Storing positioning capabilities in a network

Abstract

In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) transmits one or more positioning capability reports to a location server (910), the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, where the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001]

[0001] This patent application claims priority to Greek Patent Application No. 20210100010, entitled "STORING POSITIONING-RELATED CAPABILITIES IN THE NETWORK," filed on January 7, 2021, which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

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

[0003] Wireless communication systems have evolved through various generations, including first-generation analog wireless telephone service (1G), second-generation (2G) digital wireless telephone service (including intermediate 2.5G and 2.75G networks), third-generation (3G) high-speed data, Internet-enabled wireless service, and fourth-generation (4G) service (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax). Currently, there are many different types of wireless communication systems in use, including cellular and personal communications services (PCS) systems. Examples of known cellular systems include the Cellular Analog Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), and digital cellular systems based on code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), etc.

[0004] The fifth-generation (5G) wireless standard, called New Radio (NR), enables higher data rates, a greater number of connections, and better coverage, among other improvements. The 5G standard from the Next Generation Mobile Network Alliance is designed to provide higher data rates, more accurate positioning (e.g., based on reference signals for positioning (RS-P), such as downlink, uplink, or sidelink positioning reference signals (PRS)), and other technology enhancements compared to previous standards. These enhancements, along with the use of higher frequency bands, advances in PRS processes and technologies, and dense deployment of 5G, enable highly accurate 5G-based positioning. Summary of the Invention

[0005]

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

[0006]

[0006] In one aspect, a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE) includes transmitting one or more positioning capability reports to a location server, the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0007]

[0007] In one aspect, a method of wireless communication performed by a network entity includes receiving one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates variable positioning capabilities of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates non-variable positioning capabilities of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0008]

[0008] In one aspect, a method of wireless communications performed by a first network entity includes receiving one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE, and transmitting the set of values ​​to a second network entity via one or more capability transfer messages to enable the second network entity to store the set of values ​​for a subsequent positioning session involving the UE.

[0009]

[0009] In one aspect, a method of wireless communication performed by a second network entity includes receiving, from a first network entity via one or more capability transfer messages, a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters from one or more positioning capability reports of a user equipment (UE), wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE.

[0010]

[0010] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to transmit one or more positioning capability reports to a location server via the at least one transceiver, the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0011]

[0011] In one aspect, a network entity includes a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE) via the at least one transceiver, the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0012]

[0012] In one aspect, a first network entity includes a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: receive one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE) via the at least one transceiver; the one or more positioning capability reports include a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE; and transmit the set of values ​​to a second network entity via one or more capability transfer messages via the at least one transceiver to enable the second network entity to store the set of values ​​for a subsequent positioning session involving the UE.

[0013]

[0013] In one aspect, the second network entity includes a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive, via the at least one transceiver, from the first network entity, via one or more capability transfer messages, a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters from one or more positioning capability reports of a user equipment (UE), wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during subsequent positioning sessions involving the UE.

[0014]

[0014] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes means for transmitting one or more positioning capability reports to a location server, the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates variable positioning capabilities of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates non-variable positioning capabilities of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0015]

[0015] In one aspect, a network entity includes means for receiving one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates variable positioning capabilities of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates non-variable positioning capabilities of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0016]

[0016] In one aspect, a first network entity includes means for receiving one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE, and means for transmitting the set of values ​​to a second network entity via one or more capability transfer messages to enable the second network entity to store the set of values ​​for a subsequent positioning session involving the UE.

[0017]

[0017] In one aspect, the second network entity includes means for receiving, from the first network entity via one or more capability transfer messages, a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters from one or more positioning capability reports of a user equipment (UE), wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during subsequent positioning sessions involving the UE.

[0018]

[0018] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to send one or more positioning capability reports to a location server, the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0019]

[0019] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a network entity, cause the network entity to receive one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates variable positioning capabilities of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates non-variable positioning capabilities of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0020]

[0020] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a first network entity, cause the first network entity to receive one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE, and transmit the set of values ​​to a second network entity via one or more capability transfer messages to enable the second network entity to store the set of values ​​for a subsequent positioning session involving the UE.

[0021]

[0021] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a second network entity, cause the second network entity to receive, from the first network entity via one or more capability transfer messages, a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters from one or more positioning capability reports of a user equipment (UE), wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during subsequent positioning sessions involving the UE.

[0022]

[0022] Other objects and advantages associated with the embodiments disclosed herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art based on the accompanying drawings and detailed description.

[0023]

[0023] The accompanying drawings are presented to aid in the explanation of various aspects of the present disclosure and are provided merely to illustrate, not to limit, the aspects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1]

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A]

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network structure, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network structure, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A]

[0026] 1 is a simplified block diagram of several sample aspects of components that may be employed in a user equipment (UE) and configured to support communication as taught herein; [Figure 3B] 1 is a simplified block diagram of several sample aspects of components that may be employed in a base station and configured to support communication as taught herein; [Figure 3C]1 is a simplified block diagram of several sample aspects of components that may be employed in a network entity and configured to support communications as taught herein; [Figure 4]

[0027] 1 illustrates an exemplary positioning operation according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 5]

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an example Long-Term Evolution positioning protocol (LPP) capability transfer procedure, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 6]

[0029] 10 illustrates an example LPP capability indication procedure, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 7]

[0030] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary capability storage procedure, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 8]

[0031] 10 illustrates an example capability storage procedure when a UE's location server changes due to mobility, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 9]

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an example method of wireless communication according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 illustrates an example method of wireless communication according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 illustrates an example method of wireless communication according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 illustrates an example method of wireless communication according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 illustrates an example method of wireless communication according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 illustrates an example method of wireless communication according to aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025]

[0033] Aspects of the present disclosure are provided in the following description and related drawings, directed to various examples provided for purposes of illustration. Alternative aspects may be devised without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, well-known elements of the present disclosure will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the present disclosure.

[0026]

[0034] The words "exemplary" and / or "example" are used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" and / or "example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Likewise, the term "aspects of the present disclosure" does not require that all aspects of the present disclosure include the described feature, advantage or mode of operation.

[0027]

[0035] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the information and signals described below may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the following description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof, depending in part on the particular application, in part on the desired design, in part on the corresponding technology, etc.

[0028]

[0036] Further, many aspects are described in terms of sequences of actions to be performed by, for example, elements of a computing device. It will be appreciated that various actions described herein may be performed by particular circuitry (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by program instructions executed by one or more processors, or a combination of both. Furthermore, a sequence of actions described herein may be considered to be embodied as a whole in any form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a corresponding set of computer instructions that, when executed, cause or instruct associated processors of a device to perform the functions described herein. Accordingly, various aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied in a number of different forms, all of which are contemplated to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, for each aspect described herein, the corresponding form of any such aspect may be described herein as, for example, “logic configured to” perform the described actions.

[0029]

[0037] The terms “user equipment” (UE) and “base station,” as used herein, are not intended to be specific to or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (RAT) unless otherwise specified. Generally, a UE may be any wireless communication device (e.g., a mobile phone, a router, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a consumer asset location device, a wearable (e.g., a smart watch, glasses, an augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) headset, etc.), a vehicle (e.g., an automobile, a motorcycle, a bicycle, etc.), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.) used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network. A UE may be mobile or (e.g., at some times) stationary and may communicate with a radio access network (RAN). The term “UE” as used herein may be referred to interchangeably as an “access terminal” or “AT,” “client device,” “wireless device,” “subscriber device,” “subscriber terminal,” “subscriber station,” “user terminal” or “UT,” “mobile device,” “mobile terminal,” “mobile station,” or variations thereof. Generally, a UE can communicate with a core network via a RAN, through which the UE can be connected to external networks such as the Internet and other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for connecting to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible for a UE, such as via a wired access network, a wireless local area network (WLAN) network (e.g., based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 specification, etc.), etc.

[0030]

[0038] Depending on the network in which it is deployed, a base station may operate according to one of several RATs in communication with UEs and may alternatively be referred to as an access point (AP), network node, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), new radio (NR) Node B (also referred to as gNB or gNode B), etc. Base stations may be used primarily to support wireless access by UEs, including supporting data, voice, and / or signaling connections for supported UEs. In some systems, a base station may provide purely edge node signaling functionality, while in other systems, it may provide additional control and / or network management functions. A communication link through which a UE can send signals to a base station is called an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., a reverse traffic channel, a reverse control channel, an access channel, etc.). A communication link through which a base station can send signals to a UE is called a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., a paging channel, a control channel, a broadcast channel, a forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term Traffic Channel (TCH) may refer to either an uplink / reverse traffic channel or a downlink / forward traffic channel.

[0031]

[0039] The term "base station" may refer to a single physical transmit receiving point (TRP) or multiple physical TRPs, which may or may not be collocated. For example, when the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP may be an antenna of the base station corresponding to the base station's cell (or several cell sectors). When the term "base station" refers to multiple collocated physical TRPs, the physical TRP may be an array of antennas of the base station (e.g., as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or when the base station employs beamforming). When the term "base station" refers to multiple non-collocated physical TRPs, the physical TRP may be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transport medium) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, the non-collocated physical TRPs may be a serving base station that receives measurement reports from a UE and a neighbor base station whose reference radio frequency (RF) signal the UE is measuring. A TRP is a point from which a base station transmits and receives wireless signals, and therefore, as used herein, references to transmission from or reception at a base station should be understood as referring to the particular TRP of the base station.

[0032]

[0040] In some implementations that support UE positioning, a base station may not support wireless access by the UE (e.g., may not support data, voice, and / or signaling connections for the UE), but instead may transmit reference signals to the UE to be measured by the UE and / or may receive and measure signals transmitted by the UE. Such a base station may be referred to as a positioning beacon (e.g., when transmitting signals to the UE) and / or a location measurement unit (e.g., when receiving and measuring signals from the UE).

[0033]

[0041] An "RF signal" comprises electromagnetic waves of a given frequency that transport information through space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter may transmit a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to a receiver. However, the receiver may receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through a multipath channel. The same transmitted RF signal on different paths between a transmitter and a receiver is sometimes referred to as a "multipath" RF signal. As used herein, an RF signal may be referred to as a "wireless signal" or simply as a "signal" when it is clear from the context that the term "signal" refers to a wireless signal or an RF signal.

[0034]

[0042] 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system 100 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 100 (sometimes referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) may include various base stations 102 (labeled “BS”) and various UEs 104. The base stations 102 may include macrocell base stations (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cell base stations (low-power cellular base stations). In one aspect, the macrocell base stations may include eNBs and / or ng-eNBs where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an LTE network, or gNBs where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an NR network, or a combination of both, and the small cell base stations may include femtocells, picocells, microcells, etc.

[0035]

[0043] The base stations 102 collectively form the RAN and may interface with a core network 170 (e.g., Evolved Packet Core (EPC) or 5G Core (5GC)) through backhaul links 122 and through the core network 170 to one or more location servers 172 (e.g., location management function (LMF) or Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP)). The location server(s) 172 may be part of the core network 170 or may be external to the core network 170. The location server 172 may be integrated with the base station 102. The UE 104 may communicate with the location server 172 directly or indirectly. For example, the UE 104 may communicate with the location server 172 through the base station 102 currently serving the UE 104. The UE 104 may also communicate with the location server 172 through another path, such as through an application server (not shown), or through another network, such as through a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) (e.g., AP 150 described below). For signaling purposes, communication between the UE 104 and the location server 172 may be represented as an indirect connection (e.g., through the core network 170, etc.) or a direct connection (e.g., as indicated by direct connection 128), with intervening nodes (if any) omitted from the signaling diagrams for clarity.

[0036]

[0044] In addition to other functions, the base stations 102 may perform functions related to one or more of the following: forwarding user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setup and release, load balancing, distribution for Non-Access Stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracing, RAN Information Management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of alert messages. The base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through EPC / 5GC) via backhaul links 134, which may be wired or wireless.

[0037]

[0045] The base stations 102 may wirelessly communicate with the UEs 104. Each of the base stations 102 may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area 110. In one aspect, one or more cells may be supported by the base stations 102 in each geographic coverage area 110. A “cell” is a logical communication entity used for communication with a base station (e.g., over some frequency resource, referred to as a carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, band, etc.) and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., physical cell identifier (PCI), extended cell identifier (ECI), virtual cell identifier (VCI), cell global identifier (CGI), etc.) to distinguish cells operating over the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine type communication (MTC), narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or others) that may provide access to different types of UEs. Because a cell is supported by a particular base station, the term “cell” may refer to either or both the logical communication entity and the base station that supports it, depending on the context. Furthermore, the terms "cell" and "TRP" may be used interchangeably, as a TRP is generally a physical transmission point of a cell. In some cases, the term "cell" may also refer to the geographic coverage area (e.g., sector) of a base station, so long as the carrier frequency can be detected and used for communication within some portion of the geographic coverage area 110.

[0038]

[0046] The geographic coverage areas 110 of neighboring macrocell base stations 102 may partially overlap (e.g., in handover regions), but some of the geographic coverage areas 110 may be significantly overlapped by larger geographic coverage areas 110. For example, a small cell base station 102' (labeled "SC" for "small cell") may have a geographic coverage area 110' that significantly overlaps with the geographic coverage area 110 of one or more macrocell base stations 102. A network including both small cell and macrocell base stations may be known as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include Home eNBs (HeNBs) that may serve restricted groups known as Closed Subscriber Groups (CSGs).

[0039]

[0047] The communication link 120 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may include uplink transmissions (also called reverse link) from the UE 104 to the base station 102, and / or downlink (DL) transmissions (also called forward link) from the base station 102 to the UE 104. The communication link 120 may use MIMO antenna techniques, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link 120 may be over one or more carrier frequencies. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to the downlink and uplink (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for the downlink than for the uplink).

[0040]

[0048] The wireless communication system 100 may further include a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) 150 communicating with a WLAN station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in an unlicensed frequency spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz). When communicating in the unlicensed frequency spectrum, the WLAN STA 152 and / or the WLAN AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) procedure or a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure before communicating to determine whether a channel is available.

[0041]

[0049] The small cell base station 102' may operate in licensed and / or unlicensed frequency spectrums. When operating in the unlicensed frequency spectrum, the small cell base station 102' may employ LTE or NR technology and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum used by the WLAN AP 150. A small cell base station 102' employing LTE / 5G in the unlicensed frequency spectrum may boost coverage to and / or increase the capacity of the access network. NR in the unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as NR-U. LTE in the unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as LTE-U, Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), or MultiFire.

[0042]

[0050] The wireless communication system 100 may further include a millimeter wave (mmW) base station 180 that may operate in mmW and / or near-mmW frequencies in communication with the UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is the RF portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 and 10 millimeters. Radio waves in this band are sometimes referred to as millimeter waves. Near-mmW may extend down to frequencies of 3 GHz with wavelengths of 100 millimeters. The very high frequency (SHF) band, also referred to as centimeter wave, extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz. Communications using the mmW / near-mmW radio frequency bands have high path loss and relatively short range. The mmW base station 180 and the UE 182 may utilize beamforming (transmit and / or receive) over the mmW communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that in alternative configurations, one or more base stations 102 may also transmit using mmW or near mmW and beamforming. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above description is by way of example only and should not be construed as limiting various aspects disclosed herein.

