Ue receive-transmit time difference measurement reporting

Abstract

A positioning method includes: measuring IB PRS resources at a UE on a first frequency band; transmitting OB PRS resources from the UE to a receiving device on a second frequency band; and at least one of the following: transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication and a frequency band indication indicating the second frequency band from the UE based on the difference between the second frequency band and the first frequency band, the receive-transmit time difference indication indicating the difference between the arrival time of the IB PRS resources and the departure time of the OB PRS resources; or transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication from the UE without transmitting a frequency band indication, based on the fact that the second frequency band is implicit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a UE receive-transmit time difference measurement report. Prior Technology

[0002] Wireless communication systems have evolved through many generations, including first-generation analog wireless telephony (1G), second-generation (2G) digital wireless telephony (including temporary 2.5G and 2.75G networks), third-generation (3G) wireless services with high-speed data internet capabilities, fourth-generation (4G) services (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax), and fifth-generation (5G) services. Currently, there are many different types of wireless communication systems in use, including cellular and Personal Communication Services (PCS) systems. Known examples of cellular systems include the Cellular Analog Advanced Mobile Telephone System (AMPS) and digital cellular systems based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), and variants of the Global System for Mobile Access (GSM) based on TDMA.

[0003] The fifth-generation (5G) mobile service standard, among other improvements, also demands higher data transmission speeds, more connections, and better coverage. The 5G standard, as defined by the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGC), aims to provide tens of megabits per second (Mbps) of data to tens of thousands of users and gigabits per second (Gbps) of data to thousands of employees in large office buildings. To support large-scale sensor deployments, it should support hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections. Therefore, compared to the current 4G standard, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communications should be significantly improved. Furthermore, compared to the current standard, signal transmission efficiency should be improved, and latency should be significantly reduced. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An exemplary UE (User Equipment) includes: at least one transceiver; memory; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one transceiver and the memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: measure inbound (IB) positioning reference signal (PRS) resources received via the at least one transceiver in a first frequency band; be configured to transmit outbound (OB) PRS resources to a receiving device via the at least one transceiver in a second frequency band; and be configured to: transmit a receive-transmit time difference indication and a band indication indicating the second frequency band via the at least one transceiver, based on the fact that the second frequency band is different from the first frequency band, the receive-transmit time difference indication indicating the difference between the arrival time of the IB PRS resource and the departure time of the OB PRS resource; or be configured to transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication via the at least one transceiver without the band indication, based on the fact that the second frequency band is implicit.

[0005] Another exemplary UE includes: a component for measuring IB PRS resources on a first frequency band; a component for transmitting OB PRS resources to a receiving device on a second frequency band; and at least one of the following components: a component for transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication and a band indication of the second frequency band based on the fact that the second frequency band is different from the first frequency band, the receive-transmit time difference indication indicating the difference between the arrival time of the IB PRS resource and the departure time of the OB PRS resource; or a component for transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication even when the second frequency band is implicit and there is no band indication.

[0006] An exemplary positioning method includes: measuring IB PRS resources at a UE on a first frequency band; transmitting OB PRS resources from the UE to a receiving device on a second frequency band; and at least one of the following: transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication and a band indication indicating the second frequency band from the UE based on the fact that the second frequency band is different from the first frequency band, the receive-transmit time difference indication indicating the difference between the arrival time of the IB PRS resources and the departure time of the OB PRS resources; or transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication from the UE without transmitting the band indication based on the fact that the second frequency band is implicit.

[0007] An exemplary non-transitory processor-readable storage medium includes processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors of a UE to perform the following operations: measuring an IB PRS resource on a first frequency band; transmitting an OB PRS resource to a receiving device on a second frequency band; and at least one of the following: transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication and a band indication indicating the second frequency band, the receive-transmit time difference indication indicating the difference between the arrival time of the IB PRS resource and the departure time of the OB PRS resource, based on the fact that the second frequency band is different from the first frequency band; or transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication without the band indication, based on the fact that the second frequency band is implicit. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0008] Figure 1 is a diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system.

[0009] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the components of the exemplary user equipment shown in Figure 1.

[0010] Figure 3 is a block diagram of the components of the exemplary transmit / receive point shown in Figure 1.

[0011] Figure 4 is a block diagram of the components of the exemplary server shown in Figure 1.

[0012] Figure 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary user equipment.

[0013] Figure 6 is a block diagram of the scheduled IB PRS (multiple inbound positioning reference signals) in the first and second frequency bands and the scheduled OB PRS (multiple outbound positioning reference signals) in the first frequency band. IB PRS / OB PRS are paired only in the first frequency band or the combination of the second and first frequency bands used to determine UERx-Tx.

[0014] Figure 7 is a block diagram of the IB PRS and OB PRS in the first and second frequency bands, which are paired only in the first / second frequency band combination used to determine UERx-Tx.

[0015] Figure 8 is a block diagram of the IB PRS and OB PRS scheduled in the first and second frequency bands. IB PRS / OB PRS are paired only in the first or second frequency band used to determine UERx-Tx.

[0016] Figure 9 is a block diagram of the IB PRS and OB PRS scheduled in the first frequency band and in the first and second frequency bands, respectively. IB PRS / OB PRS are paired only in the first frequency band used to determine UERx-Tx.

[0017] Figure 10 is a block diagram of the IB PRS scheduled in the first frequency band and the OB PRS in the second frequency band. The IB PRS / OB PRS are paired in the first frequency band / second frequency band combination used to determine UERx-Tx.

[0018] Figure 11 is a block diagram of the IB PRS for scheduling in the first frequency band and the OB PRS in the second and third frequency bands. The IB PRS / OB PRS are paired only in the first / second frequency band combination or the first / third frequency band combination used to determine UERx-Tx.

[0019] Figure 12 is a block diagram of the IB PRS scheduled in the first and third frequency bands and the OB PRS in the second frequency band. The IB PRS / OB PRS are paired in the first / second frequency band combination or the third / second frequency band combination used to determine UERx-Tx.

[0020] Figure 13 is a block diagram of the IB PRS scheduled in the first frequency band and the OB PRS in the second and third frequency bands. The IB PRS / OB PRS are paired in the first / second frequency band combination used to determine UERx-Tx.

[0021] Figure 14 is a block diagram of the IB PRS and OB PRS scheduled in the first and third frequency bands. The IB PRS / OB PRS are paired in the third frequency band used to determine UERx-Tx, and the IB PRS / OB PRS are paired in the first / second frequency band combination used to determine UERx-Tx.

[0022] Figure 14 is a diagram of the configured SRS bands and their associated band indices.

[0023] Figure 15 is a graph of the measurement reports including the UERx-Tx and IB PRS bands.

[0024] Figure 16 is a graph of the measurement reports including UERx-Tx, IB PRS band and OB PRS band.

[0025] Figure 17 is a graph indicating the capability report for the combination of frequency bands used in Rx-Tx reporting.

[0026] Figure 18 is a graph showing the capability report indicating frequency bands and their corresponding relative frequency band indices.

[0027] Figure 19 is a flowchart of signal transmission and processing used to determine the method for round-trip time measurement.

[0028] Figure 20 is a block diagram of the positioning method.

[0029] Figure 21 is a block diagram showing the exchange of positioning reference signals between the anchor point and the target user's equipment. Implementation

[0030] This document discusses techniques for reporting the time difference between the arrival of an IB PRS (multiple inbound positioning reference signals) received at a UE (User Equipment) and the transmission of an OB PRS (outbound PRS) corresponding to the IB PRS from the UE. The inbound PRS can be, for example, a DL PRS (downlink PRS) or an SL PRS (sidelink PRS), and the outbound PRS can be, for example, a UL PRS (uplink PRS) or an SL PRS. A frequency band indication of the OB PRS and / or the IB PRS frequency band can be reported in association with the time difference between the reception of the IB PRS and the transmission of the OB PRS. If the frequency bands are implicit, for example, only one IB PRS frequency band and only one OB PRS frequency band are configured (at least for one type of OB PRS (e.g., UL PRS or SL PRS)), or the frequency band combination of IB PRS and OB PRS is reported by the UE and / or configured for the UE, or the OB PRS frequency band is the same as the IB PRS frequency band (if available (e.g., scheduled)), then a frequency band indication may not be transmitted. The frequency band indication can be a relative frequency band index, which indicates which of the possible frequency bands reported by the UE or configured for the UE (e.g., scheduled) is used for the IB PRS and / or OB PRS corresponding to the reported time difference. These are examples, and other examples can be implemented.

[0031] The items and / or techniques described herein can provide one or more of the following capabilities, as well as others not mentioned. For example, the management burden of PRS processing can be reduced by providing indications of the IB PRS and / or OB PRS frequency bands corresponding to the time difference between the arrival of the IB PRS and the corresponding transmission of the OB PRS, or indications from which such indications can be determined. For example, by using relative band indices to specify frequency bands, the signal transmission management burden can be kept low. Other capabilities can be provided, and not every implementation of this invention must provide any of the capabilities discussed, let alone all implementations. Furthermore, the effects described above can be achieved by means other than those indicated, and the items / techniques described may not necessarily produce the indicated effects.

[0032] Obtaining the location of mobile devices accessing a wireless network can be useful for many applications, including, for example, emergency calls, personal navigation, consumer asset tracking, locating friends or family, etc. Existing positioning methods include those based on measuring radio signals transmitted from various devices or entities (including satellite vehicles (SVs)) and terrestrial wireless power sources (such as base stations and access points) within the wireless network. It is anticipated that the standardization of 5G wireless networks will include support for various positioning methods that can utilize reference signals transmitted by base stations in a manner similar to the Location Reference Signal (PRS) and / or Cell Service Area Specific Reference Signal (CRS) currently used by LTE wireless networks for positioning decisions.

[0033] This description may refer to, for example, a sequence of actions to be performed by elements of a computing device. The various actions described herein may be performed by specific circuitry (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), program instructions executed by one or more processors, or a combination of both. The sequence of actions described herein may be embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium on which a corresponding computer instruction set is stored, the execution of which, upon execution, will cause the associated processor to perform the functions described herein. Therefore, the various forms described herein may be embodied in a variety of different forms, all of which are within the scope of this application, including the claimed subject matter.

[0034] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, the terms "user equipment" (UE) and "base station" are not specific to or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (RAT). Typically, such a UE can be any wireless communication device used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network (e.g., mobile phone, router, tablet, laptop, consumer asset tracking device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.). The UE can be mobile or can (e.g., at certain times) be stationary and can communicate with a radio access network (RAN). As used herein, the term "UE" can be interchangeably referred to as "access terminal" or "AT," "client equipment," "wireless device," "user equipment," "user terminal," "subscriber station," "user terminal," or UT, "mobile terminal," "mobile station," or variations thereof. Typically, a UE can communicate with a core network via the RAN, and via the core network, the UE can connect to external networks such as the Internet and to other UEs. Of course, for the UE, other mechanisms such as connecting to the core network and / or the Internet via wired access networks, WiFi networks (e.g., based on IEEE 802.11) are also possible.

[0035] A base station may operate by communicating with the UE using one of several RATs, depending on the network in which it is deployed, and may be alternatively referred to as an Access Point (AP), Network Node, NodeB, Evolved NodeB (eNB), or General Node B (gNodeB, gNB). Furthermore, in some systems, a base station may provide purely edge node signaling capabilities, while in others it may provide additional control and / or network management functions.

[0036] The UE can be implemented using any of a variety of devices, including but not limited to printed circuit (PC) cards, compact flash memory devices, external or internal modems, wireless or wired telephones, smartphones, tablets, consumer asset tracking devices, asset tags, etc. The communication link through which the UE can send signals to the RAN is referred to as an uplink channel (e.g., reverse traffic channel, reverse control channel, access channel, etc.). The communication link through which the RAN can send signals to the UE is referred to as a downlink or forward link channel (e.g., paging channel, control channel, broadcast channel, forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term traffic channel (TCH) can represent uplink / reverse or downlink / forward traffic channel.

[0037] As used herein, depending on the context, the terms "cell service area" or "sector" may correspond to one of a plurality of cell service areas of a base station, or to the base station itself. The term "cell service area" may refer to a logical communication entity used to communicate with the base station (e.g., via a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell service area identifier (PCID), a virtual cell service area identifier (VCID)) used to distinguish neighboring cell service areas operating via the same or different carriers. In some instances, a carrier may support multiple cell service areas and may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., Machine Type Communication (MTC), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), or others) that can provide access for different types of devices. In some instances, the term "cell service area" may refer to a portion (e.g., a sector) of the geographical coverage area on which a logical entity operates.

[0038] Referring to Figure 1, examples of the communication system 100 include UE 105, UE 106, a radio access network (RAN) 135, here a fifth-generation (5G) next-generation (NG) RAN (NG-RAN), and a 5G core network (5GC) 140. UE 105 and / or UE 106 can be, for example, IoT devices, location tracker devices, cellular phones, vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks, buses, ships, etc.) or other devices. The 5G network can also be referred to as a new radio (NR) network; NG-RAN 135 can be referred to as a 5G RAN or NR RAN; and 5GC 140 can be referred to as an NG core network (NGC). Standardization of NG-RAN and 5GC is underway within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Therefore, NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 can conform to current or future 3GPP standards for 5G support. RAN 135 can be another type of RAN, such as a 3G RAN, a 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) RAN, etc. UE 106 can be configured and similarly coupled to UE 105 to send and / or receive signals to / from other similar entities in system 100, but for simplicity, such signal transmission is not shown in Figure 1. Similarly, for simplicity, the discussion focuses on UE 105. Communication system 100 can use information from a cluster 185 of satellite vehicles (SVs) 190, 191, 192, 193 for a satellite positioning system (SPS) (e.g., a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)), such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, or BeiDou, or some other local or regional SPS, such as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), the European Geostationary Satellite Navigation Augmentation Service (EGNOS), or a Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). Additional elements of communication system 100 are described below. Communication system 100 may include additional or alternative elements.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, NG-RAN 135 includes NR nodeBs (gNBs) 110a and 110b and a next-generation eNodeB (ng-eNB) 114, and 5GC 140 includes Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 115, Communication Management Function (SMF) 117, Location Management Function (LMF) 120, and Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125. gNBs 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 are communicatively coupled to each other, each configured for bidirectional radio communication with UE 105, and each is also communicatively coupled to and configured for bidirectional communication with AMF 115. gNBs 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 can be referred to as base stations (BSs). AMF 115, SMF 117, LMF 120, and GMLC 125 are communicatively coupled to each other, and the GMLC is communicatively coupled to an external client 130. SMF 117 can be used as the initial contact point for a Service Control Function (SCF) (not shown) to establish, control, and terminate media communication periods. BS 110a, 110b, and 114 can be macrocell service areas (e.g., high-power cellular base stations), small cell service areas (e.g., low-power cellular base stations), or access points (e.g., short-range base stations configured to communicate using short-range technologies such as WiFi, WiFi-Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth®, Bluetooth®-Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, etc.). One or more of BS 110a, 110b, and 114 can be configured to communicate with UE 105 via multiple carriers. Each of BS 110a, 110b, and 114 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic area (e.g., cell service area). Each cell service area can be divided into multiple sectors depending on the base station antenna.

[0040] Figure 1 provides a general illustration of the various components, any or all of which may be used appropriately, and each component may be repeated or omitted as needed. Specifically, although only one UE 105 is illustrated, many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) may be utilized in the communication system 100. Similarly, the communication system 100 may include more (or fewer) SVs (i.e., more or fewer than the four SVs 190-193 shown), gNBs 110a and 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115, external client 130, and / or other components. The illustrated connections connecting the various components in the communication system 100 include data and signal transmission connections, which may include additional (intermediary) components, direct or indirect physical and / or wireless connections and / or additional networks. Furthermore, depending on the desired functionality, components may be rearranged, combined, separated, replaced, and / or omitted.

[0041] Although Figure 1 illustrates a 5G-based network, similar network implementations and configurations can also be used for other communication technologies, such as 3G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc. The implementations described herein (whether for 5G technology and / or one or more other communication technologies and / or protocols) can be used to transmit (or broadcast) directional synchronization signals, receive and measure directional signals at a UE (e.g., UE 105), and / or provide location assistance to UE 105 (via GMLC 125 or other location servers), and / or calculate the location of UE 105 at a location-capable device (e.g., UE 105, gNB 110a, 110b, or LMF 120) based on the measurement of the directionally transmitted signals received at UE 105. The Gateway Movement Location Center (GMLC) 125, Location Management Function (LMF) 120, Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 115, SMF 117, ng-eNB (eNodeB) 114, and gNB (gNodeB) 110a, 110b are examples, and in various embodiments, they may be replaced by, or include, various other location server functions and / or base station functions.

