Optimizing ranging sessions initiated by vehicular and pedestrian UEs

Abstract

Responder user equipment (UE) in separate ranging sessions may determine whether there is a collision between ranging signals assigned to broadcast during these separate ranging sessions. A ranging signal collision is detected when the ranging signals have the same frequency and broadcast time, e.g., when the broadcast time of one ranging signal is within a predetermined amount of time of the other ranging signal. When a ranging signal collision is detected, the responder UE sends a message to the initiator UE indicating a possible collision. The available time to broadcast the ranging signal may be determined, for example, by the responder UE or the initiator UE. The initiator UE may start a new ranging session based on the available time to broadcast the ranging signal or may proceed with a ranging session in which the responder UE may not participate.

Description

Priority claims

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 17 / 179,548, entitled "OPTIMIZATION OF RANGING SESSIONS INITIATED BY VEHICLE AND PEDESTRIAN UES," filed February 19, 2021, which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Technical Field]

[0002] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for ranging or positioning user equipment in a distributed wireless communication system. [Background technology]

[0003]

[0003] Obtaining precise location information for user equipment, such as cellular telephones or other wireless communication devices, is becoming commonplace in the communications industry. For example, obtaining highly accurate locations of vehicles or pedestrians is essential for autonomous vehicle driving and pedestrian safety applications.

[0004]

[0004] A common means for determining the location of a device is to use a satellite positioning system (SPS), such as the well-known Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), which employs several satellites in orbit around the Earth. However, in some scenarios, location determination signals from an SPS may be unreliable or unavailable, for example, during adverse weather conditions or in areas with poor satellite signal reception, such as tunnels or parking complexes. Furthermore, position information generated using an SPS is prone to inaccuracies. For example, off-the-shelf GPS positioning devices have an accuracy of a few meters, which is not optimal for ensuring safe autonomous driving and navigation.

[0005] Coordinated or automated driving requires communication between vehicles, which can be direct or indirect, for example, via infrastructure components such as roadside units (RSUs). For vehicle safety applications, both positioning and ranging are important. For example, vehicular user equipment (UE) can perform positioning and ranging using sidelink signaling, e.g., broadcasting ranging signals for other vehicular or pedestrian UEs to determine the relative location of transmitters. Accurate and timely knowledge of the relative location or range to nearby vehicles enables automated vehicles to safely operate and negotiate traffic conditions. For example, round-trip time (RTT) is a commonly used technique for determining the range between transmitters. RTT is a two-way messaging technique in which the time between sending a ranging signal from a first device (minus processing delays) and receiving an acknowledgment (e.g., in the form of a return ranging signal) from a second device corresponds to the distance (range) between the two devices.

[0006]

[0006] Ranging sessions in a distributed system, i.e., without infrastructure support for coordinating messaging, can result in multiple simultaneous ranging sessions that may include overlapping sets of participating UEs. For example, multiple initiator UEs may start separate ranging sessions with the same responder UE, which may result in message or signaling collisions in the ranging sessions. Thus, when multiple ranging sessions can occur simultaneously in a distributed system, lack of control or optimization of the ranging sessions can inhibit the participation of responder UEs and impair ranging and positioning of the UEs. Summary of the Invention

[0007]

[0007] Responder user equipment (UE) involved in separate ranging sessions may determine whether there is a collision between ranging signals assigned to broadcast during these separate ranging sessions. For example, a ranging signal collision may be detected when the ranging signals have the same frequency and broadcast time, e.g., when the broadcast time of one ranging signal is within a predetermined amount of time of the other ranging signal. When a ranging signal collision is detected, the responder UE sends a message indicating a possible collision to the initiator UE. The responder UE may further determine an available time for broadcasting the ranging signals and provide the available time to the initiator UE, or the initiator UE may determine the available time. The initiator UE may reestablish and start a new ranging session based on the available time for broadcasting the ranging signals, or may proceed with a ranging session in which the responder UE may not participate.

[0008] In one implementation, a method for ranging between UEs performed by a responder user equipment (UE) includes receiving a first pre-ranging request message from a first initiator UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; and receiving a second pre-ranging request message from a second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session. The pre-ranging request message includes a second ranging signal resource including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session; determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal based on the first ranging signal resource and the second ranging resource; sending a first pre-ranging response message to the first initiator UE acknowledging the first pre-ranging request message; and sending a second pre-ranging response message to the second initiator UE indicating a collision with the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal.

[0009]

[0009] In one implementation, a responder UE configured for ranging between user equipment includes a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with an entity in a wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the wireless transceiver and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor receives a first pre-ranging request message from a first initiator UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; The method is configured to: receive a second pre-ranging request message from a second initiator UE to initiate a ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a second ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session; determine a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal based on the first ranging signal resource and the second ranging resource; send a first pre-ranging response message to the first initiator UE acknowledging the first pre-ranging request message; and send a second pre-ranging response message to the second initiator UE indicating a collision with the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal.

[0010]

[0010] In one implementation, a responder UE configured for ranging between user equipments includes means for receiving a first pre-ranging request message from a first initiator UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; and means for receiving a second pre-ranging request message from a second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the second pre-ranging request The message includes a second ranging signal resource including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session; means for determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal based on the first ranging signal resource and the second ranging resource; means for sending a first pre-ranging response message to the first initiator UE acknowledging the first pre-ranging request message; and means for sending a second pre-ranging response message to the second initiator UE indicating a collision with the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal.

[0011]

[0011] In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium including stored program code is operable to configure at least one processor in a responder UE for ranging between user equipment, the program code including: receiving a first pre-ranging request message from a first initiator UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising first ranging signal resources including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; and receiving a second pre-ranging request message from a second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session. the second pre-ranging request message from the initiator UE, the second pre-ranging request message comprising second ranging signal resources including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast the second ranging signal during the second ranging session; determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal based on the first ranging signal resources and the second ranging resource; sending a first pre-ranging response message to the first initiator UE acknowledging the first pre-ranging request message; and sending a second pre-ranging response message to the second initiator UE indicating a collision with the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal.

[0012]

[0012] In one implementation, a method of ranging between UEs performed by an initiator user equipment (UE) includes sending a first pre-ranging request message to a responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session, and receiving a first pre-ranging response message from the responder UE indicating a collision between the first ranging signal resource for the first ranging signal and a second ranging signal resource for a second ranging signal to a second initiator UE.

[0013]

[0013] In one implementation, an initiator UE configured for ranging between user equipments (UEs) includes a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with an entity in a wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the wireless transceiver and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: send a first pre-ranging request message to a responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; and receive a first pre-ranging response message from the responder UE indicating a collision between the first ranging signal resource for the first ranging signal and a second ranging signal resource for a second ranging signal to a second initiator UE.

[0014]

[0014] In one implementation, an initiator UE configured for ranging between user equipments (UEs) includes: means for sending a first pre-ranging request message to a responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; and means for receiving a first pre-ranging response message from the responder UE indicating a collision between the first ranging signal resource for the first ranging signal and a second ranging signal resource for a second ranging signal to a second initiator UE.

[0015]

[0015] In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium including stored program code, the program code operable to configure at least one processor in an initiator UE for ranging between user equipments (UEs), the program code comprising instructions for: sending a first pre-ranging request message to a responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising first ranging signal resources including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; and receiving a first pre-ranging response message from the responder UE indicating a collision between the first ranging signal resource for the first ranging signal and a second ranging signal resource for a second ranging signal to a second initiator UE.

[0016]

[0016] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive aspects are described with reference to the following figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1]

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system showing distributed communications, including ranging signaling to support multiple ranging sessions and / or positioning. [Figure 2]

[0018] 1 is a signaling diagram illustrating the timing and frequency of various messages that may be sent and received by an initiating UE and three responder UEs for a ranging or positioning session. [Figure 3]

[0019] Schematic showing two separate sets of ranging sessions with colliding PRS signals to be broadcast by responders. [Figure 4]

[0020] Schematic showing collision resolution between PRS broadcast time and available broadcast time. [Figure 5]

[0021] Signaling flow for separate ranging sessions with conflicting PRS broadcast times, where the ranging session is rescheduled. [Figure 6]

[0022] Signaling flow for separate ranging sessions with conflicting PRS broadcast times without rescheduling the ranging session. [Figure 7]

[0023] 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating some example features of a UE. [Figure 8]

[0024] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for ranging between UEs implemented by a responder UE. [Figure 9]

[0025] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for ranging between UEs implemented by an initiator UE. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018]

[0026] A distributed approach can be used for ranging and positioning of vehicles, roadside units (RSUs), and pedestrians, avoiding the need for a centralized base station to coordinate and relay communications. Such communications can be used, for example, for autonomous driving and vehicle safety applications. Communications used in a distributed approach can be, for example, directly between vehicles or between vehicles and RSUs or pedestrians. These communications can include messages and information elements (IEs) that vehicles can use to provide information needed for autonomous driving.

[0019]

[0027] For example, for safe operation of an autonomous vehicle, the relative location or range to other vehicles needs to be determined. Various techniques may be used to derive the relative position between vehicles. For example, the relative position of vehicles may be derived using ranging signaling. Ranging signals may be referred to as physical ranging signals, positioning ranging signals, positioning reference signals, or physical reference signals, and may be collectively referred to as PRS signals herein. PRS signals may be broadcast, for example, by a user equipment (UE) in a vehicle, sometimes referred to as a V-UE, and received by other V-UEs and / or infrastructure, e.g., an RSU, or a UE carried by a pedestrian, using direct communication systems such as dedicated short-range communications (DSRC), cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) communications, or even 5G new radio (NR) communications. PRS signals may be used to determine the range to the broadcasting vehicle using, for example, one-way ranging, round-trip time (RTT) positioning operations, or other standard positioning operations such as time of arrival (TOA), time difference of arrival (TDOA), or observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA).

[0020]

[0028] In a distributed system, individual UEs can range with respect to other nearby UEs using messages and positioning signals transmitted directly to the other UEs. In an RTT-based ranging session, for example, multiple messages and signals are transmitted and received by each UE. For example, an initial set of pre-ranging signaling messages (pre-PRS messages) to request and accept a ranging session is transmitted and received, followed by broadcasting ranging signals (PRS signals) for measurements, followed by a set of post-ranging signaling messages (post-PRS messages) that exchange measurement payloads. In RTT-based ranging and positioning, for example, measurements of the time of arrival (TOA) and time of departure (TOD) of the transmitted and received PRS signals are provided in the post-PRS messages and can be used by each pair of UEs to determine the range between the UEs. The pre-PRS and post-PRS messages may be sent over licensed spectrum to ensure reliability, while the PRS signals may be broadcast over unlicensed spectrum (e.g., to take advantage of the greater available bandwidth in the UNI-III spectrum).

[0021]

[0029] Although the distributed mechanism ensures minimal overhead, multiple nearby UEs may initiate separate ranging sessions independently of each other. Thus, multiple uncoordinated ranging sessions may be autonomously initiated by separate UEs. For example, without overhead communication to control the ranging sessions, multiple UEs may separately broadcast their own pre-PRS signals to the same set of responder UEs, resulting in simultaneous, independent ranging sessions involving the same responder UEs. For example, multiple V-UEs may initiate separate ranging sessions with the same set of RSUs. Moreover, a UE carried by a nearby pedestrian may similarly initiate a ranging session with the same set of RSUs. Thus, multiple separate ranging sessions may be initiated simultaneously with one or more of the same responder UEs. As an example, separate ranging sessions may be initiated by an initiator UE, for example, because the initiator UEs are out of coverage of each other and therefore do not include other initiator UEs in the ranging session and / or receive a start-PRS-pre message from other initiator UEs. A separate ranging session may be initiated by a separate initiator UE for other reasons, such as to limit the responder UEs to UEs that know their location and can be used for positioning of the initiator UE (e.g., anchor UEs).

[0022]

[0030] Responder UEs involved in multiple simultaneous ranging sessions may have conflicting messages or signals in the separate ranging sessions. For example, a responder UE may receive pre-PRS messages from multiple initiator UEs requesting that PRS signals be broadcast by the responder UEs on the same channel, e.g., CH171, at approximately the same time, resulting in colliding PRS signals. The responder UE may not be able to use the same channel to broadcast PRS to both initiator UEs if the times for broadcasting PRS signals during each ranging session are close.

[0023]

[0031] Thus, in one implementation, a responder UE receiving multiple pre-ranging request messages including times and frequencies for broadcasting ranging signals as discussed herein may determine whether a collision exists between the ranging sessions in separate ranging sessions. A collision may be detected when the times for broadcasting ranging signals are within a predetermined amount of time of each other and the same frequency should be used to broadcast the ranging signals. The responder UE may send an indication to at least one of the initiator UEs that there is a ranging signal collision. For example, the responder UE may send an acknowledgment for the first initiator UE and an indication of the collision to the other initiator UEs. In some implementations, the responder UE may determine an available time for broadcasting additional ranging signals and provide this available time along with an indication of the collision. In some implementations, an initiator UE receiving an indication of the collision may continue with the ranging session, and the responder UE may broadcast a ranging signal if possible, i.e., if no collision occurs. In another implementation, an initiator UE receiving an indication of a collision may send another pre-ranging request at a different time for the responder UE to broadcast a ranging signal. Thus, multiple ranging sessions may proceed with a reduced likelihood of collision of signal transmissions by overlapping responder UEs, thereby increasing the probability of successful ranging and positioning of the UE.

[0024]

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system 100 illustrating distributed communications, including ranging signaling to support multiple ranging sessions and / or positioning, as described herein. The wireless communication system 100 illustrates a first vehicle 102, e.g., V-UE 102, having a first wireless device in wireless communication with another V-UE 104, depicted as a second vehicle. The V-UE 102 and V-UE 104 may comprise, but are not limited to, an on-board unit (OBU), a vehicle or subsystem thereof, or various other communication devices. The V-UEs 102 and 104 function and provide communications on behalf of their associated vehicles and, therefore, may sometimes be referred to herein simply as vehicles 102 and 104 or UEs 102 and 104. The first UE 102 and second UE 104 may be, for example, two vehicles traveling on a road with other vehicles not shown.

[0025]

[0033] The wireless communication system 100 may use, for example, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication standard in which information is passed between vehicles and other entities within a wireless communication network. V2X services include, for example, services for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), and vehicle-to-network (V2N). The V2X standard aims to develop autonomous or semi-autonomous driving systems, such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which can be used to assist drivers with critical decisions such as lane changes, speed changes, passing speeds, and, as discussed herein, assist with parking. Low-latency communications are used in V2X and are therefore suitable for precise relative positioning using ranging signals, such as one-way ranging, RTT, and TDOA.