[0043]

[0051] Transmit beamforming is a technique for focusing an RF signal in a particular direction. Traditionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal in all directions (omnidirectionally). With transmit beamforming, the network node determines where a given target device (e.g., UE) is located (relative to the transmitting network node) and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that particular direction, thereby providing a faster (in terms of data rate) and stronger RF signal to the receiving device(s). To change the directionality of the RF signal when transmitting, the network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of one or more transmitters broadcasting the RF signal. For example, the network node may use an array of antennas (called a “phased array” or “antenna array”) that creates beams of RF waves that can be “steered” to point in different directions without actually moving the antennas. In particular, RF current from the transmitter is supplied to individual antennas with the proper phase relationship so that the waves from the separate antennas add together to increase radiation in desired directions while canceling and suppressing radiation in undesired directions.

[0044]

[0052] A transmit beam may be quasi-colocated, meaning that the transmit beam appears to a receiver (e.g., a UE) to have the same parameters regardless of whether the network node's transmit antennas themselves are physically colocated. In NR, there are four types of quasi-colocation (QCL) relationships. In particular, a given type of QCL relationship means that some parameters related to a second reference RF signal on a second beam can be derived from information about the source reference RF signal on the source beam. Thus, if the source reference RF signal is QCL Type A, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift, Doppler spread, mean delay, and delay spread of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL Type B, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and Doppler spread of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL Type C, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and mean delay of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL Type D, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate spatial reception parameters of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0045]

[0053] In receive beamforming, a receiver uses receive beams to amplify RF signals detected on a given channel. For example, the receiver can increase the gain setting and / or adjust the phase setting of an antenna array in a particular direction to amplify (e.g., increase its gain level) an RF signal received from that direction. Thus, when a receiver is said to beamform in a direction, it means that the beam gain in that direction is higher relative to the beam gains along other directions, or that the beam gain in that direction is highest compared to the beam gains in that direction of all other receive beams available to the receiver. This results in a stronger received signal strength (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), etc.) of the RF signal received from that direction.

[0046]

[0054] The transmit beam and the receive beam may be spatially related. The spatial relationship means that parameters for a second beam (e.g., a transmit beam or a receive beam) for a second reference signal may be derived from information about a first beam (e.g., a receive beam or a transmit beam) for a first reference signal. For example, a UE may use a particular receive beam to receive a reference downlink reference signal (e.g., a synchronization signal block (SSB)) from a base station. The UE can then form a transmit beam for sending an uplink reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal (SRS)) to that base station based on the parameters of the receive beam.

[0047]

[0055] Note that a "downlink" beam can be either a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if a base station forms a downlink beam to transmit a reference signal to a UE, the downlink beam is a transmit beam. However, if the UE forms a downlink beam, it is a receive beam to receive the downlink reference signal. Similarly, an "uplink" beam can be either a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if the base station forms an uplink beam, it is an uplink receive beam, and if the UE forms an uplink beam, it is an uplink transmit beam.

[0048]

[0056] The electromagnetic spectrum is often subdivided into various classes, bands, channels, etc. based on frequency / wavelength. For 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz to 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz). It should be understood that although portions of FR1 are greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "sub-6 GHz" band in various documents and papers. A similar nomenclature issue sometimes arises with regard to FR2, which is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" band in documents and papers, even though it is distinct from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz to 300 GHz) identified by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as the "millimeter wave" band.

[0049]

[0057] Frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR research has identified these mid-band frequency operating bands as the frequency range designation FR3 (7.125 GHz to 24.25 GHz). Frequency bands falling within FR3 may inherit the characteristics of FR1 and / or FR2, thus effectively extending the features of FR1 and / or FR2 to the mid-band frequencies. Additionally, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operation beyond 52.6 GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz to 71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz to 114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz to 300 GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0050]

[0058] With the above aspects in mind, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified, terms such as "sub-6 GHz," as used herein, can broadly refer to frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz, that may be within FR1, or that may include mid-band frequencies. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, it should be understood that terms such as "millimeter wave," as used herein, can broadly refer to frequencies that may include mid-band frequencies, that may be within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1, and / or FR5, or that may be within the EHF band.

[0051]

[0059] In a multi-carrier system, such as 5G, one of the carrier frequencies is referred to as the “primary carrier” or “anchor carrier” or “primary serving cell” or “PCell,” and the remaining carrier frequencies are referred to as “secondary carriers” or “secondary serving cells” or “SCells.” In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is the carrier operating on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) utilized by the UE 104 / 182 and the cell in which the UE 104 / 182 either performs an initial radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiates an RRC connection re-establishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common and UE-specific control channels and may be a carrier in licensed frequencies (although this is not always the case). The secondary carrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2) that may be configured once an RRC connection is established between the UE 104 and the anchor carrier and may be used to provide additional radio resources. In some cases, the secondary carrier may be a carrier in unlicensed frequencies. The secondary carrier may contain only the necessary signaling information and signals; for example, since both the primary uplink carrier and the primary downlink carrier are typically UE-specific, nothing UE-specific may be present in the secondary carrier. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 in a cell may have different downlink primary carriers. The same is true for the uplink primary carrier. The network may change the primary carrier of any UE 104 / 182 at any time. This is done, for example, to balance the load on different carriers. Since a "serving cell" (whether a PCell or an SCell) corresponds to the carrier frequency / component carrier over which some base station is communicating, terms such as "cell," "serving cell," "component carrier," and "carrier frequency" may be used interchangeably.

[0052]

[0060] For example, still referring to FIG. 1, one of the frequencies utilized by the macrocell base station 102 may be an anchor carrier (or “PCell”), and other frequencies utilized by the macrocell base station 102 and / or the mmW base station 180 may be secondary carriers (“SCells”). Simultaneous transmission and / or reception of multiple carriers allows the UE 104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rates. For example, two 20 MHz aggregated carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically lead to a doubling of the data rate (i.e., 40 MHz) compared to that achieved by a single 20 MHz carrier.

[0053]

[0061] Wireless communications system 100 may further include a UE 164, which may communicate with macrocell base station 102 via communications link 120 and / or with mmW base station 180 via mmW communications link 184. For example, macrocell base station 102 may support a PCell and one or more SCells for UE 164, and mmW base station 180 may support one or more SCells for UE 164.

[0054]

[0062] In some cases, the UE 164 and the UE 182 may be capable of sidelink communication. A sidelink-capable UE (SL-UE) may communicate with the base station 102 over the communication link 120 using the Uu interface (i.e., the air interface between the UE and the base station). SL-UEs (e.g., the UE 164, the UE 182) may also communicate directly with each other over the wireless sidelink 160 using the PC5 interface (i.e., the air interface between sidelink-capable UEs). The wireless sidelink (or simply “sidelink”) is an adaptation of the core cellular (e.g., LTE, NR) standard that enables direct communication between two or more UEs without the communication having to go through a base station. Sidelink communication may be unicast or multicast and may be used for device-to-device (D2D) media sharing, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication (e.g., cellular V2X (cV2X) communication, enhanced V2X (eV2X) communication, etc.), emergency rescue applications, etc. One or more of a group of SL-UEs utilizing sidelink communications may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 102. Other SL-UEs in such a group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 102 or may otherwise be unable to receive transmissions from the base station 102. In some cases, a group of SL-UEs communicating via sidelink communications may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each SL-UE transmits to every other SL-UE in the group. In some cases, the base station 102 facilitates scheduling of resources for sidelink communications. In other cases, sidelink communications occur between SL-UEs without the involvement of the base station 102.

[0055]

[0063] In one aspect, the sidelink 160 may operate over a wireless communications medium of interest that may be shared with other vehicular and / or infrastructure access points, as well as other wireless communications between other RATs. A “medium” may consist of one or more time, frequency, and / or spatial communications resources (e.g., encompassing one or more channels across one or more carriers) associated with wireless communications between one or more transmitter / receiver pairs. In one aspect, the medium of interest may correspond to at least a portion of an unlicensed frequency band shared among various RATs. While different licensed frequency bands have been reserved for some communications systems (e.g., by government agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States), these systems, particularly those employing small cell access points, have recently extended operation to unlicensed frequency bands, such as the Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) band used by Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technologies, most notably the IEEE 802.11x WLAN technology commonly referred to as “Wi-Fi®.” Exemplary systems of this type include CDMA systems, TDMA systems, FDMA systems, orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) systems, and different variants thereof.

[0056]

[0064] Note that while FIG. 1 shows only two of the UEs (i.e., UE 164 and 182) as SL-UEs, any of the illustrated UEs may be SL-UEs. Additionally, while only UE 182 is described as being capable of beamforming, any of the illustrated UEs, including UE 164, may be capable of beamforming. If SL-UEs are capable of beamforming, they may beamform toward each other (i.e., toward other SL-UEs), toward other UEs (e.g., UE 104), toward a base station (e.g., base station 102, 180, small cell 102′, access point 150), etc. Thus, in some cases, UEs 164 and 182 may utilize beamforming over sidelink 160.

[0057]

[0065] In the example of FIG. 1, any of the illustrated UEs (shown in FIG. 1 as a single UE 104 for simplicity) may receive signals 124 from one or more Earth-orbiting space vehicles (SVs) 112 (e.g., satellites). In one aspect, the SVs 112 may be part of a satellite positioning system that the UE 104 can use as an independent source of location information. A satellite positioning system generally includes a system of transmitters positioned to enable a receiver (e.g., the UE 104) to determine the receiver's location on or above the Earth based at least in part on positioning signals (e.g., signals 124) received from a transmitter (e.g., the SVs 112). Such transmitters generally transmit signals marked with a repetitive pseudorandom noise (PN) code of a set number of chips. While typically located in the SVs 112, transmitters may sometimes be located on ground-based control stations, base stations 102, and / or other UEs 104. The UE 104 may include one or more dedicated receivers specifically designed to receive signals 124 from the SVs 112 to derive geolocation information.

[0058]

[0066] In a satellite positioning system, the use of signals 124 may be augmented by various satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS), which may be associated with or otherwise enabled for use with one or more global and / or regional navigation satellite systems. For example, an SBAS may include one or more augmentation systems that provide integrity information, differential corrections, etc., such as a Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), a European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), a Multi-functional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), a Global Positioning System (GPS)-aided Geo Augmented Navigation or GPS and Geo Augmented Navigation system (GAGAN), etc. Thus, a satellite positioning system, as used herein, may include any combination of one or more global and / or regional navigation satellites associated with such one or more satellite positioning systems.

[0059]

[0067] In one aspect, the SV 112 may additionally or alternatively be part of one or more non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). In an NTN, the SV 112 is connected to an earth station (also called a ground station, NTN gateway, or gateway), which is connected to an element in a 5G network, such as a modified base station 102 (without a terrestrial antenna) or a network node in a 5G network. This element will provide access to other elements in the 5G network and, ultimately, to entities outside the 5G network, such as Internet web servers and other user devices. In this way, the UE 104 may receive communication signals (e.g., signal 124) from the SV 112 instead of, or in addition to, communication signals from the terrestrial base station 102.

[0060]

[0068] The wireless communication system 100 may further include one or more UEs, such as a UE 190, that indirectly connect to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links (referred to as “sidelinks”). In the example of FIG. 1, the UE 190 has a D2D P2P link 192 with one of the UEs 104 connected to one of the base stations 102 (e.g., through which the UE 190 may indirectly obtain cellular connectivity) and a D2D P2P link 194 with a WLAN STA 152 connected to a WLAN AP 150 (through which the UE 190 may indirectly obtain WLAN-based Internet connectivity). In one example, the D2D P2P links 192 and 194 may be supported using any well-known D2D RAT, such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct® (WiFi®-D), Bluetooth®, etc.

[0061]

[0069] 2A illustrates an exemplary wireless network structure 200. For example, a 5GC 210 (also referred to as a Next Generation Core (NGC)) may be functionally considered to have control plane (C-plane) functions 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and user plane (U-plane) functions 212 (e.g., UE gateway functions, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.) that operate cooperatively to form a core network. A user plane interface (NG-U) 213 and a control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect a gNB 222 to the 5GC 210, specifically to the user plane function 212 and the control plane function 214, respectively. In an additional configuration, an ng-eNB 224 may also be connected to the 5GC 210 via the NG-C 215 to the control plane function 214 and the NG-U 213 to the user plane function 212. Additionally, the ng-eNB 224 may communicate directly with the gNB 222 via a backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN) 220 may have one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of both an ng-eNB 224 and a gNB 222. Either the gNB 222 or the ng-eNB 224 (or both) may communicate with one or more UEs 204 (e.g., any of the UEs described herein).

[0062]

[0070] Another optional aspect may include a location server 230, which may be in communication with the 5GC 210 to provide location assistance to the UE(s) 204. The location servers 230 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, may each correspond to a single server. The location servers 230 may be configured to support one or more location services for UEs 204 that can connect to the location server 230 via the core network, the 5GC 210, and / or the Internet (not shown). Furthermore, the location server 230 may be integrated into a component of the core network or alternatively may be external to the core network (e.g., a third-party server, such as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) server or a service server).

[0063]

[0071] 2B shows another example wireless network structure 250. A 5GC 260 (which may correspond to 5GC 210 in FIG. 2A ) may be considered functionally as control plane functions provided by an access and mobility management function (AMF) 264 and user plane functions provided by a user plane function (UPF) 262, which operate cooperatively to form a core network (i.e., 5GC 260). The functions of the AMF 264 include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transport for session management (SM) messages between one or more UEs 204 (e.g., any of the UEs described herein) and a session management function (SMF) 266, a transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transport for short message service (SMS) messages between the UE 204 and a short message service function (SMSF) (not shown), and a security anchor function (SEAF). The AMF 264 also interacts with an Authentication Server Function (AUSF) (not shown) and the UE 204 and receives intermediate keys established as a result of the UE 204 authentication process. In the case of UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Subscriber Identity Module (USIM)-based authentication, the AMF 264 retrieves security material from the AUSF. The AMF 264's functions also include Security Context Management (SCM). The SCM receives keys from the SEAF that it uses to derive access network-specific keys. The AMF 264's functions also include location service management for barred services, transport for location service messages between the UE 204 and the Location Management Function (LMF) 270 (acting as the location server 230), transport for location service messages between the NG-RAN 220 and the LMF 270, EPS bearer identifier allocation for interworking with the Evolved Packet System (EPS), and UE 204 mobility event notification.Additionally, AMF264 also supports functionality for non-3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) access networks.

[0064]

[0072] The functions of the UPF 262 include serving as an anchor point for intra / inter-RAT mobility (when applicable), serving as an outer protocol data unit (PDU) session point for interconnection to a data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., gating, redirection, traffic steering), lawful interception (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, quality of service (QoS) handling for the user plane (e.g., uplink / downlink rate enforcement, reflective QoS marking in the downlink), uplink traffic validation (service data flow (SDF) to QoS flow mapping), transport-level packet marking in the uplink and downlink, downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification triggering, and sending and forwarding one or more "termination markers" to the source RAN node. The UPF 262 may also support the transfer of location service messages over the user plane between the UE 204 and a location server such as the SLP 272.