[0042] System 100 is capable of wireless communication because its components can (at least sometimes using wireless connections) communicate directly or indirectly, for example, via BS 110a, 110b, 114 and / or network 140 (and / or one or more other undisclosed devices, such as one or more other base station transceivers). For indirect communication, communication can be altered during transmission from one entity to another, for example, by changing the header information of data packets, changing the format, etc. UE 105 may include multiple UEs and may be mobile wireless communication devices, but can communicate wirelessly via wired connections. UE 105 can be any of a variety of devices, such as smartphones, tablets, vehicle-based devices, etc., but these are merely examples, as UE 105 does not need to be any of these configurations and other configurations of UEs can be used. Other UEs may include wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart jewelry, smart glasses, or headphones, etc.). Other UEs, whether currently existing or developed in the future, may also be used. In addition, other wireless devices (whether active or not) can be implemented within system 100 and can communicate with each other and / or with UE 105, BS 110a, 110b, 114, core network 140, and / or external client 130. For example, such other devices may include Internet of Things (IoT) devices, medical devices, home entertainment and / or automation devices, etc. Core network 140 can communicate with external client 130 (e.g., a computer system), for example, to allow external client 130 (e.g., via GMLC 125) to request and / or receive location information about UE 105.

[0043] UE 105 or other devices can be configured to communicate in various networks and / or for various purposes and / or using various technologies (e.g., 5G, Wi-Fi communication, multiple frequencies of Wi-Fi communication, satellite positioning, one or more types of communication (e.g., GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything, e.g., V2P (Vehicle-to-Pedestrian), V2I (Vehicle-to-Infrastructure), V2V (Vehicle-to-Vehicle), etc.), IEEE 802.11p, etc.)). V2X communication can be Cellular-V2X (C-V2X) and / or WiFi (e.g., DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Connectivity)). System 100 can support operation on multiple carriers (waveform signals of different frequencies). A multi-carrier transmitter can simultaneously transmit modulated signals on multiple carriers. Each modulated signal can be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) signal, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) signal, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) signal, Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) signal, etc. Each modulated signal can be transmitted on a different carrier and can carry pilot frequencies, management burden information, data, etc. UEs 105 and 106 can communicate with each other via UE-UE sidelink (SL) communication by transmitting on one or more sidelink channels such as the Physical Sidelink Synchronization Channel (PSSCH), Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH), or Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH).

[0044] UE 105 may include and / or may be referred to as a device, mobile device, wireless device, mobile terminal, terminal, mobile station (MS), Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Enabled Terminal (SET), or other names. Furthermore, UE 105 may correspond to a cellular phone, smartphone, laptop, tablet, PDA, consumer asset tracking device, navigation device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, health monitor, security system, smart city sensor, smart meter, wearable tracker, or other portable or mobile device. Typically, though not required, UE 105 may support wireless communications using one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs), such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), LTE, High-Rate Packet Data (HRPD), IEEE 802.11 WiFi (also known as Wi-Fi), Bluetooth® (BT), WiMAX, and 5G New Radio (NR) (e.g., using NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140). UE 105 may also support wireless communications using a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) that can be connected to other networks (e.g., the Internet) via Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or packet cable, as an example. The use of one or more of these RATs may allow UE 105 to communicate with external client 130 (e.g., via an element of 5GC 140 not shown in FIG. 1, or possibly via GMLC 125) and / or allow external client 130 to receive location information about UE 105 (e.g., via GMLC 125).

[0045] UE 105 may include a single entity or may include multiple entities, such as in a personal area network, where a user may use audio, video, and / or data I / O (input / output) devices and / or body sensors, as well as a separate wired or wireless modem. The estimation of the location of UE 105 may be referred to as location, location estimate, location fixed, fixed, orientation, orientation estimate, or orientation fixed, and may be geographic, thus providing location coordinates (e.g., latitude and longitude) for UE 105, and may or may not include an altitude component (e.g., sea level, height above ground or depth below ground, floor level, or basement level). Alternatively, the location of UE 105 may be represented as a city location (e.g., a postal address or designation of a point or small area (e.g., a specific room or floor) within a building). The location of UE 105 may be represented as an area or volume (defined in geographic or city form) in which UE 105 is expected to be located with a certain probability or confidence level (e.g., 67%, 95%, etc.). The location of UE 105 can be represented as a relative location, which includes, for example, distance and direction from a known location. A relative location can be represented as relative coordinates (e.g., X, Y (and Z) coordinates) defined relative to an origin of the known location. These relative coordinates can be defined, for example, geographically, in civilian terms, or with reference to a point, area, or volume indicated, for example, on a map, floor plan, or architectural plan. In the description contained herein, unless otherwise indicated, the use of the term "location" can include any of these variations. When calculating the location of the UE, the local x, y, and possibly z coordinates are typically solved first, and then the local coordinates are converted as needed to absolute coordinates (e.g., for latitude, longitude, and elevation above or below mean sea level).

[0046] UE 105 can be configured to communicate with other entities using one or more of a variety of technologies. UE 105 can be configured to indirectly connect to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. D2D P2P connections can be supported via any suitable D2D radio access technology (RAT) (e.g., LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth®, etc.). One or more UEs in a group utilizing D2D communication can be within the geographic coverage area of ​​one or more Transmit / Receive Points (TRPs) such as gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. Other UEs in this group may be outside this geographic coverage area or may be unable to receive transmissions from base stations for other reasons. A group of UEs communicating via D2D communication can utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE can transmit to other UEs in the group. TRPs can facilitate the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication can be performed between UEs without the involvement of a TRP. One or more UEs in a group utilizing D2D communication can be within the geographical coverage area of ​​the TRP. Other UEs in this group may be outside this geographical coverage area, or may be unable to receive transmissions from the base station for other reasons. A group of UEs communicating via D2D communication can utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE can transmit to other UEs in the group. The TRP can facilitate the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication can be performed between UEs without the involvement of a TRP.

[0047] The base stations (BSs) in the NG-RAN 135 shown in Figure 1 include NR Node Bs, referred to as gNBs 110a and 110b. The gNBs 110a and 110b in the NG-RAN 135 can be interconnected via one or more other gNBs. Radio communication between the UE 105 and one or more gNBs 110a and 110b provides access to the 5G network for the UE 105. gNBs 110a and 110b can use 5G to provide radio communication access to the 5GC 140 on behalf of the UE 105. In Figure 1, it is assumed that the serving gNB for the UE 105 is gNB 110a. However, if the UE 105 moves to another location, another gNB (e.g., gNB 110b) can act as the serving gNB, or can act as a secondary gNB to provide additional throughput and bandwidth to the UE 105.

[0048] The base stations (BSs) in NG-RAN 135 shown in Figure 1 may include ng-eNB 114, also known as Next Generation Evolved Node B. ng-eNB 114 may be connected to one or more of the gNBs 110a and 110b in NG-RAN 135 via one or more other gNBs and / or one or more other ng-eNBs. ng-eNB 114 may provide LTE radio access and / or evolved LTE (eLTE) radio access to UE 105. One or more of the gNBs 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 may be configured as location-only beacons, which may transmit signals to help determine the orientation of UE 105, but cannot receive signals from UE 105 or from other UEs.

[0049] BSs 110a, 110b, and 114 may each include one or more TRPs. For example, although multiple TRPs may share one or more components (e.g., share a processor but have separate antennas), each sector within the BS's cellular service area may include a TRP. System 100 may include only macro TRPs, or system 100 may have different types of TRPs, such as macro, pico, and / or femto TRPs. Macro TRPs may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access to terminals with service subscriptions. Pico TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a picocell service area) and may allow unrestricted access to terminals with service subscriptions. Femto or home TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a femtocell service area) and may allow restricted access to terminals associated with a femtocell service area (e.g., terminals for users in a home).

[0050] As noted, although Figure 1 illustrates a node configured to communicate according to a 5G communication protocol, nodes configured to communicate according to other communication protocols such as LTE or IEEE 802.11x can also be used. For example, in an Evolved Packet System (EPS) providing LTE radio access to UE 105, the RAN may include an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), which may include base stations containing Evolved Nodes (eNBs). The core network for the EPS may include an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). The EPS may include E-UTRAN plus EPC, where in Figure 1, E-UTRAN corresponds to NG-RAN 135, and EPC corresponds to 5GC 140.

[0051] gNB 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 can communicate with AMF 115. For positioning functions, AMF 115 communicates with LMF 120. AMF 115 can support the mobility of UE 105, including cell service area changes and handover, and can participate in supporting signaling connections to UE 105 and possibly data and voice bearers for UE 105. LMF 120 can communicate directly with UE 105, for example, via radio communication, or directly with BS 110a, 110b, and 114. When UE 105 accesses NG-RAN 135, LMF 120 can support UE 105's positioning and can support positioning procedures / methods such as Auxiliary GNSS (A-GNSS), Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) (e.g., Downlink (DL) OTDOA or Uplink (UL) OTDOA), Round Trip Time (RTT), Multi-cell Service Area RTT, Real-time Kinematics (RTK), Precise Point Positioning (PPP), Differential GNSS (DGNSS), Enhanced Cell Service Area ID (E-CID)), Angle of Arrival (AoA), Angle of Departure (AoD), and / or other positioning methods. LMF 120 can process location service requests for UE 105 received, for example, from AMF 115 or GMLC 125. LMF 120 can connect to AMF 115 and / or GMLC 125. LMF 120 may have other names, such as Location Manager (LM), Location Function (LF), Commercial LMF (CLMF), or Value-Added LMF (VLMF). Nodes / systems implementing LMF 120 may additionally or alternatively implement other types of location support modules, such as Enhanced Service Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC) or Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP). At least a portion of the location functionality (including the derivation of the UE 105's location) can be performed at UE 105 (e.g., using signal measurements obtained by UE 105 for signals transmitted by radio nodes such as gNB 110a, 110b, and gNB and / or ng-eNB 114, and / or auxiliary data provided to UE 105, for example, by LMF 120). AMF 115 can be used as a control node to handle signal passing between UE 105 and core network 140 and can provide QoS (Quality of Service) streaming and communication period management. AMF 115 can support the mobility of UE 105, including cell service area changes and handover, and can participate in supporting signal transmission connections to UE 105.

[0052] GMLC 125 can support location requests for UE 105 received from external client 130 and can forward such location requests to AMF 115, which in turn forwards them to LMF 120, or the location requests can be forwarded directly to LMF 120. A location response (e.g., containing a location estimate for UE 105) from LMF 120 can be returned to GMLC 125 directly or via AMF 115, and GMLC 125 can then return the location response (e.g., containing a location estimate) to external client 130. GMLC 125 is shown connected to both AMF 115 and LMF 120, although in some implementations, 5GC 140 may only support one of these connections.

[0053] As further illustrated in Figure 1, the LMF 120 can communicate with gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 using the new Radio Positioning Protocol A (NPPa or NRPPa) defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455. NRPPa can be the same as, similar to, or an extension of the LTE Positioning Protocol A (LPPa) defined in 3GPP TS 36.455, and can be transmitted via AMF 115 between gNB 110a (or gNB 110b) and LMF 120, and / or between ng-eNB 114 and LMF 120. As further illustrated in Figure 1, the LMF 120 and UE 105 can communicate using the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) defined in 3GPP TS 36.355. LMF 120 and UE 105 can also communicate using a new radio positioning protocol (which may be called NPP or NRPP), which may be the same as, similar to, or an extension of LPP. Here, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between UE 105 and LMF 120 via AM 115 and the serving gNB 110a, 110b, or serving ng-eNB 114 for UE 105. For example, messages can be transmitted between LMF 120 and AMF 115 using the 5G Location Services Application Protocol (LCS AP), and messages can be transmitted between AMF 115 and UE 105 using the 5G Non-Access Layer (NAS) protocol. LPP and / or NPP protocols can be used to support the positioning of UE 105 using UE-assisted and / or UE-based positioning methods such as A-GNSS, RTK, OTDOA, and / or E-CID. The NRPPa protocol can be used to support the location of UE 105 using network-based location methods (such as E-CID) (e.g., when used with measurements obtained from gNB 110a, 110b, or ng-eNB 114), and / or can be used by LMF 120 to obtain location-related information from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114, such as defining parameters for directional SS transmissions from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. LMF 120 can be co-located with or integrated with the gNB or TRP, or it can be placed remotely from the gNB and / or TRP and configured to communicate directly or indirectly with the gNB and / or TRP.

[0054] Using a UE-assisted positioning method, UE 105 can obtain location measurements and send them to a location server (e.g., LMF 120) to calculate a location estimate for UE 105. For example, location measurements may include one or more of the following: Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), Round-Trip Time (RTT), Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), and / or Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, and / or WLAN AP. Location measurements may also, or alternatively, include measurements of GNSS pseudorange, code phase, and / or carrier phase for SV 190-193.

[0055] Using a UE-based positioning method, UE 105 can obtain location measurements (e.g., which may be the same as or similar to location measurements used in UE-assisted positioning methods) and can calculate the location of UE 105 (e.g., using auxiliary data received from a location server such as LMF 120, or broadcast by gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, or other base stations or APs).

[0056] Using a network-based positioning method, one or more base stations (e.g., gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114) or APs can acquire location measurements (e.g., measurements of RSSI, RTT, RSRP, RSRQ, or Time of Arrival (ToA) for signals transmitted by UE 105) and / or can receive measurements acquired by UE 105. One or more base stations or APs can transmit the measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 120) for calculating the location estimate of UE 105.

[0057] The information provided to the LMF 120 by the gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 using NRPPa may include timing and configuration information for directing SS transmissions and location coordinates. The LMF 120 may provide some or all of this information as supplementary data to the UE 105 in LPP and / or NPP messages via NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140.

[0058] The LPP or NPP message sent from LMF 120 to UE 105 can instruct UE 105 to perform any of a variety of operations according to the required functionality. For example, the LPP or NPP message can contain instructions for UE 105 to obtain measurements for GNSS (or A-GNSS), WLAN, E-CID, and / or OTDOA (or some other positioning method). In the case of E-CID, the LPP or NPP message can instruct UE 105 to obtain one or more measurements (e.g., beam ID, beam width, average angle, RSRP, RSRQ measurements) of directional signals transmitted within a specific cell service area supported by one or more of gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 (or supported by some other type of base station such as eNB or WiFi AP). UE 105 can send measurements back to LMF 120 via serving gNB 110a (or serving ng-eNB 114) and AMF 115 in LPF or NPP messages (e.g., within 5G NAS messages).

[0059] As noted, although communication system 100 is described in relation to 5G technology, communication system 100 can also be implemented to support mobile devices such as UE 105 and other communication technologies that interact with them, such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE, etc. (e.g., to enable voice, data, location, and other functions). In some such embodiments, 5GC 140 can be configured to control different air interfaces. For example, 5GC 140 can be connected to a WLAN using a non-3GPP interoperability function (N3IWF, not shown in Figure 1) in 5GC 150. For example, the WLAN can support IEEE 802.11 WiFi access for UE 105 and can include one or more WiFi APs. Here, N3IWF can be connected to the WLAN as well as other components in 5GC 140, such as AMF 115. In some embodiments, both NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 can be replaced by one or more other RANs and one or more other core networks. For example, in EPS, NG-RAN 135 can be replaced by E-UTRAN containing eNBs, while 5GC 140 can be replaced by EPC replacing AMF 115 containing a Mobility Management Entity (MME), E-SMLC replacing LMF 120, and GMLC possibly similar to GMLC 125. In this type of EPS, E-SMLC can use LPPa instead of NRPPa to send and receive location information from eNBs in E-UTRAN, and LPP can be used to support UE 105 positioning. In other embodiments, UE 105 positioning using directional PRS can be supported in a manner similar to that described herein for 5G networks, except that the functions and procedures described herein for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115, and LMF 120 can be alternatively applied to other network elements such as eNBs, WiFi APs, MMEs, and E-SMLCs in certain situations.

[0060] As noted, in some embodiments, the positioning function may be implemented at least in part using directional SS beams transmitted by base stations (e.g., gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114) within the range of the UE whose location will be determined (e.g., UE 105 in FIG. 1). In some cases, the UE may use directional SS beams from multiple base stations (e.g., gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, etc.) to calculate the UE's orientation.

[0061] Referring also to Figure 2, UE 200 is an example of one of UEs 105 and 106, and includes a computing platform comprising a processor 210, memory 211 including software (SW) 212, one or more sensors 213, a transceiver interface 214 for transceivers 215 (including wireless transceiver 240 and wired transceiver 250), a user interface 216, a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver 217, a camera 218, and a positioning device (PD) 219. The processor 210, memory 211, sensors(s) 213, transceiver interface 214, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, and positioning device 219 may be interconnected via a bus 220 (e.g., which may be configured for optical and / or electrical communications). One or more of the devices shown in UE 200 (e.g., camera 218, positioning device 219, and / or one or more of sensors 213, etc.) may be omitted. Processor 210 may include one or more smart hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 210 may include multiple processors, including a general-purpose / application processor 230, a digital signal processor (DSP) 231, a modem processor 232, a video processor 233, and / or a sensor processor 234. One or more of processors 230-234 may include multiple devices (e.g., multiple processors). For example, sensor processor 234 may include processors for, for example, RF (radio frequency) sensing and / or ultrasonic scanning (using one or more transmitted cellular wireless signals and for identifying, mapping, and / or tracking object reflections). Modem processor 232 may support dual SIM / dual-SIM (or even more SIMs). For example, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) may use a SIM (User Identity Module or User Identification Module), and another SIM may be used by the end user of UE 200 for connectivity. Memory 211 is a non-transitory storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, optical disk memory, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 211 stores software 212, which may be processor-readable and processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 210 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 212 may not be directly executable by processor 210, but may be configured to cause processor 210 to perform functions, for example, during compilation and execution. This description may refer only to processor 210 performing functions, but this includes, for example, other implementations in which processor 210 performs software and / or firmware. This description may refer to processor 200 performing functions as a simplified expression for one or more of processors 230-234 performing the functions.This description may be interpreted as a simplified representation of the UE 200 performing the function as one or more suitable elements of the UE 200 performing that function. In addition to and / or replacing memory 211, processor 210 may include memory with stored instructions. The functionality of processor 210 will be discussed more fully below.