[0026]

[0034] Generally, there are two modes of operation for V2X services as defined in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®) TS 23.285. One mode of operation uses direct wireless communication between V2X entities, which is sometimes referred to as sidelink communication. The other mode of operation uses network-based wireless communication between the entities. The two modes of operation may be combined, or other modes of operation may be used, if desired.

[0027]

[0035] The wireless communication system 100 may operate using direct or indirect wireless communication between the UE 102 and the UE 104. For example, the wireless communication may be via the Proximity-Based Services (ProSe) Directional Communication (PC5) reference point, e.g., as defined in 3GPP TS23.303, and may use wireless communication under IEEE 1609, Wireless Access in Vehicle Environments (WAVE), Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), and IEEE 802.11p on the 5.9 GHz ITS band, or other wireless connections directly between entities. Thus, as shown, the UE 102 and the UE 104 may communicate directly using a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication link 103. The UE 102 and the UE 104 may also communicate directly with a roadside unit (RSU) 110 via vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication links 107 and 109, respectively. The RSU 110 may include a backhaul connection to the network, as indicated by wired connection 111, but may also communicate via a wireless Uu interface to a base station. The RSU 110 may be, for example, a fixed infrastructure entity that may support V2X applications and exchange messages with other entities that support V2X applications. The RSU may be a logical entity that may combine V2X application logic with the functionality of a base station in a RAN, such as an eNB, ng-eNB, or eLTE (referred to as an eNB-type RSU) or gNB, or a UE (referred to as a UE-type RSU). The RSU 110 may be used for ranging with the UE 102, 104, or other UEs, and because the location of the RSU 110 may be precisely known, the RSU 110 may be used as an anchor UE from which the location of the UE 102, 104, or other UEs may be determined. The RSU 110 may sometimes be referred to herein as the UE 110. The UEs 102, 104 and the UE 110 may use direct communication links to communicate with additional entities, such as additional vehicles, RSUs, or with a UE 112 carried by a pedestrian 114.For example, UE 102 may communicate with UE 112 via V2V communication link 113, UE 104 may communicate with UE 112 via V2V communication link 115, and UE 110 may communicate with UE 112 via V2I communication link 117.

[0028]

[0036] During direct communication with one or more entities in the V2X wireless communication system 100, each entity may provide V2X information, such as an identifier for the V2X entity, as well as other information in messages such as Common Awareness Messages (CAMs) and Decentralized Notification Messages (DENMs) or Basic Safety Messages (BSMs), which may be used, for example, for ADAS or safety use cases.

[0029]

[0037] In other implementations, the UE 102 and the UE 104 may communicate with each other indirectly, e.g., through the RSU 110 via V2I communication links 107 and 109, respectively, or through other network infrastructure (not shown), e.g., using cellular vehicle-to-anything (CV2X). For example, the vehicles may communicate through base stations in a Radio Access Network (RAN), such as an evolved Node B (eNB) or next-generation evolved Node B (ng-eNB) in LTE wireless access and / or evolved LTE (eLTE) wireless access, or an NR Node B (gNB) in fifth-generation (5G) wireless access.

[0030]

[0038] The UEs 102 and 104 may initiate and conduct a ranging / positioning session, including sending a pre-PRS message, broadcasting a PRS, and sending a post-PRS message over links 103, 107, 109, 113, or 115, by which the range or relative position between the UEs 102 and 104 may be determined. The PRS broadcast by the UEs 102 and 104 may be a signal suitable for ranging, for example, as defined for DSRC or C-V2X. The PRS may be broadcast over a licensed or unlicensed spectrum. For example, in some implementations, the PRS may be broadcast over one or more Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (UNII) radio bands, including, for example, one or more of the UNII-1 radio band, the UNII-2A radio band, the UNII-2B radio band, or the UNII-3 radio band. When broadcasting over an unlicensed spectrum, a listen-before-transmit (LBT) protocol may be employed.

[0031]

[0039] If UEs 102 and 104 broadcast a PRS in V2V link 103, the range or relative position between UE 102 and UE 104 can be determined directly. If UEs 102 and 104 broadcast a PRS in V2I links 107 and 109 or via links 113 and 115, the range or relative position between UE 102 and UE 110 or UE 112, and between UE 104 and UE 110 or UE 112, can be determined directly.

[0032]

[0040] Direct wireless communication between the UEs 102, 104, 110, and 112 does not require any network infrastructure and allows for low-latency communication, which is advantageous for precise ranging or positioning. Thus, such direct wireless communication may be desirable for ranging over short distances, for example, with nearby vehicles or infrastructure.

[0033]

[0041] A UE, for example, any of V-UE 102, V-UE 104, RSU 110, and UE 112 shown in FIG. 1, may be configured to perform ranging and / or positioning operations, such as RTT-based ranging.

[0034]

[0042] 2 shows, by way of example, a signaling diagram 200 illustrating the timing and frequency of various messages that may be sent and received by an initiator UE (UEX) and three responder UEs (UEA, UEB, and UEC) for a ranging or positioning session. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a capability message 201 and an RTT-based ranging session 202 during which several messages are sent between the initiator and responder UEs, including a pre-PRS message 204 for requesting and accepting a ranging session, a PRS signal 206 for measurements, and a post-PRS message 208 for exchanging measurement payloads. Each set of pre-PRS 204, PRS 206, and post-PRS 208 may be considered a single unit or PRS cycle. Each PRS cycle includes a pre-PRS message 204, a PRS signal 206, and a post-PRS message 208 and may therefore be referred to herein as a ranging session 202. The ranging session (PRS cycle) may be periodic with a period T_r, and the capability messages may be periodic with a period T_c, where T_r_>T_c. In Figure 2, signaling from the initiator UEX is shown by a white box labeled "X," signaling from the first responder UEA is shown by a gray box labeled "A," signaling from the second responder UEB is shown by a shaded box labeled "B," and signaling from the third responder UEC is shown by a black box labeled "C." Signaling from the initiator UEX is the first box in each of the pre-PRS message 204, PRS signal 206, and post-PRS message 208, followed by the responder UEs (UEA, UEB, and UEC).

[0035]

[0043] As shown, UEs, including initiator UEs and responder UEs, may broadcast capability messages 201. The capability messages may include information that is not part of the ranging session but that can be used by the initiator UE to start a ranging session with a selected UE. For example, the capability messages may be on the ITS spectrum and may include the UE ID, the ranging capabilities of the UE, the channels the UE is configured to use, MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) capabilities, etc. The capability messages may further indicate whether the UE needs to determine its location or whether its location is known, and whether it can act as an anchor UE for positioning other UEs. While FIG. 2 illustrates capability messages 201 as having the same order as messages in ranging session 202, it should be understood that this order may actually be different.

[0036]

[0044] A pre-PRS message 204 (e.g., a pre-ranging message) is used by a UE to request and acknowledge a ranging session. As shown, the pre-PRS message 204 may be transmitted over a licensed spectrum to ensure reliability. The pre-PRS message 204 may be broadcast or unicast, for example, using a radio resource control (RRC) connection. The initiator UE broadcasts an initial pre-PRS message 204 (PrePRSRequest) to start a ranging session between the initiator UE and a responder UE and to provide information for the ranging session (depicted by the white box labeled X). For example, the pre-PRS message 204 from the initiator UE may include the IDs of the participating UEs, i.e., initiator and responder IDs. The pre-PRS request message may include a ranging session ID, the channels of the PRS broadcast by the initiator UE and the responder UE, the PRS broadcast time, a maximum listen-before-transmit (LBT) time, etc. For example, the pre-PRS request message from the initiator UE TX may include a PRS ID to be used by the initiator UE and, in some implementations, a PRS ID to be used by the responder UE. If the PRS ID is fixed across multiple PRS exchanges (e.g., for multiple units during the ranging session 202), the initiator UE may include an ID associated with the current PRS exchange, e.g., a session ID. The initiator UE may determine when the PRS signal 206 is transmitted, which may be configured by higher layers at the initiator UE, for example. The initiator UE may indicate the timing of the PRS by sending a time slot number near the desired PRS transmission time. In some implementations, the time slot may be subject to local clock error. The initiator UE may further provide the timing of the PRS to be sent by the responder UE, as well as a maximum LBT time or other maximum predetermined delay for broadcasting the PRS.The initiator UE may further indicate the frequencies to be used to broadcast the PRS signals 206 by the initiator UE and the responder UE. For example, the PRS frequencies may be selected from an available set of total bandwidth, or the PRS frequencies may be selected by sensing interference and selecting one or more channels whose average interference reference signal received power (RSRP) is less than a threshold. The initiator UE may indicate the number of PRS cycles it will perform during the ranging session 202. The number of PRS cycles may be configured by higher layers. For example, the PRS pre-message for each PRS cycle may indicate the current PRS cycle relative to the total PRS cycles requested, where the current cycle number increments after the completion of each cycle.

[0037]

[0045] The initial PRS pre-request message from the initiator UE is received and decoded by the responder UE identified in the initial PRS pre-message. In response, the responder UE may send a PRS pre-message 204 (shown by the gray, shaded, and black boxes labeled A, B, and C, respectively) that may acknowledge the PRS pre-request message, which may further provide information for the ranging session. Each responder UE may indicate the PRS ID it uses or indicate that it will use the PRS ID indicated in the initial PRS pre-message. If the PRS ID is fixed across multiple PRS exchanges (e.g., multiple PRS cycles during the ranging session 202), the responder UE may include an ID, e.g., a session ID, associated with the current PRS exchange received from the initiator UE in the initial PRS pre-message. The responder UE may broadcast the PRS pre-message 204, which may be received by the initiator UE (and other responder UEs). In some implementations, each responder UE may send the PRS pre-message 204 using unicast over an RRC connection to the initiator UE.

[0038]

[0046] PRS signals 206 are exchanged by participating UEs. The initiator UE and responder UE know the expected timing and frequency of the PRS signals and know the PRS ID (and any session ID used with the exchanged one) used to broadcast the PRS signals 206. The PRS signals 206 may be, for example, a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulated pseudo-noise (PN) sequence and may include a ranging session ID. The PRS signals 206 may be broadcast on an unlicensed spectrum that may be subject to LBT restrictions. In some implementations, when using an unlicensed spectrum, the initiator UE X may reserve transmissions for the responder UEs U E A, U E B, and U E C so that the responder UEs may not need to perform LBT. For example, the initiator UE X broadcasts its PRS signal 206 (white box marked with an X) at the determined time indicated in the initial pre-PRS message 204. In some implementations, the initiator UE broadcasts its PRS signal at the determined time plus a random latency according to the LBT constraint when the PRS signal is deployed in the unlicensed spectrum. In some implementations, the LBT can be Category 2 LBT with fixed-window clear channel assessment (CCA) or Category 4 LBT with floating-window CCA. The initiator UE uses the PRS signal corresponding to the PRS ID and uses the frequency resources indicated in its initial PRS pre-message 204. The initiator UE stores the time instance when the PRS signal is broadcast, and the responder UE stores the time instance when the PRS signal is received. In some implementations, the time instance can be subject to local clock error.

[0039]

[0047] Similar to the initiator UE, each responder UE broadcasts its PRS signal 206 at the time and frequency (shown by the gray, shaded, and black boxes labeled A, B, and C, respectively) assigned by the initiator UE in the initial PRS pre-message 204. In some implementations, each responder UE may broadcast its PRS signal at a determined time plus a random latency due to the LBT constraint when the PRS signal is deployed in the unlicensed spectrum. In some implementations, the LBT may be a Category 2 LBT with a fixed-window CCA or a Category 4 LBT with a floating-window CCA. Each responder UE uses the PRS signal corresponding to the PRS ID indicated in its PRS pre-message 204. Each responder UE stores the time instance when its PRS signal was broadcast, and the initiator UE (and possibly other responder UEs) store the time instance when the PRS signal from each responder UE was received. In some implementations, the time instance may be subject to local clock error.

[0040]

[0048] In this way, each UE records the time of departure (ToD) of its broadcasted PRS signal and measures the time of arrival (ToA) of received PRS signals from other UEs. The PRS signal may be any signal suitable for ranging defined for DSRC or C-V2X, such as a QPSK-modulated PN sequence. The ToA and ToD resolution of the PRS signal increases with increasing frequency bandwidth. In some implementations, the angle of departure (AoD) and angle of arrival (AoA) of the broadcasted and received PRS signals may also be measured. Broadcasting over unlicensed spectrum is advantageous because wider frequency bands are available. For example, in some implementations, the PRS may be broadcast over one or more UNII radio bands, including, for example, one or more of the UNII-1 radio band, the UNII-2A radio band, the UNII-2B radio band, or the UNII-3 radio band.

[0041]

[0049] The post-PRS message 208 is sent by each UE to exchange measurement payloads. As shown, the post-PRS message 208 may be transmitted over a licensed spectrum to ensure reliability. In some implementations, the post-PRS message 208 may be broadcast or unicast using an RRC connection. The initiator UE X sends its post-PRS message 208 (shown as a white box marked with an X) to indicate when it broadcast the PRS signal 206 (ToD) and when the PRS signal from the responder UE was received (ToA). In some implementations, the ToA may be calculated as a relative time to the ToD of its broadcasted PRS signal, and a relative time may be provided. In some implementations, the relative time may be approximated to the nearest multiple of the time scale shared by the initiator UE and the responder UE. In some implementations, the initiator UE may provide an indication of its location in the post-PRS message 208, if known. For example, the location of the initiator UE may be a location at a particular time, such as the broadcast time of its PRS signal or the arrival time of the PRS signal from the responder UE. The post-PRS message 208 may further include the AoD of its PRS signal 206 and the AoA of the PRS signal 206 received from the responder UE, the orientation of the initiator UE, a broadcast indicator of the PRS signal 206, a reception indicator of the PRS from the responder UE, and other relevant measurements including, for example, map information, the location of reflectors relative to the UE, etc.

[0042]

[0050] Similar to the initiator UE, each responder UE sends its post-PRS signal 208 (shown as gray, shaded, and black boxes labeled A, B, and C, respectively) to provide a measurement payload. Each responder UE may indicate whether it received a PRS signal from the initiator UE and may indicate when it broadcast the PRS signal 206 (ToD) and when the PRS signal from the initial UE (and possibly from other responder UEs) was received (ToA). In some implementations, the ToD may be calculated as a relative time to the ToA of the PRS signal from the initiator UE (and possibly to the ToA of the PRS from other responder UEs). In some implementations, the relative time may be approximated to the nearest multiple of the time scale shared by the initiator and responder UEs. In some implementations, the responder UE may provide an indication of its location in the post-PRS message 208, if known. For example, the provided location of the responder UE may be a location at a particular time, such as the time of arrival of a PRS signal from the initiator UE or the time of departure of its broadcast PRS signal. The post-PRS message 208 may further include the AoD of its PRS signal 206 and the AoA of the PRS signal 206 received from the initiator UE (and possibly received from other responder UEs), the orientation of the initiator UE, a broadcast indicator of the PRS signal 206, a reception indicator of the PRS from the responder UE, and other relevant measurements including, for example, map information, the location of reflectors relative to the UE, etc.

