Signal sending method, terminal, network device, communication device, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communications, and specifically relates to a signal sending method, a terminal, a network device, a communication device, and a storage medium. The signal sending method comprises: receiving at least one piece of uplink positioning reference signal configuration information sent by a network device, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is used by a terminal to send a positioning reference signal. The present disclosure facilitates improvement of the configuration efficiency of configuration information, and alleviates the delay of a positioning operation.

Description

Signal transmission method, terminal, network device, communication device and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to a signal sending method, a terminal, a network device, a communication device, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In order to achieve terminal positioning, a variety of positioning technologies have been proposed. For example, network equipment can determine the terminal's position based on a positioning reference signal sent by the terminal. However, in current positioning technologies, there are some technical problems that need to be solved urgently.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a signal transmission method, a terminal, a network device, a communication device, and a storage medium to solve technical problems in positioning technology.

[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a signal sending method is proposed, comprising: receiving at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information sent by a network device, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is used by a terminal to send a positioning reference signal.

[0006] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a signal sending method is proposed, comprising: sending at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to a terminal, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is used by the terminal to send a positioning reference signal.

[0007] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a signal sending method is proposed, including: a network device sending at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to a terminal, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is used by the terminal to send a positioning reference signal; the network device sending an activation indication to the terminal, wherein the activation indication is used to activate one of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; and the terminal sending a positioning reference signal according to the activated uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the terminal is used to execute the signal sending method described in the first aspect.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network device is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the network device is used to execute the signal sending method described in the second aspect.

[0010] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions so that the communication device executes the signal sending method described in the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0011] According to the seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is proposed, comprising a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the signal sending method described in the first aspect, and the network device is configured to implement the signal sending method described in the second aspect.

[0012] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is proposed, wherein the storage medium stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the signal sending method described in the first and second aspects.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, after a network device sends at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to a terminal, the terminal may save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. When the network device subsequently sends an activation indication to the terminal to activate the configuration information, the activation indication contains less information than the configuration information (for example, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information may be activated using a pre-configured identifier, which accounts for a small proportion of the information). This allows the network device to generate the activation indication more quickly, and the terminal to parse the activation indication more quickly, relative to the configuration information. This improves the configuration efficiency of the configuration information and alleviates positioning operation delays. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0015] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG2 is an interactive schematic diagram showing a signal sending method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG3 is a schematic flowchart showing a signal sending method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG4 is a schematic flowchart showing another signal sending method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG5 is a schematic flowchart showing another signal sending method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG6 is a schematic flowchart showing a signal sending method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG7 is a schematic flowchart showing another signal sending method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG8 is a schematic flowchart showing another signal sending method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG9 is a schematic block diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG10 is a schematic block diagram showing a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a signal transmission method, a terminal, a network device, a communication device, and a storage medium.

[0028] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a signal sending method, the method comprising: receiving at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information sent by a network device, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is used by a terminal to send a positioning reference signal.

[0029] In the above embodiment, after the network device sends at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to the terminal, the terminal may save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. When the network device subsequently sends an activation indication to the terminal to activate the configuration information, the activation indication contains less information than the configuration information (for example, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information may be activated using a pre-configured identifier, which accounts for a small proportion of the information). This allows the network device to generate the activation indication more quickly, and the terminal to parse the activation indication more quickly, relative to the configuration information. This improves the configuration efficiency of the configuration information and alleviates positioning operation delays.

[0030] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0031] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information includes at least one of the following: a pre-configured identifier of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; and an identifier of an area associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0032] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the area identifier includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier; a tracking area identifier; and a radio access network notification area identifier.

[0033] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information does not include at least one of the following: spatial relationship information; power control parameters; a reference signal for calculating path loss; or a timer duration for a timing advance value.

[0034] In the above embodiment, it is beneficial for the network device to subsequently provide the terminal with more appropriate parameters.

[0035] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a request message to the network device, wherein the request message is used to request the network device to activate one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information among the at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0036] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the request message includes a pre-configured identifier of uplink positioning reference signal configuration information requested to be activated.

[0037] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a response message to the request message sent by the network device.

[0038] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the response message includes at least one of the following: a pre-configured identifier of uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; spatial relationship information; power control parameters; a reference signal for calculating path loss; a timer duration for a timing advance value; configuration information of an uplink positioning reference signal; and rejection information, wherein the rejection information is used to indicate a rejection of activating the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0039] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect. In some embodiments, the rejection information includes at least one of the following: a rejection reason, wherein the rejection reason is used to indicate the reason why the network device indicates the rejection of activating the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; and a waiting time, wherein the waiting time is used to indicate a time during which the terminal is prohibited from sending the request message again.

[0040] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is carried in at least one of the following: system information; or a radio resource control message.

[0041] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a signal sending method, the method comprising: sending at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to a terminal, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is used by the terminal to send a positioning reference signal.

[0042] In the above embodiment, after the network device sends at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to the terminal, the terminal may save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. When the network device subsequently sends an activation indication to the terminal to activate the configuration information, the activation indication contains less information than the configuration information (for example, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information may be activated using a pre-configured identifier, which accounts for a small proportion of the information). This allows the network device to generate the activation indication more quickly, and the terminal to parse the activation indication more quickly, relative to the configuration information. This improves the configuration efficiency of the configuration information and alleviates positioning operation delays.

[0043] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0044] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information includes at least one of the following: a pre-configured identifier of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; and an identifier of a region associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0045] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the area identifier includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier; a tracking area identifier; and a radio access network notification area identifier.

[0046] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information does not include at least one of the following: spatial relationship information; power control parameters; a reference signal for calculating path loss; or a timer duration for a timing advance value.

[0047] In the above embodiment, it is beneficial for the network device to subsequently provide the terminal with more appropriate parameters.

[0048] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a request message sent by the terminal, wherein the request message is used to request a network device to activate one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information among the at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0049] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the request message includes a pre-configured identifier of uplink positioning reference signal configuration information requested to be activated.

[0050] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a response message to the request message to the terminal.

[0051] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the response message includes at least one of the following: a pre-configured identifier of uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; spatial relationship information; power control parameters; a reference signal for calculating path loss; a timer duration of a timing advance value; configuration information of an uplink positioning reference signal; and rejection information, wherein the rejection information is used to indicate a rejection of activating the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0052] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect. In some embodiments, the rejection information includes at least one of the following: a rejection reason, wherein the rejection reason is used to indicate the reason why the network device indicates the rejection of activating the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; and a waiting time, wherein the waiting time is used to indicate the time during which the terminal is prohibited from sending the request message again.

[0053] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is carried in at least one of the following: system information; or a radio resource control message.