[0062] The configuration of UE 200 shown in Figure 2 is an example of this application including the requested items and is not a limitation, and other configurations may be used. For example, an exemplary configuration of the UE includes one or more of processors 230-234 of processor 210, memory 211, and wireless transceiver 240. Other exemplary configurations include one or more of processors 230-234 of processor 210, memory 211, wireless transceiver, and one or more of sensors 213, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, PD 219, and / or wired transceiver.

[0063] UE 200 may include a modem processor 232, which is capable of performing baseband processing on signals received and down-converted by transceiver 215 and / or SPS receiver 217. The modem processor 232 can perform baseband processing on signals to be up-converted for transmission by transceiver 215. Alternatively, baseband processing may be performed by processor 230 and / or DSP 231. However, other configurations may also be used to perform baseband processing.

[0064] UE 200 may include multiple sensors 213, which may include one or more of various types of sensors, such as one or more inertial sensors, one or more magnetometers, one or more environmental sensors, one or more light sensors, one or more weight sensors, and / or one or more radio frequency (RF) sensors. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) may include, for example, one or more accelerometers (e.g., responding collectively to the acceleration of UE 200 in three dimensions) and / or one or more gyroscopes (e.g., multiple three-dimensional gyroscopes). Multiple sensors 213 may include one or more magnetometers (e.g., multiple three-dimensional magnetometers) to determine orientation (e.g., relative to magnetic north and / or true north) that can be used for any of a variety of purposes, such as supporting one or more compass applications. Multiple environmental sensors may include, for example, one or more temperature sensors, one or more barometers, one or more ambient light sensors, one or more camera imagers, and / or one or more microphones. Multiple sensors 213 can generate indications of analog and / or digital signals, which can be stored in memory 211 and processed by DSP 231 and / or processor 230 to support one or more applications, such as applications for positioning and / or navigation operations.

[0065] Sensor 213 can be used for relative position measurement, relative position determination, motion determination, etc. Information detected by (multiple) sensors 213 can be used for motion detection, relative displacement, dead reckoning, sensor-based position determination, and / or sensor-assisted position determination. (Multiple) sensors 213 can be used to determine whether UE 200 is stationary or mobile, and / or whether to report certain useful information about the mobility of UE 200 to LMF 120. For example, based on information obtained / measured by (multiple) sensors 213, UE 200 can notify / report to LMF 120 that UE 200 has detected motion or that UE 200 has moved, and report relative displacement / distance (e.g., via dead reckoning, or sensor-based position determination, or sensor-assisted position determination enabled by (multiple) sensors 213). In another instance, for relative positioning information, the sensor / IMU can be used to determine the angle and / or orientation of another device relative to the UE 200.

[0066] The IMU can be configured to provide measurements of the UE 200's direction of motion and / or velocity, which can be used in relative position determination. For example, one or more accelerometers and / or one or more gyroscopes of the IMU can detect the UE 200's linear acceleration and rotational velocity, respectively. The UE 200's linear acceleration and rotational velocity measurements can be integrated over time to determine the UE 200's transient direction of motion and displacement. The transient direction of motion and displacement can be integrated to track the UE 200's position. For example, the UE 200's reference position can be determined, for instance, by acquiring a time using the SPS receiver 217 (and / or via some other component), and measurements obtained from (multiple) accelerometers and (multiple) gyroscopes after that time can be used for dead reckoning to determine the UE 200's current position based on the UE 200's movement (direction and distance) relative to the reference position.

[0067] Multiple magnetometers can determine the magnetic field strength in different directions, and the magnetic field strength can be used to determine the orientation of the UE 200. For example, the orientation can be used to provide a digital compass for the UE 200. The multiple magnetometers may include two-dimensional magnetometers configured to detect and provide indications of magnetic field strength in two orthogonal dimensions. The multiple magnetometers may include three-dimensional magnetometers configured to detect and provide indications of magnetic field strength in three orthogonal dimensions. The multiple magnetometers can provide components for sensing magnetic fields and providing indications of magnetic fields to, for example, a processor 210.

[0068] Transceiver 215 may include a wireless transceiver 240 and a wired transceiver 250, which are configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 240 may include a wireless transmitter 242 and a wireless receiver 244, which are coupled to one or more antennas 246 for transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals 248 (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more sidelink channels), and for converting signals from wireless signals 248 to wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals to wireless signals 248. Therefore, wireless transmitter 242 may include multiple transmitters, which may be individual components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 244 may include multiple receivers, which may be individual components or combined / integrated components. Wireless transceiver 240 may be configured to communicate signals according to various Radio Access Technologies (RATs) (e.g., with TRP and / or one or more other devices). These RATs include, for example, 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth®, Zigbee, etc. New Radio may use millimeter wave frequencies and / or frequencies below 6 GHz. Wired transceiver 250 may include a wired transmitter 252 and a wired receiver 254 configured for wired communication, such as a network interface for communicating with network 135 to send and receive communications from network 135. Wired transmitter 252 may include multiple transmitters, which may be individual components or combined / integrated components, and / or wired receiver 254 may include multiple receivers, which may be individual components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 250 may be configured, for example, for optical and / or electrical communication. Transceiver 215 may be communicatively coupled to transceiver interface 214, for example, via optical and / or electrical connections. Transceiver interface 214 may be at least partially integrated with transceiver 215.

[0069] User interface 216 may include one or more of a number of devices, such as, for example, a speaker, microphone, display device, vibration device, keyboard, touch screen, etc. User interface 216 may include any one of more than one of these devices. User interface 216 may be configured to enable a user to interact with one or more applications hosted by UE 200. For example, user interface 216 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in memory 211 for processing by DSP 231 and / or general-purpose processor 230 in response to actions from the user. Similarly, applications hosted on UE 200 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in memory 211 to present output signals to the user. User interface 212 may include audio input / output (I / O) devices, including, for example, speakers, microphones, digital-analog circuitry, analog-digital circuitry, amplifiers, and / or gain control circuitry (including any one of more than one of these devices). Other configurations of the audio I / O devices may be used. Alternatively, the user interface 216 may include one or more touch sensors that respond to touch and / or pressure on, for example, a keyboard and / or a touchscreen of the user interface 216.

[0070] SPS receiver 217 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver) is capable of receiving and acquiring SPS signal 260 via SPS antenna 262. Antenna 262 is configured to convert the wireless SPS signal 260 into a wired signal, such as an electrical or optical signal, and may be integrated with antenna 246. SPS receiver 217 may be configured to process the acquired SPS signal 260, either wholly or partially, to estimate the location of UE 200. For example, SPS receiver 217 may be configured to determine the location of UE 200 by using trilateration of SPS signal 260. General-purpose processor 230, memory 211, DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors (not shown) may be used, together with SPS receiver 217, to process the acquired SPS signal, either wholly or partially, and / or calculate the estimated location of UE 200. Memory 211 may store indications (e.g., measurements) and / or other signals (e.g., signals acquired from wireless transceiver 240) of SPS signal 260 for use in performing positioning operations. The general-purpose processor 230, DSP 231 and / or one or more dedicated processors and / or memory 211 can provide or support a position engine for processing measurements to estimate the position of the UE 200.

[0071] UE 200 may include a camera 218 for capturing still or moving images. Camera 218 may include, for example, an imaging sensor (e.g., a charge-coupled device or a CMOS imager), a lens, analog-to-digital circuitry, a frame buffer, etc. Additional processing, conditioning, encoding, and / or compression of the signals representing the captured images may be performed by a general-purpose processor 230 and / or a DSP 231. Alternatively, a video processor 233 may condition, encode, compress, and / or manipulate the signals representing the captured images. The video processor 233 may decode / decompress stored image data for presentation on a display device (not shown), such as user interface 216.

[0072] Location device (PD) 219 may be configured to determine the location of UE 200, the movement of UE 200, and / or the relative position of UE 200, and / or time. For example, PD 219 may communicate with and / or include some or all of SPS receivers 217. PD 219 may suitably work in conjunction with processor 210 and memory 211 to perform a portion of one or more positioning methods, although the description herein may refer only to PD 219 configured to perform or carry out according to positioning methods(s). PD 219 may also be, or alternatively, configured to use ground-based signals for trilateration (e.g., at least some of signals 248) to determine the location of UE 200 to assist in obtaining and using SPS signal 260, or both. PD 219 can be configured to determine the location of UE 200 using one or more other technologies (e.g., relying on the UE's self-reported location (e.g., part of the UE's location beacon)), and can use a combination of technologies (e.g., SPS and terrestrial positioning signals) to determine the location of UE 200. PD 219 may include one or more sensors 213 (e.g., multiple gyroscopes, multiple accelerometers, multiple magnetometers, etc.) that can sense the orientation and / or motion of UE 200 and provide indications thereof. Processor 210 (e.g., processor 230 and / or DSP 231) is configured to use the aforementioned indications to determine the motion of UE 200 (e.g., velocity vector and / or acceleration vector). PD 219 can be configured to provide indications of indeterminacy and / or error in the determined location and / or motion. The functionality of PD 219 may be provided in various ways and / or configurations, for example via general-purpose / application processor 230, transceiver 215, SPS receiver 217 and / or another element of UE 200, and may be provided by hardware, software, firmware or various combinations thereof.

[0073] Referring to Figure 3, examples of TRP 300 of BS 110a, 110b, and 114 include: a computing platform comprising a processor 310, memory 311 including software (SW) 312, and a transceiver 315. The processor 310, memory 311, and transceiver 315 may be communicatively coupled to each other via bus 320 (which may be configured, for example, for optical and / or electrical communications). One or more of the devices shown in the TRP 300 (e.g., a wireless interface) may be omitted. The processor 310 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The processor 310 may include multiple processors (e.g., including general-purpose / application processors, DSPs, modem processors, video processors, and / or sensor processors, as shown in Figure 2). Memory 311 is a non-transitory storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, optical disk memory, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 311 stores software 312, which may be processor-readable and processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 310 to perform the various functions described herein during execution. Alternatively, software 312 may not be directly executed by processor 310, but may be configured to cause processor 310 to perform functions, for example, during compilation and execution.

[0074] This description may refer only to processor 310, which performs the function, but it also includes other implementations, such as processor 310 executing software and / or firmware. The description may use processor 310 as a simplified expression for one or more processors included in processor 310 that perform the function. The description may use TRP 300, which performs the function, as a simplified expression for one or more suitable elements (e.g., processor 310 and memory 311) of TRP 300 (and therefore one of BS 110a, 110b, 114) that perform the function. In addition to and / or instead of memory 311, processor 310 may include memory with stored instructions. The function of processor 310 will be discussed more fully below.

[0075] Transceiver 315 may include a wireless transceiver 340 and / or a wired transceiver 350 configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 340 may include a wireless transmitter 342 and a wireless receiver 344, coupled to one or more antennas 346 for transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals 348 (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more downlink channels), and for converting signals from wireless signals 348 to wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals to wireless signals 348. Therefore, wireless transmitter 342 may include multiple transmitters, which may be individual components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 344 may include multiple receivers, which may be individual components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 340 can be configured to communicate signals according to various Radio Access Technologies (RATs) (e.g., with UE 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices). These RATs include, for example, 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth®, Zigbee, etc. Wired transceiver 350 may include a wired transmitter 352 and a wired receiver 354 configured for wired communication, for example, a network interface for communicating with network 135 to send and receive communications to, for example, LMF 120 and / or one or more other network entities. Wired transmitter 352 may include multiple transmitters, which may be individual components or combined / integrated components, and / or wired receiver 354 may include multiple receivers, which may be individual components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 350 may be configured, for example, for optical and / or electrical communication.

[0076] The configuration of TRP 300 shown in Figure 3 is an example of this case including the request items and is not a limitation, and other configurations can be used. For example, the description herein discusses configuring TRP 300 to perform or perform several functions, but one or more of these functions can be performed by LMF 120 and / or UE 200 (that is, LMF 120 and / or UE 200 can be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0077] Referring also to Figure 4, server 400, as an example of LMF 120, includes a computing platform comprising a processor 410, memory 411 including software (SW) 412, and transceiver 415. The processor 410, memory 411, and transceiver 415 may be communicatively coupled to each other via bus 420 (which may be configured, for example, for optical and / or electrical communications). One or more of the devices shown (e.g., wireless interfaces) may be omitted from server 400. Processor 410 may include one or more smart hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 410 may include multiple processors (e.g., including general-purpose / application processors, DSPs, modem processors, video processors, and / or sensor processors, as shown in Figure 2). Memory 411 is a non-transitory storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, optical disc memory, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 411 stores software 412, which may be processor-readable and processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 410 to perform the various functions described herein during execution. Alternatively, software 412 may not be directly executable by processor 410, but may be configured to cause processor 410 to perform functions, for example, during compilation and execution. This description may refer only to processor 410 performing functions, but it also includes other implementations, such as those in which processor 410 performs software and / or firmware. This description may refer to processor 410 performing functions as a simplified expression for one or more processors included in processor 410 performing the function. This description may refer to server 400 performing functions as a simplified expression for one or more suitable elements of server 400 performing the function. In addition to and / or replacing memory 411, processor 410 may include memory with stored instructions. The functionality of processor 410 will be discussed in more detail below.

[0078] Transceiver 415 may include a wireless transceiver 440 and / or a wired transceiver 450, which are configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 440 may include a wireless transmitter 442 and a wireless receiver 444, which are coupled to one or more antennas 446 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more downlink channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more uplink channels) wireless signals 448, and for converting signals from wireless signals 448 into wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and vice versa. Therefore, wireless transmitter 442 may include multiple transmitters, which may be individual components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 444 may include multiple receivers, which may be individual components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 440 can be configured to communicate signals according to various Radio Access Technologies (RATs) (e.g., with UE 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices). These RATs include, for example, 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth®, Zigbee, etc. Wired transceiver 450 may include a wired transmitter 452 and a wired receiver 454 configured for wired communication, for example, a network interface for communicating with network 135 to send and receive communications to, for example, TRP 300 and / or one or more other network entities. Wired transmitter 452 may include multiple transmitters, which may be individual components or combined / integrated components, and / or wired receiver 454 may include multiple receivers, which may be individual components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 450 may be configured, for example, for optical and / or electrical communication.

[0079] The description herein may refer only to the processor 410 that performs the function, but this includes other implementations of software (stored in memory 411) and / or firmware executed by the processor 410. The description herein may refer to the server 400 that performs the function as a simplified representation of one or more suitable elements (e.g., processor 410 and memory 411) of the server 400 that perform the function.

[0080] Positioning technology

[0081] For terrestrial positioning of UEs in cellular networks, techniques such as Advanced Forward Link Trilateral Measurement (AFLT) and Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) typically operate in a "UE-assisted" mode. In this mode, measurements of reference signals (e.g., PRS, CRS, etc.) transmitted by the base station are acquired by the UE and subsequently provided to the location server. The location server then calculates the UE's orientation based on the base station's measurements and the known location. Because these techniques use the location server rather than the UE itself to calculate the UE's orientation, they are not frequently used in applications such as car or cellular phone navigation, which typically rely on satellite-based positioning.

[0082] UEs can use a Satellite Positioning System (SPS) (Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)) to achieve high-precision positioning using Precise Point Positioning (PPP) or Real-Time Motion (RTK) technologies. These technologies use ancillary data, such as measurements from ground stations. LTE Release 15 allows data encryption so that only UEs subscribed to the service can read the information. This ancillary data changes over time. Therefore, it may not be easy for a subscribed UE to "crack the encryption" by passing the data to other UEs that have not yet paid for a subscription. The data must be repeatedly transmitted each time the ancillary data changes.

[0083] In UE-assisted positioning, the UE sends measurements (e.g., TDOA, Angle of Arrival (AoA), etc.) to a positioning server (e.g., LMF / eSMLC). The positioning server's Base Almanac (BSA) contains multiple "entries" or "records," one record per cell, where each record contains the geographic cell service area location, but may also contain other data. Identifiers of "records" within the multiple "records" in the BSA can be referenced. The BSA and measurements from the UE can be used to calculate the UE's orientation.

[0084] In traditional UE-based positioning, the UE calculates its own orientation, thus avoiding sending measurements to the network (e.g., a location server), which improves latency and scalability. The UE uses relevant BSA record information from the network (e.g., the location of the gNB (more typically a base station)). BSA information can be encrypted. However, because BSA information changes much less frequently than, for example, PPP or RTK auxiliary data described previously, it is more readily available to UEs that have not subscribed to and paid for the decryption key. The transmission of reference signals by the gNB makes BSA information potentially accessible through crowdsourcing or war-driving attacks, essentially allowing BSA information to be generated based on field and / or top-down observations.