[0043]

[0051] After receiving the post-PRS message, the initiator UE may calculate its range (and in some implementations its location), for example, using a Kalman filter, and then transmit the next cycle of pre-PRS messages at a time indicated by higher layers or determined autonomously by the initiator UE.

[0044]

[0052] The time between the first pre-PRS message 204 and the last post-PRS message 208 may be the duration of the ranging session, e.g., 100 milliseconds. The duration of each broadcasted PRS signal 206 may be, e.g., 47 microseconds. In some implementations, multiple PRS cycles, e.g., multiple instances of pre-PRS message 204, PRS 206, and post-PRS message 208, may be used together to provide greater accuracy.

[0045]

[0053] Both the initiator UE and the responder UE may determine the range between themselves and each other UE during a ranging session based on the ToD and ToA of the broadcasted PRS signals. For example, the RTT between any pair of UEs (which could be any pair of initiator and responder UEs) can be calculated as follows: PRS = i = 1 for the PRS broadcast from the first UE and i = 2 for the PRS broadcast by the second UE i Signal ToD i and ToA i Based on this, the difference between ToD1 and ToA2 can be determined as the difference between ToA1 and ToD2.

[0046]

number

[0047]

[0054] The RTT value is the round trip time of a signal, so the range (distance) between UE1 and UE2 can be determined as RTT / 2c, where c is the speed of light.

[0048]

[0055] If the location of one or more responder UEs is known, the range between the initiator UE and the responder UE may be used along with the known location of one of the responder UEs to determine the location of the other UE, and thus the ranging session may be a positioning session. A responder UE with a known location that may be used for positioning may sometimes be referred to herein as an anchor UE. The location of the anchor UE may be provided to other UEs through messaging, for example, in a pre-PRS message or a post-PRS message. If the range to multiple anchor UEs is determined, the locations of the multiple anchor UEs may be used in multilateration to determine the location of the initiator UE (or other responder UEs).

[0049]

[0056] Angle measurements, e.g., AoD and AoA, can be used, for example, to assist in positioning. As an example, the relative positions of two UEs can be determined based on the range between the two UEs and the measured AoA. Once the relative positions of the UEs are determined, if the actual position of one of the UEs is known (e.g., which may be provided in the pre-PRS message 204 or post-PRS message 208), the actual position of the other UE can be determined. If the positions of the two UEs are known by a third UE, the range between the third UE and each of the other two UEs will result in two possible positions for the third UE, which can be resolved based on AoD / AoA information. AoD can be useful, for example, when the resolution of the AoA is insufficient or incorrect. AoD can be measured, for example, based on the known orientation of the UE (e.g., determined by a magnetometer) and the direction of the transmitted signal relative to the UE (e.g., relative to the UE's antenna array used for beamforming). (The AoA may be measured based on the phase difference of received signals at different antenna elements of an antenna array and the known orientation of the UE, e.g., determined by a magnetometer.) Additionally, geographic constraints may be used to assist positioning, e.g., by constraining the possible positions of the vehicle based on locations accessible to the vehicle, such as roads.

[0050]

[0057] As discussed above, the distributed ranging mechanism allows multiple UEs to initiate independent ranging sessions involving at least some of the same responder UEs at approximately the same time. For example, two initiating UEs may separately broadcast their own pre-PRS signals to the same set of responder UEs, resulting in two independent ranging sessions involving the same responder UEs and occurring simultaneously. As an example, initiator UEX may send a pre-ranging request message to responder UEA using ranging session ID 182 and PRS channel 171, and a second initiator UEY may send a separate pre-ranging request message to the same responder UE using ranging session ID 183 and PRS channel 171. Responder UEA is thus included in both ranging session ID 182 and ranging session ID 183, but if the PRS broadcast times are close, it may not be possible to use channel 171 to broadcast PRS in both ranging sessions for initiator UEX and initiator UEY.

[0051]

[0058] 3 shows, by way of example, a diagram illustrating two separate sets of ranging sessions 302 and 312 in which PRS signals 306 and 316 of responder UE A may collide. The first ranging session 302, including pre-PRS messages 304, PRS signaling 306, and post-PRS messages 308, is between a first initiator UE X and responder UE A. Signaling from initiator UE X is shown in white boxes labeled "X," and signaling from responder UE A is shown in gray boxes labeled "A." It should be understood that ranging sessions 302 and 312 may involve multiple responder UEs, but only responder UE A is shown. A second ranging session 312 is between a second initiator UEY and the same responder UEA, including a second pre-PRS message 314, a second PRS signaling 316, and a second post-PRS message 318. Signaling from initiator UEY during ranging session 312 is shown in dark gray boxes labeled "Y," and signaling from responder UEA is shown in light gray boxes labeled "A."

[0052]

[0059] The first initiator UEX may send a PRS pre-message 304 to the responder UEA, which may include, among other things, a ranging session ID, a channel for the PRS to be broadcast by the responder UEA, a time for the PRS to be broadcast by the responder UEA, and a maximum LBT or other delay time allowed for the broadcasted PRS, as discussed above. The second initiator UEY may send a second PRS pre-message 314 to the responder UEA shortly after the PRS pre-message 304 sent by the first initiator UEX. The second PRS pre-message 314, like the first PRS pre-message 304, may include, among other things, a ranging session ID, a channel for the PRS to be broadcast by the responder UEA, a time for the PRS to be broadcast by the responder UEA, and a maximum LBT or other delay time allowed for the broadcasted PRS. The second PRS pre-message 314 may include the same channel and time for the PRS broadcast by the responder UEA as provided in the first PRS pre-message 304, as shown by the line 320 between the PRS signal 306 from the responder UEA (with a light gray box labeled A) during the first ranging session 302 and the PRS signal 316 from the responder UEA (with a light gray box labeled A) during the second ranging session 312.

[0053]

[0060] 3, the broadcast time of the responder UEA for the first PRS signal 306 during the first ranging session 302 and the second PRS signal 316 during the second ranging session 312 may be the same or nearly the same, as shown by line 320. The responder UEA cannot simultaneously broadcast separate PRS signals for both ranging sessions 302 and 312, for example, because the ranging session IDs for these two ranging sessions are different, resulting in different PRS sequence IDs. Thus, because the first PRS 306 and the second PRS 316 are assigned the same frequency channel and the same broadcast time, the responder UEA will not be able to broadcast PRS signals at the times assigned for both ranging sessions.

[0054]

[0061] Thus, in one implementation, if the responder UEA determines that the PRSs assigned during multiple ranging sessions collide, the responder UEA may send a message indicating there is a collision (e.g., a PRS pre-response message 314 shown in a gray box labeled A) to the second initiator UEY. In some implementations, the responder UEY may further provide an indication of the available time for the PRS broadcast. The first initiator UEX will proceed with the first ranging session 302, and the second initiator UEY may proceed with the second ranging session 312, possibly without the responder UEY, or may reconstruct the second ranging session with a new broadcast time for the second PRS of the responder UEA and send a new PRS pre-request message with the new PRS broadcast time for the responder UEA to the responder UEY.

[0055]

[0062] 4 is a diagram 400 illustrating a determination by a responder UEA regarding a conflict in PRS broadcast time and available broadcast time. FIG. 4 illustrates, along a timeline, a first PRS broadcast time (Btime) (indicated by arrow 402) and an associated reserved LBT time 404 (or other predetermined delay time), along with a second PRS broadcast time (Btime) (indicated by arrow 406). In some instances, for example, the first PRS broadcast time 402 and the reserved LBT time 404 may be assigned by a first initiator UEX for a first PRS 306, e.g., in a PRS pre-request message 304 shown by a white box labeled X in FIG. 3, and the second PRS broadcast time 406 may be assigned by a second initiator UEY for a second PRS 316, e.g., in a PRS pre-request message 314 shown by a dark gray box labeled Y in FIG. 3. However, in some instances, the second initiator UEY may assign a broadcast time to the second PRS 316 that is before the broadcast time assigned to the first PRS 306, in which case the first PRS broadcast time 402 and reserved LBT time 404 shown in Figure 4 may correspond to the second PRS 316 shown in Figure 3, and the second PRS broadcast time 406 may correspond to the first PRS 306 shown in Figure 3. That said, for ease of reference, (unless otherwise specified) as discussed herein, the first PRS broadcast time 402 and reserved LBT time 404 in Figure 4 correspond to the first PRS 306 in Figure 3, and the second PRS broadcast time 406 in Figure 4 corresponds to the second PRS 316 in Figure 3.

[0056]

[0063] If the assigned frequencies of the PRS broadcasts for multiple ranging sessions are the same, the responder UEA may determine that the PRSs of the ranging sessions collide if the second PRS broadcast time 406 is within a predetermined amount of time from the first PRS broadcast time 402. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates, in block 408, a predetermined amount of time (sometimes referred to herein as a collision threshold) for determining a collision. For example, the collision threshold 408 may be the entire duration of the reserved LBT time 404 (or other predetermined delay time). Because the reserved LBT time is the maximum LBT time, the first PRS may be broadcast before the end of the reserved LBT time 404, and therefore the predetermined collision threshold 408 may be less than the reserved LBT time 404, if desired.

[0057]

[0064] 4, the second PRS broadcast time 406 falls within the collision threshold 408 from the first PRS broadcast time 402, and therefore, it is determined that the first PRS and the second PRS collide. Therefore, the responder UEA sends a message to the second initiator UEY indicating that the assigned PRS collides with another PRS. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the responder UEA may send a response PRS pre-message 314 (shown by the light gray box labeled A) to the second initiator UEY with a negative acknowledgement (NACK) message to indicate that the assigned PRS collides with a PRS in another ranging session, but may send a response PRS pre-message 304 to the first initiator UEX acknowledging the ranging session.

[0058]

[0065] Furthermore, the responder UEA may further determine a time that is available for broadcasting the second PRS and may provide an indication of the available time of the second PRS to the second initiator UEY. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the responder UEA has an available time for the second PRS before the first broadcast time 402 (shown by block 410) and after the reserved LBT time 404 (shown by block 412). In some implementations, the time between the collision threshold 408 (shown by block 414, for example) and the end of the reserved LBT time 404 (if any) may be treated by the responder UEA as the available time of the second PRS, although the LBT for the first PRS may extend beyond the collision threshold 408. The responder UEA may provide the available time for broadcasting the second PRS to the second initiator UEY. For example, the responder UEA may define the available time based on the initial time of blocks 410 and 412 and their duration by the start and end times of blocks 410 and 412, or may provide a first broadcast time 402 and possibly a reserved LBT time 404 (or a predetermined collision threshold 408), from which the initiator UEY can determine the available time for the broadcast of the PRS.

[0059]

[0066] In some implementations, the responder UEA may not provide an availability time initiator UEY, and the initiator UEY may determine the availability time of the PRS to be broadcast by the responder UEA based on the second PRS broadcast time 406.

[0060]

[0067] Various actions are possible by the initiator UE Y after receiving an indication of a PRS collision by the responder UE A. For example, in one implementation, the initiator UE Y may simply continue the second ranging session with the responder UE A and other responder UEs. If the responder UE A is able, it broadcasts the second PRS at the assigned second PRS broadcast time 406 (e.g., there is no actual collision with the first PRS broadcast time 402 because the first PRS is broadcast before the second PRS broadcast time 406). Furthermore, if the first PRS cannot be broadcast until after the second PRS broadcast time 406 but is broadcast before the reserved LBT time of the second PRS broadcast time, the responder UE A may still broadcast the second PRS. For example, if there are many responder UEs and the initiator UEY does not require the presence of a PRS signal from the responder UEA, it may be advantageous for the initiator UEY to proceed with the second ranging session even if the responder UEA may not broadcast its PRS.

[0061]

[0068] In another implementation, if the initiator UE Y receives a broadcast availability time from the responder UE A, the initiator UE Y may reconstruct the second ranging session to avoid PRS collisions, for example, by using a different second PRS broadcast time for the responder UE A that falls within the available broadcast time. For example, the initiator UE Y may send a new PRS pre-request message for the new second ranging session to all responder UEs. The new PRS pre-request message may include the same parameters as used in the original PRS pre-request message for the second ranging session, but may include a new ranging session ID and a different second PRS broadcast time for the responder UE A (e.g., the PRS broadcast times of other responder UEs may not be changed).

[0062]

[0069] In another implementation, the responder UEA may not send a broadcast availability time, and the initiator UEY may determine the availability time for the PRS broadcast by the responder UEA without assistance from the responder UEA. For example, when the initiator UEY receives a PRS collision indication from the responder UEA, the initiator UEY may estimate the availability time for the PRS broadcast by the responder UEA based on the initial second PRS broadcast time 406 and a buffer time 414 around the second PRS broadcast time 406. For example, the buffer time 414 may be a predetermined amount of time before and after the second PRS broadcast time 406 at which the initiator UEY may assume that the responder UEA is not able to broadcast the second PRS, and therefore, the initiator UEY may assume that time outside the buffer time 414 is the available broadcast time of the responder UEA. For example, the duration of the buffer time 414 may be based on the reserved LBT time and / or collision threshold after the second PRS broadcast time 406 and before the second PRS broadcast time 406. For example, the second initiator UEY may not know whether the assigned second PRS 316 (shown in FIG. 3) is after or before other colliding PRSs, and thus the buffer time both before and after the second PRS broadcast time 406 is used.

[0063]

[0070] Once the initiator UE Y determines the available broadcast time of the responder UE A, the initiator UE Y may reconstruct the second ranging session to avoid PRS collisions, for example, using a different second PRS broadcast time for the responder UE A that falls within the available broadcast time. For example, the initiator UE Y may send a new PRS pre-request message for the new second ranging session to all responder UEs. The new PRS pre-request message may include the same parameters as used in the original PRS pre-request message for the second ranging session, but may include a new ranging session ID and a different second PRS broadcast time for the responder UE A (e.g., the PRS broadcast times of the other responder UEs may not be changed).

[0064]

[0071] 5 shows an example of a signaling flow 500 for separate ranging sessions initiated by a first initiator UEX 502 and a second initiator UEY 504 and involving a responder UE A and conflicting PRS broadcast times, where the second initiator UEY 504 reschedules the second ranging session as discussed herein. The initiators UEX 502, UEY 504, and the responder UE A 506 may be one or more of the vehicular-based UEs (V-UEs) 102 and 104, the RSU 110, or the UE 112 described in FIG. 1. While FIG. 5 shows signaling for multiple ranging procedures involving only one responder UE, e.g., UEA 506, it should be understood that there may be additional responder UEs, which would involve additional communications similar to those shown in FIG. 5. As shown, communication between UEs 502, 504, and 506 in FIG. 5 may be direct communication between the entities and may not involve an infrastructure device, such as a base station, for forwarding messages between the entities.

