Sidelink (SL) positioning method and apparatus, and communication device, communication system and storage medium

Abstract

Disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure are a sidelink (SL) positioning method and apparatus. A first message which is sent by a first network element is received by means of an access network device, and the first message is sent to a second terminal; and / or a first message which is sent by the second terminal is received, and the first message is sent to the first network element by means of the access network device, wherein the first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal. By means of a transfer terminal, the forwarding of interaction information between a network and other terminals can be completed, and therefore the terminals and the network can perform positioning protocol message interaction without being affected by network states of the terminals, so as to complete positioning measurement, thereby effectively improving the communication efficiency of a system, improving the accuracy of SL positioning measurement, and improving the positioning efficiency.

Description

Sidelink SL positioning method and device, communication equipment, communication system, storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a sidelink (SL) positioning method and apparatus, communication equipment, a communication system, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Positioning based on the sidelink (SL) between terminals is called sidelink positioning, which includes SL absolute positioning, SL relative positioning, and ranging.

[0003] Two terminals can exchange SL positioning messages, i.e., SLPP messages, based on the Sidelink Positioning Protocol (SLPP). For SL positioning, the positioning messages exchanged between the terminal and the Location Management Function (LMF) are also SLPP messages.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a side link (SL) positioning method and apparatus, which can solve the problem of how to communicate when there is no end-to-end connection between the ambient power IoT device and the network in the related art.

[0006] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a sidelink (SL) positioning method is proposed. The method is performed by a first terminal, and the method includes:

[0007] receiving, through the access network device, a first message sent by the first network element, and sending the first message to the second terminal; and / or,

[0008] receiving a first message sent by the second terminal, and sending the first message to the first network element through the access network device;

[0009] The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0010] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a sidelink (SL) positioning method is proposed, where the method is performed by a second terminal and includes:

[0011] receiving a first message sent by a first terminal, where the first message is sent by a first network element to the first terminal through an access network device; and / or,

[0012] Sending a first message to the first terminal, where the first message is sent by the first terminal to the first network element through the access network device;

[0013] The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0014] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a sidelink (SL) positioning method is proposed. The method is performed by a first network element, and the method includes:

[0015] Sending a first message to a first terminal through an access network device, where the first message is sent by the first terminal to a second terminal; and / or,

[0016] receiving a first message sent by the first terminal through the access network device, where the first message is sent by the second terminal to the first terminal;

[0017] The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0018] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a sidelink (SL) positioning method is proposed, the method comprising:

[0019] A first network element sends a first message to a first terminal through an access network device, and the first terminal sends the first message to a second terminal; and / or,

[0020] The second terminal sends a first message to the first terminal, and the first terminal sends the first message to the first network element through the access network device;

[0021] The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0022] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first terminal is provided, the first terminal including:

[0023] a transceiver module, configured to receive a first message sent by a first network element through an access network device, and send the first message to a second terminal; and / or,

[0024] receiving a first message sent by the second terminal, and sending the first message to the first network element through the access network device;

[0025] The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0026] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second terminal is provided, the second terminal including:

[0027] receiving a first message sent by a first terminal, where the first message is sent by a first network element to the first terminal through an access network device; and / or,

[0028] Sending a first message to the first terminal, where the first message is sent by the first terminal to the first network element through the access network device;

[0029] The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0030] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network element is provided, where the first network element includes:

[0031] Sending a first message to a first terminal through an access network device, where the first message is sent by the first terminal to a second terminal; and / or,

[0032] receiving a first message sent by the first terminal through the access network device, where the first message is sent by the second terminal to the first terminal;

[0033] The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0034] The solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is to receive a first message sent by a first network element through an access network device, and send the first message to a second terminal; and / or, receive a first message sent by a second terminal, and send the first message to the first network element through the access network device; wherein the first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal, and can complete the forwarding of interactive information between the network and other terminals through a transit terminal, so that the interactive positioning protocol messages between the terminal and the network can be free from being affected by the network status of the terminal, and the positioning measurement can be completed, which can effectively improve the communication efficiency of the system, improve the accuracy of the side link positioning measurement, and improve the positioning efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background technology, the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background technology will be described below.

