Positioning measurement and reporting configuration

Abstract

Disclosed are an apparatus, method, and system for configuring a positioning configuration and reporting. A device (1000) in a mobile communications network includes a transceiver (1025) that receives (1205) a positioning configuration from a mobile wireless communications network, the positioning configuration defining a positioning configuration timeline and a measurement and processing time window for a UE. In response to receiving the positioning configuration, the device (1000) performs (1210) at least one positioning measurement for the UE according to the positioning processing timeline. The transceiver (1025) transmits (1215) a positioning measurement report from the UE to the mobile wireless communications network, the positioning measurement report including the at least one positioning measurement and a measurement timeline performed for the at least one positioning measurement within the configured time window.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 076,683, entitled "UE PROCESSING ENHANCEMENTS FOR POSITIONING," filed September 10, 2020, by Robin Thoma et al., and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 076,575, entitled "UE REPORTING ENHANCEMENTS FOR POSITIONING," filed September 10, 2020, by Robin Thoma et al., which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to configuring positioning measurements and reporting. [Background technology]

[0003] In certain wireless communication systems, Radio Access Technology ("RAT") dependent positioning using 3GPP® New Radio ("NR") technology is supported in the specification. The specification defines certain requirements for positioning measurements and reporting, including positioning requirements for accuracy, latency, and reliability. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Procedures for configuring positioning measurements and reporting are disclosed, which may be implemented by an apparatus, a system, a method, or a computer program product.

[0005] In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a transceiver that receives a positioning configuration from a mobile wireless communications network, the positioning configuration defining a positioning configuration timeline and a measurement and processing time window for a UE, the positioning configuration including a timeline duration that defines when to start performing measurements, a set of positioning measurements to be taken within the configured time window, and a window duration for measuring and processing requested location-related measurements for the UE according to the positioning processing timeline.

[0006] In one embodiment, the processor performs at least one positioning measurement for the UE according to a positioning processing timeline in response to receiving the positioning configuration. In some embodiments, the transceiver transmits a positioning measurement report from the UE to the mobile wireless communications network, the positioning measurement report including the at least one positioning measurement and an performed measurement timeline of the at least one positioning measurement within the configured time window.

[0007] In one embodiment, another apparatus includes a transceiver that transmits to a user equipment (“UE”) device a positioning configuration that defines a positioning configuration timeline and a measurement and processing time window for the UE. In one embodiment, the positioning configuration includes a timeline period that defines a time to start performing measurements, a set of positioning measurements to be taken within the configured time window, and a window period for measuring and processing requested location-related measurements for the UE according to the positioning processing timeline. In one embodiment, the transceiver receives a positioning measurement report from the UE device that includes at least one positioning measurement and a measurement timeline of the at least one positioning measurement performed within the configured time window.

[0008] In one embodiment, another device receives, from a mobile wireless communications network, a grant configuration for an uplink ("UL") configuration for the UE based on criteria associated with at least one of a positioning latency budget and a positioning processing timeline. In some embodiments, the device includes a processor that performs at least one positioning measurement for the UE according to the positioning processing timeline and generates a positioning measurement report including the at least one positioning measurement. In some embodiments, the transceiver transmits the positioning measurement report to the mobile wireless communications network using the grant configuration for the UL configuration based on availability of positioning-related reference signal measurements in at least one of the positioning latency budget and the positioning processing timeline.

[0009] In one embodiment, another apparatus includes a transceiver that transmits to a user equipment ("UE") device an uplink ("UL") configuration grant configuration based on criteria associated with at least one of a positioning latency budget and a positioning processing timeline, and receives positioning measurement reports from the UE device using the UL configuration grant configuration based on availability of positioning-related reference signal measurements in at least one of the positioning latency budget and the positioning processing timeline.

[0010] A more particular description of the embodiments briefly described above will be given by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which the present embodiments will be described and explained with additional particularity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, with the understanding that these drawings illustrate only some embodiments and therefore should not be considered limiting in scope. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a wireless communication system for configuring positioning measurements and reporting. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a 5G New Radio (“NR”) protocol stack. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of NR beam-based positioning. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of DL-TDOAf data. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a DL-TDOA measurement report. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of UE-assisted positioning for configuring, measuring, and processing positioning measurements and sending reports. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a UE-based positioning system for configuring, measuring, and processing positioning measurements and sending reports. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a UE positioning processing timeline using an MG configuration for configuring, measuring, and processing positioning measurements and sending reports. [Figure 9] 1 illustrates one embodiment of dynamic positioning measurement reporting based on UL CG for configuring, measuring, and processing positioning measurements and sending reports. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a user equipment device that may be used to configure, measure, and process positioning measurements and transmit reports. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a network equipment device that may be used to configure, measure, and process positioning measurements and send reports. [Figure 12] 2 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a first method for configuring, measuring, and processing positioning measurements and transmitting reports. [Figure 13] 10 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a second method for configuring, measuring, and processing positioning measurements and transmitting reports. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a third method for configuring, measuring, and processing positioning measurements and transmitting reports. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a fourth method for configuring, measuring, and processing positioning measurements and transmitting reports. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present embodiments may be embodied as a system, apparatus, method, or program product. Accordingly, the embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects.

[0013] For example, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom very large scale integrated ("VLSI") circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. The disclosed embodiments may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, etc. As another example, the disclosed embodiments may include one or more physical or logical blocks of executable code, which may be organized as, for example, objects, procedures, or functions.

[0014] Furthermore, embodiments may take the form of a program product embodied in one or more computer-readable storage devices storing machine-readable code, computer-readable code, and / or program code, hereinafter referred to as code. The storage devices may be tangible, non-transitory, and / or non-transmittable. The storage devices may not embody signals. In some embodiments, the storage devices employ signals only to access the code.

[0015] Any combination of one or more computer-readable mediums may be utilized. The computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may be a storage device that stores code. The storage device may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, holographic, micro-mechanical, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the above.

[0016] More specific examples (non-exhaustive list) of storage devices would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory ("RAM"), a read-only memory ("ROM"), an erasable programmable read-only memory ("EPROM" or flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory ("CD-ROM"), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the above. In the context of this specification, a computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in association with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0017] The code for carrying out operations for the embodiments may be any number of lines and may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Python, Ruby, Java, Smalltalk, C++, and traditional procedural programming languages ​​such as the “C” programming language, and / or machine code such as assembly language. The code may run entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (“LAN”), wireless LAN (“WLAN”), or wide area network (“WAN”), or the connection may be made to an external computer (e.g., through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider (“ISP”)).

[0018] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of programming, software modules, user selections, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of an embodiment.

[0019] References throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar language mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with this embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment and mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments" unless otherwise specified. The terms "including," "comprising," and "having," and variations thereof, mean "including, but not limited to," unless otherwise specified. An enumerated list of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive unless otherwise specified. The terms "a," "an," and "the" also refer to "one or more" unless otherwise specified.

[0020] As used herein, a list with the conjunction "and / or" includes any single item in the list or combination of items in the list. For example, a list of A, B, and / or C includes A only, B only, C only, a combination of A and B, a combination of B and C, a combination of A and C, or a combination of A, B, and C. As used herein, a list using the term "one or more of" includes any single item in the list or combination of items in the list. For example, one or more of A, B, and C includes A only, B only, C only, a combination of A and B, a combination of B and C, a combination of A and C, or a combination of A, B, and C. As used herein, a list using the term "one of" includes one and only one of any single item in the list. For example, "one of A, B, and C" includes A only, B only, or C only, and excludes the combination of A, B, and C. As used herein, "a member selected from the group consisting of A, B, and C" includes one and only one of A, B, or C, and excludes the combination of A, B, and C. As used herein, "a member selected from the group consisting of A, B, and C, and combinations thereof" includes A only, B only, C only, a combination of A and B, a combination of B and C, a combination of A and C, or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0021] Aspects of the present embodiments are described below with reference to schematic flowchart illustrations and / or schematic block diagrams of methods, apparatus, systems, and program products according to the embodiments. It will be understood that each block of the schematic flowchart illustrations and / or schematic block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the schematic flowchart illustrations and / or schematic block diagrams, may be implemented by code. This code may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, executing via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for performing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams.

[0022] The code may also be stored in a storage device that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the storage device create an article of manufacture that includes instructions that perform the functions / acts specified in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams.

[0023] The code may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be executed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to create a computer-implemented process, such that the code running on the computer or other programmable apparatus provides a process for performing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams.

[0024] The flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatus, systems, methods, and program products according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions of code for implementing the specified logical function(s).

[0025] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially in parallel, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks or portions of blocks of the illustrated figures.

[0026] Various arrow and line types may be employed in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, but it is understood that they do not limit the scope of the corresponding embodiments. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used merely to indicate the logical flow of the illustrated embodiments. For example, arrows may indicate wait or monitoring periods of unspecified duration between recited steps of the illustrated embodiments. It should also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, may be implemented by dedicated hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or by a combination of dedicated hardware and code.

[0027] The description of an element in each figure may refer to the element in the succeeding figure. Like numbers refer to like elements in all figures, including alternative embodiments of like elements.

[0028] Generally, this disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for configuring positioning measurements and reporting. In some embodiments, the methods may be performed using computer code embodied in a computer-readable medium. In some embodiments, the apparatus or system may include a computer-readable medium including computer-readable code that, when executed by a processor, causes the apparatus or system to perform at least a portion of the solutions described below.

[0029] In one embodiment, the subject matter disclosed herein describes enhancements that address issues related to UE processing timelines for downlink (“DL”) positioning reference signals (“PRS”) and / or other related positioning-related reference signals. Different processing capabilities can address different latency and location accuracy requirements. In some embodiments, no enhancements have been proposed regarding UE processing timeline configurations for RAT-dependent positioning procedures that include measurement and reporting of positioning-related reference signals.

[0030] In one embodiment, to meet the requirements of low-latency positioning, it would be advantageous to define different UE processing timelines depending on the capabilities of the target UE. A target UE in the context of this disclosure refers to a UE to be localized. This disclosure aims to address this UE processing timeline issue for positioning and introduces new functionality that enables low-latency positioning. Furthermore, the UE positioning processing timeline is applicable to UE-assisted and UE-based positioning methods. The subject matter of this specification also describes management of the UE processing timeline when measurement gaps are configured on the target UE for positioning purposes, which may have an impact on the UE processing load.

[0031] In further embodiments, the subject matter disclosed herein describes enhancements that address issues related to high measurement and reporting latency of DL-PRS and / or other positioning-related reference signals. Dynamic Layer-1 / 2 signaling can reduce the time required to process and report measurements to a location server. In some embodiments, higher-layer non-access stratum ("NAS") LPP signaling is used to configure RAT-dependent measurement and reporting of positioning-related reference signals, such as DL-PRS, which can be inefficient and introduce high latency.

[0032] The latency between the UE receiving a DL-PRS measurement report configuration (e.g., in the case of UE-assisted positioning) or a location estimation request (e.g., in the case of UE-based positioning) and the UE providing the measurement report / location estimate to a location server such as an LMF may be optimized to reduce the overall positioning delay (Time-To-First-Fix).

[0033] In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a mechanism for enabling dynamic signaling to reduce overall positioning latency in processing measurements and transmitting corresponding reports to a location server. Grants of uplink ("UL") configuration for positioning may reduce report transmission time depending on availability. Priority indications for measurement processing also assist in ranking which measurement reports may be prioritized based on UL resource availability. To enable efficient low-latency reporting of positioning-related reference signals, certain measurements may also be dropped based on a set of criteria, as detailed within the disclosure.

[0034] For Release 17 ("Rel-17") of the 3GPP® specifications, different positioning requirements are particularly stringent with respect to accuracy, latency, and reliability. Table 1 shows the positioning capability requirements for different scenarios in an Industrial Internet of Things ("IIoT") or indoor factory setting. Note that augmented reality in a smart factory has a heading positioning capability requirement of less than 0.17 radians, and a mobile control panel for safety functions in a smart factory (within the factory danger zone) has a heading positioning capability requirement of less than 0.54 radians.

[0035] [Table 1]

[0036] The present disclosure provides enhancements that reduce UE processing timelines for positioning-related reference signals, with an emphasis on low-latency positioning. Note that for purposes of this disclosure, positioning-related reference signals refer to reference signals used in positioning procedures and / or purposes for estimating the location of a target UE, e.g., based on existing reference signals such as PRS or sounding reference signals ("SRS"). In one embodiment, the target UE may be referred to as a device / entity to be localized.

[0037] In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for defining a processing timeline for positioning-related reference signals based on at least one combination of the following criteria: i. Capability of one or more UEs, such as for an enhanced Mobile Broadband ("eMBB") device or an Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications ("URLLC") device; 1. Latency 2.Device Efficiency ii. Positioning accuracy requirements iii. Number of positioning measurement-related quantities to be reported iv. The type of measurements to be processed

[0038] In one embodiment, the present disclosure establishes and specifies requirements for processing location-related measurements from a UE capability perspective, with different positioning timeline configurations accommodating different positioning latency requirements and UE capabilities.

[0039] In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for determining appropriate resources using a configured grant or grants for reporting PRS-based measurements, such as UL resources required for reporting a ProvideLocation message. In such an embodiment, the instance from when measurements become available for reporting to obtaining UL resources may be adapted and configured to enable low latency positioning.

[0040] Some embodiments disclose a method for prioritizing PRS measurement reports based on UL resource availability, UL processing timeline, and accuracy requirements. In such embodiments, the priority handling mechanism allows the LMR to obtain positioning measurements within the required time period based on the configured positioning method, particularly for UE-assisted positioning methods.