[0065]

[0072] In phase 1A, a first initiator UEX 502 sends a PRS pre-message (pre-ranging message) to request a ranging session with a responder UEA 506. The PRS pre-message may be transmitted over a licensed spectrum. The PRS pre-message may indicate ranging signal properties to be used by the responder UEA 506 (as well as the initiator UEX and any other responder UEs) during the ranging session with the initiator UEX 502, such as a session ID, a frequency channel, a timing instance including a PRS broadcast time and a reserved LBT time (or other delay time), and a PRS resource including a PRS identifier (ID).

[0066]

[0073] In phase 1B, the second initiator UEY 504 sends a PRS-pre message to request a ranging session with the responder UEA 506. The PRS-pre message in phase 1B follows the PRS-pre message in phase 1A, and therefore, the ranging session initiated by the PRS-pre message in phase 1A may be referred to as the first ranging session, and the ranging session initiated by the PRS-pre message in phase 1B may be referred to as the second ranging session. Similar to phase 1A, the PRS-pre message sent in phase 1B may be transmitted over the licensed spectrum and may indicate ranging signal properties to be used in the ranging session by the responder UEA 506 (as well as the initiator UEY 504 and any other responder UEs) during the second ranging session with the initiator UEY 504, such as a session ID, a frequency channel, a timing instance including the PRS broadcast time and reserved LBT time (or other delay time), and PRS resources including a PRS identifier (ID).

[0067]

[0074] In Phase 2, the responder UEA 506 determines whether a collision exists between the first and second PRSs assigned in the first and second pre-PRS messages of Phase 1A and Phase 1B, respectively. For example, as discussed in FIG. 4, a collision may be determined when the PRS signals for both ranging sessions are assigned the same frequency channel and when the second PRS broadcast time is within a predetermined amount of time (e.g., a collision threshold) of the first PRS broadcast time. The duration of the collision threshold may be predetermined and, in some implementations, may be based on the approximate duration of the reserved LBT time (or other delay time). For example, the collision threshold may be a percentage (e.g., 100%, 80%, 60%, etc.) of the reserved LBT time associated with the first PRS broadcast. Other considerations and factors may be used to determine the duration of the collision threshold. In some implementations, the responder UEA 506 may further determine the available time for the PRS broadcast, as shown in FIG. 4. For example, the available time may be determined based on the time before the first PRS broadcast time and after the reserved LBT time or after the collision threshold time.

[0068]

[0075] In stage 3, the responder UEA 506 responds to the stage 1A pre-PRS request by sending a pre-PRS message (pre-ranging message) to the first initiator UEX 502, acknowledging the request and thereby indicating that the responder UEA 506 accepts the request for a ranging session from the initiator UEX 502. The stage 4A pre-PRS message may be transmitted over licensed spectrum.

[0069]

[0076] In stage 4, the responder UEA 506 sends a PRS pre-message (pre-ranging message) to the second initiator UEY 504 in response to the PRS pre-request of stage 1B. Due to a collision of the second PRS assigned in the second PRS pre-message of stage 1B with the first PRS assigned in the first PRS pre-message of stage 1A, the response PRS pre-message in stage 4 includes an indication of the PRS collision, for example, using a negative acknowledgement (NACK) message. In some implementations, the responder UEA 506 may include an indication of the available PRS broadcast time in the PRS pre-message in stage 4. For example, the indication of the available PRS broadcast time may be the start and end time of the available time, the start time and duration of the available time, the first PRS broadcast time, and possibly either the reserved LBT time or the collision threshold duration, etc. The PRS pre-message in stage 4 may be transmitted on a licensed spectrum.

[0070]

[0077] In stage 5, the initiator UEY 504 may determine the available PRS broadcast time of the responder UEA 506, for example, from the available PRS broadcast time provided in the PRS pre-message of stage 4, or if the responder UEA 506 does not include the available PRS broadcast time provided in the PRS pre-message of stage 4, the initiator UEY 504 may determine the available time alone. For example, as discussed in FIG. 4, the initiator UEY 504 may use buffer times before and after the assigned second PRS broadcast time to define a time during which a PRS collision of the responder UEA 506 may exist, and the time outside the buffer time may be determined to be the available PRS broadcast time of the responder UEA 506. The initiator UEY 504 may reconstruct the second ranging session based on the available PRS broadcast time of the responder UEA 506.

[0071]

[0078] In stage 6, the second initiator UEY 504 sends another PRS pre-message to request a second ranging session with the responder UEA 506. The stage 6 PRS pre-message may be similar to the stage 1B PRS pre-message (including the ranging signal properties to be used in the ranging session by the initiator UEY 504 and any other responder UEs), but may include a new session ID and reconfigured PRS resources for the responder UEA 506, including a frequency channel and a new timing instance, including a new PRS broadcast time and reserved LBT time (or other delay time), and a PRS identifier (ID).

[0072]

[0079] In step 7, the responder UEA 506 responds to the pre-PRS request of step 6 by sending a pre-PRS message (pre-ranging message) to the second initiator UEX 502 acknowledging the request and thereby indicating that the responder UEA 506 accepts the request for a ranging session from the second initiator UEY 504. The pre-PRS message of step 4A may be transmitted over licensed spectrum.

[0073]

[0080] In stage 8A, the first initiator UEX 502 broadcasts a PRS signal using the set of PRS resources identified in the pre-PRS message of stage 1A. The PRS signal may be broadcast on an unlicensed spectrum to use a wide frequency band. The first initiator UEX 502 records the ToD of the PRS signal, and in some implementations, records the AoD of the PRS signal, and the responder UEA 506 records the ToA of the PRS signal, and in some implementations, measures and records the AoA of the PRS signal.

[0074]

[0081] In step 8B, in response to receiving the PRS signal in step 8A, the responder UEA 506 broadcasts the PRS signal using the PRS resources (including the frequency channel, PRS broadcast time, and reserved LBT time) allocated in the pre-PRS message of step 1A. The PRS signal may be broadcast on an unlicensed spectrum to use a wide frequency band. The responder UEA 506 records the ToD of the PRS signal, and in some implementations, records the AoD of the PRS signal, and the first initiator UEX 502 records the ToA of the PRS signal, and in some implementations, measures and records the AoA of the PRS signal.

[0075]

[0082] In stage 9A, the second initiator UEY 504 broadcasts a PRS signal using the set of PRS resources identified in the pre-PRS message of stage 6. The PRS signal may be broadcast on an unlicensed spectrum to use a wide frequency band. The second initiator UEY 504 records the ToD of the PRS signal, and in some implementations, records the AoD of the PRS signal, and the responder UEA 506 records the ToA of the PRS signal, and in some implementations, measures and records the AoA of the PRS signal.

[0076]

[0083] In step 9B, in response to receiving the PRS signal in step 9A, the responder UEA 606 broadcasts the PRS signal using the PRS resources (including the frequency channel, the modified PRS broadcast time, and the reserved LBT time) allocated in the pre-PRS message of step 6. Because the PRS signal in step 9B is broadcast using the modified PRS broadcast time, there is no collision with the PRS broadcast in step 8B. The PRS signal in step 9B may be broadcast on an unlicensed spectrum to use a wide frequency band. The responder UEA 506 records the ToD of the PRS signal, and in some implementations, records the AoD of the PRS signal, and the second initiator UEY 504 records the ToA of the PRS signal, and in some implementations, measures and records the AoA of the PRS signal.

[0077]

[0084] In stage 10A, the first initiator UEX 502 sends a PRS post-message to the responder UEA 506 indicating the ToD, and in some implementations the AoD, of the PRS signal broadcast in stage 8A, and indicating the ToA, and in some implementations the AoA, of the PRS signal received in stage 8B. If the location of the first initiator UEX 502 is known, the PRS post-message may further include the current location of the first initiator UEX 502.

[0078]

[0085] In step 10B, the responder UEA 506 sends a PRS post-message to the first initiator UEX 502 indicating the ToA, and in some implementations the AoA, of the PRS signal received in step 8A, and indicating the ToD, and in some implementations the AoD, of the PRS signal broadcast in step 8B. If the location of the responder UEA 506 is known, the PRS post-message may further include the current location of the responder UEA 506.

[0079]

[0086] In step 11A, the second initiator UEY 504 sends a PRS post-message to the responder UEA 506 indicating the ToD, and in some implementations the AoD, of the PRS signal broadcast in step 9A, and indicating the ToA, and in some implementations the AoA, of the PRS signal received in step 9B. If the location of the second initiator UEY 504 is known, the PRS post-message may further include the current location of the second initiator UEY 504.

[0080]

[0087] In step 11B, the responder UEA 506 sends a PRS post-message to the second initiator UEY 504 indicating the ToA, and in some implementations the AoA, of the PRS signal received in step 9A and the ToD, and in some implementations the AoD, of the PRS signal broadcast in step 9B. If the location of the responder UEA 506 is known, the PRS post-message may further include the current location of the responder UEA 506.

[0081]

[0088] In step 12A, the first initiator UEX 502 may determine the range between UEX 502 and the responder UEA 506 based on the ToD and ToA of the PRS signals broadcast in steps 8A and 8B. For example, the range may be calculated as follows: PRS = i = 1 for the PRS broadcast by the initiator UEX 502 and i = 2 for the PRS broadcast by the responder UEA 506 i Signal ToD i and ToA i It can be determined based on:

[0082]

number

[0083]

[0089] If the location of responder UEA506 is known, for example provided in a post-PRS message in stage 10B, along with additional information such as the AoA or AoD of the PRS signal, or the location and range, or geographical information such as street location, for other responder UEs (not shown in FIG. 5), the location of initiator UEX502 can be determined, for example using multilateration and constraints according to the AoA or AoD of the PRS signal and the geographical information.

[0084]

[0090] In stage 12B, the second initiator UEY 504 may determine the range between UEY 504 and the responder UEA 506 based on the ToD and ToA of the PRS signals broadcast in stages 9A and 9B in a manner similar to that described in stage 12A. The location of the initiator UEY 504 may also be determined in a manner similar to that described in stage 12A.

[0085]

[0091] In stage 12C, responder UEA 506 may determine the range between UEA 506 and the first initiator UEX 502 and the range between UEA 506 and the second initiator UEY 504 based on the ToA and ToD of the PRS signals broadcast in stages 8A and 8B, and in stages 9A and 9B, respectively, in a manner similar to that described in stages 12A and 12B. The location of responder UEA 506 may also be determined in a manner similar to that described in stage 12A, for example, based on the location of first initiator UEX 502 or second initiator UEY 504, if provided in stages 10A and 10B.

[0086]

[0092] 6 shows an example of a signaling flow 600 for a separate ranging session initiated by a first initiator UEX 602 and a second initiator UEY 604 and involving a responder UEA and conflicting PRS broadcast times, as discussed herein. The signaling flow 600 is similar to the signaling flow 500 shown in FIG. 5, except that the second initiator UEY 604 does not reschedule the second ranging session. The initiators UEX 602, UEY 604, and the responder UEA 606 may be one or more of the vehicular-based UEs (V-UEs) 102 and 104, the RSU 110, or the UE 112, as described in FIG. 1. While Figure 6 shows signaling for multiple ranging procedures involving only one responder UE, e.g., UE A 606, it should be understood that there may be additional responder UEs, which may involve additional communications similar to that shown in Figure 6. As shown, the communications between the UEs 602, 604, and 606 in Figure 6 may be direct communications between the entities and may not involve infrastructure devices, such as base stations, for forwarding messages between the entities.

[0087]

[0093] In phase 1A, a first initiator UEX 602 sends a PRS pre-message (pre-ranging message) to request a ranging session with a responder UEA 606. The PRS pre-message may be transmitted over a licensed spectrum. The PRS pre-message may indicate ranging signal properties to be used by the responder UEA 606 (as well as the initiator UEX and any other responder UEs) during the ranging session with the initiator UEX 602, such as a session ID, a frequency channel, a timing instance including a PRS broadcast time and a reserved LBT time (or other delay time), and a PRS resource including a PRS identifier (ID).

[0088]

[0094] In phase 1B, the second initiator UEY 604 sends a PRS-pre message to request a ranging session with the responder UEA 606. The PRS-pre message in phase 1B follows the PRS-pre message in phase 1A, and therefore, the ranging session initiated by the PRS-pre message in phase 1A may be referred to as the first ranging session, and the ranging session initiated by the PRS-pre message in phase 1B may be referred to as the second ranging session. Similar to phase 1A, the PRS-pre message sent in phase 1B may be transmitted over the licensed spectrum and may indicate ranging signal properties to be used in the ranging session by the responder UEA 606 (as well as the initiator UEY 604 and any other responder UEs) during the second ranging session with the initiator UEY 604, such as a session ID, a frequency channel, a timing instance including the PRS broadcast time and reserved LBT time (or other delay time), and PRS resources including a PRS identifier (ID).

[0089]

[0095] In Phase 2, the responder UEA 606 determines whether a collision exists between the first and second PRSs assigned in the first and second pre-PRS messages of Phase 1A and Phase 1B, respectively. For example, as discussed in FIG. 4, a collision may be determined when the PRS signals for both ranging sessions are assigned the same frequency channel and when the second PRS broadcast time is within a predetermined amount of time (e.g., a collision threshold) of the first PRS broadcast time. The duration of the collision threshold may be predetermined and, in some implementations, may be based on the approximate duration of the reserved LBT time (or other delay time). For example, the collision threshold may be a percentage (e.g., 100%, 80%, 60%, etc.) of the reserved LBT time associated with the first PRS broadcast. Other considerations and factors may be used to determine the duration of the collision threshold. In some implementations, the responder UEA 606 may further determine the available time for the PRS broadcast, as shown in FIG. 4. For example, the available time may be determined based on the time before the first PRS broadcast time and after the reserved LBT time or after the collision threshold time.

[0090]

[0096] In stage 3, the responder UEA 606 responds to the stage 1A pre-PRS request by sending a pre-PRS message (pre-ranging message) to the first initiator UEX 602, acknowledging the request and thereby indicating that the responder UEA 606 accepts the request for a ranging session from the initiator UEX 602. The stage 4A pre-PRS message may be transmitted over licensed spectrum.

[0091]

[0097] In stage 4, the responder UEA 606 sends a PRS-pre message (pre-ranging message) to the second initiator UEY 604 in response to the PRS-pre request of stage 1B. Due to a collision of the second PRS assigned in the second PRS-pre message of stage 1B with the first PRS assigned in the first PRS-pre message of stage 1A, the response PRS-pre message in stage 4 includes an indication of the PRS collision, for example, using a negative acknowledgement (NACK) message. In some implementations, the responder UEA 606 may include an indication of the available PRS broadcast time in the PRS-pre message in stage 4. For example, the indication of the available PRS broadcast time may be the start and end time of the available time, the start time and duration of the available time, the first PRS broadcast time, and possibly either the reserved LBT time or the collision threshold duration, etc. The PRS-pre message of stage 4 may be transmitted on a licensed spectrum.

