Reference signal for extended carrier phase measurement

Abstract

Systems, devices, processes, and computer-readable media for wireless communications are disclosed. For example, one example process includes receiving, at a device (e.g., a user equipment (UE) or a component of a UE), a plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS). A combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer than all of the plurality of resource blocks. The process includes transmitting a phase measurement report to a first network entity. The phase measurement report includes information associated with a measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks. As described herein, a subcarrier set includes at least one subcarrier.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001]

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to carrier phase positioning. For example, aspects of this disclosure relate to reference signals for extended carrier phase measurement for carrier phase positioning. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0002] Wireless communication systems have evolved through various generations, including first-generation analog wireless telephone services (1G), second-generation digital wireless telephone services (including provisional 2.5G networks), third-generation high-speed data and internet-enabled wireless services, and fourth-generation services (4G) (e.g., Long-Term Evolution (LTE), WiMAX). Currently, many different types of wireless communication systems are in use, including cellular systems and personal communications service (PCS) systems. Known examples of cellular systems include 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 communication (GSM), etc.

[0003]

[0003] Among the improvements, fifth-generation (5G) mobile standards require higher data transfer speeds, more connections, and better coverage. According to the Next Generation Mobile Network Alliance, the 5G standard (also known as "New Radio" or "NR") is designed to provide tens of megabits per second of data to each of tens of thousands of users, for example, with gigabit connection speeds for dozens of users in a common location such as an office floor. To support large-scale sensor deployments, hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections must be supported. Therefore, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communications should be significantly higher compared to current 4G / LTE standards. Furthermore, signaling efficiency must be improved and latency significantly reduced compared to current standards. [Overview of the project]

[0004]

[0004] Systems and techniques for providing a reference signal for extended carrier phase measurement for carrier phase positioning using a wireless communication system are described herein. In one exemplary example, a process for wireless communication in user equipment (UE) is provided. The process includes, in the UE, receiving a plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the plurality of resource blocks; and transmitting a phase measurement report to a first network entity, wherein the phase measurement report includes information associated with a measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks, and the subcarrier set includes at least one subcarrier.

[0005]

[0005] In another example, a device for wireless communication (e.g., a UE or a component of a UE) is provided, which includes a memory (configured to store data such as virtual content data, one or more images, etc.) and one or more processors (e.g., implemented in a circuit) coupled to the memory. The one or more processors in the UE receive a plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), the combination structure of the PRS being repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the plurality of resource blocks, and a phase measurement report, the phase measurement report including information associated with a measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks, the subcarrier set including at least one subcarrier, and is configured to transmit the phase measurement report to a first network entity.

[0006]

[0006] In another example, a non-temporary computer-readable medium of the UE storing instructions is provided, and when the instructions are executed by one or more processors, the one or more processors cause the UE to receive a plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the plurality of resource blocks, and a phase measurement report, the phase measurement report comprising information associated with the measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks, wherein the subcarrier set comprises at least one subcarrier, and the phase measurement report is sent to a first network entity.

[0007]

[0007] In another example, a device for wireless communication (e.g., a UE or a component of a UE) is provided. The device includes means for receiving a plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the plurality of resource blocks; and means for transmitting the phase measurement report to a first network entity, wherein the phase measurement report includes information associated with a measured phase difference between at least one pair of subcarrier sets of the plurality of resource blocks, the subcarrier set includes at least one subcarrier.

[0008]

[0008] In another example, a process for wireless communication in a first network entity is provided. The process includes sending a message to a second network entity, which includes a message comprising a configuration for a plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein, based on the configuration, the combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the plurality of resource blocks; and receiving a phase measurement report from a user device (UE), which includes a phase measurement report comprising information relating to a measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks.

[0009]

[0009] In another example, a device for wireless communication (e.g., a first network entity or a component of a first network entity) is provided, which includes a memory (configured to store data such as virtual content data, one or more images, etc.) and one or more processors (e.g., implemented in a circuit) coupled to the memory. One or more processors are configured to send a message to a second network entity, which includes a configuration for a plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein, based on the configuration, the combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the plurality of resource blocks, and to receive a phase measurement report from a user device (UE), which includes information associated with a measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks.

[0010]

[0010] In another example, a non-temporary computer-readable medium of a first network entity storing instructions is provided, and when the instructions are executed by one or more processors, the one or more processors cause a second network entity to send a message comprising a configuration for a plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein, based on the configuration, the combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the plurality of resource blocks, and the user equipment (UE) receives a phase measurement report comprising information relating to the measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks.

[0011]

[0011] In another example, a device for wireless communication (e.g., a first network entity or a component of a first network entity) is provided. The device includes means for sending a message to a second network entity, which includes a message comprising a configuration for a plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein, based on the configuration, the combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the plurality of resource blocks; and means for receiving a phase measurement report from a user device (UE), which includes a phase measurement report comprising information relating to a measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks.

[0012]

[0012] In some embodiments, the apparatus is a wearable device, an extended reality device (e.g., a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, or a mixed reality (MR) device), a head-mounted display (HMD) device, a wireless communication device, a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone and / or a mobile handset and / or a so-called “smartphone” or other mobile device), a camera, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a server computer, a vehicle or a vehicle computing device or component, another device, or a combination thereof, a part thereof, and / or includes them. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes one or more cameras for capturing one or more images. In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a display for displaying one or more images, notifications, and / or other displayable data. In some embodiments, the apparatus described above may include one or more sensors (e.g., one or more gyroscopes, one or more gyrometers, one or more accelerometers, any combination thereof, and / or other sensors, one or more inertial measurement units (IMUs)).

[0013]

[0013] This summary is not intended to identify any major or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used independently to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by referring to the entire specification of this patent, any or all of the drawings, and the appropriate parts of each claim.

[0014]

[0014] The above, along with other features and embodiments, will become clearer with reference to the following specification, claims, and accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015]

[0015] Exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. [Figure 1]

[0016] illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A]

[0017] is a diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless network structure according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] is a diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless network structure according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 3]

[0018] is a diagram of user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system that determines a location based on distance from a terrestrial transmission device according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4]

[0019] is a diagram of phase measurements for determining a distance between a transmitting device and a receiving device based on a combination of phase measurements according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 5]

[0020] is a graph illustrating equivalent wavelengths of subcarrier pairs based on subcarrier spacing in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 6]

[0021] is a diagram illustrating an example of a resource block. [Figure 7]

[0022] is a diagram illustrating an example of an existing combination structure for reference signals. [Figure 8A]

[0023] illustrates an example of a group of resource blocks having a regular resource element structure (with one resource block boundary) according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 8B]

[0024] This figure shows exemplary examples of resource blocks having an irregular resource element structure (with X resource block boundaries) according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 8C] This figure shows exemplary examples of resource blocks having an irregular resource element structure (with X resource block boundaries) according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 9A]

[0025] An example of a resource block having eight consecutive symbols for four subcarriers, according to several aspects of this disclosure, is shown. [Figure 9B]

[0026] An example of a resource block having 12 consecutive symbols for three subcarriers is shown according to several aspects of this disclosure. [Figure 10A]

[0027] This figure shows an example of a resource block having resource elements assigned to four reference signal resources from four sources, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 10B]

[0028] Examples of combining the resource elements of the four reference signal resources in Figure 10A, according to several aspects of this disclosure, are shown. [Figure 10C]

[0029] Figure 10B shows an example of frequency-domain muting for a combined reference signal resource according to several aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 11]

[0030] This flowchart shows an example of a process for wireless communication according to some aspects of this disclosure. [Figure 12]

[0031] This flowchart shows another example of a process for wireless communication according to some aspects of this disclosure. [Figure 13]

[0032] The following are exemplary block diagrams of the UE computing system according to several aspects of this disclosure. [Figure 14]

[0033] An exemplary computing system according to the aspects of this disclosure is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016]

[0034] Specific embodiments of this disclosure are provided below. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, some of these embodiments can be applied independently, and some can be applied in combination. For illustrative purposes, certain details are provided in the following description to provide a complete understanding of the embodiments of this application. However, it will be apparent that various embodiments can be carried out without these specific details. The figures and descriptions are not intended to be limiting.

[0017]

[0035] The following description provides only illustrative embodiments and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the following description of exemplary embodiments provides a description that enables the implementation of exemplary embodiments for those skilled in the art. It should be understood that various modifications may be made to the function and configuration of the elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the application as set forth in the appended claims.

[0018]

[0036] The following description provides only illustrative embodiments and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the Disclosure. Rather, the following description of illustrative embodiments provides a description that enables the implementation of embodiments of the Disclosure. It should be understood that various modifications may be made to the function and configuration of the elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the application as set forth in the appended claims.

[0019]

[0037] The terms “exemplary” and / or “example” are used herein to mean “serving as an example, case, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” and / or “example” should not be construed as necessarily preferable or advantageous to any other aspect. Similarly, the term “aspects of the disclosure” does not require that all aspects of the disclosure include the features, advantages, or modes of operation discussed.

[0020]

[0038] As mentioned above, the 5G mobile standard requires higher data transfer speeds, more connections, and better coverage, among other improvements. 5G is expected to support hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections. Therefore, there is room to improve the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communications by increasing signaling efficiency and reducing latency. One way in which such signaling efficiency and latency reduction can be achieved is through the communication of various uplink and downlink reference signals between user equipment and their respective serving base stations.

[0021]

[0039] A reference signal is a predefined signal that occupies a specific resource element within the time-frequency grid of a resource block and can be exchanged on either or both of the downlink and uplink physical communication channels. Each reference signal is used for specific purposes, among others, such as channel estimation, phase noise compensation, acquisition of downlink / uplink channel status information, and time and frequency tracking, as part of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3 rd Defined by the Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

[0022]

[0040] Exemplary reference signals include, but are not limited to, the Positioning Reference Signal (PRS), Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS), and De-Modulation Reference Signal (DMRS). Some reference signals (e.g., PRS, CSI-RS, etc.) are downlink-specific signals, while others, such as DMRS, are transmitted over both downlink and uplink communication channels. There are also uplink-specific reference signals defined by 3GPP.

[0023]

[0041] A combination (also called a tone pattern) can be defined as a specific arrangement of resource elements within a given resource block for transmitting a reference signal. Combination structures are currently predefined in 3GPP communication standards (e.g., 5G / NR, 4G / LTE, etc.) and may be known to both user equipment (UEs) and corresponding network entities (e.g., base stations or parts thereof). Currently defined combination structures may not be optimized for all environments. For example, the arrangement or combination of resource elements used for PRS transmission is defined for all PRS resource sets defined in a given positioning frequency layer (PFL). Existing combination structures provide a symmetrical allocation of resource elements in the frequency domain. For example, in a combination 2 structure, the symbols of resource blocks are assigned to PRS resources every other time. Existing combination structures also specify a regular (or consistent) arrangement of resource elements across all resource blocks. For example, an existing combinatorial structure for PRS has a single resource block boundary, in which case all resource blocks for PRS will have the same resource elements assigned to PRS resources. Furthermore, the existing combinatorial structure does not specify that consecutive symbols within a resource block can be assigned to PRS resources. A regular combinatorial structure with a single resource block boundary and / or non-contiguous symbols (per resource) may not be optimal for certain operations, such as performing carrier phase positioning. Symmetrical allocation of resource elements in the frequency domain may also be undesirable for carrier phase positioning.

[0024]

[0042] This specification describes systems, apparatus, processes (also referred to as methods), and computer-readable media (collectively referred to as systems and techniques) for providing reference signals that may be suitable for specific operations. For example, this specification describes combination structures (or tone patterns) that provide extended carrier phase measurements for carrier phase positioning, and techniques for generating and supporting such combination structures (e.g., through signaling).

[0025]

[0043] In some embodiments, resource blocks are defined using an irregular resource element structure. For example, an X resource block boundary (where X is an integer greater than 1) is defined for a reference signal resource, such as a PRS, SRS, or other reference signal that may be used for positioning. According to the X resource block boundary, the combination structure for the reference signal (specifying the arrangement of resource elements having a resource block for the reference signal) is repeated a specific number of times for each X resource block. For example, the X resource block boundary may be a 4 resource block boundary, where the combination structure for the reference signal is repeated a specific number of times (e.g., once, twice, or three times) for each of the four resource blocks. For any resource block between resource blocks where the combination pattern specifies resource elements for the reference signal, the resource element is not assigned to the reference signal. Such an irregular resource element structure for position-based reference signals (e.g., PRS, SRS, etc.) may be useful for carrier phase positioning techniques compared to the regular resource element structure given in existing combination structures.

[0026]

[0044] In some additional or alternative embodiments, resource blocks are defined that are heterogeneous in the frequency domain and / or continuous in the time domain. For example, a consecutive number of symbols may be assigned to one or more resources (e.g., a PRS resource) of a reference signal. Providing a resource block with consecutive symbols assigned to a PRS allows a device (e.g., a UE) to more easily measure phase information (for carrier phase positioning) for multiple symbols if the subcarrier index numbers for multiple symbols are constant (indicating that the symbols are associated with the same frequency subcarrier). Allowing the frequency domain components (e.g., subcarriers) of a resource block to be heterogeneous also allows a network entity (e.g., a location server such as a location management function (LMF) or a base station such as a gNodeB (gNB)) to specify to a user device (e.g., a UE) which subcarriers can be used in carrier phase positioning (e.g., to determine the phase difference between two subcarriers). In some cases, a network entity may transmit information (e.g., a bitmap) indicating a specific resource element (e.g., in the frequency domain) of a resource block assigned to a reference signal (e.g., a PRS). For example, a network entity (e.g., a location server such as an LMF, a base station, etc.) may signal (e.g., to another network entity, such as a UE) a bitmap specifying a subcarrier in a resource block assigned to a reference signal.

[0027]

[0045] In some additional or alternative embodiments, systems and techniques can combine reference signal resources (e.g., PRS resources) by combining resource elements of the reference signal resources. In some cases, systems and techniques can perform frequency-domain muting or suppression to remove specific resource elements from the combined reference signal resources.

[0028]

[0046] The systems and techniques described herein may be applied to communications between network entities (e.g., base stations, location servers, etc.) and user devices (e.g., UEs) or between user devices (e.g., between UEs, vehicles, etc.) using sidelink communications (e.g., cellular-based PC5 sidelink interfaces, 802.11p-defined Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) interfaces, or other direct interfaces).

[0029]

[0047] The systems and techniques described herein can improve user device (e.g., UE) location estimation or positioning based on the extended reference signals described herein. For example, as described above, the combination structures described herein can provide extended carrier phase measurements for carrier phase positioning. Where used herein, location estimates may be referred to by other names such as position estimate, location, location measurement, position, position fix, fix, etc. Location estimates may be geodetic and may include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude), or they may be urban and may include a street address, postal address, or any other description of the location. Location estimates may further be defined in relation to some other known location, or may be defined in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and / or altitude). Location estimates may include expected errors or uncertainties (e.g., by including an area or volume in which the location is expected to be contained with some specified or default level of confidence).

[0030]

[0048] Additional features of this disclosure are described in more detail below.

[0031]

[0049] As used herein, the terms “User Equipment” (UE) and “Network Entity” are not specific to or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (RAT), unless otherwise stated. Generally, a UE may be any wireless communication device (e.g., a mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, and / or tracking device), wearables (e.g., smartwatches, smart glasses, wearable rings, virtual reality (VR) headsets, augmented reality (AR) headsets or glasses, or extended reality (XR) devices such as mixed reality (MR) headsets), vehicles (e.g., automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, and / or Internet of Things (IoT) devices) used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network. A UE may be mobile or stationary (e.g., at a particular time) and may communicate with a radio access network (RAN). As used herein, the term "UE" may be interchangeably referred to as "Access Terminal" or "AT," "Client Device," "Wireless Device," "Subscriber Device," "Subscriber Terminal," "Subscriber Station," "User Terminal" or "UT," "Mobile Device," "Mobile Terminal," "Mobile Station," or variations thereof. Generally, a UE can communicate with the core network via the RAN, and through the core network, a UE can connect to external networks such as the Internet and to 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 or a wireless local area network (WLAN) network (e.g., based on the IEEE 802.11 communication standard).

[0032]

[0050] Network entities can be implemented in aggregate or monolithic base station architectures, or alternatively, in non-aggregate base station architectures, and may include one or more of the following: central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), radio unit (RU), near real-time (near RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC), or non-real-time (non-RT) RIC. A base station (for example, having an aggregate / monolithic or non-aggregate base station architecture) may operate according to one of several RATs communicating with the UE, depending on the network in which it is deployed, and may alternatively be referred to as an access point (AP), network node, node B (NB), evolved node B (eNB), next generation eNB (ng-eNB), New Radio (NR) node B (also referred to as gNB or g-node B), etc. Base stations may be primarily used to support wireless access by UEs, including supporting data connectivity, voice connectivity, and / or signaling connectivity for supported UEs. In some systems, base stations may provide edge node signaling capabilities, while in others they may provide additional control and / or network management capabilities. The communication links that UEs can traverse when sending signals to a base station are referred to as uplink (UL) channels (e.g., reverse traffic channels, reverse control channels, access channels, etc.). The communication links that base stations can traverse when sending signals to a UE are referred to as downlink (DL) or forward link channels (e.g., paging channels, control channels, broadcast channels, or forward traffic channels, etc.).As used herein, the term traffic channel (TCH) may refer to any uplink, reverse or downlink, and / or forward traffic channel.

[0033]

[0051] The terms “network entity” or “base station” (for example, having an aggregate / monolithic base station architecture or a non-aggregate base station architecture) may refer to a single physical TRP or multiple physical TRPs that may or may not be colocated. For example, when the terms “network entity” or “base station” refer to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP may be the base station’s antennas corresponding to the base station’s cells (or multiple cell sectors). When the terms “network entity” or “base station” refer to multiple colocated physical TRPs, the physical TRP may be an array of base station antennas (for example, as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or as if the base station employs beamforming). When the terms “base station” refer to multiple uncolocated 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, a physical TRP that is not in the same location may be a serving base station that receives measurement reports from a UE and a neighboring base station from which the UE is measuring its reference radio frequency (RF) signal (or simply the “reference signal”). Since a TRP is the point from which a base station transmits and receives wireless signals, as used herein, references to transmission from a base station or reception at a base station should be understood to refer to a specific TRP of the base station.