[0041] In further embodiments, methods are disclosed for dropping measurement reports based on a set of criteria, such as reports sent within a required timeline and positioning latency budget, etc. In such embodiments, UE measurement processing efficiency is improved since old measurements do not need to be stored in a buffer.

[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system 100 that configures positioning measurements and reporting in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the wireless communication system 100 includes at least one remote unit 105, a radio access network (“RAN”) 120, and a mobile core network 140. The RAN 120 and the mobile core network 140 form a mobile communication network. The RAN 120 may be comprised of a base unit 121 with which the remote unit 105 communicates using a wireless communication link 123. While a specific number of remote units 105, base units 121, wireless communication links 123, RAN 120, and mobile core network 140 are shown in FIG. 1 , those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of remote units 105, base units 121, wireless communication links 123, RAN 120, and mobile core network 140 may be included in the wireless communication system 100.

[0043] In one implementation, the RAN 120 complies with the 5G system specified in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project ("3GPP®") specifications. For example, the RAN 120 may be a Next Generation Radio Access Network ("NG-RAN") that implements a New Radio ("NR") radio access technology ("RAT") and / or a Long Term Evolution ("LTE") RAT. In another example, the RAN 120 may include a non-3GPP® RAT (e.g., Wi-Fi® or an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ("IEEE") 802.11 family compliant WLAN). In another implementation, the RAN 120 complies with the LTE system specified in the 3GPP® specifications. However, more generally, the wireless communication system 100 may implement some other open or proprietary communication network, such as WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) or the IEEE 802.16 family of standards, among others. This disclosure is not intended to be limited to any particular wireless communication system architecture or protocol implementation.

[0044] In one embodiment, the remote unit 105 may include a computing device such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant ("PDA"), a tablet computer, a smartphone, a smart television (e.g., a television connected to the Internet), a smart appliance (e.g., an appliance connected to the Internet), a set-top box, a game console, a security system (including security cameras), a vehicle-mounted computer, a network device (e.g., a router, a switch, a modem), etc. In some embodiments, the remote unit 105 includes a wearable device such as a smart watch, a fitness band, an optical head-mounted display, etc. Additionally, the remote unit 105 may be referred to as a UE, subscriber unit, mobile, mobile station, user, terminal, mobile terminal, fixed terminal, subscriber station, user terminal, wireless transmit / receive unit ("WTRU"), device, or other terminology used in the art. In various embodiments, the remote unit 105 includes a subscriber identification and / or identity module ("SIM") and a mobile equipment ("ME") that provides mobile termination functions (e.g., radio transmission, handover, voice encoding and decoding, error detection and correction, signaling and access to the SIM). In some embodiments, the remote unit 105 may include terminal equipment ("TE") and / or may be incorporated into an appliance or device (e.g., a computing device as described above).

[0045] The remote units 105 may communicate directly with one or more of the base units 121 in the RAN 120 via uplink (“UL”) and downlink (“DL”) communication signals. Additionally, the UL and DL communication signals may be carried over wireless communication links 123, where the RAN 120 is an intermediate network that provides the remote units 105 with access to the mobile core network 140. As described in more detail below, the base units 121 may provide a cell operating using a first frequency range and / or a cell operating using a second frequency range.

[0046] In some embodiments, the remote unit 105 communicates with the application server 151 via a network connection with the mobile core network 140. For example, an application 107 (e.g., a web browser, a media client, a telephone and / or a voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) application) in the remote unit 105 may trigger the remote unit 105 to establish a protocol data unit (“PDU”) session (or other data connection) with the mobile core network 140 via the RAN 120. The mobile core network 140 then relays traffic between the remote unit 105 and the application server 151 in the packet data network 150 using the PDU session. The PDU session represents a logical connection between the remote unit 105 and the user plane function (“UPF”) 141.

[0047] To establish a PDU session (or PDN connection), the remote unit 105 must register with the mobile core network 140, which in the context of fourth generation ("4G") systems is also referred to as "attaching to the mobile core network." It should be noted that the remote unit 105 may establish one or more PDU sessions (or other data connections) with the mobile core network 140. Thus, the remote unit 105 may have at least one PDU session for communicating with the packet data network 150. The remote unit 105 may establish additional PDU sessions for communicating with other data networks and / or other communication peers.

[0048] In the context of 5G systems ("5GS"), the term "PDU session" refers to a data connection that provides end-to-end ("E2E") user plane ("UP") connectivity between the remote unit 105 and a particular data network ("DN") through the UPF 141. A PDU session supports one or more quality of service ("QoS") flows. In some embodiments, there may be a one-to-one mapping between QoS flows and QoS profiles, such that all packets belonging to a particular QoS flow have the same 5G QoS identifier ("5QI").

[0049] In the context of a 4G / LTE system, such as an Evolved Packet System ("EPS"), a packet data network ("PDN") connection (also called an EPS session) provides E2E UP connectivity between a remote unit and the PDN. The PDN connectivity procedure establishes an EPS bearer, i.e., a tunnel between the remote unit 105 and a packet gateway ("PGW," not shown) in the mobile core network 140. In some embodiments, there is a one-to-one mapping between EPS bearers and QoS profiles, such that all packets belonging to a particular EPS bearer have the same QoS class identifier ("QCI").

[0050] The base units 121 may be distributed throughout a geographic region. In some embodiments, the base units 121 may be referred to as access terminals, access points, bases, base stations, Node Bs (“NBs”), evolved Node Bs (also called evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (“E-UTRAN”) Node Bs, abbreviated as eNode Bs or “eNBs”), 5G / NR Node Bs (“gNBs”), Home Node Bs, relay nodes, RAN nodes, or any other terminology used in the art. The base units 121 are generally part of a RAN, such as the RAN 120, which may include one or more controllers communicatively coupled to one or more corresponding base units 121. These and other elements of a radio access network are not shown but are generally well known by those skilled in the art. The base units 121 connect to the mobile core network 140 via the RAN 120.

[0051] The base unit 121 may serve several remote units 105 within a serving area, e.g., a cell or cell sector, via a wireless communication link 123. The base unit 121 may communicate directly with one or more of the remote units 105 via communication signals. Generally, the base unit 121 transmits DL communication signals to serve the remote units 105 in the time, frequency, and / or spatial domains. Furthermore, the DL communication signals may be carried via the wireless communication link 123. The wireless communication link 123 may be any suitable carrier in a licensed or unlicensed radio spectrum. The wireless communication link 123 facilitates communication between one or more of the remote units 105 and / or one or more of the base units 121. It should be noted that during NR operation over an unlicensed spectrum (referred to as “NR-U”), the base unit 121 and the remote units 105 communicate via an unlicensed (i.e., shared) radio spectrum.

[0052] In one embodiment, the mobile core network 140 is a 5GC or evolved packet core ("EPC") that may be coupled to a packet data network 150 such as the Internet and private data networks, among other data networks. The remote units 105 may have a subscription or other account with the mobile core network 140. In various embodiments, each mobile core network 140 belongs to a single mobile network operator ("MNO"). This disclosure is not intended to be limited to any particular wireless communications system architecture or protocol implementation.

[0053] The mobile core network 140 includes several network functions (“NFs”). As shown, the mobile core network 140 includes at least one UPF 141. The mobile core network 140 also includes multiple control plane (“CP”) functions, including, but not limited to, an access and mobility management function (“AMF”) 143 that serves the RAN 120, a session management function (“SMF”) 145, a location management function (“LMF”) 144, a unified data management function (“UDM”), and a user data repository (“UDR”). While a particular number and types of network functions are shown in FIG. 1 , those skilled in the art will recognize that any number and types of network functions may be included within the mobile core network 140.

[0054] The UPF 141 is responsible for packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, QoS processing, and external PDU sessions for interconnecting data networks ("DNs") in the 5G architecture. The AMF 143 is responsible for NAS signaling termination, NAS encryption and integrity protection, registration management, connection management, mobility management, access authentication and authorization, and security context management. The SMF 145 is responsible for session management (i.e., session establishment, modification, release), remote unit (i.e., UE) IP address allocation and management, DL data notification, and traffic steering configuration of the UPF 141 for proper traffic routing.

[0055] The LMF 144 receives or estimates positioning measurements from the RAN 120 and the remote unit 105 (e.g., via the AMF 143) and calculates the location of the remote unit 105. The UDM is responsible for generating authentication and key agreement ("AKA") credentials, user identity processing, access authorization, and subscription management. The UDR is a repository of subscriber information and may be used to service several network functions. For example, the UDR may store subscription data, policy-related data, subscriber-related data that is allowed to be exposed to third-party applications, etc. In some embodiments, the UDM is co-located with the UDR and is illustrated as a combined entity "UDM / UDR" 149.

[0056] In various embodiments, the mobile core network 140 may also include a Policy Control Function (“PCF”) 144 (which provides policy rules to the CP function), a Network Repository Function (“NRF”) (which provides Network Function (“NF”) service registration and discovery, allowing NFs to identify appropriate services in each other and communicate with each other via application programming interfaces (“APIs”)), a Network Publication Function (“NEF”) (which is responsible for making network data and resources easily accessible to customers and network partners), an Authentication Server Function (“AUSF”), or other NFs defined for 5GC. When present, the ASF may act as an authentication server and / or authentication proxy, thereby enabling the AMF 143 to authenticate the remote unit 105. In some embodiments, the mobile core network 140 may include an Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (“AAA”) server.

[0057] In various embodiments, the mobile core network 140 supports different types of mobile data connections and different types of network slices, with each mobile data connection utilizing a specific network slice. Here, a "network slice" refers to a portion of the mobile core network 140 optimized for some traffic type or communication service. For example, one or more network slices may be optimized for enhanced mobile broadband ("eMBB") services. As another example, one or more network slices may be optimized for ultra-reliable low-latency communications ("URLLC") services. In other examples, network slices may be optimized for machine-type communications ("MTC") services, massive MTC ("mMTC") services, Internet of Things ("IoT") services, etc. In still other examples, network slices may be deployed for specific application services, vertical services, specific use cases, etc.

[0058] A network slice instance may be identified by a single network slice selection assistance information (“S-NSSAI”), while the set of network slices that the remote unit 105 is authorized to use for it is identified by a network slice selection assistance information (“NSSAI”). Here, “NSSAI” refers to a vector value that includes one or more S-NSSAI values. In some embodiments, various network slices may include separate instances of network functions, such as the SMF 145 and the UPF 141. In some embodiments, different network slices may share some common network functions, such as the AMF 143. Different network slices are not shown in FIG. 1 for ease of illustration, but their support is assumed.

[0059] As described in more detail below, the remote unit 105 receives a measurement configuration 125 from the network (e.g., from the LMF 144 via the RAN 120) that includes a positioning processing timeline for the remote unit 105 based on the capabilities of the remote unit. The remote unit 105 performs positioning measurements and sends positioning reports to the LMF 144, as described in more detail below.

[0060] While FIG. 1 shows components of a 5G RAN and a 5G core network, the described embodiments for configuring positioning measurements and reporting apply to other types of communication networks and RATs, including IEEE 802.11 variants, Global System for Mobile Communications ("GSM", i.e., 2G digital cellular networks), General Packet Radio Service ("GPRS"), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System ("UMTS"), LTE variants, CDMA2000, Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, Sigfox®, etc.

[0061] Moreover, in LTE variants where the mobile core network 140 is the EPC, the illustrated network functions may be replaced with appropriate EPC entities, such as a mobility management entity ("MME"), a serving gateway ("SGW"), a PGW, a home subscriber server ("HSS"), etc. For example, the AMF 143 may be mapped to the MME, the SMF 145 may be mapped to the control plane portion of the PGW and / or to the MME, the UPF 141 may be mapped to the SGW and the user plane portion of the PGW, the UDM / UDR 149 may be mapped to the HSS, etc.

[0062] In the following description, the term "RAN node" is used for a base station, but is interchangeable with any other radio access node, e.g., gNB, ng-eNB, eNB, base station ("BS"), access point ("AP"), etc. Furthermore, operation is primarily described in the context of 5G NR. However, the proposed solution / method is equally applicable to other mobile communication systems that support configuring positioning measurements and reporting.

[0063] 2 illustrates an NR protocol stack 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates a UE 205, a RAN node 210, and an AMF 215 in a 5G core network ("5GC"), which represent a set of remote units 105 interfacing with a base unit 121 and a mobile core network 140. As illustrated, protocol stack 200 comprises a user plane protocol stack 201 and a control plane protocol stack 203. User plane protocol stack 201 includes a physical ("PHY") layer 220, a media access control ("MAC") sublayer 225, a radio link control ("RLC") sublayer 230, a packet data convergence protocol ("PDCP") sublayer 235, and a service data adaptation protocol ("SDAP") layer 240. Control plane protocol stack 203 includes the physical layer 220, the MAC sublayer 225, the RLC sublayer 230, and the PDCP sublayer 235. The control plane protocol stack 203 also includes a radio resource control (“RRC”) layer 245 and a non-access stratum (“NAS”) layer 250 .

[0064] The AS layer (also referred to as the "AS protocol stack") for the user plane protocol stack 201 consists of at least the SDAP, PDCP, RLC, and MAC sublayers, and a physical layer. The AS layer for the control plane protocol stack 203 consists of at least the RRC, PDCP, RLC, and MAC sublayers, and a physical layer. Layer 2 ("L2") is divided into the SDAP, PDCP, RLC, and MAC sublayers. Layer 3 ("L3") includes the RRC sublayer 245 and NAS layer 250 for the control plane, and includes, for example, an Internet Protocol ("IP") layer and / or a PDU layer (not shown) for the user plane. L1 and L2 are referred to as "lower layers," and L3 and above (e.g., transport layer, application layer) are referred to as "higher layers" or "upper layers."