[0092]

[0098] As shown below, the initiator UEY 604 proceeds with the second ranging session without reconstructing the second ranging session to avoid PRS collisions with the responder UEA.

[0093]

[0099] In phase 5A, the first initiator UEX 602 broadcasts a PRS signal using the set of PRS resources identified in the pre-PRS message of phase 1A. The PRS signal may be broadcast on an unlicensed spectrum to use a wide frequency band. The first initiator UEX 602 records the ToD of the PRS signal, and in some implementations, records the AoD of the PRS signal, and the responder UEA 606 records the ToA of the PRS signal, and in some implementations, measures and records the AoA of the PRS signal.

[0094]

[0100] In stage 5B, in response to receiving the PRS signal in stage 5A, the responder UEA 606 broadcasts the PRS signal using the PRS resources (including the frequency channel, PRS broadcast time, and reserved LBT time) allocated in the pre-PRS message of stage 1A. The PRS signal may be broadcast on an unlicensed spectrum to use a wide frequency band. The responder UEA 606 records the ToD of the PRS signal, and in some implementations, records the AoD of the PRS signal, and the first initiator UEX 602 records the ToA of the PRS signal, and in some implementations, measures and records the AoA of the PRS signal.

[0095]

[0101] In phase 6A, the second initiator UEY 604 broadcasts a PRS signal using the set of PRS resources identified in the pre-PRS message of phase 1B. The PRS signal may be broadcast on an unlicensed spectrum to use a wide frequency band. The second initiator UEY 604 records the ToD of the PRS signal, and in some implementations, records the AoD of the PRS signal, and the responder UEA 606 records the ToA of the PRS signal, and in some implementations, measures and records the AoA of the PRS signal.

[0096]

[0102] In stage 6B, as shown by the dotted line, the responder UEA606 may broadcast a PRS signal if possible, for example, if the broadcast times of the PRS in stages 5B and 6B do not actually conflict. For example, if the PRS broadcast in stage 5B occurs before the scheduled broadcast time for the second PRS in stage 6B, the responder UEA606 may broadcast the PRS signal using the PRS resources (including the frequency channel, modified PRS broadcast time, and reserved LBT time) allocated in the PRS pre-message of stage 1B; otherwise, the responder UEA606 does not broadcast the PRS signal. The initiator UEY604 therefore waits to receive the broadcast PRS signal. The PRS signal in stage 6B (if broadcast) may be broadcast on an unlicensed spectrum to use a wide frequency band. When a PRS signal is broadcast, the responder UEA606 records the ToD of the PRS signal, and in some implementations, records the AoD of the PRS signal, and the second initiator UEY604 records the ToA of the PRS signal, and in some implementations, measures and records the AoA of the PRS signal.

[0097]

[0103] In stage 7A, the first initiator UEX602 sends a PRS post-message to the responder UEA606 indicating the ToD, and in some implementations the AoD, of the PRS signal broadcast in stage 5A, and indicating the ToA, and in some implementations the AoA, of the PRS signal received in stage 5B. If the location of the first initiator UEX602 is known, the PRS post-message may further include the current location of the first initiator UEX602.

[0098]

[0104] In stage 7B, the responder UEA 606 sends a PRS post-message to the first initiator UEX 602 indicating the ToA, and in some implementations the AoA, of the PRS signal received in stage 5A, and the ToD, and in some implementations the AoD, of the PRS signal broadcast in stage 5B. If the location of the responder UEA 606 is known, the PRS post-message may further include the current location of the responder UEA 606.

[0099]

[0105] In stage 8A, the second initiator UEY 604 may send a post-PRS message to the responder UEA 606 indicating the ToD, and in some implementations the AoD, of the PRS signal broadcast in stage 6A, and indicating whether the PRS in stage 6B was received and, if so, the ToA, and in some implementations the AoA, of the PRS signal received in stage 6B. If the location of the second initiator UEY 604 is known, the post-PRS message may further include the current location of the second initiator UEY 604.

[0100]

[0106] In stage 8B, the responder UEA 606 may send a post-PRS message to the second initiator UEY 604 indicating the ToA, and in some implementations the AoA, of the PRS signal received in stage 6A, and indicating whether the PRS in stage 6B was broadcast and, if so, the ToD, and in some implementations the AoD, of the PRS signal broadcast in stage 6B. If the location of the responder UEA 606 is known, the post-PRS message may further include the current location of the responder UEA 606.

[0101]

[0107] In step 9A, the first initiator UEX602 may determine the range between UEX602 and the responder UEA606 based on the ToD and ToA of the PRS signals broadcast in steps 5A and 5B. For example, the range may be calculated as follows: PRS = i = 1 for the PRS broadcast by the initiator UEX602 and i = 2 for the PRS broadcast by the responder UEA606 i Signal ToD i and ToA i It can be determined based on:

[0102]

number

[0103]

[0108] If the location of responder UEA606 is known, for example provided in a post-PRS message in stage 7B, along with additional information such as the AoA or AoD of the PRS signal, or the location and range, or geographical information such as street location, for other responder UEs (not shown in FIG. 6), the location of initiator UEX602 can be determined, for example using multilateration and constraints according to the AoA or AoD of the PRS signal and the geographical information.

[0104]

[0109] In stage 9B, as shown by the dotted line, if the responder UEA broadcast a PRS in stage 6B, the second initiator UEY 604 can determine the range between UEY 604 and the responder UEA 606 based on the ToD and ToA of the PRS signals broadcast in stages 6A and 6B in a manner similar to that described in stage 9A. The location of the initiator UEY 604 can also be determined in a manner similar to that described in stage 9A. If the responder UEA 60 did not broadcast a PRS in stage 6B, the range between UEY 604 and the responder UEA 606 would not be determined and the location of the second initiator UEY 604 would need to be determined without using the range to the responder UEA 606.

[0105]

[0110] In stage 9C, responder UEA606 may determine the range between UEA606 and the first initiator UEX602, and, if responder UEA broadcast a PRS in stage 6B, the range between UEA606 and the second initiator UEY604, based on the ToA and ToD of the PRS signals broadcast in stages 5A and 5B and in stages 6A and 6B, respectively, in a manner similar to that described in stages 9A and 9B. The location of responder UEA606 may also be determined in a manner similar to that described in stage 9A, for example, based on the location of the first initiator UEX602 or the second initiator UEY604, if provided in stages 7A and 7B. If the responder UEA606 did not broadcast the PRS in stage 6B, the range between the responder UEA606 and the second initiator UEY604 would not be determined and the location of the responder UEA606 would need to be determined without using the range to the second initiator UEY604.

[0106]

[0111] 7 shows a schematic block diagram illustrating some example features of a user equipment (UE) 700, which may be a user equipment (UE), an RSU 110, or a UE 112 carried by a pedestrian 114 in a vehicle 102 or 104 shown in FIG. 1 . The UE 700 may be configured to act as an initiator UE, e.g., a UE Y, or a responder UE, e.g., a UE A, during a ranging session, as discussed herein. If the UE 700 is a V-UE, it may be configured to control autonomous driving of a vehicle, e.g., the vehicle 102. For example, the UE 700 may include a vehicle interface 705, by means of which commands may be provided to the vehicle for autonomous driving and sensory inputs, including speed and acceleration, may be provided from the vehicle to the UE 700. The UE 700 may include, for example, one or more processors 702, a memory 704, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 707, which may include, for example, an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, etc., that may be used to detect the vehicle's orientation relative to a global or local reference frame, and movement or one or more movement characteristics, a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver 709, for example, for determining a GPS position, and external interfaces, including, for example, a wireless wide area network (WWAN) transceiver 710 and a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver 714, that may be operably coupled to a non-transitory computer-readable medium 720 and one or more connections 706 (e.g., buses, lines, fibers, links, etc.) to the memory 704. The UE 700 may further include additional items not shown, such as, for example, a user interface, which may include a display, a keypad such as a virtual keypad on the display, or other input device through which a user may interface with the user device. In some example implementations, all or a portion of the UE 700 may take the form of a chipset or the like.

[0107]

[0112] The transceiver 710 may be, for example, a cellular transceiver configured to transmit and receive direct communications in a wireless network, as shown in FIG. 1. The transceiver 710 may include a transmitter 711 enabled to transmit one or more signals over one or more types of wireless communication networks and a receiver 712 for receiving one or more signals transmitted over one or more types of wireless communication networks. The transceiver 714 may be, for example, a short-range transceiver and may be configured to transmit and receive direct communications in a wireless network, as shown in FIG. 1. The transceiver 714 may include a transmitter 715 enabled to transmit one or more signals, including ranging signals (PRS signals) and pre-ranging (pre-PRS) and post-ranging (post-PRS) messages, over one or more types of wireless communication networks, and to combine and separate messages, and a receiver 716 for receiving one or more signals, including, for example, PRS and pre-PRS and post-PRS messages, transmitted over one or more types of wireless communication networks. The transceivers 710 and 714 enable the UE 700 to communicate with transportation entities using a D2D communication link, such as DSRC, C-V2X, or 5G NR.

[0108]

[0113] In some embodiments, the UE 700 may include an antenna 709, which may be internal or external. The antenna 709 may be used to transmit and / or receive signals that are processed by the transceiver 710 and / or transceiver 714. In some embodiments, the antenna 709 may be coupled to the transceiver 710 and / or transceiver 714. In some embodiments, measurements of signals received (transmitted) by the UE 700 may be performed at the point of connection between the antenna 709 and the transceiver 710 and / or transceiver 714. For example, measurement reference points for measurements of received (transmitted) RF signals may be the input (output) terminals of the receivers 712, 716 (transmitters 711, 715) and the output (input) terminal of the antenna 709. In a UE 700 with multiple antennas 709 or an antenna array, the antenna connectors may be considered as virtual points representing the aggregate output (input) of the multiple antennas. The phase difference of the received signal at multiple antennas or antenna arrays may be used to determine the AoA of the signal relative to the antenna array, which may be converted to a local or global reference frame based on the known orientation of the UE700, for example, based on the orientation of the UE700 measured by the IMU707.

[0109]

[0114] The one or more processors 702 may be implemented using a combination of hardware, firmware, and software. For example, the one or more processors 702 may be configured to perform the functions discussed herein by implementing one or more instructions or program code 708 on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as the medium 720 and / or the memory 704. In some embodiments, the one or more processors 702 may represent one or more circuits configurable to perform at least a portion of a data signal calculation procedure or process related to the operation of the UE 700.

[0110]

[0115] The medium 720 and / or memory 704 may store instructions or program code 708, which, when executed by one or more processors 702, include executable code or software instructions that cause the one or more processors 702 to operate as a special-purpose computer programmed to perform the techniques disclosed herein. As shown in UE 700, the medium 720 and / or memory 704 may include one or more components or modules that may be implemented by the one or more processors 702 to perform the methods described herein. While the components or modules are shown as software in the medium 720 executable by the one or more processors 702, it should be understood that the components or modules may be stored in the memory 704 or may be dedicated hardware either within or external to the one or more processors 702.

[0111]

[0116] Several software modules and data tables may reside in the medium 720 and / or memory 704 and be utilized by the one or more processors 702 to manage both the communications and functionality described herein. It should be appreciated that the organization of the contents of the medium 720 and / or memory 704 shown in the UE 700 is only an example, and thus the functionality of the modules and / or data structures may be combined, separated, and / or structured in different ways depending on the implementation of the UE 700.

[0112]

[0117] The medium 720 and / or memory 704 may include a ranging module 721 that, when implemented by one or more processors 702, configures the one or more processors 702 to participate in a ranging session as an initiator UE or a responder UE as discussed herein. For example, the ranging module 721 may include a pre-ranging module (pre-PRS message module 722), a ranging signal module (PRS module 724), a post-ranging module (post-PRS message module 726), and a range module 728.

[0113]

[0118] The medium 720 and / or the memory 704 may include a PRS pre-message module 722 that, when implemented by the one or more processors 702, configures the one or more processors 702 to generate and transmit or receive via the transceiver 714 a pre-ranging message, such as a PRS pre-message, for example, to initiate or accept a ranging session. The PRS pre-message may be broadcast, multicast, or unicast (using an RRC connection). In some implementations, the PRS message may be transmitted and received over a licensed spectrum. The PRS pre-message may be an initiating PRS pre-message to initiate a ranging session or a responding PRS pre-message to acknowledge the initiating PRS pre-message or to indicate the existence of a PRS collision with another ranging session, for example, with a negative acknowledgement (NACK) message. The PRS pre-message may include identifiers of an initiating UE and one or more responder UEs for a positioning session, which may be monitored by the UE 700 over multiple ranging sessions. The participating UEs may be determined, for example, from a capability message received by the UE 700 or from monitoring PRS pre-messages broadcast by multiple initiator UEs over a period of time. The PRS pre-message may include a session ID and ranging signal resources for the participating UEs, including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast ranging (PRS) signals during the ranging session, a PRS ID, etc. For example, the time resources may be a PRS broadcast time and a reserved LBT time (e.g., a maximum LBT time) or another delay time. A response PRS pre-message from the responder UE indicating the existence of a PRS collision with another ranging session may further include an available PRS broadcast time.

[0114]

[0119] The medium 720 and / or memory 704 may include a PRS module 724 that, when implemented by the one or more processors 702, configures the one or more processors 702 to broadcast and receive ranging signals to and from other UEs during a ranging session via the transceiver 714 as discussed herein. For example, the ranging signal may be a PRS signal such as a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulated pseudo-noise (PN) sequence as discussed herein. The ranging signal may be broadcast at a frequency indicated in a pre-PRS message with a PRS identifier at an assigned broadcast time, for example, after an LBT procedure using a reserved LBT time. The ranging signal may be broadcast and received over an unlicensed spectrum and may be broadcast in accordance with Category 2 or Category 4 LBT constraints. For example, the one or more processors 702 may be configured to measure the ToD of the broadcasted ranging signal and the ToA of the received ranging signal, and may be configured to measure the AoD of the broadcasted ranging signal and the AoA of the received ranging signal.

[0115]

[0120] The medium 720 and / or memory 704 may include a post-PRS message module 726 that, when implemented by the one or more processors 702, configures the one or more processors 702 to send and receive post-ranging messages to and from other UEs during a ranging session via the transceiver 714, as discussed herein. For example, the post-PRS message may include an indication of the ToD, and in some implementations, the AoD, of the broadcasted ranging signal, and the ToA, and in some implementations, the AoA, of the received ranging signal. In some implementations, the indication of the ToD and the ToA may be the difference between the ToD and the ToA. In some implementations, for example, if the UE is an anchor UE used to position another UE, the post-PRS message may include an indication of the UE's location.