[0034]

[0052] In some implementations supporting UE positioning, a network entity or base station may not support wireless access by the UE (e.g., it may not support data, voice, and / or signaling connectivity for the UE), but instead may transmit a reference signal to the UE that is measured by the UE, and / or 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).

[0035]

[0053] An RF signal includes electromagnetic waves of a given frequency that carry information through the space between a transmitter and a receiver. A transmitter used herein may transmit a single “RF signal” or multiple “RF signals” to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels, a receiver may receive multiple “RF signals” corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same RF signal transmitted through different paths between the transmitter and receiver may be referred to as a “multipath” RF signal. As used herein, an RF signal may also be referred to as a “wireless signal” or simply “signal” where the context makes it clear that the term “signal” refers to a wireless signal or an RF signal.

[0036]

[0054] In various embodiments, Figure 1 shows an exemplary wireless communication system 100. Sometimes called a wireless wide area network (WWAN), the wireless communication system 100 may include various base stations 102 and various UEs 104. In some embodiments, the base stations 102 may also be referred to as “network entities” or “network nodes.” One or more of the base stations 102 may be implemented in an aggregate or monolithic base station architecture. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the base stations 102 may be implemented in a separate base station architecture, which may include one or more of a central unit (CU), distributed units (DU), radio units (RU), near real-time (near RT) RAN intelligent controllers (RIC), or non-real-time (non-RT) RICs. 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 embodiment, a macrocell base station may include an eNB and / or ng-eNB that corresponds to a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, or a gNB that corresponds to an NR network, or a combination of both, and a smallcell base station may include a femtocell, picocell, microcell, etc.

[0037]

[0055] The base station 102 may collectively form a RAN and interface with the core network 170 (e.g., evolved packet core (EPC) or 5G core (5GC)) via the backhaul link 122, and with one or more location servers 172 (which may be part of the core network 170 or outside the core network 170) via the core network 170. In addition to other functions, the base station 102 may perform functions related to the transfer of 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, non-access stratum (NAS) message delivery, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracing, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and warning message delivery. The base stations 102 can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (for example, via EPC or 5GC) via a backhaul link 134 which may be wired and / or wireless.

[0038]

[0056] Base station 102 can communicate wirelessly with UE 104. Each base station 102 can provide communication coverage for its respective geographical coverage area 110. In some embodiments, one or more cells may be supported by base stations 102 in each coverage area 110. A “cell” is a logical communication entity used for communication with a base station (over several frequency resources, e.g., carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, band, etc.) and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., physical cell identifier (PCI), virtual cell identifier (VCI), cell global identifier (CGI)) 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 for different types of UEs. Since a cell is supported by a specific base station, the term "cell" may, depending on the context, refer to either or both of the logical communication entity and the base station that supports it. In addition, since the TRP is usually the physical transmission point of a cell, the terms "cell" and "TRP" may be used interchangeably. In some cases, the term "cell" may also refer to the geographical coverage area (e.g., sector) of a base station, insofar as the carrier frequency can be detected and used for communication within a portion of the geographical coverage area 110.

[0039]

[0057] The geographical coverage areas 110 of neighboring macrocell base stations 102 may partially overlap (for example, in handover areas), and some of the geographical coverage areas 110 may be substantially overlapped by larger geographical coverage areas 110. For example, a small cell base station 102' may have a coverage area 110' that significantly overlaps with the coverage areas 110 of one or more macrocell base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell base stations and macrocell base stations is sometimes known as a heterogeneous network. Heterogeneous networks may also include home eNBs (HeNBs) that may serve a limited group known as a closed subscriber group (CSG).

[0040]

[0058] The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 may include uplink (also called reverse link) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102, and / or downlink (also called forward link) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104. The communication link 120 may utilize MIMO antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link 120 may operate through one or more carrier frequencies. Carrier allocation may be asymmetric with respect to downlink and uplink (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to the downlink than to the uplink).

[0041]

[0059] The wireless communication system 100 may further include a WLAN AP 150 communicating with WLAN stations (STAs) 152 via a communication link 154 in an unlicensed frequency spectrum (e.g., 5 gigahertz (GHz)). When communicating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the WLAN STA 152 and / or WLAN AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) or listen before talk (LBT) procedure before communicating to determine whether the channel is available. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include a device (e.g., a UE) that communicates with one or more UEs 104, base stations 102, AP 150, etc., using an ultra-wideband (UWB) spectrum. The UWB spectrum may span from 3.1 GHz to 10.5 GHz.

[0042]

[0060] Small cell base station 102' may operate in licensed and / or unlicensed frequency spectrums. When operating in the unlicensed frequency spectrum, small cell base station 102' may utilize LTE or NR technology and use the same 5GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum used by WLAN AP150. Small cell base station 102' employing LTE and / or 5G in the unlicensed frequency spectrum may extend coverage to the access network and / or increase the capacity of the access network. NR in the unlicensed spectrum may be called NR-U. LTE in the unlicensed spectrum may be called LTE-U, licensed assisted access (LAA), or MulteFire.

[0043]

[0061] The wireless communication system 100 may further include a millimeter wave (mmW) base station 180 that can operate in millimeter wave (mmW) and / or quasi-mmW frequencies communicating with the UE 182. The mmW base station 180 may be implemented in aggregated or monolithic base station architectures, or alternatively, in disaggregated base station architectures (including, for example, one or more of CU, DU, RU, near-RT RIC, or non-RT RIC). Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a part of RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and wavelengths of 1 mm to 10 mm. Radio waves in this band are sometimes called millimeter waves. Quasi-mmW can drop down to frequencies of 3 GHz with wavelengths of 100 mm. The super high frequency (SHF) band ranges from 3 GHz to 30 GHz and is also called centimeter waves. Communication using the mmW and / or quasi-mmW radio frequency bands has high path loss and relatively short distances. mmW base stations 180 and UE 182 may utilize beamforming (transmit and / or receive) via mmW communication link 184 to compensate for extremely high path loss and short distances. Furthermore, in alternative configurations, one or more base stations 102 may also transmit using mmW or quasi-mmW and beamforming. Accordingly, the above examples are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0044]

[0062] Transmit beamforming is a technique for concentrating RF signals in a specific direction. Traditionally, when a network node or entity (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal in all directions. Using transmit beamforming, a network node can determine where a given target device (e.g., a UE) is located (relative to the transmitting network node) and emit a stronger downlink RF signal in that specific direction, thereby providing a faster and more powerful RF signal (in terms of data rate) to one or more receiving devices. To change the directivity of an RF signal when transmitting, a network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal in each of the one or more transmitters broadcasting the RF signal. For example, a network node may use an array of antennas (also called a "phased array" or "antenna array") that creates a beam of RF waves that can be "steered" to point in different directions without actually moving the antennas. Specifically, RF currents from the transmitter are supplied to individual antennas in an appropriate phase relationship so that the radio waves from separate antennas combine to increase radiation in the desired direction, while suppressing and removing radiation in undesirable directions.

[0045]

[0063] The transmit beam may be quasi-collocated, meaning that to the receiver (e.g., UE), the transmit beam appears to have the same parameters regardless of whether the transmit antenna of the network node itself is physically collocated or not. In NR, there are four types of quasi-collocation (QCL) relationships. Specifically, a given type of QCL relationship means that several parameters of a second reference RF signal on a second beam can be derived from information about a source reference RF signal on the source beam. Thus, if the source reference RF signal is QCL type A, the receiver can use this source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift, Doppler spread, mean delay, and delay spread of a 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 a 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 a 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 the spatial reception parameters of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0046]

[0064] In receive beamforming, a receiver uses a received beam to amplify an RF signal detected on a given channel. For example, a receiver can amplify an RF signal received from a particular direction (e.g., increase its gain level) by increasing the gain setting of an antenna array in a specific direction and / or adjusting the phase setting. Therefore, when a receiver is said to be beamforming in a certain direction, it means that the beam gain in that direction is higher than the beam gain along other directions, or that the beam gain in that direction is the highest compared to the beam gain of other beams available to the receiver. This results in a stronger received signal intensity (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR)) of the RF signal received from that direction.

[0047]

[0065] Received beams can be spatially related. This spatial relationship means that the parameters of the transmit beam for a second reference signal can be derived from information about the received beam for a first reference signal. For example, a UE can use a specific received beam to receive one or more reference downlink reference signals (e.g., positioning reference signal (PRS), tracking reference signal (TRS), phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), cell-specific reference signal (CRS), channel status information reference signal (CSI-RS), primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), etc.) from a network node or entity (e.g., a base station). The UE can then form a transmit beam to transmit one or more uplink reference signals (e.g., uplink positioning reference signal (UL-PRS), sounding reference signal (SRS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), PTRS, etc.) to its network node or entity (e.g., base station) based on the parameters of the received beam.

[0048]

[0066] It should be noted that a “downlink” beam can be either a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if a network node or entity (e.g., a base station) forms a downlink beam to transmit a reference signal to a UE, then the downlink beam is a transmit beam. However, if the UE forms the downlink beam, then it is a receive beam for receiving 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 a network node or entity (e.g., a base station) forms the uplink beam, then it is an uplink receive beam, and if the UE forms the uplink beam, then it is an uplink transmit beam.

[0049]

[0067] In 5G, the frequency spectrum on which wireless network nodes or entities (e.g., base stations 102 / 180, UE 104 / 182) operate is divided into multiple frequency ranges: FR1 (450–6000 megahertz (MHz)), FR2 (24250–52600 MHz), FR3 (above 52600 MHz), and FR4 (between FR1 and FR2). In multi-carrier systems such as 5G, one of the carrier frequencies is called the "primary carrier" or "anchor carrier" or "primary serving cell" or "PCell," while the remaining carrier frequencies are called "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) used by the UE104 / 182 and on the cell where the UE104 / 182 is either performing the initial radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiating the RRC connection re-establishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common control channels and UE-specific control channels and may (but not always) be a carrier on licensed frequencies. The secondary carrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2) which may be configured once an RRC connection is established between the UE104 and the anchor carrier and may be used to provide additional radio resources. In some cases, the secondary carrier may be a carrier on unlicensed frequencies. Since both the primary uplink carrier and primary downlink carrier are typically UE-specific, the secondary carrier may contain only the necessary signaling information and signals; for example, UE-specific signaling information and signals do not need to be present in the secondary carrier. This means that different UE104 / 182s within a cell may have different downlink primary carriers. The same applies to uplink primary carriers. The network can change the primary carrier of any UE104 / 182 at any time.This is done, for example, to distribute the load across different carriers. Since a “serving cell” (whether PCell or SCell) corresponds to the carrier frequency and / or component carrier through which several base stations communicate, terms such as “cell,” “serving cell,” “component carrier,” and “carrier frequency” can be used interchangeably.

[0050]

[0068] For example, still referring to Figure 1, one of the frequencies used by the macrocell base station 102 may be the anchor carrier (or "PCell"), and the other frequencies used by the macrocell base station 102 and / or the mmW base station 180 may be secondary carriers ("SCell"). In carrier aggregation, base stations 102 and / or UE 104 can use a spectrum with bandwidths of up to Y MHz per carrier (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100 MHz) up to a total of Yx MHz (x component carriers) for transmission in each direction. Component carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other in the frequency spectrum. Carrier allocation may be asymmetric with respect to downlink and uplink (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to downlink than uplink). Simultaneous transmission and / or reception of multiple carriers allows UE 104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rates. For example, two 20MHz carriers aggregated within a multi-carrier system would theoretically result in a data rate twice as high (i.e., 40MHz) compared to the data rate achieved by a single 20MHz carrier.

[0051]

[0069] To operate on multiple carrier frequencies, base station 102 and / or UE104 are equipped with multiple receivers and / or transmitters. For example, UE104 may have two receivers, “Receiver 1” and “Receiver 2,” where “Receiver 1” is a multiband receiver that can be tuned to a band (i.e., carrier frequency) “X” or band “Y,” and “Receiver 2” is a single-band receiver that can be tuned to a band “Z” only. In this example, if UE104 is serving on band “X,” band “X” will be called the PCell or active carrier frequency, and “Receiver 1” will need to tune from band “X” to band “Y” (SCell) (and vice versa) in order to measure band “Y.” In contrast, because there is a separate “Receiver 2,” UE104 can measure band “Z” without interrupting service on band “X” or “Y,” regardless of whether UE104 is serving on band “X” or band “Y.”

[0052]

[0070] The wireless communication system 100 may further include a UE 164 capable of communicating with a macrocell base station 102 via a communication link 120 and / or with an mmW base station 180 via an mmW communication link 184. For example, the macrocell base station 102 may support a PCell and one or more SCells for the UE 164, and the mmW base station 180 may support one or more SCells for the UE 164.

[0053]

[0071] The wireless communication system 100 may further include one or more UEs, such as UE190, which are indirectly connected 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 in Figure 1, UE190 has a D2D P2P link 192 with one of the UEs 104 connected to one of the base stations 102 (for example, through which UE190 may indirectly obtain cellular connectivity), and a D2D P2P link 194 with a WLAN STA 152 connected to a WLAN AP 150 (through which UE190 may indirectly obtain WLAN-based internet connectivity). In one example, D2D P2P links 192 and 194 may be supported using any well-known D2D RAT, such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), Wi-Fi Direct (Wi-Fi-D), or Bluetooth®.

[0054]

[0072] In various configurations, Figure 2A shows an exemplary wireless network structure 200. For example, 5GC210 (also called Next Generation Core (NGC)) can be functionally seen as a control plane function 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and a user plane function 212 (e.g., UE gateway function, access to data network, IP routing, etc.), working together to form a core network. The user plane interface (NG-U) 213 and the control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect gNB222 to 5GC210, specifically to the control plane function 214 and the user plane function 212. In an additional configuration, ng-eNB224 may also be connected to 5GC210 via NG-C215 to the control plane function 214 and NG-U213 to the user plane function 212. Furthermore, ng-eNB224 may communicate directly with gNB222 via backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the new RAN220 may have only one or more gNB222s, while other configurations may include one or more of both ng-eNB224 and gNB222. Either the gNB222 or the ng-eNB224 may communicate with the UE204 (for example, any of the UEs shown in Figure 1).

[0055]

[0073] Another optional configuration may include a location server 230, which may communicate with the 5GC210 to assist in the localization of the UE204. The location server 230 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules across multiple physical servers), or alternatively, each may correspond to a single server. The location server 230 may be configured to support one or more location services for UE204 that can connect to the location server 230 via the core network, the 5GC210, and / or the internet (not shown). Furthermore, the location server 230 may be integrated with components of the core network, or alternatively, may be outside the core network. In some examples, the location server 230 may be operated by the carrier or provider of the 5GC210, a third party, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), or other related parties. In some cases, multiple location servers may be provided, such as a location server for the carrier, a location server for the OEM of a particular device, and / or other location servers. In such cases, location assistance data can be received from the carrier's location server, and other assistance data can be received from the OEM's location server.

[0056]

[0074] In various embodiments, Figure 2B shows another exemplary wireless network structure 250. For example, 5GC260 can be functionally viewed as a control plane function provided by an access and mobility management function (AMF) 264 and a user plane function provided by a user plane function (UPF) 262, working together to form a core network (i.e., 5GC260). User plane interface 263 and control plane interface 265 connect ng-eNB224 to 5GC260, specifically to UPF262 and AMF264, respectively. In additional configurations, gNB222 may also be connected to 5GC260 via a control plane interface 265 to AMF264 and a user plane interface 263 to UPF262. Furthermore, ng-eNB224 may communicate directly with gNB222 via a backhaul connection 223, with or without a direct gNB connection to 5GC260. In some configurations, the new RAN220 may have only one or more gNB222s, while other configurations may include one or more of both ng-eNB224s and gNB222s. Either a gNB222 or an ng-eNB224 may communicate with a UE204 (e.g., any of the UEs shown in Figure 1). A network node or network entity (e.g., a base station) of the new RAN220 communicates with an AMF264 via the N2 interface and with a UPF262 via the N3 interface.

[0057]

[0075] The functions of AMF264 include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transport for session management (SM) messages between UE204 and session management function (SMF)266, transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transport for short message service (SMS) messages between UE204 and short message service function (SMSF) (not shown), and / or security anchor functionality (SEAF). AMF264 also interacts with authentication server function (AUSF) (not shown) and UE204 and receives intermediate keys established as a result of the UE204 authentication process. In the case of authentication based on UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system) subscriber identity module (USIM), AMF264 retrieves security material from AUSF. The functions of AMF264 also include security context management (SCM). The SCM receives keys from the SEAF that the SCM uses to derive access network-specific keys. The AMF264's functions also include location service management for regulatory services, transport of location service messages between the UE204 and the Location Management Function (LMF) 270 (acting as the Location Server 230), transport of location service messages between the new RAN220 and the LMF270, allocation of EPS bearer identifiers for interacting with the evolved packet system (EPS), and mobility event notification for the UE204.In addition, the AMF264 also supports features for non-3GPP access networks.

[0058]

[0076] The functions of UPF262 include (when applicable) acting as an anchor point for intra-RAT / inter-RAT mobility, acting as an external protocol data unit (PDU) session point for interconnection to data networks (not shown), routing and forwarding packets, 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) processing for the user plane (e.g., uplink and / or downlink rate enforcement, reflective QoS marking on the downlink), uplink traffic verification (mapping service data flow (SDF) to QoS flow), transport-level packet marking on the uplink and downlink, downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification triggering, and sending and forwarding one or more “end markers” to the source RAN node. UPF262 may also support the transfer of location service messages over the user plane between UE204 and location servers such as the Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP) 272.

[0059]

[0077] The functions of the SMF266 ​​include session management, UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of user plane functions, configuration of traffic steering in the UPF262 for routing traffic to appropriate destinations, some controls of policy enforcement and QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface through which the SMF266 ​​communicates with the AMF264 is called the N11 interface.