[0065]

[0073] The functions of the SMF 266 include session management, UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of user plane functions, configuration of traffic steering in the UPF 262 to route traffic to the appropriate destination, control of policy enforcement and parts of QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface through which the SMF 266 communicates with the AMF 264 is called the N11 interface.

[0066]

[0074] Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270, which may be in communication with the 5GC 260 to provide location assistance to the UE 204. The LMF 270 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, may each correspond to a single server. The LMF 270 may be configured to support one or more location services for UEs 204 that can connect to the LMF 270 via a core network, the 5GC 260, and / or via the Internet (not shown). The SLP 272 may support similar functions as the LMF 270, but the LMF 270 may communicate with the AMF 264, the NG-RAN 220, and the UE 204 on the control plane (e.g., using interfaces and protocols intended to carry signaling messages rather than voice or data), and the SLP 272 may communicate with the UE 204 and external clients (e.g., third-party servers 274) on the user plane (e.g., using protocols intended to carry voice and / or data, such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and / or IP).

[0067]

[0075] Yet another optional aspect may include a third party server 274, which may be in communication with the LMF 270, the SLP 272, the 5GC 260 (e.g., via the AMF 264 and / or the UPF 262), the NG-RAN 220, and / or the UE 204 to obtain location information (e.g., a location estimate) for the UE 204. Thus, in some cases, the third party server 274 may be referred to as a location service (LCS) client or an external client. The third party servers 274 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.) or, alternatively, may each correspond to a single server.

[0068]

[0076] The user plane interface 263 and the control plane interface 265 connect the 5GC 260, particularly the UPF 262 and the AMF 264, to one or more gNBs 222 and / or ng-eNBs 224 in the NG-RAN 220. The interface between the gNB(s) 222 and / or ng-eNB(s) 224 and the AMF 264 is referred to as the “N2” interface, and the interface between the gNB(s) 222 and / or ng-eNB(s) 224 and the UPF 262 is referred to as the “N3” interface. The gNB(s) 222 and / or ng-eNB(s) 224 of the NG-RAN 220 may communicate directly with each other via a backhaul connection 223 referred to as the “Xn-C” interface. One or more of the gNBs 222 and / or ng-eNBs 224 may communicate with one or more UEs 204 via a wireless interface referred to as the “Uu” interface.

[0069]

[0077] The functionality of the gNB 222 may be divided between a gNB central unit (gNB-CU) 226, one or more gNB distributed units (gNB-DUs) 228, and one or more gNB radio units (gNB-RUs) 229. The gNB-CU 226 is a logical node that includes base station functions such as forwarding user data, mobility control, radio access network sharing, positioning, and session management, except for functions allocated exclusively to the gNB-DU(s). More specifically, the gNB-CU 226 generally hosts the Radio Resource Control (RRC), Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) protocols of the gNB 222. The gNB-DU 228 is a logical node that generally hosts the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer and Medium Access Control (MAC) layer of the gNB 222. Its operation is controlled by the gNB-CU 226. One gNB-DU 228 can support one or more cells, and one cell is supported by only one gNB-DU 228. The interface 232 between the gNB-CU 226 and one or more gNB-DUs 228 is referred to as the "F1" interface. The physical (PHY) layer functions of the gNB 222 are generally hosted by one or more standalone gNB-RUs 229, which perform functions such as power amplification and signal transmission / reception. The interface between the gNB-DU 228 and the gNB-RU 229 is referred to as the "Fx" interface. Thus, the UE 204 communicates with the gNB-CU 226 via the RRC layer, the SDAP layer, and the PDCP layer, with the gNB-DU 228 via the RLC layer and the MAC layer, and with the gNB-RU 229 via the PHY layer.

[0070]

[0078] 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate several example components (represented by corresponding blocks) that may be incorporated in a UE 302 (which may correspond to any of the UEs described herein), a base station 304 (which may correspond to any of the base stations described herein), and a network entity 306 (which may correspond to or perform any of the network functions described herein, including a location server 230 and an LMF 270, or alternatively, may be unrelated to the NG-RAN 220 and / or 5GC 210 / 260 infrastructure shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, such as a private network) to support the operations described herein. It will be appreciated that these components may be implemented in different types of devices (e.g., in an ASIC, in a system-on-chip (SoC), etc.) in different implementations. The illustrated components may also be incorporated in other devices in a communication system. For example, other devices in the system may include similar components to those described to provide similar functionality. Also, a given device may include one or more of the components. For example, a device may include multiple transceiver components that enable the device to operate on multiple carriers and / or communicate via different technologies.

[0071]

[0079] The UE 302 and the base station 304 each include one or more wireless wide area network (WWAN) transceivers 310 and 350, respectively, and provide means for communicating (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, means for measuring, means for adjusting, means for refraining from transmitting, etc.) over one or more wireless communications networks (not shown), such as an NR network, an LTE network, a GSM network, etc. The WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may each be connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356, respectively, for communicating with other network nodes, such as other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., eNBs, gNBs), etc., over at least one designated RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.) over a wireless communications medium of interest (e.g., some set of time / frequency resources in a particular frequency spectrum). The WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may be variously configured for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358, respectively (e.g., messages, instructions, information, etc.), and conversely, for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358, respectively (e.g., messages, instructions, information, pilots, etc.) in accordance with a designated RAT. In particular, the WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 include one or more transmitters 314 and 354, respectively, for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358, and one or more receivers 312 and 352, respectively, for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358, respectively.

[0072]

[0080] The UE 302 and the base station 304 also each, in at least some cases, include one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360, respectively. The short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 may be connected to one or more antennas 326 and 366, respectively, and may provide means for communicating (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, means for measuring, means for adjusting, means for refraining from transmitting, etc.) with other network nodes, such as other UEs, access points, base stations, etc., via at least one designated RAT (e.g., WiFi, LTE-D, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave, PC5, dedicated short-range communications (DSRC), wireless access for vehicular environments (WAVE), near field communications (NFC), etc.) over the wireless communications medium of interest. The short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 may be variously configured for transmitting and encoding signals 328 and 368, respectively (e.g., messages, instructions, information, etc.), and conversely, for receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368, respectively (e.g., messages, instructions, information, pilots, etc.) in accordance with a designated RAT. In particular, the short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 include one or more transmitters 324 and 364, respectively, for transmitting and encoding signals 328 and 368, and include one or more receivers 322 and 362, respectively, for receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368. As particular examples, the short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 may be WiFi transceivers, Bluetooth transceivers, Zigbee and / or Z-Wave transceivers, NFC transceivers, or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and / or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) transceivers.

[0073]

[0081] The UE 302 and the base station 304 also, in at least some cases, include satellite signal receivers 330 and 370. The satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 may be connected to one or more antennas 336 and 376, respectively, and may provide a means for receiving and / or measuring satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378, respectively. If the satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 are satellite positioning system receivers, the satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 may be Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) signals, Galileo signals, BeiDou signals, Navigation Satellite System of India (NAVIC), Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), etc. If the satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 are non-terrestrial network (NTN) receivers, the satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 may be communication signals (e.g., carrying control data and / or user data) originating from a 5G network. Satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 may comprise any suitable hardware and / or software for receiving and processing satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378, respectively. Satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 may request information and action from other systems as appropriate and, in at least some cases, perform calculations to determine the locations of UE 302 and base station 304, respectively, using measurements obtained by any suitable satellite positioning system algorithms.

[0074]

[0082] The base station 304 and the network entity 306 each include one or more network transceivers 380 and 390, respectively, to provide means for communicating (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, etc.) with other network entities (e.g., other base stations 304, other network entities 306). For example, the base station 304 may employ one or more network transceivers 380 to communicate with other base stations 304 or network entities 306 over one or more wired or wireless backhaul links. As another example, the network entity 306 may employ one or more network transceivers 390 to communicate with one or more base stations 304 over one or more wired or wireless backhaul links or to communicate with other network entities 306 over one or more wired or wireless core network interfaces.

[0075]

[0083] A transceiver may be configured to communicate over a wired or wireless link. The transceiver (whether a wired or wireless transceiver) includes a transmitter circuit (e.g., transmitters 314, 324, 354, 364) and a receiver circuit (e.g., receivers 312, 322, 352, 362). The transmitter may be an integrated device in some implementations (e.g., implemented as a transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit in a single device), may comprise separate transmitter circuitry and separate receiver circuitry in some implementations, or may be implemented in other manners in other implementations. The transmitter and receiver circuitry of a wired transceiver (e.g., in some implementations, network transceivers 380 and 390) may be coupled to one or more wired network interface ports. The wireless transmitter circuitry (e.g., transmitters 314, 324, 354, 364) may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such as an antenna array, that enable the respective device (e.g., UE 302, base station 304) to perform transmit “beamforming,” as described herein. Similarly, the wireless receiver circuitry (e.g., receivers 312, 322, 352, 362) may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antenna arrays), that enable the respective device (e.g., UE 302, base station 304) to perform receive beamforming, as described herein. In one aspect, the transmitter and receiver circuitry may share the same multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), so that the respective device can only receive or transmit at a given time, rather than both receive and transmit simultaneously. The wireless transceivers (eg, WWAN transceivers 310 and 350, short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360) may also include a network listen module (NLM) or the like for performing various measurements.

[0076]

[0084] As used herein, various wireless transceivers (e.g., in some implementations, transceivers 310, 320, 350, and 360, and network transceivers 380 and 390) and wired transceivers (e.g., in some implementations, network transceivers 380 and 390) may be generally characterized as a “transceiver,” “at least one transceiver,” or “one or more transceivers.” Thus, whether a particular transceiver is a wired or wireless transceiver may be inferred from the type of communication being implemented. For example, backhaul communication between network devices or servers generally involves signaling via wired transceivers, while wireless communication between a UE (e.g., UE 302) and a base station (e.g., base station 304) generally involves signaling via wireless transceivers.

[0077]

[0085] The UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 also include other components that may be used in conjunction with the operations disclosed herein. The UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 each include one or more processors 332, 384, and 394, for example, to provide functionality related to wireless communications and to provide other processing functions. The processors 332, 384, and 394 may therefore provide means for processing, such as means for determining, means for calculating, means for receiving, means for transmitting, and means for directing. In one aspect, the processors 332, 384, and 394 may include, for example, one or more general-purpose processors, multi-core processors, central processing units (CPUs), ASICs, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), other programmable logic devices or processing circuits, or various combinations thereof.

[0078]

[0086] The UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 include memory circuitry implementing memories 340, 386, and 396, respectively (e.g., each including a memory device) for maintaining information (e.g., information indicating reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.). The memories 340, 386, and 396 may therefore provide means for storing, means for retrieving, means for maintaining, etc. In some cases, the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 may include positioning components 342, 388, and 398, respectively. The positioning components 342, 388, and 398 may be hardware circuits that are part of or coupled to the processors 332, 384, and 394, respectively, that, when executed, cause the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 to perform the functions described herein. In other aspects, the positioning components 342, 388, and 398 may be external to the processors 332, 384, and 394 (e.g., part of a modem processing system, integrated with another processing system, etc.). Alternatively, the positioning components 342, 388, and 398 may be memory modules stored in the memories 340, 386, and 396, respectively, that, when executed by the processors 332, 384, and 394 (or modem processing system, another processing system, etc.), cause the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 to perform the functions described herein. Figure 3A illustrates possible locations of the positioning component 342, which may be, for example, part of one or more WWAN transceivers 310, memory 340, one or more processors 332, or any combination thereof, or may be a standalone component. FIG. 3B shows possible locations of a positioning component 388, which may be, for example, part of one or more WWAN transceivers 350, memory 386, one or more processors 384, or any combination thereof, or may be a stand-alone component.FIG. 3C shows possible locations of a positioning component 398, which may be, for example, part of one or more network transceivers 390, memory 396, one or more processors 394, or any combination thereof, or may be a stand-alone component.

[0079]

[0087] The UE 302 may include one or more sensors 344 coupled to one or more processors 332 to provide a means for sensing or detecting movement and / or orientation information that is independent of movement data derived from signals received by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, and / or satellite signal receiver 330. By way of example, the sensor(s) 344 may include an accelerometer (e.g., a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device), a gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor (e.g., a compass), an altimeter (e.g., a barometric altimeter), and / or any other type of movement detection sensor. Moreover, the sensor(s) 344 may include multiple different types of devices and combine their outputs to provide movement information. For example, the sensor(s) 344 may use a combination of a multi-axis accelerometer and an orientation sensor to provide the ability to calculate position in a two-dimensional (2D) and / or three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system.

[0080]

[0088] Additionally, the UE 302 includes a user interface 346 that provides means for providing instructions (e.g., audible and / or visual instructions) to a user and / or for receiving user input (e.g., upon user actuation of a sensing device such as a keypad, touchscreen, microphone, etc.). Although not shown, the base station 304 and the network entity 306 may also include user interfaces.

[0081]

[0089] Referring more particularly to the one or more processors 384, on the downlink, IP packets from the network entity 306 may be provided to the processor 384. The one or more processors 384 may implement functionality for an RRC layer, a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. The one or more processors 384 may provide RRC layer functions related to broadcasting of system information (e.g., Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB)), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-RAT mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions related to header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functions related to transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction via Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ), concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions related to mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0082]

[0090] The transmitter 354 and receiver 352 may implement Layer 1 (L1) functions related to various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on transport channels, forward error correction (FEC) coding / decoding of transport channels, interleaving, rate matching, mapping onto physical channels, modulation / demodulation of physical channels, and MIMO antenna processing. The transmitter 354 handles mapping to signal constellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), multi-level quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols may then be split into parallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarriers, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., a pilot) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then combined with each other using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to generate a physical channel carrying a time-domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM symbol streams are spatially precoded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator may be used to determine coding and modulation schemes and for spatial processing. The channel estimates may be derived from a reference signal and / or channel condition feedback transmitted by the UE 302. Each spatial stream may then be provided to one or more different antennas 356. The transmitter 354 may modulate an RF carrier with each spatial stream for transmission.

[0083]

[0091] At the UE 302, the receiver 312 receives signals through its respective antenna(s) 316. The receiver 312 recovers information modulated onto RF carriers and provides the information to one or more processors 332. The transmitter 314 and receiver 312 implement Layer 1 functionality related to various signal processing functions. The receiver 312 may perform spatial processing on the information to recover spatial streams destined for the UE 302. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 302, they may be combined into a single OFDM symbol stream by the receiver 312. The receiver 312 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain using a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The frequency-domain signal comprises a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier and the reference signal are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation point transmitted by the base station 304. These soft decisions may be based on channel estimates calculated by a channel estimator. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted by the base station 304 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to one or more processors 332 that implement Layer 3 (L3) and Layer 2 (L2) functions.

[0084]

[0092] In the uplink, one or more processors 332 provide demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header recovery, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the core network. The one or more processors 332 are also responsible for error detection.