[0065] The physical layer 220 provides transport channels to the MAC sublayer 225. The physical layer 220 may perform clear channel assessment and / or listen-before-talk ("CCA / LBT") procedures using an energy detection threshold, as described herein. In some embodiments, the physical layer 220 may send a notification of a UL listen-before-talk ("LBT") failure to a MAC entity in the MAC sublayer 225. The MAC sublayer 225 provides logical channels to the RLC sublayer 230. The RLC sublayer 230 provides RLC channels to the PDCP sublayer 235. The PDCP sublayer 235 provides radio bearers to the SDAP sublayer 240 and / or the RRC layer 245. The SDAP sublayer 240 provides QoS flows to the core network (e.g., 5GC). The RRC layer 245 adds, modifies, and releases carrier aggregation and / or dual connectivity. The RRC layer 245 also manages the establishment, configuration, maintenance, and release of signaling radio bearers (“SRBs”) and data radio bearers (“DRBs”).

[0066] The NAS layer 250 resides between the UE 205 and the 5GC 215. NAS messages are passed transparently through the RAN. The NAS layer 250 is used to manage the establishment of communication sessions and to maintain continuous communication with the UE 205 as it moves between different cells of the RAN. In contrast, the AS layer resides between the UE 205 and the RAN (i.e., the RAN node 210) and carries information over the wireless portion of the network.

[0067] In one embodiment, the following RAT dependent positioning techniques may be supported by the system 100:

[0068] DL-TDoA: The DL-TDOA positioning method utilizes the DL RS time difference ("DL RSTD") (and optionally the DL PRS RS received power ("DL PRS RSRP")) of downlink signals received at the UE 205 (i.e., the remote unit 105) from multiple TPs. The UE 205 measures the DL RSTD (and optionally the DL PRS RSRP) of the received signals using assistance data received from a positioning server, and the resulting measurements are used together with other configuration information to determine the location of the UE 205 relative to neighboring transmission points ("TPs").

[0069] DL-AoD: The DL Angle of Departure ("AoD") positioning method utilizes measured DL PRS RSRPs of downlink signals received from multiple TPs at the UE 205. The UE 205 measures the DL PRS RSRPs of the received signals using assistance data received from a positioning server, and the resulting measurements are used together with other configuration information to determine the position of the UE 205 relative to neighboring TPs.

[0070] Multi-RTT: The multi-round trip time ("multi-RTT") positioning method utilizes UE transmit / receive ("Rx-Tx") measurements measured by the UE 205 and DL PRS RSRP of downlink signals received from multiple TRPs, as well as gNB Rx-Tx measurements (i.e., measured by the RAN node 210) and UL SRS-RSRP of uplink signals transmitted from the UE 205 in multiple TRPs.

[0071] The UE 205 uses the assistance data received from the positioning server to measure UE Rx-Tx measurements (and optionally DL PRS RSRP of the received signal), and the TRP uses the assistance data received from the positioning server to measure gNB Rx-Tx measurements (and optionally UL SRS-RSRP of the received signal). The measurements are used to determine a round trip time ("RTT") at the positioning server, which is used to estimate the UE's location.

[0072] E-CID / NR E-CID: An enhanced Cell ID (CID) positioning method in which the location of a UE 205 is estimated using knowledge of the UE's serving ng-eNB, gNB, and cells and is based on LTE signals. Information about the serving ng-eNB, gNB, and cells may be obtained by paging, registration, or other methods. NR enhanced Cell ID (NR E CID) positioning refers to techniques that use additional UE measurements and / or NR radio resources and other measurements to improve the UE location estimate using NR signals.

[0073] Although NR E-CID positioning may utilize some of the same measurements as the measurement control system in the RRC protocol, the UE 205 is generally not expected to make additional measurements for the sole purpose of positioning; i.e., the positioning procedure does not provide measurement configuration or measurement control messages, and the UE 205 reports the available measurements that it has rather than being required to take additional measurement actions.

[0074] UL-TDoA: The UL TDOA positioning method utilizes UL TDOA (and optionally UL SRS-RSRP) at multiple RPs of uplink signals transmitted from the UE 205. The RPs measure the UL TDOA (and optionally UL SRS-RSRP) of the received signals using assistance data received from a positioning server, and the resulting measurements are used together with other configuration information to estimate the location of the UE 205.

[0075] UL-AoA: The UL Angle of Arrival ("AoA") positioning method utilizes the measured azimuth and zenith of arrival at multiple RPs of uplink signals transmitted from the UE 205. The RPs measure the A-AoA and Z-AoA of the received signals using assistance data received from a positioning server, and the resulting measurements are used together with other configuration information to estimate the location of the UE.

[0076] Several UE positioning methods supported in Release 16 are listed in Table 2. Separate positioning techniques as shown in Table 2 can currently be configured and performed based on the requirements of the LMF and / or UE capabilities. Note that Table 2 includes TBS positioning based on PRS signals, but only OTDOA based on LTE signals is supported. E-CID includes the cell ID for NR methods. Terrestrial Beacon System ("TBS") method refers to TBS positioning based on Metropolitan Beacon System ("MBS") signals.

[0077] [Table 2]

[0078] The transmission of positioning reference signals (“PRS”) enables the UE 205 to perform UE positioning-related measurements to calculate a location estimate for the UE and is configured per transmit reception point (“TRP”), where the TRP may transmit one or more beams.

[0079] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system 300 for NR beam-based positioning. According to Release 16, a PRS can be transmitted by different (serving and neighboring) base stations using narrow beams across frequency range #1 ("FR1", i.e., frequencies from 410 MHz to 7125 MHz) and frequency range #2 ("FR2", i.e., frequencies from 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz), which is relatively different compared to LTE in which a PRS was transmitted across the entire cell. As shown in Figure 3, a UE 205 may receive a PRS from a first gNB (gNB #1) 310, which is the serving gNB, as well as from a neighboring second gNB (gNB #2) 315 and a neighboring third gNB (gNB #3) 320. Here, the PRS can be locally associated with a PRS resource ID and resource set ID for the base station (i.e., TRP). In the illustrated embodiment, each gNB 310, 315, 320 is configured with a first resource set ID 325 and a second resource set ID 330. As shown, the UE 205 receives PRS on a transmit beam, where it receives PRS from gNB #1 310 on PRS resource ID #1 from the second resource set ID 330, receives PRS from gNB #2 315 on PRS resource ID #3 from the second resource set ID 330, and receives PRS from gNB #3 320 on PRS resource ID #3 from the first resource set ID 325.

[0080] Similarly, UE positioning measurements such as reference signal time difference ("RSTD") and PRS RSRP measurements are made across beams rather than across different cells as was the case in LTE. In addition, there are additional UL positioning methods for the network to leverage to calculate the location of the target UE. Table 3 lists the required RS-to-measurement mappings for each supported RAT-dependent positioning technique at the UE, and Table 4 (below) lists the required RS-to-measurement mappings for each supported RAT-dependent positioning technique at the gNB.

[0081] [Table 3]

[0082] [Table 4]

[0083] RAT-dependent positioning techniques involve 3GPP® RATs and core network entities to perform location estimation of the UE, and are differentiated from RAT-independent positioning techniques that rely on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (“GNSS”), Inertial Measurement Unit (“IMU”) sensors, WLAN, and Bluetooth technologies to perform target device (i.e., UE) positioning.

[0084] For PRS design, in 3GPP Release 16, a DL PRS resource ID in a DL PRS resource set is associated with a single beam transmitted from a single TRP. Note that a TRP may transmit one or multiple beams. A DL PRS occasion is one instance of a periodically repeating time window (consecutive slots) in which a DL PRS is expected to be transmitted. Regarding quasi-co-location ("QCL") relationships across Type-D DL PRS resources, one or more of the following options are supported: ·QCL Option 1: QCL-TypeC from Synchronous Signal Block (SSB) from TRP. ·QCL Option 2: QCL-TypeC from DL PRS resources from TRP. ·QCL Option 3: QCL-TypeA from DL PRS resources from TRP. ·QCL Option 4: QCL-TypeC from Channel State Information Reference Signal (“CSI-RS”) resources from the TRP. ·QCL Option 5: QCL-TypeA from CSI-RS resources from TRP. ·QCL Option 6: QCL relationships beyond Type D are not supported.

[0085] Note that QCL-TypeA refers to Doppler shift, Doppler spread, mean delay, and delay spread, QCL-TypeB refers to Doppler shift and Doppler spread, QCL-TypeC refers to mean delay and Doppler shift, and QCL-TypeD refers to spatial Rx parameters.

[0086] For DL ​​PRS resources, QCL-TypeC (option 1) from SSB from TRP is supported. An ID is defined that can be associated with multiple DL PRS resource sets associated with a single TRP. An ID is defined that can be associated with multiple DL PRS resource sets associated with a single TRP. This ID can be used together with the DL PRS resource set ID and DL PRS resource ID to uniquely identify DL PRS resources. Each TRP should be associated with only one such ID.

[0087] DL PRS resource IDs are locally specified within a DL PRS resource set. DL PRS resource set IDs are locally specified within the TRP. The duration spanned by one DL PRS resource set containing repeated DL PRS resources should not exceed DL-PRS-Periodicity. The parameter DL-PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor is configured for a DL PRS resource set and controls how many times each DL-PRS resource is repeated for a single instance of the DL-PRS resource set. Supported values ​​may include 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, and 32.

[0088] When referring to NR positioning, the term "positioning frequency layer" refers to Same SCS and CP type, Same center frequency, ·Having the same point-A, · Refers to a collection of DL PRS resource sets across one or more TRPs; All DL PRS resources in the DL PRS resource set have the same bandwidth; All DL PRS resource sets belonging to the same positioning frequency layer have the same values ​​of DL PRS bandwidth and starting PRB.

[0089] The duration of a DL PRS symbol in ms may be specified so that the UE can process every T ms, assuming a 272 PRB allocation is the UE capability.

[0090] If the UE is expected to measure DL RRS resources outside of an active DL BWP, RRC signaling may be introduced for the UE to request measurement gap configuration. If DL PRS resources are processed in an active BWP and the UE does not have a measurement gap configured, then at least in FR2, the UE is expected to process DL PRS in the same OFDM symbol and other DL signals and channels are transmitted to the UE. The behavior in FR1 is determined by RAN4.

[0091] In one embodiment, the configured DL PRS is transmitted on DL symbols of slots configured by higher layers. In a further embodiment, the configured DL PRS is transmitted on symbols of slots configured as flexible symbols by higher layers. In some embodiments, if the UE is not provisioned with a measurement gap, the UE is not expected to process DL PRS resources for the serving cell or neighboring cells on symbols indicated as UL by the serving cell.

[0092] In one embodiment, for UE DL PRS processing capability, the UE reports a set of (N, T) values ​​per bandwidth, where N is the duration of DL PRS symbols in ms processed per T ms for a given maximum bandwidth (B) in MHz supported by the UE. In addition, the UE reports a new parameter, DL PRS Resources, which the UE can process in a slot and is reported per SCS per bandwidth. Its values ​​may include 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 32, and 64.

[0093] In one embodiment, the following set of values ​​for N, T, and B are supported: N={0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50} ms, T={8, 16, 20, 30, 40, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280} ms, and maximum BW reported by the UE={5, 10, 20, 40, 50, 80, 100, 200, 400} MHz.

[0094] If the UE is configured with assistance data for a positioning method with a number of PRS resources beyond its capabilities (FGs 13-2, 13-3, and 13-4 for AoD, TDOA, and MRTT, respectively), the UE assumes that the DL-PRS resources in the assistance data are sorted in descending order of measurement priority. Specifically, in one embodiment, the following priorities are assumed according to the current RAN2 structure of the assistance data: The four frequency layers are sorted according to priority. 64 TRPs per frequency layer are sorted according to priority Two sets per TRP for the frequency layer, sorted according to priority · The set of 64 resources per TRP per frequency layer is sorted according to priority.

[0095] In one embodiment, the reference indicated by nr-DL-PRS-ReferenceInfo-r16 for each frequency layer has at least the highest priority for DL-TDOA.

[0096] In some embodiments, the terms antenna, panel, and antenna panel are used interchangeably. An antenna panel is hardware used to transmit and receive radio signals at frequencies below Frequency Range 1 (FR1), for example, or above 6 GHz, for example, Frequency Range 2 (FR2) or millimeter wave (mmWave). In some embodiments, the antenna panel comprises an array of antenna elements, each connected to hardware such as a phase shifter that allows a control module to apply spatial parameters for transmitting and receiving signals. The resulting radiation pattern, sometimes called a beam, may or may not be unimodal, allowing the device to amplify signals transmitted and received from a spatial direction.

[0097] In some embodiments, the antenna panels may or may not be virtualized as antenna ports in this embodiment. The antenna panels may be connected to a baseband processing module via a radio frequency ("RF") chain for each of the transmit (downlink) and receive (uplink) directions. The capabilities of a device, such as the number of antenna panels, their duplexing capabilities, their beamforming capabilities, etc., may or may not be transparent to other devices. In some embodiments, capability information may be communicated via signaling, or in some embodiments, capability information may be provided to the device without the need for signaling. If such information is available to other devices, it may be used for signaling or local decision-making.