[0085] Positioning technologies can be characterized and / or evaluated based on one or more criteria, such as positioning decision accuracy and / or latency. Latency is the time elapsed between the event that triggers the decision of orientation-related data and the availability of that data at the positioning system interface (e.g., the LMF 120 interface). At positioning system initialization, the latency for the availability of orientation-related data is called the First Time to Fix (TTFF), and is greater than the latency after the TTFF. The reciprocal of the time elapsed between two consecutive availability periods of orientation-related data is called the update rate, i.e., the rate at which orientation-related data is generated after the first fix. Latency can depend on, for example, the processing capacity of the UE. For example, assuming 272 PRBs (Entity Resource Blocks), the UE can report its processing capacity as the duration (in time, e.g., milliseconds) of DL PRS symbols that the UE can process per T time (e.g., Tms). Other instances that may affect latency include the number of TRPs from which the UE can process PRSs, the number of PRSs the UE can process, and the UE's bandwidth.

[0086] One or more of many different positioning techniques (also known as positioning methods) can be used to determine the orientation of an entity such as UE 105, 106, etc. Known orientation determination techniques include RTT, multiple RTT, OTDOA (also known as TDOA, and including UL-TDOA and DL-TDOA), Enhanced Cellular Service Area Identification (E-CID), DL-AoD, UL-AoA, etc. RTT uses the time it takes for a signal to travel from one entity to another and then back to determine the range between two entities. This range, plus the known location of the first entity and the angle between the two entities (e.g., azimuth), can be used to determine the location of the second entity. In multiple RTT (also known as multi-cell service area RTT), multiple ranges from one entity (e.g., UE) to other entities (e.g., TRP) and the known locations of other entities can be used to determine the location of one entity. In TDOA, the travel time difference between one entity and other entities can be used to determine the relative range from other entities, and the relative range, combined with the known locations of other entities, can be used to determine the location of one entity. Arrival and / or departure angles can be used to help determine the location of an entity. For example, the angle of arrival or departure of a signal, combined with the range between the devices (determined by the signal, such as the signal propagation time, the signal received power, etc.) and the known location of one device, can be used to determine the location of another device. The angle of arrival or departure can be an azimuth relative to a reference direction such as true north. The angle of arrival or departure can also be a zenith angle relative to the point directly upwards from the entity (i.e., radially outwards from the Earth's center). E-CID uses the identifier of the serving cell service area, timing advance (i.e., the difference between the UE's receive and transmit times), estimated timing and power of signals detected from neighboring cell service areas, and the possible angle of arrival (e.g., for signals from the base station or vice versa) to determine the UE's location. In TDOA, the time difference of signals arriving at the receiving device from different sources, along with the known location of the sources and the known offset of the transmission time from the sources, are used to determine the location of the receiving device.

[0087] In network-centric RTT estimation, the serving base station instructs the UE to scan / receive RTT measurement signals (e.g., PRS) on the serving cell service area of ​​two or more neighboring base stations (and typically the serving base station, as at least three base stations are required). One or more of the multiple base stations transmit RTT measurement signals on low-reuse resources allocated by the network (e.g., resources used by the base station to transmit system information). The UE records the time of arrival (also known as the time of reception, time of acceptance, or time of arrival (ToA)) of each RTT measurement signal relative to the UE's current downlink timing (e.g., derived by the UE based on DL signals received from its serving base station), and sends shared or separate RTT response messages (e.g., SRS (Detection Reference Signal) for positioning, i.e., UL-PRS) to one or more base stations (e.g., when indicated by its serving base station). The UE may include the time difference TRx → Tx (i.e., UE TRx-Tx or UERx-Tx) between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal and the transmission time of the RTT response message in the payload of each RTT response message. The RTT response message will include a reference signal from which the base station can infer the ToA of the RTT response. By comparing the difference TTx → Rx between the transmission time of the RTT measurement signal from the base station and the ToA of the RTT response at the base station with the time difference TRx → Tx reported by the UE, the base station can infer the propagation time between the base station and the UE. The base station can then determine the distance between the UE and the base station from this propagation time by assuming the speed of light within that propagation time.

[0088] UE-centric RTT estimation is similar to network-based methods, except that the UE sends uplink RTT measurement signals (e.g., upon service base station indication), which are received by multiple base stations in the UE's neighborhood. Each involved base station responds with a downlink RTT response message, which may include the time difference between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal at the base station and the transmission time of the RTT response message from the base station in the RTT response message payload.

[0089] For network-centric and UE-centric procedures, typically (although not always) the side performing RTT calculation (network or UE) sends (multiple) first messages or signals (e.g., (multiple) RTT measurement signals), while the other side responds with one or more RTT response messages or signals, which may include the difference between the ToA of (multiple) first messages or signals and the transmission time of (multiple) RTT response messages or signals.

[0090] Multiple RTT (Round-Trip Time) techniques can be used to determine location. For example, a first entity (e.g., a UE) can emit one or more signals (e.g., unicast, multicast, or broadcast from a base station), and multiple second entities (e.g., other TSPs, such as (multiple) base stations and / or (multiple) UEs) can receive signals from the first entity and respond to the received signals. The first entity receives responses from multiple second entities. The first entity (or another entity, such as an LMF) can use the responses from the second entities to determine the range to the second entities, and the location of the first entity can be determined via trilateration using multiple ranges and the known locations of the second entities.

[0091] In some cases, additional information can be obtained in the form of angle of arrival (AoA) or angle of deviation (AoD) in a defined straight line direction (e.g., in the horizontal plane or in three dimensions) or possibly a series of directions (e.g., for the UE, from the location of the base station). The intersection of two directions can provide another estimate of the UE's position.

[0092] For positioning techniques that use PRS (Positioning Reference Signal) signals (such as TDOA and RTT), PRS signals transmitted by multiple TRPs are measured, and the range from the UE to the TRP is determined using the signal arrival time, known transmission time, and known location of the TRP. For example, the RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) of the PRS signals received from multiple TRPs and used in TDOA techniques to determine the UE's orientation (position) can be determined. The Positioning Reference Signal can be referred to as the PRS or PRS signal. PRS signals are typically transmitted with the same power and have similar signal characteristics (e.g., the same frequency shift), which may interfere with each other. This can cause a PRS signal from a more distant TRP to be overwhelmed by a PRS signal from a closer TRP, thus preventing the detection of signals from more distant TRPs. PRS muting can be used to help reduce interference by muting some PRS signals (reducing the power of the PRS signal to, for example, zero, and therefore not transmitting the PRS signal). In this way, the weaker PRS signal can be more easily detected by the UE without interference from the stronger PRS signal. The term RS and its variants (e.g., PRS, SRS) can refer to one or more reference signals.

[0093] Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) include a downlink PRS (DL PRS, often simply referred to as PRS) and an uplink PRS (UL PRS) (which may be called SRS (Sound Reference Signal), used for positioning). PRS can include PN codes (pseudo-scrambled codes) or can be generated using PN codes (e.g., by scrambling the PN codes with another signal), allowing the PRS source to be used as a pseudo-satellite. PN codes can be unique for a PRS source (at least within a specified area, such that the same PRS from different PRS sources does not overlap). PRS can include PRS resources or PRS resource sets of a frequency layer. A DL PRS positioning frequency layer (or simply a frequency layer) is a collection of DL PRS resource sets from one or more TRPs, where the PRS resources have common parameters configured by the higher-layer parameters DL-PRS-PositioningFrequencyLayer, DL-PRS-ResourceSet, and DL-PRS-Resource. Each frequency layer has a DL PRS subcarrier spacing (SCS) for the DL PRS resource sets and DL PRS resources within the frequency layer. Each frequency layer has a DL PRS Cyclic Prefix (CP) for DL ​​PRS resource sets and DL PRS resources. In 5G, a resource block occupies 12 consecutive subcarriers and a specified number of symbols. Furthermore, the DL PRS Point A parameter defines the frequency of the reference resource block (and the lowest subcarrier of the resource block). DL PRS resources belonging to the same DL PRS resource set have the same Point A, and all DL PRS resources belonging to the same frequency layer have the same Point A. The frequency layers also have the same DL PRS bandwidth, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same comb size value (i.e., the frequency of the PRS resource element for each symbol, so that for comb N, every Nth resource element is a PRS resource element). A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and can be associated with a specific TRP transmitted by the base station's antenna panel (identified by the cell service area ID). The PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set can be associated with an omnidirectional signal and / or with a single beam (and / or beam ID) transmitted from a single base station (where the base station can transmit one or more beams). Each PRS resource in the PRS resource set can be transmitted on a different beam; therefore, a PRS resource, or simply a resource, can also be referred to as a beam. This has no impact on whether the UE knows the base station and the beam transmitting the PRS on it.

[0094] The TRP can be configured, for example, via instructions received from the server and / or via software within the TRP, to transmit DL PRS according to a schedule. According to the schedule, the TRP can, for example, periodically and intermittently transmit DL PRS at constant intervals starting from the initial transmission. The TRP can be configured to transmit one or more PRS resource sets. A resource set is a collection of PRS resources spanning a TRP that have the same periodicity, a shared silence mode configuration (if any), and the same repetition factor across time slots. Each PRS resource set comprises multiple PRS resources, and each PRS resource comprises multiple resource elements (REs), which can be located in multiple resource blocks (RBs) within N (one or more) consecutive symbols in a time slot. An RB is a set of REs that spans a certain number of consecutive symbols in the time domain and a certain number of consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain (12 RBs for 5G). Each PRS resource is configured with an RE offset, a time slot offset, a symbol offset within the time slot, and the number of consecutive symbols that the PRS resource can occupy within the time slot. The RE offset defines the initial RE offset of the first symbol within a DL PRS resource in terms of frequency. The relative RE offsets of the remaining symbols within the DL PRS resource are defined based on this initial offset. The slot offset is the starting slot of the DL PRS resource relative to the corresponding resource set slot offset. The symbol offset determines the starting symbol of the DL PRS resource within the starting slot. Transmitted REs can be repeated across slots; each transmission is called a repetition, thus multiple repetitions can exist within a PRS resource. DL PRS resources in a DL PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP, and each DL PRS resource has a DL PRS resource ID. The DL PRS resource ID in a DL PRS resource set is associated with a single beam transmitted from a single TRP (although a TRP can also transmit one or more beams).

[0095] PRS resources can also be defined via quasi-co-location and initial PRB parameters. Quasi-co-location (QCL) parameters can define any quasi-co-location information of the DL PRS resource along with other reference signals. DL PRS can be configured as QCL type D with DL PRS or SS / PBCH (Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel) blocks from either a serving cell service area or a non-serving cell service area. DL PRS can also be configured as QCL type C with SS / PBCH blocks from either a serving cell service area or a non-serving cell service area. The initial PRB parameter defines the initial PRB index of the DL PRS resource relative to reference point A. The initial PRB index has a PRB nullability and can have a minimum value of 0 and a maximum value of 2176 PRBs.

[0096] A PRS resource set is a collection of PRS resources that share the same periodicity, the same silent mode configuration (if any), and the same repetition factor across time slots. Each time all repetitions of all PRS resources in a PRS resource set are configured to be transmitted is called an "instance." Therefore, an "instance" of a PRS resource set is a specified number of repetitions for each PRS resource and a specified number of PRS resources in the PRS resource set, such that an instance is complete once the specified number of repetitions for each of the specified number of PRS resources has been transmitted. An instance can also be called an "opportunity." DL PRS configurations, including DL PRS transmission schedules, can be provided to the UE to facilitate (or even enable) the UE to measure DL PRS.

[0097] Multiple frequency layers of a PRS can be aggregated to provide an effective bandwidth greater than any bandwidth of the layer. Multiple frequency layers (which can be consecutive and / or separate) of component carriers that satisfy criteria such as Quasi-Cooperative Positioning (QCLed) and have the same antenna port can be stitched together to provide a larger effective PRS bandwidth (for DL ​​PRS and UL PRS), thereby improving the accuracy of time of arrival measurements. After QCL, different frequency layers behave similarly, making it possible to stitch the PRS to produce a larger effective bandwidth. The larger effective bandwidth (which may be referred to as the bandwidth of the aggregated PRS or the frequency bandwidth of the aggregated PRS) provides better (e.g., TDOA) time-domain resolution. An aggregated PRS comprises a set of PRS resources, and each PRS resource in the aggregated PRS can be referred to as a PRS component, and each PRS component can be transmitted on different component carriers, frequency bands, or frequency layers, or on different portions of the same frequency band.

[0098] RTT positioning is an active positioning technology where RTT uses positioning signals sent by the TRP to the UE and by the UE (participating in RTT positioning) to the TRP. The TRP can send a DL-PRS signal received by the UE, and the UE can send an SRS (Probe Reference Signal) signal received by multiple TRPs. The Probe Reference Signal can be referred to as SRS or SRS signal. In 5G multi-RTT, coordinated positioning can be used with the UE sending a single UL-SRS received by multiple TRPs for positioning, rather than sending a separate UL-SRS for each TRP. Participating TRPs in multi-RTT typically search for UEs currently resident on the TRP (the served UE, where the TRP is the serving TRP) and UEs resident on neighboring TRPs (neighboring UEs). A neighboring TRP can be a TRP of a single BTS (e.g., gNB), or it can be a TRP of a single BTS and a TRP of a single BTS. For RTT positioning (including multi-RTT positioning), the DL-PRS and UL-SRS signals of the positioning signal pair (used to determine the RTT (and therefore the range between the UE and TRP)) in the PRS / SRS may occur close to each other in time, so that the errors caused by UE movement and / or UE clock drift and / or TRP clock drift are within acceptable limits. For example, the signals in the PRS / SRS of the positioning signal pair may be transmitted from the TRP and the UE within approximately 10 ms of each other. The transmission of the SRS for positioning signals via the UE, and the transmission of the PRS and SRS for positioning signals close to each other in time, has been found to cause radio frequency (RF) signal congestion (which may lead to excessive noise, etc.). In particular, it may cause computational congestion if many UEs attempt to locate simultaneously and / or at the TRP where many UEs are attempting to measure simultaneously.

[0099] RTT positioning can be UE-based or UE-assisted. In UE-based RTT, UE 200 determines the RTT, the corresponding range to each TRP 300, and the orientation of UE 200 based on the range to TRP 300 and the known location of TRP 300. In UE-assisted RTT, UE 200 measures the positioning signal and provides measurement information to TRP 300, and TRP 300 determines the RTT and range. TRP 300 provides the range to a location server, such as server 400, and the server determines the location of UE 200, for example, based on the range to different TRP 300. RTT and / or range can be determined via TRP 300, which receives signals from UE 200, via TRP 300 in combination with one or more other devices (e.g., one or more other TRP 300 and / or server 400), or via one or more devices other than TRP 300, which receives signals from UE 200.

[0100] 5G NR supports various positioning technologies. 5G NR supports NR native positioning methods including DL-only, UL-only, and DL+UL positioning. Downlink-based positioning methods include DL-TDOA and DL-AoD. Uplink-based positioning methods include UL-TDOA and UL-AoA. Combined DL+UL positioning methods include single-base station RTT and multiple-base station RTT (multi-RTT).

[0101] (For example, for a UE) Azimuth estimation can be represented by other names, such as location estimation, location, orientation, fixed orientation, etc. Azimuth estimation can be geodetic and may include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possible altitude), or it can be urban and may include street addresses, postal addresses, or other verbal descriptions of a location. Azimuth estimation can be defined relative to another known location, or it can be defined in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possible altitude). Azimuth estimation may include expected errors or indeterminacy (e.g., by including areas or volumes in which locations are expected to be included at a specified or preset confidence level).