[0060]

[0078] In some embodiments, location and positioning functions may be supported, for example, by a Location Management Function (LMF) 270 configured for communication with 5GC260 to provide location assistance to UE204. The LMF270 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, each may correspond to a single server. The LMF270 may be configured to support one or more location services for UE204, which can connect to the LMF270 via the core network, 5GC260, and / or via the Internet (not shown). The SLP272 may support similar functionality to the LMF270, however, the LMF270 may communicate with the AMF264, New RAN220, and UE204 via the control plane (e.g., using interfaces and protocols intended to transmit signaling messages rather than voice or data), while the SLP272 may communicate with the UE204 and external clients (not shown in Figure 2B) via the user plane (e.g., using protocols intended to carry voice and / or data, such as the transmission control protocol (TCP) and / or IP).

[0061]

[0079] In one embodiment, the LMF270 and / or SLP272 may be integrated with network nodes or entities (e.g., base stations) such as the gNB222 and / or ng-eNB224. When integrated with the gNB222 and / or ng-eNB224, the LMF270 and / or SLP272 may be referred to as “Location Management Components” or “LMC”. However, as used herein, references to the LMF270 and SLP272 include both cases where the LMF270 and SLP272 are components of a core network (e.g., 5GC260) and cases where the LMF270 and SLP272 are components of a network node or entity (e.g., base station).

[0062]

[0080] As described herein, NR supports multiple cellular network-based positioning techniques, including downlink-based, uplink-based, and downlink and uplink-based positioning methods. For example, the LMF270 can enable positioning based on location measurements calculated for various positioning signal (PRS or SRS) resources. As used herein, a “PRS resource set” is a set of PRS resources used for transmitting PRS signals, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource identifier (ID). In addition, PRS resources within a PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP. A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and associated with a specific TRP (identified, for example, by a TRP ID). In addition, PRS resources within a PRS resource set have the same periodicity, common muting pattern configuration, and the same repetition factor (e.g., PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor) across slots. Periodicity is the time from the first repetition of the first PRS resource in the first PRS instance to the same first repetition of the same first PRS resource in the next PRS instance. The periodicity is 2 μThe length can be selected from the {4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 32, 40, 64, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280, 2560, 5120, 10240} slots, and μ = 0, 1, 2, 3. The repeating coefficient can have a length selected from the {1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32} slots.

[0063]

[0081] In some cases, a PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set is associated with a single beam (and / or beam ID) transmitted from a single TRP (a TRP that may transmit one or more beams). For example, each PRS resource in a PRS resource set may transmit on a different beam, and therefore, "PRS resource" or simply "resource" may also be referred to as "beam." Note that this does not imply whether the TRP and beam transmitted on the PRS are known to the UE.

[0064]

[0082] A “PRS instance” or “PRS occasion” is one instance of a regularly repeating time frame (e.g., a group of one or more consecutive slots) in which a PRS is expected to be transmitted. A PRS occasion may also be called a “PRS positioning occasion,” “PRS positioning instance,” “positioning occasion,” “positioning instance,” “positioning iteration,” or simply “occasion,” “instance,” or “iteration.”

[0065]

[0083] A "positioning frequency layer" (also simply called a "frequency layer" or "layer") is a collection of one or more PRS resource sets across one or more TRPs having the same values ​​for several parameters. Specifically, the collection of PRS resource sets has the same subcarrier spacing (SCS) and cyclic prefix (CP) type (meaning all numerologies supported for PDSCH are also supported for PRS), the same Point A, the same downlink PRS bandwidth, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same combi size. The Point A parameter takes the value of the parameter "ARFCN-ValueNR" (where "ARFCN" stands for "Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number") and is an identifier and / or code that specifies a pair of physical radio channels used for transmission and reception. The downlink PRS bandwidth may have a granularity of 4PRB, with a minimum of 24PRB and a maximum of 272PRB. Currently, up to four frequency layers are defined, and each frequency layer can have up to two PRS resource sets per TRP.

[0066]

[0084] The concept of frequency layers is somewhat similar to the concepts of component carriers and bandwidth parts (BWPs), but differs in that component carriers and BWPs are used by a single network node or entity (e.g., a base station, or a macrocell base station and a smallcell base station) to transmit a data channel, whereas frequency layers are used by multiple (usually three or more) network nodes or entities (e.g., base stations) to transmit a PRS. When a UE transmits its positioning capabilities to the network, such as during an LTE positioning protocol (LPP) session, it may indicate the number of frequency layers it can support. For example, a UE may indicate whether it can support one positioning frequency layer or four positioning frequency layers.

[0067]

[0085] Downlink-based location measurements may include observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) in LTE, downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) in NR, and downlink angle-of-departure (DL-AoD) in NR. In OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning procedures, the UE measures the difference between the times of arrival (ToAs) of a reference signal (e.g., PRS, TRS, NRS, CSI-RS, SSB, etc.) received from a pair of network nodes or entities (e.g., base stations), referred to as reference signal time difference (RSTD) or time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements, and reports them to the positioning entity. More specifically, the UE receives identifiers of a reference network node or entity (e.g., a serving base station) and multiple non-reference network nodes or entities (e.g., base stations) in the supporting data. The UE then measures the RSTD between each of the reference network node or entity (e.g., a reference base station) and non-reference network nodes or entities (e.g., non-reference base stations). Based on the known locations of the network nodes / entities involved (e.g., base stations) and the RSTD measurements, the positioning entity (e.g., LMF270) can estimate the location of the UE. In the case of DL-AoD positioning, the network node or entity (e.g., a base station such as gNB222) measures the angle of the downlink transmit beam and other channel characteristics (e.g., signal strength) used to communicate with the UE in order to estimate the UE's location.

[0068]

[0086] Uplink-based positioning methods include uplink arrival time difference (UL-TDOA) and uplink arrival angle-of-arrival (UL-AoA). UL-TDOA is similar to DL-TDOA but is based on an uplink reference signal (e.g., SRS) transmitted by the UE. In UL-AoA positioning, a network node or entity (e.g., base station) measures the angle of the uplink received beam and other channel characteristics (e.g., gain level) used to communicate with the UE to estimate the UE's location.

[0069]

[0087] Downlink and uplink-based positioning methods include enhanced cell-ID (E-CID) positioning and multi-round-trip-time (RTT) positioning (also referred to as "multi-cell RTT" or "multi-RTT"). In the RTT procedure, an initiator (a network node or entity such as a base station, or a UE) sends an RTT measurement signal (e.g., PRS or SRS) to a responder (UE or base station), and the responder replies with an RTT response signal (e.g., SRS or PRS) to the initiator. The RTT response signal includes the difference between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal and the transmission time of the RTT response signal, called the reception-to-transmission (Rx-Tx) measurement. The initiator calculates the difference between the transmission time of the RTT measurement signal and the ToA of the RTT response signal, called the "Tx-Rx" measurement. The propagation time (also called "time of flight") between the initiator and responder can be calculated from the Tx-Rx and Rx-Tx measurement results. Based on the propagation time and the known speed of light, the distance between the initiator and responder can be determined. In the case of multi-RTT positioning, the UE performs RTT procedures with multiple network nodes or entities (e.g., base stations) to allow its location to be determined based on the known locations of network nodes (e.g., base stations) (e.g., using multilateration). RTT and multi-RTT methods can be combined with other positioning techniques such as UL-AoA and DL-AoD to improve the accuracy of positioning.

[0070]

[0088] To assist positioning operations, a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF270, or other location servers) may provide support data to the UE. For example, the support data may include identifiers of network nodes or entities (e.g., base stations or base station cells and / or TRPs) from which a reference signal should be measured, reference signal configuration parameters (e.g., the number of consecutive positioning subframes, the periodicity of positioning subframes, muting sequences, frequency hopping sequences, reference signal ID, reference signal bandwidth, etc.), and / or other parameters applicable to a particular positioning method. Alternatively, the support data may be transmitted directly from the network node or entity (e.g., base station) itself, such as in periodically broadcast overhead messages. In some cases, the UE may be able to discover neighboring network nodes themselves without using support data.

[0071]

[0089] In the case of DL-AoD, UE204 can provide DL-PRS beam RSRP measurements to LMF270, and gNB222 can provide beam azimuth and elevation information. When using the UL AoA positioning method, the position of UE204 is estimated based on UL SRS AoA measurements taken at different TRPs (not shown). For example, a TRP can directly report AoA measurements to LMF270. Using angular information (e.g., AoD or AoA) together with TRP coordinate information and beam configuration details, LMF270 can estimate the location of UE204.

[0072]

[0090] In the case of multi-RTT location measurement, the LMF270 can initiate a procedure in which multiple TRPs (not shown) and UEs perform gNB Rx-Tx measurements and UE Rx-Tx measurements, respectively. For example, gNB222 and UE204 can transmit a downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) and an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS), respectively, so that gNB222 configures the UL-SRS to UE204 using, for example, the RRC protocol. The LMF270 can then provide the DL-PRS configuration to UE204. The resulting location measurements are reported to the LMF270 by UE204 and / or gNB222 in order to perform location estimation on UE204.

[0073]

[0091] The Third Generation Partnership (3GPP) (e.g., Technical Specification (TS) TS22.261) requires location measurements for devices (e.g., UEs) with sub-meter level performance. Conventional methods for determining location measurements using ground systems determine distance using "coded phase" or RSTD measurement techniques based on the time of arrival (ToA) of the signal. In an example of RSTD measurement, the UE receives signals from multiple neighboring eNBs, and the ToA from each eNB is subtracted from the ToA of a reference eNB to produce an observed time difference of arrival (ODToA) for each neighboring eNB. Each ODToA determines a hyperbola based on a known function, and the point where the hyperbolas intersect corresponds to the location of the UE. To solve for two coordinates of the UE (e.g., latitude and longitude), at least three different timing measurements are required from geographically dispersed eNBs with good geometry. RSTD measurements cannot meet the requirements for location measurements with sub-meter level performance due to timing and location errors that propagate to each ODToA measurement, reducing the accuracy of the location measurement.

[0074]

[0092] Ground-based systems can implement the angle of departure (AoD) method or the Zenith angle of departure (ZoD) method to provide better accuracy and resource utilization within the 3GPP system. While there are contributions proposing the use of phase measurements to improve 5G / NR location measurements, the feasibility and performance of such proposals have not been sufficiently studied within 3GPP.

[0075]

[0093] In some cases, phase-measurement-based location measurements can be achieved using non-terrestrial systems such as Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) that employ carrier phase positioning techniques to provide centimeter-level accuracy. Carrier phase positioning can be performed by using the wavelength of the subcarrier signal to determine timing and / or distance measurements. In contrast to RSTD measurement techniques, carrier phase positioning estimates the phase of the subcarrier signal in the frequency domain.

[0076]

[0094] One example of a GNSS measurement technique that provides submeter-level performance is the use of real-time kinematic positioning (RTK) to improve the accuracy of current satellite navigation (e.g., GNSS-based) systems by configuring network entities (e.g., base stations such as eNBs and gNBs) to measure subcarrier signals, with the network entities retransmitting the measured phase of the carrier signal to the UE. The UE also measures the phase of the carrier signal from the satellite and compares the phase measurement at the UE with the phase measurement at the network entity to determine the distance of the mobile device from the network entity. While RTK positioning offers better accuracy than conventional GNSS measurement techniques, its accuracy is limited based on the accuracy of the network entity (e.g., base station), line of sight to the satellite, and environmental conditions that may affect measurements from the satellite system. For example, buildings can generate reflections that increase phase errors measured by mobile devices and cloudy conditions. RTK positioning is also limited to outdoor environments because the receiver device requires a line of sight to the satellite.

[0077]

[0095] Bluetooth can also use carrier phase measurement to provide centimeter-level high-precision positioning services, but this is limited to indoor environments due to the limited range of Bluetooth communication. Carrier phase measurement using Bluetooth® can be inaccurate because the reference device transmitting the carrier signal may not be fixed, and inaccuracies in the location of the reference device propagate to the carrier phase measurement.

[0078]

[0096] Figure 3 is a diagram of a UE 305 in a wireless communication system 300 that determines its location based on its distance from a terrestrial transmission device, according to several aspects of this disclosure. While Figure 3 shows the determination of the location of a UE 305 in a wireless networking system relative to network entities 310, 315, and 320, this non-limiting diagram is for illustrative purposes only, and the description herein may apply to other systems. In another exemplary example, the UE 305 may be a vehicle that employs vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication with other vehicles or UEs to determine its location relative to other vehicles or objects and to perform various driving functions such as lane assist, blind spot detection, and autonomous driving functions.

[0079]

[0097] As shown in Figure 3, the wireless communication system 300 includes a UE 305 positioned relative to network entities 310, 315, and 320. In some cases, one or more of the network entities 310, 315, and 320 may be implemented in an aggregate or monolithic base station architecture (including, for example, one or more of CU, DU, RU, near-RT RIC, or non-RT RIC), or in a non-aggregate base station architecture. Each of the network entities 310, 315, and 320 transmits a carrier signal that is received by the UE 305. In particular, network entity 310 transmits a carrier signal 322, network entity 315 transmits a carrier signal 324, and network entity 320 transmits a carrier signal 326. In some embodiments, the UE 305 may be configured to measure the distance L1 to network entity 310, the distance L2 to network entity 315, and the distance L3 to network entity 320. In one exemplary example, UE305 can determine its location based on distances L1, L2, and L3 and the respective locations of network entities 310, 315, and 320. In another example, the UE can measure parameters such as carrier phase and send the measured parameters to another device, such as a location server (e.g., LMF), which determines the UE's location.

[0080]

[0098] In some embodiments, the wireless communication system 300 is a system configured to transmit using subcarriers across various frequencies. For example, the wireless communication system 300 may be an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system configured to transmit using spaced-out subcarriers across a licensed frequency band or an unlicensed frequency band.

[0081]

[0099] Figure 4 shows a transmitting device 405 communicating with a receiving device 410 via signals 420 and 425. Signals 420 and 425 may be subcarrier signals. The transmitting device or the receiving device 410 may be configured to determine a carrier phase measurement, which can be used to determine the distance between the transmitting device 405 and the receiving device 410, based on a combination of phase measurements. In some embodiments, the transmitting device 405 or the receiving device 410 can determine the carrier phase measurement and / or the distance. For example, the receiving device 410 may determine the carrier phase measurement and transmit the carrier phase measurement to the transmitting device 405. In another example, the receiving device 410 may determine the carrier phase measurement and transmit the carrier phase measurement to another network entity, such as a location server (e.g., an LMF). The location server can receive the carrier phase measurement and use it to determine the distance between the transmitting device 405 and the receiving device 410. In some examples, the location server may receive the distance between the transmitting device 405 and one or more other receiving devices. The location server can determine the locations of the receiving device 410 and / or other receiving devices (for example, by performing triangulation using their locations) using the distance determined for the receiving device 410 and the distance between one or more other receiving devices and the transmitting device 405.

[0082]

[0100] Signals 420 and 425 are sinusoidal signals. Signal 420 has a wavelength indicated as λ1 in Figure 4, and signal 422 has a wavelength indicated as λ2. As shown in Figure 4, there are integer wavelength cycles for each signal (e.g., a subcarrier signal), including integer Nλ1 for signal 420 and integer Nλ2 for signal 425. The receiving device 410 can measure the phase 430 of signal 420 when signal 420 is received, and can measure the phase 435 of signal 425 when signal 425 is received. As shown, between the beginning of the last period or wavelength and when the signal is received by the receiving device 410, there is a fractional wavelength (fractional wavelength λ for signal 420). i1 and λ for signal 425 i2 There is a (shown as) Receiver device 410 can perform a carrier phase measurement by first determining the phase at which the signal is received (e.g., phase 430 of signal 420) and how many integer wavelengths (e.g., Nλ1 or Nλ2) have passed. For example, the distance ρ between the transmitting device 405 and the receiving device 410 is such that the integer wavelength cycles (e.g., Nλ1 or Nλ2) of the signal (e.g., signal 420 and / or signal 425) and fractional wavelengths (e.g., λ) are determined. i1 or λ i2 ) can be determined based on the following. In one exemplary example, if the wavelength λ1 is 10 centimeters (cm) and the integer of wavelength cycles Nλ1 is 1000, then the distance ρ between the transmitting device 405 and the receiving device 410 is 10 meters (m) (based on 0.01 m × 1000), and the fractional wavelength λ i1 It can be determined by adding the distance associated with it.

[0083]

[0101] As described above, the general concept of carrier phase measurement (for example, for carrier / subcarrier-based positioning) is that any distance ρ between the transmitting device 405 (e.g., eNB, gNB, etc.) and the receiving device 410 (e.g., UE) is such that the total wavelength λ and residual fractional wavelength λ of the subcarrier signal are measured. ican be expressed in terms of. Mathematically, the principle of estimating a distance (also referred to as ρ, d) using carrier phase can be given as follows.

[0084]

Math

[0085]

[0102] where Nλ is an integer number of wavelength cycles,

[0086]

Math

[0087] is the residual fractional wavelength λ of the subcarrier signal i (where when the phase is in radians, the phase φ is divided by 2π). The wavelength λ of the signal is

[0088]

Math

[0089] can be determined based on where c is the speed of light (299,792,458 meters per second) and f is the frequency of the signal. For example, a frequency of 3 gigahertz (GHz) has a wavelength of 10 centimeters (cm), and a frequency of 500 kilohertz (kHz) has a wavelength of 600 meters. The fractional wavelength (e.g., λ in FIG. 4 i1 or in formula (1)

[0090]

Math

[0091] ) can be determined using carrier phase measurement.

[0092]

[0103] Measuring the phase φ of the received subcarrier signal allows determination of the fractional wavelength λ because the carrier phase is periodic iIt provides only the following. As described above, the distance ρ between the transmitting device 405 and the receiving device 410 is the distance associated with the integer (e.g., Nλ1 or Nλ2) and fractional wavelength cycles of the signal (e.g., signal 420 and / or signal 425) and the fractional wavelength (e.g., λ). i1 or λ i2 ) can be determined based on the following. However, because the term N is ambiguous (cannot be measured directly) due to the periodicity of the carrier phase, a typical carrier phase measurement of the signal can only be used to determine the fractional phase term. For example, a signal may be received by the receiving device 410 with a carrier phase of 0.5π (e.g., 90°) or at a length of 2.5 cm for a 3 GHz signal, but the signal may have traveled at 2.5 cm, 12.5 cm, or 102.5 cm. The receiving device 410 determines the fractional wavelength λ (for example, based on a signal 420 having a higher frequency than signal 420, based on being transmitted at different times, etc.) i1 A signal 425 having a fractional wavelength λ is received. i1 Fractional wavelengths larger than λ i2 A signal 425 having the following characteristics is received. Therefore, estimation or inference (e.g., via different cycle counting techniques) is required to determine N and thus the distance ρ from the transmitting device 405 to the receiving device 410.