[0098] In some embodiments, a device (e.g., UE, node) antenna panel may be a physical or logical antenna array comprising a set of antenna elements or antenna ports that share common or significant portions of the RF chain (e.g., in-phase / quadrature “I / Q”) modulators, analog-to-digital (“A / D”) converters, local oscillators, phase-shift networks). A device antenna panel or “device panel” may be a logical entity, and physical device antennas are mapped to the logical entity. The mapping of physical device antennas to logical entities may depend on the device implementation. Communication (receive or transmit) over at least a subset of the antenna elements or antenna ports (or, also referred to herein as active elements) active to radiate energy of the antenna panel requires biasing or powering up of the RF chain, which results in a current drain or power consumption of the device associated with the antenna panel (including the power consumption of power amplifiers / low-noise amplifiers (“LNAs”) associated with the antenna elements or antenna ports). The phrase “active to radiate energy,” as used herein, is not meant to be limited to transmit functionality but includes receive functionality. Thus, the antenna elements that are active to radiate energy may be simultaneously or sequentially coupled to a transmitter to transmit radio frequency energy, or to a receiver to receive radio frequency energy, or generally to a transceiver to perform their intended function. Communication over the active elements of the antenna panel allows for the generation of a radiation pattern or beam.

[0099] In some embodiments, depending on the device's own implementation, the "device panel" can have at least one of the following functions as operational roles of the antenna group units for independently controlling its Tx beams, the antenna group units for independently controlling its transmit power, and the antenna group units for independently controlling its transmit timing: The "device panel" may be transparent to the RAN node. Under certain conditions, the RAN node 210 can assume that the mapping between the device's physical antennas to logical entities will not change. For example, the conditions include the period until the next update or report from the device, or the time period during which the RAN node assumes there will be no changes to the mapping.

[0100] A device reports its capabilities in terms of "device panels" to a RAN node or network. Device capabilities may include at least the number of "device panels." In one embodiment, a device supports UL transmission from one beam in a panel, and in multiple panels, one or more beams (one beam per panel) may be used for UL transmission. In another embodiment, more than one beam per panel may be supported / used for UL transmission.

[0101] In some described embodiments, antenna ports are defined such that the channel over which a symbol on an antenna port is conveyed can be inferred from the channel over which another symbol on the same antenna port is conveyed.

[0102] Two antenna ports are said to be quasi-collocated if the large-scale characteristics of the channel through which symbols of one antenna port are conveyed can be inferred from the channel through which symbols of the other antenna port are conveyed, including one or more of delay spread, Doppler spread, Doppler shift, mean gain, mean delay, and spatial Rx parameters.

[0103] Two antenna ports may be quasi-colocated with respect to a subset of large-scale characteristics, and different subsets of large-scale characteristics may be indicated by a quasi-colocation ("QCL") type. For example, the parameter QCL type may take one of the following values: "QCL-TypeA'": {Doppler shift, Doppler spread, mean delay, delay spread} "QCL-TypeB'": {Doppler shift, Doppler spread} "QCL-TypeC": {Doppler shift, average delay} "QCL-TypeD'": {Spatial Rx parameters}

[0104] The spatial Rx parameters may include one or more of angle of arrival ("AoA"), dominant AoA, average AoA, angular divergence, power angular spectrum ("PAS") of AoA, average angle of departure ("AoD"), PAS of AoD, transmit and receive channel correlation, transmit and receive beamforming, spatial channel correlation, etc.

[0105] An "antenna port" according to an embodiment may be a logical port that may correspond to a beam (resulting from beamforming) or may correspond to a physical antenna on the device. In some embodiments, a physical antenna may be directly mapped to a single antenna port, with the antenna port corresponding to an actual physical antenna. Alternatively, a set or subset of physical antennas, or an antenna set or antenna array or antenna subarray, is mapped to one or more antenna ports after applying a complex weight, a cyclic delay, or both to the signal of each physical antenna. A physical antenna set may have antennas from a single module or panel or from multiple modules or panels. Weights may be determined by antenna virtualization methods, such as cyclic delay diversity ("CDD"). The procedure used to derive antenna ports from physical antennas is specified in the device embodiment and may be transparent to other devices.

[0106] In some described embodiments, a TCI state associated with a target transmission may indicate parameters for configuring a quasi-co-location relationship between the target transmission (e.g., the target RS of the DM-RS port of the target transmission during a transmission occurrence) and a source reference signal (e.g., SSB / CSI-RS / SRS) with respect to the QCL type parameter indicated in the corresponding TCI state. A device may receive one configuration of multiple transmission configuration indicator states for a serving cell for a transmission on the serving cell.

[0107] In some described embodiments, the spatial relationship information associated with the target transmission may indicate parameters for configuring a spatial setting between the target transmission and a reference RS (e.g., SSB / CSI-RS / SRS). For example, the device may transmit the target transmission using the same spatial domain filter / beam used to receive the reference RS (e.g., DL RS such as SSB / CSI-RS). In another example, the device may transmit the target transmission using the same spatial domain filter / beam used to transmit the reference RS (e.g., UL RS such as SRS). The device may receive one configuration of multiple spatial relationship information configurations for a serving cell for transmission on the serving cell.

[0108] For physical layer latency, the start and end times are defined as shown in Table 5 below.

[0109] [Table 5]

[0110] In one embodiment, physical layer latency for DL-only, UL-only, and DL+UL location solutions for UE-based and UL-assisted approaches are defined separately. In some embodiments, at least the following information is provided for physical layer latency analysis: The source that initiates the position measurement / location request for a given UE (UE, network) Destinations to wait for location measurement / location for a given UE (UE, network) For Release 16 solutions, start and stop triggers / events for physical layer latency evaluation based on the specifications for each solution Initial and final RRC states of the positioned UE at start and end times for physical layer latency estimation Positioning a. Techniques (enumeration): (1) DL-TDOA, (2) DL AoD, (3) UL-TDoA, (4) UL-AoA, (5) Multi-RTT, (6) E-CID b.Type: DL, UL, DL+UL c. Mode: UE-based, UE-assisted Latency components with value ranges and descriptions, including information about parallel (concurrent) components Total latency value

[0111] In one embodiment, semi-persistent and aperiodic transmission and reception of DL PRS is used and may include UE-assisted and / or UE-based positioning and DL positioning and / or multi-RTT.

[0112] In one embodiment, on-demand transmission and reception of DL PRS is used and may include UE-assisted and / or UE-based positioning and DL positioning and / or multi-RTT. As used herein, semi-persistent means MAC-CE triggered, aperiodic corresponds to DCI triggered, and on-demand corresponds to UE-initiated or network-initiated request of PRS and / or SRS. In one embodiment, this is not the same as whether the PRS is DCI-triggered or MAC-CE-triggered, but rather relates to the UE or LM requesting / proposing / recommending a particular PRS pattern, ON / OFF, periodicity, BW, etc.

[0113] In one embodiment, for RAN4 positioning, the Release 15 measurement gap ("MG") pattern is applicable to positioning measurements. When a new MG pattern is introduced, the new MG pattern is a UE capability. In one embodiment, the handling of LTE PRS in the Release 15 CSSF is reused for gaps shared between NR PRS and RRM. In some embodiments, for PRS measurement periods, if incomplete PRS measurements in an active BWP are abandoned and resumed in the gap, no additional requirements are defined, but the relevant requirements for positioning measurements performed within an active BWP capture the UE behavior described above.

[0114] In some embodiments, for UEs that do not require PRS and / or RRM measurement mitigation with parallel processing of PRS and RRM measurements, and for UEs that require PRS and / or RRM measurement mitigation with parallel processing of PRS and RRM measurements, the UE capability signaling may indicate that parallel processing of PRS and RRM measurements does not require PRS and / or RRM measurement mitigation.

[0115] In addition to the measurement gap patterns in Release 15, RAN4 introduces new measurement gap patterns applicable to UEs configured with NR positioning measurements in Release 16. The number of new measurement gap patterns is two, including the new measurement gap patterns are UE capabilities.

[0116] In one embodiment, the UE may support the measurement gap patterns listed in Table 6. The UE may determine the measurement gap timing based on the gap offset configuration and measurement gap timing advance provided by higher layer signaling.

[0117] [Table 6]

[0118] In one embodiment, for the measurement and reporting configuration, UE measurements that are applicable to DL-based positioning techniques are defined.

[0119] 4 illustrates an example of an information element 400, i.e., NR-DL-TDOA-ProvideAssistanceData, that is used by a location server to provide assistance data configuration for enabling UE-assisted and UE-based downlink TDOA. The illustrated information element ("IE") is used to provide NR DL TDOA positioning-specific error reasons.

[0120] 5 shows an example of a DL-TDOA measurement report 500 including an NR-DL-TDOA-SignalMeasurementInformation IE that can be used by a target device to provide NR-DL TDOA measurements to a location server. The measurements are provided as a list of TRPs, where the first TRP in the list is used as the reference TRP when reporting RSTD measurements. The first TRP in the list may or may not be the reference TRP indicated in the NR-DL-PRS-AssistanceData. Furthermore, the target device selects a reference resource for each TRP and aggregates the measurements for each TRP based on the selected reference resource.

[0121] For RAT dependent positioning measurements, different DL measurements including DL PRS-RSRP, DL RSTD, and UE Rx-Tx time difference were required for supported RAT dependent positioning techniques. The following measurement configurations are specified: Four pairs of DL RSTD measurements may be performed per cell pair, with each measurement performed between a different pair of DL PRS resources / resource sets with a single reference timing. Eight DL PRS RSRP measurements can be performed on different DL PRS resources from the same cell.

[0122] [Table 7]

[0123] The present embodiment includes techniques that enable configuration related to UE positioning processing capabilities and UL resource availability to enable positioning in various latency and accuracy scenarios, including low latency and high accuracy positioning. It should be noted that these embodiments may be used in combination with each other depending on the embodiment.

[0124] In a first embodiment, the UE processing timeline for a DL-based positioning method is discussed, which requires measurements related to DL-PRS to obtain a position estimate for the target UE, such as RSTD, UE Rx-Tx time difference, DL-PRS RSRP, etc. In this aspect, the presented solution is tailored towards UE-assisted positioning (position estimate is calculated in the LMF) and UE-based positioning (position estimate is calculated locally at the UE).

[0125] In one embodiment, UE-assisted positioning involves signal exchange between the serving gNB, the target UE, and ultimately the LMF in determining the position estimate. Figure 6 shows a systematic procedure for a target UE to perform positioning in a scenario where the PRS is handled within the DL BWP.

[0126] The UE processing timeline is measured from the time the target UE receives the DL-PRS physical layer configuration to the time the target UE sends a measurement report to the serving gNB. The Y parameter 602 defines the period from when the UE receives the DL-PRS configuration in the ProvideAssistanceData message until it receives a RequestLocationInformation message containing the measurement configuration including the numbers to be measured and reported. The X parameter 604 defines the time period between the UE receiving the RequestLocationInformation message and the UE sending the ProvideLocationInformation message containing the measurement report.

[0127] In one embodiment, the Y duration 602 depends primarily on when the UE receives the DL-PRS configuration (e.g., via broadcast or dedicated signaling), which may occur when the UE is in either an RRC_IDLE / INACTIVE or RRC_CONNECTED state. Depending on the time instance when step (2) is triggered, the target UE may store the DL-PRS configuration for a period defined by Y 602, which may vary depending on the state of the target UE.

[0128] The X duration 604 depends on the positioning method configured by the LMF and the number of measurements to be performed, as shown in Table 8. Table 8 also indicates the maximum number of measurements supported per target UE. The X duration 604 is not limited to the techniques shown in Table 8, but may accommodate any positioning method and corresponding measurements configured by the location server.

[0129] [Table 8]

[0130] In another embodiment, the UE receives the DL-PRS configuration and the corresponding reporting configuration together. In this scenario, a combined processing timeline can be assumed, including processing the configuration, performing DL-PRS measurements, and processing the reports.

[0131] The LMF 144 can configure a set of X604 (and Y602) values ​​for the UE depending on the following factors: ·UE Capability of UE: Compared to an enhanced capability UE, a low capability positioning UE has relaxed timing requirements. · Positioning Latency Budget: Positioning services have Time-to-Find-First-Fix ("TTFF") budgets that range from relaxed to strict. · Accuracy requirements: Depending on the number of measurements performed within the X time window, the positioning accuracy can be low or high.

[0132] The X and Y values ​​602, 604 may depend on the required positioning latency budget required by the LCS client or application function. The UE processing configuration may be signaled in at least one of the following ways: For example, via dedicated signaling for UE-specific processing timeline configuration, depending on the latency budget of the positioning service. a. Relaxed latency requirements may use LPP signaling. b. For stringent latency requirements, dynamic L1 / L2 signaling such as DCI / MAC CE / RRC signaling may be used. Via system information broadcast signaling, e.g. SIB / on-demand signaling for a set of UEs according to a common above criteria.

[0133] In one implementation example, when a UE is configured to report measurements related to DL-TDOA, two embodiments can be considered depending on the processing capabilities of the UE: In one embodiment, the UE can process both DL-PRS RSTD measurements and DL-PRS RSRP measurements simultaneously, such that the processing timeline X consists of a single value. In another embodiment, the UE may process the DL-PRS RSTD measurements and the DL-PRS RSRP measurements sequentially, such that the processing timeline X consists of two timelines X1 and X2, respectively.

[0134] 7 illustrates the procedures associated with UE-based positioning and the corresponding UE processing timeline associated with such procedures. Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the DL-PRS is also processed within the DL-BWP.

[0135] In one embodiment, for UE-based positioning, the target UE needs to initiate step 1 when: The EU does not have a previous DL-PRS physical layer configuration stored, The existing DL-PRS configuration is outdated, or · If the existing DL-PRS configuration does not match your accuracy requirements.