[0054] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a signal sending method, including: a network device sends at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to a terminal, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is used by the terminal to send a positioning reference signal; the network device sends an activation indication to the terminal, wherein the activation indication is used to activate one of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; and the terminal sends a positioning reference signal according to the activated uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0055] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a terminal, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the terminal is used to execute the signal sending method described in the first aspect and the optional embodiment of the first aspect.

[0056] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a network device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the network device is used to execute the signal sending method described in the second aspect and the optional embodiment of the second aspect.

[0057] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication device, which includes: one or more processors; one or more memories for storing instructions; wherein the processor is used to call the instructions so that the communication device executes the signal sending method described in the first and second aspects, and the optional implementation methods of the first and second aspects.

[0058] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, which includes: a terminal and a network device; wherein the terminal is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect and the second aspect, and the optional implementation of the first aspect and the second aspect, and the network device is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect and the second aspect, and the optional implementation of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0059] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first and second aspects, and the optional implementation methods of the first and second aspects.

[0060] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first and second aspects, and the optional implementation methods of the first and second aspects.

[0061] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the methods described in the first and second aspects, and the optional implementations of the first and second aspects.

[0062] It is understandable that the above-mentioned terminals, network devices, communication devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, and computer programs are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0063] The present disclosure provides a signal transmission method, a terminal, a network device, a communication device, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "signal transmission method" and "information processing method" and "communication method" are interchangeable; the terms "terminal" and "network device" and "information processing device" and "communication device" are interchangeable; and the terms "information processing system" and "communication system" are interchangeable.

[0064] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0065] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0066] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0067] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "aforementioned", "this", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc.

[0068] For example, when using articles such as “a”, “an”, and “the” in English in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0069] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0070] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0071] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0072] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0073] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description objects, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restrictions should be constituted due to the use of prefixes.

[0074] For example, if the description object is "field," the ordinal number preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" does not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the modified "fields" are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of the "first field" and "second field." For another example, if the description object is "level," the ordinal number preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" does not restrict the priority of the "levels." For another example, the number of description objects is not restricted by the ordinal number and can be one or more. For example, in the case of "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device," "first device" and "second device" can be the same or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. For another example, if the description object is "information," "first information" and "second information" can be the same or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0075] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0076] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0077] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0078] In some embodiments, devices and the like can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those in the embodiments.

[0079] The recorded names, "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject" and other terms can be used interchangeably.

[0080] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network (eg, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.).

[0081] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station" "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)" "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0082] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0083] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it is also possible to set the structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced by terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. can be replaced by side channels, and uplinks, downlinks, etc. can be replaced by side links.

[0084] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may have a structure that has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0085] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0086] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0087] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0088] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0089] As shown in FIG1 , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102 , wherein the network device includes at least one of the following: an access network device and a core network device.

[0090] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0091] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved node B (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0092] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or device groups, each including all or part of the one or more network elements. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0093] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0094] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0095] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0096] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 , or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1 are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in FIG1 , or may include other entities outside of FIG1 . The number and form of the entities are arbitrary, and the entities may be physical or virtual. The connection relationships between the entities are illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0097] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0098] FIG2 is an interactive schematic diagram showing a signal sending method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0099] As shown in FIG2 , the signal sending method includes:

[0100] Step S201: The network device sends first information to the terminal.

[0101] In some embodiments, the terminal receives first information.

[0102] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0103] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0104] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is carried in at least one of the following: system information; or a radio resource control message.

[0105] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is used by the terminal to send a positioning reference signal.

[0106] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0107] A pre-configured identifier of pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information;

[0108] The area identifier associated with the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0109] In some embodiments, the area identifier includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier; a tracking area identifier; a radio access network notification area identifier.

[0110] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information does not include at least one of the following: spatial relationship information; power control parameters; a reference signal for calculating path loss; or a timer duration for a timing advance value.

[0111] Step S202: The terminal sends second information to the network device.

[0112] In some embodiments, the network device receives the second information.

[0113] In some embodiments, the second information comprises a request message.

[0114] In some embodiments, the request message is used to request the network device to activate one pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information among at least one pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0115] In some embodiments, the request message includes a pre-configuration identifier of pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information requested to be activated.

[0116] Step S203: The network device sends second information to the terminal.

[0117] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the second information.

[0118] In some embodiments, the second information includes an activation indication, where the activation indication is used to activate pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0119] In some embodiments, the second information includes a response message to the request message sent by the network device to the terminal.

[0120] In some embodiments, the response message may serve as an activation indication.

[0121] In some embodiments, the response message includes at least one of the following:

[0122] A pre-configured identifier of pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information;

[0123] Spatial relationship information;

[0124] Power control parameters;

[0125] Reference signal for calculating path loss;

[0126] The timer duration of the timing advance value;

[0127] Uplink positioning reference signal configuration information;

[0128] Rejection information, wherein the rejection information is used to indicate rejection of activation of pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0129] In some embodiments, the rejection information includes at least one of the following:

[0130] Rejection reason, where the rejection reason is used to indicate the reason why the network device indicates rejection of activation of the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information;

[0131] Waiting time, where the waiting time is used to indicate the time during which the terminal is prohibited from sending the request message again.

[0132] Step S204: The terminal sends a positioning reference signal according to the activated pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0133] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S201 to S204. For example, step S201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S201+S202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S201+S203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S201+S204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S202+S203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S202+S204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S203+S204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S201+S202+S203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S201+S202+S204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S201+S203+S204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited to this.

[0134] In some embodiments, steps S201 and S202 may be exchanged in order or executed simultaneously, steps S201 and S203 may be exchanged in order or executed simultaneously, steps S201 and S204 may be exchanged in order or executed simultaneously, steps S202 and S203 may be exchanged in order or executed simultaneously, steps S202 and S204 may be exchanged in order or executed simultaneously, and steps S203 and S204 may be exchanged in order or executed simultaneously.

[0135] In some embodiments, step 202 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0136] In some embodiments, step 203 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0137] In some embodiments, step 204 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0138] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2 .

[0139] In some embodiments, the network device may send configuration information of an uplink positioning reference signal to the terminal, and the terminal may send a positioning reference signal according to the configuration information. The network device may determine the location of the terminal according to the positioning reference signal sent by the terminal.

[0140] In some embodiments, to reduce power consumption during positioning and implement LPHA (Low Power High Accuracy) positioning, positioning of idle and inactive terminals can be supported. For example, a network device can send uplink positioning reference signal configuration information and a validity area of ​​the configuration information to the terminal. The configuration information is valid in the validity area, meaning that the terminal sends a positioning reference signal according to the configuration information within the validity area.

[0141] In some embodiments, for example, a network device may send uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to a terminal in cell #1. However, after the terminal reselects to cell #2, the configuration information may become invalid, and the network device must resend the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to the terminal. This configuration information transmission method is relatively inefficient, as the terminal must confirm the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information before sending the positioning reference signal. Therefore, this configuration information transmission method can easily cause delays in positioning operations.