[0036] FIG1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of some communication systems provided by embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG1B is a schematic diagram of an SL positioning method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG1C is a schematic diagram of terminal states in some sidelink communications provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG2A is an interactive schematic diagram of a sidelink SL positioning method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG2B is an interactive schematic diagram of a sidelink SL positioning method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG3A is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a sidelink SL positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG3B is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a sidelink SL positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG4A is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a sidelink SL positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG4B is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a sidelink SL positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG5A is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a sidelink SL positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG5B is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a sidelink SL positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] FIG6A is a schematic structural diagram of a first terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0048] FIG6B is a schematic structural diagram of a second terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0049] FIG6C is a schematic structural diagram of a first network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0050] FIG6D is a schematic structural diagram of a core network device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0051] FIG7A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0052] FIG7B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a sidelink (SL) positioning method and apparatus, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0054] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a sidelink (SL) positioning method, performed by a first terminal, comprising:

[0055] receiving, through the access network device, a first message sent by the first network element, and sending the first message to the second terminal; and / or,

[0056] receiving a first message sent by the second terminal, and sending the first message to the first network element through the access network device;

[0057] The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the forwarding of interactive information between the network and other terminals can be completed through a transit terminal, so that the interactive positioning protocol messages between the terminal and the network can be unaffected by the network status of the terminal. Even if only some terminals are within the network coverage, the terminals can still complete the positioning measurement, which can effectively improve the communication efficiency of the system, improve the accuracy of the side link positioning measurement, and improve the positioning efficiency.

[0059] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the number of the second terminals is one or more, a non-access layer NAS connection exists between the first terminal and the core network device, and no NAS connection exists between the second terminal and the core network device.

[0060] In the above embodiment, even if only some terminals are within the network coverage, the terminals can still complete the positioning measurement, which can effectively improve the communication efficiency of the system, improve the accuracy of the side link positioning measurement, improve the positioning efficiency, and improve the universality and stability of the solution.

[0061] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes one or more positioning messages, and all the positioning messages included in the first message correspond to one second terminal, or, multiple positioning messages correspond to multiple second terminals, and each second terminal corresponds to one or more positioning messages.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the forwarding of interactive information between the network and one or more other terminals can be completed through a transit terminal, so that the interactive positioning protocol messages between the terminal and the network can be unaffected by the network status of the terminal. Even if only some terminals are within the network coverage, the terminals can still complete the positioning measurement, which can effectively improve the communication efficiency of the system, improve the accuracy of side link positioning measurements, improve positioning efficiency, and improve the universality and stability of the solution.

[0063] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the message body type of the first message is a first type.

[0064] In the above embodiment, a special type of message body can be provided to complete the forwarding of the positioning protocol message, which can effectively improve the communication efficiency of the system and the accuracy of the sidelink positioning measurement.

[0065] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes an identifier of the second terminal.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the terminal to which the positioning protocol message to be forwarded belongs can be identified in the forwarded message, which can effectively improve the communication efficiency of the system, improve the accuracy of forwarding the positioning protocol message, and improve the positioning efficiency.

[0067] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the identifier of the second terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0068] an application layer identifier of the second terminal;

[0069] a general public user identity (GPSI) of the second terminal;

[0070] The layer 2 identifier of the second terminal.

[0071] In the above embodiment, a mapping relationship between multiple terminal identifiers of a terminal can be provided, thereby effectively reducing indication overhead.

[0072] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes a routing identifier or a related identifier, wherein each of the positioning messages corresponds to one of the routing identifiers or the related identifiers, or the identifier of each of the second terminals corresponds to one of the routing identifiers or the related identifiers.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the network element to which the positioning protocol message to be forwarded belongs can be identified in the forwarded message, which can effectively improve the communication efficiency of the system, improve the accuracy of forwarding the positioning protocol message, and improve the positioning efficiency.

[0074] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate any one of the following:

[0075] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the first message is a segmented message;

[0076] The first indication information is used to indicate whether each positioning message in the first message is a segmented message;

[0077] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the positioning message corresponding to each second terminal in the first message is a segmented message.

[0078] In the above embodiment, it is possible to indicate whether the forwarded positioning protocol message is segmented, thereby improving the universality of the solution.

[0079] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the message header of the first message is used to indicate at least one of the following information:

[0080] an identifier of the transaction corresponding to the first message;

[0081] an end indication of the transaction corresponding to the first message;

[0082] an identifier of the positioning session corresponding to the first message;

[0083] an end indication of the positioning session corresponding to the first message;

[0084] a sequence number corresponding to the first message;

[0085] Request confirmation character ACK indication information.

[0086] In the above embodiment, information related to the forwarded positioning protocol message can be indicated, thereby improving the universality of the solution.

[0087] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the message body type of the first message is the same as the message body type of at least one positioning message included in the first message.