[0093]

[0104] In some embodiments, a number N of integer cycles can be inferred, and the unknown distance to the receiving device 410 can be determined based on carrier phase measurements using a terrestrial transmitting device (e.g., gNB, beacon, etc.). If the receiving device 410 receives at least two terrestrial transmitting devices with known locations and determines the distance to them, the receiving device 410 may be able to determine its location without a non-terrestrial source (e.g., satellite). As described above, the systems and techniques described herein can be used to determine the unknown distance between a transmitting device and a receiving device using carrier phase measurements from terrestrial devices in both indoor and outdoor environments. In some embodiments, the systems and techniques disclosed herein can be applied to other non-terrestrial devices in licensed or unlicensed bands.

[0094]

[0105] As described above, the received phase φ of the i-th carrier or subcarrier signal i (For example, the phase 430 of signal 420 shown in Figure 4) can be measured in the receiving device 410. In particular, the carrier phase can be determined based on the following equation 2.

[0095]

number

[0096]

[0106] In Equation 2, N i λ is an ambiguous integer of the wavelength cycle (as described above), ρ is the distance between the transmitting device 405 and the receiving device 410, and λ is the distance between them. i This is the wavelength of the i-th carrier or subcarrier signal,

[0097]

number

[0098] This is noise in phase measurement. In some embodiments, the received frequency-domain resource elements (REs) of an OFDM-based reference signal channel with a simple delay (e.g., PRS, SRS, etc.) can be modeled by Equation 3 below.

[0099]

number

[0100]

[0107] In Equation 3, k corresponds to a subcarrier as follows:

[0101]

number

[0102]

[0108] Here, N RB is the number of resource blocks (RBs). Term k can be considered as a subcarrier index that identifies the frequency of the signal. Term R in Equation 3 above. k D is the frequency domain RE transmitted on carrier k, and k This is the time-domain representation of a symbol transmitted on carrier k, and W k is the noise in subcarrier k. Equation 3 can be further simplified to the following Equation 4.

[0103]

number

[0104]

[0109] In equation 4, λ Δ is the wavelength difference between the two subcarrier frequencies. After descrambling, the frequency-domain PRS RE can be expressed by the following equations 5 and 6.

[0105]

number

[0106]

[0110] The carrier phase of the k-th subcarrier can be determined based on the arctangent of the imaginary part of the frequency-domain PRS RE divided by the real part of the frequency-domain PRS RE, as identified in Equation 7 below.

[0107]

number

[0108]

[0111] in this case,

[0109]

number

[0110] φ is an ambiguous number of all wavelength cycles that cannot be directly measured. k ∈(-π,π) represents the phase observation of the k-th subcarrier.

[0111]

[0112] In some embodiments, by combining carrier phase measurements φ of different subcarriers, a measuring device (e.g., transmitting device 405, receiving device 410, or another network entity such as an LMF) can eliminate integer ambiguity of cycle N. For example, instead of directly mapping phase (e.g., phase 430 of signal 420) to distance as described above, the device can combine a pair of subcarrier signals (φ below). k -φ k-mThe received phase of a pair of subcarrier sets (shown as) can be subtracted. A subcarrier set contains at least one subcarrier. An example of a “subcarrier set” is a set having a single subcarrier. In such an example, a pair of subcarriers is two subcarriers (since each set contains a single subcarrier). In some examples, a set of subcarriers may contain “X subcarriers” (e.g., consecutive subcarriers). In such an example, the measuring device can derive a single phase measurement for a set of subcarriers containing X subcarriers. The measuring device can also derive a single phase measurement (e.g., the effective, mean, median, or other representative phase of the set of subcarriers) for a second set of subcarriers containing the same number (X) or a different number (e.g., Y) subcarriers. Using the two phase measurements, the measuring device can derive the difference between the two phase measurements (e.g., φ as described below with respect to Equation 8). k -φ k-m , here, φ k This allows us to determine the effective, mean, median, or other representative phase of a set of subcarriers. The terms subcarrier pair (or pair of subcarriers) and subcarrier set pair (or pair of sets of subcarriers) are used interchangeably herein.

[0112]

[0113] In one exemplary example, for a pair of subcarriers x1 and x2, the measuring device (e.g., UE) can derive two phases φ1 and φ2. For a pair of sets of subcarriers {x1a, x1b, x1c, ... x1w} and {x2a, x2b, x2c, ... x2w}, the measuring device can derive two phases such as φ1 and φ2, where φ1 is derived based on {x1a, x1b, x1c, ... x1w} and φ2 is derived based on {x2a, x2b, x2c, ... x2w}. Phase difference (e.g., φ k -φ k-m Further details regarding this are explained below with respect to Equation 8.

[0113]

[0114] For two subcarriers that are close to each other in the frequency domain, the wavelengths of the two subcarriers are close to each other, and in that case, the number of subcarrier cycles between the transmitting device (e.g., transmitting device 405) and the receiving device (e.g., receiving device 410) will be similar.

[0114]

number

[0115] Subtracting the phases of each subcarrier (as shown below) will result in a number of wavelength cycles N that are canceled out or reduced to a negligible value, as shown by the following equation. As a result, the phase difference between subcarriers can be directly mapped to the distance d between the transmitting and receiving devices (e.g., transmitting device 405 and receiving device 410), as shown by equation (11) below. Thus, such a technique can be used to determine the distance between the transmitting and receiving devices, even considering the ambiguous number of cycles N. In some embodiments, a pair of subcarriers (or a pair of sets of subcarriers) may be referred to as a "lane," and the operation of determining the distance from the transmitting and receiving devices based on the difference in phase measurements of a pair of subcarriers (or a pair of sets of subcarriers) may be referred to as a combination of phase measurements or "wide-laning." Examples of various subcarrier pairs / sets of subcarriers and their corresponding wavelengths are shown in Figure 5. The mathematical details of the combination of phase measurements (or wide-laning) using different subcarrier pairs will be further explained below with reference to the explanations relating to equations 8 to 10.

[0116]

[0115] In some embodiments, the OFDM system transmits over a licensed or unlicensed frequency band (e.g., 5 GHz) assigning each subcarrier a separate center frequency with a fixed bandwidth, and the subcarriers are separated by a subcarrier interval, such as 30 kHz. The subcarriers are associated with a subcarrier index that identifies the separate center frequency of each separate subcarrier based on the subcarrier interval. In some communication systems, subcarriers in a particular frequency band may also be separated by a guard interval to deal with potential interference from communication devices communicating in the same frequency band. Equation 8 below represents φ k and φ k-m This shows how the carrier phase measurements of two different subcarriers, subcarrier k and subcarrier km, having corresponding carrier phases, can be combined based on the carrier phase measurements from Equation 7.

[0117]

number

[0118]

[0116] In some embodiments, the number of cycles N k and N k-m These may be equal or similar. By comparing the phases of subcarrier pairs (or subcarrier set pairs) separated by a subcarrier difference m, the phase measurement difference Δφm can be obtained (as shown in Equation 9 below), and this can be used to determine the distance d from the transmitting device 405 and the receiving device 410 (as shown in Equation 10 below).

[0119]

number

[0120]

[0117] Based on Equation 9, the phase measurement difference Δφm determined using Equation 9 may be used in the following Equation 10 to determine the distance d from the transmitting device (e.g., transmitting device 405) to the receiving device (e.g., receiving device 410).

[0121]

number

[0122]

[0118] Here,

[0123]

number

[0124] Δf is the equivalent wavelength of a subcarrier combination having subcarrier separation of mΔf, where m is the subcarrier difference and Δf is the spacing between subcarriers.

[0125]

[0119] In one exemplary example, the first subcarrier of the subcarrier pair (or subcarrier set pair) has an index value of 1 corresponding to a subcarrier frequency of 5000.03 MHz, and the second subcarrier of the subcarrier pair (or subcarrier set pair) has an index value of 2 corresponding to a subcarrier frequency of 5000.06 MHz (e.g., SCS of 30 kHz), and the subcarrier difference is 1. In this example, the subcarriers are spaced 30 kHz apart and the equivalent wavelength of the subcarrier pair

[0126]

number

[0127] teeth,

[0128]

number

[0129] That is, based on approximately 10 kilometers (km). In this example, the wavelengths of the subcarriers are approximately equal based on a frequency difference of 30 kHz. Due to the similar wavelengths of the subcarrier frequencies, the subcarriers need to travel a long distance before the number of cycles of higher frequency subcarriers increases and differs from that of lower frequency subcarriers.

[0130]

[0120] In some embodiments, a larger difference in frequency between subcarrier pairs (or subcarrier set pairs) is the difference in wavelength between subcarriers in each subcarrier pair (or subcarrier set pair) (ΔN m This will increase ΔN. m The value of is ΔN for each subcarrier pair. m Since we can find out the value of it, it doesn't need to be zero.

[0131]

[0121] In some cases, there may be a maximum number of resource blocks (RBs) that can be assigned to a particular signal (e.g., positioning reference signal (PRS), sounding reference signal (SRS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), channel status information reference signal (CSI-RS), etc.). For example, there may be up to 272 RBs that can be assigned to a PRS. In such an example, assuming a combination 1, symbol 1 RB structure with 12 assignable tones, there are 272 × 12 = 3264 different subcarrier assignments. Assuming that the maximum subcarrier distance is used (e.g., the first subcarrier has an index of 1 and the last subcarrier has an index value of 3264), the two subcarriers of a subcarrier pair (or subcarrier set pair) are separated by 3263 subcarriers, and the equivalent wavelength is,

[0132]

number

[0133] Therefore, if the shortest subcarrier distance is used (for example, the first subcarrier has an index of 1 and the next subcarrier has an index of 2), the two subcarriers of the subcarrier pair are separated by 3263 subcarriers, and the equivalent wavelength is

[0134]

number

[0135] (or 10km)

[0136]

[0122] In some embodiments, there are more subcarrier pairs (or subcarrier set pairs) with longer equivalent wavelengths than there are subcarrier pairs with shorter equivalent wavelengths. For example, there is a single subcarrier pair combination (e.g., subcarrier pair [1, 3264]) that results in a subcarrier distance of 3263, and there are 3263 subcarrier pairs (e.g., [1, 2], [2, 3], [3, 4], ..., [3263, 3264]) that have a subcarrier spacing of 1. In some embodiments, a narrow subcarrier pair (corresponding to a wide lane) refers to subcarriers whose frequencies are relatively close to each other and whose wavelengths are similar, and a wide subcarrier pair (corresponding to a narrow lane) refers to subcarriers whose frequencies are farther apart and whose wavelengths are less similar compared to a narrow subcarrier pair, as will be explained herein with reference to Figure 5.

[0137]

[0123] Narrow subcarrier pairs or wide subcarrier pairs cannot produce accurate initial results in all cases, so different subcarrier combinations may be used to identify the unknown location of the device. For example, a narrow subcarrier group may be inaccurate because the receiving device may be close to the transmitting device (e.g., 200m), in which case the phase difference of the narrow subcarrier pair may be outside the measurement sensitivity of the phase measuring device on the receiving device, and the measured phase will be dominated by noise (e.g.,

[0138]

number

[0139] ). The phase of each subcarrier measurement is below the noise floor of the measurement (for example,

[0140]

number

[0141] ), if the subcarrier phase difference is zero, the measured phase results in zero distance from the transmitting device to the receiving device. In some embodiments, zero distance indicates that the transmitting device and the receiving device occupy the same physical space, which is impossible. In this case, the narrowest subcarrier group cannot be used to determine the distance between transmitting device 405 and receiving device 410. The widest subcarrier group also cannot determine the distance between transmitting device 405 and receiving device 410 because receiving device 410 is outside the minimum equivalent wavelength of 3m and has an ambiguous number of cycles N.

[0142]

[0124] In some embodiments, wide subcarrier pairs may be used when the initial location is known and the number of cycles can be determined. For example, if the location of the receiving device is known within a radius of 3 meters, the widest subcarrier pair identified above (e.g., subcarrier pair [1, 3264]) may be used to identify the location within that radius of 3 meters to the centimeter. In some embodiments, narrow subcarrier pairs may be used to identify a coarser location within a larger area but with lower precision, and then different subcarrier pairs may be used to identify a location within a smaller area but with higher precision.

[0143]

[0125] Figure 5 is a graph showing the wavelengths of subcarrier pairs based on the subcarrier spacing and the wavelength difference between subcarrier pairs in an OFDM system according to some aspects of the present disclosure. In Figure 5, the equivalent wavelength of a subcarrier pair is indicated by reference numeral 505, and the wavelength difference is indicated by reference numeral 510. As described above, narrower subcarrier pairs have larger equivalent wavelengths based on the fact that the wavelengths of their subcarriers are closer than those of wider subcarrier pairs.

[0144]

[0126] As previously mentioned, a reference signal is a predefined signal that occupies a specific resource element within the time-frequency grid of a resource block (RB) (sometimes referred to as a physical resource block (PRB)) and can be exchanged over one or both of the downlink and uplink physical communication channels. Exemplary reference signals include, among others, a positioning reference signal (PRS), a sounding reference signal (SRS), a channel status information reference signal (CSI-RS), and a demodulation reference signal (DMRS). In some cases, an RB may be the smallest unit of resources that can be allocated for communication.

[0145]

[0127] Figure 6 shows an example of an RB602 (or PRB602). The RB602 has the time domain on the horizontal (or x-) axis and the frequency domain on the vertical (or y-) axis. As shown, the RB602 can be 180 kilohertz (kHz) wide in frequency and 1 slot length in time (a slot is 1 millisecond (ms) in time). In some cases, a slot may contain 14 symbols (for example, in slot configuration 0). The RB602 contains 12 subcarriers (along the y-axis) and 14 symbols (along the x-axis). The intersection of symbols and subcarriers may be called a resource element (RE) or tone. For example, an RE is 1 subcarrier × 1 symbol and is the smallest discrete part of a subframe. An RE contains a single complex value representing data from a physical channel or signal.

[0146]

[0128] A combination (also called a tone pattern) can be defined as a specific arrangement of REs in a given resource block for transmitting a reference signal. Combi structures are now predefined in 3GPP communication standards (e.g., 5G / NR, 4G / LTE, etc.) and may be known to both user equipment (UE) and corresponding network entities (e.g., base stations or parts thereof).

[0147]

[0129] An example of a combi structure for a reference signal (e.g., PRS, SRS, etc.) is shown in Figure 7. For example, combi structure 710 is a combi 2 structure having two symbols (shown as a combi 2 / 2 symbol structure). According to the combi 2 / 2 symbol structure of combi structure 710, every other symbol is assigned to a reference signal resource. The combi pattern in Figure 7 is for one TRP. Table 1 below outlines combi structures 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, 722, and 724.

[0148] [Table 1]

[0149]

[0130] The proposed bandwidth for the PRS signal (in relation to the number of PRBs or RBs) is defined by the dl-PRS-ResourceBandwidth field or parameter in the 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 37.355. The dl-PRS-ResourceBandwidth parameter may be included in the assistance data (e.g., the NR-DL-PRS-AssistanceData message) sent by the user device (e.g., UE) to the network entity (e.g., LMF or location server such as a base station). The dl-PRS-ResourceBandwidth field or parameter can have a value from 1 to 63, as shown below in the NR-DL-PRS-PositioningFrequencyLayer-r16 field of the NR-DL-PRS-AssistanceData message.

[0150] [Table 2]

[0151]

[0131] The dl-PRS-ResourceBandwidth parameter can be defined as follows: This parameter indicates the number of physical resource blocks (PRBs) allocated to the downlink (DL) PRS resource (allocated DL PRS bandwidth). All DL PRS resources in a DL PRS resource set have the same bandwidth. All DL PRS resource sets belonging to the same positioning frequency layer have the same value for DL ​​PRS bandwidth and starting PRB. A value of 1 is equal to 24 PRBs, a value of 2 is equal to 28 PRBs, a value of 3 is equal to 32 PRBs, and so on. Based on this definition, the bandwidth range for PRS is equal to 24:4:272, where the minimum is 24 PRBs and the maximum is 272 PRBs (based on multiplying 4 by 62 (=248) and adding 24, which is the minimum number of PRBs).

[0152]

[0132] The dl-PRS-CombSizeN parameter in the NR-DL-PRS-AssistanceData message described above indicates the RE interval in each symbol of the downlink PRS resource, and indicates that all downlink PRS resource sets belonging to the same PFL (positioning frequency layer) have the same value of combSize. As described above, the PRS positioning frequency layer is defined as a collection of PRS resource sets, and each PRS resource set defines a collection of PRS resources. For example, PRS may be transmitted in multiple beams by a network entity (e.g., one or more of the transmit-receive points (TRPs) of a base station, such as CU, DU, RU, near-RT RIC, or non-RT RIC) where a PRS beam may be referred to as a PRS resource, but the full set of PRS beams transmitted from a network entity (e.g., one or more of the TRPs of a base station, such as CU, DU, RU, near-RT RIC, or non-RT RIC) on the same frequency is referred to as a PRS resource set. Each PRS resource may have a PRS resource identifier (ID). In some cases, PRS resources within a PRS resource set may be associated with the same transmit-receive point (TRP). In some embodiments, a PRS resource set may be identified by a PRS resource set ID and associated with a specific TRP (identified by a TRP ID). In addition, PRS resources within a PRS resource set may have the same periodicity across slots, a common muting pattern configuration, and the same repetition factor (e.g., PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor).

[0153]

[0133] Existing combi structures may not be optimized for carrier phase positioning. For example, the same combi size is defined for all PRS resource sets defined in a given PFL. Existing combi structures also provide a symmetrical allocation of REs in the frequency domain. For example, in the combi 2 structure shown in Figure 7, RB symbols are assigned to PRS resources every other time.