[0136] In one embodiment, the period Z702 between steps (1) 701 and (2) 703 depends on the scheduling latency of the LMF to provide the desired measurement configuration. Steps (2) 703 and (3) 705 are similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, where the UE processing delay depends on the duration between the instance when the UE receives the DL-PRS physical layer configuration and the instance when the required number of measurements have been collected (as specified by U704). V706 is the processing period for calculating a position estimate at the target UE. Steps (5) 707 and (6) 709 are optionally required if the LMF 144 desires the target UE's estimated position to be reported and therefore may not affect the target UE's positioning processing timeline, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, where step (3) directly affects the UE's processing timeline. Similarly, in step (4) 711, the target UE can locally calculate a position estimate based on the positioning measurements.

[0137] In a further embodiment, measurements of DL-PRS configurations are extended outside the serving cell's active DL BWP, requiring DL-PRS measurements of TRPs from neighboring cells to improve positioning accuracy. In one embodiment, to measure DL-PRS resources outside the serving cell / frequency's DL BWP, a measurement gap needs to be configured at the target UE, which can be provided to the UE or provided on request. This can increase the UE's processing load and delay. Currently, Release 16 positioning has several issues to consider regarding the UE's positioning processing capabilities. ·Since the configuration of RRM and positioning measurement gaps is shared, the time-frequency location of the DL-PRS resource must be within the same SMTC window as the SSB of the corresponding non-serving cell to be measured. ·UE processing timeline is affected by measurement gap length ("MGL") and may not be optimized for reduced positioning latency. · There is a delay associated with the target UE receiving the measurement gap ("MG") configuration (e.g., via RRC) and then applying this configuration.

[0138] 8 illustrates the impact of MG configuration on the UE positioning processing timeline in relation to the MGL 803 and measurement gap repetition period (“MGRP”) 801. Delays associated with requesting and / or receiving MG configuration are not shown.

[0139] In one embodiment, for both RRM and positioning, a per-UE or per-FR MGRP can be configured. This means that the MGL 803 needs to accommodate SMTC and PRS opportunities. There is a trade-off between the UE processing load and the length and periodicity of the MGRP 801, which accommodates PRS opportunities measured for high precision positioning. RF tuning times 807 at the start and end of the MGL are also shown to contribute to the MGL 803.

[0140] The illustrated embodiment presents a hybrid MG configuration for positioning that can adapt {X1, X2, ..., XN} 805 based on a set of criteria, as described in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. ·UE Capability of UE: Compared to an enhanced capability UE, a low capability positioning UE has relaxed timing requirements. · Positioning Latency Budget: Positioning services have Time-to-Find-First-Fix ("TTFF") budgets that range from relaxed to strict. · Accuracy requirements: Depending on the number of measurements performed within the X time window, the positioning accuracy can be low or high.

[0141] In a further embodiment, a PRS Processing Unit ("PPU") is proposed for a target UE so that the processing capability of that UE can be defined in terms of the number of PPUs it can support for a given symbol to process PRS measurements and reports. Furthermore, for each type of PRS measurement and report, the UE capability can be defined in terms of the number of PPUs required to process the corresponding report.

[0142] In one implementation of this embodiment, when a UE is configured to report DL-TDOA measurements and the UE is capable of supporting M PPUs, if DL-PRS RSTD requires N PPUs in a symbol, the remaining MN PPUs may be used for DL-PRS RSRP if sufficient, otherwise not allowing parallel processing in the same symbol. In such an embodiment, sequential processing may be performed.

[0143] In one embodiment, a mechanism is described for the UE to provide UL resources for transmitting positioning measurement reports within a defined period to the LMF 144. Currently, NR defines two types of configured grants: Type 1 and Type 2 grants: Type 1 grants can be configured via RRC, including periodicity. Type 2 grants can be activated / deactivated via the DCI.

[0144] For UE-assisted positioning, measurement reports may be sent via the ProvideLocation message (higher layer NAS signaling), which is non-dynamic in nature compared to Type 1 and Type 2 configured grants based on L1 / L2 signaling. For UE-based positioning, the ProvideLocation message provides the calculated UE position estimate.

[0145] The LMF 144 can request the serving gNB to configure an UL grant when positioning-related measurements are ready to be reported (e.g., step 4 of FIG. 6 or step 6 of FIG. 7), for example, based on a previous DL-PRS transmission. Figure 9 is a diagram of the dynamic reporting mechanism. In step (1) 901 of FIG. 9(a), the UE receives a UL CG configuration including exemplary configuration details such as time-frequency resources, activation indication, offset, and / or periodicity. The serving gNB can perform prior confirmation through message exchanges with the LMF 144 regarding DL-PRS scheduling with other neighboring cells, since target UEs in the serving cell can only be configured with UL Type 1 activation (FIG. 9(a)) or Type 2 activation (FIG. 9(b)). Steps (2)-(5) 903-909 of FIG. 9(a) involve transmitting a positioning report based on earliest availability.

[0146] In alternative embodiments, measurements may be ranked according to measurement priority or according to a positioning latency budget and transmitted accordingly. In Figure 9(b), the UL CG may be deactivated using explicit signaling, for example using a ProvideLocation message, in step (6) 913. In another example embodiment, the ProvideLocation message may also include another UL CG activation for the next UL configuration grant for measurement reporting.

[0147] In another embodiment, in step (1) 911, when the UE first receives the UL CG configuration, it may indicate an explicit indication of deactivation of the UL CG (after a certain configured time) via an activation message.

[0148] In another embodiment, when a UE is configured with PRS measurement reports that can include multiple quantities reported for a corresponding positioning technique, if multiple UL resources are configured, partial reporting is configured or indicated (especially for low latency requirements), and partial reporting occurs on different instances of the UL resources. Essentially, in one embodiment, for partial reporting, instead of processing the entire report, the UE starts reporting individual portions when they are ready. The exact order of partial reporting, e.g., which quantities are reported earlier than others, is explicitly or implicitly configured in the UE based on the processing timeline required for each quantity.

[0149] In further embodiments, a method for prioritizing PRS measurement reports based on UL resource availability is described. In scenarios where there is limited availability of UL CG resources for transmitting all immediately available measurement reports, in certain embodiments, prioritization criteria can be applied to each positioning measurement based on specific criteria such as positioning latency budget, accuracy, and type of positioning method.

[0150] The prioritization criteria may be configured by the LMF 144, e.g., via a ProvideAssistanceData message in the case of a UE-assisted positioning method. In the case of a UE-based positioning method, the UE may indicate the preferred criteria for the requested messages to the LMF 144 and / or the gNB, e.g., via a RequestAssistanceData message on the PUSCH. This allows efficient processing of DL-PRS based on the associated priority criteria for each measurement.

[0151] In an alternative embodiment, the target UE may request positioning related reference signal measurements, e.g., DL-PRS, SRS priorities, on an on-demand basis using either L1, e.g., DCI, or L2, e.g., RRC / MAC CE signaling.

[0152] In one example, if a UE needs to process multiple PRS reports, each with an assigned or indicated priority level, the UE starts with the highest priority report, calculates the available processing units, and allocates the required processing units to the first highest priority report. The UE then checks the remaining processing units and those required for the second highest priority report, and if the remaining available units are sufficient, the UE can also process the second report in parallel. The UE then continues this process until there are no more processing units. In that case, the UE can delay processing of lower priority reports if the latency requirements are still met. Otherwise, the UE may drop lower priority reports that it cannot process within the required latency constraints.

[0153] In another example, a UE needs to perform measurements and process corresponding reports from multiple TRPs. If the associated priority or associated accuracy is low compared to other configured reports, depending on the availability of processing units, the UE can process all measurements from all TRPs in parallel or sequentially with some delay. However, if such delay exceeds the required latency constraint, the UE discards measurements (or measurement reports) from one or more TRPs and reports only partial measurements (or measurement reports) from a subset of the TRPs.

[0154] Incomplete measurements may occur during the positioning measurement window, resulting in incomplete reporting. In one embodiment, to increase the signal efficiency of positioning reporting by the target UE, the target UE may be configured to drop measurements based on certain criteria, including: · When the size of the measurement report based on the positioning technique exceeds the availability of UL transmission resources. The measurement has a low priority compared to other measurements with a higher priority. - When the measurements are incomplete or corrupted, e.g. due to a failure event, and therefore the report is not considered useful for processing by the location server (LMF). If the measurements are deemed unreliable and / or do not meet the integrity requirements, such as: a. Target Integrity Risk (“TIR”); b.AlertLimit("AL"); c. Time to Alert (“TTA”); d. Protection Level (“PL”).

[0155] The TIR can be further defined as the probability that the positioning error exceeds the AL without warning the user within the required TTA. As used herein, the AL is defined as the maximum tolerable positioning error so that the positioning system is usable for its intended use. If the positioning error exceeds the AL, operation may be unsafe, and the positioning system must be declared unusable for its intended application to prevent loss of integrity. As used herein, the TTA refers to the maximum allowable elapsed time from when the positioning error exceeds the AL until the function providing position integrity issues a corresponding alert. As used herein, the PL is a statistical upper bound on the positioning error that ensures that the probability per unit time of a true error greater than the AL and the PL is less than the required TIR, where the PL is less than or equal to the AL for longer than the TTA.

[0156] In one embodiment, the target UE may explicitly indicate the dropped measurements, or the LMF 144 may implicitly infer the dropped measurements based on the provided measurement configuration.

[0157] 10 illustrates a user equipment device 1000 that may be used for configuring positioning measurements and reporting in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the user equipment device 1000 is used to implement one or more of the solutions described above. The user equipment device 1000 may be an embodiment of the remote unit 105 and / or the UE 205, as described above. Additionally, the user equipment device 1000 may include a processor 1005, a memory 1010, an input device 1015, an output device 1020, and a transceiver 1025. In some embodiments, the input device 1015 and the output device 1020 are combined into a single device, such as a touchscreen. In some embodiments, the user equipment device 1000 may not include the input device 1015 and / or the output device 1020. In various embodiments, user equipment device 1000 may include one or more of processor 1005, memory 1010, and transceiver 1025, and may not include input device 1015 and / or output device 1020.

[0158] As shown, the transceiver 1025 includes at least one transmitter 1030 and at least one receiver 1035. In some embodiments, the transceiver 1025 communicates with one or more cells (or wireless coverage areas) supported by one or more base units 121. In various embodiments, the transceiver 1025 is operable in an unlicensed wireless spectrum. Additionally, the transceiver 1025 may include multiple UE panels supporting one or more beams. Alternatively, the transceiver 1025 may support at least one network interface 1040 and / or application interface 1045. The application interface 1045 may support one or more APIs. The network interface 1040 may support 3GPP reference points such as Uu, N1, PC5, etc. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other network interfaces 1040 may be supported.

[0159] In one embodiment, the processor 1005 may include any known controller capable of executing computer-readable instructions and / or performing logical operations. For example, the processor 1005 may be a microcontroller, microprocessor, central processing unit (“CPU”), graphics processing unit (“GPU”), auxiliary processing unit, field programmable gate array (“FPGA”), or similar programmable controller. In some embodiments, the processor 1005 executes instructions stored in the memory 1010 to perform the methods and routines described herein. The processor 1005 is communicatively coupled to the memory 1010, the input device 1015, the output device 1020, and the transceiver 1025.

[0160] In various embodiments, processor 1005 controls user equipment device 1000 to implement the UE behavior described above. In some embodiments, processor 1005 may include an application processor (also known as a “main processor”) that manages application domain and operating system (“OS”) functions, and a baseband processor (also known as a “baseband radio processor”) that manages radio functions.

[0161] In one embodiment, the 1025 transceiver receives a positioning configuration from a mobile wireless communications network that defines a positioning configuration timeline and measurement and processing time windows for the UE. The positioning configuration may include a timeline period that defines when to start performing measurements, a set of positioning measurements to be made within the configured time window, and a window period for measuring and processing requested location-related measurements of the UE according to the positioning processing timeline.

[0162] In one embodiment, the processor 1005 performs at least one positioning measurement for the UE according to a positioning processing timeline in response to receiving the positioning configuration. In some embodiments, the transceiver 1025 transmits a positioning measurement report from the UE to the mobile wireless communications network, the positioning measurement report including the at least one positioning measurement and a measurement timeline of the at least one positioning measurement performed within the configured time window.

[0163] In one embodiment, one of a plurality of configuration timelines and a measurement and processing timeline may be configured for the UE, and a reference signal received power (“RSRP”), a reference signal time difference (“RSTD”), and a latency for at least one of the UE Rx-Tx positioning measurements in each of the plurality of measurement and processing timelines may be reported to the mobile wireless communications network.

[0164] In one embodiment, the latency may include a single value corresponding to concurrently performed positioning measurements and multiple values ​​corresponding to sequentially performed positioning measurements.

[0165] In one embodiment, the transceiver 1025 receives preconfigured assistance data for positioning from a mobile wireless communications network during a Long Term Evolution Protocol Positioning (“LPP”) session, and performs measurements and processing on the preconfigured assistance data in response to the transceiver receiving an LPP Request Location Information message.

[0166] In one embodiment, the transceiver 1025 receives a positioning configuration from a mobile wireless communications network via a broadcast signal, the positioning configuration being designed for multiple UEs with the same capabilities.

[0167] In one embodiment, the transceiver 1025 receives a positioning configuration from a mobile wireless communications network via a UE-specific dedicated signal, the UE-specific dedicated signal including an LPP location information request message.