[0142] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a signal transmission method. Figure 3 is a schematic flow chart illustrating a signal transmission method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The signal transmission method illustrated in this embodiment can be executed by a terminal.

[0143] As shown in FIG3 , the signal sending method may include the following steps:

[0144] In step S301, at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information sent by a network device is received, wherein the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is used by a terminal to send a positioning reference signal (positioning reference signal may also be referred to as an uplink positioning reference signal).

[0145] It should be noted that the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 can be implemented independently or in combination with at least one other embodiment in the present disclosure. The specific selection can be made as needed and the present disclosure does not limit it.

[0146] In some embodiments, the network device may send at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to the terminal. For example, the network device may preconfigure multiple uplink positioning reference signal configuration information and send the multiple uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to the terminal.

[0147] In some embodiments, preconfigured configuration information refers to configuration information pre-configured by a network device to a terminal before the terminal needs to use the configuration information. When the terminal subsequently needs to use the configuration information, the network device can activate a configuration information within the preconfigured configuration information for the terminal to use, such as for transmitting a positioning reference signal. The following embodiments illustrate the technical solutions of this disclosure primarily in the case where the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0148] After the terminal receives multiple pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, the network device can subsequently selectively activate one configuration information from these multiple configuration information. The terminal can then send a positioning reference signal based on the activated configuration information, eliminating the need for the network device to resend the configuration information to the terminal. This is beneficial to improving the configuration efficiency of the configuration information and alleviating the delay in positioning operations.

[0149] In some embodiments, after a network device sends at least one preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to a terminal, the terminal may save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. When the network device subsequently sends an activation indication to the terminal to activate the configuration information, the activation indication contains less information than the configuration information (for example, the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information may be activated using a preconfiguration identifier, and the preconfiguration identifier accounts for a smaller proportion of the information). This allows the network device to generate the activation indication more quickly, and the terminal to parse the activation indication more quickly, relative to the configuration information. This improves the configuration efficiency of the configuration information and alleviates positioning operation delays.

[0150] It should be noted that regarding the usage of the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, in some embodiments, the terminal can send a request message to the network device, and the request message is used to request the network device to activate a pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, and then the network device sends an activation indication to the terminal to activate a pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; in some embodiments, the network device may send an activation indication to the terminal to activate a pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information without receiving a request message.

[0151] For example, when the terminal is in area #A, the area #A identifier, such as identifier #A, can be determined, and then the identifier #A can be determined in the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. The pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with the identifier #A can be further determined, thereby sending an activation request to the network device for the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with the identifier #A. After the network device confirms the activation of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, the positioning reference signal is sent in area A according to the activated pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0152] For example, when the network device determines that the terminal is in area #A, it can determine the area #A identifier, for example, called identifier #A, and then send an activation indication to the terminal to activate the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with identifier #A, and then the terminal can send an uplink positioning reference signal in area A according to the activated pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0153] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal sends a request message to the network device, and the network device sends an activation indication to the terminal, indicating that the terminal needs to obtain permission from the network before using the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to send a positioning reference signal, even if the resources configured by the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information are periodic resources. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal sends a request message to the network device, and the network device sends an activation indication to the terminal, which can be applied to the case where the resources configured by the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information are semi-persistent resources or aperiodic resources, and can also be applied to the case where the resources configured by the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information are periodic resources.

[0154] In some embodiments, the positioning reference signal includes but is not limited to a sounding reference signal (SRS).

[0155] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is carried in at least one of the following: system information (SI); and radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0156] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0157] A pre-configured identifier of pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information;

[0158] The area identifier associated with the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0159] For example, preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, in addition to including specific configurations (such as time domain resources and frequency domain resources), may also include a preconfiguration identifier for the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. The preconfiguration identifier is associated with the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. When a network device needs to activate a certain preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, it may include the preconfiguration identifier of the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information in an activation indication sent to a terminal, so that the terminal can accurately determine the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to be activated based on the preconfiguration identifier.

[0160] For example, pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information may include, in addition to specific configurations (e.g., time domain resources, frequency domain resources, etc.), an identifier of a region associated with the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. The region identifier is associated with the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. For example, the region may be referred to as a valid region for the configuration information or as an associated region for the configuration information. This disclosure does not limit this.

[0161] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information may include a pre-configuration identifier but not an area identifier.

[0162] For example, the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is applicable to any area. For example, for 10 preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, the corresponding preconfigured identifiers are identifiers #1 to #10. A terminal in any area can use the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any of the preconfigured identifiers #1 to #10. Therefore, regardless of the area, the terminal can request the network device to activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any of the preconfigured identifiers #1 to #10. The network device can activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information based on the terminal's request.

[0163] For example, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is only applicable to the area where the terminal is located when receiving the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. For example, if the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information received by the terminal in cell #A is the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to preconfiguration identifiers #1 to #5, then when the terminal is in cell #A, it can request the network device to activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the preconfiguration identifiers #1 to #5, and the network device can activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information according to the terminal's request; for example, if the terminal reselects from cell #A to cell #B, and the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information received by the terminal in cell #B is the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to preconfiguration identifiers #3 to #9, then when the terminal is in cell #B, it can request the network device to activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the preconfiguration identifiers #3 to #9, and the network device can activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information according to the terminal's request. In some embodiments, the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is sent by the network device via system message broadcast.

[0164] For example, when the terminal is located in area #A, the terminal may need to use the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the preconfiguration identifiers #1 to 3, and thus may request the network device to activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the preconfiguration identifiers #1 to 3;

[0165] For example, when the terminal is located in area #C, the terminal may need to use the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the pre-configuration identifiers #6 to 8, so that the network device can be requested to activate the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the pre-configuration identifiers #6 to 8.

[0166] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information may include a pre-configuration identifier and an area identifier.

[0167] For example, for 10 pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, the corresponding area identifiers and pre-configuration identifiers are pre-configuration identifiers #1 to #3 in area #A, pre-configuration identifiers #1 to #2 in area #B, pre-configuration identifiers #1 to #3 in area #C, and pre-configuration identifiers #1 to #2 in area #D.

[0168] For example, when the terminal is located in area #A, the terminal may use the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the preconfigured identifiers #1 to 3 in area #A. Since the network device may also determine that the terminal is located in area #A, the terminal may request the network device to activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the preconfigured identifiers #1 to 3. The network device may determine that the terminal requests activation of any one of the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with the preconfigured identifiers #1 to 3 in area #A, and then activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information according to the request of the terminal.

