Information configuration method and apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an information configuration method and apparatus, and a storage medium. The method comprises: sending configuration information to a terminal, wherein the configuration information is used for configuring at least one time window for the terminal, and the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal. In the present disclosure, at least one time window can be configured for a terminal by an access network device, and the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal, thus improving the accuracy and reliability of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink hybrid positioning.

Description

Information configuration method, device, and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular to an information configuration method and device, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] The fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) New Radio (NR) introduces a variety of positioning technologies to achieve terminal positioning.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to improve the accuracy and reliability of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink hybrid positioning, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide an information configuration method and device, and a storage medium.

[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an information configuration method, including:

[0006] Configuration information is sent to a terminal, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0007] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an information configuration method, including:

[0008] Configuration information sent by an access network device is received, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for a terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0009] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an information configuration method, including:

[0010] A configuration request message is sent to an access network device, where the configuration request message is used to request the access network device to configure at least one time window for a terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an access network device is provided, including:

[0012] The transceiver module is configured to send configuration information to the terminal, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, including:

[0014] The transceiver module is configured to receive configuration information sent by an access network device, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for a terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0015] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a core network device is provided, including:

[0016] The transceiver module is configured to send a configuration request message to the access network device, where the configuration request message is used to request the access network device to configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0017] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, including:

[0018] one or more processors;

[0019] The network device is used to execute the information configuration method described in any one of the first aspect or the third aspect.

[0020] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, including:

[0021] one or more processors;

[0022] The terminal is used to execute the method for information configuration behavior described in any one of the second aspects.

[0023] According to the ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising an access network device, a terminal, and a core network device, wherein the access network device is configured to implement the information configuration method described in any one of the first aspect, the terminal is configured to implement the information configuration method described in any one of the second aspect, and the core network device is configured to implement the information configuration method described in any one of the third aspect.

[0024] According to the tenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the information configuration method as described in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0025] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the access network device may configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink hybrid positioning.

[0026] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0028] FIG1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG2A is an exemplary interaction diagram of an information configuration method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG2B is an exemplary schematic diagram of frequency hopping transmission of an uplink positioning signal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG3A is an exemplary interaction diagram of an information configuration method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG3B is an exemplary interaction diagram of the information configuration method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG3C is an exemplary interaction diagram of the information configuration method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG3D is an exemplary interaction diagram of the information configuration method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG4A is an exemplary interaction diagram of an information configuration method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG4B is an exemplary interaction diagram of the information configuration method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG4C is an exemplary interaction diagram of the information configuration method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG4D is an exemplary interaction diagram of the information configuration method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG5A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary interaction of an information configuration device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG5B is a schematic diagram of an exemplary interaction of an information configuration device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG5C is a schematic diagram of an exemplary interaction of an information configuration device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG6A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary interaction of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG6B is an exemplary interaction diagram of a chip provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when referring to the drawings, like numbers in different figures represent like or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to represent all possible embodiments consistent with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present invention, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0045] The terms used in this disclosure are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of at least one of the associated listed items.

[0046] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used in this disclosure to describe various messages, these messages should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish messages of the same type from each other. For example, a first message may also be referred to as a second message, and similarly, a second message may be referred to as a first message without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "at the time of" or "when" or "in response to determining."

[0047] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an information configuration method, device, and storage medium.

[0048] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information configuration method, including:

[0049] Configuration information is sent to a terminal, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the access network device can send configuration information to the terminal to configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink hybrid positioning.

[0051] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the time window is used for at least one of the following:

[0052] The terminal sends the uplink positioning reference signal;

[0053] The terminal discards signals or channels other than the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the time window can be used for the terminal to send an uplink positioning reference signal, and / or discard signals or channels other than the uplink positioning reference signal to ensure the sending of the uplink positioning reference signal and improve the accuracy and reliability of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink hybrid positioning.

[0055] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, sending configuration information to the terminal includes:

[0056] A first message is sent to the terminal, where the first message includes the configuration information.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the configuration information can be sent to the terminal via a first message, including but not limited to a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message and a Medium Access Control Element (MAC CE), which is simple to implement and has high usability.

[0058] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0059] A second message is sent to the terminal, where the second message is used to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows.

[0060] In the above embodiment, after configuring the time windows, the access network device can send a second message to the terminal separately to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows through the second message, thereby achieving dynamic activation or deactivation of the time windows and high availability.

[0061] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second message includes at least one of the following:

[0062] Activation instructions;

[0063] Deactivation instruction information;

[0064] Identifier of the activation or deactivation time window.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the second message may include but is not limited to the above information, so that the terminal can activate or deactivate the corresponding time window based on the second message, which is simple to implement and has high availability.

[0066] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following:

[0067] The starting time domain position of the time window;

[0068] The number of time units occupied by the time window;

[0069] The period length of the time window;

[0070] The identifier of the time window.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the access network device may configure the above information related to the time window for the terminal. The time window is associated with the uplink positioning reference signal, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink hybrid positioning.

[0072] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the configuration information is further used to configure:

[0073] Conflict rules, where the conflict rules are used to determine terminal behavior when the uplink positioning reference conflicts with other signals or channels.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the access network device may further configure a conflict rule for the terminal. The conflict rule is used to determine the terminal's behavior when the uplink positioning reference conflicts with other signals or channels. The terminal can determine its own behavior based on the conflict rule when the uplink positioning reference conflicts with other signals or channels, thereby clarifying the terminal's behavior and improving availability.

[0075] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0076] A configuration request message sent by a core network device is received, where the configuration request message is used to request an access network device to configure the time window for the terminal.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the access network device can configure the time window for the terminal based on the configuration request message of the core network device, and the core network device triggers the access network device to configure the time window for the terminal according to the positioning requirements, thereby improving the availability of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink mixed positioning.

[0078] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the configuration request message includes at least one of the following:

[0079] The starting time domain position of the time window requested to be configured;

[0080] The number of time units occupied by the time window requested to be configured;

[0081] The duration of the time window requested for configuration.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the core network device can request the access network device to configure a corresponding time window based on the positioning requirement, which is simple to implement and has high availability.

[0083] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0084] A third message sent by the core network device is received, where the third message is used to request the access network device to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the core network device can request the access network device to activate or deactivate the time window configured for the terminal through the third message, thereby improving the flexibility of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink mixed positioning.

[0086] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the third message is a New Radio Positioning Protocol a (NRPPa) measurement request message, and the NRPPa measurement request message is used to request the access network device to activate the time window configured for the terminal.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the core network device can directly reuse the NRPPa measurement request message, and request the access network device to activate the time window configured for the terminal through the NRPPa measurement request message, without sending a configuration request message separately, saving signaling resources, making minor changes to the standard, and having high availability.

[0088] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the third message includes at least one of the following:

[0089] Activation instructions;

[0090] Deactivation instruction information;

[0091] Identifier of the time window for the requested activation or deactivation.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the core network device includes the above information in the third message, and requests the access network device to activate or deactivate the corresponding time window in an explicit manner, which is simple to implement and has high availability.

[0093] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information configuration method, including:

[0094] Configuration information sent by an access network device is received, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for a terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the terminal can receive configuration information sent by the access network device, thereby determining at least one time window associated with an uplink positioning reference signal, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink hybrid positioning.

[0096] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0097] Sending the uplink positioning reference signal within the time window;

[0098] Within the time window, signals or channels other than the uplink positioning reference signal are discarded.