[0168] In one embodiment, in response to the UE initiating a positioning reference signal (“PRS”) configuration request, the processor 1005 determines an overall timeline between receipt of the configuration request and receipt of the UE's position estimate, the overall timeline including multiple timelines associated with configuring, measuring, processing assistance data, and calculating the UE's position estimate.

[0169] In one embodiment, the transceiver 1025 transmits an on-demand request to the mobile wireless communications network to receive downlink PRS (“DL-PRS”) assistance data in response to at least one of there being no previous DL-PRS physical layer configuration stored in the UE, the existing DL-PRS configuration being outdated, and the existing DL-PRS configuration not meeting accuracy requirements.

[0170] In one embodiment, the positioning configuration further includes a set of measurement gap configurations to be applied by the UE for the positioning processing timeline, where the measurement gap configurations define a measurement gap length, a measurement gap length, and a measurement gap repetition period for the positioning processing timeline.

[0171] In one embodiment, the set of measurement gap configurations may be pre-configured in the UE via signaling from the mobile wireless communications network. In one embodiment, the processor 1005 processes PRS measurements and reporting according to a UE PRS processing unit (“PPU”), where the UE PPU includes several PPUs that the UE can support for a given symbol.

[0172] In one embodiment, based on the capabilities of the UE, the processor 1005 performs parallel processing of the same PRS symbols for other positioning measurements. In one embodiment, the mobile wireless communications network comprises at least one of a base station and a location management function.

[0173] In a further embodiment, the transceiver 1025 receives an uplink (“UL”) configuration grant configuration from the mobile wireless communications network based on criteria associated with at least one of a measurement priority, a positioning latency budget, and a positioning processing timeline for the UE. In some embodiments, the processor 1005 performs at least one positioning measurement for the UE according to at least one of the measurement priority and the positioning processing timeline and generates a positioning measurement report including the at least one positioning measurement.

[0174] In some embodiments, the transceiver 1025 transmits positioning measurement reports to the mobile wireless communications network using a grant configuration of the UL configuration based on the availability of positioning-related reference signal measurements based on at least one of a measurement priority and a positioning processing timeline.

[0175] In one embodiment, the UE is configured with a Type 1 UL configuration grant configuration via radio resource control (“RRC”) signaling to transmit a positioning measurement report including at least one positioning measurement.

[0176] In one embodiment, the UE is configured with a Type 2 UL configuration grant configuration via downlink control information (“DCI”) signaling to transmit a positioning measurement report including at least one positioning measurement.

[0177] In one embodiment, the grant configuration of the UL configuration includes signaling information of one or more of offset, periodicity, activation, deactivation, and time-frequency resources of a positioning measurement report including at least one positioning measurement.

[0178] In one embodiment, the transceiver 1025 receives a positioning measurement configuration indicating a priority of positioning measurements based on the availability of positioning-related reference signal resources, the priority being determined based on at least one of the UE's capabilities, the positioning latency budget, and the location estimation accuracy. In one embodiment, the processor 1005 performs at least one positioning measurement and generates positioning measurement reports according to the priority indicated in the positioning measurement configuration. In one embodiment, the transceiver 1025 transmits the positioning measurement reports to the mobile wireless communications network using a grant configuration of the UL configuration according to the priority indicated in the measurement configuration.

[0179] In one embodiment, the transceiver 1025 receives the positioning measurement configuration in response to transmitting a request for the positioning measurement configuration. In one embodiment, the positioning measurement priority is set by at least one of a location server and a base station of the mobile wireless communications network. In one embodiment, the location server exchanges information related to the configuration and scheduling of the physical uplink shared channel ("PUSCH") with the base station.

[0180] In one embodiment, the transceiver 1025 dynamically provides positioning measurement configuration on demand using at least one of radio resource control ("RRC") signaling and medium access control ("MAC") control element ("CE") signaling. In one embodiment, the processor 1005 drops a reported positioning-related reference signal measurement in response to at least one of: a measurement report size exceeding UL transmission resource availability; a measurement having a lower priority than other measurements of higher priority; a measurement being incomplete or corrupted; and a measurement being determined to be unreliable pursuant to failure to meet one or more integrity requirements.

[0181] In one embodiment, the processor 1005 drops positioning-related reference signal measurements based on at least one of a latency budget and a measurement and processing timeline.

[0182] In one embodiment, memory 1010 is a computer-readable storage medium. In some embodiments, memory 1010 includes a volatile computer storage medium. For example, memory 1010 may include RAM, including dynamic RAM (“DRAM”), synchronous dynamic RAM (“SDRAM”), and / or static RAM (“SRAM”). In some embodiments, memory 1010 includes a non-volatile computer storage medium. For example, memory 1010 may include a hard disk drive, flash memory, or any other suitable non-volatile computer storage device. In some embodiments, memory 1010 includes both volatile and non-volatile computer storage media. In some embodiments, memory 1010 stores data related to the configuration of positioning measurements and reporting. For example, memory 1010 may store various parameters, panel / beam configurations, resource allocations, policies, etc., as described above. In some embodiments, memory 1010 also stores program code and associated data, such as an operating system or other controller algorithms operating on device 1000.

[0183] In one embodiment, the input device 1015 may include any known computer input device, including a touch panel, buttons, a keyboard, a stylus, a microphone, etc. In some embodiments, the input device 1015 may be integrated with the output device 1020, for example, as a touch screen or similar touch-sensitive display. In some embodiments, the input device 1015 includes a touch screen so that text can be entered using a virtual keyboard displayed on the touch screen and / or by handwriting on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the input device 1015 includes two or more different devices, such as a keyboard and a touch panel.

[0184] In one embodiment, output device 1020 is designed to output visual, auditory, and / or tactile signals. In some embodiments, output device 1020 includes an electronically controllable display or display device capable of outputting visual data to a user. For example, output device 1020 can include, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display ("LCD"), a light-emitting diode ("LED") display, an organic LED ("OLED") display, a projector, or similar display device capable of outputting images, text, and the like to a user. As another non-limiting example, output device 1020 can include a wearable display that is separate from but communicatively coupled to the rest of user equipment device 1000, such as a smartwatch, smart glasses, a head-up display, or the like. Additionally, output device 1020 may be a component of a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a television, a table computer, a notebook (laptop) computer, a personal computer, a vehicle dashboard, and the like.

[0185] In some embodiments, the output device(s) 1020 include one or more speakers for generating sound. For example, the output device(s) 1020 can generate audible alerts or notifications (e.g., beeps or chimes). In some embodiments, the output device(s) 1020 include one or more haptic devices for generating vibration, movement, or other haptic feedback. In some embodiments, all or a portion of the output device(s) 1020 may be integrated with the input device(s) 1015. For example, the input device(s) 1015 and the output device(s) 1020 can form a touchscreen or similar touch-sensitive display. In other embodiments, the output device(s) 1020 may be located near the input device(s) 1015.

[0186] The transceiver 1025 communicates with one or more network functions of a mobile communication network via one or more access networks. The transceiver 1025 operates under the control of the processor 1005 to transmit messages, data, and other signals and to receive messages, data, and other signals. For example, the processor 1005 can selectively activate the transceiver 1025 (or portions thereof) at particular times to transmit and receive messages.

[0187] The transceiver 1025 includes at least a transmitter 1030 and at least one receiver 1035. One or more transmitters 1030 may be used to provide UL communication signals, such as UL transmissions described herein, to the base unit 121. Similarly, one or more receivers 1035 may be used to receive DL communication signals from the base unit 121, as described herein. Although only one transmitter 1030 and one receiver 1035 are shown, the user equipment device 1000 may have any suitable number of transmitters 1030 and receivers 1035. Furthermore, the transmitter 1030 and receiver 1035 may be any suitable type of transmitter and receiver. In one embodiment, the transceiver 1025 includes a first transmitter / receiver pair used to communicate with a mobile communication network over a licensed radio spectrum and a second transmitter / receiver pair used to communicate with a mobile communication network over an unlicensed radio spectrum.

[0188] In some embodiments, a first transmitter / receiver pair used to communicate with a mobile communications network over a licensed radio spectrum and a second transmitter / receiver pair used to communicate with a mobile communications network over an unlicensed radio spectrum may be combined into a single transceiver unit, e.g., a single chip that performs functions for use with both licensed and unlicensed radio spectrum. In some embodiments, the first transmitter / receiver pair and the second transmitter / receiver pair may share one or more hardware components. For example, some transceivers 1025, transmitters 1030, and receivers 1035 may be implemented as physically separate components that access shared hardware and / or software resources, such as, for example, a network interface 1040.

[0189] In various embodiments, one or more transmitters 1130 and / or one or more receivers 1135 may be implemented and / or integrated within a single hardware component, such as a multi-transceiver chip, a system-on-chip, an ASIC, or other type of hardware component. In some embodiments, one or more transmitters 1130 and / or one or more receivers 1135 may be implemented and / or integrated within a multi-chip module. In some embodiments, other components, such as a network interface 1140, or other hardware components / circuits, may be integrated with any number of transmitters 1130 and / or receivers 1135 into a single chip. In such embodiments, the transmitters 1130 and receivers 1135 may be logically configured as a transceiver 1125 using another common control signal, or as modular transmitters 1130 and receivers 1135 implemented within the same hardware chip or multi-chip module.

[0190] 11 illustrates a network device 1100 that may be used to configure positioning measurements and reporting in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the network device 1100 may be an embodiment of a RAN node, such as the base unit 121 and / or the RAN node 210, as described above. Additionally, the base network device 1100 may include a processor 1105, a memory 1110, an input device 1115, an output device 1120, and a transceiver 1125.

[0191] In some embodiments, the input device(s) 1115 and the output device(s) 1120 are combined into a single device, such as a touchscreen. In some embodiments, the user equipment device 1100 may not include any input device(s) 1115 and / or output device(s) 1120. In various embodiments, the user equipment device 1100 may include one or more of the processor 1105, the memory 1110, and the transceiver 1125, and may not include the input device(s) 1115 and / or the output device(s) 1120.

[0192] As shown, the transceiver 1125 includes at least one transmitter 1130 and at least one receiver 1135, where the transceiver 1125 communicates with one or more remote units 175. Additionally, the transceiver 1125 may support at least one network interface 1140 and / or application interface 1145. The application interface 1145 may support one or more APIs. The network interface 1140 may support 3GPP reference points such as Uu, N1, N2, and N3. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other network interfaces 1140 may be supported.

[0193] The processor 1105, in one embodiment, may include any known controller capable of executing computer-readable instructions and / or performing logical operations. For example, the processor 1105 may be a microcontroller, microprocessor, central processing unit (“CPU”), graphics processing unit (“GPU”), auxiliary processing unit, field programmable gate array (“FPGA”), or similar programmable controller. In some embodiments, the processor 1105 executes instructions stored in the memory 1110 to perform the methods and routines described herein. The processor 1105 is communicatively coupled to the memory 1110, the input device 1115, the output device 1120, and the transceiver 1125.

[0194] In various embodiments, the network device 1100 is a RAN node (e.g., a gNB) that communicates with one or more UEs as described herein. In such embodiments, the processor 1105 controls the network device 1100 to perform the RAN behavior described above. When operating as a RAN node, the processor 1105 may include an application processor (also known as a “main processor”) that manages application domain and operating system (“OS”) functions and a baseband processor (also known as a “baseband radio processor”) that manages radio functions.

[0195] In various embodiments, the processor 1105 and the transceiver 1125 control the network apparatus 1100 to perform the LMF behavior described above. In one embodiment, for example, the transceiver 1125 transmits to a user equipment (“UE”) device a positioning configuration that defines a positioning configuration timeline and a measurement and processing time window for the UE. In one embodiment, the positioning configuration includes a timeline period that defines when to start performing measurements, a set of positioning measurements to be made within the configured time window, and a window period for measuring and processing requested location relationship measurements for the UE according to the positioning processing timeline.

[0196] In one embodiment, the transceiver 1125 receives a positioning measurement report from the UE device, the positioning measurement report including at least one positioning measurement and a measurement timeline of the at least one positioning measurement performed within a configured time window. In one embodiment, the positioning configuration timeline is determined as a function of different individual timelines associated with configuring, measuring, processing assistance data, and computing a position estimate for the UE.

[0197] In one embodiment, the transceiver 1125 transmits an uplink ("UL") configuration grant configuration to a user equipment ("UE") device based on criteria associated with at least one of a measurement priority, a positioning latency budget, and a positioning processing timeline for the UE, and receives positioning measurement reports from the UE using the UL configuration grant configuration based on the availability of positioning-related reference signal measurements based on at least one of the measurement priority and the positioning processing timeline.

[0198] The memory 1110, in one embodiment, is a computer-readable storage medium. In some embodiments, the memory 1110 includes a volatile computer storage medium. For example, the memory 1110 may include RAM, including dynamic RAM (“DRAM”), synchronous dynamic RAM (“SDRAM”), and / or static RAM (“SRAM”). In some embodiments, the memory 1110 includes a non-volatile computer storage medium. For example, the memory 1110 may include a hard disk drive, flash memory, or any other suitable non-volatile computer storage device. In some embodiments, the memory 1110 includes both volatile and non-volatile computer storage media.

[0199] In some embodiments, the memory 1110 stores data related to sidelink angle-based positioning and SL RRM-based positioning. For example, the memory 1110 may store various parameters, configurations, policies, etc., as described above. In some embodiments, the memory 1110 also stores program code and associated data, such as an operating system or other controller algorithms, running on the device 1100.

[0200] The input device 1115, in one embodiment, may include any known computer input device, including a touch panel, buttons, a keyboard, a stylus, a microphone, etc. In some embodiments, the input device 1115 may be integrated with the output device 1120, for example, as a touch screen or similar touch-sensitive display. In some embodiments, the input device 1115 includes a touch screen such that text may be entered using a virtual keyboard displayed on the touch screen and / or by handwriting on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the input device 1115 includes two or more different devices, such as a keyboard and a touch panel.