[0085]

[0093] Similar to the functions described with respect to downlink transmission by the base station 304, the one or more processors 332 provide RRC layer functions related to system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions related to header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functions related to transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions related to mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0086]

[0094] Channel estimates derived by the channel estimator from a reference signal or feedback transmitted by the base station 304 may be used by the transmitter 314 to select an appropriate coding and modulation scheme and to enable spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the transmitter 314 may be provided to different antenna(s) 316. The transmitter 314 may modulate an RF carrier with each spatial stream for transmission.

[0087]

[0095] Uplink transmissions are processed at the base station 304 in a manner similar to that described with respect to the receiver function at the UE 302. The receiver 352 receives signals through its respective antenna(s) 356. The receiver 352 recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to one or more processors 384.

[0088]

[0096] In the uplink, one or more processors 384 provide demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header recovery, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 302. The IP packets from the one or more processors 384 may be provided to the core network. The one or more processors 384 are also responsible for error detection.

[0089]

[0097] For convenience, the UE 302, base station 304, and / or network entity 306 are illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C as including various components that may be configured in accordance with various examples described herein. However, it will be appreciated that the illustrated components may have different functions in different designs. In particular, various components in FIGS. 3A-3C are optional in alternative configurations, and various aspects include configurations that may vary due to design choice, cost, device use, or other considerations. For example, in FIG. 3A, a particular implementation of the UE 302 may omit the WWAN transceiver(s) 310 (e.g., a wearable device or tablet computer or PC or laptop may have Wi-Fi and / or Bluetooth capabilities without cellular capabilities), or may omit the short-range wireless transceiver(s) 320 (e.g., cellular only, etc.), or may omit the satellite signal receiver 330, or may omit the sensor(s) 344, etc. 3B, a particular implementation of base station 304 may omit WWAN transceiver(s) 350 (e.g., a Wi-Fi “hotspot” access point without cellular capability), or may omit short-range wireless transceiver(s) 360 (e.g., cellular only, etc.), or may omit satellite signal receiver 370, etc. For brevity, a description of various alternative configurations is not provided herein but would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

[0090]

[0098] The various components of the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 may be communicatively coupled to one another via data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392, respectively. In one aspect, the data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392 may form or be part of communication interfaces of the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306, respectively. For example, when different logical entities are implemented in the same device (e.g., gNB functionality and location server functionality incorporated in the same base station 304), the data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392 may provide communication therebetween.

[0091]

[0099] The components of Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C may be implemented in various ways. In some implementations, the components of Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C may be implemented in one or more circuits, such as, for example, one or more processors and / or one or more ASICs (which may include one or more processors), where each circuit may use and / or incorporate at least one memory component for storing information or executable code used by the circuit to provide its functionality. For example, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 310-346 may be implemented by a processor and memory component(s) of the UE 302 (e.g., by execution of appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Similarly, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 350-388 may be implemented by a processor and memory component(s) of the base station 304 (e.g., by execution of appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Additionally, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 390-398 may be implemented by a processor and memory component(s) of the network entity 306 (e.g., by execution of appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). For simplicity, various operations, acts, and / or functions are described herein as being performed "by the UE," "by the base station," "by the network entity," etc. However, it will be appreciated that such operations, acts, and / or functions may actually be performed by particular components or combinations of components of the UE 302, base station 304, network entity 306, etc., such as processors 332, 384, 394, transceivers 310, 320, 350, and 360, memories 340, 386, and 396, positioning components 342, 388, and 398, etc.

[0092]

[0100] In some designs, the network entity 306 may be implemented as a core network component. In other designs, the network entity 306 may be separate from the network operator or operation of the cellular network infrastructure (e.g., the NG RAN 220 and / or the 5GC 210 / 260). For example, the network entity 306 may be a component of a private network that may be configured to communicate with the UE 302 through the base station 304 or independently of the base station 304 (e.g., via a non-cellular communication link such as WiFi).

[0093]

[0101] NR supports several location services and positioning technologies, which have evolved over various releases of the governing 3GPP standard. In Release 15 of the NR standard, location services were limited to restricted services such as emergency calls and lawful intercept. In addition, Release 15 introduced the concept of an LMF (corresponding to the Enhanced Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC) in LTE). Positioning methods supported in Release 15 include RAT-independent methods such as Assisted Global Navigation Satellite System (A-GNSS), Metropolitan Beacon System (MBS), Terrestrial Beacon System (TBS), motion sensors, WLAN, and Bluetooth; RAT-dependent methods such as LTE Observed Time Difference of Arrival (LTE-OTDOA) and LTE Enhanced Cell Identifier (E-CID); and NR Cell ID methods. Except for NR Cell ID, Release 15 did not specify NR positioning methods.

[0094]

[0102] Release 16 of the NR standard supports positioning services for roaming and commercial use cases, including mobile-terminated location requests (MT-LR), mobile-originated location requests (MO-LR), and delayed location requests for periodic, triggered, and UE availability events. Release 16 also provides support for native 5G NR positioning methods, including downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA), downlink angle of departure (DL-AoD), uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA), uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA), round trip time (RTT) with one or more neighboring base stations (multi-RTT), and NR E-CID. Release 16 also introduced new downlink and uplink positioning reference signals (PRS), broadcast of assistance data, and GNSS extensions (e.g., state space representation (SSR) for precise point positioning (PPP) and real-time kinematics (RTK)).

[0095]

[0103] RAT-dependent positioning methods in Releases 15 and 16 are categorized as downlink-based, uplink-based, and downlink-and-uplink-based. Downlink-based positioning methods include LTE-OTDOA (or simply OTDOA), DL-TDOA, and DL-AoD. In an OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning procedure, the UE measures the difference between the times of arrival (ToA) of reference signals (e.g., positioning reference signals (PRS)) received from a pair of base stations, called reference signal time difference (RSTD) or time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements, and reports them to a positioning entity. More specifically, the UE receives an identifier (ID) of a reference base station (e.g., a serving base station) and multiple non-reference base stations in the assistance data. The UE then measures RSTD between the reference base station and each of the non-reference base stations. Based on the known locations of the involved base stations and the RSTD measurements, a positioning entity (e.g., the UE for UE-based positioning or a location server for UE-assisted positioning) can estimate the location of the UE.

[0096]

[0104] For DL-AoD positioning, the positioning entity uses measurement reports from the UE of received signal strength measurements of multiple downlink transmit beams to determine the angle(s) between the UE and the transmitting base station(s). The positioning entity can then estimate the location of the UE based on the determined angle(s) and the known location(s) of the transmitting base station(s).

[0097]

[0105] Uplink-based positioning methods include uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) and uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA). UL-TDOA is similar to DL-TDOA, but is based on an uplink reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal (SRS)) transmitted by the UE to multiple base stations. In particular, the UE transmits one or more uplink reference signals that are measured by a reference base station and multiple non-reference base stations. Each base station then reports the reception time (called relative time of arrival (RTOA)) of the reference signal to a positioning entity (e.g., a location server), which knows the locations and relative timing of the involved base stations. Based on the reception-to-reception (Rx-Rx) time difference between the reported RTOA of the reference base station and that of each non-reference base station, the known locations of the base stations, and their known timing offsets, the positioning entity can estimate the UE's location using TDOA.

[0098]

[0106] For UL-AoA positioning, one or more base stations measure the received signal strength of one or more uplink reference signals (e.g., SRS) received from the UE on one or more uplink receive beams. The positioning entity uses the signal strength measurements and the angle(s) of the receive beam(s) to determine the angle(s) between the UE and the base station(s). Based on the determined angle(s) and the known location(s) of the base station(s), the positioning entity can then estimate the location of the UE.

[0099]

[0107] Downlink and uplink-based positioning methods include extended cell ID (E-CID) positioning and multiple round trip time (RTT) positioning (also referred to as "multi-cell RTT" and "multi-RTT"). In an RTT procedure, a first entity (e.g., a base station or a UE) transmits a first RTT-related signal (e.g., a PRS or SRS) to a second entity (e.g., a UE or a base station), and the second entity transmits a second RTT-related signal (e.g., an SRS or PRS) back to the first entity. Each entity measures the time difference between the time of arrival (ToA) of the received RTT-related signal and the transmission time of the transmitted RTT-related signal. This time difference is called the receive-transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference. The Rx-Tx time difference measurement may be performed or adjusted to include only the time difference between the nearest slot boundaries for the received and transmitted signals. Both entities may then send their Rx-Tx time difference measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 270), which calculates the round-trip propagation time (i.e., RTT) between the two entities from the two Rx-Tx time difference measurements (e.g., as the sum of the two Rx-Tx time difference measurements). Alternatively, one entity may send its Rx-Tx time difference measurement to the other entity, which then calculates the RTT. The distance between the two entities may be determined from the RTT and a known signal speed (e.g., the speed of light). In the case of multi-RTT positioning, a first entity (e.g., a UE or a base station) performs an RTT positioning procedure with multiple second entities (e.g., multiple base stations or UEs) to enable the location of the first entity to be determined based on the distance to the second entities and the known locations of the second entities (e.g., using multilateration). The RTT and multi-RTT methods may be combined with other positioning techniques, such as UL-AoA and DL-AoD, to improve location accuracy.

[0100]

[0108] The E-CID positioning method is based on radio resource management (RRM) measurements. In E-CID, the UE reports the serving cell ID, timing advance (TA), and the identities, estimated timing, and signal strength of detected neighbor base stations. The location of the UE is then estimated based on this information and the known locations of the base station(s).

[0101]

[0109] To assist in positioning operations, a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) may provide assistance data to the UE. For example, the assistance data may include an identifier of a base station (or a base station's cell / TRP) from which to measure a reference signal, reference signal configuration parameters (e.g., the number of consecutive slots containing a PRS, the periodicity of the consecutive slots containing a PRS, a muting sequence, a frequency hopping sequence, a reference signal identifier, a reference signal bandwidth, etc.), and / or other parameters applicable to a particular positioning method. Alternatively, the assistance data may originate directly from the base station itself (e.g., in a periodically broadcast overhead message, etc.). In some cases, the UE may be able to detect neighbor network nodes on its own without using assistance data.

[0102]

[0110] For OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning procedures, the assistance data may further include an expected RSTD value and associated uncertainty, or a search window around the expected RSTD. In some cases, the expected RSTD value range may be + / - 500 microseconds (μs). In some cases, when any of the resources used for the positioning measurements are in FR1, the expected RSTD uncertainty value range may be + / - 32 μs. In other cases, when all of the resources used for the positioning measurement(s) are in FR2, the expected RSTD uncertainty value range may be + / - 8 μs.

[0103]

[0111] A location estimate may be called a position estimate, location, position, position fix, fix, or other names. A location estimate may be geodetic and comprise coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude) or may be civic and comprise a street address, postal address, or some other verbal description of the location. A location estimate may also be defined relative to some other known location or in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude). A location estimate may include an expected error or uncertainty (e.g., by including an area or volume that the location is expected to cover with some specified or default confidence level).

[0104]

[0112] 4 illustrates an example UE positioning operation 400 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The UE positioning operation 400 may be performed by the UE 204, an NG-RAN node 402 in the NG-RAN 220 (e.g., a gNB 222, a gNB-CU 226, an ng-eNB 224, or other node in the NG-RAN 220), the AMF 264, the LMF 270, and a 5GC location services (LCS) entity 480 (e.g., any third-party application requesting the location of the UE 204, a public service access point (PSAP), an E-911 server, etc.).

[0105]

[0113] A location service request to obtain the location of the target (i.e., UE 204) can be initiated by the 5GC LCS entity 480, the AMF 264 serving the UE 204, or the UE 204 itself. Figure 4 illustrates these options as steps 410a, 410b, and 410c, respectively. In particular, in step 410a, the 5GC LCS entity 480 sends a location service request to the AMF 264. Alternatively, in step 410b, the AMF 264 generates the location service request itself. Alternatively, in step 410c, the UE 204 sends a location service request to the AMF 264.

[0106]

[0114] Upon receiving (or generating) the location service request, the AMF 264 forwards the location service request to the LMF 270 in step 420. The LMF 270 then performs an NG-RAN positioning procedure with the NG-RAN node 402 in step 430a and a UE positioning procedure with the UE 204 in step 430b. The specific NG-RAN positioning procedure and UE positioning procedure may depend on the type of positioning method used to locate the UE 204, which may depend on the capabilities of the UE 204. The positioning method may be downlink-based (e.g., LTE-OTDOA, DL-TDOA, DL-AoD, etc.), uplink-based (e.g., UL-TDOA, UL-AoA, etc.), and / or downlink- and uplink-based (e.g., LTE / NR E-CID, multi-RTT, etc.), as described above. Corresponding positioning procedures are described in detail in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.305, which is published and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0107]

[0115] The NG-RAN and UE positioning procedures may utilize LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) signaling between the UE 204 and the LMF 270 and LPP Type A (LPPa) or New Radio Positioning Protocol Type A (NRPPa) signaling between the NG-RAN node 402 and the LMF 270. LPP is used point-to-point between a location server (e.g., the LMF 270) and a UE (e.g., the UE 204) to obtain location measurements or estimates or to transfer assistance data. A single LPP session is used to support a single location request (e.g., for a single Mobile-Terminated Location Request (MT-LR), Mobile-Originated Location Request (MO-LR), or Network-Induced Location Request (NI-LR)). Multiple LPP sessions may be used between the same endpoints to support multiple different location requests. Each LPP session comprises one or more LPP transactions, with each LPP transaction performing a single operation (e.g., capability exchange, assistance data transfer, location information transfer). An LPP transaction is called an LPP procedure.

[0108]

[0116] A prerequisite for step 430 is that an LCS correlation identifier (ID) and an AMF ID have been passed to the LMF 270 by the serving AMF 264. Both the LCS correlation ID and the AMF ID may be represented as strings selected by the AMF 264. The LCS correlation ID and the AMF ID are provided to the LMF 270 by the AMF 264 during the location service request in step 420. Then, when the LMF 270 triggers step 430, the LMF 270 also includes the LCS correlation ID for this location session along with the AMF ID indicating the AMF instance serving the UE 204. The LCS correlation ID is used during a positioning session between the LMF 270 and the UE 204 to ensure that the positioning response message from the UE 204 is returned by the AMF 264 to the correct LMF 270 and carries an indication (LCS correlation ID) that can be recognized by the LMF 270.

[0109]

[0117] It should be noted that, as described in more detail in 3GPP TS 23.273, which is published and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, the LCS Correlation ID serves as a location session identifier that may be used to identify messages exchanged between the AMF 264 and the LMF 270 for a particular location session for the UE 204. As described above and shown in stage 420, a location session between the AMF 264 and the LMF 270 for a particular UE 204 is triggered by the AMF 264, and the LCS Correlation ID may be used to identify this location session (e.g., may be used by the AMF 264 to identify state information for this location session, etc.).

[0110]

[0118] LPP positioning methods and associated signaling content are defined in the 3GPP LPP standard (3GPP TS37.355, which is published and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). LPP signaling can be used to request and report measurements related to the following positioning methods: LTE-OTDOA, DL-TDOA, A-GNSS, E-CID, Sensor, TBS, WLAN, Bluetooth, DL-AoD, UL-AoA, and Multi-RTT. Currently, an LPP measurement report may include the following measurements: (1) one or more ToA, TDOA, RSTD, or Rx-Tx time difference measurements; (2) one or more AoA and / or AoD measurements (currently only for base stations that report UL-AoA and DL-AoD to LMF270); (3) one or more multipath measurements (ToA, RSRP, AoA / AoD per path); (4) one or more motion states (e.g., walking, driving, etc.) and trajectories (currently only for UE204); and (5) one or more report quality indications.