[0169] For example, when the terminal is located in area #B, the terminal can use the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the pre-configured identifiers #1 to 2 in area #B. Since the network device can also determine that the terminal is in area #B, the terminal can request the network device to activate the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the pre-configured identifiers #1 to 2. The network device can determine that the terminal requests to activate any one of the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with the pre-configured identifiers #1 to 2 in area #B, and then activate the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information according to the request of the terminal.

[0170] In some embodiments, the area identifier includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier (cell ID); a tracking area (TA) identifier; and a radio access network notification area (RNA) identifier.

[0171] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information does not include at least one of the following: spatial relationship information (for example, it can be called spatialRelationInfo); power control parameters; a reference signal for calculating path loss (for example, it can be called pathlossReferenceRS-Pos); the timer duration of the timing advance value (for example, it can be called the duration of TA timer).

[0172] In some embodiments, the network device may send at least one preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration to the terminal. However, each subsequent activation of the configuration information only selects and activates one preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration. Each time the terminal uses the configuration information, it only sends a positioning reference signal based on the configuration information activated by the network device.

[0173] In some embodiments, some parameters in the positioning reference signal configuration are not suitable for pre-configuration to the terminal. To account for this, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information does not include some information, such as spatial relationship information, power control parameters, reference signals used for path loss calculation, and timing advance timer duration. This facilitates the network device to subsequently provide the terminal with more appropriate parameters, such as spatial relationship information, power control parameters, reference signals used for path loss calculation, and timing advance timer duration.

[0174] The network device can then send the spatial relationship information, power control parameters, reference signal for calculating path loss, and timer duration of the timing advance value to the terminal. For example, when it is determined that the terminal is in a certain cell and sends a request to activate a certain pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, the spatial relationship information, power control parameters, reference signal for calculating path loss, and timer duration of the timing advance value corresponding to the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information requested by the terminal can be sent to the terminal. The terminal can then send a positioning reference signal based on this information and the pre-configured uplink reference signal configuration information associated with the cell.

[0175] FIG4 is a schematic flow chart of another signal transmission method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The signal transmission method shown in this embodiment can be executed by a terminal. As shown in FIG4, the signal transmission method can also include the following steps:

[0176] In step S401, a request message is sent to a network device, wherein the request message is used to request the network device to activate one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information among at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0177] It should be noted that the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 can be implemented independently or in combination with at least one other embodiment in the present disclosure. The specific selection can be made as needed and the present disclosure does not limit it.

[0178] In some embodiments, when a terminal needs to send a positioning reference signal according to configuration information, the terminal may send a request message to a network device, requesting the network device to activate one preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information among at least one preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, so that the terminal can send a positioning reference signal according to the activated configuration information.

[0179] In some embodiments, the request message includes a pre-configuration identifier of pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information requested to be activated.

[0180] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information required to send the positioning reference signal, and then carry the preconfiguration identifier of the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information in the request message to the network device, so that the network device can activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to the preconfiguration identifier in the request message.

[0181] In some embodiments, the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information may include an area identifier associated with the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. When a terminal is located in a certain area, the terminal may determine the area identifier and include the area identifier in a request message sent to a network device, requesting the network device to activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with the area identifier.

[0182] For example, if the terminal is in area #A, it can determine the area identifier of area #A, for example, identifier #A. Then, identifier #A can be carried in a request message to request the network device to activate the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with identifier #A. In a further embodiment, before sending the request message, the terminal can further determine whether the area identifier associated with the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information includes identifier #A. If so, identifier #A is carried in the request message. If not, identifier #A need not be carried in the request message.

[0183] FIG5 is a schematic flow chart of another signal transmission method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The signal transmission method shown in this embodiment can be executed by a terminal. As shown in FIG5, the signal transmission method can also include the following steps:

[0184] In step S501, a response message to a request message sent by a network device is received.

[0185] In some embodiments, the response message includes at least one of the following: a pre-configuration identifier of the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; spatial relationship information; power control parameters; a reference signal for calculating path loss; a timer duration of a timing advance value; configuration information of the uplink positioning reference signal; and rejection information, wherein the rejection information is used to indicate a rejection of activating the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0186] In some embodiments, after receiving the request message sent by the terminal, the network device may send a response message to the terminal.

[0187] In some embodiments, if the network device needs to activate pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, the response message may serve as an activation indication. For example, the response message may include a pre-configuration identifier for the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. The terminal may determine that the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with the pre-configuration identifier in the response message is activated, and then send a positioning reference signal based on the activated pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0188] In some embodiments, the preconfiguration identifier in the response message may be the same as the preconfiguration identifier in the request message; in some embodiments, the preconfiguration identifier in the response message may be different from the preconfiguration identifier in the request message.

[0189] For example, if the terminal carries the preconfiguration identifier #A in the request message, the network device may carry the preconfiguration identifier #A in the response message sent to the terminal after receiving the request message. For example, after receiving the request message, the network device may determine whether the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with the preconfiguration identifier #A is available. If so, the response message may carry the preconfiguration identifier #A and be sent to the terminal (other preconfiguration identifiers may also be carried). If not, the response message may carry another preconfiguration identifier and be sent to the terminal.

[0190] For example, if the network device determines that pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information has been configured for another terminal, then the configuration information is unavailable; otherwise, it is available. For example, if the network device determines that resources in the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information conflict with other communication processes, then the configuration information is unavailable; otherwise, it is available. However, the methods for determining whether configuration information is available or unavailable are not limited to the above examples, and this disclosure does not restrict this.

[0191] In some embodiments, when a response message carries a preconfiguration identifier of preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, the response message may also carry information related to the area associated with the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, and may carry other parameters corresponding to the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, such as spatial relationship information, power control parameters, and at least one of a reference signal used to calculate path loss and a timer duration of a timing advance value. This allows the terminal to send a positioning reference signal based on the specific configuration in the activated configuration information, as well as the spatial relationship information, power control parameters, and a reference signal used to calculate path loss and a timer duration of a timing advance value.

[0192] In some embodiments, after receiving the terminal request message, the network device may send a response message to the terminal that includes configuration information of the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0193] For example, when the network device determines that all pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is no longer available (the method for determining whether it is available or not can be referred to the previous embodiment and will not be repeated here), in order to ensure that the terminal can smoothly send the positioning reference signal, the network device can send dynamic configuration information to the terminal, such as uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, which is not pre-configured and therefore does not have a pre-configuration identifier. That is, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information sent by the network device to the terminal at this time is not any uplink positioning reference signal configuration in the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information previously sent by the network device to the terminal. The terminal can send the uplink positioning reference signal according to the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0194] In some embodiments, after receiving the terminal request message, the terminal may send a response message to the terminal including rejection information.

[0195] The network device determines that all pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is no longer available (the method for determining whether it is available or not can refer to the previous embodiment and will not be repeated here), and can send a rejection message to the terminal to refuse to activate the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information requested by the terminal.