[0099] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, receiving configuration information sent by the access network device includes:

[0100] A first message sent by the access network device is received, where the first message includes the configuration information.

[0101] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0102] A second message sent by the access network device is received, where the second message is used to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows.

[0103] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second message includes at least one of the following:

[0104] Activation instructions;

[0105] Deactivation instruction information;

[0106] Identifier of the activation or deactivation time window.

[0107] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following:

[0108] The starting time domain position of the time window;

[0109] The number of time units occupied by the time window;

[0110] The period length of the time window;

[0111] The identifier of the time window.

[0112] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0113] After the time window is activated, outside the time window, determining terminal behavior based on protocol agreement;

[0114] After the time window is deactivated, the terminal behavior is determined within the time window based on the protocol agreement.

[0115] In the above embodiment, the terminal can determine the terminal behavior outside the activation time window or within the deactivation time window based on the protocol agreement, which clarifies the terminal behavior and has high availability.

[0116] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the configuration information is further used to configure:

[0117] Conflict rules, where the conflict rules are used to determine terminal behavior when the uplink positioning reference conflicts with other signals or channels.

[0118] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0119] After the time window is activated, outside the time window, determining the terminal behavior based on the conflict rule;

[0120] After the time window is deactivated, the terminal behavior is determined within the time window based on the conflict rule.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the terminal can determine the terminal behavior outside the activation time window or within the deactivation time window based on the conflict rule configured by the access network device, thereby clarifying the terminal behavior and improving the availability.

[0122] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information configuration method, including:

[0123] A configuration request message is sent to an access network device, where the configuration request message is used to request the access network device to configure at least one time window for a terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the core network device can actively initiate a configuration request to request the access network device to configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal, thereby improving the flexibility of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink hybrid positioning.

[0125] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the time window is used for at least one of the following:

[0126] The terminal sends the uplink positioning reference signal;

[0127] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the configuration request message includes at least one of the following:

[0128] The starting time domain position of the time window requested to be configured;

[0129] The number of time units occupied by the time window requested to be configured;

[0130] The duration of the time window requested for configuration.

[0131] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0132] A third message is sent to the access network device, where the third message is used to request the access network device to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows.

[0133] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the third message is a New Radio Positioning Protocol a (NRPPa) measurement request message, and the NRPPa measurement request message is used to request the access network device to activate the time window configured for the terminal.

[0134] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the third message includes at least one of the following:

[0135] Activation instructions;

[0136] Deactivation instruction information;

[0137] Identifier of the time window for the requested activation or deactivation.

[0138] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an access network device, including:

[0139] The transceiver module is configured to send configuration information to the terminal, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0140] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal, including:

[0141] The transceiver module is configured to receive configuration information sent by an access network device, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for a terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0142] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a core network device, including:

[0143] The transceiver module is configured to send a configuration request message to the access network device, where the configuration request message is used to request the access network device to configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0144] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network device, including:

[0145] one or more processors;

[0146] The network device is used to execute the information configuration method described in any one of the first aspect or the third aspect.

[0147] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal, including:

[0148] one or more processors;

[0149] The terminal is used to execute the method for information configuration behavior described in any one of the second aspects.

[0150] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, comprising an access network device, a terminal, and a core network device, wherein the access network device is configured to implement the information configuration method described in any one of the first aspect, the terminal is configured to implement the information configuration method described in any one of the second aspect, and the core network device is configured to implement the information configuration method described in any one of the third aspect.

[0151] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium storing instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute an information configuration method as described in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0152] It is understandable that the above-mentioned terminals, network devices, communication systems, storage media, 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 in the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0153] The present disclosure provides an information configuration method, device, and storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "information configuration method," "information processing method," and "communication method" are interchangeable; the terms "information configuration device," "information processing device," and "communication device" are interchangeable; and the terms "information processing system," "communication system," and "information processing system" are interchangeable.

[0154] 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.

[0155] 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.

[0156] 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.

[0157] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0158] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0159] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0160] 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.

[0161] 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.

[0162] 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 restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0163] 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.

[0164] 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.

[0165] In some embodiments, devices and equipment can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "entity", "subject", etc.

[0166] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.

[0167] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" may also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", and in some embodiments may also be understood as "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission and / or 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)", etc.

[0168] In some embodiments, "terminal" or "terminal device" may be referred to as "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.

[0169] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0170] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0171] 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.

[0172] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0173] As shown in FIG1 , a communication system 100 includes an access network device 101 , a terminal 102 , and a core network device 103 .

[0174] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 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 nodeB (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.

[0175] 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.

[0176] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 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.

[0177] In some embodiments, the terminal 102 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication capabilities, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, 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.

[0178] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may be a device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or a group of devices. 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).

[0179] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 is, for example, a location management function (LMF).

[0180] Of course, the core network device 103 may also include other network elements, which is not limited in this disclosure.

[0181] In some embodiments, the terminal 102 is connected to the core network device 103 through the access network device 101.

[0182] 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.

[0183] 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.

[0184] 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, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on these. Furthermore, a combination of multiple systems (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G) may also be used.

[0185] FIG2A is an interactive diagram of an information configuration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2A , the present disclosure embodiment relates to an information configuration method, which includes:

[0186] In step S2101 , the core network device 103 sends a configuration request message to the access network device 101 .

[0187] In some embodiments, the core network device 103, such as LMF, sends the configuration request message to the access network device.

[0188] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 receives a configuration request message.

[0189] In some embodiments, the configuration request message is used to request the access network device 101 to configure a time window for the terminal 102 .

[0190] In some embodiments, the name of the configuration request message is not limited, and it can be, for example, a request message, a fourth message, a fourth signaling, etc.

[0191] In one example, the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0192] In an example, the uplink positioning reference signal may be a reference signal for uplink positioning sent by the terminal 102, including but not limited to a channel sounding reference signal (Sounding Reference Signal, SRS).

[0193] In one example, the number of time windows may be one or more.

[0194] In one example, the time window is used for terminal 102 to send an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0195] Exemplarily, the time window is used for frequency hopping transmission of uplink positioning reference signals by terminal 102. For example, as shown in FIG2B , frequency hopping transmission of uplink positioning reference signals by terminal 102 may involve terminal 102 transmitting uplink positioning reference signals on different frequency domain resources at different time points. Frequency hopping transmission of uplink positioning reference signals allows access network device 101 to measure uplink positioning reference signals over a wider bandwidth, thereby improving positioning accuracy.

[0196] When the terminal 102 transmits an uplink positioning reference signal by frequency hopping, two adjacent hops may have a gap in the time domain and may overlap in the frequency domain.

[0197] In one example, the time window is used for the terminal 102 to discard signals or channels other than the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0198] The discarded signals or channels include but are not limited to uplink signals, uplink channels, downlink signals, and downlink channels except uplink positioning reference signals.

[0199] It can be understood that the uplink positioning reference signal has the highest signal priority within the time window, and the terminal 102 should prioritize the transmission of the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0200] In one example, the time window is used for the terminal 102 to send an uplink positioning reference signal, and signals or channels other than the uplink positioning reference signal are discarded.

[0201] In some embodiments, the configuration request message includes but is not limited to at least one of the following: the starting time domain position of the time window requested to be configured; the number of time units occupied by the time window requested to be configured; and the period duration of the time window requested to be configured.

[0202] In one example, the core network device 103 requests the access network device 101 to configure a time window for the terminal 102 according to the uplink positioning requirement, and the configuration request message may include the starting time domain position of the time window requested to be configured.