[0111]

[0119] As part of the NG-RAN node positioning procedure (stage 430a) and the UE positioning procedure (stage 430b), the LMF 270 may provide LPP assistance data in the form of downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) configuration information for the selected positioning method to the NG-RAN node 402 and the UE 204. Alternatively or additionally, the NG-RAN node 402 may provide DL-PRS and / or uplink PRS (UL-PRS) configuration information for the selected positioning method to the UE 204. It should be noted that while FIG. 4 shows a single NG-RAN node 402, there may be multiple NG-RAN nodes 402 involved in a positioning session.

[0112]

[0120] When configured in a DL-PRS configuration and / or a UL-PRS configuration, the NG-RAN node 402 and the UE 204 transmit and receive / measure their respective PRS at scheduled times. The NG-RAN node 402 and the UE 204 then send their respective measurements to the LMF 270. In some cases, the NG-RAN node 402 may send its measurements to the UE 204, which may forward them to the LMF 270 using LPP signaling. Alternatively, the NG-RAN node 402 may send its measurements directly to the LMF 270 in LPPa or NRPPa signaling. In some cases, the UE 204 may send its measurements to the NG-RAN node 402 during RRC, uplink control information (UCI), or MAC control element (MAC-CE) signaling, which may forward the measurements to the LMF 270 using LPPa or NRPPa signaling. Alternatively, the UE 204 may send its measurements directly to the LMF 270 using LPP signaling.

[0113]

[0121] When the LMF 270 obtains measurements from the UE 204 and / or the NG-RAN node 402 (depending on the type of positioning method), it uses these measurements to calculate an estimate of the location of the UE 204. Then, in step 440, the LMF 270 sends a location service response to the AMF 264 that includes the location estimate for the UE 204. The AMF 264 then forwards the location service response to the entity that generated the location service request in step 450. In particular, if in step 410a a location service request is received from the 5GC LCS entity 480, then in step 450a the AMF 264 sends the location service response to the 5GC LCS entity 480. However, if in step 410c a location service request is received from the UE 204, then in step 450c the AMF 264 sends the location service response to the UE 204. Alternatively, if the AMF 264 generated a location service request in step 410b, then in step 450b the AMF 264 stores / uses the location service response itself.

[0114]

[0122] Note that while the above describes the UE positioning operation 400 as a UE-assisted positioning operation, it may instead be a UE-based positioning operation. A UE-assisted positioning operation is one in which the LMF 270 calculates the location of the UE 204, while a UE-based positioning operation is one in which the UE 204 calculates its own location. For a UE-based positioning operation, steps 410c and 450c are performed. The LMF 270 may still coordinate transmission / measurement of the DL-PRS (and possibly UL-PRS), but the measurements are forwarded to the UE 204 rather than the LMF 270. Thus, the location service response in steps 440 and 450c may be measurements from the involved NG-RAN nodes 402 rather than a location estimate of the UE 204. Alternatively, if the involved NG-RAN nodes 402 forward their respective measurements directly to the UE 204 (e.g., via RRC signaling), the location service response in stage 440 may simply be a confirmation that the NG-RAN node and UE positioning procedure in stage 430 is complete.

[0115]

[0123] As can be seen from the above, a positioning operation generally includes the following main steps: (a) sending a location request to a location server (e.g., LMF 270); (b) providing DL-PRS and / or UL-PRS information for the positioning method to the UE (e.g., UE 204) and / or base station (e.g., NG-RAN node 402); (c) scheduling measurements from the UE and / or base station; (d) waiting for DL-PRS and / or UL-PRS transmissions to be sent; (e) obtaining measurements of the DL-PRS (from the UE) and / or UL-PRS (from the base station); (f) sending the measurements to the location server (in the UE-assisted case) or the UE (in the UE-based case); (g) calculating a location estimate; and (h) sending the location estimate to a client (e.g., UE 204, AMF 264, or 5GC LCS entity 480).

[0116]

[0124] One of the goals of NR positioning services is reduced latency. The time delay before the completion of location measurements (steps (a)-(d) above) may be referred to as the "component A" delay. The delay for converting location measurements to location estimates and delivering the location estimates to clients (steps (e)-(h) above) may be referred to as the "component B" delay. The extremely small latency of the component B delay allows the client to treat the location estimate as "current" because there is little time for location degradation due to the mobility of the target UE (e.g., UE 204).

[0117]

[0125] As briefly mentioned above with respect to stage 430 of Figure 4, part of the LPP positioning procedure is capability reporting. Figure 5 shows an example LPP capability transfer procedure 500 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The LPP capability transfer procedure 500 is performed between a target 504 (e.g., any of the UEs described herein) and a server 570 (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272). The target 504 and server 570 communicate via LPP signaling.

[0118]

[0126] In step 510, server 570 sends an LPP Capabilities Request message to target 504. Server 570 may indicate the type of capabilities required. In 520, target 504 responds with an LPP Capabilities Provide message. The capabilities should correspond to any capability types specified in step 510. This message should also include an LPP "endTransaction" parameter set to TRUE.

[0119]

[0127] More specifically, upon receiving the Capabilities Request message, the target 504 should generate an LPP Capabilities Provision message in response. For each positioning method for which a request for capability is included in the Capabilities Request message, if the target 504 supports this positioning method, the target 504 includes its capabilities for that supported positioning method in an LPP Capabilities Provision Response message. The target 504 should also set the "LPP-TransactionID" parameter in the LPP Capabilities Provision Response message to the same value as the "LPP-TransactionID" parameter in the received Capabilities Request message. The target 504 should then deliver the LPP Capabilities Provision Response message to lower layers for transmission to the server 570.

[0120]

[0128] Unlike the example of Figure 5, positioning capabilities may also be unsolicited. Figure 6 shows an example LPP capability indication procedure 600 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The LPP capability indication procedure 600 is performed between a target 604 (e.g., any of the UEs described herein) and a server 670 (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272). The target 604 and server 670 communicate via LPP signaling. The LPP capability indication procedure 600 enables the target 604 to provide unsolicited capabilities to the server 670.

[0121]

[0129] At 610, the target 604 sends an LPP capability offer message to the server 670. This message should include an LPP "endTransaction" parameter set to true. More specifically, when triggered to send the LPP capability offer message, for each positioning method for which capability should be indicated, the target 604 should set the corresponding information element (IE) to include the target's 604 capabilities. If OTDOA capability should be indicated, the target 604 should include the IE "supportedBandListEUTRA". The target 604 should then deliver the LPP capability offer to lower layers for transmission.

[0122]

[0130] A positioning procedure typically begins with an LPP capabilities exchange, such as the LPP capabilities transfer procedure 500 or the LPP capabilities indication procedure 600. Based on current assumptions, such a procedure may take 43-89 ms. To reduce latency, the capabilities exchange procedure may be avoided by storing the UE positioning capabilities in the AMF (e.g., AMF 264) and / or location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272). This provides the benefit of reducing first position fix time latency, but only works for “static” (i.e., non-variable) positioning capabilities (i.e., UE capabilities that do not change over time or with mobility).

[0123]

[0131] 7 illustrates an example capability storage procedure 700 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The capability storage procedure 700 may be performed by a UE 204 (e.g., any of the UEs described herein), a gNB 702 (e.g., any of the base stations described herein), an AMF 264, an LMF 270, and a gateway mobile location center (GMLC) 780.

[0124]

[0132] If the UE 204's positioning capability is expected to be stored in the network, the UE 204 may provide that capability as part of the first attach procedure or in a tracking area update (TAU) message after a timer expires. (A tracking area is a group of cells in which a UE in an RRC inactive state is expected to be located when the UE transitions to an RRC connected state.) Thus, at 710, the UE 204 sends a non-access stratum (NAS) TAU message or attach request to the AMF 264 (via the gNB 702) that includes the UE's positioning capability.

[0125]

[0133] At 720, the AMF 264 stores the positioning capabilities of the UE 204 for future positioning sessions. At 730, the AMF 264 receives a location service request from the GMLC 780 (or other LCS entity), similar to step 410a of Figure 4. At 740, the AMF 264 sends a location service request to the LMF 270 that includes the stored positioning capabilities of the UE 204, similar to step 420 of Figure 4.

[0126]

[0134] A drawback of storing a UE's positioning capability in the network (e.g., in the AMF) is that the UE may change its positioning capability over time for various reasons. The first reason a UE's capability may change is that some capabilities exist where the UE reports its capability based on its "current / active" configuration. For example, in the case of SRS capability, the UE may have different capabilities for different frequency bands or based on the configured band combination, but the LMF does not know the band / band combination the UE is currently utilizing. Another reason a UE's capability may change is for power conservation. For example, a UE may advertise fewer PRS processing capabilities when it wants to save power. Another reason a UE's capability may change is due to the UE's carrier aggregation configuration and available hardware / memory resources. For example, if a UE is configured with high carrier aggregation (i.e., at or near the maximum number of carriers the UE can aggregate), the UE may not have enough processing resources to complete both communication and positioning tasks. Another reason that a UE's capabilities may change is due to dual connectivity and shared antennas. Another reason that a UE's capabilities may change is due to user interaction. For example, if a user turns off location services on the UE, or a particular set of location services, the UE may not advertise any positioning capabilities to the network.

[0127]

[0135] The present disclosure provides various techniques for storing UE capability information in a network that address the issue of changing (i.e., variable) UE capabilities. As a first technique, all reported capabilities may be stored, but the UE is permitted to send a different set of capability values ​​if the capability request is for a capability to be stored in the network (e.g., a non-variable capability to be stored in, for example, an AMF). For example, the UE may receive a capability request (e.g., an LPP capability request message, such as in step 510 of FIG. 5) for a positioning capability to be stored in the network. The capability request may be received during network attachment or a TAU procedure (as in 710 of FIG. 7) and may not necessarily be associated with a positioning procedure. The capability request may include a flag to indicate that the positioning capability should be stored in the network (e.g., is non-variable).

[0128]

[0136] In an alternative aspect, the capability request for a given positioning session may indicate (e.g., via a flag) that the capabilities in the capability response (e.g., the LPP capability provision message, such as in step 520 of FIG. 5) are stored in the network (in addition to being used for the positioning session). Alternatively, the UE may assume that any reported capabilities for the positioning session are stored.

[0129]

[0137] Regardless of whether a request for positioning capabilities is associated with a positioning session, the UE may report two sets of positioning capabilities in one or more capability reports: one set that can be stored in the network (e.g., non-variable capabilities) and one set that includes conventional capability values ​​(e.g., variable capabilities). The UE may distinguish between the two sets of positioning capabilities using a flag associated with at least one set of positioning capabilities. For example, the UE may send two LPP capability provision messages: one with a flag indicating that the reported positioning capabilities can be stored (e.g., because they are non-variable) and one without a flag indicating that the reported positioning capabilities should not be stored (e.g., because they are variable). Alternatively, an LPP capability provision message without a flag may include positioning capabilities that can be stored.

[0130]

[0138] In one aspect, the option to report different values ​​for stored (non-variable) positioning capabilities and conventional positioning capabilities (variable) may be available for feature groups or subsets of capabilities. More specifically, NR defines several UE "feature groups" for UE "features" of NR positioning. For example, the maximum DL PRS bandwidth in MHz supported and reported by the UE (FR1 band: {5, 10, 20, 40, 50, 80, 100}, FR2 band: {50, 100, 200, 400}), the DL PRS buffering capability (Type 1 - subslot / symbol level buffering, or Type 2 - slot level buffering), the duration of DL PRS symbols N in ms that the UE can process per T ms (T: {8, 16, 20, 30, 40, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280} ms, N: {0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 25, 30, 32, 35, 40, 45, 50} ms) given the maximum DL PRS bandwidth in MHz supported and reported by the UE, and the DL PRS symbols N that the UE can process in the slots below. There is a "Common DL PRS Handling Capability" feature group that indicates the maximum number of PRS resources (FR1 band for each subcarrier spacing (SCS), i.e., 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz: {1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, 64}; FR2 band for each SCS, i.e., 60 kHz, 120 kHz: {1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, 64}). Another feature group is a "DL PRS Resources for DL-TDOA" feature group that indicates the maximum number of DL PRS resource sets per TRP per frequency layer supported by the UE (values ​​= {1, 2}), the maximum number of TRPs across all positioning frequency layers per UE (values ​​= {4, 6, 12, 16, 24, 32, 64, 128, 256}), and the maximum number of positioning frequency layers supported by the UE (values ​​= {1, 2, 3, 4}).Another feature group is the "DL PRS Measurement Report for DL-TDOA" feature group, which indicates pairwise DL RSTD measurements of TRPs (values ​​= {1, 2, 3, 4}) and whether the UE supports DL PRS-RSRP measurements (values ​​= {0, 1}). These and many other feature groups are defined in NR, and the UE reports their specific values ​​in the LPP capability provision message.

[0131]

[0139] Thus, when reporting its capabilities for a particular feature group, the UE may indicate whether the reported values ​​can be stored (e.g., are non-variable), or may report two sets of values, one to be stored and one to be used for the current positioning session (e.g., is a variable capability). More specifically, the UE may include a flag for each feature group indicating whether a value for that feature group can be stored. Alternatively, if the UE reports two values ​​(or sets of values) for a feature group, one of those values ​​(or sets of values) may be stored and the other may be used for the current positioning session. Which sets may be stored and which sets may be used may be configured by applicable signaling or indicated in the applicable wireless communication standard. For example, a first set of values ​​may be stored (because they are non-variable) and a second set of values ​​may be used for the current positioning session (because they are variable).

[0132]

[0140] In one aspect, if a feature group includes multiple parameters (e.g., as in the case of the "Common DL PRS Processing Capability" feature group), the UE may indicate that some values ​​in the feature group may be stored but other values ​​may not be stored. Alternatively, the UE may report to-be-stored and conventional values ​​for some parameters in the feature group, or for all of the parameters in the feature group.

[0133]

[0141] In one aspect, the UE may indicate whether positioning capabilities may be stored in groups of capability levels, i.e., the UE may associate a flag with a group of capabilities, and the flag may indicate whether all capabilities in that group may be stored.

[0134]

[0142] In one aspect, the option to report different values ​​for stored (non-variable) positioning capabilities and conventional (variable) positioning capabilities may be available for non-binary capabilities, but for binary capabilities (i.e., an indication of whether the UE supports a feature or not), the UE may need to adhere to the reported capabilities for both types of capabilities. That is, if the UE indicates that it can support a particular feature group in the stored capabilities, the UE should always be able to support that feature group. However, the UE may support different values ​​within a feature group, as described above.