[0088] In the above embodiment, there is no need to configure a special type for the forwarded positioning protocol message, which can effectively improve the universality of the solution, improve communication efficiency, and reduce the analysis and calculation complexity of the terminal.

[0089] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes a positioning message of any one or more of the following message body types:

[0090] Request capability message;

[0091] Provide capability information;

[0092] Requesting assistance information messages;

[0093] providing auxiliary information messages;

[0094] Request location information message;

[0095] Providing location information messages;

[0096] mistake;

[0097] Abort.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the type of the positioning protocol message is the same as that in the related art, and there is no need to configure a special type for the forwarded positioning protocol message, which can effectively improve the universality of the solution.

[0099] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes identifiers of one or more terminals corresponding to each positioning message, and the terminals include at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the forwarded positioning protocol message may also include a message to be exchanged between the first terminal and the first network element, which can be applicable to various positioning scenarios and improve the universality of the solution.

[0101] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message does not include an identifier of a terminal corresponding to the positioning message corresponding to the first terminal.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the indication overhead of the terminal identification can be effectively reduced.

[0103] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes second indication information;

[0104] The second indication information is used to indicate whether all the positioning messages included in the first message need to be sent to the corresponding second terminal; or

[0105] The second indication information is used to indicate whether each positioning message included in the first message needs to be sent to the corresponding second terminal.

[0106] In the above embodiment, it can be applied to various positioning scenarios, and the terminal can determine whether to forward the message based on the indication information, thereby improving the universality of the solution, improving positioning efficiency, and reducing the calculation complexity of the terminal.

[0107] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the encapsulation format of each positioning message is an eight-bit character string, and the character string includes a message header and a message body of the positioning message.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the first terminal does not need to identify the positioning protocol message to be forwarded, which can effectively reduce the analysis and calculation complexity of the terminal.

[0109] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a sidelink (SL) positioning method, which is performed by a second terminal and includes:

[0110] receiving a first message sent by a first terminal, where the first message is sent by a first network element to the first terminal through an access network device; and / or,

[0111] Sending a first message to the first terminal, where the first message is sent by the first terminal to the first network element through the access network device;

[0112] The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0113] In the above embodiment, the forwarding of interactive information between the network and other terminals can be completed through a transit terminal, so that the interactive positioning protocol messages between the terminal and the network can be unaffected by the network status of the terminal. Even if only some terminals are within the network coverage, the terminals can still complete the positioning measurement, which can effectively improve the communication efficiency of the system, improve the accuracy of the side link positioning measurement, and improve the positioning efficiency.

[0114] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the number of the second terminals is one or more, a non-access layer NAS connection exists between the first terminal and the core network device, and no NAS connection exists between the second terminal and the core network device.

[0115] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes one or more positioning messages, all of the positioning messages included in the first message correspond to one second terminal, or, multiple positioning messages correspond to multiple second terminals, and each second terminal corresponds to one or more positioning messages.

[0116] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the message body type of the first message is the first type.

[0117] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes an identifier of the second terminal.

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

[0119] an application layer identifier of the second terminal;

[0120] a general public user identity (GPSI) of the second terminal;

[0121] The layer 2 identifier of the second terminal.

[0122] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes a routing identifier or a related identifier, wherein each of the positioning messages corresponds to one of the routing identifiers or the related identifiers, or the identifier of each of the second terminals corresponds to one of the routing identifiers or the related identifiers.

[0123] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate any one of the following:

[0124] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the first message is a segmented message;

[0125] The first indication information is used to indicate whether each positioning message in the first message is a segmented message;

[0126] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the positioning message corresponding to each second terminal in the first message is a segmented message.

[0127] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the message header of the first message is used to indicate at least one of the following information:

[0128] an identifier of the transaction corresponding to the first message;

[0129] an end indication of the transaction corresponding to the first message;

[0130] an identifier of the positioning session corresponding to the first message;

[0131] an end indication of the positioning session corresponding to the first message;

[0132] a sequence number corresponding to the first message;

[0133] Request confirmation character ACK indication information.

[0134] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the message body type of the first message is the same as the message body type of at least one positioning message included in the first message.

[0135] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes a positioning message of any one or more of the following message body types:

[0136] Request capability message;

[0137] Provide capability information;

[0138] Requesting auxiliary information messages;

[0139] providing auxiliary information messages;

[0140] Request location information message;

[0141] Providing location information messages;

[0142] mistake;

[0143] Abort.