[0203] The starting time domain position is the first time unit in the time window, and the time unit can be a time slot, an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, or a span, which is not limited in this disclosure. A span includes multiple consecutive symbols.

[0204] In one example, the core network device 103 requests the access network device 101 to configure a time window for the terminal 102 based on the uplink positioning requirement, and the configuration request message may include the number of time units occupied by the time window requested to be configured. The time unit may be a slot, an OFDM symbol, or a span, which is not limited in this disclosure.

[0205] In one example, the core network device 103 requests the access network device 101 to configure a time window for the terminal 102 based on the uplink positioning requirement, and the configuration request message may include the period duration of the time window requested for configuration. The period duration may be the number of time units between each time window. The time unit may be a slot, an OFDM symbol, or a span, which is not limited in this disclosure.

[0206] In an example, the core network device 103 requests the access network device 101 to configure a time window for the terminal 102 according to the uplink positioning requirement, and the configuration request message may include an identifier of the time window requested to be configured.

[0207] Exemplarily, the identifier may be a non-negative integer, such as 0, 1, 2, ...

[0208] In one example, the core network device 103 requests the access network device 101 to configure a time window for the terminal 102 based on the uplink positioning requirement, and the configuration request message may include one, two or more of the above-mentioned information requested for configuration.

[0209] In some embodiments, the configuration request message may be a New Radio Positioning Protocol a (NR Positioning Protocol a, NRPPa) message.

[0210] Step S2102 : The access network device 101 determines at least one time window for the terminal 102 .

[0211] In some embodiments, the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0212] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 determines a time window for the terminal 102 based on the configuration request message sent by the core network device 103 .

[0213] Exemplarily, the access network device 101 may determine the time window for the terminal based on at least one of the starting time domain position of the time window requested to be configured in the configuration request message, the number of time units occupied by the time window, and the period duration of the time window.

[0214] Exemplarily, the access network device 101 may automatically determine the identifiers of the configured time windows. For example, the access network device 101 assigns corresponding identifiers to the time windows sequentially starting from 0.

[0215] In some embodiments, after establishing an RRC connection with the terminal 102 , the access network device 101 determines the time window for the terminal 102 .

[0216] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 may determine the time window for the terminal 102 under other conditions or scenarios, for example, when receiving a configuration request initiated by the terminal 102 .

[0217] Step S2103 : The access network device 101 sends a first message to the terminal 102 .

[0218] In some embodiments, the first message includes configuration information. The configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0219] In some embodiments, terminal 102 receives a first message.

[0220] In some embodiments, the name of the first message is not limited, and it can be, for example, a configuration message, an indication message, a first signaling, etc.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first message may be a first RRC message or a first MAC CE, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0222] In some embodiments, the configuration information may be used to configure the time window.

[0223] In some embodiments, the configuration information may be used to configure a time window and a conflict rule, wherein the conflict rule is used to determine the terminal behavior when the uplink positioning reference conflicts with other signals or channels.

[0224] In an example, the conflict rule may be that when the uplink positioning reference conflicts with other signals or channels, the uplink positioning reference signal is discarded, and / or other signals or channels are sent or received.

[0225] In an example, the conflict rule may be that when the uplink positioning reference conflicts with other signals or channels, the other signals or channels are discarded, and / or an uplink positioning reference signal is sent.

[0226] In some embodiments, the configuration information may be used to configure the time window and other information, such as signal priority.

[0227] In an example, the signal priority may define a priority order between the uplink positioning reference signal and other signals, for example, the uplink positioning reference signal has the highest priority, or the uplink positioning reference signal has the lowest priority.

[0228] In an example, the signal priority may define the priority of the uplink positioning reference signal, for example, the priority of the uplink positioning reference signal is high priority or low priority.

[0229] In one example, the signal priority may only define the priority or priority order of other signals. The protocol stipulates that the uplink positioning reference signal has the highest priority, or the uplink positioning reference signal has the lowest priority.

[0230] In some embodiments, the configuration information can be used to configure the time window and other information not related to uplink positioning, that is, the access network device 102 can configure multiple types of information of the terminal 102 through one configuration information, including the time window associated with the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0231] The above description is merely an example, and the present disclosure does not limit the content of the configuration information.

[0232] In some embodiments, after receiving the first message, the terminal 102 starts using the configured time window.

[0233] Exemplarily, the terminal 102 may open the time window at the starting time unit of the time window, close the time window when the duration of the time window reaches the number of time units occupied by the time window, periodically open or close the time window according to the period of the time window, determine the identifier of the opened or closed time window, etc.

[0234] In some embodiments, the terminal 102 sends an uplink positioning reference signal within the time window.

[0235] Exemplarily, the uplink positioning reference signal may be an SRS.

[0236] Exemplarily, the terminal 102 may send an uplink positioning reference signal by frequency hopping within the time window.

[0237] In some embodiments, the terminal 102 discards signals or channels other than the uplink positioning reference signal within the time window.

[0238] Exemplarily, the terminal 102 may discard other uplink signals, uplink channels, downlink signals, and downlink channels within the time window.

[0239] In some embodiments, the terminal 102 determines that the uplink positioning reference signal has the highest priority within the time window.

[0240] In some embodiments, the first message is a first RRC message, and the first RRC message may be a radio resource control reconfiguration (RRCReconfiguration) message.

[0241] In some embodiments, the first message is an RRCReconfiguration message, and the terminal 102 may send a response message to the access network device 101. Exemplarily, the response message may be an RRCReconfiguration Complete message. The response message is used to inform the access network device 101 that the terminal 102 has received the configuration information.

[0242] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 may send a configuration request response message to the core network device 103 to inform the access network device 103 that a time window has been configured for the terminal 101 .

[0243] Exemplarily, the configuration request response message is an NRPPa message.

[0244] Step S2104 : The core network device 103 sends a third message to the access network device 101 .

[0245] In some embodiments, the third message is used to request the access network device 101 to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows.

[0246] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 receives a third message.

[0247] In some embodiments, the name of the third message is not limited, and it can be, for example, an activation request message, a deactivation request message, a third signaling, etc.

[0248] In some embodiments, the third message is an NRPPa message.

[0249] In some embodiments, the third message may be a New Radio Positioning Protocol a measurement request (NRPPa measurement request) message.

[0250] Exemplarily, when the third message is an NRPPa measurement request message, the NRPPa measurement request message is used to request the access network device 101 to activate the time window configured for the terminal 102 .

[0251] That is, the core network device 103 may implicitly request the access network device 101 to activate the above time window.

[0252] In some embodiments, the third message may be other NRPPa messages. For example, it may be an NRPPa message specifically used to request the access network device 101 to activate the time window configured for the terminal 102 .

[0253] In some embodiments, the third message may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: activation indication information; deactivation indication information; and an identifier of a time window for requesting activation or deactivation.

[0254] In an example, the activation indication information and the deactivation indication information can be indicated by 1 bit.

[0255] For example, the bit value of the first information unit in the third message (the first information unit is the information unit where the activation indication information or deactivation indication information is located) is "1", corresponding to the activation indication information, and its bit value is "0", corresponding to the deactivation indication information.

[0256] In one example, the identifier of the time window for requesting activation or deactivation may be directly carried in the second information unit of the third message.

[0257] For example, the third message includes the first information unit and the second information unit, the bit value of the first information unit is "1", and the bit value of the second information unit is "01", then the third message is used to request the access network device 101 to activate time window #1.

[0258] That is, the core network device 103 may request the access network device 101 to activate the time window in a display manner.