[0201] Output device(s) 1120, in one embodiment, is designed to output visual, audible, and / or tactile signals. In some embodiments, output device(s) 1120 includes an electronically controllable display or display device capable of outputting visual data to a user. For example, output device(s) 1120 may include, without limitation, an LCD display, an LED display, an OLED display, a projector, or similar display device capable of outputting images, text, etc. to a user. As another non-limiting example, output device(s) 1120 may include a wearable display that is separate from but communicatively coupled to the rest of user equipment device 1100, such as a smartwatch, smart glasses, a head-up display, etc. Additionally, output device(s) 1120 may be a component of a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a television, a tablet computer, a notebook (laptop) computer, a personal computer, a vehicle dashboard, etc.

[0202] In some embodiments, the output device(s) 1120 include one or more speakers for generating sound. For example, the output device(s) 1120 may generate acoustic alerts or notifications (e.g., beeps or chimes). In some embodiments, the output device(s) 1120 include one or more haptic devices for generating vibrations, movement, or other haptic feedback. In some embodiments, all or part of the output device(s) 1120 may be integrated with the input device(s) 1115. For example, the input device(s) 1115 and the output device(s) 1120 may form a touchscreen or similar touch-sensitive display. In other embodiments, the output device(s) 1120 may be located near the input device(s) 1115.

[0203] The transceiver 1125 includes at least a transmitter 1130 and at least one receiver 1135. The one or more transmitters 1130 may be used to provide UL communication signals to the base unit 121, such as UL transmissions described herein. Similarly, the one or more receivers 1135 may be used to receive DL communication signals from the base unit 121, as described herein. Although only one transmitter 1130 and one receiver 1135 are shown, the user equipment device 1100 may have any suitable number of transmitters 1130 and receivers 1135. Furthermore, the transmitters 1130 and receivers 1135 may be any suitable types of transmitters and receivers.

[0204] 12 illustrates one embodiment of a method 1200 for configuring positioning measurements and reporting in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, method 1200 is performed by a user equipment device of a mobile communications network, such as the remote unit 105, UE 205, and / or user equipment device 1000 described above. In some embodiments, method 1200 is performed by a processor, such as a microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, GPU, auxiliary processing unit, FPGA, or the like.

[0205] In one embodiment, method 1200 begins by receiving 1205 a positioning configuration from a mobile wireless communications network that defines a positioning configuration timeline and a measurement and processing time window for the UE. In some embodiments, method 1200 includes step 1210, in response to receiving the positioning configuration, performing at least one positioning measurement for the UE according to the positioning processing timeline. In a further embodiment, method 1200 includes step 1215, transmitting a positioning measurement report from the UE to the mobile wireless communications network that includes the at least one positioning measurement and a measurement timeline performed for the at least one positioning measurement within the configured time window, whereupon method 1200 ends.

[0206] 13 illustrates one embodiment of a method 1300 for configuring positioning measurements and reporting in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, method 1300 is performed by a location management function of a mobile communications network, such as the LMF 144 and / or user equipment device 1100 described above. In some embodiments, method 1300 is performed by a processor, such as a microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, GPU, auxiliary processing unit, FPGA, or the like.

[0207] In one embodiment, method 1300 begins by transmitting 1305 to a UE a positioning configuration that defines a positioning configuration timeline and a measurement and processing time window for the UE. In one embodiment, method 1300 includes receiving 1310 from the UE device a positioning measurement report that includes at least one positioning measurement and a measurement timeline of the at least one positioning measurement performed within the configured time window, and method 1300 ends.

[0208] 14 illustrates one embodiment of a method 1400 for configuring positioning measurements and reporting in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, method 1400 is performed by a user equipment device of a mobile communications network, such as the remote unit 105, UE 205, and / or user equipment device 1000 described above. In some embodiments, method 1200 is performed by a processor, such as a microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, GPU, auxiliary processing unit, FPGA, or the like.

[0209] In one embodiment, method 1400 begins by receiving, at 1405, an uplink ("UL") configuration grant configuration for a UE from a mobile wireless communications network based on criteria associated with at least one of a measurement priority, a positioning latency budget, and a positioning processing timeline. In one embodiment, method 1400 performs (1410) at least one positioning measurement for the UE according to at least one of the measurement priority and the positioning processing timeline, and generates (1415) a positioning measurement report including the at least one positioning measurement.

[0210] In some embodiments, the method 1400 transmits 1420 a positioning measurement report to the mobile wireless communications network using the grant configuration of the UL configuration based on the availability of positioning-related reference signal measurements based on at least one of the measurement priority and the positioning processing timeline, and the method 1400 ends.

[0211] 15 illustrates one embodiment of a method 1500 for configuring positioning measurements and reporting in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, method 1500 is performed by a location management function of a mobile communications network, such as the LMF 144 and / or user equipment device 1100 described above. In some embodiments, method 1500 is performed by a processor, such as a microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, GPU, auxiliary processing unit, FPGA, or the like.

[0212] In one embodiment, method 1500 begins by transmitting 1505 an uplink ("UL") configuration grant configuration to a user equipment (UE) device based on criteria associated with at least one of a measurement priority, a positioning latency budget, and a positioning processing timeline for the UE. In a further embodiment, method 1500 receives 1510 a positioning measurement report from the UE device using the UL configuration grant configuration based on the availability of positioning-related reference signal measurements based on at least one of the measurement priority and the positioning processing timeline, and method 1500 ends.

[0213] Disclosed herein is a first apparatus for configuring positioning measurements and reporting according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The first apparatus may be implemented by a user equipment device in a mobile communications network, such as the remote unit 105, the UE 205, and / or the user equipment device 1000 described above. In one embodiment, the first apparatus includes a transceiver that receives a positioning configuration from the mobile wireless communications network, the positioning configuration defining a positioning configuration timeline and a measurement and processing time window for the UE. The positioning configuration may include a timeline period that defines when to start performing measurements, a set of positioning measurements to be made within the configured time window, and a window period for measuring and processing requested location relationship measurements of the UE according to the positioning processing timeline.

[0214] In one embodiment, the first apparatus includes a processor that, in response to receiving the positioning configuration, performs at least one positioning measurement for the UE according to a positioning processing timeline. In some embodiments, the transceiver transmits a positioning measurement report from the UE to the mobile wireless communications network, the positioning measurement report including the at least one positioning measurement and an performed measurement timeline of the at least one positioning measurement within the configured time window.

[0215] In one embodiment, one of a plurality of configuration timelines and a measurement and processing timeline may be configured for the UE, and a reference signal received power (“RSRP”), a reference signal time difference (“RSTD”), and a latency for at least one of the UE Rx-Tx positioning measurements in each of the plurality of measurement and processing timelines may be reported to the mobile wireless communications network.

[0216] In one embodiment, the latency may include a single value corresponding to concurrently performed positioning measurements and multiple values ​​corresponding to sequentially performed positioning measurements.

[0217] In one embodiment, the transceiver receives pre-configured assistance data for positioning from a mobile wireless communications network during a Long Term Evolution Protocol Positioning (“LPP”) session, and performs measurements and processing on the pre-configured assistance data in response to the transceiver receiving an LPP Request Location Information message.

[0218] In one embodiment, the transceiver receives a positioning configuration from a mobile wireless communications network via a broadcast signal, the positioning configuration being designed for multiple UEs with the same capabilities.

[0219] In one embodiment, the transceiver receives a positioning configuration from a mobile wireless communications network via a UE-specific dedicated signal, the UE-specific dedicated signal including an LPP Request Location Information message.

[0220] In one embodiment, in response to the UE initiating a positioning reference signal (“PRS”) configuration request, the processor determines an overall timeline between receipt of the configuration request and receipt of the UE's position estimate, the overall timeline including multiple timelines associated with configuring, measuring, processing assistance data, and calculating the UE's position estimate.

[0221] In one embodiment, the transceiver transmits an on-demand request to the mobile wireless communications network to receive downlink PRS (“DL-PRS”) assistance data in response to at least one of: there is no previous DL-PRS physical layer configuration stored in the UE; the existing DL-PRS configuration is outdated; and the existing DL-PRS configuration does not meet an accuracy requirement.

[0222] In one embodiment, the positioning configuration further includes a set of measurement gap configurations to be applied by the UE for the positioning processing timeline, where the measurement gap configurations define a measurement gap length, a measurement gap length, and a measurement gap repetition period for the positioning processing timeline.

[0223] In one embodiment, the set of measurement gap configurations may be pre-configured in the UE via signaling from the mobile wireless communications network. In one embodiment, the processor processes PRS measurements and reporting according to a UE PRS processing unit ("PPU"), where the UE PPU includes several PPUs that the UE can support for a given symbol.

[0224] In one embodiment, based on the capabilities of the UE, the processor performs parallel processing of the same PRS symbols for other positioning measurements. In one embodiment, the mobile wireless communications network comprises at least one of a base station and a location management function.

[0225] Disclosed herein is a first method for configuring positioning measurements and reporting according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The first method may be performed by a user equipment device in a mobile communications network, such as the remote unit 105, the UE 205, and / or the user equipment device 1000 described above.

[0226] In one embodiment, a first method includes receiving, from a mobile wireless communications network, a positioning configuration defining a positioning configuration timeline and measurement and processing time windows for a UE. The positioning configuration may include a timeline duration defining when to start performing measurements, a set of positioning measurements to be made within the configured time window, and a window duration for measuring and processing requested location relationship measurements for the UE according to the positioning processing timeline.

[0227] In one embodiment, the first method includes, in response to receiving the positioning configuration, performing at least one positioning measurement for the UE according to a positioning processing timeline. In some embodiments, the first method includes transmitting a positioning measurement report from the UE to a mobile wireless communications network, the positioning measurement report including the at least one positioning measurement and a measurement timeline performed for the at least one positioning measurement within the configured time window.

[0228] In one embodiment, one of a plurality of configuration timelines and measurement and processing timelines may be configured for the UE, and a reference signal received power (“RSRP”), a reference signal time difference (“RSTD”), and a latency for at least one of the UE Rx-Tx positioning measurements in each of the plurality of measurement and processing timelines may be reported to the mobile wireless communications network.

[0229] In one embodiment, the latency may include a single value corresponding to concurrently performed positioning measurements and multiple values ​​corresponding to sequentially performed positioning measurements.

[0230] In one embodiment, a first method includes receiving pre-configured assistance data for positioning from a mobile wireless communications network during a Long Term Evolution Protocol Positioning (“LPP”) session, and performing measurements and processing on the pre-configured assistance data in response to a transceiver receiving an LPP Request Location Information message.

[0231] In one embodiment, a first method includes receiving a positioning configuration from a mobile wireless communications network via a broadcast signal, the positioning configuration being designed for a plurality of UEs having the same capabilities.

[0232] In one embodiment, a first method includes receiving a positioning configuration from a mobile wireless communications network via a UE-specific dedicated signal, the UE-specific dedicated signal including an LPP location information request message.

[0233] In one embodiment, in response to the UE initiating a positioning reference signal (“PRS”) configuration request, the method includes determining an overall timeline between receipt of the configuration request and receipt of a position estimate for the UE, the overall timeline including multiple timelines associated with configuring, measuring, processing assistance data, and calculating a position estimate for the UE.

[0234] In one embodiment, a first method includes transmitting an on-demand request to a mobile wireless communications network to receive downlink PRS (“DL-PRS”) assistance data in response to at least one of: there is no previous DL-PRS physical layer configuration stored in the UE; the existing DL-PRS configuration is outdated; and the existing DL-PRS configuration does not meet an accuracy requirement.

[0235] In one embodiment, the positioning configuration further includes a set of measurement gap configurations to be applied by the UE for the positioning processing timeline, where the measurement gap configurations define a measurement gap length, a measurement gap length, and a measurement gap repetition period for the positioning processing timeline.

[0236] In one embodiment, the set of measurement gap configurations may be pre-configured in the UE via signaling from the mobile wireless communications network. In one embodiment, the first method includes processing PRS measurements and reporting according to a UE PRS Processing Unit ("PPU"), the UE PPU comprising a number of PPUs that the UE can support for a given symbol.

[0237] In one embodiment, based on the capabilities of the UE, the first method includes performing parallel processing of the same PRS symbol for other positioning measurements. In one embodiment, the mobile wireless communications network comprises at least one of a base station and a location management function.

[0238] Disclosed herein is a second device for configuring positioning measurements and reporting according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The second device may be implemented by, for example, a base station such as a gNB, a location management function in a mobile communication network such as an LMF 144, and / or the network device 1100 described above.

[0239] In one embodiment, the second apparatus includes a transceiver that transmits to a user equipment (“UE”) device a positioning configuration that defines a positioning configuration timeline and a measurement and processing time window for the UE. In one embodiment, the positioning configuration includes a timeline period that defines when to start performing measurements, a set of positioning measurements to be made within the configured time window, and a window period for measuring and processing requested location relationship measurements of the UE according to the positioning processing timeline.

[0240] In one embodiment, the transceiver receives a positioning measurement report from the UE device, the positioning measurement report including at least one positioning measurement and a measurement timeline of the at least one positioning measurement performed within a configured time window. In one embodiment, the positioning configuration timeline is determined as a function of different individual timelines associated with configuring, measuring, processing assistance data, and calculating a position estimate for the UE.