[0102] UERx-Tx Time Difference Measurement and Reporting

[0103] Referring to Figure 21, the inbound PRS 2130 (i.e., the PRS received by the target UE 2110, for example, from anchor 2120) and the outbound PRS 2140 (i.e., the PRS sent by the target UE 2110, for example, to anchor 2120) used to determine the round-trip time can be transmitted in the same frequency band or different frequency bands, where different frequency bands are in the same frequency range or different frequency ranges. Traditionally, IB PRS is configured by LPP, while OB PRS is configured by RRC (Radio Resource Control) signals, and there is no explicit pairing between IB PRS and OB PRS. Anchor 2120 (also referred to as the anchor point) has a known location, which can be used in conjunction with the range from the anchor to the target UE 2110 to help determine the location of the target UE 2110. Anchor 2120, which transmits IB PRS and receives OB PRS, can determine the transmission time t1 of IB PRS and the reception time t4 of OB PRS, and determine the AnchorRx-Tx time difference between the transmission of IB PRS and the reception of OB PRS. Target UE 2110 can determine and provide the UERx-Tx time difference between the reception time t2 of IB PRS and the transmission time t3 of OB PRS. The RTT between anchor 2120 and target UE 2110 can be determined by subtracting the UERx-Tx time difference from the AnchorRx-Tx time difference. The anchor that transmits IB PRS and receives OB PRS can be, for example, a TRP (IB PRS is DL PRS, OB PRS is UL PRS) or a UE (both IB PRS and OB PRS are SL PRS). To ensure correct RTT, the AnchorRx-Tx time difference corresponding to the UERx-Tx time difference (i.e., the AnchorRx-Tx time difference determined for the same IBPRS and OB PRS as the UERx-Tx time difference) is used to determine the RTT. For example, Figure 6 illustrates an inter-band CA (carrier aggregation) scenario where two CCs (component carriers) are configured with OB PRS belonging to different TAGs (timing advance groups). Furthermore, the IB PRS is also configured in two positioning frequency layers, one belonging to the first frequency band and the other to the second frequency band. If the UERx-Tx time difference is reported without indicating, agreeing, or knowing the relationship between the IB PRS and OB PRS for the UERx-Tx time difference, the receiver of that time difference may not be able to correctly use the time difference (to determine the corresponding transmit and receive times at the anchor) to determine the round-trip time between the anchor (e.g., an entity with a known location, such as a TRP or UE) and the target UE (the UE whose location is to be determined).As shown in Figure 7, a similar result may occur, where IB PRS is scheduled in a single positioning frequency layer belonging to the first frequency band, and OB PRS is scheduled in both the first and second frequency bands. The IB PRS of the first frequency band and the OB PRS of the second frequency band are used to determine the UERx-Tx time difference, which is unknown to the receiver of the time difference (e.g., if the OB PRS in the second frequency band is typically used for UL-only positioning).

[0104] Referring to Figure 5, and further to Figures 1 through 4, UE 500 includes a processor 510, a transceiver 520, and a memory 530 communicatively coupled to each other via bus 540. UE 500 may include the elements shown in Figure 5. The elements shown in Figure 5 may include one or more other elements, such as any of the elements shown in Figure 1, such that UE 200 may be an instance of UE 500. For example, processor 510 may include one or more elements of processor 210. Transceiver 520 may include one or more elements of transceiver 215, such as wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246, or wireless receiver 244 and antenna 246, or wireless transmitter 242, wireless receiver 244, and antenna 246. Additionally or alternatively, transceiver 520 may include wired transmitter 252 and / or wired receiver 254. Memory 530 may be configured similarly to memory 211, for example, including software with processor-readable instructions configured to cause processor 510 to perform functions.

[0105] The description herein may refer only to the processor 510 performing the function, but this includes other implementations such as in which the processor 510 executes software and / or firmware (stored in memory 530). The description herein refers to the UE 500 performing the function as a simplified expression for one or more suitable elements of the UE 500 performing that function (e.g., processor 510 and memory 530). The processor 510 (possibly in conjunction with memory 530 and, where appropriate, transceiver 520) may include a PRS measurement unit 550, a PRS transmission unit 560, a location information reporting unit 570, and a capability reporting unit 580. The PRS measurement unit 550, PRS transmission unit 560, location information reporting unit 570, and capability reporting unit 580 will be discussed further below, and this description may refer entirely to the processor 510 or entirely to the UE 500, which performs any of the functions of the PRS measurement unit 550, PRS transmission unit 560, location information reporting unit 570, and capability reporting unit 580.

[0106] PRS measurement unit 550 is configured to measure IB PRS in various frequency bands, and PRS transmission unit 560 is configured to transmit OB PRS in various frequency bands. For example, units 550 and 560 can be configured (e.g., in the process of designing and manufacturing UE 500) to measure and / or transmit PRS in the frequency bands of FR1 (450MHz–6GHz (referred to as the sub-6GHz range)) and / or FR2 (24.25GHz–52.6GHz (referred to as the millimeter wave range)).

[0107] The location information reporting unit 570 is configured to determine the UERx-Tx time difference based on the measured IB PRS and the transmitted OB PRS, wherein the IB PRS and OB PRS may be in different frequency bands, and the UERx-Tx time difference is reported to network entities (e.g., TRP 300 and / or server 400 (possibly via TRP 300)). The location information reporting unit 570 can provide explicit indications of the frequency band(s) of the PRS used to determine the UERx-Tx time difference. The location information reporting unit 570 can avoid providing explicit indications based on whether the frequency band(s) of the PRS used to determine the UERx-Tx time difference is implicit (e.g., the result of negotiated, scheduled PRS) or based on an agreement known to the UE and the device determining the AnchorRx-Tx time difference between the reception time of the OB PRS and the transmission time of the IB PRS.

[0108] Referring also to Figures 8 to 12, the location information reporting unit 570 can be configured to: determine the UERx-Tx time difference based on the IB PRS and OB PRS of the same frequency band if they are scheduled; otherwise, determine the UERx-Tx time difference based on the time difference of IB PRS and OB PRS of different frequency bands. The location information reporting unit 570 can provide indications of the IB PRS frequency band and / or OB PRS frequency band. For example, as shown in Figure 8, OB PRS 810 is scheduled for the first frequency band, OB PRS 820 is scheduled for the second frequency band (different from the first frequency band), IB PRS 830 is scheduled for the first frequency band, and IB PRS 840 is scheduled for the second frequency band. The first frequency band is different from the second frequency band, but can overlap with the second frequency band; that is, the first frequency band and the second frequency band are not the same, but can have a shared frequency (i.e., shared frequency). The location information reporting unit 570 can be configured to determine the UERx-Tx time difference between IB PRS 830 and OB PRS 810, and the UERx-Tx time difference between IB PRS 840 and OB PRS 820, based on the fact that IB PRS and OB PRS are configured in the same frequency band. Referring also to FIG15, the location information reporting unit 570 can send a measurement report 1500 containing a UERx-Tx time difference field 1510 and an IB PRS field. The UERx-Tx time difference field 1510 indicates the time value of the difference between the IB PRS reception and the corresponding OB PRS transmission, and the IB PRS field 1520 contains a corresponding indication of the IB PRS associated with the UERx-Tx time difference. The IB PRS indication can be, for example, an IB PRS ID (identity) such as an index value, or, as shown in FIG15, an indication of the corresponding frequency band of the IB PRS associated with the corresponding UERx-Tx time difference. The orientation information reporting unit 570 may not indicate the OB PRS band, as this band is implicit. As another example, as shown in Figure 9, OB PRS 910 is scheduled for the first band, OB PRS 920 is scheduled for the second band, and IB PRS 930 is scheduled for the first band. The orientation information reporting unit 570 can be configured to determine the UERx-Tx time difference between IB PRS 930 and OB PRS 910 based on the fact that IB PRS and OB PRS are configured in the same band. The orientation information reporting unit 570 can report (e.g., as with report 1500) the UERx-Tx time difference and a corresponding indication of the IB PRS associated with the UERx-Tx time difference, such as an indication of the band associated with the UERx-Tx time difference.The orientation information reporting unit 570 may not indicate the OB PRS frequency band because this is implicit (only one IB PRS is scheduled). As another example, as shown in Figure 10, OB PRS 1010 is scheduled for the second frequency band, and IB PRS 1020 is scheduled for the first frequency band. Referring also to Figure 16, the orientation information reporting unit 570 can be configured to determine the UERx-Tx time difference between IB PRS 1020 and OB PRS 1010, and send a measurement report 1600 with UERx-Tx time difference field 1610, IB PRS field 1620, and IB PRS field 1630. Fields 1610, 1620, and 1630 include the UERx-Tx time difference and corresponding indications of the IB PRS and OB PRS, for example, an indication of the frequency bands of the IB PRS and OB PRS associated with the UERx-Tx time difference. The frequency band indication can be, for example, a frequency band index (e.g., a 10-bit value specifying one of the 1024 frequency bands of the corresponding frequency window). As another example, as shown in Figure 11, OB PRS 1110 is scheduled for the second frequency band, OB PRS 1120 is scheduled for the third frequency band (different from the first and second frequency bands), and IB PRS 1130 is scheduled for the first frequency band. The orientation information reporting unit 570 can be configured to determine the UERx-Tx time difference of IB PRS 1130 and OB PRS 1110 and / or the UERx-Tx time difference of IB PRS 1130 and OB PRS 1120, and report (e.g., similar to Measurement Report 1600) (multiple) UERx-Tx time differences and corresponding indications of IB PRS and OB PRS, for example, the frequency band indication of IB PRS and OB PRS for each UERx-Tx time difference. As another example, as shown in Figure 12, OB PRS 1210 is scheduled for the second frequency band, IB PRS 1220 is scheduled for the first frequency band, and IB PRS 1230 is scheduled for the third frequency band. The orientation information reporting unit 570 can be configured to determine the UERx-Tx time difference between IB PRS 1230 and OB PRS 1210 and / or the UERx-Tx time difference between IB PRS 1230 and OB PRS 1210, and report (e.g., similar to report 1600) (multiple) UERx-Tx time differences and corresponding indications of the IB PRS and OB PRS, for example, indications of the frequency band of the IB PRS and OB PRS for each UERx-Tx time difference.

[0109] If the OB PRS is implicit, the orientation information reporting unit 570 can be configured not to report OB PRS indications. For example, referring again to Figures 8 to 15, due to the known agreement between the UE and the receiver of the UERx-Tx time difference, the OB PRS band can be implicit; for example, the OB PRS is the same band as the IB PRS (unless otherwise stated). As another example, referring again to Figure 10, if OB PRS 1010 is the only scheduled OB PRS and IB PRS 1020 is the only scheduled IB PRS, the orientation information reporting unit 570 can send the measurement report 1600 without the OB PRS field 1630 and / or the IB PRS field, because the values ​​of these two fields are implicitly known about the UE's PRS scheduling. As another example, referring to Figure 13, due to the known agreement between the UE and the receiver of the UERx-Tx time difference, the OB PRS band can be implicit. For example, for multiple scheduled OB PRS, the OB PRS is a scheduled OB PRS in the same frequency range as the IB PRS used to determine and report the UERx-Tx time difference. That is, the location information reporting unit 570 can be configured to use an OB PRS in the same frequency range as the IB PRS to determine and report the UERx-Tx time difference. As shown in Figure 13, OB PRS 1310 is scheduled in the second frequency band of FR1, OB PRS 1320 is scheduled in the third frequency band of FR2, and IB PRS 1330 is scheduled in the first frequency band of FR1. In this scenario, when the location information reporting unit is configured to use an OB PRS with the same frequency range as the IB PRS, the OB PRS for the UERx-Tx time difference reported by IB PRS 1330 is implicitly OB PRS 1310 (and IB PRS 1330 may be explicitly indicated or not indicated if IB PRS 1330 is the only scheduled IB PRS)). As another example, due to an agreement known to the UE and the receiver of the UERx-Tx time difference, the OB PRS frequency band can be implicit; for example, for multiple scheduled OB PRS, the OB PRS with the smallest index value is not used for another reported UERx-Tx time difference but is used for the IB PRS to determine the UERx-Tx time difference. In the example of Figure 13, for the UERx-Tx time difference reported for IB PRS 1330, OB PRS 1310 will again be implicit, where the agreement is that the orientation information reporting unit 570 is configured to use the OB PRS with the lowest index value (e.g., the scheduled OB PRS not used for another UERx-Tx time difference) to determine and report the UERx-Tx time difference of the selected IB PRS.As another example, due to the capability report provided by capability reporting unit 580 that links OB PRS with the corresponding IB PRS, the OB PRS band can be implicit, and the IB PRS is indicated or is the only IB PRS scheduled (providing the UERx-Tx time difference either fully or without IB PRS indication). The orientation information reporting unit 570 can be configured to report the combination of bands used for Rx-Tx reporting when IB PRS and OB PRS are scheduled in various bands. For example, also referring to FIG17, OB PRS 1410 is scheduled for the second band, OB PRS 1420 is scheduled for the third band, IB PRS 1430 is scheduled for the first band, and IB PRS 1440 is scheduled for the third band. Also referring to FIG17, capability reporting unit 580 sends capability report 1700 indicating the combination of bands used for Rx-Tx reporting. In this example, Capability Report 1700 instructs UE 500 to use the OB PRS in band 2 to report the UERx-Tx time difference of the IB PRS in band 1, and typically will use the OB PRS in the same band to report the UERx-Tx time difference of the IB PRS, if scheduled (i.e., BandX / BandX indication). Therefore, for the PRS scheduling shown in Figure 14, the Location Information Reporting Unit 570 reports the UERx-Tx time differences for IB PRS 1430 and OB PRS 1410, and IB PRS 1440 and OB PRS 1420.

[0110] Frequency band index

[0111] When reporting the UERx-Tx value, the orientation information reporting unit 570 can report the OB PRS band corresponding to the UERx-Tx value, for example, as part of the TRP ID. The OB PRS band can be reported in various ways using a band index. For example, the bands can be sequentially numbered; for instance, 1024 possible bands can be represented by a 10-bit sequence and an appropriate 10-bit indication of the OB PRS band provided in the measurement report (e.g., in the TRP ID). Other techniques can be used to reduce the number of bits required to specify the band for the OB PRS, thus reducing the management burden.

[0112] Option 1

[0113] Capability reporting unit 580 can provide a capability report including the OB PRS bands supported by UE 500, and location information reporting unit 570 can be configured to indicate the OB PRS bands via a relative band index, which is a value relative to the OB PRS band indicated in the capability report. For example, UE 500 can report to server 400 (e.g., LMF) which bands UE 500 supports for transmitting OB PRS. UE 500 will typically report fewer than 1024 bands supported for OB PRS. For example, also referring to FIG18, capability reporting unit 580 can send capability report 1800 including band index field 1810 and band field 1820. UE 500 can index the supported bands, for example, in numerical order from the least supported band to the most supported band, although other techniques for numbering supported bands can also be used. Therefore, the value of band field 1820 indicates the bands supported by UE 500 (which UE 500 can use to transmit OB PRS) (e.g., 1024 bands that can be indicated), and the value of band index field 1810 indicates the sequential binary value corresponding to the band, i.e., the relative band index, which is about the supported bands. In the example shown, UE 500 reports that UE 500 supports eight bands for OB PRS; therefore, a three-bit band index is used in band index field 1810. For example, entry 1830 indicates that the band index value 000 corresponds to (indicating that UE 500 supports) band 1, and in this example, band 1 is band 14 out of 1024 bands that can be indicated by a 10-bit band index.

[0114] Option 2

[0115] The UE 500's orientation information reporting unit 570 can be configured to indicate the OB PRS frequency band via a relative frequency band index, which indicates which frequency bands the UE 500 has been configured to support. The UE 500 can be statically configured (during the manufacturing process of the UE 500, depending on its design) or dynamically configured (e.g., by receiving instructions (e.g., auxiliary data) via a transceiver 520 instructing the operation of the UE 500, providing software instructions to be executed and / or instructions regarding which of several statically configured operations to be executed). For example, the following procedure can be followed: 1. Server 400 (e.g., LMF) requests the service cell service area of ​​UE 500, such as TRP 300, to configure UE 500 using OB PRS. 2. The serving cell service area dynamically configures UE 500 for OB PRS (e.g., by sending control information to UE 500) using OB PRS and reports this configuration to server 400. UE 500 can be configured, for example, to support the frequency bands and frequency band indices indicated in capability report 1800. This is merely an example and is not limiting, and capability report 1800 is used as an example of configuration. UE 500 can be configured by the serving cell service area using OB PRS without UE 500 sending a capability report (e.g., report 1800), and can be configured differently from the capability report sent by UE 500. 3. Server 400 forwards the UE configuration to the neighboring cell service area. In this way, the neighboring cell service area with which the UE 500 exchanges positioning reference signals (e.g., for RTT positioning) will know which frequency bands the UE 500 has been configured to use for OB PRS. The frequency bands that the UE 500 has been configured to support can be indexed, for example, from the lowest frequency to the highest frequency (or via some other mechanism). 4. The UE 500 reports orientation information (e.g., UERx-Tx measurements). Orientation information includes a relative band index indicating the number of OB PRS bands the UE 500 has been configured to use for OB PRS. For example, if the UE 500 has been configured to support eight bands for OB PRS, the relative band index can be a three-bit sequence. As another example, if the UE 500 has been configured to support four bands for OB PRS, the relative band index can be a two-bit sequence. An exemplary configuration for multi-RTT measurement reporting is provided below, where the relative band index (nr-MeasuredSRS-bandIndex) is optional information. NR-Multi-RTT-MeasList-r16 ::= SEQUENCE (SIZE(1..nrMaxTRPs-r16)) OF NR-Multi-RTT-MeasElement-r16 NR-Multi-RTT-MeasElement-r16 ::= SEQUENCE { trp-ID-r16 TRP-ID-r16, nr-DL-PRS-ResourceId-r16 NR-DL-PRS-ResourceId-r16 OPTIONAL, nr-DL-PRS-ResourceSetId-r16 NR-DL-PRS-ResourceSetId-r16 OPTIONAL, nr-MeasuredSRS-bandIndex RelativeBandIndex OPTIONAL, nr-UE-RxTxTimeDiff-r16 INTEGER (FFS) OPTIONAL, -- FFS on the value range to be decided in RAN4 nr-AdditionalPathList-r16 NR-AdditionalPathList-r16 OPTIONAL, nr-TimeStamp-r16 NR-TimeStamp-r16, nr-TimingMeasQuality-r16 NR-TimingMeasQuality-r16, nr-PRS-RSRP-Result-r16 INTEGER (FFS) OPTIONAL, -- FFS, value range to be decided in RAN4. nr-Multi-RTT-AdditionalMeasurements-r16 NR-Multi-RTT-AdditionalMeasurements-r16 OPTIONAL, ... } trp-ID-r16, nr-DL-PRS-RsourcedId-r16, and nr-DL-PRS-RsourceSetId-r16 together provide sufficient information to determine the IB PRS band. In this example, DL PRS and UL PRS (SRS for positioning) are assumed, but SL PRS can be used instead.