[0116]

[0121] The medium 720 and / or the memory 704 may include a range module 728 that, when implemented by the one or more processors 702, configures the one or more processors 702 to determine a range to other UEs based on the ToD and ToA of broadcast and received ranging signals measured by the UE 700 and received in post-PRS messages from the other UEs.

[0117]

[0122] The medium 720 and / or the memory 704 may include a location module 730 that, when implemented by the one or more processors 702, configures the one or more processors 702 to determine a location of the UE 700 based on one or more ranges to broadcasting UEs and their location information, e.g., using multilateration or other suitable techniques as discussed herein. For example, the one or more processors 702 may implement a Kalman filter or an extended Kalman filter to determine the location of the UE 700.

[0118]

[0123] The medium 720 and / or memory 704 may include a collision module 732 that, when implemented by one or more processors 702, configures the one or more processors 702 to determine whether there is a PRS collision during multiple ranging sessions. A collision may be determined based on the PRS for two separate ranging sessions using the same time and frequency resources. For example, the one or more processors 702 may be configured for the existence of a collision between a first PRS signal and a second PRS signal if the time for broadcasting the second PRS signal is within a predetermined amount of time from the time for broadcasting the first PRS signal. For example, the predetermined amount of time may be, for example, a predetermined maximum wait time for an LBT procedure or a predetermined collision threshold time, as discussed in FIG. 4 .

[0119]

[0124] The medium 720 and / or memory 704 may include an available broadcast time 734 that, when implemented by the one or more processors 702, configures the one or more processors 702 to determine an available time for a responder UE to broadcast a PRS when a PRS collision is detected. For example, when a collision between a first PRS signal and a second PRS signal is detected, the available time for broadcasting the second PRS signal may be determined based on the time for broadcasting the first PRS signal. For example, the available time to broadcast may be determined based on a predetermined maximum latency time of the LBT procedure or a predetermined collision threshold time, for example, as discussed in FIG. 4. If the UE 700 is an initiator UE, the one or more processors 702 may be configured to determine an available time for broadcasting a PRS by the responder UE based on an available time to broadcast received from the responder UE in a pre-PRS message. If an available time to broadcast is not received from the responder UE, the one or more processors 702 may be configured to determine an available time for broadcasting a PRS by the responder UE based on an initial broadcast time of the PRS signal and a predetermined time period. For example, the predetermined time period may be based on a maximum waiting time of an LBT procedure for broadcasting a PRS signal or a predetermined collision threshold time period.

[0120]

[0125] The methods described herein may be implemented by various means depending on the application. For example, these methods may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. In a hardware implementation, the one or more processors 702 may be implemented within one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or combinations thereof.

[0121]

[0126] For a firmware and / or software implementation, the methods may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. Any machine-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing the methodologies described herein. For example, software code may be stored in non-transitory computer-readable medium 720 or memory 704 coupled to and executed by one or more processors 702. The memory may be implemented within the one or more processors or external to the one or more processors. The term “memory,” as used herein, may refer to long-term, short-term, volatile, non-volatile, or any other type of memory, and should not be limited to any particular type or number of memories or the type of medium on which the memory is stored.

[0122]

[0127] If implemented in firmware and / or software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or program code 708 on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as the medium 720 and / or the memory 704. Examples include a computer-readable medium encoded with a data structure and a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program 708. For example, a non-transitory computer-readable medium with stored program code 708 may include program code 708 for supporting multiple ranging sessions, including determining the existence of a PRS collision, and providing an indication of such to an initiator UE that may initiate a new ranging session based on available PRS broadcast times of a responder UE, in a manner consistent with disclosed embodiments. The non-transitory computer-readable medium 720 includes a physical computer storage medium. The storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such non-transitory 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 store desired program code 708 in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer; disk and disc, as used herein, include compact discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy disks, 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.

[0123]

[0128] In addition to being stored on the computer-readable medium 720, the instructions and / or data may be provided as signals on a transmission medium contained in a communications device. For example, a communications device may include a transceiver 710 having signals indicative of instructions and data. The instructions and data are configured to cause one or more processors to implement the functions outlined in the claims. That is, the communications device includes a transmission medium with signals indicative of information to perform the disclosed functions.

[0124]

[0129] Memory 704 may represent any data storage mechanism. Memory 704 may include, for example, primary memory and / or secondary memory. Primary memory may include, for example, random access memory, read-only memory, etc. While shown in this example as being separate from one or more processors 702, it should be understood that all or a portion of the primary memory may be provided within one or more processors 702, or in some cases co-located / coupled with one or more processors 702. Secondary memory may include, for example, the same or similar type of memory as the primary memory, and / or one or more data storage devices or systems, such as, for example, a disk drive, an optical disc drive, a tape drive, a solid-state memory drive, etc.

[0125]

[0130] In some implementations, the secondary memory may be operatively capable of receiving, or possibly configurable to couple to, a non-transitory computer-readable medium 720. Thus, in some example implementations, the methods and / or apparatuses presented herein may take the form, in whole or in part, of a computer-readable medium 720, which may include computer-implementable code 708 stored thereon, which, when executed by one or more processors 702, may be operatively enabled to perform all or a portion of the example operations described herein. The computer-readable medium 720 may be part of the memory 704.

[0126]

[0131] FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 illustrating a method for ranging in a distributed system of user equipment (UE) performed by a responder UE, such as the UE A of FIGS. 3, 5, 6, or the UE 700 of FIG.

[0127]

[0132] In block 802, the responder UE receives a first pre-ranging request message from a first initiator UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session, as discussed in, for example, stage 1A of Figures 5 and 6. The means for receiving a first pre-ranging request message from the first initiator UE to initiate the first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session, can be, for example, the transceiver 714 and one or more processors 702 having dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in the memory 704 and / or medium 720, such as a ranging module 721 and a pre-PRS message module 722.

[0128]

[0133] In block 804, the responder UE receives a second pre-ranging request message from the second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising second ranging signal resources including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session, as discussed in step 1B of Figures 5 and 6. The means for receiving a second pre-ranging request message from the second initiator UE to initiate the second ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising second ranging signal resources including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session, can be, for example, the transceiver 714 and one or more processors 702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in the memory 704 and / or medium 720, such as a ranging module 721 and a pre-PRS message module 722.

[0129]

[0134] In block 806, the responder UE determines a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal based on the first ranging signal resource and the second ranging resource, e.g., as discussed in stage 2 of Figures 5 and 6. The means for determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal based on the first ranging signal resource and the second ranging resource may be one or more processors 702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 704 and / or medium 720, such as, for example, collision module 732.

[0130]

[0135] In block 808, the responder UE sends a first pre-ranging response message to the first initiator UE acknowledging the first pre-ranging request message, e.g., as discussed in stage 3 of Figures 5 and 6. Means for sending the first pre-ranging response message to the first initiator UE acknowledging the first pre-ranging request message may be, for example, the transceiver 714 and one or more processors 702 having dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in the memory 704 and / or medium 720, such as a ranging module 721 and a pre-PRS message module 722.

[0131]

[0136] In block 810, the responder UE sends a second pre-ranging response message to the second initiator UE indicating a collision with the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal, e.g., as discussed in stage 4 of Figures 5 and 6. Means for sending the second pre-ranging response message to the second initiator UE indicating a collision with the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal can be the transceiver 714 and one or more processors 702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in the memory 704 and / or medium 720, such as, for example, the ranging module 721 and the pre-PRS message module 722 and the collision module 732.

[0132]

[0137] As an example, in some implementations, as discussed in, e.g., FIG. 4 and in stage 2 of FIGS. 5 and 6, the responder UE may determine a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal by determining that the time to broadcast the second ranging signal is within a predetermined amount of time of the time to broadcast the first ranging signal. For example, the predetermined amount of time may be a predetermined maximum latency time of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the second ranging signal. In another example, the predetermined amount of time may be a predetermined collision threshold time. The means for determining that the time to broadcast the second ranging signal is within a predetermined amount of time of the time to broadcast the first ranging signal may be one or more processors 702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in the memory 704 and / or medium 720, such as, for example, a collision module 732. 4 and in stage 2 of FIGS. 5 and 6, the responder UE may determine a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal by determining that the frequency for broadcasting the second ranging signal and the frequency for broadcasting the first ranging signal are the same. The means for determining that the frequency for broadcasting the second ranging signal and the frequency for broadcasting the first ranging signal are the same may be, for example, one or more processors 702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 704 and / or medium 720, such as collision module 732.

[0133]

[0138] In some implementations, for example, as discussed in FIG. 4 and in stage 2 of FIGS. 5 and 6, the responder UE may further determine an available time for broadcasting a second ranging signal, where the second pre-ranging response message includes the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal. The available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal may be based on the time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource. In one example, the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal may be further based on a predetermined maximum latency time of the listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal. In another example, the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal may be further based on a predetermined collision threshold time. The means for determining an available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal, wherein the second pre-ranging response message includes the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal, may be, for example, one or more processors 702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 704 and / or medium 720, such as an available broadcast time module 734.

[0134]

[0139] 5, the responder UE may receive a third pre-ranging request message from the second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the third pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session. The means for receiving a third pre-ranging request message from the second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the third pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session, may be, for example, the transceiver 714 and one or more processors 702 having dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in the memory 704 and / or the medium 720, such as a ranging module 721 and a pre-PRS message module 722. The responder UE may conduct a first ranging session with the first initiator UE comprising broadcasting a first ranging signal according to a first ranging signal resource, e.g., as discussed in step 8B of Figure 5, and may conduct a second ranging session with the second initiator UE comprising broadcasting a second ranging signal according to a third ranging signal resource, e.g., as discussed in step 9B of Figure 5. The means for conducting the first ranging session with the first initiator UE comprising broadcasting the first ranging signal according to the first ranging signal resource and the means for conducting the second ranging session with the second initiator UE comprising broadcasting the second ranging signal according to the third ranging signal resource may be, for example, a transceiver 714 and one or more processors 702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 704 and / or medium 720, such as a ranging module 721 and a PRS module 724.

[0135]

[0140] FIG. 9 is a flowchart 900 illustrating a method for ranging in a distributed system of user equipment (UE) performed by an initiator UE, such as the UE Y of FIG. 3, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, or the UE 700 of FIG.

[0136]

[0141] In block 902, the initiator UE sends a first pre-ranging request message to the responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, e.g., as discussed in step 1B of Figures 5 and 6, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session. The means for sending the first pre-ranging request message to the responder UE to initiate the first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session, can be, for example, the transceiver 714 and one or more processors 702 having dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in the memory 704 and / or medium 720, such as a ranging module 721 and a pre-PRS message module 722.

[0137]

[0142] In block 904, the initiator UE receives a first pre-ranging response message from the responder UE indicating a collision between the first ranging signal resource for the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal to the second initiator UE, e.g., as discussed in step 4 of Figures 5 and 6. Means for receiving the first pre-ranging response message from the responder UE indicating a collision between the first ranging signal resource for the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal to the second initiator UE can be, for example, the transceiver 714 and one or more processors 702 having dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in the memory 704 and / or medium 720, such as a ranging module 721 and a pre-PRS message module 722.

[0138]

[0143] In some implementations, for example, as discussed in FIG. 4 and in stage 5 of FIG. 5, the initiator UE may further determine an available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal. For example, the first pre-ranging response message may comprise the available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal. In another example, the available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal may be determined based on a time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource and a predetermined time period. For example, the predetermined time period may be based on a maximum latency time of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal or a predetermined collision threshold time period. Means for determining an available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal may be one or more processors 702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in the memory 704 and / or medium 720, such as, for example, an available broadcast time module 734. 5, the initiator UE may send a second pre-ranging request message to the responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal during the first ranging session based on an available time. The means for sending the second pre-ranging request message to the responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal during the first ranging session based on an available time, can be one or more processors 702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in the memory 704 and / or medium 720, such as a ranging module 721 and a pre-PRS message module 722.

[0139]

[0144] In some implementations, the initiator UE may further receive a second pre-ranging response message from the responder UE acknowledging the second pre-ranging request message, e.g., as discussed in stage 7 of Figure 5, and may conduct a first ranging session with the responder UE comprising receiving a first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to a third ranging signal resource, e.g., as discussed in stage 9B of Figure 5. Means for receiving a second pre-ranging response message from the responder UE acknowledging the second pre-ranging request message may be, for example, the transceiver 714 and one or more processors 702 having dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in the memory 704 and / or medium 720, such as a ranging module 721 and a pre-PRS message module 722. The means for conducting a first ranging session with the responder UE, comprising receiving a first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to the third ranging signal resource, may be, for example, a transceiver 714 and one or more processors 702 having dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 704 and / or medium 720, such as a ranging module 721 and a PRS module 724.

[0140]

[0145] In some implementations, for example, as discussed in steps 6A and 6B of Figure 6, the initiator UE may conduct a first ranging session with the responder UE by transmitting an initial ranging signal and waiting to receive a first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to a first ranging signal resource. Means for conducting a first ranging session with the responder UE comprising transmitting an initial ranging signal and waiting to receive a first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to a first ranging signal resource may be, for example, the transceiver 714 and one or more processors 702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in the memory 704 and / or medium 720, such as a ranging module 721 and a PRS module 724.

[0141]

[0146] References throughout this specification to "one example," "an example," "certain examples," or "exemplary implementation" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described with respect to a feature and / or example may be included in at least one feature and / or example of the claimed subject matter. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one example," "an example," "in certain examples," or "in certain implementations," or other similar phrases, in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same features, examples, and / or limitations. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more examples and / or characteristics.

[0142]

[0147] Some portions of the detailed descriptions contained herein have been presented in terms of algorithms or symbolic representations of operations on binary digital signals stored within a memory of a particular apparatus or special-purpose computing device or platform. In the context of this particular specification, the term particular apparatus or the like includes a general-purpose computer that has been programmed to perform particular operations pursuant to instructions from program software. Algorithmic descriptions or symbolic representations are examples of techniques used by those skilled in the signal processing or related arts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm, as used herein, and generally, is considered to be a self-consistent sequence of operations or similar signal processing leading to a desired result. In this context, operations or processing involve physical manipulations of physical quantities. Typically, though not necessarily, such quantities may take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, primarily for reasons of common usage, to refer to such signals as bits, data, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, numerals, or the like. It should be understood, however, that all of these or similar terms are to be associated with appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels. Unless otherwise expressly stated, as will be apparent from the description herein, it should be appreciated that throughout this specification, descriptions utilizing terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," and the like refer to the operations or processes of a particular apparatus, such as a special purpose computer, a special purpose computing apparatus, or a similar special purpose electronic computing device. Thus, in the context of this specification, a special purpose computer or a similar special purpose electronic computing device is capable of manipulating or transforming signals, generally represented as electronic or magnetic physical quantities, within the memory, registers, or other information storage, transmission, or display devices of the special purpose computer or similar special purpose electronic computing device.