[0154]

[0134] Furthermore, existing combinator structures specify a regular (or consistent) arrangement of REs across all RBs. For example, an existing combinator structure for a PRS has a single RB boundary (shown as a 1-RB boundary), in which case all RBs for the PRS have the same RE assigned to the PRS resource (e.g., the combinator structure repeats for each RB). An existing combinator structure also does not specify that consecutive symbols in an RB can be assigned to the PRS resource.

[0155]

[0135] The systems and techniques described herein provide reference signals that are optimal for determining carrier phase measurements for carrier phase positioning. Figure 8A is a figure 800 showing an example of a group of resource blocks (RBs) having a regular resource element (RE) structure by an existing combination 2 structure (having 1 resource block boundary). Figures 8B and 8C are figures 805 and 810 showing examples of RBs having an irregular RE structure (having X resource block boundary), respectively. The RBs in Figures 8A to 8C represent resources for reference signals from two different sources, such as two TRPs (shown as TRP1 and TRP2). The reference signals may include any reference signals that can be used for carrier phase positioning, such as PRS, SRS, etc. The RBs shown in Figures 8A to 8C include the first resource block (RB1), the second resource block (RB2), the third resource block (RB3), the fourth resource block (RB4), the fifth resource block (RB5), the sixth resource block (RB6), the seventh resource block (RB7), and the eighth resource block (RB8). The subcarriers associated with the RBs in Figures 8A to 8C increase in frequency vertically (for example, RB1 has the lowest frequency subcarrier, followed by RB2, RB3, and so on). Resource blocks RB1 to RB8 are part of the total number of resource blocks for the resources and / or resource sets of the reference signals from two sources. For example, as mentioned above, the minimum bandwidth for the PRS is 24 RBs, and the maximum bandwidth is 272 RBs.

[0156]

[0136] Referring to Figure 8A, as described above, the combo 2 structure of RB has a 1-RB boundary. According to the 1-RB boundary, the combo pattern is repeated four times for every four RBs. As a result, the combo structure is repeated and therefore the same for all RBs of the reference signal. In this case, all RBs of the reference signal have an RE assigned to the PRS resource, and the same RE is assigned in each RB.

[0157]

[0137] The RBs in Figures 8B and 8C are associated with a reference signal (e.g., PRS, SRS, or other reference signal that may be used for carrier phase positioning) having an X resource block boundary, where X is an integer value greater than 1. The X resource block boundary indicates that the combi structure for the reference signal (arrangement of RE with the RB of the reference signal) is repeated a specific number of times (e.g., once, twice, or three times) for each X resource block. At the X resource block boundary, some RBs may not contain data for the reference signal or may not be assigned to the reference signal. For example, for any RB between RBs where the combi pattern designates an RE for the reference signal, the RE is not assigned to the reference signal.

[0158]

[0138] In one exemplary example, the X resource block boundary may be a 4 resource block boundary. Figures 8B and 8C show examples of RBs for a reference signal (e.g., PRS) with a 4 resource block boundary. Generally, based on the 4 resource block boundary, the combi structure for the reference signal is repeated once, twice, or three times for every four RBs. In Figure 8B, the combi structure 807 (or pattern) is repeated once for every four RBs. In particular, the combi structure 807 is repeated in RB2 and RB6, but not in RB1, RB3, RB4, RB5, RB7, or RB8. In Figure 8C, the combi structure 811 (or pattern) is repeated twice for every four RBs. As shown, the combi structure 811 is repeated in RB1, RB4, RB5, and RB8, but not in RB2, RB3, RB6, or RB7.

[0159]

[0139] The irregular resource element structure provided by the X resource block boundary for the reference signal (e.g., PRS, SRS, etc.) may be useful for carrier phase positioning techniques (compared to the regular resource element structure provided in existing combination structures) and may save bandwidth by transmitting fewer resources for the reference signal. For example, the resource structure in Figure 8B may be specified or signaled by a network entity (e.g., a location server, base station, or part thereof) when the network entity wants the device receiving the subcarrier signal (e.g., UE) to use a more distant (e.g., narrower lane) subcarrier pair (or subcarrier set pair). In such a case, fewer consecutive subcarriers need to be signaled because the subcarrier pair (or subcarrier set pair) to be signaled are further apart from each other. Referring to Figure 8B, data is signaled in the REs of RB2 and RB6 for a reference signal (e.g., PRS) according to a combi pattern so that the device can calculate a phase measurement (e.g., phase measurement difference Δφm) for the subcarrier pair (or subcarrier set pair) associated with the assigned REs in RB2 and RB6, but the data is not signaled in any of the REs of RB1, RB3, RB4, RB5, RB7, and RB8 for the reference signal.

[0160]

[0140] In another example, the resource structure in Figure 8C may be designated or signaled by a network entity (e.g., a location server, base station, or a part thereof) when the network entity wants the device (e.g., UE) receiving the subcarrier signal to use subcarrier pairs (or subcarrier set pairs) that are closer to each other (e.g., wider lanes). For example, subcarriers that are closer to each other (e.g., consecutive subcarriers) need to be signaled. In the example in Figure 8C, the data is signaled in REs such as RB1, RB4, RB5, RB8 for a reference signal (e.g., PRS) according to a combi pattern. The device can then calculate a phase measurement (e.g., phase measurement difference Δφm) for the subcarrier pair (or subcarrier set pair) associated with the assigned RE in RB1, RB4, RB5, RB8, etc. As shown, the data is not signaled in any of the REs of RB2, RB3, RB6, or RB7 for the reference signal.

[0161]

[0141] Signaling overhead and bandwidth can be saved by signaling less data (by having some of the RBs not include data for a given reference signal). Such irregular combination structures can provide network entities (e.g., base stations such as gNBs, or parts thereof such as one or more of CUs, DUs, RUs, near-RT RICs, or non-RT RICs) with the opportunity to multiplex more TRPs or signaling from base stations.

[0162]

[0142] In some embodiments, the resource block may be given a pattern that is non-uniform in the frequency domain and / or continuous in the time domain. For example, a consecutive number of symbols for a non-uniform number of subcarriers in the RB may be assigned to one or more resources of the reference signal (e.g., a PRS resource). Figure 9A shows an example of RB902 having eight consecutive symbols for four subcarriers (out of 12 available subcarriers) assigned to a resource of the reference signal (e.g., a PRS resource). Figure 9B shows an example of RB904 having twelve consecutive symbols for three subcarriers (out of 12 available subcarriers) assigned to a resource of the reference signal (e.g., a PRS resource).

[0163]

[0143] RB902 in Figure 9A and RB904 in Figure 9B provide a reference signal resource (e.g., subcarriers) that is continuous in the time domain. Block-type reference signal structures such as PRS structures are advantageous for phase measurement compared to the current staggered patterns currently defined for reference signals (e.g., PRS structures shown in Figures 7 and 8A). For example, providing a resource block with consecutive symbols assigned to a PRS or other reference signal allows a device (e.g., UE) to more easily measure phase information (for carrier phase positioning) for multiple symbols, if the subcarrier index numbers for multiple symbols are constant (indicating that the symbols are associated with the same frequency subcarrier). For example, by defining a structure for a PRS (or a similar structure with consecutive REs in the time domain) as shown in Figure 9A or Figure 9B, the device can determine the simple sum of complex numbers in the same line of block symbols. However, when using staggered patterns for a PRS or other reference signal, phase estimation can involve complex calculations to compensate for frequency bias or timing errors.

[0164]

[0144] Furthermore, orthogonality problems due to sampling window mismatch can be avoided by using a block-type structure for the reference signal (e.g., PRS), as shown in Figures 9A and 9B. For example, when PRS signals from multiple adjacent gNBs arrive with different latencies, signals from one or more gNBs that are further away from the receiving device (e.g., UE) may arrive after other signals, and only a portion of the signal may be included in the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) window used in the phase measurement process. As a result, subcarrier interference may occur for certain symbols (e.g., the first and last symbols), causing corruption of the phase measurement. By repeating the data for the reference signal (e.g., PRS) several times in consecutive symbols in the time domain (e.g., as shown in Figures 9A and 9B), the receiving device can discard symbols with subcarrier interference (e.g., the first and last symbols) and use only the intermediate symbols that contain the full-length subcarrier wave.

[0165]

[0145] Consistently providing data in subcarriers over time also provides greater robustness with respect to Doppler. For example, in the case of the combi2 / symbol12 structure 720 in Figure 7, if the device determines a subcarrier pair or subcarrier set pair (e.g., lane) using the difference between the subcarrier corresponding to RE730 in the third symbol and the subcarrier corresponding to RE732 in the fourth symbol, the data will be contained in different subcarriers at different times and is therefore less robust to Doppler than if the device were to compare the same subcarriers continuously over time.

[0166]

[0146] Allowing the frequency domain components of a resource block (e.g., subcarriers) to be non-uniform in the RB also allows a network entity (e.g., a location server such as an LMF or a base station such as a gNB, or a part thereof) to specify to a receiving device (e.g., a UE) which subcarriers can be used in carrier phase positioning (e.g., to determine the phase difference between two subcarriers). For example, referring to Figure 9A, the network entity can select which subcarrier pair (or subcarrier set pair or lane) the receiving device wants to use for phase measurement. The network device can send signaling or messaging (e.g., directly or via the base station or other network entity) to the receiving device indicating that data for a reference signal has been assigned to the REs corresponding to subcarriers 2, 5, 7, and 11 in the RB902. An example of such signaling or messaging may include a frequency bin bitmap, which will be described in more detail below. Such a mechanism can avoid the unnecessary overhead of having to transmit all subcarriers. Using the existing combi structure, a network entity would have to use a combi 2 structure because it provides at least one set of subcarriers with a subcarrier distance (or gap or difference) of 2, and therefore provides data in every other subcarrier. In the example in Figure 9B, a first subcarrier pair or lane between subcarrier 9 and subcarrier 10 (with a subcarrier distance of 1), a second subcarrier pair or lane between subcarrier 9 and subcarrier 2 (with a subcarrier distance of 7), and a third subcarrier pair or lane between subcarrier 10 and subcarrier 2 (with a subcarrier distance of 8) could be used for carrier phase positioning. Such a scenario is not supported using the existing combi structure because there is no combi structure with two subcarriers having a subcarrier distance of 1.Using the existing combinatorial structure, network entities must measure subcarriers across symbols, which introduces the Doppler problem, degrading positioning accuracy.

[0167]

[0147] In some examples, a network entity (e.g., a location server such as an LMF or a base station such as a gNB, or a portion thereof) can generate information indicating a specific RE in the frequency domain allocated to contain data for a reference signal resource (e.g., a PRS resource). For example, a network entity can generate a frequency bin bitmap (also referred to as a bitmap) indicating a specific subcarrier of the RB allocated to a reference signal (e.g., a PRS). The network entity can signal the bitmap to another network entity or receiving device (e.g., a UE) to specify the subcarriers in the RB allocated to the reference signal. For example, if the bitmap is transmitted from a first network entity (e.g., a location server) to a second network entity (e.g., a base station such as a gNB, or a portion thereof, such as one or more of a CU, DU, RU, near-RT RIC, or non-RT RIC) configured to transmit a reference signal resource, the bitmap can indicate to the second network entity that the subcarriers of the resource block specified in the bitmap should contain data for the reference signal. In another example, if a bitmap is sent from a network entity (e.g., a location server, base station, or part thereof) to the UE, the bitmap may indicate to the UE that the subcarriers of a specified resource block in the bitmap contain data for a reference signal.

[0168]

[0148] A frequency bin bitmap for an RB may include a value of 0 or 1 for each available subcarrier for that RB (for example, the sum of 12 values ​​in the bitmap for an RB with 12 available subcarriers). Referring to Figure 9A as an exemplary example, the corresponding bitmap may be represented as 010010100010 for RE in the frequency domain. The exemplary bitmap for Figure 9A shows that the subcarriers corresponding to RE2, 5, 7, and 11 (along the Y axis in Figure 9A) are allocated to a reference signal resource (for example, a specific PRS resource). An exemplary bitmap corresponding to Figure 9B may be specified as 010000001100 for RE in the frequency domain, showing that the subcarriers corresponding to RE2, 9, and 10 are given to a reference signal resource (for example, a specific PRS resource). In some examples, a frequency bin bitmap may be given for each symbol index to which the symbol to which the bitmap applies can be shown to a user device (e.g., UE) (e.g., which may be signaled by a network entity such as a location server, base station, or a part thereof). For example, referring to the example in Figure 9A, bitmap 010010100010 can be signaled for symbol indices 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

[0169]

[0149] According to additional or alternative embodiments described herein, a network entity (e.g., a location server, a base station, or a portion thereof, such as one or more of a CU, DU, RU, near-RT RIC, or non-RT RIC) or a receiving device (e.g., a UE) can combine reference signal resources (e.g., PRS resources) by combining resource elements of reference signal resources. In some cases, the network entity can perform frequency-domain muting or suppression to remove specific resource elements from the combined reference signal resources. For example, to obtain an asymmetric structure, the network entity or receiving device can synthesize reference signal resources (e.g., PRS resources) and, in some cases, enable frequency-domain muting on the synthesized resources.

[0170]

[0150] In some examples, a receiving device (e.g., a UE) may receive signaling (e.g., from a network entity such as a location server, base station, or part thereof) indicating that the receiving device can or should synthesize received signals across a reference signal resource (e.g., a PRS resource). In some examples, a base station (e.g., a gNB or part thereof) may receive signaling from another network entity (e.g., a location server such as an LMF) indicating that the base station should or will perform the transmission of a reference signal resource (e.g., a PRS resource) that would enable the UE to combine received reference signal measurements (e.g., PRS measurements).

[0171]

[0151] In some embodiments, in order to combine a reference signal resource (e.g., a PRS resource), the receiving device can coherently use all of the received signal across the reference signal resource (e.g., a PRS resource) to derive a phase measurement. In one exemplary example, two PRS resources having a combination 2 / symbol 2 structure (e.g., as shown in Figure 7) can be combined to create a combination 1 / symbol 2 PRS configuration.

[0172]

[0152] In some cases, frequency-domain muting may then be enabled to obtain an asymmetric RB structure. A network entity (e.g., LMF) may provide another network entity (e.g., a base station or a portion thereof) with new signaling specifying that PRS resources in the resource set be combined and / or that frequency-domain muting be performed. Similar techniques may be performed for other reference signal resources, such as SRS resources. Exemplary examples of such techniques are described below with respect to Figures 10A to 10C.

[0173]

[0153] Figure 10A shows an example of a resource block 1002 having REs assigned to four PRS resources from four sources, including a first TRP (TRP1), a second TRP (TRP2), a third TRP (TRP3), and a fourth TRP (TRP4). In Figure 10A, the four PRS resources have a combi2 / symbol2 configuration, spanning four consecutive symbols. In Figure 10B, a network entity (e.g., a location server, a base station, or a portion thereof, such as one or more of CUs, DUs, RUs, near-RT RICs, or non-RT RICs) combines the REs of the four PRS resources to create a combi1 / symbol4 configuration. In some cases, assistance from a network entity (e.g., location server or LMF assistance) may be required to combine the REs. For example, a location server may send configuration information to a base station (or a portion thereof) indicating which REs of different RBs should be combined into a common RB.

[0174]

[0154] Figure 10C shows an example of frequency-domain muting on a combined reference signal resource (e.g., a combined PRS resource). For example, referring to RB1004 in Figure 10B, a network entity (e.g., a base station such as a gNB or a portion thereof) can remove REs corresponding to subcarriers 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11 in order to generate RB1006 in Figure 10C. In particular, RE bins {2,3,6,7,8,10,11} are muted. In some cases, assistance from a network entity (e.g., a location server or LMF assistance) may be required to perform frequency-domain muting of REs. For example, a location server may send configuration information to a base station (or a portion thereof) indicating which REs of different RBs should be removed from the combined RB.

[0175]

[0155] While the examples described herein are based on signaling between a network entity (e.g., a location server, a base station or a part thereof) and a user device (e.g., a UE), the systems and techniques described herein may be applied to direct communication between devices (e.g., between UEs, vehicles, etc.) using sidelink communication (e.g., a cellular-based PC5 sidelink interface, an 802.11p defined dedicated narrow-range communication (DSRC) interface, or other direct interfaces).

[0176]

[0156] Figure 11 is a flowchart of an example of process 1100 for wireless communication. Process 1100 may be performed by a computing device or apparatus, such as a wireless communication device (e.g., UE), or a component or system of a wireless communication device (e.g., chipset). The operation of process 1100 may be implemented as a software component that runs on and operates on one or more processors (e.g., processor(s) 1384 in Figure 13, processor(s) 1412 in Figure 14, or other processor(s)). Furthermore, the transmission and reception of signals by the wireless communication device in process 1100 may be enabled, for example, by one or more antennas (e.g., antenna(s) 1387 in Figure 13) and / or one or more transceivers (e.g., wireless transceiver(s) 1378 in Figure 13).

[0177]

[0157] In block 1102, the wireless communication device (or its components) receives a plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS). The combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the plurality of resource blocks. For example, according to the combination structure, a first subset of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks contains data for the PRS. In some cases, according to the combination structure, a second subset of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks does not contain data for the PRS. In some exemplary cases, the combination structure of the PRS may be repeated across a plurality of resource blocks as shown in Figure 8B or Figure 8C, where some resource blocks contain data for the PRS and some resource blocks do not contain data for the PRS. The repetition may be based on an X resource block boundary for the PRS, where the combination structure of the PRS is repeated once for every four consecutive resource blocks of the plurality of resource blocks, twice for every four consecutive resource blocks of the plurality of resource blocks, and so on. In one exemplary example, as shown in Figure 8B, the combination structure 807 is repeated in RB2 and RB6 (which include data for a reference signal, such as a PRS), but not in RB1, RB3, RB4, RB5, RB7, or RB8 (which do not include data for a reference signal, such as a PRS). In another exemplary example, as shown in Figure 8C, the combination structure 811 is repeated in RB1, RB4, RB5, and RB8 (which include data for a reference signal, such as a PRS), but not in RB2, RB3, RB6, or RB7 (which do not include data for a reference signal, such as a PRS).