[0259] Step S2105 : The access network device 101 sends a second message to the terminal 102 .

[0260] In some embodiments, the second message is used to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows.

[0261] In some embodiments, terminal 102 receives the second message.

[0262] In some embodiments, the name of the second message is not limited, and it can be, for example, an activation message, a deactivation message, a second signaling, etc.

[0263] In some embodiments, the first message sent by the access network device 101 is used to configure the time window. After receiving the third message sent by the core network device, the access network device 101 sends a second message to the terminal 102 to activate or deactivate at least one of the configured time windows.

[0264] In some embodiments, the first message sent by the access network device 101 is used to configure the time window, and the access network device 101 sends a second message to the terminal 102 alone, thereby activating or deactivating at least one of the configured time windows.

[0265] In some embodiments, the second message may be a second RRC message or a second MAC CE, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0266] In some embodiments, the second message may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: activation indication information; deactivation indication information; and an identifier of an activation or deactivation time window.

[0267] For example, the bit value of the third information unit in the second message (the third information unit is the information unit where the activation indication information or deactivation indication information is located) is "1", corresponding to the activation indication information, and its bit value is "0", corresponding to the deactivation indication information.

[0268] In one example, the identifier of the time window for requesting activation or deactivation may be directly carried in the fourth information unit of the second message.

[0269] For example, the second message includes a third information unit and a fourth information unit, the bit value of the third information unit is "0", and the bit value of the fourth information unit is "10", then the second message is used to instruct the terminal 102 to deactivate time window #2.

[0270] In step S2106, the terminal 102 determines the terminal behavior.

[0271] In some embodiments, after the time window is activated, the terminal 102 determines the terminal behavior within the activated time window.

[0272] In an example, the terminal 102 may send the uplink positioning reference signal in at least part of the time units within the activated time window, and / or discard signals or channels other than the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0273] In an example, the terminal 102 determines that the uplink positioning reference signal has the highest priority within the activated time window.

[0274] In an example, the access network device 102 receives an uplink positioning reference signal within the activated time window, and / or determines that the terminal 102 discards signals or channels other than the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0275] In some embodiments, after the time window is activated, the terminal 102 determines terminal behavior outside the activated time window.

[0276] In one example, the access network device 102 configures conflict rules through configuration information, and the terminal 102 can determine terminal behavior based on the conflict rules outside the activation time window.

[0277] For example, the conflict rule is that when the uplink positioning reference conflicts with other signals or channels, the other signals or channels are discarded. In the time unit outside the activated time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, the terminal 102 discards the other signals or channels and sends the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0278] For another example, the conflict rule is that when the uplink positioning reference conflicts with other signals or channels, the uplink positioning reference signal is discarded. In a time unit outside the activated time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, the terminal 102 discards the uplink positioning reference signal and sends or receives other signals or channels.

[0279] The above description is merely illustrative; any solution in which terminal 102 determines terminal behavior based on the conflict rules configured by access network device 101 should fall within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, during time units outside of the active time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, access network device 101 determines terminal behavior based on the conflict rules configured for terminal 102.

[0280] In one example, the access network device 102 configures the signal priority through configuration information, and the terminal 102 can determine the terminal behavior based on the protocol agreement outside the activation time window.

[0281] For example, the configuration information configures the uplink positioning reference signal as a low priority. In time units outside the activated time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, the terminal 102 discards the uplink positioning reference signal and sends or receives other signals or channels.

[0282] For example, the configuration information configures the uplink positioning reference signal priority as high priority. In time units outside the activated time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, the terminal 102 discards the other signals or channels and sends the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0283] Accordingly, in a time unit outside the activated time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, the access network device 101 determines the terminal behavior based on the signal priority configured for the terminal 102 and the protocol agreement.

[0284] In one example, the access network device 102 does not configure conflict rules or signal priorities through configuration information, and the terminal 102 can determine the terminal behavior based on the protocol agreement outside the activation time window.

[0285] For example, in a time unit outside the activated time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, the terminal 102 discards the uplink positioning reference signal and sends or receives other signals or channels according to the signal priority order agreed upon in the protocol or the terminal behavior agreed upon in the protocol.

[0286] For example, in a time unit outside the activated time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, the terminal 102 discards other signals or channels and sends the uplink positioning reference signal according to the signal priority order agreed upon in the protocol or the terminal behavior agreed upon in the protocol.

[0287] Accordingly, in a time unit outside the activated time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, the access network device 101 determines the terminal behavior based on the protocol agreement.

[0288] In some embodiments, after the terminal 102 is deactivated in the time window, the terminal 102 determines the terminal behavior within the deactivated time window.

[0289] In one example, the access network device 102 configures conflict rules through configuration information, and the terminal 102 can determine the terminal behavior based on the conflict rules within the deactivation time window.

[0290] For example, the conflict rule is that when the uplink positioning reference conflicts with other signals or channels, the other signals or channels are discarded. Within the deactivation time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, the terminal 102 discards the other signals or channels and sends the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0291] For another example, if the conflict rule states that if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with another signal or channel, the uplink positioning reference signal is discarded. During the deactivation time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with another signal or channel, terminal 102 discards the uplink positioning reference signal and transmits or receives the other signal or channel. The above is merely an example, and any solution in which terminal 102 determines terminal behavior based on the conflict rule configured by access network device 101 should fall within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0292] Accordingly, in a time unit within the deactivated time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, the access network device 101 determines the terminal behavior based on the conflict rule configured for the terminal 102 .

[0293] In one example, the access network device 102 configures the signal priority through configuration information, and the terminal 102 can determine the terminal behavior based on the protocol agreement within the deactivation time window.

[0294] For example, the configuration information configures the uplink positioning reference signal as a low priority. During the deactivation time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, the terminal 102 discards the uplink positioning reference signal and sends or receives other signals or channels.

[0295] For example, the configuration information configures the uplink positioning reference signal as having a high priority. Within the deactivation time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, the terminal 102 discards the other signals or channels and sends the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0296] Accordingly, in a time unit within the deactivation time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, the access network device 101 determines the terminal behavior based on the signal priority configured for the terminal 102 and the protocol agreement.

[0297] In one example, the access network device 102 does not configure conflict rules or signal priorities through configuration information, and the terminal 102 can determine the terminal behavior based on the protocol agreement within the time window of deactivation.

[0298] For example, in a time unit within the deactivation time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, the terminal 102 discards the uplink positioning reference signal and sends or receives other signals or channels according to the signal priority order agreed upon in the protocol or the terminal behavior agreed upon in the protocol.

[0299] For example, in a time unit within the deactivated time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, the terminal 102 discards other signals or channels and sends the uplink positioning reference signal according to the signal priority order agreed upon in the protocol or the terminal behavior agreed upon in the protocol.

[0300] Accordingly, in a time unit within the deactivation time window, if the uplink positioning reference signal conflicts with other signals or channels, the access network device 101 determines the terminal behavior based on the protocol agreement.

[0301] 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.

[0302] In some embodiments, the terms "uplink", "uplink", "physical uplink", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0303] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0304] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0305] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0306] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain", "preset", "preset", "setting", "indicated", "a certain", "any", and "first" can be interchangeable. "Specific A", "preset A", "preset A", "setting A", "indicated A", "a certain A", "any A", and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-specified in a protocol, etc., or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or indication, etc., or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, etc., but not limited to this.