[0143]

[0148] In the above detailed description, numerous specific details have been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods and apparatuses that would be known to those skilled in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the claimed subject matter.

[0144]

[0149] As used herein, the terms "and," "or," and "and / or" can have a variety of meanings that are expected to depend, at least in part, on the context in which such terms are used. In general, when "or" is used to link a list such as A, B, or C, it shall mean A, B, and C, which is used herein in an inclusive sense, as well as A, B, or C, which is used herein in an exclusive sense. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "one or more" may be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in the singular, or it may be used to describe multiple features, structures, or characteristics, or some other combination of features, structures, or characteristics. However, it should be noted that this is merely an illustrative example, and that claimed subject matter is not limited to this example.

[0145]

[0150] While what are presently considered to be exemplary features have been illustrated and described, those skilled in the art will recognize that various other modifications may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the claimed subject matter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of the claimed subject matter without departing from the central concept described herein.

[0146]

[0151] Example implementations are described in the following numbered clauses.

[0147]

[0152] 1. A method of ranging between responder user equipment (UE), performed by a UE, comprising:

[0153] receiving a first pre-ranging request message from a first initiator UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session;

[0154] receiving a second pre-ranging request message from a second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a second ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session;

[0155] determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal based on the first ranging signal resource and the second ranging resource;

[0156] sending a first pre-ranging response message to the first initiator UE acknowledging the first pre-ranging request message;

[0157] sending a second pre-ranging response message to the second initiator UE indicating a collision with the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal; A method comprising:

[0148]

[0158] 2. The method of clause 1, wherein determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal comprises determining that a time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is within a predetermined amount of time of a time for broadcasting the first ranging signal.

[0149]

[0159] 3. The method of clause 2, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a predetermined maximum latency of the listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the second ranging signal.

[0150]

[0160] 4. The method of clause 2, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a predetermined crash threshold time.

[0151]

[0161] 5. The method of any of clauses 2-4, wherein determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal comprises determining that a frequency for broadcasting the second ranging signal and a frequency for broadcasting the first ranging signal are the same.

[0152]

[0162] 6. The method of any of clauses 1-5, further comprising determining an available time for broadcasting a second ranging signal, wherein the second pre-ranging response message includes the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal.

[0153]

[0163] 7. The method of clause 6, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is based on a time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource.

[0154]

[0164] 8. The method of clause 7, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is further based on a predetermined maximum latency of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal.

[0155]

[0165] 9. The method of clause 7, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is further based on a predetermined collision threshold time.

[0156]

[0166] 10. The method of any of clauses 1-9, further comprising receiving a third pre-ranging request message from a second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the third pre-ranging request message comprising third ranging signal resources including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session.

[0157]

[0167] 11.

[0168] conducting a first ranging session with a first initiator UE, the first ranging session comprising broadcasting a first ranging signal according to a first ranging signal resource;

[0169] conducting a second ranging session with the second initiator UE, the second ranging session comprising broadcasting a second ranging signal according to a third ranging signal resource; 10. The method of clause 10, further comprising:

[0158]

[0170] 12. A responder UE configured for ranging between user equipment, comprising:

[0171] a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with entities in a wireless network;

[0172] At least one memory;

[0173] at least one processor coupled to a wireless transceiver and at least one memory; wherein at least one processor comprises:

[0174] receiving a first pre-ranging request message from a first initiator UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session;

[0175] receiving a second pre-ranging request message from a second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a second ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session;

[0176] determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal based on the first ranging signal resource and the second ranging resource;

[0177] sending a first pre-ranging response message to the first initiator UE acknowledging the first pre-ranging request message;

[0178] sending a second pre-ranging response message to the second initiator UE indicating a collision with the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal; a responder UE configured to:

[0159]

[0179] 13. The responder UE of clause 12, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal by determining that a time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is within a predetermined amount of time of a time for broadcasting the first ranging signal.

[0160]

[0180] 14. The responder UE of clause 13, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a predetermined maximum waiting time for a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the second ranging signal.

[0161]

[0181] 15. The responder UE of clause 13, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a predetermined collision threshold time.

[0162]

[0182] 16. The responder UE of any of clauses 13 to 15, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal by determining that a frequency for broadcasting the second ranging signal and a frequency for broadcasting the first ranging signal are the same.

[0163]

[0183] 17. The responder UE of any of clauses 12-16, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine an available time for broadcasting a second ranging signal, and wherein the second pre-ranging response message includes the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal.

[0164]

[0184] 18. The responder UE of clause 17, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is based on a time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource.

[0165]

[0185] 19. The responder UE of clause 18, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is further based on a predetermined maximum latency of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal.

[0166]

[0186] 20. The responder UE of clause 18, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is further based on a predetermined collision threshold time.

[0167]

[0187] 21. The responder UE of any of clauses 12 to 20, wherein at least one processor is further configured to receive a third pre-ranging request message from the second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the third pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session.

[0168]

[0188] 22. At least one processor:

[0189] conducting a first ranging session with a first initiator UE by being configured to broadcast a first ranging signal according to a first ranging signal resource;

[0190] and conducting a second ranging session with the second initiator UE by broadcasting a second ranging signal according to a third ranging signal resource. 21. The responder UE of claim 21, further configured to:

[0169]

[0191] 23. A responder UE configured for ranging between user equipment, comprising:

[0192] means for receiving a first pre-ranging request message from a first initiator UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session;

[0193] means for receiving a second pre-ranging request message from a second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a second ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session;

[0194] means for determining collisions between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal based on the first ranging signal resource and the second ranging resource;

[0195] means for sending a first pre-ranging response message to the first initiator UE acknowledging the first pre-ranging request message;

[0196] means for sending a second pre-ranging response message to the second initiator UE indicating a collision with the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal; A responder UE comprising:

[0170]

[0197] 24. The responder UE of clause 23, wherein the means for determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal comprises means for determining that a time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is within a predetermined amount of time of a time for broadcasting the first ranging signal.

[0171]

[0198] 25. The responder UE of clause 24, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a predetermined maximum waiting time for a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the second ranging signal.

[0172]

[0199] 26. The responder UE of clause 24, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a predetermined collision threshold time.

[0173]

[0200] 27. The responder UE of any of clauses 24 to 26, wherein the means for determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal comprises means for determining that a frequency for broadcasting the second ranging signal and a frequency for broadcasting the first ranging signal are the same.

[0174]

[0201] 28. The responder UE of any of clauses 23-27, further comprising means for determining an available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal, wherein the second pre-ranging response message includes the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal.

[0175]

[0202] 29. The responder UE of clause 28, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is based on a time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource.

[0176]

[0203] 30. The responder UE of clause 29, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is further based on a predetermined maximum latency time of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal.

[0177]

[0204] 31. The responder UE of clause 29, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is further based on a predetermined collision threshold time.

[0178]

[0205] 32. The responder UE of any of clauses 23-31, further comprising means for receiving a third pre-ranging request message from the second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the third pre-ranging request message comprising third ranging signal resources including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session.

[0179]

[0206] 33.

[0207] means for conducting a first ranging session with a first initiator UE, the first ranging session comprising broadcasting a first ranging signal according to a first ranging signal resource;

[0208] means for conducting a second ranging session with a second initiator UE, the second ranging session comprising broadcasting a second ranging signal according to a third ranging signal resource; 32. The responder UE of clause 32, further comprising:

[0180]

[0209] 34. A non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon program code, the program code operable to configure at least one processor in a responder UE for ranging between user equipment, the program code comprising:

[0210] receiving a first pre-ranging request message from a first initiator UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session;

[0211] receiving a second pre-ranging request message from a second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a second ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session;

[0212] determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal based on the first ranging signal resource and the second ranging resource;

[0213] sending a first pre-ranging response message to the first initiator UE acknowledging the first pre-ranging request message;

[0214] sending a second pre-ranging response message to the second initiator UE indicating a collision with the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal; a non-transitory storage medium comprising instructions for performing

[0181]

[0215] 35. A non-transitory storage medium including the program code of clause 34, wherein the program code for determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal comprises program code for determining that a time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is within a predetermined amount of time of a time for broadcasting the first ranging signal.

[0182]

[0216] 36. A non-transitory storage medium containing the program code of clause 35, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a predetermined maximum latency time for a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the second ranging signal.

[0183]

[0217] 37. A non-transitory storage medium containing the program code of clause 35, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a predetermined crash threshold time.

[0184]

[0218] 38. A non-transitory storage medium containing the program code of any of clauses 35 to 37, wherein the program code for determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal comprises program code for determining that the frequency for broadcasting the second ranging signal and the frequency for broadcasting the first ranging signal are the same.

[0185]

[0219] 39. A non-transitory storage medium containing the program code of any of clauses 34-38, further comprising program code for determining an available time for broadcasting a second ranging signal, wherein the second pre-ranging response message includes the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal.

[0186]

[0220] 40. A non-transitory storage medium containing the program code of clause 39, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is based on the time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource.

[0187]

[0221] 41. A non-transitory storage medium containing the program code of clause 40, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is further based on a predetermined maximum latency time of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal.

[0188]

[0222] 42. A non-transitory storage medium containing the program code of clause 40, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is further based on a predetermined collision threshold time.

[0189]

[0223] 43. A non-transitory storage medium containing the program code of any of clauses 34-42, further comprising program code for receiving a third pre-ranging request message from a second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the third pre-ranging request message comprising third ranging signal resources including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session.

[0190]

[0224] 44.

[0225] conducting a first ranging session with a first initiator UE, the first ranging session comprising broadcasting a first ranging signal according to a first ranging signal resource;

[0226] conducting a second ranging session with the second initiator UE, the second ranging session comprising broadcasting a second ranging signal according to a third ranging signal resource; a non-transitory storage medium containing the program code of clause 43, further comprising program code for performing

[0191]

[0227] 45. A method of ranging between user equipment (UE) performed by an initiator UE, comprising:

[0228] sending a first pre-ranging request message to the responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session;

[0229] receiving a first pre-ranging response message from the responder UE indicating a collision between a first ranging signal resource for the first ranging signal and a second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal to the second initiator UE; A method comprising:

[0192]

[0230] 46.

[0231] determining an available time for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal;

[0232] sending a second pre-ranging request message to the responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal during the first ranging session based on an available time; The method of clause 45 further comprises:

[0193]

[0233] 47. The method of clause 46, wherein the first pre-ranging response message comprises an available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal.

[0194]

[0234] 48. The method of clause 46 or 47, wherein the available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal is based on a time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource and a predetermined time period.

[0195]

[0235] 49. The method of clause 48, wherein the predetermined time period is based on a maximum latency of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal.

[0196]

[0236] 50. The method of clause 48, wherein the predetermined time period is a predetermined crash threshold time period.

[0197]

[0237] 51.

[0238] receiving a second pre-ranging response message from the responder UE acknowledging the second pre-ranging request message;

[0239] conducting a first ranging session with the responder UE, the first ranging session comprising receiving a first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to a third ranging signal resource; Any of the methods of clauses 46 to 50 further comprising:

[0198]

[0240] 52. The method of clause 45, further comprising conducting a first ranging session with the responder UE, comprising transmitting an initial ranging signal and waiting to receive a first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to a first ranging signal resource.

[0199]

[0241] 53. An initiator UE configured for ranging between user equipment (UE), comprising:

[0242] a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with entities in a wireless network;

[0243] At least one memory;

[0244] at least one processor coupled to a wireless transceiver and at least one memory; wherein at least one processor comprises:

[0245] sending a first pre-ranging request message to the responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session;

[0246] receiving a first pre-ranging response message from the responder UE indicating a collision between a first ranging signal resource for the first ranging signal and a second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal to the second initiator UE; an initiator UE configured to:

[0200]

[0247] 54. At least one processor:

[0248] determining an available time for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal;

[0249] sending a second pre-ranging request message to the responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal during the first ranging session based on an available time; The initiator UE of clause 53, further configured to:

[0201]

[0250] 55. The initiator UE of clause 54, wherein the first pre-ranging response message comprises an available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal.

[0202]

[0251] 56. The initiator UE of clause 54 or 55, wherein the available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal is based on a time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource and a predetermined time period.

[0203]

[0252] 57. The initiator UE of clause 56, wherein the predetermined time period is based on a maximum latency of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal.

[0204]

[0253] 58. The initiator UE of clause 56, wherein the predetermined time period is a predetermined collision threshold time period.

[0205]

[0254] 59. At least one processor:

[0255] receiving a second pre-ranging response message from the responder UE acknowledging the second pre-ranging request message;

[0256] conducting a first ranging session with the responder UE, the first ranging session comprising receiving a first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to a third ranging signal resource; The initiator UE of any of clauses 54 to 58, further configured to:

[0206]

[0257] 60. The initiator UE of clause 53, further configured to conduct a first ranging session with the responder UE by configuring the at least one processor to transmit an initial ranging signal and wait to receive a first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to a first ranging signal resource.

[0207]

[0258] 61. An initiator UE configured for ranging between user equipment (UE), comprising:

[0259] means for transmitting a first pre-ranging request message to a responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session;

[0260] means for receiving a first pre-ranging response message from the responder UE indicating a collision between a first ranging signal resource for the first ranging signal and a second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal to the second initiator UE; An initiator UE comprising:

[0208]

[0261] 62.

[0262] means for determining an available time for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal;

[0263] means for transmitting a second pre-ranging request message to the responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal during the first ranging session based on an available time; The initiator UE of clause 61, further comprising:

[0209]

[0264] 63. The initiator UE of clause 62, wherein the first pre-ranging response message comprises an available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal.

[0210]

[0265] 64. The initiator UE of clause 62 or 63, wherein the available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal is based on a time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource and a predetermined time period.

[0211]

[0266] 65. The initiator UE of clause 64, wherein the predetermined time period is based on a maximum latency of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal.

[0212]

[0267] 66. The initiator UE of clause 64, wherein the predetermined time period is a predetermined collision threshold time period.

[0213]

[0268] 67.

[0269] means for receiving a second pre-ranging response message from the responder UE acknowledging the second pre-ranging request message;

[0270] means for conducting a first ranging session with the responder UE, comprising receiving a first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to a third ranging signal resource; The initiator UE of any one of clauses 62 to 66, further comprising:

[0214]

[0271] 68. The initiator UE of clause 61, further comprising means for conducting a first ranging session with the responder UE, comprising means for transmitting an initial ranging signal and waiting to receive a first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to a first ranging signal resource.