[0178]

[0158] In some embodiments, the resource blocks are received from a first network entity. In some embodiments, the resource blocks are received from a second network entity different from the first network entity. In one exemplary example, the first network entity is a location server (e.g., LMF), and the second network entity is a base station (e.g., an eNB, gNB, or a part thereof, such as one or more of a CU, DU, RU, near-RT RIC, or non-RT RIC).

[0179]

[0159] In some embodiments, a wireless communication device (or its components) receives information from a first network entity indicating resource elements of a plurality of resource blocks containing data associated with the PRS. For example, as described herein, the information may include a bitmap. The bitmap may also be referred to as a frequency bin bitmap and may include values ​​of 0 or 1 for each available subcarrier for a particular RB. In one exemplary example, referring to Figure 9A, the bitmap may be represented as 010010100010 for RE in the frequency domain, indicating that the subcarriers corresponding to RE2, 5, 7, and 11 (along the Y axis in Figure 9A) are allocated to a reference signal resource (e.g., a particular PRS resource).

[0180]

[0160] In some examples, multiple consecutive symbols of resource blocks from multiple resource blocks contain data associated with the PRS. In some cases, multiple consecutive symbols are associated with a common subcarrier index. Each resource block from multiple resource blocks may contain a heterogeneous set of subcarriers containing data associated with the PRS. For example, as shown in Figure 9A, eight consecutive symbols for a heterogeneous set of subcarriers 2, 5, 7, 11, and 12 (out of 12 available subcarriers for resource block 902) are assigned to the resource of the corresponding reference signal (e.g., the PRS resource).

[0181]

[0161] In some cases, the wireless communication device (or its components) receives a message indicating that resource elements of a first resource block associated with a first PRS resource of the PRS are to be combined with resource elements of a second resource block associated with a second PRS resource of the PRS. Based on the message, the wireless communication device (or its components) can combine the resource elements of the first resource block with the resource elements of the second resource block. In one exemplary example, the wireless communication device (or its components) can combine the resource elements of the first resource block and the resource elements of the second resource block by coherently using all of the received signals across the reference signal PRS resource to derive a phase measurement. In some cases, one or more resource elements are removed from the resource elements of the first resource block that have been combined with the resource elements of the second resource block (for example, before the combination). For example, the wireless communication device (or its components) can remove one or more resource elements or network entities (for example, a first network entity or a second network entity).

[0182]

[0162] In block 1104, the wireless communication device (or its components) transmits a phase measurement report to a first network entity. The phase measurement report includes information associated with the measured phase difference between at least one pair of subcarrier sets of multiple resource blocks. As described above, a subcarrier set includes at least one subcarrier. For example, as described above, an example of a “set of subcarriers” is a set having a single subcarrier. In such a case, a pair of subcarriers includes two subcarriers (since each set includes a single subcarrier). In some examples, “X subcarriers” (e.g., consecutive subcarriers) may be included in a set of subcarriers, in which case the wireless communication device can derive a single phase measurement for a set of subcarriers containing X subcarriers. The measurement report may include the measured phase difference (one or more) between at least one pair of subcarrier sets, or it may include the measured phase (in which case the first network entity or another network entity can determine the phase difference (one or more)).

[0183]

[0163] In some embodiments, a wireless communication device (or its components) receives a carrier phase measurement request from a first network entity (e.g., a location server or another network entity) to report a phase measurement for one or more subcarrier set pairs of a plurality of resource blocks. In some cases, the wireless communication device (or its components) measures the phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of one or more subcarrier set pairs of the subcarriers based on the carrier phase measurement request. The wireless communication device (or its components) may then transmit a phase measurement report to the first network entity based on the carrier phase measurement request from the first network entity.

[0184]

[0164] Figure 12 is a flowchart of an example of process 1200 for wireless communication. Process 1200 may be performed by a first network entity (e.g., a location server such as an eNB, gNB, LMF, or a part thereof, such as one or more of a CU, DU, RU, near-RT RIC, or non-RT RIC) or by a component or system of the network entity (e.g., a chipset). The operation of process 1200 may be performed on one or more processors (e.g., processor 1412 in Figure 14 or one or more other processors) and implemented as an operating software component. Furthermore, the transmission and reception of signals by the wireless communication device in process 1200 may be enabled, for example, by one or more antennas and / or one or more transceivers (e.g., one or more wireless transceivers).

[0185]

[0165] In block 1202, the first network entity (or a component thereof) sends a message to the second network entity containing a configuration for a plurality of resource blocks associated with the positioning reference signal (PRS). In some cases, the first network entity is a location server (e.g., LMF), and the second network entity is a base station (e.g., an eNB, gNB, or a portion thereof, such as one or more of a CU, DU, RU, near-RT RIC, or non-RT RIC). In some embodiments, the plurality of resource blocks are sent from the first network entity to the user equipment (UE). In some embodiments, the plurality of resource blocks are sent from the second network entity to the UE.

[0186]

[0166] Based on the configuration for multiple resource blocks associated with the PRS, the combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the multiple resource blocks. For example, according to the combination structure, a first subset of resource blocks from the multiple resource blocks contains data for the PRS. In some cases, according to the combination structure, a second subset of resource blocks from the multiple resource blocks does not contain data for the PRS. In some exemplary cases, the combination structure of the PRS may be repeated across multiple resource blocks as shown in Figure 8B or Figure 8C, where some resource blocks contain data for the PRS and some resource blocks do not contain data for the PRS. The repetition is based on the X resource block boundary for the PRS, where the combination structure of the PRS is repeated once for every four consecutive resource blocks of the multiple resource blocks, twice for every four consecutive resource blocks of the multiple resource blocks, and so on. In one exemplary example, as shown in Figure 8B, the combination structure 807 is repeated in RB2 and RB6 (which include data for a reference signal, such as a PRS), but not in RB1, RB3, RB4, RB5, RB7, or RB8 (which do not include data for a reference signal, such as a PRS). In another exemplary example, as shown in Figure 8C, the combination structure 811 is repeated in RB1, RB4, RB5, and RB8 (which include data for a reference signal, such as a PRS), but not in RB2, RB3, RB6, or RB7 (which do not include data for a reference signal, such as a PRS).

[0187]

[0167] In some embodiments, a first network entity (or a component thereof) transmits information for reception by the UE that indicates resource elements of a plurality of resource blocks containing data associated with the PRS. For example, as described herein, the information may include a bitmap. The bitmap may also be referred to as a frequency bin bitmap and may include a value of 0 or 1 for each available subcarrier for a particular RB. In one exemplary example, referring to Figure 9B, the bitmap may be specified as 010000001100 for RE in the frequency domain, indicating that the subcarriers corresponding to RE2, 9, and 10 (along the Y axis in Figure 9B) are given to the reference signal resource (e.g., to a particular PRS resource).

[0188]

[0168] In some examples, multiple consecutive symbols of resource blocks from multiple resource blocks contain data associated with the PRS. In some cases, multiple consecutive symbols are associated with a common subcarrier index. Each resource block from multiple resource blocks may contain a heterogeneous set of subcarriers containing data associated with the PRS. For example, as shown in Figure 9A, eight consecutive symbols for a heterogeneous set of subcarriers 2, 5, 7, 11, and 12 (out of 12 available subcarriers for resource block 902) are assigned to the resource of the corresponding reference signal (e.g., the PRS resource).

[0189]

[0169] In some cases, the first network entity (or its components) sends a message indicating that the resource elements of the first resource block associated with the first PRS resource of the PRS are combined with the resource elements of the second resource block associated with the second PRS resource of the PRS. Based on the message, the UE (or its components) can combine the resource elements of the first resource block with the resource elements of the second resource block. In some cases, the message further indicates that one or more resource elements are removed (for example, before the combination) from the resource elements of the first resource block that have been combined with the resource elements of the second resource block. For example, a wireless communication device (or its components) can remove one or more resource elements or network entities (for example, the first network entity or the second network entity).

[0190]

[0170] In block 1204, the first network entity (or its components) receives a phase measurement report from the UE. The phase measurement report includes information associated with the measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of a plurality of resource blocks. In some embodiments, the first network entity (or its components) sends a carrier phase measurement request to report phase measurements for one or more subcarrier set pairs of a plurality of resource blocks for reception by the UE.

[0191]

[0171] Figure 13 shows an example of a computing system 1370 for a user device (UE) 1307. In some examples, the UE 1307 may include a mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, tracking device, wearable device (e.g., smartwatch, glasses, XR device, etc.), Internet of Things (IoT) device, and / or other devices used by the user to communicate over a wireless communication network. The computing system 1370 includes software and hardware components that may be electrically coupled (or, as appropriate, communicate) over a bus 1389. For example, the computing system 1370 includes one or more processors 1384. One or more processors 1384 may include one or more CPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, APs, GPUs, VPUs, NSPs, microcontrollers, dedicated hardware, any combination thereof, and / or other processing devices or systems. Bus 1389 may be used by one or more processors 1384 to communicate between cores and / or with one or more memory devices 1386.

[0192]

[0172] The computing system 1370 may also include one or more memory devices 1386, one or more digital signal processors (DSPs) 1382, one or more subscriber identification modules (SIMs) 1374, one or more modems 1376, one or more wireless transceivers 1378, an antenna 1387, one or more input devices 1372 (e.g., a camera, mouse, keyboard, touch-sensitive screen, touchpad, keypad, microphone, etc.), and one or more output devices 1380 (e.g., a display, speaker, printer, etc.). As used herein, one or more wireless transceivers 1378 may include one or more receiving devices (e.g., receivers) and / or one or more transmitting devices (e.g., transmitters).

[0193]

[0173] One or more wireless transceivers 1378 can transmit and receive wireless signals (e.g., signals 1388) via antenna 1387 to and from one or more other devices, such as one or more other UEs, network nodes or entities (e.g., base stations such as eNBs and / or gNBs, WiFi routers, etc.), cloud networks, etc. As described herein, one or more wireless transceivers 1378 can include combined transmitters / receivers, individual transmitters, individual receivers, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the computing system 1370 can include multiple antennas. Wireless signals 1388 can be transmitted over a wireless network. The wireless network may be any wireless network, such as a cellular or telecommunications network (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G, etc.), a wireless local area network (e.g., a WiFi network), a Bluetooth® network, and / or other networks. In some examples, one or more wireless transceivers 1378 may include a radio frequency (RF) front end, which may include one or more components, such as an amplifier, a mixer (also called a signal multiplier) for signal down-conversion, a synthesizer (also called an oscillator) that provides the signal to the mixer, a baseband filter, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and one or more power amplifiers. The RF front end can generally handle the selection of the wireless signal 1388 and its conversion to baseband or intermediate frequencies, and can convert the RF signal to the digital domain.

[0194]

[0174] In some cases, the computing system 1370 may include an encoding-decoding device (or CODEC) configured to encode and / or decode data transmitted and / or received using one or more wireless transceivers 1378. In some cases, the computing system 1370 may include an encryption-decoding device or component configured to encrypt and / or decrypt data transmitted and / or received by one or more wireless transceivers 1378 (for example, in accordance with AES and / or DES standards).

[0195]

[0175] Each of the one or more SIMs 1374 can securely store an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number and associated key assigned to a user of the UE 1307. The IMSI and key may be used to identify and authenticate the subscriber when accessing a network provided by a network service provider or operator associated with one or more SIMs 1374. One or more modems 1376 can modulate one or more signals to encode information for transmission using one or more wireless transceivers 1378. One or more modems 1376 can also demodulate signals received by one or more wireless transceivers 1378 in order to decode the transmitted information. In some examples, one or more modems 1376 may include a 4G (or LTE) modem, a 5G (or NR) modem, a Bluetooth® modem, a modem configured for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, and / or other types of modems. In some examples, one or more modems 1376 and one or more wireless transceivers 1378 may be used to communicate data for one or more SIMs 1374.

[0196]

[0176] The computing system 1370 may also include (and / communicate with) one or more non-temporary machine-readable storage media or storage devices (e.g., one or more memory devices 1386), which may include, but are not limited to, local and / or network-accessible storage, disk drives, drive arrays, optical storage devices, programmable, flash-updatable, and / or equivalent solid-state storage devices such as RAM and / or ROM. Such storage devices may be configured to implement any suitable data storage device, including, but are not limited to, various file systems, database structures, and the like.

[0197]

[0177] In various embodiments, the functions may be stored as one or more computer program products (e.g., instructions or code) in one or more memory devices 1386 and executed by one or more processors 1384 and / or one or more DSPs 1382. The computing system 1370 may also include software elements (e.g., located in one or more memory devices 1386) including other code such as an operating system, device drivers, executable libraries, and / or one or more application programs, which may include computer programs that implement functions provided by various aspects as described herein, and / or are designed to implement methods and / or constitute a system.

[0198]

[0178] In some embodiments, the UE 1307 may include means for performing the operations described herein. The means may include one or more components of the computing system 1370. For example, the means for performing the operations described herein may include one or more input devices 1372, one or more SIMs 1374, one or more modems 1376, one or more wireless transceivers 1378, one or more output devices (1380), one or more DSPs 1382, one or more processors (1384), one or more memory devices 1386, and / or one or more antennas 1387.

[0199]

[0179] In some embodiments, the UE 1307 may include means for receiving resource configuration information, which is based on thresholds associated with the device and indicates a time gap for transmitting sounding reference signal (SRS) resources. In some embodiments, the UE 1307 may further include means for transmitting one or more SRS resources based on the time gap indicated by the resource configuration information.

[0200]

[0180] In some examples, the means for receiving may include one or more wireless transceivers 1378, one or more modems 1376, one or more SIMs 1374, one or more processors 1384, one or more DSPs 1382, one or more memory devices 1386, any combination thereof, or other components (one or more) of the client device. In some examples, the means for determining may include one or more processors 1384, one or more DSPs 1382, one or more memory devices 1386, any combination thereof, or other components (one or more) of the client device. In some examples, the means for transmission may include one or more wireless transceivers 1378, one or more modems 1376, one or more SIMs 1374, one or more processors 1384, one or more DSPs 1382, one or more memory devices 1386, any combination thereof, or other components (one or more) of a client device.

[0201]

[0181] In some cases, the computing device or apparatus may include a variety of components, such as one or more input devices, one or more output devices, one or more processors, one or more microprocessors, one or more microcomputers, one or more cameras, one or more sensors, and / or other components (one or more) configured to perform steps of the process described herein. In some examples, the computing device may include a display, one or more network interfaces configured to communicate and / or receive data, any combination thereof, and / or other components. One or more network interfaces may be configured to communicate and / or receive wired data and / or wireless data, including data in accordance with 3G, 4G, 5G, and / or other cellular standards, data in accordance with Wi-Fi (802.11x) standards, data in accordance with Bluetooth® standards, data in accordance with Internet Protocol (IP) standards, and / or other types of data.

[0202]

[0182] Components of a computing device may be implemented in circuits. For example, a component may include one or more programmable electronic circuits (e.g., microprocessors, graphics processing units (GPUs), DSPs, central processing units (CPUs), and / or other suitable electronic circuits), and / or may include computer software, firmware, or any combination thereof, and / or may include electronic circuits or other electronic hardware that are implemented using them to perform the various operations described herein.

[0203]

[0183] Figure 14 shows an example of a system for implementing a particular aspect of the present technology. In particular, Figure 14 shows an example of a computing system 1400 in which any computing device, remote computing system, camera, or system component that constitutes an internal computing system can communicate with each other using connection 1405. Connection 1405 can be a physical connection using a bus, or a direct connection to a processor 1410 in a chipset architecture, etc. Connection 1405 can also be a virtual connection, a network connection, or a logical connection.

[0204]

[0184] In some embodiments, the computing system 1400 is a distributed system in which the functions described herein may be distributed among data centers, multiple data centers, peer networks, etc. In some embodiments, one or more of the system components described represent many such components, each of which performs some or all of the functions described. In some embodiments, these components may be physical or virtual devices.

[0205]

[0185] An exemplary system 1400 includes at least one processing unit (CPU or processor) 1410 and connections 1405 that connect various system components to the processor 1410, including system memory 1415 such as read-only memory (ROM) 1420 and random access memory (RAM) 1425. The computing system 1400 may include a high-speed memory cache 1411 that is directly connected to, adjacent to, or integrated as part of the processor 1410.

[0206]

[0186] The processor 1410 may include an arbitrary general-purpose processor, hardware or software services such as services 1432, 1434, and 1436 stored in the memory device 1430, and a dedicated processor in which software instructions are incorporated into the actual processor design, configured to control the processor 1410. The processor 1410 may be a fully self-contained computing system that includes multiple cores or processors, a bus, a memory controller, a cache, etc. The multicore processor may be symmetric or asymmetric.

[0207]

[0187] To enable user interaction, the computing system 1400 includes an input device 1445 which can represent any number of input mechanisms, such as a microphone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphical input, a keyboard, a mouse, motion input, and speech. The computing system 1400 may also include an output device 1435 which may be one or more of a plurality of output mechanisms. In some cases, a multimodal system may allow the user to provide multiple types of input / output for communication with the computing system 1400. The computing system 1400 may include a communication interface 1440 which can generally control and manage user input and system output.

[0208]

[0188] Communication interfaces include audio jacks / plugs, microphone jacks / plugs, universal serial bus (USB) ports / plugs, Apple® Lightning® ports / plugs, Ethernet ports / plugs, fiber optic ports / plugs, proprietary wired ports / plugs, Bluetooth® wireless signal transmission, Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) wireless signal transmission, IBEACON® wireless signal transmission, radio-frequency identification (RFID) wireless signal transmission, near-field communications (NFC) wireless signal transmission, dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) wireless signal transmission, 802.11 Wi-Fi wireless signal transmission, WLAN signal transmission, Visible Light Communication (VLC), and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. It is possible or facilitates the reception and / or transmission of wired or wireless communications using wired and / or wireless transceivers, including those utilizing Access (WiMAX), infrared (IR) wireless signal transmission, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) signal transmission, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) signal transmission, 3G / 4G / 5G / Long-Term Evolution (LTE) cellular data network wireless signal transmission, ad hoc network signal transmission, radio signal transmission, microwave signal transmission, infrared signal transmission, visible light signal transmission, ultraviolet light signal transmission, wireless signal transmission along the electromagnetic spectrum, or any combination thereof.