[0307] In some embodiments, the information configuration method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2107. For example, step S2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2102 + S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2101 to S2103 can be implemented as independent embodiments, step S2104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2104 + step S2105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2105 + step S2106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S2104 + step S2105 + step S2106 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0308] In some embodiments, step S2101 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, when access network device 101 configures a time window for terminal 102 based on a request from terminal 102 or other conditions, step S2101 may not be performed, i.e., the terminal sends a request to access network device 101 to configure a time window.

[0309] In some embodiments, step S2104 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, after the access network device 101 configures the time window via the first message, the terminal 102 can use the time window without the access network device 101 activating the time window before the terminal 102 uses it. In this case, step S2104 is optional, and step S2105 does not need to be executed.

[0310] In some embodiments, step S2105 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, after the access network device 101 sends the time window configuration information through the first message, the terminal device can directly use the time window, and step S2105 may not be performed. For another example, the access network device 101 determines to activate or deactivate the time window based on the configuration of the uplink positioning reference signal, and step S2105 may not be performed. For another example, the access network device 101 activates or deactivates the time window based on the activation or deactivation time window request sent by the terminal 102 to the access network device 101 or other conditions, and step S2105 may not be performed.

[0311] In some embodiments, steps S2101 to S2106 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0312] In the above embodiment, the access network device may configure at least one time window for the terminal. The time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal to improve the accuracy and reliability of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink hybrid positioning.

[0313] FIG3A is a flow chart of an information configuration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3A , the present disclosure embodiment relates to an information configuration method, which can be executed by an access network device 101 and includes:

[0314] Step S3101: Obtain a configuration request message.

[0315] In some embodiments, the configuration request message is used to request the access network device 101 to configure a time window for the terminal 102 .

[0316] In some embodiments, the name of the configuration request message is not limited, and it can be, for example, a request message, a fourth message, a fourth signaling, etc.

[0317] In one example, the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0318] In some embodiments, the configuration request message is an NRPPa message.

[0319] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 may obtain the configuration request message from the core network device 103, such as LMF, but is not limited thereto. The access network device 101 may also receive a configuration request message sent by other entities.

[0320] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 obtains a configuration request message determined according to a predefined rule.

[0321] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 performs processing to obtain a configuration request message.

[0322] In some embodiments, step S3101 is omitted, the access network device 101 autonomously implements the function indicated by the configuration request message, or the access network device 101 obtains the configuration request message from the terminal or other network node, or the above function is default or default.

[0323] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0324] Step S3102: determine the time window.

[0325] In some embodiments, the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0326] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 determines a time window for the terminal 102 based on the configuration request message.

[0327] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 determines a time window for the terminal 102 .

[0328] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0329] Step S3103, sending the first message.

[0330] In some embodiments, the first message may be a first RRC message or a first MAC CE, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0331] In some embodiments, the first message includes configuration information. The configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0332] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 sends a first message to the terminal 102 .

[0333] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0334] In some embodiments, after the access network device 101 sends a first RRC message to the terminal 102, it can receive a response message sent by the terminal 102. Exemplarily, the first RRC message can be an RRC reconfiguration message, and the response message can be an RRC reconfiguration completion message.

[0335] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 may send a configuration request response message to the core network device 103. The configuration request response message may be an NRPPa message.

[0336] Step S3104, obtain the third message.

[0337] In some embodiments, the third message is used to request the access network device 101 to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows.

[0338] In some embodiments, the name of the third message is not limited.

[0339] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 may obtain the third message from the core network device 103, such as LMF, but is not limited thereto. The access network device 101 may also receive the third message sent by other entities.

[0340] In some embodiments, the third message is an NRPPa message.

[0341] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 obtains a third message determined according to a predefined rule.

[0342] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 performs processing to obtain the third message.

[0343] In some embodiments, step S3104 is omitted, the access network device 101 autonomously implements the function indicated by the third message, or the access network device 101 obtains the third message from the terminal or other network node, or the above function is default or default.

[0344] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0345] Step S3105, sending the second message.

[0346] In some embodiments, the second message is used to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows.

[0347] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 sends a second message to the terminal 102 .

[0348] In some embodiments, the name of the second message is not limited.

[0349] In some embodiments, the second message is a second RRC message or a second MAC CE.

[0350] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0351] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3105. For example, step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3101 to S3102 can be implemented as independent embodiments, step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3101 to S3103 can be implemented as independent embodiments, step S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S3104 to S3105 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0352] In some embodiments, step S3101 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, if the access network device 101 configures a time window for the terminal 102 based on a request from the terminal or a request from another network device, or when specified conditions are met, step S3101 may not be performed.

[0353] In some embodiments, step S3104 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, if the access network device 101 activates or deactivates the time window based on a terminal request or a request from another network device, or when a specified condition is met, step S3104 may not be performed, and the subsequent step S3105 may not be performed.

[0354] In some embodiments, step S3105 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, after the access network device 101 sends the time window configuration information through the first message, the terminal device can directly use the time window, and step S3105 may not be performed. For another example, the access network device 101 determines to activate or deactivate the time window based on the configuration of the uplink positioning reference signal, and step S3105 may not be performed. For another example, the access network device 101 activates or deactivates the time window based on the activation or deactivation time window request sent by the terminal 102 to the access network device 101 or other conditions, and step S3105 may not be performed.

[0355] In the above embodiment, the access network device can configure a time window for the terminal based on the request of the core network device, and can activate or deactivate the configured time window based on the request of the core network device, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink mixed positioning.

[0356] FIG3B is a flow chart of an information configuration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3B , the present disclosure embodiment relates to an information configuration method, which can be executed by terminal 102 and includes:

[0357] Step S3201, obtain the first message.

[0358] In some embodiments, the first message may be a first RRC message or a first MAC CE, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0359] In some embodiments, the first message includes configuration information. The configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0360] In some embodiments, the terminal 102 may obtain the first message from the access network device 101, but is not limited thereto. The terminal 102 may also receive the first message sent by other entities.

[0361] In some embodiments, the terminal 102 obtains a first message determined according to a predefined rule.

[0362] In some embodiments, terminal 102 performs processing to obtain the first message.

[0363] In some embodiments, step S3201 is omitted, the terminal 102 autonomously implements the function indicated by the configured first message, or the terminal 102 obtains the first message from other network nodes, or the above function is default or acquiescent.

[0364] In some embodiments, after receiving the first RRC message, the terminal 102 may send a response message to the access network device 101. Exemplarily, the first RRC message is an RRC reconfiguration message, and the response message is an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0365] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0366] Step S3202, obtain the second message.

[0367] In some embodiments, the second message may be a second RRC message or a second MAC CE, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0368] In some embodiments, the second message includes at least one of activation indication information, deactivation indication information, and an identifier of an activation or deactivation time window.

[0369] In some embodiments, the terminal 102 may obtain the second message from the access network device 101, but is not limited thereto. The terminal 102 may also receive the second message sent by other entities.

[0370] In some embodiments, the terminal 102 obtains the second message determined according to a predefined rule.

[0371] In some embodiments, terminal 102 performs processing to obtain the second message.

[0372] In some embodiments, step S3202 is omitted, the terminal 102 autonomously implements the function indicated by the configured second message, or the terminal 102 obtains the second message from other network nodes, or the above function is default or acquiescent.

[0373] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0374] Step S3203: Determine terminal behavior.

[0375] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3203 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0376] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3201 to S3203. For example, step S3201 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S3202 to S3203 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0377] In some embodiments, step S3202 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, if the terminal 102 directly uses the time window upon receiving it, step 3202 may not be performed.