[0215]

[0272] 69. A non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon program code, the program code operable to configure at least one processor in an initiator user equipment (UE) for ranging between UEs, the program code comprising:

[0273] sending a first pre-ranging request message to the responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session;

[0274] receiving a first pre-ranging response message from the responder UE indicating a collision between a first ranging signal resource for the first ranging signal and a second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal to the second initiator UE; a non-transitory storage medium comprising instructions for performing

[0216]

[0275] 70.

[0276] determining an available time for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal;

[0277] sending a second pre-ranging request message to the responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal during the first ranging session based on an available time; 69. A non-transitory storage medium containing the program code of clause 69, further comprising program code for performing

[0217]

[0278] 71. A non-transitory storage medium including the program code of clause 70, wherein the first pre-ranging response message comprises an available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal.

[0218]

[0279] 72. A non-transitory storage medium containing the program code of clause 70 or 71, wherein the available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal is based on a time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource and a predetermined time period.

[0219]

[0280] 73. A non-transitory storage medium containing the program code of clause 72, wherein the predetermined time period is based on a maximum latency of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal.

[0220]

[0281] 74. A non-transitory storage medium containing the program code of clause 72, wherein the predetermined time period is a predetermined collision threshold time period.

[0221]

[0282] 75.

[0283] receiving a second pre-ranging response message from the responder UE acknowledging the second pre-ranging request message;

[0284] conducting a first ranging session with the responder UE, the first ranging session comprising receiving a first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to a third ranging signal resource; A non-transitory storage medium containing the program code of any one of clauses 70 to 74, further comprising program code for performing the above.

[0222]

[0285] 76. A non-transitory storage medium including the program code of clause 70, further comprising program code for conducting a first ranging session with the responder UE, the program code comprising: transmitting an initial ranging signal and waiting to receive a first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to a first ranging signal resource.

[0223]

[0286] Accordingly, it is intended that claimed subject matter not be limited to the particular examples disclosed, but that such claimed subject matter also include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. The inventions described in the claims of the present application as originally filed are set forth below. [C1] 1. A method of ranging between responder user equipment (UE), performed by a UE, the method comprising: receiving a first pre-ranging request message from a first initiator UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; receiving a second pre-ranging request message from a second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a second ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session; determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal based on the first ranging signal resource and the second ranging resource; sending a first pre-ranging response message to the first initiator UE acknowledging the first pre-ranging request message; sending a second pre-ranging response message to the second initiator UE indicating the collision with the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal; A method comprising: [C2] The method of C1, wherein determining the collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal comprises determining that the time to broadcast the second ranging signal is within a predetermined amount of time of the time to broadcast the first ranging signal. [C3] The method of C2, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a predetermined maximum latency of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the second ranging signal. [C4] The method of C2, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a predetermined crash threshold time. [C5] The method of C2, wherein determining the collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal comprises determining that the frequency for broadcasting the second ranging signal and the frequency for broadcasting the first ranging signal are the same. [C6] determining an available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal; The method of C1, wherein the second pre-ranging response message includes the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal. [C7] The method of C6, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is based on the time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource. [C8] The method of C7, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is further based on a predetermined maximum latency of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal. [C9] The method of C7, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is further based on a predetermined collision threshold time. [C10] The method of C1, further comprising receiving a third pre-ranging request message from the second initiator UE to initiate the second ranging session, the third pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast the second ranging signal during the second ranging session. [C11] conducting the first ranging session with the first initiator UE, comprising broadcasting the first ranging signal according to the first ranging signal resource; and conducting the second ranging session with the second initiator UE, comprising broadcasting the second ranging signal according to the third ranging signal resource. [C12] 1. A responder UE configured for ranging between user equipments, comprising: a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with entities in a wireless network; At least one memory; at least one processor coupled to the wireless transceiver and the at least one memory; wherein the at least one processor: receiving a first pre-ranging request message from a first initiator UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; receiving a second pre-ranging request message from a second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a second ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session; determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal based on the first ranging signal resource and the second ranging resource; sending a first pre-ranging response message to the first initiator UE acknowledging the first pre-ranging request message; sending a second pre-ranging response message to the second initiator UE indicating the collision with the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal; a responder UE configured to: [C13] 13. The responder UE of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine the time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is within a predetermined amount of the time for broadcasting the first ranging signal, thereby determining the collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal. [C14] The responder UE of C13, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a predetermined maximum latency of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the second ranging signal. [C15] The responder UE of C13, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a predetermined collision threshold time. [C16] 14. The responder UE of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine that the frequency for broadcasting the second ranging signal and the frequency for broadcasting the first ranging signal are the same, thereby determining the collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal. [C17] the at least one processor is further configured to determine an available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal; The responder UE of C12, wherein the second pre-ranging response message includes the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal. [C18] The responder UE of C17, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is based on the time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource. [C19] The responder UE of C18, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is further based on a predetermined maximum latency of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal. [C20] The responder UE of C18, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is further based on a predetermined collision threshold time. [C21] The responder UE of C12, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive a third pre-ranging request message from the second initiator UE to initiate the second ranging session, the third pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast the second ranging signal during the second ranging session. [C22] The at least one processor: conducting the first ranging session with the first initiator UE by being configured to broadcast the first ranging signal according to the first ranging signal resource; conducting the second ranging session with the second initiator UE by being configured to broadcast the second ranging signal according to the third ranging signal resource; The responder UE of C21, further configured to: [C23] 1. A responder UE configured for ranging between user equipments, comprising: means for receiving a first pre-ranging request message from a first initiator UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; means for receiving a second pre-ranging request message from a second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a second ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session; means for determining collisions between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal based on the first ranging signal resource and the second ranging resource; means for sending a first pre-ranging response message to the first initiator UE acknowledging the first pre-ranging request message; means for sending a second pre-ranging response message to the second initiator UE indicating the collision with the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal; A responder UE comprising: [C24] the means for determining the collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal comprises means for determining that the time to broadcast the second ranging signal is within a predetermined amount of the time to broadcast the first ranging signal; The responder UE of C23, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a predetermined maximum latency time of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the second ranging signal, or a predetermined collision threshold time. [C25] 25. The responder UE of claim 24, wherein the means for determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal comprises means for determining that the frequency for broadcasting the second ranging signal and the frequency for broadcasting the first ranging signal are the same. [C26] means for determining an available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal; The responder UE of C23, wherein the second pre-ranging response message includes the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal. [C27] 27. The responder UE of C26, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is based on the time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource. [C28] The responder UE of C27, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is further based on a predetermined maximum latency of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal. [C29] The responder UE of C27, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is further based on a predetermined collision threshold time. [C30] The responder UE of C23, further comprising means for receiving a third pre-ranging request message from the second initiator UE to initiate the second ranging session, the third pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and frequency for the responder UE to broadcast the second ranging signal during the second ranging session. [C31] means for conducting the first ranging session with the first initiator UE, comprising broadcasting the first ranging signal according to the first ranging signal resource; means for conducting the second ranging session with the second initiator UE, comprising broadcasting the second ranging signal according to the third ranging signal resource; The responder UE of C30 further comprising: [C32] 1. A method for ranging between user equipment (UE) performed by an initiator UE, the method comprising: sending a first pre-ranging request message to a responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; receiving a first pre-ranging response message from the responder UE indicating a collision between the first ranging signal resource for the first ranging signal and a second ranging signal resource for a second ranging signal to a second initiator UE; A method comprising: [C33] determining an available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal; sending a second pre-ranging request message to the responder UE to initiate the first ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal during the first ranging session based on the available time; The method of C32, further comprising: [C34] The method of C33, wherein the first pre-ranging response message comprises the available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal. [C35] The method of C33, wherein the available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal is based on the time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource and a predetermined time period. [C36] The method of C35, wherein the predetermined time period is based on a maximum latency of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal. [C37] The method of C35, wherein the predetermined time period is a predetermined crash threshold time period. [C38] receiving a second pre-ranging response message from the responder UE acknowledging the second pre-ranging request message; conducting the first ranging session with the responder UE, the first ranging session comprising receiving the first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to the third ranging signal resource; The method of C33, further comprising: [C39] The method of C32, further comprising conducting the first ranging session with the responder UE, comprising transmitting an initial ranging signal and waiting to receive the first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to the first ranging signal resource. [C40] 1. An initiator UE configured for ranging between user equipments (UEs), comprising: a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with entities in a wireless network; At least one memory; at least one processor coupled to the wireless transceiver and the at least one memory; wherein the at least one processor: sending a first pre-ranging request message to a responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; receiving a first pre-ranging response message from the responder UE indicating a collision between the first ranging signal resource for the first ranging signal and a second ranging signal resource for a second ranging signal to a second initiator UE; an initiator UE configured to: [C41] The at least one processor: determining an available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal; sending a second pre-ranging request message to the responder UE to initiate the first ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal during the first ranging session based on the available time; The initiator UE of C40, further configured to: [C42] The initiator UE of C41, wherein the first pre-ranging response message comprises the available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal. [C43] The initiator UE of C41, wherein the available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal is based on the time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource and a predetermined time period. [C44] The initiator UE of C43, wherein the predetermined time period is based on a maximum latency of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal. [C45] The initiator UE of C43, wherein the predetermined time period is a predetermined collision threshold time period. [C46] The at least one processor: receiving a second pre-ranging response message from the responder UE acknowledging the second pre-ranging request message; conducting the first ranging session with the responder UE, the first ranging session comprising receiving the first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to the third ranging signal resource; The initiator UE of C41, further configured to: [C47] The initiator UE of C40, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to conduct the first ranging session with the responder UE by transmitting an initial ranging signal and waiting to receive the first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to the first ranging signal resource. [C48] An initiator UE configured for ranging between user equipments (UEs), the initiator UE comprising: means for transmitting a first pre-ranging request message to a responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; means for receiving a first pre-ranging response message from the responder UE indicating a collision between the first ranging signal resource for the first ranging signal and a second ranging signal resource for a second ranging signal to a second initiator UE; An initiator UE comprising: [C49] means for determining an available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal; means for transmitting a second pre-ranging request message to the responder UE to initiate the first ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal during the first ranging session based on the available time. The initiator UE of C48, further comprising: [C50] The initiator UE of C49, wherein the first pre-ranging response message comprises the available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal. [C51] The initiator UE of C49, wherein the available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal is based on the time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource and a predetermined time period that is based on a maximum latency time of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal or is a predetermined collision threshold time period. [C52] means for receiving a second pre-ranging response message from the responder UE acknowledging the second pre-ranging request message; means for conducting the first ranging session with the responder UE, comprising receiving the first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to the third ranging signal resource; The initiator UE of C49, further comprising: [C53] The initiator UE of C48, further comprising means for conducting the first ranging session with the responder UE, the means comprising means for transmitting an initial ranging signal and waiting to receive the first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to the first ranging signal resource.

Claims

1. 1. A method of ranging between responder user equipment (UE), performed by a UE, the method comprising: receiving a first pre-ranging request message from a first initiator UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; receiving a second pre-ranging request message from a second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a second ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session; determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal based on the first ranging signal resource and the second ranging signal resource; sending a first pre-ranging response message to the first initiator UE acknowledging the first pre-ranging request message; sending a second pre-ranging response message to the second initiator UE indicating the collision with the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal; A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal comprises determining that the time to broadcast the second ranging signal is within a predetermined amount of time of the time to broadcast the first ranging signal, optionally the predetermined amount of time being based on a predetermined maximum latency time of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the second ranging signal or a predetermined collision threshold time.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal comprises determining that the frequency for broadcasting the second ranging signal and the frequency for broadcasting the first ranging signal are the same.

4. determining an available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal; The method of claim 1 , wherein the second pre-ranging response message includes the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal.

5. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is based on the time for broadcasting the first ranging signal included in the first ranging signal resource, and optionally, the available time for broadcasting the second ranging signal is further based on a predetermined maximum latency time of a listen-before-transmit procedure for broadcasting the first ranging signal or a predetermined collision threshold time.

6. receiving a third pre-ranging request message from the second initiator UE to initiate the second ranging session, the third pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast the second ranging signal during the second ranging session; and optionally conducting the first ranging session with the first initiator UE, comprising broadcasting the first ranging signal according to the first ranging signal resource; conducting the second ranging session with the second initiator UE, comprising broadcasting the second ranging signal according to the third ranging signal resource; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

7. 1. A responder UE configured for ranging between user equipments, comprising: a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with entities in a wireless network; at least one memory; at least one processor coupled to the wireless transceiver and the at least one memory; wherein the at least one processor receiving a first pre-ranging request message from a first initiator UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; receiving a second pre-ranging request message from a second initiator UE to initiate a second ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a second ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a second ranging signal during the second ranging session; determining a collision between the first ranging signal and the second ranging signal based on the first ranging signal resource and the second ranging signal resource; sending a first pre-ranging response message to the first initiator UE acknowledging the first pre-ranging request message; sending a second pre-ranging response message to the second initiator UE indicating the collision with the second ranging signal resource for the second ranging signal; a responder UE configured to:

8. The responder UE of claim 7, further configured to perform the method of any one of claims 2 to 6.

9. 1. A method for ranging between user equipment (UE) performed by an initiator UE, the method comprising: sending a first pre-ranging request message to a responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; receiving a first pre-ranging response message from the responder UE indicating a collision between the first ranging signal resource for the first ranging signal and a second ranging signal resource for a second ranging signal to a second initiator UE; A method comprising:

10. determining an available time for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal; sending a second pre-ranging request message to the responder UE to initiate the first ranging session, the second pre-ranging request message comprising a third ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast the first ranging signal during the first ranging session based on the available time. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

11. receiving a second pre-ranging response message from the responder UE acknowledging the second pre-ranging request message; conducting the first ranging session with the responder UE, the first ranging session comprising receiving the first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to the third ranging signal resource; The method of claim 10 further comprising:

12. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising conducting the first ranging session with the responder UE, comprising transmitting an initial ranging signal and waiting to receive the first ranging signal transmitted by the responder UE according to the first ranging signal resource.

13. 1. An initiator UE configured for ranging between user equipments (UEs), comprising: a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with entities in a wireless network; at least one memory; at least one processor coupled to the wireless transceiver and the at least one memory; wherein the at least one processor sending a first pre-ranging request message to a responder UE to initiate a first ranging session, the first pre-ranging request message comprising a first ranging signal resource including a time and a frequency for the responder UE to broadcast a first ranging signal during the first ranging session; receiving a first pre-ranging response message from the responder UE indicating a collision between the first ranging signal resource for the first ranging signal and a second ranging signal resource for a second ranging signal to a second initiator UE; an initiator UE configured to:

14. 14. The initiator UE of claim 13, further configured to perform the method of any one of claims 10 to 12.

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