmit a request to the RIS to configure the RIS to reflect the received signal to the UE.

[0213]

[0220] In some aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to, prior to causing the at least one transceiver to transmit the first PRS, cause the at least one transceiver to transmit a request to the RIS to configure the RIS not to reflect received signals to the UE.

[0214]

[0221] In some aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to indicate, to the UE prior to receiving the RSTD measurement, a transmission time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS.

[0215]

[0222] In some aspects, the at least one processor is configured, when indicating a transmission time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS, to provide the transmission time offset via explicit signaling, indicate the transmission time offset based on a PRS mapping, or a combination thereof.

[0216]

[0223] In some aspects, the at least one processor is configured to receive a receive time, an arrival time, or a combination thereof for the first PRS and the second PRS when receiving a downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement for the first PRS and the second PRS.

[0217]

[0224] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes 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: obtain a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), wherein the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources on which the RIS is to be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or is to be disabled to reflect a transmit beam; receive a first reference signal; and determine, based on the resource-level muting bitmap, whether the first reference signal is received from a base station (BS) or the RIS.

[0218]

[0225] In some aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to calculate a time of arrival (ToA) or a reference signal time difference (RSTD) from the BS or from the RIS as determined by the resource level muting bitmap.

[0219]

[0226] In some aspects, the first reference signal comprises a first positioning reference signal (PRS), and the at least one processor is further configured to receive a second PRS, and cause the at least one transceiver, where one of the first PRS and the second PRS is received from a base station (BS) and the other of the first PRS and the second PRS is received from a RIS, to transmit downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS to the BS.

[0220]

[0227] In some aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to obtain a transmit time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS, calculate an estimated location of the UE based on the RSTD measurements and the transmit time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS, and cause the at least one transceiver to transmit the estimated location of the UE to the BS.

[0221]

[0228] In some aspects, the at least one processor is configured, when determining the transmit time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS, to receive the transmit time offset via explicit signaling, determine the transmit time offset based on a PRS mapping, or a combination thereof.

[0222]

[0229] In some aspects, the at least one processor is configured to cause the at least one transceiver to transmit a receive time, an arrival time, or a combination thereof for the first PRS and the second PRS when causing the at least one transceiver to transmit a downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement for the first PRS and the second PRS.

[0223]

[0230] In one aspect, a base station (BS) includes means for obtaining a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), wherein the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources where the RIS should be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or disabled to reflect a transmit beam, and means for requesting the RIS to be enabled or disabled according to the resource-level muting bitmap.

[0224]

[0231] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes means for obtaining a resource level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), wherein the resource level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources where the RIS is to be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or is to be disabled to reflect a transmit beam, means for receiving a first reference signal, and means for determining, based on the resource level muting bitmap, whether the first reference signal is received from a base station (BS) or the RIS.

[0225]

[0232] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions, the set of instructions comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a base station (BS), cause the BS to obtain a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS); and requesting the RIS to be enabled or disabled in accordance with the resource-level muting bitmap, wherein the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources on which the RIS should be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or disabled to reflect a transmit beam.

[0226]

[0233] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions, the set of instructions comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to obtain a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), wherein the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources over which the RIS is to be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or disabled to reflect a transmit beam; receive a first reference signal; and determine, based on the resource-level muting bitmap, whether the first reference signal is received from a base station (BS) or the RIS.

[0227]

[0234] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0228]

[0235] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability between hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0229]

[0236] The various example logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed using general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, 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 alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0230]

[0237] The methods, sequences, and / or algorithms described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in software modules executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. The software modules may reside in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, removable disk, 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. Alternatively, 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., UE). Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in the user terminal.

[0231]

[0238] In one or more exemplary aspects, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A 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 may 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 coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, 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 discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy discs, and Blu-ray discs, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0232]