[0144] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes identifiers of one or more terminals corresponding to each positioning message, and the terminals include at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0145] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message does not include an identifier of a terminal corresponding to the positioning message corresponding to the first terminal.

[0146] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes second indication information;

[0147] The second indication information is used to indicate whether all the positioning messages included in the first message need to be sent to the corresponding second terminal; or

[0148] The second indication information is used to indicate whether each positioning message included in the first message needs to be sent to the corresponding second terminal.

[0149] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the encapsulation format of each positioning message is an eight-bit character string, and the character string includes a message header and a message body of the positioning message.

[0150] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a sidelink (SL) positioning method, where the method is performed by a first network element and includes:

[0151] Sending a first message to a first terminal through an access network device, where the first message is sent by the first terminal to a second terminal; and / or,

[0152] receiving a first message sent by the first terminal through the access network device, where the first message is sent by the second terminal to the first terminal;

[0153] The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0154] In the above embodiment, the forwarding of interactive information between the network and other terminals can be completed through a transit terminal, so that the interactive positioning protocol messages between the terminal and the network can be unaffected by the network status of the terminal. Even if only some terminals are within the network coverage, the terminals can still complete the positioning measurement, which can effectively improve the communication efficiency of the system, improve the accuracy of the side link positioning measurement, and improve the positioning efficiency.

[0155] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the number of the second terminals is one or more, there is a non-access layer NAS connection between the first terminal and the core network device, and there is no NAS connection between the second terminal and the core network device.

[0156] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes one or more positioning messages, and all the positioning messages included in the first message correspond to one second terminal, or, multiple positioning messages correspond to multiple second terminals, and each second terminal corresponds to one or more positioning messages.

[0157] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the message body type of the first message is the first type.

[0158] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes an identifier of the second terminal.

[0159] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the identifier of the second terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0160] an application layer identifier of the second terminal;

[0161] a general public user identity (GPSI) of the second terminal;

[0162] The layer 2 identifier of the second terminal.

[0163] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes a routing identifier or a related identifier, wherein each of the positioning messages corresponds to one of the routing identifiers or the related identifiers, or the identifier of each of the second terminals corresponds to one of the routing identifiers or the related identifiers.

[0164] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate any one of the following:

[0165] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the first message is a segmented message;

[0166] The first indication information is used to indicate whether each positioning message in the first message is a segmented message;

[0167] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the positioning message corresponding to each second terminal in the first message is a segmented message.

[0168] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the message header of the first message is used to indicate at least one of the following information:

[0169] an identifier of the transaction corresponding to the first message;

[0170] an end indication of the transaction corresponding to the first message;

[0171] an identifier of the positioning session corresponding to the first message;

[0172] an end indication of the positioning session corresponding to the first message;

[0173] a sequence number corresponding to the first message;

[0174] Request confirmation character ACK indication information.

[0175] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the message body type of the first message is the same as the message body type of at least one positioning message included in the first message.

[0176] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes a positioning message of any one or more of the following message body types:

[0177] Request capability message;

[0178] Provide capability information;

[0179] Requesting assistance information messages;

[0180] providing auxiliary information messages;

[0181] Request location information message;

[0182] Providing location information messages;

[0183] mistake;

[0184] Abort.

[0185] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes identifiers of one or more terminals corresponding to each positioning message, and the terminals include at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0186] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first message does not include an identifier of a terminal corresponding to the positioning message corresponding to the first terminal.

[0187] With reference to some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes second indication information;

[0188] The second indication information is used to indicate whether all the positioning messages included in the first message need to be sent to the corresponding second terminal; or

[0189] The second indication information is used to indicate whether each positioning message included in the first message needs to be sent to the corresponding second terminal.

[0190] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the encapsulation format of each positioning message is an eight-bit character string, and the character string includes a message header and a message body of the positioning message.

[0191] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a sidelink (SL) positioning method, which is performed by a core network device and includes:

[0192] Sending a first message to a first terminal through an access network device, where the first message is sent by the first terminal to a second terminal; and / or,

[0193] receiving a first message sent by the first terminal through the access network device, where the first message is sent by the second terminal to the first terminal;

[0194] The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0195] In the above embodiment, the forwarding of interactive information between the network and other terminals can be completed through a transit terminal, so that the interactive positioning protocol messages between the terminal and the network can be unaffected by the network status of the terminal. Even if only some terminals are within the network coverage, the terminals can still complete the positioning measurement, which can effectively improve the communication efficiency of the system, improve the accuracy of the side link positioning measurement, and improve the positioning efficiency.