[0209]

[0189] The communication interface 1440 may also include one or more GNSS receivers or transceivers used to determine the location of the computing system 1400 based on the reception of one or more signals from one or more satellites associated with one or more GNSS systems. The GNSS systems include, but are not limited to, the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), China's Beidou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), and Europe's Galileo GNSS. There are no restrictions on operation with any particular hardware configuration, and therefore the basic features herein may be readily replaced for improved hardware or firmware configurations as they are developed.

[0210]

[0190] The memory device 1430 may be a non-volatile and / or non-temporary and / or computer-readable memory device, such as a magnetic cassette, flash memory card, solid memory device, digital multipurpose disk, cartridge, floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, magnetic strip / stripe, any other magnetic storage medium, flash memory, memory stick memory, any other solid memory, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) optical disc, rewritable compact disc (CD) optical disc, digital video disk (DVD) optical disc, Blu-ray disc (BDD) optical disc, holographic optical disc, another optical medium, secure digital (SD) card, micro secure digital (microSD) card, memory stick® card, smart card chip, Europay Mastercard and Visa (EMV) chip, subscriber identity module module, SIM card, mini / micro / nano / pico SIM card, other integrated circuit (IC) chip / card, RAM, static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash EPROM (flashA hard disk or other type of computer-readable medium capable of storing computer-accessible data, such as EPROM (FLASHEPROM), cache memory (L1 / L2 / L3 / L4 / L5 / L#), resistive random-access memory (RRAM / ReRAM), phase change memory (PCM), spin transfer torque RAM (STT-RAM), other memory chips or cartridges, and / or combinations thereof.

[0211]

[0191] The storage device 1430 may include software services, servers, services, etc., and when the code defining such software is executed by the processor 1410, it causes the system to perform functions. In some embodiments, a hardware service that performs a particular function may include software components stored in a computer-readable medium in relation to necessary hardware components such as the processor 1410, connection 1405, and output device 1435 in order to perform that function. The term “computer-readable medium” includes, but is not limited to, portable or non-portable storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other media that can store, store, or transport instructions and / or data. The computer-readable medium may also include non-transient media on which data can be stored and which do not contain carrier waves and / or transient electronic signals that propagate wirelessly or via wired connections.

[0212]

[0192] As used herein, the term “computer-readable medium” includes, but is not limited to, portable or non-portable storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other media capable of storing, storing, or transporting instructions (one or more) and / or data. Computer-readable medium may also include non-temporary media on which data can be stored and which do not contain carrier waves and / or transient electronic signals that propagate wirelessly or via wired connections. Examples of non-temporary media include, but are not limited to, magnetic disks or tapes, optical storage media, flash memory, memory, or memory devices. Computer-readable medium may have code and / or machine-executable instructions stored on the computer-readable medium that can represent procedures, functions, subprograms, programs, routines, subroutines, modules, software packages, classes, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. Code segments may be coupled to other code segments or hardware circuits by passing and / or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory content. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc., may be passed, transferred, or transmitted using any preferred means, including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.

[0213]

[0193] In some embodiments, computer-readable storage devices, media, and memory may include cable or wireless signals, such as bitstreams. However, as used to refer to, non-transient computer-readable storage media explicitly exclude media such as energy, carrier signals, electromagnetic waves, and signals themselves.

[0214]

[0194] Certain details are provided in the above description in order to provide a complete understanding of the embodiments and examples provided herein. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. For the sake of clarity, in some cases the technology may be presented as including individual functional blocks, which include devices, device components, steps or routines in a way embodied in software, or combinations of hardware and software. Additional components other than those shown in the figures and / or described herein may be used. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown as components in the form of block diagrams in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments with unnecessary details. In other cases, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary details in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

[0215]

[0195] Individual embodiments may be described above as processes or methods shown as flowcharts, flow diagrams, data flow diagrams, structural diagrams, or block diagrams. Flowcharts may describe operations as sequential processes, but many operations may be performed in parallel or simultaneously. In addition, the order of operations may be rearranged. A process terminates when its operation is completed, but it may have additional steps not shown in the diagram. A process may correspond to a method, function, procedure, subroutine, subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination may correspond to the function returning to a calling function or main function.

[0216]

[0196] The processes and methods described above may be implemented using computer-executable instructions stored in or otherwise available from a computer-readable medium. Such instructions may include, for example, instructions and data that cause a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, or a processing device to perform some functions or a set of functions, or, in some cases, configure a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, or a processing device to perform some functions or a set of functions. The portion of the computer resources used may be accessible via a network. Computer-executable instructions may be binary or intermediate format instructions, such as assembly language, firmware, or source code. Examples of computer-readable media that may be used to store instructions, information used, and / or information created during the methods described above include magnetic or optical disks, flash memory, USB devices with non-volatile memory, and network-connected storage devices.

[0217]

[0197] Devices implementing processes and methods in accordance with these disclosures may include hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof, and may take any of a variety of form factors. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, program code or code segments (e.g., computer program products) that perform the required tasks may be stored in computer-readable or machine-readable media. One or more processors may perform the required tasks. Typical examples of form factors include laptops, smartphones, mobile phones, tablet devices or other small-space personal computers, personal digital assistants, rack-mount devices, and standalone devices. The functions described herein may also be embodied in peripheral devices or add-in cards. Such functions may also, as a further example, be implemented on circuit boards of different chips or on different processes running in a single device.

[0218]

[0198] Instructions, a medium for propagating such instructions, computing resources for executing instructions, and other structures supporting such computing resources are exemplary means of providing the functionality described herein.

[0219]

[0199] In the foregoing description, embodiments of the present application are described with reference to specific embodiments, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the present application is not limited thereto. Accordingly, although exemplary embodiments of the present application have been described in detail herein, it should be understood that the concepts of the present invention can be carried out and utilized in various other ways, and the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including such variations, unless limited by the prior art. The various features and embodiments of the present application described above may be used individually or in combination. Furthermore, embodiments may be used in any number of environments and applications other than those described herein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of this specification. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. For illustrative purposes, the methods have been described in a particular order. It should be understood that in alternative embodiments, the methods may be performed in an order different from the order described.

[0220]

[0200] Those skilled in the art will understand that the symbols or terms less than ("<") and greater than (">") used herein may be replaced, without departing from the scope of this specification, with the symbols less than or equal to ("≦") and greater than or equal to ("≧").

[0221]

[0201] When a component is described as “configured to” perform a certain operation, such configuration can be achieved, for example, by designing an electronic circuit or other hardware to perform the operation, by programming a programmable electronic circuit (e.g., a microprocessor or other suitable electronic circuit) to perform the operation, or by any combination thereof.

[0222]

[0202] The phrase “combined” means any component that is physically connected to another component, either directly or indirectly, and / or communicates with another component, either directly or indirectly (for example, connected to another component via a wired or wireless connection and / or other suitable communication interface).

[0223]

[0203] The wording of a claim that includes “at least one of” and / or “one or more” of a set, or any other wording, indicates that one member of the set or multiple members of the set (in any combination) satisfy the claim. For example, the wording of a claim that includes “at least one of A and B” or “at least one of A or B” means A, B, or A and B. In another example, the wording of a claim that includes “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” means A, B, C, or A and B, or A and C, or B and C, or A and B and C. The wording “at least one of” and / or “one or more” of a set does not limit the set to items enumerated within the set. For example, the wording of a claim that states "at least one of A and B" or "at least one of A or B" can mean A, B, or A and B, and may additionally include items not listed in the set of A and B.

[0224]

[0204] Various exemplary logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithmic steps described in relation to the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, firmware, or a combination thereof. To clearly demonstrate this compatibility between hardware and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above in general terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or as software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. A person skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in various ways for each specific application, but such determination of implementation should not be construed as a cause of departure from the scope of this application.

[0225]

[0205] The techniques described herein may also be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Such techniques may be implemented in any of a variety of devices, such as general-purpose computers, wireless communication device handsets, or integrated circuit devices having multiple applications, including applications in wireless communication device handsets and other devices. Any feature described as a module or component may be implemented together in an integrated logic device, or separately as individual but interoperable logic devices. When implemented in software, the technique may be at least partially implemented by a computer-readable data storage medium having program code that, when executed, performs one or more of the methods described above. The computer-readable data storage medium may form part of a computer program product, which may include packaging material. The computer-readable medium may include memory or data storage media such as RAM, ROM, non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), EEPROM, flash memory, magnetic or optical data storage media, such as synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM). The technique may, additionally or alternatively, be implemented, at least in part, by a computer-readable communication medium, such as a propagating signal or wave, which carries or communicates program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed, read, and / or executed by a computer.

[0226]

[0206] The program code may be executed by a processor which may include one or more processors such as one or more DSPs, general-purpose microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuits. Such processors may be configured to implement any of the techniques described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor instead of any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors working with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Accordingly, the term “processor” as used herein may refer to any of the above structures, any combination thereof, or any other structure or device suitable for implementing the techniques described herein.

[0227]

[0207] Exemplary examples of this disclosure include:

[0228]

[0208] Embodiment 1: A method for wireless communication in a first user device (UE), the UE receiving a plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the plurality of resource blocks; and transmitting a phase measurement report to a first network entity, wherein the phase measurement report includes information associated with a measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks, the subcarrier set includes at least one subcarrier.

[0229]

[0209] Aspect 2: The method of Aspect 1, wherein according to the comb structure, a first subset of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks comprises data for PRS.

[0230]

[0210] Aspect 3: The method of Aspect 1 or 2, wherein according to the comb structure, a second subset of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks does not comprise data for PRS.

[0231]

[0211] Aspect 4: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the comb structure of PRS is repeated once every four consecutive resource blocks among the plurality of resource blocks.

[0232]

[0212] Aspect 5: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the comb structure of PRS is repeated twice every four consecutive resource blocks among the plurality of resource blocks.

[0233]

[0213] Aspect 6: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, further comprising: at a UE, receiving information indicating resource elements of the plurality of resource blocks that comprise data associated with PRS from a first network entity.

[0234]

[0214] Aspect 7: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein the information comprises a bitmap.

[0235]

[0215] Aspect 8: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7, wherein a plurality of consecutive symbols of the resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks comprise data associated with the PRS.

[0236]

[0216] Aspect 9: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of consecutive symbols are associated with a common subcarrier index.

[0237]

[0217] Aspect 10: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein each resource block from the plurality of resource blocks comprises a non-uniform set of subcarriers including data associated with a PRS.

[0238]

[0218] Aspect 11: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein a plurality of consecutive symbols of a resource block from the plurality of resource blocks comprise data associated with a PRS, and each resource block from the plurality of resource blocks comprises a non-uniform set of subcarriers including data associated with a PRS.

[0239]

[0219] Aspect 12: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 11, further comprising: at a UE, receiving a message indicating that resource elements of a first resource block associated with a first PRS resource of a PRS are to be combined with resource elements of a second resource block associated with a second PRS resource of the PRS; and combining the resource elements of the first resource block with the resource elements of the second resource block based on the message.

[0240]

[0220] Aspect 13: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 12, wherein one or more resource elements are removed from the resource elements of the first resource block combined with the resource elements of the second resource block.

[0241]

[0221] Aspect 14: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 13, wherein the plurality of resource blocks are received from a first network entity.

[0242]

[0222] Aspect 15: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 14, wherein the first network entity is a location server.

[0243]

[0223] Embodiment 16: The method according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 15, wherein multiple resource blocks are received from a second network entity, and the second network entity is different from the first network entity.

[0244]

[0224] Embodiment 17: The method according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 16, wherein the first network entity is a location server and the second network entity is a base station.

[0245]

[0225] Embodiment 18: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 17, further comprising: receiving a carrier phase measurement request from a first network entity to report phase measurements for one or more subcarrier set pairs of a plurality of resource blocks in the UE; and transmitting a phase measurement report to the first network entity based on the carrier phase measurement request.

[0246]

[0226] Embodiment 19: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 18, further comprising measuring the phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of one or more subcarrier set pairs of subcarriers in the UE based on a carrier phase measurement request.

[0247]

[0227] Embodiment 20: A method for wireless communication in a first network entity, comprising: transmitting a message to a second network entity, the message comprising a configuration for a plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein, based on the configuration, the combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the plurality of resource blocks; and receiving a phase measurement report from a user device (UE), the phase measurement report comprising information relating to a measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks.

[0248]

[0228] Embodiment 21: The method of Embodiment 20, wherein the first network entity is a location server and the second network entity is a base station.

[0249]

[0229] Embodiment 22: The method according to Embodiment 20 or 21, wherein, according to a combination structure, a first subset of resource blocks from a plurality of resource blocks includes data for the PRS.

[0250]

[0230] Embodiment 23: The method according to any one of Embodiments 20 to 22, wherein, according to a combination structure, a second subset of resource blocks from a plurality of resource blocks does not contain data for the PRS.

[0251]

[0231] Embodiment 24: The method according to any one of Embodiments 20 to 23, wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated once for every four consecutive resource blocks among a plurality of resource blocks.

[0252]

[0232] Embodiment 25: The method according to any one of Embodiments 20 to 24, wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated twice for every four consecutive resource blocks among the multiple resource blocks.

[0253]

[0233] Embodiment 26: The method of any one of embodiments 20 to 25, further comprising transmitting information indicating resource elements of a plurality of resource blocks containing data associated with the PRS in a first network entity for reception by the UE.

[0254]

[0234] Embodiment 27: The method according to any one of Embodiments 20 to 26, wherein the information includes a bitmap.

[0255]

[0235] Embodiment 28: The method according to any one of Embodiments 20 to 27, wherein multiple consecutive symbols of resource blocks from multiple resource blocks include data associated with the PRS.

[0256]

[0236] Aspect 29: The method according to any one of Aspects 20 to 28, wherein the plurality of consecutive symbols are associated with a common subcarrier index.

[0257]

[0237] Aspect 30: The method according to any one of Aspects 20 to 29, wherein each resource block from the plurality of resource blocks comprises a non-uniform set of subcarriers containing data associated with PRS.

[0258]

[0238] Aspect 31: The method according to any one of Aspects 20 to 30, wherein a plurality of consecutive symbols of a resource block from the plurality of resource blocks comprise data associated with PRS, and each resource block from the plurality of resource blocks comprises a non-uniform set of subcarriers containing data associated with PRS.

[0259]

[0239] Aspect 32: The method according to any one of Aspects 20 to 31, further comprising: transmitting, at a first network entity, a message indicating that a resource element of a first resource block associated with a first PRS resource of a PRS is combined with a resource element of a second resource block associated with a second PRS resource of the PRS.

[0260]

[0240] Aspect 33: The method according to any one of Aspects 20 to 32, wherein the message further indicates that one or more resource elements are removed from the resource elements of the first resource block combined with the resource elements of the second resource block.

[0261]

[0241] Aspect 34: The method according to any one of Aspects 20 to 33, wherein the plurality of resource blocks are transmitted from a second network entity to a UE.

[0262]

[0242] Embodiment 35: The method according to any one of embodiments 20 to 34, further comprising sending a carrier phase measurement request to report phase measurements for one or more subcarrier set pairs of a plurality of resource blocks for reception by a UE in a first network entity.

[0263]

[0243] Embodiment 36: Apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory, wherein one or more processors receive a plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), the combination structure of the PRS being repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the plurality of resource blocks; and an apparatus configured to transmit the phase measurement report to a first network entity, the phase measurement report comprising information associated with a measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks, the subcarrier set comprising at least one subcarrier.

[0264]

[0244] Embodiment 37: The apparatus according to Embodiment 36, wherein, according to a combination structure, a first subset of resource blocks from a plurality of resource blocks contains data for the PRS.

[0265]

[0245] Embodiment 38: The apparatus according to Embodiment 36 or 37, wherein, according to a combination structure, a second subset of resource blocks from a plurality of resource blocks does not contain data for the PRS.

[0266]

[0246] Embodiment 39: The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 36 to 38, wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated once for every four consecutive resource blocks among a plurality of resource blocks.

[0267]

[0247] Embodiment 40: The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 36 to 39, wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated twice for every four consecutive resource blocks among a plurality of resource blocks.

[0268]

[0248] Embodiment 41: The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 36 to 40, wherein one or more processors are configured in the UE to receive information from a first network entity indicating resource elements of a plurality of resource blocks, including data associated with the PRS.

[0269]

[0249] Embodiment 42: The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 36 to 41, wherein the information includes a bitmap.

[0270]

[0250] Embodiment 43: The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 36 to 42, wherein multiple consecutive symbols of resource blocks from multiple resource blocks include data associated with the PRS.

[0271]

[0251] Embodiment 44: The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 36 to 43, wherein multiple consecutive symbols are associated with a common subcarrier index.

[0272]

[0252] Embodiment 45: The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 36 to 44, wherein each resource block from a plurality of resource blocks includes a heterogeneous set of subcarriers containing data associated with the PRS.

[0273]

[0253] Embodiment 46: The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 36 to 45, wherein multiple consecutive symbols of resource blocks from multiple resource blocks include data associated with the PRS, and each resource block from multiple resource blocks includes a heterogeneous set of subcarriers including data associated with the PRS.

[0274]

[0254] Embodiment 47: The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 36 to 46, wherein one or more processors receive a message indicating that resource elements of a first resource block associated with a first PRS resource of the PRS are to be combined with resource elements of a second resource block associated with a second PRS resource of the PRS, and are configured to combine the resource elements of the first resource block with the resource elements of the second resource block based on the message.

[0275]

[0255] Embodiment 48: The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 36 to 47, wherein one or more resource elements are removed from the resource elements of a first resource block combined with the resource elements of a second resource block.

[0276]

[0256] Embodiment 49: A device according to any one of Embodiments 36 to 48, wherein multiple resource blocks are received from a first network entity.

[0277]

[0257] Embodiment 50: The device according to any one of Embodiments 36 to 49, wherein the first network entity is a location server.

[0278]

[0258] Embodiment 51: The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 36 to 50, wherein multiple resource blocks are received from a second network entity, and the second network entity is different from the first network entity.

[0279]

[0259] Embodiment 52: The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 36 to 51, wherein the first network entity is a location server and the second network entity is a base station.