[0239] While the above disclosure sets forth exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, 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 claims. The functions, steps and / or actions of the method claims in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein need not be performed in any particular order. Furthermore, although elements of the present disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The inventions described in the claims of the present application as originally filed are set forth below. [C1] 1. A method of wireless communication implemented by a base station (BS), comprising: obtaining a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), wherein the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources where the RIS should be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or should be disabled to reflect a transmit beam; requesting the RIS to be enabled or disabled according to the resource level muting bitmap; A method comprising: [C2] The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sets of time and frequency resources comprises a set of time and frequency resources reserved for transmitting a positioning reference signal (PRS) or for receiving a sounding reference signal (SRS). [C3] The method of claim 2, wherein each bit in the resource level muting bitmap represents a PRS occasion for which the RIS is enabled or disabled, a PRS iteration for which the RIS is enabled or disabled within each PRS occasion, an SRS occasion for which the RIS is enabled or disabled, an SRS iteration for which the RIS is enabled or disabled within each SRS occasion, or a combination thereof. [C4] The method of claim 2, wherein the RIS is requested to be enabled or disabled according to a combination of the value of a bit in the bitmap and the value of another indicator related to muting or enabling transmission of the PRS. [C5] The method of C2, wherein each bit in the resource level muting bitmap represents a RIS that has a known association with a specified PRS or SRS. [C6] and requesting the RIS to be enabled or disabled in accordance with the resource level muting bitmap comprises configuring the RIS to reflect a received signal to a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: transmitting a first positioning reference signal (PRS) to the UE; transmitting a second PRS to the RIS; The method of C1, further comprising: [C7] receiving, from the UE, downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS, and calculating an estimated location of the UE based on the RSTD measurements; or receiving, from the UE, an estimated location of the UE; The method of C6, further comprising: [C8] The method of C7, further comprising configuring the RIS to reflect a received signal to the UE or not to reflect the received signal to the UE prior to transmitting the second PRS. [C9] The method of C7, further comprising indicating to the UE a transmission time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS prior to receiving the RSTD measurement value. [C10] The method of C7, wherein receiving the downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement values ​​for the first PRS and the second PRS comprises receiving a reception time, an arrival time, or a combination thereof for the first PRS and the second PRS. [C11] 1. A method of wireless communication implemented by a user equipment (UE), comprising: obtaining a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), wherein the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources for which the RIS is to be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or disabled to reflect a transmit beam; receiving a first reference signal; determining whether the first reference signal is received from a base station (BS) or from the RIS based on the resource level muting bitmap; A method comprising: [C12] The method of C11, further comprising calculating a time of arrival (ToA) or a reference signal time difference (RSTD) from the BS or from the RIS determined by the resource level muting bitmap. [C13] The first reference signal comprises a first positioning reference signal (PRS), and the method further comprises: receiving a second PRS, wherein one of the first PRS and the second PRS is received from a base station (BS) and the other of the first PRS and the second PRS is received from the RIS; transmitting to the BS downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS; The method of C11, further comprising: [C14] obtaining a transmission time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS; calculating an estimated location of the UE based on the RSTD measurements and the transmission time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS; transmitting the estimated location of the UE to the BS; The method of C13, further comprising: [C15] The method of C13, wherein transmitting the downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement values ​​for the first PRS and the second PRS comprises transmitting a reception time, an arrival time, or a combination thereof for the first PRS and the second PRS. [C16] Memory and at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver; a base station (BS), wherein the at least one processor obtaining a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), wherein the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources where the RIS should be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or should be disabled to reflect a transmit beam; causing the at least one transceiver to send a request to the RIS to enable or disable the RIS according to the resource level muting bitmap; A base station (BS) configured to perform the above. [C17] BS according to C16, wherein at least one of the sets of time and frequency resources comprises a set of time and frequency resources reserved for transmitting a positioning reference signal (PRS) or for receiving a sounding reference signal (SRS). [C18] The BS described in C17, wherein each bit of the resource level muting bitmap represents a PRS occasion for which the RIS is enabled or disabled, a PRS repetition for which the RIS is enabled or disabled within each PRS occasion, an SRS occasion for which the RIS is enabled or disabled, an SRS repetition for which the RIS is enabled or disabled within each SRS occasion, or a combination thereof. [C19] The BS described in C17, wherein the RIS is requested to be enabled or disabled according to a combination of the value of a bit in the resource level muting bitmap and the value of another indicator related to muting or enabling transmission of the PRS. [C20] The BS of C17, wherein each bit in the resource level muting bitmap represents a RIS that has a known association with a specified PRS or SRS. [C21] Requesting the RIS to be enabled or disabled according to the resource level muting bitmap comprises configuring the RIS to reflect a received signal to a user equipment (UE), wherein the at least one processor: causing the at least one transceiver to transmit a first positioning reference signal (PRS) to the UE; causing the at least one transceiver to transmit a second PRS to the RIS; The BS according to C16, further configured to perform [C22] The at least one processor: receiving, from the UE, downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS, and calculating an estimated location of the UE based on the RSTD measurements; or receiving, from the UE, an estimated location of the UE; The BS according to C21, further configured to perform the steps: [C23] The BS of C22, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, before causing the at least one transceiver to transmit the second PRS, cause the at least one transceiver to send a request to the RIS to configure the RIS to reflect a received signal to the UE or not reflect the received signal to the UE. [C24] BS according to C22, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to indicate to the UE, prior to receiving the RSTD measurement value, a transmission time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS. [C25] The BS of C22, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive a reception time, an arrival time, or a combination thereof for the first PRS and the second PRS when receiving the downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement values ​​for the first PRS and the second PRS. [C26] Memory and at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver; 1. A user equipment (UE) comprising: obtaining a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), wherein the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources for which the RIS is to be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or disabled to reflect a transmit beam; receiving a first reference signal; and determining, based on the resource level muting bitmap, whether the first reference signal is received from a base station (BS) or from the RIS. [C27] The UE of C26, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to calculate a time of arrival (ToA) or a reference signal time difference (RSTD) from the BS or from the RIS determined by the resource level muting bitmap. [C28] The first reference signal comprises a first positioning reference signal (PRS), and the at least one processor: receiving a second PRS, wherein one of the first PRS and the second PRS is received from a base station (BS) and the other of the first PRS and the second PRS is received from the RIS; causing the at least one transceiver to transmit to the BS downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS; 27. The UE of claim 26, further configured to: [C29] The at least one processor: obtaining a transmission time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS; calculating an estimated location of the UE based on the RSTD measurements and the transmission time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS; causing the at least one transceiver to transmit the estimated location of the UE to the BS; 20. The UE of claim 18, further configured to: [C30] UE according to C28, wherein the at least one processor is configured to, when causing the at least one transceiver to transmit the downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement values ​​for the first PRS and the second PRS, cause the at least one transceiver to transmit a reception time, an arrival time, or a combination thereof for the first PRS and the second PRS.