[0116] Option 3

[0117] As a subset of Option 2, if UE 500 is configured to support only the two frequency bands of OB PRS, the relative frequency band index can be a single bit. This single bit can indicate whether OB PRS is in the same frequency band as PRS or in a different frequency band, or it can indicate whether OB PRS is in the lower or higher frequency band of the two frequency bands used for OB PRS, as configured by UE 500 (e.g., statically or dynamically, or as indicated in UE 500's capability report). The frequency bands that UE 500 is configured to support for OB PRS can be known via static or dynamic configuration or via UE 500's report; therefore, an indication that OB PRS and IB PRS are not in the same frequency band would mean that OB PRS is in another known frequency band. The following provides an exemplary configuration for multi-RTT measurement reporting, in which the UE 500 is configured to support two OB PRS bands. The relative band index is a Bollinger indicator that indicates whether different bands are used for IB PRS and OB PRS (different Band For PRS and SRS), and is optional information. NR-Multi-RTT-MeasList-r16 ::= SEQUENCE (SIZE(1..nrMaxTRPs-r16)) OF NR-Multi-RTT-MeasElement-r16 NR-Multi-RTT-MeasElement-r16 ::= SEQUENCE { trp-ID-r16 TRP-ID-r16, nr-DL-PRS-ResourceId-r16 NR-DL-PRS-ResourceId-r16 OPTIONAL, nr-DL-PRS-ResourceSetId-r16 NR-DL-PRS-ResourceSetId-r16 OPTIONAL, differentBandForPRSAndSRS BOOLEAN OPTIONAL, nr-UE-RxTxTimeDiff-r16 INTEGER (FFS) OPTIONAL, -- FFS on the value range to be decided in RAN4 nr-AdditionalPathList-r16 NR-AdditionalPathList-r16 OPTIONAL, nr-TimeStamp-r16 NR-TimeStamp-r16, nr-TimingMeasQuality-r16 NR-TimingMeasQuality-r16, nr-PRS-RSRP-Result-r16 INTEGER (FFS) OPTIONAL, -- FFS, value range to be decided in RAN4. nr-Multi-RTT-AdditionalMeasurements-r16 NR-Multi-RTT-AdditionalMeasurements-r16 OPTIONAL, ... } trp-ID-r16, nr-DL-PRS-RsourcedId-r16, and nr-DL-PRS-RsourceSetId-r16 together provide sufficient information to determine the IB PRS band. In this example, DL PRS and UL PRS (SRS for positioning) are assumed, but SL PRS can be used instead.

[0118] operate

[0119] Referring to Figure 19, and further referring to Figures 1 through 18, the signal transmission and processing flow 1900 for determining round-trip time measurements includes the stages shown. Flow 1900 is merely an example, as stages can be added, rearranged, and / or deleted.

[0120] In phase 1910, UE 500 sends a capability report 1912 to server 400. Capability report 1912 may indicate, for example, one or more frequency band combinations supported by UE 500 for measuring IB PRS and OB PRS and reporting one or more corresponding UERx-Tx time differences, as is generally the case in capability report 1700. Alternatively or additionally, capability report 1912 may indicate multiple frequency bands supported by UE 500 for transmitting OB PRS, as is generally the case in capability report 1700.

[0121] In phase 1920, server 400 and serving cell service area 1901 (of the TRP) negotiate and deliver the PRS schedule for UE 500. In sub-phase 1921, server 400 and serving cell service area 1901 negotiate PRS resources to allocate to UE 500 for DL ​​PRS reception and UL PRS transmission (to and from serving cell service area 1901 and / or one or more neighboring cell service areas 1902 (of the TRP of serving cell service area 1901 and / or another TRP)). In this example, the inbound PRS is DL PRS and the outbound PRS is UL PRS, but this description also applies to other PRS, such as SL PRS where both inbound and outbound PRS are SL PRS, where the PRS is exchanged between UE 500 and another UE (not serving cell service area 1901). Server 400 and service cell service area 1901 may consider the supported frequency bands and / or combinations of frequency bands indicated in Capability Report 1912 when determining the PRS schedule. UE 500's service cell service area 1901 sends AD 1922 (auxiliary information) to UE 500, AD 1922 including the PRS schedule. Server 400 sends one or more PRS schedules 1923 (e.g., UL PRS schedules) to one or more neighboring cell service areas 1902, enabling the neighboring cell service areas(s) to be aware of UE 500's PRS configuration.

[0122] In phase 1930, service cell service area 1901 sends DL PRS 1932 to UE 500. Service cell service area 1901 sends DL PRS 1932 according to the DL PRS schedule of AD 1922 (e.g., using a predetermined frequency band), and sends DL PRS 1932 at ToD t1. UE 500 receives DL PRS 1932 at ToA t2, which is later than t1 (although the line for DL ​​PRS 1932 is horizontal in Figure 19 and time is on the vertical axis).

[0123] In phase 1940, UE 500 measures DL PRS1932. PRS measurement unit 550 measures DL PRS 1932 and determines ToA t2, which is the time when DL PRS 1932 arrives at UE 500.

[0124] In phase 1950, UE 500 sends UL PRS 1952 to service cell service area 1901. For example, UE 500's PRS sending unit 560 sends UL PRS 1952 according to the UL PRS schedule indicated in AD 1922. In this example, UE 500 sends UL PRS 1952 at time t3, and service cell service area 1901 receives UL PRS 1952 at time t4, which is later than t3 (although the line for UL PRS 1952 in Figure 19 is horizontal).

[0125] In phase 1960, UE 500 (possibly via service cell service area 1901) sends a measurement report 1962 to server 400 indicating the UERx-Tx time difference between ToA t2 and ToD t3. For example, measurement report 1962, such as measurement report 1500, may indicate the value of the UERx-Tx time difference and the DL PRS used to determine the UERx-Tx time difference, for example, if the UL PRS is implicit. As another example, measurement report 1962, such as measurement report 1600, may indicate the value of the UERx-Tx time difference and the DL PRS and UL PRS used to determine the UERx-Tx time difference. As yet another example, where appropriate (e.g., if not implicit), measurement report 1962 may include the values ​​of ToA t2 and ToD t3, from which the value of the UERx-Tx time difference can be determined, and indications of DL PRS and UL PRS(s).

[0126] In phase 1970, service cell service area 1901 measures UL PRS 1952. For example, processor 310 measures UL PRS 1952 and determines ToA t4, that is, the time when UL PRS 1952 arrives at service cell service area 1901.

[0127] In phase 1980, the serving cell service area 1901 sends a measurement report 1982 to the server 400, and the server 400 determines the RTT between the serving cell service area 1901 and the UE 500. For example, the serving cell service area 1901 (e.g., wireless transmitter 342 and antenna 346 and / or wired transmitter 352) sends a measurement report 1982 with values ​​of ToA t4 and ToD t1, from which the value of the AnchorRx-Tx time difference can be determined, which is the value of the TRPRx-Tx time difference in this case. In the case of exchanging SL PRS between the UE 500 and another UE, the AnchorRx-Tx time difference will be the other UERx-Tx time difference (the time difference between the transmission of IB PRS (inbound to UE 500) and the reception of OB PRS (outbound from UE 500)). The service cell service area 1901 may send one or more other arrival times of UL PRS and / or other departure times of DL PRS, and the processor 410 of the server 400 may determine UL PRS 1952 corresponding to DL PRS 1932 to determine ToA t4 corresponding to ToD t1 to determine the RTT for the service cell service area 1901 and UE 500, where RTT is the TRPRx-Tx time difference minus the UERx-Tx time difference. In sub-phase 1984, the processor 410 determines UL PRS 1952 corresponding to DL PRS 1932, for example, based on the indications of UL PRS 1952 and DL PRS 1932 in Measurement Report 1962, or based on the indication of DL PRS 1932 in Measurement Report 1962 and the knowledge of the protocol implemented by UE 500 and the PRS schedule from AD 1922, or only based on the PRS schedule, or via another component. Based on the association between DL PRS 1932 and UL PRS 1952, the processor 410 of server 400 determines the RTT, for example, based on ToD t1, ToA t4 (or TRPRx-Tx time difference) and UERx-Tx time difference (or ToA t2 and ToD t3). If the service cell service area 1901 has appropriate information (e.g., measurement report 1962 and / or knowledge of the UE protocol), then the service cell service area 1901 can determine that UL PRS 1952 corresponds to DL PRS 1932, wherein the service cell service area 1901 has AD 1922 (whether or not it is used to determine UL PRS 1952). In this case, measurement report 1982 may include the value of the TRPRx-Tx time difference, or even the RTT.Server 400 (or other entity) can determine the range between service cell service area 1901 and UE 500 based on RTT, and can determine the location estimate of UE 500 based on multiple ranges from multiple cell service areas of a known location to UE 500 (or based on a range from the known location and the known orientation of UE 500 relative to the known location).

[0128] Referring to Figure 20, and further to Figures 1-19, the positioning method 2000 includes the stages shown. However, method 2000 is merely an example and not a limitation. Method 2000 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, performing simultaneously, and / or having the ability to separate a single stage into multiple stages.

[0129] In phase 2010, method 2000 includes measuring IB PRS resources in the first frequency band at the UE. For example, PRS measurement unit 550 measures DL PRS 1932 in phase 1930. As another example, PRS measurement unit 550 may measure SL PRS received from another UE. Processor 510, possibly in conjunction with memory 530 and transceiver 520 (e.g., antenna 246 and radio receiver 244), may include components for measuring IB PRS resources.

[0130] In phase 2020, method 2000 includes transmitting OB PRS resources from the UE to the receiving device on a second frequency band. For example, PRS transmitting unit 560 transmits UL PRS 1952 to the serving cell service area 1901 in phase 1950. As another example, PRS transmitting unit 560 may transmit SL PRS to another UE. Processor 510, possibly in conjunction with memory 530 and transceiver 520 (e.g., antenna 246 and radio transmitter 242), may include components for transmitting OB PRS resources.

[0131] In stage 2030, method 2000 includes at least one of the following: based on the second frequency band being different from the first frequency band, transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication and a frequency band indication from the UE, the receive-transmit time difference indication indicating the difference between the arrival time of the IB PRS resource and the departure time of the OB PRS resource; or, based on the second frequency band being implicit, transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication from the UE without transmitting a frequency band indication. For example, the orientation information reporting unit 570 determines and transmits a measurement report 1962 to the server 400 via the service cell service area 1901. The measurement report 1962 indicates the UERx-Tx time difference (including the UERx-Tx time difference and / or information from which the UERx-Tx time difference can be determined, such as ToA t2 of DL PRS 1932 and ToD t3 of UL PRS 1952, as shown in FIG19). The orientation information reporting unit 570 determines and sends measurement report 1962 to server 400 based on the difference between the OB PRS band and the IB PRS band (the OB PRS band is not implicit or is implicit). Measurement report 1962 indicates the UERx-Tx time difference (and / or information from which the UERx-Tx time difference can be determined) and the OB PRS band, for example, as shown in measurement report 1600. Alternatively, the orientation information reporting unit 570 determines and sends measurement report 1962 without indicating the OB PRS band, for example, as shown in measurement report 1500. For example, if the IB PRS band is implicit (e.g., the only scheduled IB PRS band), then the IB PRS band can also be omitted. The processor 510, which may be combined with memory 530 and transceiver 520 (e.g., wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246), may include means for transmitting receive-transmit time difference indication and frequency band indication, and / or may include means for transmitting receive-transmit time difference indication without transmitting frequency band indication.

[0132] Implementations of method 2000 may include one or more of the following features. In an exemplary implementation, where the first frequency band differs from the second frequency band, method 2000 includes transmitting a capability report indicating that a receive-transmit time difference indication corresponding to the IB PRS transmitted by the UE on the first frequency band will also correspond to the OB PRS on the second frequency band, and the method includes transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication without transmitting a frequency band indication, based on the second frequency band being indicated in the capability report. For example, capability reporting unit 580 transmits capability report 1912, which, as is typical in capability report 1700, indicates a frequency band combination of frequency band 1 for IB PRS and frequency band 2 for OB PRS, indicating that for IB PRS in frequency band 1, the UERx-Tx time difference will be indicated based on the OB PRS in frequency band 2 (as shown in Figure 10). Given the relationship between the IB PRS band and the OB PRS band indicated in the capability report (although the IB PRS band can be indicated, for example, if not implicitly), as generally shown in item 1530 of measurement report 1500, the orientation information reporting unit 570 sends a measurement report 1962 indicating the UERx-Tx time difference without indicating the OB PRS band. In another exemplary implementation, the method includes sending a receive-transmit time difference indication without sending a band indication, based on the fact that the second band is the only scheduled band for the UE to send PRS to the receiving equipment. For example, UL PRS to be sent to TRP 300 can be scheduled on a single band, or SL PRS to be sent to another UE can be scheduled on a single band.

[0133] Alternatively or concurrently, implementations of method 2000 may include one or more of the following features. In an exemplary implementation, the first frequency band differs from the second frequency band, the OB PRS resource is the first OB PRS resource, and the method includes selecting the first OB PRS resource from the first OB PRS resource and at least a second OB PRS resource on a third frequency band different from the first and second frequency bands based on a protocol by the UE, while transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication without transmitting a frequency band indication. For example, processor 510 may be statically or dynamically configured to transmit a UERx-Tx time difference indication without transmitting an OB PRS frequency band indication if the protocol indicates selection of the OB PRS frequency band and therefore the OB PRS frequency band is implicit. In another exemplary implementation, method 2000 includes selecting the first OB PRS resource based on the second frequency band being in the same frequency range as the first frequency band. For example, as shown in FIG13, the orientation information reporting unit 570 may select OB PRS 1310 within the same frequency range (but a different frequency band) as IB PRS 1330 to determine and report an indication of the UERx-Tx time difference. The processor 510, possibly combined with memory 530, may include components for selecting the first OB PRS resource. In another exemplary implementation, method 2000 includes selecting the first OB PRS resource based on the second frequency band having a smaller frequency band index than the third frequency band. For example, as shown in FIG13, the orientation information reporting unit 570 may select OB PRS 1310 to determine and report an indication of the UERx-Tx time difference because it has a smaller frequency band index than OB PRS 1320. The processor 510, possibly combined with memory 530, may include components for selecting the first OB PRS resource.

[0134] Alternatively or concurrently, implementations of method 2000 may include one or more of the following features. In an exemplary implementation, the method includes transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication without transmitting a frequency band indication, based on the fact that the first and second frequency bands are the same. For example, the orientation information reporting unit 570 transmits a measurement report 1962, such as a measurement report 1500 corresponding to the PRS schedule shown in FIG8 (or simply item 1530 for PRS scheduling shown in FIG9), which has an indication of the IB PRS frequency band and the OB PRS frequency band is implicitly the same (or the OB PRS frequency band is the same as the IB PRS frequency band). In another exemplary implementation, method 2000 includes: transmitting a capability report indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS frequency bands; and transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication and a frequency band indication associated with the receive-transmit time difference indication, the frequency band indication being a relative frequency band index indicating one of the plurality of possible OB PRS frequency bands indicated in the capability report. For example, capability reporting unit 580 sends capability report 1912 such as capability report 1800, indicating possible (e.g., supported) OB PRS frequency bands with corresponding index values ​​only for the indicated possible frequency bands, and orientation information reporting unit 570 sends an indication of one of the frequency band indices 1810 and an indication of the UERx-Tx time difference. Processor 510, possibly combined with memory 530 and transceiver 520 (e.g., wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246), may include components for transmitting capability reports.

[0135] Alternatively or concurrently, implementations of method 2000 may include one or more of the following features. In an exemplary implementation, the method further includes: receiving an OB PRS configuration indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS bands; and the method includes transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication and a band indication associated with the receive-transmit time difference indication, the band indication being a relative band index indicating one of the plurality of possible OB PRS bands indicated in the OB PRS configuration. For example, UE 500 receives a UL PRS configuration indicating possible UL PRS bands in AD 1922 (e.g., similar to capability report 1800), and orientation information reporting unit 570 transmits an indication of a band index for one of the possible UL PRS bands and an indication of the UERx-Tx time difference. Processor 510, possibly in conjunction with memory 530 and transceiver 520 (e.g., radio receiver 244 and antenna 246), may include components for receiving the OB PRS configuration. In another exemplary implementation, the frequency band indication is a Boolean indication that indicates whether the first frequency band and the second frequency band are the same or different, or indicates which of the two OB PRS frequency bands configured for the UE is the second frequency band.