[0196] In some embodiments, the rejection information includes at least one of the following:

[0197] Rejection reason, where the rejection reason is used to indicate the reason why the network device indicates rejection of activation of the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information;

[0198] Waiting time, where the waiting time is used to indicate the time during which the terminal is prohibited from sending the request message again.

[0199] The terminal can determine the reason why the network device refuses to activate the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information requested by the terminal for activation based on the rejection reason. Based on the waiting time, the terminal can stop sending the request message to the network device again during the waiting time, and / or the terminal can send the request message to the network device after the waiting time. For example, the waiting time can be represented by a starting point and a duration, and the starting point includes but is not limited to the time when the terminal receives the response message; for example, the waiting time can be represented by an expectation and an end point, and the starting point includes but is not limited to the time when the terminal receives the response message, and the end point includes but is not limited to the position of the first number of time domain units (such as frames, time slots, symbols, etc.) after the starting point.

[0200] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a signal transmission method. Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart illustrating a signal transmission method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The signal transmission method illustrated in this embodiment can be executed by a network device.

[0201] As shown in FIG6 , the signal sending method may include the following steps:

[0202] In step S601, at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is sent to a terminal, wherein the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is used by the terminal to send a positioning reference signal.

[0203] It should be noted that the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 can be implemented independently or in combination with at least one other embodiment in the present disclosure. The specific selection can be made as needed and the present disclosure does not limit it.

[0204] In some embodiments, the network device may send at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to the terminal. For example, the network device may preconfigure multiple uplink positioning reference signal configuration information and send the multiple uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to the terminal.

[0205] In some embodiments, preconfigured configuration information refers to configuration information pre-configured by a network device to a terminal before the terminal needs to use the configuration information. When the terminal subsequently needs to use the configuration information, the network device can activate a configuration information within the preconfigured configuration information for the terminal to use, such as for transmitting a positioning reference signal. The following embodiments illustrate the technical solutions of this disclosure primarily in the case where the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0206] The network device can subsequently selectively activate one configuration information from these multiple configuration information, and the terminal can send a positioning reference signal based on the activated configuration information, thereby eliminating the need for the network device to resend the configuration information to the terminal, which is conducive to improving the configuration efficiency of the configuration information and alleviating the delay of the positioning operation.

[0207] In some embodiments, after a network device sends at least one preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to a terminal, the terminal may save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. When the network device subsequently sends an activation indication to the terminal to activate the configuration information, the activation indication contains less information than the configuration information (for example, the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information may be activated using a preconfiguration identifier, and the preconfiguration identifier accounts for a smaller proportion of the information). This allows the network device to generate the activation indication more quickly, and the terminal to parse the activation indication more quickly, relative to the configuration information. This improves the configuration efficiency of the configuration information and alleviates positioning operation delays.

[0208] It should be noted that regarding the usage of the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, in some embodiments, the terminal can send a request message to the network device, and the request message is used to request the network device to activate a pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, and then the network device sends an activation indication to the terminal to activate a pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; in some embodiments, the network device may send an activation indication to the terminal to activate a pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information without receiving a request message.

[0209] For example, when the terminal is in area #A, the area #A identifier, such as identifier #A, can be determined, and then the identifier #A can be determined in the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. The pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with the identifier #A can be further determined, thereby sending an activation request to the network device for the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with the identifier #A. After the network device confirms the activation of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, the positioning reference signal is sent in area A according to the activated pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0210] For example, when the network device determines that the terminal is in area #A, it can determine the area #A identifier, for example, called identifier #A, and then send an activation indication to the terminal to activate the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with identifier #A, and then the terminal can send an uplink positioning reference signal in area A according to the activated pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0211] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal sends a request message to the network device, and the network device sends an activation indication to the terminal, indicating that the terminal needs to obtain permission from the network before using the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to send a positioning reference signal, even if the resources configured by the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information are periodic resources. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal sends a request message to the network device, and the network device sends an activation indication to the terminal, which can be applied to the case where the resources configured by the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information are semi-persistent resources or aperiodic resources, and can also be applied to the case where the resources configured by the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information are periodic resources.

[0212] In some embodiments, the positioning reference signal includes, but is not limited to, a listening reference signal (SRS).

[0213] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is carried in at least one of the following: system information (SI); or a radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0214] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0215] A pre-configured identifier of pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information;

[0216] The area identifier associated with the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0217] For example, preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, in addition to including specific configurations (such as time domain resources and frequency domain resources), may also include a preconfiguration identifier for the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. The preconfiguration identifier is associated with the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. When a network device needs to activate a certain preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, it may include the preconfiguration identifier of the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information in an activation indication sent to a terminal, so that the terminal can accurately determine the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to be activated based on the preconfiguration identifier.

[0218] For example, pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information may include, in addition to specific configurations (e.g., time domain resources, frequency domain resources, etc.), an identifier of a region associated with the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. The region identifier is associated with the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. For example, the region may be referred to as a valid region for the configuration information or as an associated region for the configuration information. This disclosure does not limit this.

[0219] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information may include a pre-configuration identifier but not an area identifier.

[0220] For example, the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is applicable to any area. For example, for 10 preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, the corresponding preconfigured identifiers are identifiers #1 to #10. A terminal in any area can use the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any of the preconfigured identifiers #1 to #10. Therefore, regardless of the area, the terminal can request the network device to activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any of the preconfigured identifiers #1 to #10. The network device can activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information based on the terminal's request.

[0221] Taking the example of preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information being applicable only to the area in which the terminal is located when receiving the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, for example, the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information received by the terminal in cell #A is the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to preconfiguration identifiers #1 to #5, respectively. Therefore, when the terminal is in cell #A, it can request the network device to activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the preconfiguration identifiers #1 to #5, and the network device can activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information based on the terminal's request. For example, when the terminal switches from cell #A to cell #B, the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information received by the terminal in cell #B is the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to preconfiguration identifiers #3 to #9, respectively. Therefore, when the terminal is in cell #B, it can request the network device to activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the preconfiguration identifiers #3 to #9, and the network device can activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information based on the terminal's request.

[0222] For example, when the terminal is located in area #A, the terminal may need to use the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the preconfiguration identifiers #1 to 3, and thus may request the network device to activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the preconfiguration identifiers #1 to 3;

[0223] For example, when the terminal is located in area #C, the terminal may need to use the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the pre-configuration identifiers #6 to 8, so that the network device can be requested to activate the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the pre-configuration identifiers #6 to 8.

[0224] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information may include a pre-configuration identifier and an area identifier.