[0241] Disclosed herein is a second method for configuring positioning measurements and reporting according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The second method may be performed by a location management function device in a mobile communication network, such as a base station, e.g., a gNB, an LMF 144, and / or the network apparatus 1700 described above. In one embodiment, the second method includes transmitting a positioning configuration to a user equipment (“UE”) device, the positioning configuration defining a positioning configuration timeline and a measurement and processing time window for the UE. In one embodiment, the positioning configuration includes a timeline period defining when to start performing measurements, a set of positioning measurements to be made within the configured time window, and a window period for measuring and processing requested location relationship measurements of the UE according to the positioning processing timeline.

[0242] In one embodiment, the second method includes receiving, from the UE device, a positioning measurement report including at least one positioning measurement and a measurement timeline of the at least one positioning measurement performed within a configured time window. In one embodiment, the positioning configuration timeline is determined as a function of different individual timelines associated with configuring, measuring, processing assistance data, and calculating a position estimate for the UE.

[0243] Disclosed herein is a third apparatus for configuring positioning measurements and reporting according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The third apparatus may be implemented by a user equipment device in a mobile communications network, such as the remote unit 105, the UE 205, and / or the user equipment device 1600 described above.

[0244] In one embodiment, the third apparatus includes a transceiver that receives, from the mobile wireless communications network, an uplink ("UL") configuration grant configuration for the UE based on criteria associated with at least one of a measurement priority, a positioning latency budget, and a positioning processing timeline. In some embodiments, the third apparatus includes a processor that performs at least one positioning measurement for the UE according to at least one of the measurement priority and the positioning processing timeline, and generates a positioning measurement report that includes the at least one positioning measurement.

[0245] In some embodiments, the transceiver transmits positioning measurement reports to the mobile wireless communications network using a grant configuration of the UL configuration based on the availability of positioning-related reference signal measurements based on at least one of a measurement priority and a positioning processing timeline.

[0246] In one embodiment, the UE is configured with a Type 1 UL configuration grant configuration via radio resource control (“RRC”) signaling to transmit a positioning measurement report including at least one positioning measurement.

[0247] In one embodiment, the UE is configured with a Type 2 UL configuration grant configuration via downlink control information (“DCI”) signaling to transmit a positioning measurement report including at least one positioning measurement.

[0248] In one embodiment, the grant configuration of the UL configuration includes signaling information of one or more of offset, periodicity, activation, deactivation, and time-frequency resources of a positioning measurement report including at least one positioning measurement.

[0249] In one embodiment, the transceiver receives a positioning measurement configuration indicating a priority of positioning measurements based on the availability of positioning-related reference signal resources, the priority being determined based on at least one of UE capabilities, positioning latency budget, and location estimation accuracy. In one embodiment, the processor performs at least one positioning measurement and generates positioning measurement reports according to the priority indicated in the positioning measurement configuration. In one embodiment, the transceiver transmits the positioning measurement reports to the mobile wireless communications network using a grant configuration of the UL configuration according to the priority indicated in the measurement configuration.

[0250] In one embodiment, the transceiver receives the positioning measurement configuration in response to transmitting a request for the positioning measurement configuration. In one embodiment, the positioning measurement priority is set by at least one of a location server and a base station of the mobile wireless communications network. In one embodiment, the location server exchanges information related to configuration and scheduling of a physical uplink shared channel ("PUSCH") with the base station.

[0251] In one embodiment, the transceiver dynamically provides positioning measurement configurations on demand using at least one of radio resource control ("RRC") signaling and medium access control ("MAC") control element ("CE") signaling. In one embodiment, the processor drops a reported positioning-related reference signal measurement in response to at least one of: a measurement report size exceeding UL transmission resource availability; a measurement having a lower priority than other measurements of higher priority; a measurement being incomplete or corrupted; and a measurement being determined to be unreliable pursuant to failure to meet one or more integrity requirements.

[0252] In one embodiment, the processor eliminates positioning-related reference signal measurements based on at least one of a latency budget and a measurement and processing timeline.

[0253] Disclosed herein is a third method for configuring positioning measurements and reporting according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The third method may be performed by a user equipment device in a mobile communications network, such as the remote unit 105, the UE 205, and / or the user equipment device 1600 described above.

[0254] In one embodiment, the third method includes receiving, from the mobile wireless communications network, an uplink ("UL") configured grant configuration for the UE based on criteria related to at least one of a measurement priority, a positioning latency budget, and a positioning processing timeline. In some embodiments, the third method includes performing at least one positioning measurement for the UE according to at least one of the measurement priority and the positioning processing timeline, and generating a positioning measurement report including the at least one positioning measurement.

[0255] In some embodiments, a third method includes transmitting positioning measurement reports to a mobile wireless communications network using a grant configuration of the UL configuration based on availability of positioning-related reference signal measurements based on at least one of a positioning priority and a positioning processing timeline.

[0256] In one embodiment, a third method includes configuring a UE with a Type 1 UL configuration grant configuration via radio resource control (“RRC”) signaling to transmit a positioning measurement report including at least one positioning measurement.

[0257] In one embodiment, a third method includes configuring a UE with a Type 2 UL configuration grant configuration via downlink control information (“DCI”) signaling to transmit a positioning measurement report including at least one positioning measurement.

[0258] In one embodiment, the grant configuration of the UL configuration includes signaling information of one or more of offset, periodicity, activation, deactivation, and time-frequency resources of a positioning measurement report including at least one positioning measurement.

[0259] In one embodiment, a third method includes receiving a positioning measurement configuration indicating a priority of positioning measurements based on availability of positioning-related reference signal resources, the priority being determined based on at least one of a UE capability, a positioning latency budget, and a location estimation accuracy.

[0260] In one embodiment, the third method includes performing at least one positioning measurement and generating a positioning measurement report according to a priority indicated in the positioning measurement configuration. In one embodiment, the third method includes transmitting the positioning measurement report to the mobile wireless communications network using a grant configuration of the UL configuration according to a priority indicated in the measurement configuration.

[0261] In one embodiment, the third method includes receiving a positioning measurement configuration in response to transmitting a request for the positioning measurement configuration. In one embodiment, the positioning measurement priority is set by at least one of a location server and a base station of the mobile wireless communications network. In one embodiment, the location server exchanges information related to configuration and scheduling of a physical uplink shared channel ("PUSCH") with the base station.

[0262] In one embodiment, the third method includes dynamically providing positioning measurement configurations on demand using at least one of radio resource control ("RRC") signaling and medium access control ("MAC") control element ("CE") signaling. In one embodiment, the third method includes dropping a reported positioning-related reference signal measurement in response to at least one of: a measurement report size exceeding UL transmission resource availability; the measurement having a lower priority than other measurements of higher priority; the measurement being incomplete or corrupted; and the measurement being determined to be unreliable pursuant to failure to meet one or more integrity requirements.

[0263] In one embodiment, the third method includes dropping positioning-related reference signal measurements based on at least one of a latency budget and a measurement and processing timeline.

[0264] A fourth apparatus for configuring positioning measurements and reports according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is disclosed herein. The fourth apparatus may be implemented by a location management function in a mobile communication network, such as the above-mentioned LMF 144 and / or network apparatus 1100. In one embodiment, the fourth apparatus includes a transceiver that transmits, to a user equipment (“UE”) device, an uplink (“UL”) configured grant configuration based on criteria associated with at least one of a measurement priority, a positioning latency budget, and a positioning processing timeline for the UE, and receives positioning measurement reports from the UE device using the UL configured grant configuration based on the availability of positioning-related reference signal measurements based on at least one of the measurement priority and the positioning processing timeline.

[0265] A fourth method for configuring positioning measurements and reports according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is disclosed herein. The fourth method may be performed by a location management function device in a mobile communication network, such as the LMF 144 and / or network device 1100 described above.

[0266] In one embodiment, a fourth method includes transmitting an uplink ("UL") configured grant configuration to a user equipment ("UE") device based on criteria related to at least one of a measurement priority, a positioning latency budget, and a positioning process for the UE, and receiving a positioning measurement report from the UE device using the UL configured grant configuration based on a timeline of the UE and availability of positioning-related reference signal measurements based on at least one of the measurement priority and the positioning process timeline.

[0267] The embodiments may be embodied in other specific forms. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is therefore indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. [Explanation of symbols]

[0268] 100 Wireless Communication System 105 Remote Unit 107 Applications 120 RAN 121 Base Unit 123 Wireless Communication Links 125 Measurement Configuration 140 Mobile Core Network 141 UPF 143 AMF 144 LMF 145 SMF 149 UDM / UDR 150 Packet Data Network 151 Application Server 175 Remote Unit

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE), a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising: receiving a positioning configuration from a network entity, the positioning configuration including a timeline period defining a time to start performing measurements, a set of positioning measurements to be taken within a configured time window, and a window period for measuring and processing requested location-related measurements for the UE according to a positioning processing timeline; In response to receiving the positioning configuration, performing at least one positioning measurement for the UE according to the positioning processing timeline; sending a positioning measurement report from the UE to the network entity, the positioning measurement report including the at least one positioning measurement and an performed measurement timeline of the at least one positioning measurement within the configured time window; a UE comprising instructions executable by the processor to cause the UE to perform the following:

2. 10. The UE of claim 1, wherein a plurality of configuration timelines and measurement and processing timelines are configured for the UE, and at least one of reference signal received power ("RSRP"), reference signal time difference ("RSTD"), and UE Rx-Tx positioning measurements in each of the plurality of measurement and processing timelines are performed and reported to the network entity.

3. a positioning reference signal (“PRS”) measurement and processing timeline period for the UE; a single value in response to multiple positioning measurements being performed simultaneously; A plurality of values ​​corresponding to the sequential execution of a plurality of positioning measurements. The UE of claim 2, comprising:

4. 10. The UE of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the UE to receive pre-configured assistance data for positioning from the network entity during a Long Term Evolution Protocol Positioning ("LPP") session and perform measurements and processing on the pre-configured assistance data in response to a transceiver receiving an LPP Request Location Information message, the UE comprising the transceiver.

5. 10. The UE of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the UE to receive the positioning configuration from the network entity via a broadcast signal, the positioning configuration being designed for multiple UEs having the same capabilities.

6. 10. The UE of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the UE to receive the positioning configuration from the network entity via a UE-specific dedicated signal, the UE-specific dedicated signal including a medium access control ("MAC") control element ("CE") signaling message.

7. The instruction: There is no previous DL-PRS physical layer configuration stored in the UE, The existing DL-PRS configuration is outdated, and The existing DL-PRS configuration does not meet the accuracy requirements 10. The UE of claim 1, further executable by the processor to cause the UE to send an on-demand request to the network entity to receive Downlink-Positioning Reference Signal ("DL-PRS") assistance data in response to at least one of:

8. 10. The UE of claim 1, wherein the positioning configuration further includes a set of measurement gap configurations to be applied by the UE for the positioning processing timeline, the measurement gap configurations defining a measurement gap length and a measurement gap repetition period for the positioning processing timeline.

9. The UE of claim 8 , wherein the set of measurement gap configurations can be pre-configured in the UE via signaling from the network entity.

10. 10. The UE of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the UE to process positioning-related measurements based on different positioning timeline configurations associated with different UE capabilities.

11. 11. The UE of claim 10, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the UE to process N DL positioning reference signal ("PRS") symbols every T ms for a given maximum bandwidth supported by the UE according to the positioning timeline configuration within an active downlink ("DL") bandwidth portion ("BWP") configuration based on the capabilities of the UE.

12. The UE of claim 1 , wherein the network entity comprises a base station or a location management function.

13. 1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving a positioning configuration from a network entity, the positioning configuration including a timeline period defining a time to start performing measurements, a set of positioning measurements to be taken within a configured time window, and a window period for measuring and processing requested location-related measurements for the UE according to a positioning processing timeline; performing at least one positioning measurement for the UE according to the positioning processing timeline in response to receiving the positioning configuration; sending a positioning measurement report from the UE to the network entity, the positioning measurement report including the at least one positioning measurement and an performed measurement timeline of the at least one positioning measurement within the configured time window; A method comprising:

14. A network entity comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising: sending a positioning configuration to a user equipment ("UE"), the positioning configuration including a timeline period defining a time to start performing measurements, a set of positioning measurements to be taken within a configured time window, and a window period for measuring and processing requested location-related measurements for the UE according to a positioning processing timeline; receiving a positioning measurement report from the UE, the positioning measurement report including at least one positioning measurement and a measurement timeline of the at least one positioning measurement performed within the configured time window; a network entity configured to receive a message from the network entity and to receive a response from the network entity;

15. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein a plurality of configuration timelines and measurement and processing timelines are configured for the UE, and at least one of reference signal received power ("RSRP"), reference signal time difference ("RSTD"), and UE Rx-Tx positioning measurements in each of the plurality of measurement and processing timelines are performed and reported to the network entity.

16. a positioning reference signal (“PRS”) measurement and processing timeline period for the UE; a single value in response to multiple positioning measurements being performed simultaneously; A plurality of values ​​corresponding to the sequential execution of a plurality of positioning measurements.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising:

17. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving pre-configured assistance data for positioning from the network entity during a Long Term Evolution Protocol Positioning ("LPP") session, and performing measurements and processing on the pre-configured assistance data in response to a transceiver receiving an LPP Request Location Information message, wherein the UE comprises the transceiver.

18. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving the positioning configuration from the network entity via a broadcast signal, the positioning configuration being designed for a plurality of UEs having the same capabilities.

19. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving the positioning configuration from the network entity via a UE-specific dedicated signal, the UE-specific dedicated signal comprising a Medium Access Control ("MAC") Control Element ("CE") signaling message.

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