[0196] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the number of the second terminals is one or more, there is a non-access layer NAS connection between the first terminal and the core network device, and there is no NAS connection between the second terminal and the core network device.

[0197] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes one or more positioning messages, and all the positioning messages included in the first message correspond to one second terminal, or, multiple positioning messages correspond to multiple second terminals, and each second terminal corresponds to one or more positioning messages.

[0198] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the message body type of the first message is the first type.

[0199] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes an identifier of the second terminal.

[0200] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the identifier of the second terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0201] an application layer identifier of the second terminal;

[0202] a general public user identity (GPSI) of the second terminal;

[0203] The layer 2 identifier of the second terminal.

[0204] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes a routing identifier or a related identifier, wherein each of the positioning messages corresponds to one of the routing identifiers or the related identifiers, or the identifier of each of the second terminals corresponds to one of the routing identifiers or the related identifiers.

[0205] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate any one of the following:

[0206] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the first message is a segmented message;

[0207] The first indication information is used to indicate whether each positioning message in the first message is a segmented message;

[0208] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the positioning message corresponding to each second terminal in the first message is a segmented message.

[0209] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the message header of the first message is used to indicate at least one of the following information:

[0210] an identifier of the transaction corresponding to the first message;

[0211] an end indication of the transaction corresponding to the first message;

[0212] an identifier of the positioning session corresponding to the first message;

[0213] an end indication of the positioning session corresponding to the first message;

[0214] a sequence number corresponding to the first message;

[0215] Request confirmation character ACK indication information.

[0216] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the message body type of the first message is the same as the message body type of at least one positioning message included in the first message.

[0217] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes a positioning message of any one or more of the following message body types:

[0218] Request capability message;

[0219] Provide capability information;

[0220] Requesting assistance information messages;

[0221] providing auxiliary information messages;

[0222] Request location information message;

[0223] Providing location information messages;

[0224] mistake;

[0225] Abort.

[0226] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes identifiers of one or more terminals corresponding to each positioning message, and the terminals include at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0227] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message does not include an identifier of a terminal corresponding to the positioning message corresponding to the first terminal.

[0228] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes second indication information;

[0229] The second indication information is used to indicate whether all the positioning messages included in the first message need to be sent to the corresponding second terminal; or

[0230] The second indication information is used to indicate whether each positioning message included in the first message needs to be sent to the corresponding second terminal.

[0231] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the encapsulation format of each positioning message is an eight-bit character string, and the character string includes a message header and a message body of the positioning message.

[0232] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a sidelink (SL) positioning method, the method comprising:

[0233] A first network element sends a first message to a first terminal through an access network device, and the first terminal sends the first message to a second terminal; and / or,

[0234] The second terminal sends a first message to the first terminal, and the first terminal sends the first message to the first network element through the access network device;

[0235] The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0236] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the number of the second terminals is one or more, there is a non-access layer NAS connection between the first terminal and the core network device, and there is no NAS connection between the second terminal and the core network device.

[0237] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes one or more positioning messages, and all the positioning messages included in the first message correspond to one second terminal, or, multiple positioning messages correspond to multiple second terminals, and each second terminal corresponds to one or more positioning messages.

[0238] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the message body type of the first message is the first type.

[0239] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes an identifier of the second terminal.

[0240] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the identifier of the second terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0241] an application layer identifier of the second terminal;

[0242] a general public user identity (GPSI) of the second terminal;

[0243] The layer 2 identifier of the second terminal.

[0244] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes a routing identifier or a related identifier, wherein each of the positioning messages corresponds to one of the routing identifiers or the related identifiers, or the identifier of each of the second terminals corresponds to one of the routing identifiers or the related identifiers.

[0245] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate any one of the following:

[0246] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the first message is a segmented message;

[0247] The first indication information is used to indicate whether each positioning message in the first message is a segmented message;

[0248] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the positioning message corresponding to each second terminal in the first message is a segmented message.

[0249] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the message header of the first message is used to indicate at least one of the following information:

[0250] an identifier of the transaction corresponding to the first message;

[0251] an end indication of the transaction corresponding to the first message;

[0252] an identifier of the positioning session corresponding to the first message;

[0253] an end indication of the positioning session corresponding to the first message;

[0254] a sequence number corresponding to the first message;

[0255] Request confirmation character ACK indication information.

[0256] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the message body type of the first message is the same as the message body type of at least one positioning message included in the first message.