[0136] Implementation Example

[0137] Non-exhaustive implementation examples are provided in the following numbered clauses.

[0138] 1. A UE (User Equipment), comprising:

[0139] At least one transceiver;

[0140] Memory; and

[0141] Communication is coupled to at least one transceiver and at least one processor of the memory, wherein the at least one processor:

[0142] Configured to measure inbound (IB) positioning reference signal (PRS) resources received via the at least one transceiver in a first frequency band;

[0143] Configured to transmit outbound (OB) PRS resources to the receiving device via the at least one transceiver in the second frequency band; and

[0144] At least one of the following:

[0145] Configured to transmit a receive-transmit time difference indication and a band indication indicating the second frequency band via the at least one transceiver, and based on the fact that the second frequency band differs from the first frequency band; the receive-transmit time difference indication indicates the difference between the arrival time of the IB PRS resource and the departure time of the OB PRS resource; or

[0146] It is configured to transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication via the at least one transceiver without the frequency band indication, based on the fact that the second frequency band is implicit.

[0147] 2. According to Clause 1 of the UE, wherein:

[0148] The first frequency band is different from the second frequency band;

[0149] The at least one processor is further configured to transmit a capability report indicating that a receive-transmit time difference indication transmitted by the UE corresponding to an IB PRS received by the UE in the first frequency band will also correspond to an OB PRS transmitted by the UE in the second frequency band; and

[0150] The at least one processor is also configured to transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication based on the second frequency band indicated in the capability report, in the absence of the frequency band indication.

[0151] 3. The UE according to Clause 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: transmit a receive-transmit time difference indication of the frequency band indicated, based on the fact that the second frequency band is the only scheduled frequency band for the UE to transmit PRS to the receiving device, in the absence of the frequency band indication.

[0152] 4. The UE according to Clause 1, wherein the first frequency band is different from the second frequency band, the OB PRS resource is a first OB PRS resource, and the at least one processor is configured to select the first OB PRS resource from the first OB PRS resource and at least a second OB PRS resource in a third frequency band different from the first frequency band and the second frequency band based on the at least one processor according to the protocol, and to transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band indication.

[0153] 5. The UE according to Clause 4, wherein the at least one processor is configured to select the first OB PRS resource based on the fact that the second frequency band is in the same frequency range as the first frequency band.

[0154] 6. The UE according to Clause 4, wherein the at least one processor is configured to select the first OB PRS resource based on the second frequency band having a smaller frequency band index than the third frequency band.

[0155] 7. The UE according to Clause 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band indication, based on the first frequency band and the second frequency band being the same frequency band.

[0156] 8. According to Clause 1, the UE, wherein:

[0157] The at least one processor is further configured to transmit capability reports indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS bands; and

[0158] The at least one processor is configured to transmit the band indication and the receive-transmit time difference indication, the band indication being a relative band index of one of the plurality of possible OB PRS bands indicated in the indication capability report.

[0159] 9. Under Clause 1 of the UE, wherein:

[0160] The at least one processor is further configured to receive an OB PRS configuration indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS frequency bands; and

[0161] The at least one processor is configured to transmit the band indication and the receive-transmit time difference indication, the band indication being a relative band index indicating one of the plurality of possible OB PRS bands indicated in the OB PRS configuration.

[0162] 10. The UE pursuant to Clause 9, wherein the band indication is a Boolean indication that indicates whether the first band and the second band are the same or different, or indicates which of the two OB PRS bands configured for the UE is the second band.

[0163] 11. A UE (User Equipment), comprising:

[0164] Components used for measuring incoming (IB) positioning reference signal (PRS) resources in the first frequency band;

[0165] Components for transmitting outbound (OB) PRS resources to receiving equipment in the second frequency band; and

[0166] At least one of the following:

[0167] A component for transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication and a band indication indicating the second frequency band based on the second frequency band being different from the first frequency band, wherein the receive-transmit time difference indication indicates the difference between the arrival time of the IB PRS resource and the departure time of the OB PRS resource; or

[0168] A component for transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band being indicated, based on the fact that the second frequency band is implicit.

[0169] 12. Under Clause 11 of the UE, wherein:

[0170] The first frequency band is different from the second frequency band;

[0171] The UE further includes components for transmitting a capability report, which indicates that a receive-transmit time difference indication transmitted by the UE corresponding to an IB PRS received by the UE in the first frequency band will also correspond to an OB PRS transmitted by the UE in the second frequency band; and

[0172] The UE includes a component for transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication in the absence of the frequency band indication, the component including: a component for transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication in the absence of the frequency band indication, based on the second frequency band indicated in the capability report.

[0173] 13. The UE pursuant to Clause 11, wherein the UE includes: A component for transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band indication, the component comprising: a component for transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band indication based on the fact that the second frequency band is the only scheduled frequency band for the UE to transmit PRS to the receiving device.

[0174] 14. The UE pursuant to Clause 11, wherein the first frequency band is different from the second frequency band, the OB PRS resource is a first OB PRS resource, and the UE includes means for transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band indication, the means including means for selecting the first OB PRS resource from the first OB PRS resource and at least a second OB PRS resource in a third frequency band different from the first frequency band and the second frequency band according to the agreement, and transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band indication.

[0175] 15. The UE pursuant to Clause 14 further includes a component for selecting the first OB PRS resource based on the fact that the second frequency band is in the same frequency range as the first frequency band.

[0176] 16. The UE pursuant to Clause 14 further includes a component for selecting the first OB PRS resource based on the second frequency band having a smaller frequency band index than the third frequency band.

[0177] 17. The UE pursuant to Clause 11, wherein the UE includes means for transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication in the absence of the frequency band indication, the means including means for transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication in the absence of the frequency band indication based on the fact that the first frequency band and the second frequency band are the same frequency band.

[0178] 18. Under Clause 11 of the UE, wherein:

[0179] The UE further includes components for transmitting capability reports indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS bands; and

[0180] The UE includes components for transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication and the frequency band indication, the components including components for transmitting the frequency band indication associated with the receive-transmit time difference indication, the frequency band indication being a relative frequency band index indicating one of the plurality of possible OB PRS frequency bands indicated in the capability report.

[0181] 19. Under Clause 11 of the UE, wherein:

[0182] The UE further includes components for receiving OB PRS configurations indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS frequency bands; and

[0183] The UE includes components for transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication and a frequency band indication, the components including components for transmitting a frequency band indication associated with the receive-transmit time difference indication, the frequency band indication being a relative frequency band index indicating one of the plurality of possible OB PRS frequency bands indicated in the OB PRS configuration.

[0184] 20. The UE pursuant to Clause 19, wherein the band indication is a Boolean indication that indicates whether the first band and the second band are the same or different, or indicates which of the two OB PRS bands configured for the UE is the second band.

[0185] 21. A positioning method, comprising:

[0186] On the UE (User Equipment), the Incoming Point Location Reference Signal (PRS) resources are measured in the first frequency band;

[0187] On the second frequency band, the UE transmits outbound (OB) PRS resources to the receiving device; and

[0188] At least one of the following:

[0189] Based on the difference between the second frequency band and the first frequency band, the UE transmits a receive-transmit time difference indication and a frequency band indication indicating the second frequency band. The receive-transmit time difference indication indicates the difference between the arrival time of the IB PRS resource and the departure time of the OB PRS resource; or

[0190] Since the second frequency band is implicit, the receive-transmit time difference indication is sent from the UE without sending the frequency band indication.

[0191] 22. The method according to Clause 21, wherein:

[0192] The first frequency band is different from the second frequency band;

[0193] The method further includes transmitting a capability report, which indicates that a receive-transmit time difference indication transmitted by the UE corresponding to an IB PRS received by the UE in the first frequency band will also correspond to an OB PRS transmitted by the UE in the second frequency band; and

[0194] The method includes transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication based on the second frequency band indicated in the capability report, without transmitting the frequency band indication.

[0195] 23. The method according to Clause 21, wherein the method comprises: transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication without transmitting the frequency band indication, based on the fact that the second frequency band is the only scheduled frequency band for the UE to transmit the PRS to the receiving device.

[0196] 24. The method according to Clause 21, wherein the first frequency band is different from the second frequency band, the OB PRS resource is a first OB PRS resource, and the method includes selecting the first OB PRS resource from the first OB PRS resource and at least a second OB PRS resource in a third frequency band different from the first frequency band and the second frequency band based on the UE according to the agreement, while transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication without transmitting the frequency band indication.

[0197] 25. The method according to Clause 24 further includes selecting the first OB PRS resource based on the fact that the second frequency band is in the same frequency range as the first frequency band.

[0198] 26. The method according to Clause 24 further includes selecting the first OB PRS resource based on the second frequency band having a smaller frequency band index than the third frequency band.

[0199] 27. The method according to Clause 21, wherein the method includes transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication without transmitting the frequency band indication, based on the fact that the first frequency band and the second frequency band are the same frequency band.

[0200] 28. The method according to Clause 21, wherein:

[0201] The method further includes transmitting capability reports indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS bands; and

[0202] The method includes transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication and a frequency band indication associated with the receive-transmit time difference indication, the frequency band indication being a relative frequency band index indicating one of a plurality of possible OB PRS frequency bands indicated in the capability report.

[0203] 29. The method according to Clause 21, wherein:

[0204] The method further includes receiving an OB PRS configuration indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS frequency bands; and

[0205] The method includes transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication and a frequency band indication associated with the receive-transmit time difference indication, the frequency band indication being a relative frequency band index indicating one of a plurality of possible OB PRS frequency bands indicated in the OB PRS configuration.

[0206] 30. The method according to Clause 29, wherein the frequency band indication is a Boolean indication that indicates whether the first frequency band and the second frequency band are the same or different, or indicates which of the two OB PRS frequency bands configured for the UE is the second frequency band.

[0207] 31. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium, comprising processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors of a UE (User Equipment) to perform the following operations:

[0208] Measure the incoming location reference signal (PRS) resources in the first frequency band;

[0209] Transmitting outbound (OB) PRS resources to the receiving equipment on the second frequency band; and

[0210] At least one of the following:

[0211] Based on the fact that the second frequency band differs from the first frequency band in that it includes a transmit / receive time difference indicator and a frequency band indicator indicating the second frequency band, the transmit / receive time difference indicator indicates the difference between the arrival time of the IB PRS resource and the departure time of the OB PRS resource; or

[0212] Since the second frequency band is implicit, the receive-transmit time difference indication is transmitted without the frequency band indication.

[0213] 32. Storage media pursuant to Clause 31, wherein:

[0214] The first frequency band is different from the second frequency band;

[0215] The storage medium further includes processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to send a capability report indicating that a receive-transmit time difference indication sent by the UE corresponding to an IB PRS received by the UE in the first frequency band will also correspond to an OB PRS sent by the UE in the second frequency band; and

[0216] The storage medium includes processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication without transmitting the frequency band indication. The processor-readable instructions include processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band indication, based on the second frequency band indicated in the capability report.

[0217] 33. The storage medium pursuant to Clause 31, wherein the storage medium includes processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band indication, the processor-readable instructions including processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication without transmitting the frequency band indication based on the fact that the second frequency band is the only scheduled frequency band for the UE to transmit PRS to the receiving device.

[0218] 34. The storage medium pursuant to Clause 31, wherein the first frequency band is different from the second frequency band, the OB PRS resource is a first OB PRS resource, and the storage medium includes processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to: select the first OB PRS resource from the first OB PRS resource and at least a second OB PRS resource in a third frequency band different from the first and second frequency bands according to an agreement, and transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band indication.

[0219] 35. The storage medium as described in Clause 34 further includes processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to select the first OB PRS resource based on the fact that the second frequency band and the first frequency band are in the same frequency range.

[0220] 36. The storage medium pursuant to Clause 34 further includes processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to select the first OB PRS resource based on the second frequency band having a smaller frequency band index than the third frequency band.

[0221] 37. The storage medium pursuant to Clause 31, wherein the storage medium includes processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band indication, the processor-readable instructions including causing one or more processors to transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band indication based on the first frequency band and the second frequency band being the same frequency band.

[0222] 38. Storage media pursuant to Clause 31, wherein:

[0223] The storage medium further includes processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to send capability reports indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS bands; and

[0224] The storage medium includes processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to send the receive-transmit time difference indication and the frequency band indication associated with the receive-transmit time difference indication, the frequency band indication being a relative frequency band index indicating one of the plurality of possible OB PRS frequency bands indicated in the capability report.

[0225] 39. Storage media pursuant to Clause 31, wherein:

[0226] The storage medium further includes processor-readable instructions for causing the one or more processors to receive an OB PRS configuration indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS bands; and

[0227] The storage medium includes processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to send the receive-transmit time difference indication and the frequency band indication associated with the receive-transmit time difference indication, the frequency band indication being a relative frequency band index indicating one of the plurality of possible OB PRS frequency bands indicated in the OB PRS configuration.

[0228] 40. Storage media pursuant to Clause 39, wherein the band indication is a Boolean indication that indicates whether the first band and the second band are the same or different, or indicates which of the two OB PRS bands configured for the UE is the second band.

[0229] Other considerations

[0230] Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this case and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software and computers, the above-described functions can be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof executed by a processor. Features implementing the functions can also be physically located in various locations, including distributed such that the various parts of the functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0231] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms “comprising” and / or “including” specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0232] As used herein, the term RS (reference signal) may represent one or more reference signals and may be appropriately applied to any form of the term RS, such as PRS, SRS, CSI-RS, etc.

[0233] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, a statement that a function or operation is "based on" an item or condition means that the function or operation is based on the stated item or condition and may be based on one or more items and / or conditions in addition to the specified item or condition.

[0234] Furthermore, as used herein, the word "or" used in the list of items (which may begin with "at least one" or "one or more") indicates a disjunctive list. For example, a list of "at least one of A, B, or C," or a list of "one or more of A, B, or C," or a list of "A or B or C" means A, or B or C, or AB (A and B), or AC (A and C), or BC (B and C), or ABC (i.e., A and B and C), or a combination having more than one feature (e.g., AA, AAB, ABBC, etc.). Thus, a statement that an item, for example, a processor, is configured to perform a function with respect to at least one of A or B, or that an item is configured to perform function A or function B, means that the item can be configured to perform a function with respect to A, or can be configured to perform a function with respect to B, or can be configured to perform functions with respect to both A and B. For example, the phrases "the processor is configured to measure at least one of A or B" or "the processor is configured to measure A or measure B" mean that the processor can be configured to measure A (and may or may not be configured to measure B), or can be configured to measure B (and may or may not be configured to measure A), or can be configured to measure both A and B (and can be configured to select which one or both of A and B to measure). Similarly, a statement about a component for measuring at least one of A or B includes a component for measuring A (which may or may not be able to measure B). [)], or a component for measuring B (and may or may not be configured to measure A), or a component for measuring A and B (capable of selecting which one or both of A and B to be measured). As another example, a statement that an item such as a processor is configured to perform at least one of function X or function Y means that the item can be configured to perform function X, or can be configured to perform function Y, or can be configured to perform both functions X and Y. For example, the phrase "a processor configured to measure at least one of measurement X or measurement Y" means that the processor can be configured to measure X (and may or may not be configured to measure Y), or may be configured to measure Y (and may or may not be configured to measure Y), or may be configured to measure both X and Y (and may be configured to select which one or both of measurement X and Y).

[0235] Substantial changes can be made to meet specific requirements. For example, custom hardware can be used, and / or specific elements can be implemented in hardware, processor-executed software (including portable software, such as applets, etc.), or both. Furthermore, connections to other computing devices, such as network input / output devices, can be employed. Unless otherwise stated, elements shown in the accompanying drawings and / or discussed herein as functional or otherwise connected or communicating with each other are communicatively coupled. That is, they can be directly or indirectly connected to enable communication between them.

[0236] The systems and devices discussed above are examples. Various configurations can be appropriately omitted, substituted, or have various programs or components added. For example, features described for certain configurations can be combined in various other configurations. Different configuration styles and elements can be combined in a similar manner. Moreover, technology is evolving; therefore, many elements are examples and do not limit the scope of this application or claim.

[0237] A wireless communication system is one in which communication is transmitted wirelessly, that is, via electromagnetic waves and / or sound waves propagating in atmospheric space rather than via wires or other physical connections. A wireless communication network may not have all communications transmitted wirelessly, but is configured to have at least some communications transmitted wirelessly. Furthermore, the term "wireless communication device" or similar terms do not require that the device's function is exclusively or uniformly predominantly for communication, or that the device is a mobile device, but rather indicate that the device includes wireless communication capabilities (one-way or two-way), for example, including at least one radio device for wireless communication (each radio device being part of a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver).

[0238] Specific details are provided in this specification to offer a thorough understanding of the exemplary configuration, including its implementation. However, the configuration can be practiced without such specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been illustrated without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring the configuration. This description provides only exemplary configurations and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the requested items. Rather, the preceding description of the configuration provides a description of how to implement the described techniques. Various changes can be made to the function and arrangement of the components.