Claims

1. 1. A method of wireless communication implemented by a base station (BS), comprising: obtaining a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), wherein the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources where the RIS should be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or should be disabled to reflect a transmit beam; requesting the RIS to be enabled or disabled according to the resource level muting bitmap; A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sets of time and frequency resources comprises a set of time and frequency resources reserved for transmitting a positioning reference signal (PRS) or for receiving a sounding reference signal (SRS).

3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein each bit in the resource level muting bitmap represents a PRS occasion for which the RIS is enabled or disabled, a PRS repeat for which the RIS is enabled or disabled within each PRS occasion, an SRS occasion for which the RIS is enabled or disabled, an SRS repeat for which the RIS is enabled or disabled within each SRS occasion, or a combination thereof.

4. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the RIS is requested to be enabled or disabled according to a combination of a value of a bit in the bitmap and a value of another indicator related to muting or enabling transmission of the PRS.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein each bit in the resource level muting bitmap represents a RIS that has a known association with a specified PRS or SRS.

6. and requesting the RIS to be enabled or disabled in accordance with the resource level muting bitmap comprises configuring the RIS to reflect received signals to a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: transmitting a first positioning reference signal (PRS) to the UE; transmitting a second PRS to the RIS; and preferably further comprising: receiving, from the UE, downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS, and calculating an estimated location of the UE based on the RSTD measurements; or receiving, from the UE, an estimated location of the UE; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

7. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising, prior to transmitting the second PRS, configuring the RIS to reflect a received signal to the UE or not to reflect the received signal to the UE.

8. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising indicating to the UE, prior to receiving the RSTD measurement, a transmission time offset between the first PRS and the second PRS.

9. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein receiving the downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS comprises receiving a receive time, an arrival time, or a combination thereof for the first PRS and the second PRS.

10. 1. A method of wireless communication implemented by a user equipment (UE), comprising: obtaining a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), wherein the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources for which the RIS is to be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or disabled to reflect a transmit beam; receiving a first reference signal; determining whether the first reference signal is received from a base station (BS) or the RIS based on the resource level muting bitmap; A method comprising:

11. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: calculating a time of arrival (ToA) or a reference signal time difference (RSTD) from the BS or from the RIS determined by the resource level muting bitmap.

12. The first reference signal comprises a first positioning reference signal (PRS), and the method further comprises: receiving a second PRS, wherein one of the first PRS and the second PRS is received from a base station (BS) and the other of the first PRS and the second PRS is received from the RIS; transmitting, to the BS, downlink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for the first PRS and the second PRS, or receiving times, arrival times, or a combination thereof for the first PRS and the second PRS; The method of claim 10 further comprising:

13. Memory and at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver; 1. A base station (BS) comprising: obtaining a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), wherein the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources where the RIS should be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or should be disabled to reflect a transmit beam; causing the at least one transceiver to send a request to the RIS to enable or disable the RIS according to the resource level muting bitmap; a base station (BS) configured to:

14. Memory and at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver; 1. A user equipment (UE) comprising: obtaining a resource-level muting bitmap for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), wherein the resource-level muting bitmap identifies a set of time and frequency resources for which the RIS is to be enabled to reflect a transmit beam or disabled to reflect a transmit beam; receiving a first reference signal; determining whether the first reference signal is received from a base station (BS) or the RIS based on the resource level muting bitmap; A user equipment (UE) configured to:

15. 13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a set of instructions comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a base station (BS), cause the BS to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 9, or a set of instructions comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to perform the method of any one of claims 10 to 12.

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