[0135]

[0143] In one aspect, the UE may report a more conservative capability value for the positioning capabilities stored in the network than for the positioning capabilities used for the current positioning session. For example, the conservative capability value may indicate the UE's positioning capabilities at any time (i.e., non-variable), while the capability value for the current positioning session may indicate the UE's current positioning capabilities (traditionally variable). For example, the UE may report that it can perform fewer PRS processing operations for the capabilities to be stored compared to what it may report for a conventional request for capabilities related to a positioning session.

[0136]

[0144] Regardless of whether the UE receives a request for capabilities to be stored as part of a positioning procedure, for a subsequent positioning procedure, if the stored capabilities are sufficient for the subsequent positioning procedure, there is no need for another capability exchange. However, if the stored capabilities are not sufficient, the UE needs to perform another capability exchange (e.g., as shown in Figures 5 and 6). If the stored capabilities are sufficient and no further capability exchange is necessary, the present technique reduces the latency of the positioning session. However, the stored capabilities may not always be sufficient because the UE may be more conservative than what is actually possible at a particular moment.

[0137]

[0145] As a second technique for storing UE capability information in the network, positioning capabilities to be stored in the network can be associated with a time tag or expiration timer. Such an expiration timer can be for the entire capability structure (i.e., all UE positioning capabilities), or there can be different expiration timers for different components or feature groups. When the timer expires, the associated capabilities are discarded. For any subsequent positioning procedures that require those capabilities, the network needs to send a new capability request to the UE.

[0138]

[0146] The time tag may be any indication of the time the capability report was generated to indicate how recent or out-of-date the stored capabilities are. For example, the time tag may be a system frame number (SFN) or other such timestamp. Alternatively, the time tag may be an index that increments once per capability update. The index may wrap around (i.e., roll back to "0") when it reaches a maximum value. The index may be something like a packet sequence number used at higher layers to address out-of-order delivery with HARQ. In one aspect, there may be separate indexing for different subsets (feature groups) of the UE's positioning capabilities, as well as different timers for different feature groups.

[0139]

[0147] As a third technique for storing UE capability information in the network, there may be standardized behavior for the exchange of stored positioning capabilities between network nodes. In particular, a capability transfer message protocol may be defined for this purpose. Such capability transfer messaging may be similar to LPP signaling insofar as there may be specific messages transmitted between the UE and the location server, between the base station and the location server, between the base stations, etc. An appropriate capability transfer message may then be used to move the UE's positioning capabilities from one network node (e.g., gNB, AMF, LMF, LMF-in-RAN, etc.) to another. In one aspect, if all positioning capability storage resides in the location server (e.g., LMF), the procedure is transparent to AMF changes (due to UE mobility). Instead, in the case of a UE mobility scenario, all capabilities are transferred from the UE's old LMF to its new LMF.

[0140]

[0148] 8 illustrates an example capability storage procedure 800 when a UE's LMF changes due to mobility, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The capability storage procedure 800 may be performed by the UE 204 (e.g., any of the UEs described herein), the gNB 802 (e.g., any of the base stations described herein), the AMF 264, the first LMF 270-1 (e.g., LMF 270), the second LMF 270-2 (e.g., LMF 270), and the GMLC 880.

[0141]

[0149] Operations 810-840 are the same as operations 710-740 in Figure 7. In particular, if the UE 204's positioning capabilities are expected to be preserved in the network (because they are non-mutable), the UE 204 may provide the capabilities as part of the first attach procedure or in a TAU message after the expiration of a timer. Thus, at 810, the UE 204 sends an NAS TAU message or an attach request to the AMF 264 (via the gNB 802) that includes the UE 204's (non-mutable) positioning capabilities.

[0142]

[0150] At 820, the AMF 264 stores the positioning capabilities of the UE 204 for future positioning sessions. At 830, the AMF 264 receives a location service request from the GMLC 880 (or other LCS entity), similar to step 410a of FIG. 4. At 850, the AMF 264 sends a location service request including the stored positioning capabilities of the UE 204 to the LMF 270-1, similar to step 420 of FIG. 4. At some point during or after the positioning session, the LMF of the UE 204 changes from the LMF 270-1 to the LMF 270-2. Thus, the AMF 264 sends a location service request including the stored positioning capabilities of the UE 204 to the LMF 270-2.

[0143]

[0151] As a fourth technique for storing UE capability information in the network, only changes to the capabilities are reported in subsequent capability reports. As a first option, the UE can send a conventional capability report (i.e., a capability report including the UE's current or instantaneous / variable positioning capabilities) that includes positioning capabilities that are not allowed to be stored. Then, for positioning capabilities that should be stored in the network (non-variable capabilities), the UE can send a differential value between the reported capability value and the capability value to be stored. In one aspect, the UE can report these delta values ​​for each feature group.

[0144]

[0152] As a second option, the UE can send a traditional capability report that includes the positioning capabilities (i.e., non-variable capabilities) that are allowed to be stored in the network. These are the UE's long-term capabilities, which may be more conservative than its current or instantaneous / variable capabilities. Then, for the positioning capabilities to be used for the positioning session, the UE can send a delta value between the reported capability value and the (variable) capability value to be used for positioning. In one aspect, the UE can report these delta values ​​per feature group.

[0145]

[0153] 9 illustrates an example method 900 of wireless communication according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, the method 900 may be performed by a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein).

[0146]

[0154] At 910, the UE transmits one or more positioning capability reports to a location server (e.g., LMF470, LMF770, etc.), such as at 520 in FIG. 5 , 610 in FIG. 6 , or 710 in FIG. 7 . The one or more positioning capability reports may include a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, where the first set of values ​​indicates variable positioning capabilities of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters (e.g., capabilities that the network is not allowed to store, legacy capabilities, current capabilities, or capabilities for a single positioning session), and the second set of values ​​indicates non-variable positioning capabilities of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters. In an aspect, operation 910 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, and / or positioning component 342, any or all of which may be considered a means for performing this operation.

[0147]

[0155] 10 illustrates an example method 1000 of wireless communication according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, the method 1000 may be performed by a network entity (e.g., a base station, an AMF, an LMF, etc.).

[0148]

[0156] At 1010, the network entity receives one or more positioning capability reports from a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein), such as at 520 of FIG. 5 , 610 of FIG. 6 , or 710 of FIG. 7 . The one or more positioning capability reports may include a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, where the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters. In one aspect, if the network entity is a base station, operation 1010 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 350, one or more short-range wireless transceivers 360, one or more processors 384, memory 386, and / or positioning component 388, any or all of which may be considered a means for performing this operation. Alternatively, operation 1010 may be performed by one or more network interfaces 390, one or more processors 394, memory 396, and / or positioning component 398, any or all of which may be considered a means for performing this operation.

[0149]

[0157] 11 illustrates an example method 1100 of wireless communication according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, the method 1100 may be performed by a first network entity (e.g., a base station, an AMF, an LMF, etc.).

[0150]

[0158] At 1110, the first network entity receives one or more positioning capability reports from a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein), the one or more positioning capability reports including a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters, where the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE. In one aspect, if the first network entity is a base station, operation 1110 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 350, one or more short-range wireless transceivers 360, one or more processors 384, memories 386, and / or positioning components 388, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation. Alternatively, operation 1110 may be performed by one or more network interfaces 390, one or more processors 394, memories 396, and / or positioning components 398, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0151]

[0159] At 1120, the first network entity transmits the set of values ​​to a second network entity (e.g., a base station, an AMF, an LMF, etc.) via one or more capability transfer messages to enable the second network entity to store the set of values ​​for a subsequent positioning session involving the UE. In one aspect, if the first network entity is a base station, operation 1120 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 350, one or more short-range wireless transceivers 360, one or more processors 384, memories 386, and / or positioning components 388, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation. Alternatively, operation 1120 may be performed by one or more network interfaces 390, one or more processors 394, memories 396, and / or positioning components 398, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0152]

[0160] 12 illustrates an example method 1200 of wireless communication according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, the method 1200 may be performed by a second network entity (e.g., a base station, an AMF, an LMF, etc.).

[0153]

[0161] At 1210, the second network entity receives, from the first network entity (e.g., a base station, an AMF, an LMF, etc.), via one or more capability transfer messages, a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters from one or more positioning capability reports of a user equipment (UE), where the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE. In one aspect, if the second network entity is a base station, operation 1210 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 350, one or more short-range wireless transceivers 360, one or more processors 384, memories 386, and / or positioning components 388, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation. Alternatively, operation 1210 may be performed by one or more network interfaces 390, one or more processors 394, memories 396, and / or positioning components 398, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0154]

[0162] 13 illustrates an example method 1300 of wireless communication according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, the method 1300 may be performed by a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein).

[0155]

[0163] At 1310, the UE transmits one or more positioning capability reports to a location server (e.g., LMF470, LMF770, etc.), such as at 520 in FIG. 5 , 610 in FIG. 6 , or 710 in FIG. 7 . The one or more positioning capability reports may include a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters, a set of values ​​to be stored by a network entity for subsequent positioning sessions, and a set of values ​​associated with at least one time tag, at least one expiration timer, or both. In an aspect, operation 1110 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, one or more processors 332, memories 340, and / or positioning components 342, any or all of which may be considered a means for performing this operation.

[0156]

[0164] 14 illustrates an example method 1400 of wireless communication according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, the method 1400 may be performed by a network entity (e.g., a base station, an AMF, an LMF, etc.).

[0157]

[0165] At 1410, the network entity receives one or more positioning capability reports from a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein), such as at 520 of FIG. 5 , 610 of FIG. 6 , or 710 of FIG. 7 . The one or more positioning capability reports may include a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters, a set of values ​​to be stored by the network entity for a subsequent positioning session, and a set of values ​​associated with at least one time tag, at least one expiration timer, or both. In one aspect, if the network entity is a base station, operation 1010 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 350, one or more short-range wireless transceivers 360, one or more processors 384, memory 386, and / or positioning component 388, any or all of which may be considered a means for performing this operation. Alternatively, operation 1010 may be performed by one or more network interfaces 390, one or more processors 394, memory 396, and / or positioning component 398, any or all of which may be considered a means for performing this operation.

[0158]

[0166] As will be appreciated, a technical advantage of methods 900-1400 is reduced positioning latency (due to network storage of the UE's capability parameters) while allowing the UE to maintain flexibility to adapt its positioning capabilities over time.

[0159]

[0167] In the above detailed description, it can be seen that different features are grouped together in examples. This mode of disclosure should not be understood as an intention that the exemplary clauses have more features than are expressly set forth in each clause. Rather, various embodiments of the present disclosure may include fewer than all features of each disclosed exemplary clause. Accordingly, the following clauses should be considered incorporated herein, with each clause standing as a separate example by itself. While each dependent clause may refer to a specific combination with one of the other clauses in the clause, the aspect(s) of that dependent clause are not limited to that specific combination. It will be appreciated that other exemplary clauses may also include combinations of the dependent clause(s) aspect(s) with the subject matter of any other dependent clause or independent clause, or any combination of features with other dependent and independent clauses. The various embodiments disclosed herein expressly include specific combinations (e.g., inconsistent aspects, such as defining an element as both an electrical insulator and an electrical conductor) unless these combinations are expressly expressed or can be readily inferred to be unintended. Furthermore, it is also contemplated that aspects of a clause may be included in any other independent clause, even if that clause is not directly dependent on that independent clause.

[0160]

[0168] Example implementations are described in the numbered clauses below.

[0161]

[0169] Clause 1. A method of wireless communications performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising transmitting one or more positioning capability reports to a location server, the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a first positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates a positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters to be stored by a network entity for a subsequent positioning session.

[0162]

[0170] Clause 2. The method of clause 1, further comprising receiving a positioning capability request from the location server, the positioning capability request indicating a set of positioning capability parameters.

[0163]

[0171] Clause 3. The method of clause 2, wherein the positioning capability request includes a flag indicating that values ​​of the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by the network entity.

[0164]

[0172] Clause 4. The method of clause 3, wherein the UE transmits one or more positioning capability reports including the first and second sets of values ​​in response to the positioning capability request including the flag.

[0165]

[0173] Clause 5. The method of any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports include a flag indicating that a second set of values ​​indicates the positioning capabilities of the UE, as represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, to be stored by the network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0166]

[0174] Clause 6. The method of any of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the second set of values ​​is a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0167]

[0175] Clause 7. The method of clause 6, wherein each value of the subset of values ​​is associated with a flag indicating that the value should be stored by the network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0168]

[0176] Clause 8. The method of clause 6 or 7, wherein the first set of values ​​is a distinct set of values ​​of a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0169]

[0177] Clause 9. The method of any of clauses 1 to 8, wherein one or more capabilities of the set of positioning capabilities are binary capabilities.

[0170]

[0178] Clause 10. The method of clause 9, wherein the first set of values ​​and the second set of values ​​each include different values ​​for one or more capabilities.

[0171]

[0179] Clause 11. The method of clause 9, wherein the first set of values ​​and the second set of values ​​each include the same values ​​for one or more capabilities.

[0172]

[0180] Clause 12. The method of any of clauses 1 to 11, wherein a first set of values ​​represents positioning capabilities that the UE is only able to provide for a limited time, and a second set of values ​​represents positioning capabilities that the UE is always able to provide.

[0173]

[0181] Clause 13. The method of any of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the second set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the first set of values.

[0174]

[0182] Clause 14. The method of any of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the first set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the second set of values.

[0175]

[0183] Clause 15. The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0176]

[0184] Clause 16. A method of wireless communications performed by a network entity, comprising receiving one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a first positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates a positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters to be stored by the network entity for a subsequent positioning session.

[0177]

[0185] Clause 17. The method of clause 16, wherein the network entity is a location server, and the method further comprises sending a positioning capability request to the UE, the positioning capability request indicating a set of positioning capability parameters.

[0178]

[0186] Clause 18. The method of clause 17, wherein the positioning capability request includes a flag indicating that values ​​of the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by the network entity.

[0179]

[0187] Clause 19. The method of any of clauses 16 to 18, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports include a flag indicating that a second set of values ​​indicates the positioning capabilities of the UE, as represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, to be stored by the network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0180]

[0188] Clause 20. The method of any of clauses 16 to 19, wherein the second set of values ​​is a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0181]

[0189] Clause 21. The method of clause 20, wherein each value of the subset of values ​​is associated with a flag indicating that the value should be stored by the network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0182]

[0190] Clause 22. The method of clause 20 or 21, wherein the first set of values ​​is a distinct set of values ​​of a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0183]

[0191] Clause 23. The method of any of clauses 20 to 22, wherein one or more capabilities of the set of positioning capabilities are binary capabilities.

[0184]

[0192] Clause 24. The method of clause 23, wherein the first set of values ​​and the second set of values ​​each include different values ​​for one or more capabilities.

[0185]

[0193] Clause 25. The method of clause 23, wherein the first set of values ​​and the second set of values ​​each include the same values ​​for one or more capabilities.

[0186]

[0194] Clause 26. The method of any of clauses 16 to 25, wherein a first set of values ​​represents positioning capabilities that the UE is only able to provide for a limited time, and a second set of values ​​represents positioning capabilities that the UE is always able to provide.

[0187]

[0195] Clause 27. The method of any of clauses 16 to 26, wherein the second set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the first set of values.