[0225] For example, for 10 pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, the corresponding area identifiers and pre-configuration identifiers are pre-configuration identifiers #1 to #3 in area #A, pre-configuration identifiers #1 to #2 in area #B, pre-configuration identifiers #1 to #3 in area #C, and pre-configuration identifiers #1 to #2 in area #D.

[0226] For example, when the terminal is located in area #A, the terminal may use the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the preconfigured identifiers #1 to 3 in area #A. Since the network device may also determine that the terminal is located in area #A, the terminal may request the network device to activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the preconfigured identifiers #1 to 3. The network device may determine that the terminal requests activation of any one of the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with the preconfigured identifiers #1 to 3 in area #A, and then activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information according to the request of the terminal.

[0227] For example, when the terminal is located in area #B, the terminal can use the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the pre-configured identifiers #1 to 2 in area #B. Since the network device can also determine that the terminal is in area #B, the terminal can request the network device to activate the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to any one of the pre-configured identifiers #1 to 2. The network device can determine that the terminal requests to activate any one of the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with the pre-configured identifiers #1 to 2 in area #B, and then activate the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information according to the request of the terminal.

[0228] In some embodiments, the area identifier includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier; a tracking area identifier; a radio access network notification area identifier.

[0229] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information does not include at least one of the following: spatial relationship information; power control parameters; a reference signal for calculating path loss; or a timer duration for a timing advance value.

[0230] FIG7 is a schematic flow chart of another signal transmission method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The signal transmission method shown in this embodiment can be executed by a network device. As shown in FIG7 , the signal transmission method further includes:

[0231] In step S701, a request message sent by a terminal is received, wherein the request message is used to request a network device to activate one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information among at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0232] It should be noted that the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 can be implemented independently or in combination with at least one other embodiment in the present disclosure. The specific selection can be made as needed and the present disclosure does not limit it.

[0233] In some embodiments, the network device may send at least one preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration to the terminal. However, each subsequent activation of the configuration information only selects and activates one preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration. Each time the terminal uses the configuration information, it only sends a positioning reference signal based on the configuration information activated by the network device.

[0234] In some embodiments, some parameters in the positioning reference signal configuration are not suitable for pre-configuration to the terminal. To account for this, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information does not include some information, such as spatial relationship information, power control parameters, reference signals used for path loss calculation, and timing advance timer duration. This facilitates the network device to subsequently provide the terminal with more appropriate parameters, such as spatial relationship information, power control parameters, reference signals used for path loss calculation, and timing advance timer duration.

[0235] The network device can then send the spatial relationship information, power control parameters, reference signal for calculating path loss, and timer duration of the timing advance value to the terminal. For example, when it is determined that the terminal is in a certain cell and sends a request to activate a certain pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, the spatial relationship information, power control parameters, reference signal for calculating path loss, and timer duration of the timing advance value corresponding to the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information requested by the terminal can be sent to the terminal. The terminal can then send a positioning reference signal based on this information and the pre-configured uplink reference signal configuration information associated with the cell.

[0236] In some embodiments, the signal sending method further includes: receiving a request message sent by the terminal, wherein the request message is used to request the network device to activate one preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information among at least one preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0237] In some embodiments, when a terminal needs to send a positioning reference signal according to configuration information, the terminal may send a request message to a network device. The network device may activate a preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information from at least one preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information according to the request message, so that the terminal can send a positioning reference signal according to the activated configuration information.

[0238] In some embodiments, the request message includes a pre-configuration identifier of pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information requested to be activated.

[0239] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information required to send the positioning reference signal, and then carry the pre-configuration identifier of the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information in a request message to the network device. The network device can activate the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information corresponding to the pre-configuration identifier in the request message.

[0240] In some embodiments, the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information may include an area identifier associated with the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. When the terminal is in a certain area, it can determine the identifier of the area and carry the identifier of the area in a request message sent to the network device to request the network device to activate the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with the identifier of the area.

[0241] For example, if the terminal is in area #A, it can determine the area identifier of area #A, for example, identifier #A. Then, identifier #A can be carried in a request message to request the network device to activate the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with identifier #A. In a further embodiment, before sending the request message, the terminal can further determine whether the area identifier associated with the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information includes identifier #A. If so, identifier #A is carried in the request message. If not, identifier #A need not be carried in the request message.

[0242] FIG8 is a schematic flow chart of another signal transmission method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The signal transmission method shown in this embodiment can be executed by a network device. As shown in FIG8 , the signal transmission method further includes:

[0243] In step S801, a response message to the request message is sent to the terminal.

[0244] It should be noted that the embodiment shown in FIG8 can be implemented independently or in combination with at least one other embodiment in the present disclosure. The specific selection can be made as needed and the present disclosure does not limit it.

[0245] In some embodiments, the response message includes at least one of the following: a pre-configuration identifier of the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; spatial relationship information; power control parameters; a reference signal for calculating path loss; a timer duration of a timing advance value; configuration information of the uplink positioning reference signal; and rejection information, wherein the rejection information is used to indicate a rejection of activating the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0246] In some embodiments, after receiving the request message sent by the terminal, the network device may send a response message to the terminal.

[0247] In some embodiments, if the network device needs to activate pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, the response message may serve as an activation indication. For example, the response message may include a pre-configuration identifier for the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. The terminal may determine that the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with the pre-configuration identifier in the response message is activated, and then send a positioning reference signal based on the activated pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0248] In some embodiments, the preconfiguration identifier in the response message may be the same as the preconfiguration identifier in the request message; in some embodiments, the preconfiguration identifier in the response message may be different from the preconfiguration identifier in the request message.

[0249] For example, if the terminal carries the preconfiguration identifier #A in the request message, the network device may carry the preconfiguration identifier #A in the response message sent to the terminal after receiving the request message. For example, after receiving the request message, the network device may determine whether the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information associated with the preconfiguration identifier #A is available. If so, the response message may carry the preconfiguration identifier #A and be sent to the terminal (other preconfiguration identifiers may also be carried). If not, the response message may carry another preconfiguration identifier and be sent to the terminal.

[0250] For example, if the network device determines that pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information has been configured for another terminal, then the configuration information is unavailable; otherwise, it is available. For example, if the network device determines that resources in the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information conflict with other communication processes, then the configuration information is unavailable; otherwise, it is available. However, the methods for determining whether configuration information is available or unavailable are not limited to the above examples, and this disclosure does not restrict this.

[0251] In some embodiments, when a response message carries a preconfiguration identifier of preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, the response message may also carry information related to the area associated with the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, and may carry other parameters corresponding to the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, such as spatial relationship information, power control parameters, and at least one of a reference signal used to calculate path loss and a timer duration of a timing advance value. This allows the terminal to send a positioning reference signal based on the specific configuration in the activated configuration information, as well as the spatial relationship information, power control parameters, and a reference signal used to calculate path loss and a timer duration of a timing advance value.