[0257] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes a positioning message of any one or more of the following message body types:

[0258] Request capability message;

[0259] Provide capability information;

[0260] Requesting assistance information messages;

[0261] providing auxiliary information messages;

[0262] Request location information message;

[0263] Providing location information messages;

[0264] mistake;

[0265] Abort.

[0266] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes identifiers of one or more terminals corresponding to each positioning message, and the terminals include at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0267] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message does not include an identifier of a terminal corresponding to the positioning message corresponding to the first terminal.

[0268] With reference to some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes second indication information;

[0269] The second indication information is used to indicate whether all the positioning messages included in the first message need to be sent to the corresponding second terminal; or

[0270] The second indication information is used to indicate whether each positioning message included in the first message needs to be sent to the corresponding second terminal.

[0271] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the encapsulation format of each positioning message is an eight-bit character string, and the character string includes a message header and a message body of the positioning message.

[0272] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first terminal, which includes at least one of a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the first terminal is used to execute the first aspect and the optional implementation method of the first aspect.

[0273] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a second terminal, which includes at least one of a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the second terminal is used to execute the second aspect and the optional implementation method of the second aspect.

[0274] In the eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first network element, which includes at least one of a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the first network element is used to execute the third aspect and the optional implementation method of the third aspect.

[0275] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a core network device, which includes at least one of a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the core network device is used to execute the fourth aspect and the optional implementation method of the fourth aspect.

[0276] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first terminal, which includes: one or more processors; wherein the first terminal is used to execute the first aspect and the optional implementation method of the first aspect.

[0277] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a second terminal, which includes: one or more processors; wherein the second terminal is used to execute the second aspect and the optional implementation method of the second aspect.

[0278] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first network element, which includes: one or more processors; wherein the first network element is used to execute the third aspect and the optional implementation method of the third aspect.

[0279] In the thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a core network device, which includes: one or more processors; wherein the core network device is used to execute the fourth aspect and the optional implementation method of the fourth aspect.

[0280] In the fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, which includes: a first terminal, a second terminal, and a core network device; wherein the first terminal is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect and the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second terminal is configured to execute the method described in the second aspect and the optional implementation of the second aspect, and the core network device is configured to execute the method described in the third aspect and the fourth aspect, and the optional implementation of the third aspect and the fourth aspect.

[0281] In the fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first to fourth aspects and the optional implementation methods of the first to fourth aspects.

[0282] In the sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first to fourth aspects and the optional implementation methods of the first to fourth aspects.

[0283] In the seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the methods described in the first to fourth aspects and the optional implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0284] In an eighteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system, which includes a processing circuit configured to execute the method described in accordance with the first to fourth aspects and the optional implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0285] It is understandable that the first terminal, second terminal, first network element, core network device, communication device, communication system, storage medium, program product, and computer program described above are all used to execute the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0286] The present disclosure provides a sidelink (SL) positioning method and apparatus, communication device, communication system, and storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "sidelink (SL) positioning method," "information processing method," and "communication method" are interchangeable; the terms "sidelink (SL) positioning apparatus," "information processing apparatus," and "communication apparatus" are interchangeable; and the terms "information processing system" and "communication system" are interchangeable.

[0287] 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.

[0288] 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.

[0289] 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.

[0290] 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.

[0291] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0292] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0293] 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.

[0294] 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.

[0295] 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.

[0296] 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.

[0297] 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.

[0298] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0299] 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", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc.

[0300] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.

[0301] 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.

[0302] 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.

[0303] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0304] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0305] 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.

[0306] In order to better understand the side link SL positioning method disclosed in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system to which the embodiment of the present disclosure is applicable is first described below.

[0307] FIG1A is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0308] As shown in FIG1A , a communication system 100 includes a first terminal 101 , a second terminal 102 , and a core network device 103 .

[0309] In some embodiments, the first terminal 101 and the second terminal 102 include, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but are not limited thereto.

[0310] In some embodiments, the communication system 100 also includes an access network device, which 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.

[0311] 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.

[0312] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0313] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may be a single device, including the first network element 1031, etc., or may be a plurality of devices or a device group, each including all or part of the first network element 1031, etc. 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).

[0314] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 is, for example, a location management function (LMF).

[0315] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 is used to manage the overall coordination and scheduling of resources for positioning activities, and can also be used to calculate or verify the final position and any speed estimates, and can estimate the accuracy achieved, can expose location services to AMF, interact with the terminal to exchange location information, etc., the name is not limited to this.