[0280]

[0260] Embodiment 53: The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 36 to 52, wherein one or more processors are configured to receive a carrier phase measurement request from a first network entity for a reported phase measurement for one or more subcarrier set pairs of a plurality of resource blocks, and to transmit a phase measurement report to the first network entity based on the carrier phase measurement request.

[0281]

[0261] Embodiment 54: The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 36 to 53, wherein one or more processors are configured to measure the phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of one or more subcarrier set pairs of subcarriers based on a carrier phase measurement request.

[0282]

[0262] Embodiment 55: Apparatus for wireless communication comprising memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory, wherein one or more processors transmit to a network entity a message comprising a configuration for a plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein, based on the configuration, the combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the plurality of resource blocks, and the apparatus is configured to receive from a user equipment (UE) a phase measurement report comprising information relating to a measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks.

[0283]

[0263] Embodiment 56: The apparatus according to Embodiment 55, wherein the apparatus is implemented as a location server and the network entity is a base station.

[0284]

[0264] Embodiment 57: The apparatus according to Embodiment 55 or 56, wherein, according to a combination structure, a first subset of resource blocks from a plurality of resource blocks contains data for the PRS.

[0285]

[0265] Embodiment 58: The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 55 to 57, wherein, according to a combination structure, a second subset of resource blocks from a plurality of resource blocks does not contain data for the PRS.

[0286]

[0266] Embodiment 59: The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 55 to 58, wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated once for every four consecutive resource blocks among a plurality of resource blocks.

[0287]

[0267] Embodiment 60: The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 55 to 59, wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated twice for every four consecutive resource blocks among a plurality of resource blocks.

[0288]

[0268] Embodiment 61: The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 55 to 60, wherein one or more processors are configured to transmit information indicating resource elements of a plurality of resource blocks, including data associated with the PRS, for reception by the UE.

[0289]

[0269] Embodiment 62: The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 55 to 61, wherein the information includes a bitmap.

[0290]

[0270] Embodiment 63: The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 55 to 62, wherein multiple consecutive symbols of resource blocks from multiple resource blocks include data associated with the PRS.

[0291]

[0271] Embodiment 64: The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 55 to 63, wherein multiple consecutive symbols are associated with a common subcarrier index.

[0292]

[0272] Embodiment 65: The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 55 to 64, wherein each resource block from a plurality of resource blocks includes a heterogeneous set of subcarriers containing data associated with the PRS.

[0293]

[0273] Embodiment 66: The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 55 to 65, wherein multiple consecutive symbols of resource blocks from multiple resource blocks include data associated with the PRS, and each resource block from multiple resource blocks includes a heterogeneous set of subcarriers including data associated with the PRS.

[0294]

[0274] Embodiment 67: The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 55 to 66, wherein one or more processors are configured to send a message indicating that a resource element of a first resource block associated with a first PRS resource of the PRS is combined with a resource element of a second resource block associated with a second PRS resource of the PRS.

[0295]

[0275] Embodiment 68: The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 55 to 67, wherein the message further indicates that one or more resource elements are removed from the resource elements of the first resource block combined with the resource elements of the second resource block.

[0296]

[0276] Embodiment 69: A device according to any one of Embodiments 55 to 68, wherein multiple resource blocks are transmitted from a network entity to a UE.

[0297]

[0277] Embodiment 70: The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 55 to 69, wherein one or more processors are configured to transmit carrier phase measurement requests for reported phase measurements for one or more subcarrier set pairs of a plurality of resource blocks for reception by a UE.

[0298]

[0278] Embodiment 71: At least one non-temporary computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause one or more processors to perform a method according to any of Embodiments 1 to 19.

[0299]

[0279] Embodiment 72: An apparatus comprising means for carrying out a method according to any of Embodiments 1 to 19.

[0300]

[0280] Embodiment 73: At least one non-temporary computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause one or more processors to perform a method according to any of Embodiments 20 to 35.

[0301]

[0281] Embodiment 74: An apparatus comprising means for carrying out a method according to any of Embodiments 20 to 35. The invention described in the original claims of this application is listed below. [C1] A method for wireless communication in user equipment (UE), In the aforementioned UE, a plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein the combination structure of the PRS is such that a plurality of resource blocks are received, and the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the plurality of resource blocks. A phase measurement report, the phase measurement report includes information associated with a measured phase difference between at least one pair of subcarrier sets of the plurality of resource blocks, and the subcarrier sets include at least one subcarrier, and the method includes transmitting the phase measurement report to a first network entity. [C2] The method according to [C1], wherein, according to the combination structure, a first subset of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks includes data for the PRS. [C3] The method according to [C2], wherein, according to the combination structure, a second subset of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks does not contain data for the PRS. [C4] The method according to [C1], wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated once for every four consecutive resource blocks among the plurality of resource blocks. [C5] The method according to [C1], wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated twice for every four consecutive resource blocks among the plurality of resource blocks. [C6] The method of [C1], further comprising receiving from the first network entity information indicating resource elements of the plurality of resource blocks, including data associated with the PRS, in the UE. [C7] The information described above, including a bitmap, is the method described in [C6]. [C8] The method according to [C1], wherein multiple consecutive symbols of resource blocks from the multiple resource blocks include data associated with the PRS. [C9] The method described in [C8], wherein the multiple consecutive symbols are associated with a common subcarrier index. [C10] The method according to [C1], wherein each resource block from the plurality of resource blocks includes a heterogeneous set of subcarriers containing data associated with the PRS. [C11] The method according to [C1], wherein multiple consecutive symbols of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks include data associated with the PRS, and each resource block from the plurality of resource blocks includes a heterogeneous set of subcarriers including data associated with the PRS. [C12] The UE receives a message indicating that the resource elements of the first resource block associated with the first PRS resource of the PRS are combined with the resource elements of the second resource block associated with the second PRS resource of the PRS, The method of [C1] further comprises combining the resource element of the first resource block with the resource element of the second resource block based on the message. [C13] The method according to [C12], wherein one or more resource elements are removed from the resource elements of the first resource block combined with the resource elements of the second resource block. [C14] The method described in [C1], wherein the plurality of resource blocks are received from the first network entity. [C15] The first network entity is a location server, as described in [C1]. [C16] The plurality of resource blocks are received from a second network entity, the second network entity being different from the first network entity, as described in [C1]. [C17] The method according to [C16], wherein the first network entity is a location server and the second network entity is a base station. [C18] The UE receives a carrier phase measurement request from the first network entity to report phase measurements for one or more subcarrier set pairs of the plurality of resource blocks, The method of [C1] further comprising transmitting the phase measurement report to the first network entity based on the carrier phase measurement request. [C19] The method according to [C18], further comprising measuring the phase difference between at least one of the one or more subcarrier set pairs of subcarriers in the UE based on the carrier phase measurement request. [C20] A method for wireless communication in a first network entity, To send a message to a second network entity, which includes a configuration for multiple resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein, based on the configuration, the combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the multiple resource blocks, A method comprising receiving a phase measurement report from a user device (UE), the phase measurement report comprising information relating to a measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks. [C21] The method according to [C20], wherein the first network entity is a location server and the second network entity is a base station. [C22] The method according to [C20], wherein, according to the combination structure, a first subset of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks includes data for the PRS. [C23] The method according to [C22], wherein, according to the combination structure, a second subset of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks does not contain data for the PRS. [C24] The method according to [C20], wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated once for every four consecutive resource blocks among the plurality of resource blocks. [C25] The method according to [C20], wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated twice for every four consecutive resource blocks among the plurality of resource blocks. [C26] The method according to [C20], further comprising transmitting information indicating resource elements of the plurality of resource blocks, including data associated with the PRS, in the first network entity for reception by the UE. [C27] The information described above, including a bitmap, is the method described in [C26]. [C28] The method according to [C20], wherein multiple consecutive symbols of resource blocks from the multiple resource blocks include data associated with the PRS. [C29] The method according to [C28], wherein the multiple consecutive symbols are associated with a common subcarrier index. [C30] The method according to [C20], wherein each resource block from the plurality of resource blocks includes a heterogeneous set of subcarriers containing data associated with the PRS. [C31] The method according to [C20], wherein multiple consecutive symbols of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks include data associated with the PRS, and each resource block from the plurality of resource blocks includes a heterogeneous set of subcarriers including data associated with the PRS. [C32] The method according to [C20], further comprising sending a message in the first network entity indicating that a resource element of a first resource block associated with a first PRS resource of the PRS is combined with a resource element of a second resource block associated with a second PRS resource of the PRS. [C33] The method according to [C32], wherein the message further indicates that one or more resource elements are removed from the resource elements of the first resource block combined with the resource elements of the second resource block. [C34] The method according to [C20], wherein the plurality of resource blocks are transmitted from the second network entity to the UE. [C35] The method according to [C20], further comprising the first network entity sending a carrier phase measurement request for reporting phase measurements for one or more subcarrier set pairs of the plurality of resource blocks for reception by the UE. [C36] A device for wireless communication, Memory and The system comprises one or more processors coupled to the memory, and the one or more processors are Multiple resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein the combination structure of the PRS receives multiple resource blocks, which are repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the multiple resource blocks. A phase measurement report, the phase measurement report includes information associated with a measured phase difference between at least one pair of subcarrier sets of the plurality of resource blocks, and the subcarrier sets are configured to transmit the phase measurement report to a first network entity, the subcarrier sets comprising at least one subcarrier. [C37] The apparatus according to [C36], wherein a first subset of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks, according to the combination structure, includes data for the PRS. [C38] The apparatus according to [C37] in which, according to the combination structure, a second subset of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks does not contain data for the PRS. [C39] The apparatus according to [C36], wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated once for every four consecutive resource blocks among the plurality of resource blocks. [C40] The apparatus according to [C36], wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated twice for every four consecutive resource blocks among the plurality of resource blocks. [C41] The one or more processors described above are: The apparatus according to [C36], configured to receive from the first network entity information indicating resource elements of the plurality of resource blocks, including data associated with the PRS. [C42] The apparatus described in [C41], which includes a bitmap for the information. [C43] The apparatus according to [C36], wherein multiple consecutive symbols of resource blocks from the multiple resource blocks include data associated with the PRS. [C44] The apparatus according to [C43], wherein the plurality of consecutive symbols are associated with a common subcarrier index. [C45] The apparatus according to [C36], wherein each resource block from the plurality of resource blocks includes a heterogeneous set of subcarriers containing data associated with the PRS. [C46] The apparatus according to [C36], wherein multiple consecutive symbols of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks include data associated with the PRS, and each resource block from the plurality of resource blocks includes a heterogeneous set of subcarriers including data associated with the PRS. [C47] The one or more processors described above are: A message is received indicating that the resource elements of the first resource block associated with the first PRS resource of the PRS are combined with the resource elements of the second resource block associated with the second PRS resource of the PRS. The apparatus according to [C36], configured to combine the resource elements of the first resource block with the resource elements of the second resource block based on the message. [C48] The apparatus according to [C47], wherein one or more resource elements are removed from the resource elements of the first resource block combined with the resource elements of the second resource block. [C49] The plurality of resource blocks are received from the first network entity, as described in [C36]. [C50] The first network entity is the location server, the device described in [C36]. [C51] The plurality of resource blocks are received from a second network entity, the second network entity being different from the first network entity, the device as described in [C36]. [C52] The apparatus according to [C51], wherein the first network entity is a location server and the second network entity is a base station. [C53] The one or more processors described above are: The first network entity receives a carrier phase measurement request for a reported phase measurement for one or more subcarrier set pairs of the plurality of resource blocks. The apparatus according to [C36], configured to transmit the phase measurement report to the first network entity based on the carrier phase measurement request. [C54] The one or more processors described above are: The apparatus according to [C53], configured to measure the phase difference between at least one of the one or more subcarrier set pairs of subcarriers based on the carrier phase measurement request. [C55] A device for wireless communication, Memory and The system comprises one or more processors coupled to the memory, and the one or more processors are A message is sent to a network entity, which includes a configuration for multiple resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein, based on the configuration, the combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the multiple resource blocks. A device configured to receive a phase measurement report from a user device (UE), the phase measurement report comprising information associated with a measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks. [C56] The device described in [C55], wherein the device is implemented as a location server and the network entity is a base station. [C57] The apparatus according to [C55], wherein a first subset of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks, according to the combination structure, includes data for the PRS. [C58] The apparatus according to [C57] in which, according to the combination structure, a second subset of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks does not contain data for the PRS. [C59] The apparatus according to [C55], wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated once for every four consecutive resource blocks among the plurality of resource blocks. [C60] The apparatus according to [C55], wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated twice for every four consecutive resource blocks among the plurality of resource blocks. [C61] The one or more processors described above are: The apparatus according to [C55], configured to transmit information indicating resource elements of the plurality of resource blocks, including data associated with the PRS, for reception by the UE. [C62] The apparatus described in [C61], which includes a bitmap for the information. [C63] The apparatus according to [C55], wherein multiple consecutive symbols of resource blocks from the multiple resource blocks include data associated with the PRS. [C64] The apparatus according to [C63], wherein the plurality of consecutive symbols are associated with a common subcarrier index. [C65] The apparatus according to [C55], wherein each resource block from the plurality of resource blocks includes a heterogeneous set of subcarriers containing data associated with the PRS. [C66] The apparatus according to [C55], wherein multiple consecutive symbols of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks include data associated with the PRS, and each resource block from the plurality of resource blocks includes a heterogeneous set of subcarriers including data associated with the PRS. [C67] The one or more processors described above are: The apparatus according to [C55], configured to send a message indicating that a resource element of a first resource block associated with a first PRS resource of the PRS is combined with a resource element of a second resource block associated with a second PRS resource of the PRS. [C68] The apparatus according to [C67], wherein the message further indicates that one or more resource elements are removed from the resource elements of the first resource block combined with the resource elements of the second resource block. [C69] The apparatus described in [C55], wherein the plurality of resource blocks are transmitted from the network entity to the UE. [C70] The one or more processors described above are: The apparatus according to [C55], configured to transmit a carrier phase measurement request for reported phase measurements for one or more subcarrier set pairs of the plurality of resource blocks, for reception by the UE.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication in user equipment (UE), wherein the method is In the aforementioned UE, a plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein the combination structure of the PRS is such that a plurality of resource blocks are received, and the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the plurality of resource blocks. A phase measurement report, the phase measurement report includes information associated with a measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks, and the subcarrier set includes at least one subcarrier, and the phase measurement report is transmitted to a first network entity, In the resource blocks of the plurality of resource blocks, the data associated with the PRS is contained in multiple consecutive symbols in one or more common subcarrier indexes, and is not staggered across multiple subcarrier indexes between consecutive slots of the resource blocks.

2. According to the combination structure, a first subset of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks includes data for the PRS, The method according to claim 1, wherein, according to the combination structure, a second subset of resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks does not contain data for the PRS.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated once for every four consecutive resource blocks among the plurality of resource blocks.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the combination structure of the PRS is repeated twice for every four consecutive resource blocks among the plurality of resource blocks.

5. The UE further includes receiving from the first network entity information indicating the resource elements of the plurality of resource blocks, including data associated with the PRS, The method according to claim 1, wherein the information includes a bitmap.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein each resource block from the plurality of resource blocks includes a heterogeneous set of subcarriers containing data associated with the PRS.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein each resource block from the plurality of resource blocks includes a heterogeneous set of subcarriers containing data associated with the PRS.

8. The UE receives a message indicating that the resource elements of the first resource block associated with the first PRS resource of the PRS are combined with the resource elements of the second resource block associated with the second PRS resource of the PRS. The method further includes combining the resource elements of the first resource block with the resource elements of the second resource block based on the message, The method according to claim 1, wherein one or more resource elements are removed from the resource elements of the first resource block that are combined with the resource elements of the second resource block.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of resource blocks are received from the first network entity.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first network entity is a location server.

11. The plurality of resource blocks are received from a second network entity, and unlike the first network entity, The method according to claim 1, wherein the first network entity is a location server and the second network entity is a base station.

12. The UE receives a carrier phase measurement request from the first network entity to report phase measurements for one or more subcarrier set pairs of the plurality of resource blocks, In the aforementioned UE, based on the carrier phase measurement request, the phase difference between at least one of the one or more subcarrier set pairs of subcarriers is measured, The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting the phase measurement report to the first network entity based on the carrier phase measurement request.

13. A method for wireless communication in a first network entity, wherein the method is A second network entity transmits a message comprising a configuration for multiple resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein, based on the configuration, the combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the multiple resource blocks, and in the resource blocks of the multiple resource blocks, the data associated with the PRS is contained in multiple consecutive symbols in one or more common subcarrier indices, and the message is not staggered across multiple subcarrier indices between consecutive slots of the resource blocks. A method comprising receiving a phase measurement report from a user device (UE), the phase measurement report comprising information relating to a measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks.

14. A device for wireless communication, wherein the device is Memory and The system comprises one or more processors coupled to the memory, and the one or more processors are A plurality of resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein the combination structure of the PRS receives a plurality of resource blocks, which are repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the plurality of resource blocks. A phase measurement report, wherein the phase measurement report includes information associated with a measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks, and the subcarrier set is configured to transmit the phase measurement report to a first network entity, the subcarrier set including at least one subcarrier. In the resource blocks of the plurality of resource blocks, the data associated with the PRS is contained in multiple consecutive symbols in one or more common subcarrier indexes, and is not staggered across multiple subcarrier indexes between consecutive slots of the resource blocks.

15. A device for wireless communication, wherein the device is Memory and The system comprises one or more processors coupled to the memory, and the one or more processors are A message is sent to a network entity, comprising a configuration for multiple resource blocks associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), wherein, based on the configuration, the combination structure of the PRS is repeated in fewer resource blocks than all of the multiple resource blocks, and in the resource blocks of the multiple resource blocks, the data associated with the PRS is contained in multiple consecutive symbols in one or more common subcarrier indices, and the message is not staggered across multiple subcarrier indices between consecutive slots of the resource blocks. An apparatus configured to receive a phase measurement report from a user device (UE), the phase measurement report comprising information relating to a measured phase difference between at least one subcarrier set pair of the plurality of resource blocks.

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