[0378] In the above embodiment, the terminal can send an uplink positioning reference signal and / or discard other signals or channels within a time window configured by the access network device, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink hybrid positioning.

[0379] FIG3C is a flow chart of an information configuration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3C , the present disclosure embodiment relates to an information configuration method, which can be executed by terminal 102 and includes:

[0380] Step S3301: Send a configuration request message.

[0381] In some embodiments, the terminal 102 may send a configuration request message to the access network device 101, requesting the access network device 101 to configure a time window for the terminal 102. The time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0382] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 receives the configuration request message.

[0383] In some embodiments, the name of the configuration request message is not limited, and it can be, for example, a request message, a fifth message, a fifth signaling, etc.

[0384] In some embodiments, the configuration request message may be a third RRC message or a third MAC CE.

[0385] In one example, the uplink positioning reference signal may be an uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal 102, including but not limited to an SRS.

[0386] In one example, the number of time windows may be one or more.

[0387] In one example, the time window is used for terminal 102 to send an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0388] Exemplarily, the time window is used for the terminal 102 to send an uplink positioning reference signal by frequency hopping.

[0389] In one example, the time window is used for the terminal 102 to discard signals or channels other than the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0390] The discarded signals or channels include but are not limited to uplink signals, uplink channels, downlink signals, and downlink channels except uplink positioning reference signals.

[0391] It can be understood that the uplink positioning reference signal has the highest signal priority within the time window, and the terminal 102 should prioritize the transmission of the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0392] In one example, the time window is used for the terminal 102 to send an uplink positioning reference signal, and signals or channels other than the uplink positioning reference signal are discarded.

[0393] In some embodiments, the configuration request message sent by the terminal 102 includes but is not limited to at least one of the following: the starting time domain position of the time window requested to be configured; the number of time units occupied by the time window requested to be configured; and the period length of the time window requested to be configured.

[0394] Step S3302, obtain the first message.

[0395] In some embodiments, the first message may be a first RRC message or a first MAC CE, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0396] In some embodiments, the first message includes configuration information. The configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0397] In some embodiments, the terminal 102 may obtain the first message from the access network device 101, but is not limited thereto. The terminal 102 may also receive the first message sent by other entities.

[0398] In some embodiments, the first message is a message sent by the access network device 101 to the terminal 102 after receiving a configuration request message sent by the terminal 102.

[0399] In some embodiments, the terminal 102 obtains a first message determined according to a predefined rule.

[0400] In some embodiments, terminal 102 performs processing to obtain the first message.

[0401] In some embodiments, step S3301 is omitted, the terminal 102 autonomously implements the function indicated by the configured first message, or the terminal 102 obtains the first message from other network nodes, or the above function is default or acquiescent.

[0402] In some embodiments, after receiving the first RRC message, the terminal 102 may send a response message to the access network device 101. Exemplarily, the first RRC message is an RRC reconfiguration message, and the response message is an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0403] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3302 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0404] Step S3303, sending the fifth message.

[0405] In some embodiments, the terminal 102 does not immediately use the time window after acquiring the time window configured by the access network device 101. The terminal 102 sends a fifth message to the access network device 101, the fifth message being used to request activation or deactivation of at least one of the time windows.

[0406] In some embodiments, the fifth message may be a fourth RRC message or a fourth MAC CE.

[0407] In some embodiments, the fifth message includes at least one of the following: activation indication information; deactivation indication information; an identifier of a time window for requesting activation or deactivation.

[0408] That is, the terminal 102 may request the access network device 101 to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows in a display manner.

[0409] In some embodiments, the fifth message multiplexes an existing RRC message, that is, the terminal 102 can implicitly request the access network device 101 to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows.

[0410] Step S3304, obtain the second message.

[0411] In some embodiments, the second message may be a second RRC message or a second MAC CE, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0412] In some embodiments, the second message includes at least one of activation indication information, deactivation indication information, and an identifier of an activation or deactivation time window.

[0413] In some embodiments, the terminal 102 may obtain the second message from the access network device 101, but is not limited thereto. The terminal 102 may also receive the second message sent by other entities.

[0414] In some embodiments, the second message is sent by the access network device 101 to the terminal 102 based on the fifth message.

[0415] In some embodiments, the terminal 102 obtains the second message determined according to a predefined rule.

[0416] In some embodiments, terminal 102 performs processing to obtain the second message.

[0417] In some embodiments, step S3304 is omitted, the terminal 102 autonomously implements the function indicated by the configured second message, or the terminal 102 obtains the second message from other network nodes, or the above function is default or acquiescent.

[0418] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3304 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0419] Step S3305: Determine terminal behavior.

[0420] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3305 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0421] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3301 to S3305. For example, step S3301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3303 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3304 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3305 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. Steps S3301 to S3302 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S3303 to S3304 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0422] In some embodiments, step S3301 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, when the access network device 101 automatically configures a time window for the terminal or configures a time window for the terminal based on a request from the core network device 103, step S3301 may not be performed.

[0423] In some embodiments, step S3303 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, after access network device 101 sends the first message, terminal 102 directly uses the time window, or when access network device 101 activates or deactivates the time window for the terminal based on the third request sent by core network device 103, step S3303 may not be performed.

[0424] In some embodiments, step S3304 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, if the terminal 102 directly uses the time window after receiving the first message, step S3304 may not be performed.

[0425] In the above embodiment, the terminal side can initiate a time window configuration request, or the terminal can request the access network device to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows, thereby improving the flexibility of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink mixed positioning and having high availability.

[0426] FIG3D is a flow chart of an information configuration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3D , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information configuration method, which can be executed by the core network device 103, and includes:

[0427] Step S3401: Send a configuration request message.

[0428] In some embodiments, the configuration request message is used to request the access network device 101 to configure a time window for the terminal 102 .

[0429] In some embodiments, the name of the configuration request message is not limited, and it can be, for example, a request message, a fourth message, a fourth signaling, etc.

[0430] In one example, the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0431] In some embodiments, the configuration request message is an NRPPa message.

[0432] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may send the configuration request message to the access network device 101 .

[0433] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 receives the configuration request message.

[0434] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3401 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0435] Step S3402: Send the third message.

[0436] In some embodiments, the third message is used to request the access network device 101 to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows.

[0437] In some embodiments, the name of the third message is not limited.

[0438] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 may obtain the third message from the core network device 103, such as LMF, but is not limited thereto. The access network device 101 may also receive the third message sent by other entities.

[0439] In some embodiments, the third message is an NRPPa message.

[0440] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may send the third message to the access network device 101 .

[0441] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 receives the third message.

[0442] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3402 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0443] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3401 and S3402. For example, step S3401 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3402 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S3401 and S3402 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0444] In some embodiments, step S3401 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, if access network device 101 configures a time window for terminal 102 based on a request from another entity, step S3301 may not be performed. For another example, if access network device 101 itself determines to configure a time window for terminal 102, step S3401 may not be performed.

[0445] In some embodiments, step S3402 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, if the access network device 101 activates or deactivates the time window based on the first message, step S3402 may not be performed. For another example, if the access network device 101 activates or deactivates the time window based on a request from another execution entity, step S3301 may not be performed.

[0446] In the above embodiment, the core network device can request the access network device to configure a time window for the terminal, and can also request the access network device to activate or deactivate the configured time window, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink mixed positioning.

[0447] The above solution provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure is further illustrated below with examples.