[0252] In some embodiments, after receiving the terminal request message, the network device may send a response message to the terminal that includes configuration information of the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0253] For example, when the network device determines that all pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is no longer available (the method for determining whether it is available or not can be referred to the previous embodiment and will not be repeated here), in order to ensure that the terminal can smoothly send the positioning reference signal, the network device can send dynamic configuration information to the terminal, such as uplink positioning reference signal configuration information, which is not pre-configured and therefore does not have a pre-configuration identifier. That is, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information sent by the network device to the terminal at this time is not any uplink positioning reference signal configuration in the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information previously sent by the network device to the terminal. The terminal can send the uplink positioning reference signal according to the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0254] In some embodiments, after receiving the terminal request message, the terminal may send a response message to the terminal including rejection information.

[0255] The network device determines that all pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is no longer available (the method for determining whether it is available or not can refer to the previous embodiment and will not be repeated here), and can send a rejection message to the terminal to refuse to activate the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information requested by the terminal.

[0256] In some embodiments, the rejection information includes at least one of the following:

[0257] Rejection reason, where the rejection reason is used to indicate the reason why the network device indicates rejection of activation of the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information;

[0258] Waiting time, where the waiting time is used to indicate the time during which the terminal is prohibited from sending the request message again.

[0259] The terminal can determine the reason why the network device refuses to activate the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information requested by the terminal for activation based on the rejection reason. Based on the waiting time, the terminal can stop sending the request message to the network device again during the waiting time, and / or the terminal can send the request message to the network device after the waiting time. For example, the waiting time can be represented by a starting point and a duration, and the starting point includes but is not limited to the time when the terminal receives the response message; for example, the waiting time can be represented by an expectation and an end point, and the starting point includes but is not limited to the time when the terminal receives the response message, and the end point includes but is not limited to the position of the first number of time domain units (such as frames, time slots, symbols, etc.) after the starting point.

[0260] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codeword", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0261] In some embodiments, terms such as "uplink", "uplink", "physical uplink" can be interchangeable with each other, and terms such as "downlink", "downlink", "physical downlink" can be interchangeable with each other, and terms such as "side", "sidelink", "side communication", "sidelink communication", "direct connection", "direct link", "direct communication", "direct link communication" can be interchangeable with each other.

[0262] In some embodiments, terms such as "moment", "time point", "time", and "time position" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "duration", "period", "time window", "window", and "time" can be replaced with each other.

[0263] In some embodiments, terms such as wireless access scheme and waveform may be used interchangeably.

[0264] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0265] It should be noted that for other contents involved in this embodiment, please refer to the description of the relevant contents in the previous embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0266] Corresponding to the aforementioned embodiments of the signal sending method, the present disclosure also provides embodiments of a terminal and a network device.

[0267] An embodiment of the present disclosure further proposes a terminal, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the terminal is used to execute the signal sending method described in the first aspect and the optional embodiment of the first aspect.

[0268] FIG9 is a schematic block diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG9 , the terminal includes at least one of the following: a receiving module 901 and a sending module 902 .

[0269] In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information sent by a network device, wherein the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is used by the terminal to send a positioning reference signal.

[0270] In some embodiments, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0271] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0272] A pre-configuration identifier of the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information;

[0273] The area identifier associated with the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0274] In some embodiments, the area identifier includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier; a tracking area identifier; and a radio access network notification area identifier.

[0275] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information does not include at least one of the following: spatial relationship information; power control parameters; a reference signal for calculating path loss; or a timer duration for a timing advance value.

[0276] In some embodiments, the sending module is used to send a request message to the network device, wherein the request message is used to request the network device to activate one preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information among the at least one preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0277] In some embodiments, the request message includes a pre-configuration identifier of pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information requested to be activated.

[0278] In some embodiments, the receiving module is used to receive a response message to the request message sent by the network device.

[0279] In some embodiments, the response message includes at least one of the following: a pre-configured identifier of the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; spatial relationship information; power control parameters; a reference signal for calculating path loss; a timer duration of a timing advance value; configuration information of the uplink positioning reference signal; and rejection information, wherein the rejection information is used to indicate a rejection of activating the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0280] In some embodiments, the rejection information includes at least one of the following:

[0281] A rejection reason, wherein the rejection reason is used to indicate a reason why the network device indicates a rejection of activating the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information;

[0282] Waiting time, wherein the waiting time is used to indicate a time for prohibiting the terminal from sending the request message again.

[0283] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is carried in at least one of the following: system information; or a radio resource control message.

[0284] It should be noted that the modules included in the terminal may not be limited to the modules shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9 , but may also include other modules, such as a processing module, a storage module, a display module, etc., which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0285] An embodiment of the present disclosure further proposes a network device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the network device is used to execute the signal sending method described in the second aspect and the optional embodiment of the second aspect.

[0286] FIG10 is a schematic block diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG10 , the network device includes a sending module 1001 and a receiving module 1002 .

[0287] In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send at least one pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to the terminal, wherein the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is used by the terminal to send a positioning reference signal.

[0288] In some embodiments, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0289] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information includes at least one of the following: a pre-configuration identifier of the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; and an area identifier associated with the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0290] In some embodiments, the area identifier includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier; a tracking area identifier; a radio access network notification area identifier.

[0291] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information does not include at least one of the following: spatial relationship information; power control parameters; a reference signal for calculating path loss; or a timer duration for a timing advance value.

[0292] In some embodiments, the receiving module is used to receive a request message sent by the terminal, wherein the request message is used to request the network device to activate one preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information among the at least one preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0293] In some embodiments, the request message includes a pre-configuration identifier of pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information requested to be activated.

[0294] In some embodiments, the sending module is used to send a response message to the request message to the terminal.

[0295] In some embodiments, the response message includes at least one of the following: a pre-configured identifier of the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; spatial relationship information; power control parameters; a reference signal for calculating path loss; a timer duration of a timing advance value; configuration information of the uplink positioning reference signal; and rejection information, wherein the rejection information is used to indicate a rejection of activating the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0296] In some embodiments, the rejection information includes at least one of the following:

[0297] A rejection reason, wherein the rejection reason is used to indicate a reason why the network device indicates a rejection of activating the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information;

[0298] Waiting time, wherein the waiting time is used to indicate a time for prohibiting the terminal from sending the request message again.

[0299] In some embodiments, the pre-configured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is carried in at least one of the following: system information; or a radio resource control message.

[0300] It should be noted that the modules included in the network device may not be limited to the modules shown in the embodiment of Figure 10, and may also include other modules, such as a processing module, a storage module, etc., which is not limited in this disclosure.