[0316] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may further include a second network element, such as an access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0317] In some embodiments, the second network element is used to manage the mobility of the terminal, can authorize and authenticate the access of the terminal, provide transmission for location service messages between the terminal and LMF and between the access network device and LMF, etc., and the name is not limited to this.

[0318] 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.

[0319] 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.

[0320] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0321] Positioning based on the Uu interface (the wireless interface between the terminal and the access network equipment) is called Uu positioning. Positioning methods include Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Angle of Departure (AOD), Angle of Arrival (AOA), Multi-RTT (RTT, Round-Trip Time), Assisted Global Navigation Satellite System (A-GNSS), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) positioning, Bluetooth positioning, sensor positioning, carrier phase positioning, Enhanced Cell-ID (E-CID) positioning, etc.

[0322] Positioning based on the sidelink (SL) between terminals is called sidelink positioning, which includes SL absolute positioning, SL relative positioning, and ranging. Absolute positioning determines the absolute coordinates of a terminal, relative positioning determines the coordinates of a terminal relative to a reference point, and ranging determines the distance and / or angle of a terminal relative to a reference point.

[0323] SL positioning methods include sidelink round-trip time delay (SL-RTT (RTT, Round-Trip Time), sidelink arrival time difference (SL-TDOA), sidelink arrival angle (SL-AOA), sidelink departure angle (SL-AOD), SL carrier phase, etc. Furthermore, the SL positioning method can also be combined with the Uu positioning method to improve positioning accuracy. In addition, if it is necessary to obtain the absolute position of a terminal, the absolute position of a reference terminal can be obtained by Uu positioning, and then the relative position of the target terminal and the reference terminal can be obtained by SL relative positioning, and then the absolute position of the target terminal can be calculated by the absolute position of the reference terminal and the relative position of the two.

[0324] Two terminals can exchange SL positioning messages, also known as SLPP messages, based on the Sidelink Positioning Protocol (SLPP). For SL positioning, the positioning messages exchanged between the terminal and the Location Management Function (LMF) are also SLPP messages. For Uu port positioning, the positioning messages exchanged between the terminal and the LMF are Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LTE Positioning Protocol, LPP (LTE, Long Term Evolution)) messages.

[0325] Taking the SL-TDOA-based positioning method shown in Figure 1B as an example, the terminal can determine the specific position of the terminal relative to multiple road side units (RSUs) (where the number of RSUs is greater than or equal to 3) by measuring the positioning signals sent by the RSUs through the sidelink.

[0326] If the positioning result is not converted into absolute coordinates based on the RSU's absolute position information (such as Global Positioning System (GPS) information), the positioning result is relative positioning. Otherwise, it is absolute positioning. The terminal being positioned is called the target terminal, and other terminals that support positioning the target terminal are called anchor terminals.

[0327] If positioning involves only two terminals, they are each other's anchor terminals.

[0328] In some embodiments, there are different types of anchor terminals. For example, an RSU-type anchor terminal is an infrastructure that can provide positioning services by collaborating with other RSUs. For example, an ordinary terminal can also serve as an anchor terminal, but it is difficult for it to assist other terminals in providing positioning services. In addition, some anchor terminals have location information such as GPS information, which can assist other terminals in absolute positioning. Other anchor terminals may not have location information such as GPS information.

[0329] Optionally, the first terminal 101 may be a target terminal or an anchor terminal.

[0330] Optionally, the second terminal 102 may be a target terminal or an anchor terminal.

[0331] In addition, for sidelink communication, the interface between terminals is PC-5. SL communication supports two terminal states, as shown in Figure 1C: terminals in coverage and out of coverage (OOC) can both perform sidelink communication.

[0332] Therefore, in some embodiments, there may be a situation where only some of the target terminals or anchor terminals are within the network coverage, while the other terminals are outside the network coverage. The interaction of SLPP messages between the terminals outside the coverage and the LMF needs to be forwarded through the terminals within the coverage.

[0333] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, there may be multiple parallel transactions between the LMF and the same terminal.

[0334] The side link SL positioning method and device provided by the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0335] FIG2A is an interactive diagram of a sidelink SL positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2A , the method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is used in a communication system 100, and the method includes:

[0336] Step S2101: The first network element 1031 sends a first message to the first terminal 101 through the access network device.

[0337] In some embodiments, the first message is used for positioning the first terminal 101 and / or the second terminal 102 .

[0338] In some embodiments, the number of the second terminal 102 is one or more.

[0339] In some embodiments, a non-access stratum (NAS) connection exists between the first terminal 101 and the core network device.