[0239] As used herein, the terms "processor-readable media," "machine-readable media," and "computer-readable media" refer to any media that participates in providing data that causes a machine to operate in a particular manner. Using a computing platform, various processor-readable media may involve providing instructions / code to (or to) processor(s) for execution and / or for storage and / or carrying of such instructions / code (e.g., as signals). In many implementations, processor-readable media are physical and / or tangible storage media. Such media can take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile and volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical discs and / or magnetic disks. Volatile media include, but are not limited to, dynamic memory.

[0240] Several exemplary configurations have been described, and various modifications, alternative constructs, and equivalents can be used. For example, the above elements can be components of a larger system, where other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of this case. Similarly, many operations can be performed before, during, or after considering the above elements. Therefore, the above description does not limit the scope of the request.

[0241] A statement that a value exceeds (or is greater than or higher than) a first threshold is equivalent to a statement that the value reaches or exceeds a second threshold that is slightly greater than the first threshold. For example, in the resolution of a computing system, the second threshold is a value higher than the first threshold. A statement that a value is less than the first threshold (or that the value is within the first threshold or that the value is lower than the first threshold) is equivalent to a statement that the value is less than or equal to a second threshold that is slightly less than the first threshold. For example, in the resolution of a computing system, the second threshold is a value lower than the first threshold.

[0242] 100: Communication System 105:UE 106:UE 110a:NR nodeB 110b:NR nodeB 114: Next-generation eNodeB 115: Access and Mobility Management Functions 117: Communication Period Management Function 120: Location Management Function 125: Center of gate movement position 130: External Client 135: Radio Access Network 140: 5G Core Network 185: Cluster 190: Satellite spacecraft 191: Satellite Spacecraft 192: Satellite spacecraft 193: Satellite spacecraft 200:UE 210: Processor 211: Memory 212: Software 213: Sensor 214: Transceiver Interface 215: Transceiver 216: User Interface 217: Satellite Positioning System Receiver 218: Camera 219: Positioning equipment 220: Busbar 230: General Purpose / Application Processor 231: Digital Signal Processor 232: Modem Processor 233: Video Processor 234: Sensor Processor 240: Wireless transceiver 242: Wireless transmitter 244: Wireless Receiver 246: Antenna 248: Wireless signal 250: Wired transceiver 252: Wired transmitter 254: Wired receiver 260: SPS signal 262: SPS Antenna 300:TRP 310: Processor 311: Memory 312: Software 315: Transceiver 320: Busbar 340: Wireless transceiver 342: Wireless transmitter 344: Wireless Receiver 346: Antenna 348: Wireless signal 350: Wired transceiver 352: Wired transmitter 354: Wired receiver 400: Server 410: Processor 411: Memory 412: Software 415: Transceiver 420: Busbar 440: Wireless transceiver 442: Wireless transmitter 444: Wireless Receiver 446: Antenna 448: Wireless signal 450: Wired transceiver 452: Wired transmitter 454: Wired receiver 500:UE 510: Processor 520: Transceiver 530: Memory 540: Busbar 550: PRS Measurement Unit 560: PRS Transmission Unit 570: Location Information Reporting Unit 580: Competency Reporting Unit 810:OB PRS 820:OB PRS 830:IB PRS 840:IB PRS 910:OB PRS 920:OB PRS 930:IB PRS 1010:OB PRS 1020:IB PRS 1110:OB PRS 1120:OB PRS 1130:IB PRS 1210:OB PRS 1220:IB PRS 1230:IB PRS 1310:OB PRS 1320:OB PRS 1330:IB PRS 1410:OB PRS 1420:OB PRS 1430:IB PRS 1440:IB PRS 1500: Measurement Report 1510: UERx-Tx Time Difference Field 1520:IB PRS field 1530: Project 1600: Measurement Report 1610: UERx-Tx Time Difference Field 1620:IB PRS field 1630:IB PRS field 1700: Capability Report 1800: Capability Report 1810: Frequency Band Index Field 1820: Frequency Band Field 1830: Entry 1900: Processing Flow 1901: Service Cell Service Area 1902: Neighboring Cell Service Area 1910: Phase 1912: Competency Report 1920: Phase 1921: Sub-phase 1922:AD 1923: PRS Scheduling 1930: Phase 1932:DL PRS 1940: Phase 1950: Phase 1952: UL PRS 1960: Stage 1962: Measurement Report 1970: Phase 1980: Stage 1982: Measurement Report 1984: Sub-phase 2000: Positioning Method 2010: Phase 2020: Phase 2030: Phase 2110: Target UE 2120: Anchor 2130: Inbound PRS 2140: Departure PRS

[0243] Domestic storage information (please note in order of storage institution, date, and number) none Overseas storage information (please note in the order of storage country, institution, date, and number) none

Claims

1. A UE (User Equipment), comprising: At least one transceiver; One memory; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one transceiver and the memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: measure an inbound (IB) positioning reference signal (PRS) resource received via the at least one transceiver on a first frequency band; be configured to transmit an outbound (OB) PRS resource to a receiving device via the at least one transceiver on a second frequency band; and be configured to transmit a receive-transmit time difference indication and a frequency band indication instructing the UE to use the second frequency band to transmit the OB PRS via the at least one transceiver and based on the difference between the second frequency band and the first frequency band, the receive-transmit time difference indication indicating a difference between an arrival time of the IB PRS resource and a departure time of the OB PRS resource.

2. The UE as described in request item 1, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to transmit a capability report indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS bands; and the at least one processor is configured to transmit the band indication and the receive-transmit time difference indication, the band indication being a relative band index indicating one of the plurality of possible OB PRS bands indicated in the capability report.

3. The UE as described in request item 1, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to receive an OB PRS configuration indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS bands; and the at least one processor is configured to transmit the band indication and the receive-transmit time difference indication, the band indication being a relative band index indicating one of the plurality of possible OB PRS bands indicated in the OB PRS configuration.

4. The UE as described in claim 3, wherein the band indication is a Bollinger indication that indicates whether the first band and the second band are the same or different, or indicates which of the two OB PRS bands configured for the UE is the second band.

5. A UE (User Equipment), comprising: At least one transceiver; One memory; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one transceiver and the memory, wherein the at least one processor: is configured to measure an inbound (IB) positioning reference signal (PRS) resource received via the at least one transceiver on a first frequency band; is configured to transmit an outbound (OB) PRS resource to a receiving device via the at least one transceiver on a second frequency band; is configured to transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication via the at least one transceiver without a frequency band indication, based on the second frequency band being implicit, and wherein: the first frequency band is different from the second frequency band; the at least one processor is further configured to transmit a capability report indicating that the receive-transmit time difference indication transmitted by the UE corresponding to the IB PRS received by the UE on the first frequency band will also correspond to the OB PRS transmitted by the UE on the second frequency band; and the at least one processor is also configured to transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication without a frequency band indication, based on the second frequency band being indicated in the capability report.

6. A UE (User Equipment), comprising: At least one transceiver; One memory; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one transceiver and the memory, wherein the at least one processor: is configured to measure an inbound (IB) positioning reference signal (PRS) resource received via the at least one transceiver in a first frequency band; is configured to transmit an outbound (OB) PRS resource to a receiving device via the at least one transceiver in a second frequency band; is configured to transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication via the at least one transceiver without a frequency band indication, based on the second frequency band being implicit, wherein the first frequency band is different from the second frequency band, the OB PRS resource is a first OB PRS resource, and the at least one processor is configured to select the first OB PRS resource from the first OB PRS resource and at least one second OB PRS resource in a third frequency band different from the first and second frequency bands according to a protocol, and transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication without a frequency band indication.

7. The UE as described in claim 6, wherein the at least one processor is configured to select the first OB PRS resource based on the fact that the second frequency band is in the same frequency range as the first frequency band.

8. The UE as described in claim 6, wherein the at least one processor is configured to select the first OB PRS resource based on the second frequency band having a frequency band index smaller than that of the third frequency band.

9. A UE (User Equipment), comprising: The components are: a component for measuring an inbound (IB) positioning reference signal (PRS) resource on a first frequency band; a component for transmitting an outbound (OB) PRS resource to a receiving device on a second frequency band; and a component for transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication and a frequency band indication for instructing the UE to use the second frequency band to transmit the OB PRS based on the difference between the second frequency band and the first frequency band, the receive-transmit time difference indication indicating a difference between an arrival time of the IB PRS resource and a departure time of the OB PRS resource.

10. The UE as described in request item 9, wherein: The UE further includes a component for transmitting a capability report indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS bands; The UE includes components for transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication and the frequency band indication, the components including: components for transmitting the frequency band indication associated with the receive-transmit time difference indication, wherein the frequency band indication is a relative frequency band index indicating one of the plurality of possible OB PRS frequency bands indicated in the capability report.

11. The UE as described in request item 9, wherein: The UE further includes components for receiving an OB PRS configuration indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS bands; and the UE includes components for transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication and the band indication, the components including: components for transmitting a band indication associated with the receive-transmit time difference indication, wherein the band indication is a relative band index indicating one of the plurality of possible OB PRS bands indicated in the OB PRS configuration.

12. The UE as described in claim 11, wherein the band indication is a Bollinger indication that indicates whether the first band and the second band are the same or different, or indicates which of the two OB PRS bands configured for the UE is the second band.

13. A UE (User Equipment), comprising: A component for measuring an incoming (IB) positioning reference signal (PRS) resource in a first frequency band; The UE includes components for transmitting an outbound (OB) PRS resource to a receiving device on a second frequency band; and components for transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band indication, based on the second frequency band being implicit, wherein: the first frequency band is different from the second frequency band; the UE further includes components for transmitting a capability report indicating that a receive-transmit time difference indication transmitted by the UE corresponding to an OB PRS received by the UE on the first frequency band will also correspond to an OB PRS transmitted by the UE on the second frequency band; and the UE includes components for transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band indication, the components including: components for transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band indication, based on the second frequency band being indicated in the capability report.

14. A UE (User Equipment), comprising: The UE includes components for measuring an Incoming (IB) Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) resource on a first frequency band; components for transmitting an Outgoing (OB) PRS resource to a receiving device on a second frequency band; and components for transmitting the Receive-Transmit Time Difference Indication without a frequency band indication based on the second frequency band being implicit, wherein the first frequency band is different from the second frequency band, the OB PRS resource is a first OB PRS resource, and the UE includes components for transmitting the Receive-Transmit Time Difference Indication without a frequency band indication, the components including: components for selecting the first OB PRS resource from the first OB PRS resource and at least one second OB PRS resource on a third frequency band different from the first and second frequency bands according to a protocol, and transmitting the Receive-Transmit Time Difference Indication without a frequency band indication.

15. The UE as described in claim 14, further comprising a component for selecting the first OB PRS resource based on the fact that the second frequency band is in the same frequency range as the first frequency band.

16. The UE as described in claim 14, further comprising a component for selecting the first OB PRS resource based on the second frequency band having a frequency band index smaller than that of the third frequency band.

17. A positioning method comprising the steps of: measuring an inbound (IB) positioning reference signal (PRS) resource on a first frequency band at a UE (User Equipment); transmitting an outbound (OB) PRS resource from the UE to a receiving device on a second frequency band; and, based on the difference between the second frequency band and the first frequency band, transmitting from the UE a receive-transmit time difference indication and a frequency band indication instructing the UE to use the second frequency band to transmit the OB PRS, the receive-transmit time difference indication indicating a difference between an arrival time of the IB PRS resource and a departure time of the OB PRS resource.

18. The method as described in claim 17, wherein: The method further includes transmitting a capability report indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS bands; and the method includes transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication and a band indication associated with the receive-transmit time difference indication, the band indication being a relative band index indicating one of the plurality of possible OB PRS bands indicated in the capability report.

19. The method as described in claim 17, wherein: The method further includes receiving an OB PRS configuration indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS bands; and the method includes the steps of: transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication and a band indication associated with the receive-transmit time difference indication, the band indication being a relative band index indicating one of the plurality of possible OB PRS bands indicated in the OB PRS configuration.

20. The method as described in claim 19, wherein the frequency band indication is a Boolean indication that indicates whether the first frequency band and the second frequency band are the same or different, or indicates which of the two OB PRS frequency bands configured for the UE is the second frequency band.

21. A positioning method comprising the steps of: measuring an inbound (IB) positioning reference signal (PRS) resource on a first frequency band at a UE (User Equipment); transmitting an outbound (OB) PRS resource from the UE to a receiving equipment on a second frequency band; and transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication from the UE without transmitting a frequency band indication, based on the second frequency band being implicit, wherein: The first frequency band is different from the second frequency band; the method further includes the following steps: Send a capability report indicating that a receive-transmit time difference indication sent by the UE corresponding to an IB PRS sent by the UE on the first frequency band will also correspond to an OB PRS sent by the UE on the second frequency band; and the method includes the step of sending the receive-transmit time difference indication without sending a frequency band indication, based on the second frequency band being indicated in the capability report.

22. A positioning method comprising the steps of: measuring an inbound (IB) positioning reference signal (PRS) resource on a first frequency band at a UE (User Equipment); transmitting an outbound (OB) PRS resource from the UE to a receiving device on a second frequency band; and transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication from the UE without transmitting a frequency band indication, based on the second frequency band being implicit, wherein the first frequency band is different from the second frequency band, the OB PRS resource is a first OB PRS resource, and the method further comprising the step of: selecting the first OB PRS resource from the first OB PRS resource and at least one second OB PRS resource on a third frequency band different from the first and second frequency bands according to a protocol, and transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication without transmitting a frequency band indication.

23. The method as described in claim 22 further includes the step of selecting the first OB PRS resource based on the fact that the second frequency band is in the same frequency range as the first frequency band.

24. The method as described in claim 22 further includes the step of selecting the first OB PRS resource based on the fact that the second frequency band has a frequency band index smaller than that of the third frequency band.

25. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors of a UE (User Equipment) to perform the following operations: measuring an Incoming (IB) Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) resource on a first frequency band; transmitting an Outgoing (OB) PRS resource to a receiving device on a second frequency band; and transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication and a frequency band indication instructing the UE to use the second frequency band to transmit the OB PRS based on the difference between the second frequency band and the first frequency band, the receive-transmit time difference indication indicating a difference between an arrival time of the IB PRS resource and a departure time of the OB PRS resource.

26. The storage medium as described in claim 25, wherein: The storage medium further includes processor-readable instructions for causing the one or more processors to send a capability report indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS bands; and the storage medium includes processor-readable instructions for causing the one or more processors to send the receive-transmit time difference indication and the band indication associated with the receive-transmit time difference indication, the band indication being a relative band index indicating one of the plurality of possible OB PRS bands indicated in the capability report.

27. The storage medium as described in claim 25, wherein: The storage medium further includes processor-readable instructions for causing the one or more processors to receive an OB PRS configuration indicating a plurality of possible OB PRS bands; and the storage medium includes processor-readable instructions for causing the one or more processors to transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication and the band indication associated with the receive-transmit time difference indication, the band indication being a relative band index indicating one of the plurality of possible OB PRS bands indicated in the OB PRS configuration.

28. The storage medium as described in claim 27, wherein the band indication is a Boolean indication that indicates whether the first band and the second band are the same or different, or indicates which of the two OB PRS bands configured for the UE is the second band.

29. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors of a UE (User Equipment) to perform the following operations: measuring an Incoming (IB) Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) resource on a first frequency band; transmitting an Outgoing (OB) PRS resource to a receiving device on a second frequency band; and transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band being implicit, wherein: The first frequency band is different from the second frequency band; the storage medium further includes processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to send a capability report indicating that a receive-transmit time difference indication sent by the UE corresponding to an IB PRS received by the UE on the first frequency band will also correspond to an OB PRS sent by the UE on the second frequency band; and the storage medium includes processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to send the receive-transmit time difference indication without sending the frequency band indication, the processor-readable instructions including processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to send the receive-transmit time difference indication without the frequency band indication, based on the second frequency band indicated in the capability report.

30. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors of a UE (User Equipment) to perform the following operations: measuring an Incoming (IB) Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) resource on a first frequency band; transmitting an Outgoing (OB) PRS resource to a receiving device on a second frequency band; and transmitting a receive-transmit time difference indication without a frequency band indication, based on the second frequency band being implicit, wherein the first frequency band is different from the second frequency band, the OB PRS resource is a first OB PRS resource, and the storage medium includes the processor-readable instructions for causing the one or more processors to transmit the receive-transmit time difference indication without a frequency band indication, the processor-readable instructions including processor-readable instructions for causing the one or more processors to select the first OB PRS resource from the first OB PRS resource and at least one second OB PRS resource on a third frequency band different from the first and second frequency bands according to a protocol, and transmitting the receive-transmit time difference indication without a frequency band indication.

31. The storage medium as claimed in claim 30 further includes processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to select the first OB PRS resource based on the fact that the second frequency band and the first frequency band are in the same frequency range.

32. The storage medium as claimed in claim 30 further includes processor-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to select the first OB PRS resource based on a band-index that is smaller than that of the third band in the second band.

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