[0188]

[0196] Clause 28. The method of any of clauses 16 to 26, wherein the first set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the second set of values.

[0189]

[0197] Clause 29. The method according to any one of clauses 16 to 28, wherein the network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0190]

[0198] Clause 30. A method of wireless communications performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising transmitting one or more positioning capability reports to a location server, the one or more positioning capability reports including a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the set of values ​​is to be stored by a network entity for subsequent positioning sessions, and the set of values ​​is associated with at least one time tag, at least one expiry timer, or both.

[0191]

[0199] Clause 31. The method of clause 30, wherein the at least one time tag is at least one index representing a sequence number of one or more positioning capability reports.

[0192]

[0200] Clause 32. The method of clause 31, wherein the at least one index is incremented with each subsequent positioning capability report transmission.

[0193]

[0201] Clause 33. The method of clause 32, wherein at least one index wraps around to zero when it reaches a maximum value.

[0194]

[0202] Clause 34. The method of clause 30, wherein at least one time tag is a timestamp.

[0195]

[0203] Clause 35. The method of any of clauses 30 to 34, wherein at least one expiry timer indicates a period of time for which a set of values ​​is valid.

[0196]

[0204] Clause 36. The method of any of clauses 30 to 35, wherein the at least one time tag, at least one expiration timer, or both, comprises a time tag, an expiration timer, or both, for each value in the set of values.

[0197]

[0205] Clause 37. The method of any of clauses 30 to 36, wherein the set of values ​​comprises a plurality of groups of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, and wherein the at least one time tag, at least one expiry timer, or both, comprises a time tag, an expiry timer, or both, for each group of values ​​of the plurality of groups of values.

[0198]

[0206] Clause 38. The method according to any one of clauses 30 to 37, wherein the network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0199]

[0207] Clause 39. The method of any of clauses 30 to 38, further comprising receiving a positioning capability request from the location server, the positioning capability request indicating a set of positioning capability parameters.

[0200]

[0208] Clause 40. A method of wireless communications performed by a network entity, comprising receiving one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the set of values ​​is to be stored by the network entity for a subsequent positioning session, and the set of values ​​is associated with at least one time tag, at least one expiry timer, or both.

[0201]

[0209] Clause 41. The method of clause 40, wherein the at least one time tag is at least one index representing a sequence number of one or more positioning capability reports.

[0202]

[0210] Clause 42. The method of clause 41, wherein the at least one index increments with each subsequent positioning capability report transmission.

[0203]

[0211] Clause 43. The method of clause 42, wherein at least one index wraps around to zero when it reaches a maximum value.

[0204]

[0212] Clause 44. The method of clause 40, wherein at least one time tag is a timestamp.

[0205]

[0213] Clause 45. The method of any of clauses 40 to 44, wherein at least one expiry timer indicates a time period for which a set of values ​​is valid.

[0206]

[0214] Clause 46. The method of any of clauses 40 to 45, wherein the at least one time tag, at least one expiration timer, or both, comprises a time tag, an expiration timer, or both, for each value in the set of values.

[0207]

[0215] Clause 47. The method of any of clauses 40 to 46, wherein the set of values ​​comprises a plurality of groups of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, and wherein the at least one time tag, at least one expiry timer, or both, comprises a time tag, an expiry timer, or both, for each group of values ​​of the plurality of groups of values.

[0208]

[0216] Clause 48. The method according to any one of clauses 40 to 47, wherein the network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0209]

[0217] Clause 49. The method of any of clauses 40 to 48, further comprising discarding the set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters upon expiration of at least one expiry timer.

[0210]

[0218] Clause 50. The method of clause 49, further comprising sending a positioning capability request to the UE in response to expiration of the at least one expiry timer, the positioning capability request indicating a set of positioning capability parameters.

[0211]

[0219] Clause 51. A method of wireless communications performed by a first network entity, the method comprising: receiving one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters, the set of values ​​being to be stored for a subsequent positioning session; and transmitting the set of values ​​via one or more capability transfer messages to a second network entity.

[0212]

[0220] Clause 52. The method of clause 51, wherein the first network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0213]

[0221] Clause 53. The method of clause 52, wherein the second network entity is a first location server.

[0214]

[0222] Clause 54. The method of clause 53, further comprising sending the set of values ​​to the second location server via one or more capability transfer messages based on the UE switching from the first location server to the second location server due to UE mobility.

[0215]

[0223] Clause 55. The method of clause 51, wherein the first network entity is a first base station, a first AMF, or a first location management function (LMF), and the second network entity is a second base station, a second AMF, or a second LMF.

[0216]

[0224] Clause 56. An apparatus comprising a memory and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory, wherein the memory and the at least one processor are configured to perform the method of any of clauses 1 to 55.

[0217]

[0225] Clause 57. Apparatus comprising means for carrying out the method according to any of clauses 1 to 55.

[0218]

[0226] Clause 58. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable including at least one instruction for causing a computer or processor to perform a method according to any of clauses 1 to 55.

[0219]

[0227] Additional implementation examples are described in the numbered clauses below.

[0220]

[0228] Clause 1. A method of wireless communications performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising transmitting one or more positioning capability reports to a location server, the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0221]

[0229] Clause 2. The method of clause 1, further comprising receiving a positioning capability request from the location server, the positioning capability request indicating a set of positioning capability parameters.

[0222]

[0230] Clause 3. The method of clause 2, wherein the positioning capability request includes a flag indicating that values ​​of the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by the network entity.

[0223]

[0231] Clause 4. The method of clause 3, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports including the first set of values ​​and the second set of values ​​are transmitted in response to a positioning capability request that includes the flag.

[0224]

[0232] Clause 5. The method of any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports include a flag indicating that a second set of values ​​indicates the positioning capabilities of the UE, as represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, to be stored by the network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0225]

[0233] Clause 6. The method of any of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the second set of values ​​is a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0226]

[0234] Clause 7. The method of clause 6, wherein each value of the subset of values ​​is associated with a flag indicating that the value should be stored by the network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0227]

[0235] Clause 8. The method of clause 6 or 7, wherein the first set of values ​​is a distinct set of values ​​of a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0228]

[0236] Clause 9. The method according to any of clauses 1 to 8, wherein a variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE is only able to provide for a limited time, and a non-variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE is always able to provide.

[0229]

[0237] Clause 10. The method of any of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the second set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the first set of values, or the first set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the second set of values.

[0230]

[0238] Clause 11. The method according to any of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the non-variable positioning capability of the UE, represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, is to be stored by an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0231]

[0239] Clause 12. A method of wireless communications performed by a network entity, the method comprising receiving one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0232]

[0240] Clause 13. The method of clause 12, wherein the network entity is a location server, and the method further comprises sending a positioning capability request to the UE, the positioning capability request indicating a set of positioning capability parameters.

[0233]

[0241] Clause 14. The method of clause 13, wherein the positioning capability request includes a flag indicating that values ​​of the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by the second network entity.

[0234]

[0242] Clause 15. The method of any of clauses 12 to 14, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports include a flag indicating that a second set of values ​​indicates the positioning capabilities of the UE, as represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, to be stored by the second network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0235]

[0243] Clause 16. The method of any of clauses 12 to 15, wherein the second set of values ​​is a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0236]

[0244] Clause 17. The method of clause 16, wherein each value of the subset of values ​​is associated with a flag indicating that the value should be stored by the second network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0237]

[0245] Clause 18. The method of clause 16 or 17, wherein the first set of values ​​is a distinct set of values ​​of a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0238]

[0246] Clause 19. The method according to any of clauses 12 to 18, wherein a variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE is only able to provide for a limited time, and a non-variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE is always able to provide.

[0239]

[0247] Clause 20. The method of any of clauses 12 to 19, wherein the second set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the first set of values, or the first set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the second set of values.

[0240]

[0248] Clause 21. The method according to any of clauses 12 to 20, wherein the non-variable positioning capabilities of the UE, represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, are to be stored by an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0241]

[0249] Clause 22. A method of wireless communications performed by a first network entity, the method comprising: receiving one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE; and transmitting the set of values ​​to a second network entity via one or more capability transfer messages to enable the second network entity to store the set of values ​​for a subsequent positioning session involving the UE.

[0242]

[0250] Clause 23. The method of clause 22, wherein the first network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and the second network entity is a first location server.

[0243]

[0251] Clause 24. The method of clause 23, further comprising: sending the set of values ​​to the second location server via one or more capability transfer messages based on the UE switching from the first location server to the second location server due to UE mobility.

[0244]

[0252] Clause 25. The method of clause 22, wherein the first network entity is a Location Management Function (LMF) and the second network entity is an AMF.

[0245]

[0253] Clause 26. A method of wireless communications performed by a second network entity, the method comprising receiving, from a first network entity via one or more capability transfer messages, a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters from one or more positioning capability reports of a user equipment (UE), wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE.

[0246]

[0254] Clause 27. The method of clause 26, wherein the first network entity is a Location Management Function (LMF) and the second network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0247]

[0255] Clause 28. A user equipment (UE), comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to transmit, via the at least one transceiver, one or more positioning capability reports to a location server, the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0248]

[0256] Clause 29. The UE of clause 28, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive, via the at least one transceiver, a positioning capability request from the location server, the positioning capability request indicating a set of positioning capability parameters.

[0249]

[0257] Clause 30. The UE of clause 29, wherein the positioning capability request includes a flag indicating that values ​​of the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by the network entity.

[0250]

[0258] Clause 31. The UE of clause 30, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports including the first set of values ​​and the second set of values ​​are transmitted in response to a positioning capability request that includes the flag.

[0251]

[0259] Clause 32. A UE according to any of clauses 28 to 31, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports include a flag indicating that a second set of values ​​indicates the positioning capabilities of the UE, as represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, to be stored by the network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0252]

[0260] Clause 33. The UE of any of clauses 28 to 32, wherein the second set of values ​​is a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0253]

[0261] Clause 34. The UE of clause 33, wherein each value of the subset of values ​​is associated with a flag indicating that the value should be stored by the network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0254]

[0262] Clause 35. The UE of clause 33 or 34, wherein the first set of values ​​is a distinct set of values ​​of a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0255]

[0263] Clause 36. The UE according to any of clauses 28 to 35, wherein a variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE is only able to provide for a limited period of time, and a non-variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE is always able to provide.

[0256]

[0264] Clause 37. The UE of any of clauses 28 to 36, wherein the second set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the first set of values, or the first set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the second set of values.

[0257]

[0265] Clause 38. The UE according to any of clauses 28 to 37, wherein the non-variable positioning capability of the UE, represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, is to be stored by an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0258]

[0266] Clause 39. A network entity comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive, via the at least one transceiver, one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0259]

[0267] Clause 40. The network entity of clause 39, wherein the network entity is a location server, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to send, via the at least one transceiver, a positioning capability request to the UE, the positioning capability request indicating a set of positioning capability parameters.

[0260]

[0268] Clause 41. The network entity of clause 40, wherein the positioning capability request includes a flag indicating that values ​​of the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by the second network entity.

[0261]

[0269] Clause 42. The network entity according to any of clauses 39 to 41, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports include a flag indicating that the second set of values ​​indicates the positioning capabilities of the UE, as represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, to be stored by the second network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0262]

[0270] Clause 43. The network entity of any of clauses 39 to 42, wherein the second set of values ​​is a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0263]

[0271] Clause 44. The network entity of clause 43, wherein each value of the subset of values ​​is associated with a flag indicating that the value should be stored by the second network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0264]

[0272] Clause 45. The network entity of clause 43 or 44, wherein the first set of values ​​is a distinct set of values ​​of a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0265]

[0273] Clause 46. A network entity according to any of clauses 39 to 45, wherein a variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE is only able to provide for a limited time, and a non-variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE is always able to provide.

[0266]

[0274] Clause 47. A network entity according to any of clauses 39 to 46, wherein the second set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the first set of values, or the first set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the second set of values.

[0267]

[0275] Clause 48. The network entity according to any of clauses 39 to 47, wherein the non-variable positioning capability of the UE, represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, is to be stored by an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0268]

[0276] Clause 49. A first network entity comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: receive, via the at least one transceiver, one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE; and transmit, via the at least one transceiver, the set of values ​​to a second network entity via one or more capability transfer messages to enable the second network entity to store the set of values ​​for a subsequent positioning session involving the UE.

[0269]

[0277] Clause 50. The first network entity according to clause 49, wherein the first network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and the second network entity is a first location server.

[0270]

[0278] Clause 51. The first network entity of Clause 50, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to transmit, via the at least one transceiver, the set of values ​​via one or more capability transfer messages to the second location server based on the UE switching from the first location server to the second location server due to UE mobility.

[0271]

[0279] Clause 52. The first network entity according to clause 49, wherein the first network entity is a Location Management Function (LMF) and the second network entity is an AMF.

[0272]

[0280] Clause 53. A second network entity, comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive, from the first network entity via the at least one transceiver, via one or more capability transfer messages, a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters from one or more positioning capability reports of a user equipment (UE), wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE, the second network entity.

[0273]

[0281] Clause 54. The second network entity according to clause 53, wherein the first network entity is a Location Management Function (LMF) and the second network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0274]

[0282] Clause 55. A user equipment (UE), comprising: means for transmitting one or more positioning capability reports to a location server, the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0275]

[0283] Clause 56. The UE of clause 55, further comprising means for receiving a positioning capability request from the location server, the positioning capability request indicating a set of positioning capability parameters.

[0276]

[0284] Clause 57. The UE of clause 56, wherein the positioning capability request includes a flag indicating that values ​​of the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by the network entity.

[0277]

[0285] Clause 58. The UE of clause 57, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports including the first set of values ​​and the second set of values ​​are transmitted in response to a positioning capability request that includes the flag.

[0278]

[0286] Clause 59. A UE according to any of clauses 55 to 58, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports include a flag indicating that a second set of values ​​indicates the positioning capabilities of the UE, as represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, to be stored by the network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0279]

[0287] Clause 60. The UE of any of clauses 55 to 59, wherein the second set of values ​​is a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0280]

[0288] Clause 61. The UE of clause 60, wherein each value of the subset of values ​​is associated with a flag indicating that the value should be stored by the network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0281]

[0289] Clause 62. The UE of clause 60 or 61, wherein the first set of values ​​is a distinct set of values ​​of a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0282]

[0290] Clause 63. The UE according to any of clauses 55 to 62, wherein a variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE is only able to provide for a limited period of time, and a non-variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE is always able to provide.

[0283]

[0291] Clause 64. The UE of any of clauses 55 to 63, wherein the second set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the first set of values, or the first set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the second set of values.

[0284]

[0292] Clause 65. The UE according to any of clauses 55 to 64, wherein the non-variable positioning capability of the UE, represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, is to be stored by an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0285]

[0293] Clause 66. A network entity, comprising: means for receiving one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0286]

[0294] Clause 67. The network entity of clause 66, wherein the network entity is a location server, and wherein the network entity further comprises means for sending a positioning capability request to the UE, the positioning capability request indicating a set of positioning capability parameters.