[0301] For the device embodiment, since it basically corresponds to the method embodiment, the relevant parts can be referred to the partial description of the method embodiment. The device embodiment described above is merely illustrative, wherein the modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as modules may or may not be physical modules, that is, they may be located in one place, or they may be distributed on multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the scheme of this embodiment. Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand and implement it without paying any creative work.

[0302] An embodiment of the present disclosure also proposes a signal sending method, including: a network device sends at least one preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to a terminal, wherein the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is used by the terminal to send a positioning reference signal; the network device sends an activation indication to the terminal, wherein the activation indication is used to activate one of the preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; and the terminal sends a positioning reference signal according to the activated preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

[0303] An embodiment of the present disclosure further proposes a terminal, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the terminal is used to execute the signal sending method described in the first aspect and the optional embodiment of the first aspect.

[0304] An embodiment of the present disclosure further proposes a network device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the network device is used to execute the signal sending method described in the second aspect and the optional embodiment of the second aspect.

[0305] An embodiment of the present disclosure further proposes a communication device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions to enable the communication device to execute the signal sending method described in the first aspect and the second aspect, and the optional embodiments of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0306] An embodiment of the present disclosure also proposes a communication system, including a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the signal sending method described in the first aspect and the optional embodiment of the first aspect, and the network device is configured to implement the signal sending method described in the second aspect and the optional embodiment of the second aspect.

[0307] An embodiment of the present disclosure further proposes a storage medium storing instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the signal sending method described in the first and second aspects, and the optional embodiments of the first and second aspects.

[0308] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0309] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is only a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they can be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0310] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0311] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 11100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 11100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 11100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0312] As shown in Figure 11, the communication device 11100 includes one or more processors 11101. The processor 11101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The processor 11101 is used to call instructions to enable the communication device 11100 to perform any of the above methods.

[0313] In some embodiments, the communication device 11100 further includes one or more memories 11102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 11102 may be located outside the communication device 11100.

[0314] In some embodiments, the communication device 11100 further includes one or more transceivers 11103. When the communication device 11100 includes one or more transceivers 11103, the communication steps such as sending and receiving in the above method are performed by the transceiver 11103, and the other steps are performed by the processor 11101.

[0315] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0316] Optionally, the communication device 11100 further includes one or more interface circuits 11104, which are connected to the memory 11102. The interface circuits 11104 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 11102 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 11102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 11104 may read instructions stored in the memory 11102 and send the instructions to the processor 11101.

[0317] The communication device 11100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 11100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 11100 may not be limited by FIG. 11 . The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0318] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 12200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 11120 can be a chip or a chip system, reference can be made to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 12200 shown in FIG12 , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0319] The chip 12200 includes one or more processors 12201 , and the processor 12201 is used to call instructions so that the chip 12200 executes any of the above methods.

[0320] In some embodiments, the chip 12200 further includes one or more interface circuits 12202, which are connected to the memory 12203. The interface circuit 12202 can be used to receive signals from the memory 12203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory.

[0321] 12203 or other devices to send signals. For example, the interface circuit 12202 can read the instructions stored in the memory 12203 and send the instructions to the processor 12201. Optionally, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0322] In some embodiments, chip 12200 further includes one or more memories 12203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of memory 12203 may be located outside chip 12200.

[0323] The present disclosure also provides a storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed on the communication device 11100, the communication device 11100 is caused to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a transient storage medium.

[0324] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 11100, enables the communication device 11100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0325] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

Claims

1. A signal sending method, characterized in that: The method comprises: At least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information sent by a network device is received, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is used by a terminal to send a positioning reference signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The uplink positioning reference signal configuration information includes at least one of the following: A pre-configuration identifier of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; The area identifier associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The area identifier includes at least one of the following: Cell ID; Tracking area identification; The radio access network notifies the area identifier.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The uplink positioning reference signal configuration information does not include at least one of the following: Spatial relationship information; Power control parameters; Reference signal for calculating path loss; The timer duration of the timing advance value.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: A request message is sent to the network device, wherein the request message is used to request the network device to activate one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information among the at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The request message includes a pre-configuration identifier of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information requested to be activated.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A response message to the request message sent by the network device is received.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The response message includes at least one of the following: A pre-configuration identifier of uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; Spatial relationship information; Power control parameters; Reference signal for calculating path loss; The timer duration of the timing advance value; Configuration information of uplink positioning reference signal; Rejection information, wherein the rejection information is used to indicate rejection of activating the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The rejection information includes at least one of the following: A rejection reason, wherein the rejection reason is used to indicate a reason why the network device indicates a rejection of activating the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; A waiting time, wherein the waiting time is used to indicate a time during which the terminal is prohibited from sending the request message again.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is carried in at least one of the following: System information; Radio Resource Control Message.

11. A signal sending method, characterized in that: The method comprises: At least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is sent to a terminal, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is used by the terminal to send a positioning reference signal.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The uplink positioning reference signal configuration information includes at least one of the following: A pre-configuration identifier of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; The area identifier associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The area identifier includes at least one of the following: Cell ID; Tracking area identification; The radio access network notifies the area identifier.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The uplink positioning reference signal configuration information does not include at least one of the following: Spatial relationship information; Power control parameters; Reference signal for calculating path loss; The timer duration of the timing advance value.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: A request message sent by the terminal is received, wherein the request message is used to request a network device to activate one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information among the at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The request message includes a pre-configuration identifier of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information requested to be activated.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The method further comprises: A response message to the request message is sent to the terminal.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The response message includes at least one of the following: A pre-configuration identifier of uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; Spatial relationship information; Power control parameters; Reference signal for calculating path loss; The timer duration of the timing advance value; Configuration information of uplink positioning reference signal; Rejection information, wherein the rejection information is used to indicate rejection of activating the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The rejection information includes at least one of the following: A rejection reason, wherein the rejection reason is used to indicate a reason why the network device indicates a rejection of activating the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; A waiting time, wherein the waiting time is used to indicate a time during which the terminal is prohibited from sending the request message again.

20. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that The uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is carried in at least one of the following: System information; Radio Resource Control Message.

21. A signal sending method, characterized in that: include: The network device sends at least one uplink positioning reference signal configuration information to the terminal, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information is used by the terminal to send a positioning reference signal; The network device sends an activation indication to the terminal, wherein the activation indication is used to activate one of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; The terminal sends a positioning reference signal according to the activated uplink positioning reference signal configuration information.

22. A terminal, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The terminal is used to execute the signal sending method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

23. A network device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; Wherein, the network device is used to execute the signal sending method according to any one of claims 11-20.

24. A communication device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The processor is used to call instructions so that the communication device executes the signal sending method according to any one of claims 1-10 and 11-20.

25. A communication system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the signal sending method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and the network device is configured to implement the signal sending method according to any one of claims 11 to 20.

26. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the signal sending method according to any one of claims 1-10 and 11-20.

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