[0448] First, the access network device can configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is used to instruct the terminal to only send an uplink positioning reference signal within the time window, or to instruct the terminal to discard signals or channels other than the uplink positioning reference signal within the time window, or to instruct the terminal to give the uplink positioning reference signal the highest priority within the time window.

[0449] The sending of the uplink positioning reference signal within the time window may be frequency hopping SRS sending within the time window.

[0450] Secondly, each of the above time windows includes at least one of the following: a starting time unit of the time window; the number of time units occupied by the time window; a period length of the time window; and an identifier of the time window.

[0451] Again, the access network device can configure the time window through an RRC message. After receiving the time window, the terminal only sends the uplink positioning reference signal within the time window, or discards signals or channels other than the uplink positioning reference signal within the time window, or determines that the uplink positioning reference signal has the highest priority within the time window.

[0452] Again, the access network device may pre-configure the time window through an RRC message, and the terminal saves the pre-configured time window after receiving it.

[0453] Again, the access network device may activate the preconfigured time window through the MAC CE, that is, the terminal sends an uplink positioning reference signal within the time window, or discards signals or channels other than the uplink positioning reference signal within the time window.

[0454] Again, the above MAC CE includes at least one of the following information: activation indication information; deactivation indication information; activation or deactivation time window identifier.

[0455] Again, the access network device can configure the time window through MAC CE, and each time window configured by the MAC CE includes at least one of the following: the starting time unit of the time window; the number of time units occupied by the time window; the period length of the time window; and the identifier of the time window.

[0456] Again, if the access network device configures both a time window and a conflict rule for the terminal, the terminal will act according to the instructions of the time window within the time window, and the conflict rule will determine the terminal's behavior outside the time window. The conflict rule is used to determine the terminal's behavior when the uplink positioning reference conflicts with other signals or channels.

[0457] Again, if the terminal receives a deactivation indication for the time window, it is executed according to the conflict rule.

[0458] Again, the access network device receives a time window configuration request message sent by a core network device, such as LMF, where the configuration request message is an NRPPa message.

[0459] Again, the configuration request message includes at least one of the following: the starting time domain position of the time window requested to be configured; the number of time units occupied by the time window requested to be configured; and the period duration of the time window requested to be configured.

[0460] Again, the access network device receives the time window activation or deactivation indication information sent by the core network device, that is, the third message, which is an NRPPa message.

[0461] The third message may be an NRPPa measurement request message or other NRPPa messages.

[0462] FIG4A is a flow chart of an information configuration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4A , the information configuration method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes:

[0463] In step S4101 , the core network device 103 sends a configuration request message to the access network device 101 .

[0464] In some embodiments, the configuration request message may be sent via an NRPPa message.

[0465] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0466] Step S4102 , the access network device 101 sends a first RRC message to the terminal 102 .

[0467] In some embodiments, the first RRC message may be an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0468] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0469] Step S4103 , the terminal 103 sends a response message to the access network device 101 .

[0470] In some embodiments, the response message is used to respond to the first RRC message.

[0471] Exemplarily, the first response message may be an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0472] In step S4104 , the access network device 101 sends a configuration request response message to the core network device 103 .

[0473] In some embodiments, the configuration request response message may be sent via an NRPPa message.

[0474] Step S4105 : The core network device 103 sends a third message to the access network device 101 .

[0475] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0476] Step S4106 : The access network device 101 sends a second MAC CE to the terminal 102 .

[0477] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4106 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0478] In the above embodiment, the access network device can configure a time window for the terminal via an RRC message based on a request from the core network device, and the access network device can activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows via a MAC CE based on the request from the core network device. This improves the reliability and accuracy of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink hybrid positioning.

[0479] FIG4B is a flow chart of an information configuration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4B , the information configuration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes:

[0480] In step S4201 , the core network device 103 sends a configuration request message to the access network device 101 .

[0481] In some embodiments, the configuration request message may be sent via an NRPPa message.

[0482] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0483] Step S4202 , the access network device 101 sends a first RRC message to the terminal 102 .

[0484] In some embodiments, the first RRC message may be an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0485] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0486] Step S4203 , the terminal 103 sends a first response message to the access network device 101 .

[0487] In some embodiments, the first response message is used to respond to the first RRC message.

[0488] Exemplarily, the first response message may be an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0489] Step S4204 : The access network device 101 sends a configuration request response message to the core network device 103 .

[0490] In some embodiments, the configuration request response message may be sent via an NRPPa message.

[0491] In the above embodiment, the access network device can configure a time window for the terminal via an RRC message based on the request of the core network device, and the terminal device can directly use the time window after receiving it, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink hybrid positioning.

[0492] FIG4C is a flow chart of an information configuration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4C , the information configuration method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes:

[0493] In step S4301 , the core network device 103 sends a configuration request message to the access network device 101 .

[0494] In some embodiments, the configuration request message may be sent via an NRPPa message.

[0495] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4301 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0496] Step S4302 : The access network device 101 sends a first MAC CE to the terminal 102 .

[0497] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE is used to configure a time window, and the terminal 102 uses the time window after receiving the first MAC CE.

[0498] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4302 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0499] In step S4303 , the access network device 101 sends a configuration request response message to the core network device 103 .

[0500] In some embodiments, the configuration request response message may be sent via an NRPPa message.

[0501] In the above embodiment, the access network device can configure a time window for the terminal via MAC CE based on the request of the core network device, and the terminal device directly uses the time window after receiving it, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink hybrid positioning.

[0502] FIG4D is a flow chart of an information configuration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4D , the information configuration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes:

[0503] In step S4401 , the core network device 103 sends a configuration request message to the access network device 101 .

[0504] In some embodiments, the configuration request message may be sent via an NRPPa message.

[0505] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4401 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0506] Step S4402 : The access network device 101 sends a first RRC message to the terminal 102 .

[0507] In some embodiments, the first RRC message may be an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0508] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4402 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0509] Step S4403 , the terminal 103 sends a first response message to the access network device 101 .

[0510] In some embodiments, the first response message is used to respond to the first RRC message.

[0511] Exemplarily, the first response message may be an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0512] Step S4404 : The access network device 101 sends a configuration request response message to the core network device 103 .

[0513] In some embodiments, the configuration request response message may be sent via an NRPPa message.

[0514] Step S4405 : The core network device 103 sends a third message to the access network device 101 .

[0515] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4405 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0516] Step S4406 , the access network device 101 sends a second RRC message to the terminal 102 .

[0517] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4406 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0518] In the above embodiment, the access network device can configure a time window for the terminal through an RRC message based on the request of the core network device. Furthermore, based on the request of the core network device, at least one of the time windows can be activated or deactivated for the terminal through an RRC message, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of uplink positioning and uplink and downlink mixed positioning.

[0519] 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) in any of the above methods.

[0520] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may 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.

[0521] 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.

[0522] FIG5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5A , the access network device 5100 may include a transceiver module 5101 .

[0523] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 5101 is configured to send configuration information to the terminal, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0524] In some embodiments, the access network device 5100 may include a processing module 5102 (not shown in FIG. 5A ), and the transceiver module 5102 is configured to configure a time window for a terminal.

[0525] Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module 5101 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the access network device 5100 in any of the above methods (for example, step S2101, step S2103, step S2104, step S2105, but not limited to these), which will not be repeated here.

[0526] Optionally, the processing module 5102 is used to execute at least one of the other steps (such as step S2102, but not limited thereto) executed by the access network device 5100 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0527] FIG5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5B , the terminal 5200 may include: a transceiver module 5201 .