[0287]

[0295] Clause 68. The network entity of clause 67, wherein the positioning capability request includes a flag indicating that values ​​of the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by the second network entity.

[0288]

[0296] Clause 69. The network entity according to any of clauses 66 to 68, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports include a flag indicating that the second set of values ​​indicates the positioning capabilities of the UE, as represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, to be stored by the second network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0289]

[0297] Clause 70. The network entity of any of clauses 66 to 69, wherein the second set of values ​​is a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0290]

[0298] Clause 71. The network entity of clause 70, wherein each value of the subset of values ​​is associated with a flag indicating that the value should be stored by the second network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0291]

[0299] Clause 72. The network entity of clause 70 or 71, wherein the first set of values ​​is a distinct set of values ​​of a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0292]

[0300] Clause 73. A network entity according to any of clauses 66 to 72, wherein a variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE is only able to provide for a limited time, and a non-variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE is always able to provide.

[0293]

[0301] Clause 74. The network entity of any of clauses 66 to 73, wherein the second set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the first set of values, or the first set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the second set of values.

[0294]

[0302] Clause 75. The network entity according to any of clauses 66 to 74, wherein the non-variable positioning capability of the UE, represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, is to be stored by an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0295]

[0303] Clause 76. A first network entity comprising: means for receiving one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE; and means for transmitting the set of values ​​to a second network entity via one or more capability transfer messages to enable the second network entity to store the set of values ​​for a subsequent positioning session involving the UE.

[0296]

[0304] Clause 77. The first network entity according to Clause 76, wherein the first network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and the second network entity is a first location server.

[0297]

[0305] Clause 78. The first network entity according to clause 77, further comprising means for transmitting the set of values ​​to the second location server via one or more capability transfer messages based on the UE switching from the first location server to the second location server due to UE mobility.

[0298]

[0306] Clause 79. The first network entity according to clause 76, wherein the first network entity is a Location Management Function (LMF) and the second network entity is an AMF.

[0299]

[0307] Clause 80. A second network entity, comprising: means for receiving, from the first network entity via one or more capability transfer messages, a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters from one or more positioning capability reports of a user equipment (UE), wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE.

[0300]

[0308] Clause 81. The second network entity according to clause 80, wherein the first network entity is a Location Management Function (LMF) and the second network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0301]

[0309] Clause 82. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to transmit one or more positioning capability reports to a location server, the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0302]

[0310] Clause 83. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 82, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to receive a positioning capability request from a location server, the positioning capability request indicating a set of positioning capability parameters.

[0303]

[0311] Clause 84. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 83, wherein the positioning capability request includes a flag indicating that values ​​of the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by the network entity.

[0304]

[0312] Clause 85. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 84, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports including the first set of values ​​and the second set of values ​​are transmitted in response to a positioning capability request that includes the flag.

[0305]

[0313] Clause 86. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 82 to 85, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports include a flag indicating that the second set of values ​​indicates the positioning capabilities of the UE, as represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, to be stored by the network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0306]

[0314] Clause 87. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 82 to 86, wherein the second set of values ​​is a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0307]

[0315] Clause 88. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 87, wherein each value of the subset of values ​​is associated with a flag indicating that the value should be stored by the network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0308]

[0316] Clause 89. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 87 or 88, wherein the first set of values ​​is a distinct set of values ​​of a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0309]

[0317] Clause 90. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any of clauses 82 to 89, wherein a variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE is only able to provide for a limited period of time, and a non-variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE is always able to provide.

[0310]

[0318] Clause 91. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 82 to 90, wherein the second set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the first set of values, or the first set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the second set of values.

[0311]

[0319] Clause 92. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 82 to 91, wherein the non-variable positioning capabilities of the UE, represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, are to be stored by an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0312]

[0320] Clause 93. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a network entity, cause the network entity to receive one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0313]

[0321] Clause 94. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of Clause 93, wherein the network entity is a location server, and the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the first network entity, cause the first network entity to send a positioning capability request to the UE, the positioning capability request indicating a set of positioning capability parameters.

[0314]

[0322] Clause 95. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 94, wherein the positioning capability request includes a flag indicating that values ​​of the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by the second network entity.

[0315]

[0323] Clause 96. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 93 to 95, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports include a flag indicating that the second set of values ​​indicates the positioning capabilities of the UE, as represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, to be stored by the second network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0316]

[0324] Clause 97. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 93 to 96, wherein the second set of values ​​is a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0317]

[0325] Clause 98. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 97, wherein each value of the subset of values ​​is associated with a flag indicating that the value should be stored by the second network entity for subsequent positioning sessions.

[0318]

[0326] Clause 99. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 97 or 98, wherein the first set of values ​​is a distinct set of values ​​of a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

[0319]

[0327] Clause 100. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 93 to 99, wherein a variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE is only able to provide for a limited period of time, and a non-variable positioning capability represents a positioning capability that the UE is always able to provide.

[0320]

[0328] Clause 101. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 93 to 100, wherein the second set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the first set of values, or the first set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the second set of values.

[0321]

[0329] Clause 102. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 93 to 101, wherein the non-variable positioning capabilities of the UE, represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, are to be stored by an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0322]

[0330] Clause 103. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a first network entity, cause the first network entity to: receive one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the set of values ​​is non-mutable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE; and transmit the set of values ​​via one or more capability transfer messages to a second network entity to enable the second network entity to store the set of values ​​for a subsequent positioning session involving the UE.

[0323]

[0331] Clause 104. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 103, wherein the first network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and the second network entity is a first location server.

[0324]

[0332] Clause 105. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 104, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the first network entity, cause the first network entity to send the set of values ​​via one or more capability transfer messages to the second location server based on the UE switching from the first location server to the second location server due to UE mobility.

[0325]

[0333] Clause 106. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 103, wherein the first network entity is a Location Management Function (LMF) and the second network entity is an AMF.

[0326]

[0334] Clause 107. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a second network entity, cause the second network entity to receive, from the first network entity via one or more capability transfer messages, a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters from one or more positioning capability reports of a user equipment (UE), wherein the set of values ​​is non-mutable during subsequent positioning sessions involving the UE.

[0327]

[0335] Clause 108. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 107, wherein the first network entity is a Location Management Function (LMF) and the second network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0328]

[0336] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0329]

[0337] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0330]

[0338] The various example logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0331]

[0339] The methods, sequences, and / or algorithms described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in software modules executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. The software modules may reside in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal (e.g., UE). Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in the user terminal.

[0332]

[0340] In one or more exemplary aspects, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included within the definition of medium. As used herein, disk and disc include compact discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy discs, and Blu-ray discs, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0333]

[0341] While the above disclosure sets forth exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The functions, steps and / or actions of the method claims in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein need not be performed in any particular order. Furthermore, although elements of the present disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The inventions described in the claims of the present application as originally filed are set forth below. [C1] 1. A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: 1. A method comprising: transmitting one or more positioning capability reports to a location server, the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters. [C2] The method of C1, further comprising receiving a positioning capability request from the location server, the positioning capability request indicating the set of positioning capability parameters. [C3] The method of C2, wherein the positioning capability request includes a flag indicating that values ​​of the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by a network entity. [C4] The method of C3, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports including the first set of values ​​and the second set of values ​​are transmitted in response to the positioning capability request including the flag. [C5] The method of C1, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports include a flag indicating that the second set of values ​​indicates the positioning capabilities of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters to be stored by a network entity for subsequent positioning sessions. [C6] The method of C1, wherein the second set of values ​​is a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters. [C7] The method of C6, wherein each value of the subset of values ​​is associated with a flag indicating that the value should be stored by a network entity for subsequent positioning sessions. [C8] The method of C6, wherein the first set of values ​​is a distinct set of values ​​of the subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters. [C9] The variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE can provide only for a limited time; The method of C1, wherein the non-variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE is always able to provide. [C10] the second set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the first set of values; or The method of C1, wherein the first set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the second set of values. [C11] The method of C1, wherein the non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters is to be stored by an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF). [C12] 1. A method of wireless communication performed by a network entity, comprising: 1. A method comprising receiving one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters. [C13] the network entity is a location server, and the method comprises: The method of C12, further comprising sending a positioning capability request to the UE, the positioning capability request indicating the set of positioning capability parameters. [C14] The method of C13, wherein the positioning capability request includes a flag indicating that values ​​of the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by a second network entity. [C15] The method of C12, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports include a flag indicating that the second set of values ​​indicates the positioning capabilities of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters to be stored by a second network entity for subsequent positioning sessions. [C16] The method of C12, wherein the second set of values ​​is a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters. [C17] The method of C16, wherein each value of the subset of values ​​is associated with a flag indicating that the value should be stored by the second network entity for subsequent positioning sessions. [C18] The method of C16, wherein the first set of values ​​is a different set of values ​​from the subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters. [C19] The variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE can provide only for a limited time; The method of C12, wherein the non-variable positioning capability represents a positioning capability that the UE is always able to provide. [C20] the second set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the first set of values; or The method of C12, wherein the first set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the second set of values. [C21] The method of C12, wherein the non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters is to be stored by an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF). [C22] 1. A method of wireless communications performed by a first network entity, comprising: receiving one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE; transmitting the set of values ​​to a second network entity via one or more capability transfer messages to enable the second network entity to store the set of values ​​for a subsequent positioning session involving the UE; A method comprising: [C23] the first network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF); The method of C22, wherein the second network entity is a first location server. [C24] The method of C23, further comprising sending the set of values ​​to a second location server via one or more capability transfer messages based on the UE switching from the first location server to a second location server due to mobility of the UE. [C25] The method of C22, wherein the first network entity is a Location Management Function (LMF), and the second network entity is an AMF. [C26] 1. A method of wireless communications performed by a second network entity, comprising receiving, from a first network entity via one or more capability transfer messages, a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters from one or more positioning capability reports of a user equipment (UE), wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE. [C27] The method of C26, wherein the first network entity is a Location Management Function (LMF), and the second network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF). [C28] A user equipment (UE), Memory and at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver; wherein the at least one processor: A user equipment (UE) configured to transmit, via the at least one transceiver, one or more positioning capability reports to a location server, the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters. [C29] The at least one processor: The UE of C28, further configured to receive, via the at least one transceiver, a positioning capability request from the location server, the positioning capability request indicating the set of positioning capability parameters. [C30] The UE of C28, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports include a flag indicating that the second set of values ​​indicates the positioning capabilities of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters to be stored by a network entity for subsequent positioning sessions. [C31] The UE of C28, wherein the second set of values ​​is a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters. [C32] the second set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the first set of values; or The UE of C28, wherein the first set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the second set of values. [C33] A network entity comprising: Memory and at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver; wherein the at least one processor: a network entity configured to receive, via the at least one transceiver, one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters. [C34] the network entity is a location server, and the method comprises: The network entity of C33, further configured to send a positioning capability request to the UE via the at least one transceiver, the positioning capability request indicating the set of positioning capability parameters. [C35] The network entity of C33, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports include a flag indicating that the second set of values ​​indicates the positioning capabilities of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters to be stored by a second network entity for subsequent positioning sessions. [C36] The network entity of C33, wherein the second set of values ​​is a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters. [C37] the second set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the first set of values; or The network entity of C33, wherein the first set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the second set of values. [C38] a first network entity, Memory and at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver; wherein the at least one processor: receiving one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE) via the at least one transceiver, the one or more positioning capability reports including a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE; transmitting, via the at least one transceiver, the set of values ​​to a second network entity via one or more capability transfer messages to enable the second network entity to store the set of values ​​for subsequent positioning sessions involving the UE; a first network entity configured to: [C39] the first network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF); The first network entity according to C38, wherein the second network entity is a first location server. [C40] The at least one processor: The first network entity of C39, further configured to, via the at least one transceiver, transmit the set of values ​​to a second location server via one or more capability transfer messages based on the UE switching from the first location server to a second location server due to mobility of the UE. [C41] The first network entity according to C38, wherein the first network entity is a Location Management Function (LMF), and the second network entity is an AMF. [C42] a second network entity, Memory and at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver; wherein the at least one processor: A second network entity configured to receive, via the at least one transceiver, from a first network entity, via one or more capability transfer messages, a set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters from one or more positioning capability reports of a user equipment (UE), wherein the set of values ​​is non-variable during a subsequent positioning session involving the UE. [C43] The second network entity of C42, wherein the first network entity is a Location Management Function (LMF), and the second network entity is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

Claims

1. 1. A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: transmitting one or more positioning capability reports to a location server, the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, the method comprising: receiving a positioning capability request from the location server indicating the set of positioning capability parameters, the positioning capability request including a flag indicating that values ​​of the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by a second network entity.

2. 1. A method of wireless communication performed by a network entity, comprising: receiving one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE), the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, the network entity is a location server, the method comprising:

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: transmitting a positioning capability request to the UE indicating the set of positioning capability parameters, the positioning capability request including a flag indicating that values ​​of the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by a second network entity.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more positioning capability reports including the first set of values ​​and the second set of values ​​are transmitted in response to the positioning capability request that includes the flag.

4. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more positioning capability reports include a flag indicating that the second set of values ​​indicates the positioning capabilities of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters to be stored by a second network entity for a subsequent positioning session, the second network entity being a base station, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), or a Location Management Function (LMF).

5. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second set of values ​​is a subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

6. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein each value of the subset of values ​​is associated with a flag indicating that the value should be stored by a second network entity for a subsequent positioning session, the second network entity being a base station, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), or a Location Management Function (LMF).

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first set of values ​​is a distinct set of values ​​of the subset of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters.

8. The variable positioning capability is a positioning capability that the UE can provide only for a limited time; The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-variable positioning capabilities are positioning capabilities that the UE is always able to provide.

9. the second set of values ​​are differential values ​​relative to the first set of values; or The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first set of values ​​are difference values ​​relative to the second set of values.

10. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-variable positioning capabilities of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

11. A user equipment (UE), Memory and at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver; wherein the at least one processor configured to transmit, via the at least one transceiver, one or more positioning capability reports to a location server, the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters; and and further configured to receive from the location server a positioning capability request indicating the set of positioning capability parameters, the positioning capability request including a flag indicating that values ​​of the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by a second network entity. User Equipment (UE).

12. A network entity comprising: Memory and at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver; wherein the at least one processor and a network entity configured to receive one or more positioning capability reports from a user equipment (UE) via the at least one transceiver, the one or more positioning capability reports including a first set of values ​​for a set of positioning capability parameters and a second set of values ​​for the set of positioning capability parameters, wherein the first set of values ​​indicates a variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters and the second set of values ​​indicates a non-variable positioning capability of the UE represented by the set of positioning capability parameters, the network entity being a location server, and the at least one processor is further configured to send a positioning capability request to the UE indicating the set of positioning capability parameters, the positioning capability request including a flag indicating that values ​​of the set of positioning capability parameters are to be stored by a second network entity.

13. 11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor communicatively coupled to a memory and at least one transceiver of a user equipment or a network entity, cause the user equipment to perform the method of any one of claims 1 or 3-10, or cause the network entity to perform the method of any one of claims 2 or 4-10.

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