[0528] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 5201 is configured to receive configuration information sent by an access network device, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0529] In some embodiments, terminal 5200 may include a processing module 5202 (not shown in FIG. 5B ) configured to determine terminal behavior.

[0530] Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module 5201 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving (for example, step S2103, step S2105, but not limited to this) that can be executed by the second network device 5200 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0531] Optionally, the processing module 5202 is configured to execute at least one of the other steps (such as step S2106, but not limited thereto) executable by the terminal 5200 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0532] FIG5C is a schematic diagram of the structure of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5C , a terminal 5300 may include a transceiver module 5301 .

[0533] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 5301 is configured to send a configuration request message to an access network device, where the configuration request message is used to request the access network device to configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0534] Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module 5301 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving (for example, step S2101, step S2104, but not limited to this) that can be executed by the core network device 5300 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0535] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, and the transmitting module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0536] In some embodiments, the processing module can be a single module or can include multiple submodules. Optionally, the multiple submodules respectively execute all or part of the steps required to be executed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be interchangeable with the processor.

[0537] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 6100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 6100 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 6100 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.

[0538] As shown in Figure 6A, the communication device 6100 includes one or more processors 6101. Processor 6101 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, baseband chip, terminal device, terminal device chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The communication device 6100 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0539] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more memories 6102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 6102 may be located outside the communication device 6100.

[0540] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more transceivers 6103. When the communication device 6100 includes one or more transceivers 6103, the transceiver 6103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, steps S2101, S2103, S2104, and S2105, but not limited thereto), and the processor 6101 performs at least one of the other steps (steps S2102 and S2106, but not limited thereto).

[0541] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter 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.

[0542] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 may include one or more interface circuits 6104. Optionally, the interface circuit 6104 is connected to the memory 6102. The interface circuit 6104 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 6102 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 6102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6104 may read instructions stored in the memory 6102 and send the instructions to the processor 6101.

[0543] The communication device 6100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 6100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 6100 may not be limited to FIG6A. 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 and 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.

[0544] 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 6200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 6200 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 6200 shown in FIG6B , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0545] The chip 6200 includes one or more processors 6201 , and the chip 6200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0546] In some embodiments, the chip 6200 further includes one or more interface circuits 6202. Optionally, the interface circuit 6202 is connected to the memory 6203. The interface circuit 6202 can be used to receive signals from the memory 6203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 6203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6202 can read instructions stored in the memory 6203 and send the instructions to the processor 6201.

[0547] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 6202 executes at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, steps S2101, S2103, S2104, S2105, but not limited to these), and the processor 6201 executes at least one of the other steps (step S2102, step S2106, but not limited to these).

[0548] In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver may be used interchangeably.

[0549] In some embodiments, the chip 6200 further includes one or more memories 6203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 6203 may be located outside the chip 6200.

[0550] The present disclosure also provides a storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed on the communication device 6100, the communication device 6100 is caused to perform 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.

[0551] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 6100, enables the communication device 6100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0552] 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.

[0553] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

[0554] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exact structures that have been described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An information configuration method, characterized in that: include: Configuration information is sent to a terminal, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for the terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The time window is used for at least one of the following: The terminal sends the uplink positioning reference signal; The terminal discards signals or channels except the uplink positioning reference signal.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The sending of configuration information to the terminal includes: A first message is sent to the terminal, where the first message includes the configuration information.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: A second message is sent to the terminal, where the second message is used to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The second message includes at least one of the following: Activation instructions; Deactivate instruction information; Identifier of the time window to activate or deactivate.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: The starting time domain position of the time window; The number of time units occupied by the time window; The period length of the time window; The identifier of the time window.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The configuration information is also used to configure: A conflict rule is used to determine the terminal behavior when the uplink positioning reference conflicts with other signals or channels.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A configuration request message sent by a core network device is received, where the configuration request message is used to request an access network device to configure the time window for the terminal.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The configuration request message includes at least one of the following: The starting time domain position of the time window requested to be configured; The number of time units occupied by the time window requested to be configured; The period length of the time window configured by the request.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A third message sent by a core network device is received, where the third message is used to request an access network device to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The third message is a New Radio Positioning Protocol a (NRPPa) measurement request message, and the NRPPa measurement request message is used to request an access network device to activate the time window configured for the terminal.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The third message includes at least one of the following: Activation instructions; Deactivate instruction information; Identifier of the time window in which activation or deactivation is requested.

13. An information configuration method, characterized in that: include: Configuration information sent by an access network device is received, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for a terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The method further comprises at least one of the following: Sending the uplink positioning reference signal within the time window; In the time window, signals or channels other than the uplink positioning reference signal are discarded.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The receiving of configuration information sent by the access network device includes: A first message sent by the access network device is received, where the first message includes the configuration information.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: A second message sent by the access network device is received, where the second message is used to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The second message includes at least one of the following: Activation instructions; Deactivate instruction information; Identifier of the time window to activate or deactivate.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that: The configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following: The starting time domain position of the time window; The number of time units occupied by the time window; The period length of the time window; The identifier of the time window.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that: The method further comprises at least one of the following: After the time window is activated, outside the time window, based on the protocol agreement, determining the terminal behavior; After the time window is deactivated, the terminal behavior is determined within the time window based on the protocol agreement.

20. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that: The configuration information is also used to configure: A conflict rule is used to determine the terminal behavior when the uplink positioning reference conflicts with other signals or channels.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The method further comprises at least one of the following: After the time window is activated, outside the time window, determining the terminal behavior based on the conflict rule; After the time window is deactivated, the terminal behavior is determined within the time window based on the conflict rule.

22. An information configuration method, characterized in that: include: A configuration request message is sent to an access network device, where the configuration request message is used to request the access network device to configure at least one time window for a terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The time window is used for at least one of the following: The terminal sends the uplink positioning reference signal; The terminal discards signals or channels except the uplink positioning reference signal.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that The configuration request message includes at least one of the following: The starting time domain position of the time window requested to be configured; The number of time units occupied by the time window requested to be configured; The period length of the time window configured by the request.

25. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A third message is sent to the access network device, where the third message is used to request the access network device to activate or deactivate at least one of the time windows.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The third message is a New Radio Positioning Protocol a (NRPPa) measurement request message, and the NRPPa measurement request message is used to request the access network device to activate the time window configured for the terminal.

27. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The third message includes at least one of the following: Activation instructions; Deactivate instruction information; Identifier of the time window in which activation or deactivation is requested.

28. An access network device, characterized in that: include: The transceiver module is configured to send configuration information to the terminal, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for the terminal, and the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

29. A terminal, characterized in that: include: The transceiver module is configured to receive configuration information sent by an access network device, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one time window for a terminal, and the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

30. A core network device, characterized in that: include: The transceiver module is configured to send a configuration request message to an access network device, where the configuration request message is used to request the access network device to configure at least one time window for a terminal, where the time window is associated with an uplink positioning reference signal.

31. A network device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; Wherein, the network device is used to execute the information configuration method described in any one of claims 1-12 or 22-27.

32. A terminal, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The terminal is used to execute the method for information configuration behavior described in any one of claims 13-21.

33. A communication system, characterized in that: It includes an access network device, a terminal, and a core network device, wherein the access network device is configured to implement the information configuration method described in any one of claims 1 to 12, the terminal is configured to implement the information configuration method described in any one of claims 13 to 21, and the core network device is configured to implement the information configuration method described in any one of claims 22 to 27.

34. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device executes the information configuration method according to any one of claims 1-12, 13-21 or 22-27.

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