[0340] In some embodiments, there is no NAS connection between the second terminal 102 and the core network device.

[0341] In some embodiments, the first message may be an SLPP message, or may be an LPP message.

[0342] In some embodiments, the name of the above-mentioned first message is not limited, and it can be, for example, "sidelink positioning protocol message", "positioning protocol message", "sidelink positioning protocol forwarding message", "positioning protocol forwarding message" and so on.

[0343] In some embodiments, the first message includes one or more positioning messages.

[0344] Optionally, the first message includes one or more positioning messages to be sent by the first network element 1031 to at least one second terminal 102 .

[0345] Optionally, all positioning messages included in the first message correspond to one second terminal 102 .

[0346] Optionally, the multiple positioning messages included in the first message correspond to multiple second terminals 102, and each second terminal 102 corresponds to one or more positioning messages.

[0347] Optionally, the first message includes one or more positioning messages to be sent by the first network element 1031 to the at least one second terminal 102 and the first terminal.

[0348] Optionally, the first terminal 101 corresponds to one or more positioning messages.

[0349] In some embodiments, the message body type of the above-mentioned first message is the first type.

[0350] Optionally, the above-mentioned first type is a newly added type, which is used to identify that the first message is a forwarding message.

[0351] Optionally, the name of the first type is not limited, and may be, for example, "forward", "forward message", etc.

[0352] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 sends the positioning message to be sent to at least one second terminal 102 to the first terminal 101 through the above-mentioned first message, and the first terminal 101 sends the positioning message corresponding to each second terminal 102 in the first message to each second terminal 102 through the first message.

[0353] Optionally, all positioning messages included in the first message are positioning messages corresponding to one second terminal 102 , and the first terminal 101 may directly send the received first message to the second terminal 102 .

[0354] Optionally, the first message includes positioning messages to be sent to multiple second terminals 102. The first terminal 101 can first extract at least one positioning message corresponding to each second terminal 102, encapsulate it in the first message sent to each second terminal 102, and then send it to each second terminal 102.

[0355] Optionally, the first message includes positioning messages to be sent to multiple second terminals 102. The first terminal 101 may not extract at least one positioning message corresponding to each second terminal 102, but directly send the received first message to each second terminal 102 in a multicast manner.

[0356] In some embodiments, the first message may be an operation based on a transaction operation, that is, it may include the creation of a transaction, a transaction ID, and the end of a transaction.

[0357] In some embodiments, the header of the first message is used to indicate at least one of the following information:

[0358] an identifier of the transaction corresponding to the first message;

[0359] an indication of the end of the transaction corresponding to the first message;

[0360] The identifier (session ID) of the positioning session corresponding to the first message;

[0361] An indication of the end of the positioning session corresponding to the first message;

[0362] The sequence number corresponding to the first message;

[0363] The acknowledgement character (ACK) is requested to indicate information.

[0364] Optionally, the sequence number corresponding to the first message can be used by a terminal or network element receiving the first message to detect and identify the first message, etc.

[0365] In some embodiments, the first message may include an identifier of at least one second terminal 102 .

[0366] Optionally, the identifier of the second terminal can be used to identify the second terminal corresponding to the positioning message included in the first message.

[0367] Optionally, the identifier of the second terminal 102 may include one or more identifiers, such as an application layer identifier of the terminal, a Generic Public Subscription Identifier (GPSI), a layer 2 identifier (Layer 2 ID), etc., which is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0368] As an example, the first message may include both the application layer identifier and the layer 2 identifier of the second terminal 102. The purpose is to provide a mapping relationship between the application layer identifier and the layer 2 identifier when the first message is sent to the second terminal 102 for the first time. In the subsequent process of forwarding the positioning message corresponding to the second terminal, the first message may only carry a layer 2 identifier, and the recipient of the first message can find the corresponding application layer identifier based on the layer 2 identifier of the terminal.

[0369] In the above embodiment, the indication overhead can be effectively reduced.

[0370] Optionally, at least one positioning message included in the first message and to be forwarded to the same second terminal 102 may share an indication field of the same terminal identifier.

[0371] In the above embodiment, the indication overhead can be effectively reduced.

[0372] Optionally, the first message may further include an identifier of the first terminal 101 .

[0373] In some embodiments, the encapsulation format of each positioning message may be a string (STRING), such as an octet string (OCTETSTRING), which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0374] Optionally, the character string includes a message header and a message body of the positioning message, that is, the character string includes each complete positioning message to be sent to at least one second terminal.

[0375] Optionally, each of the above positioning messages may be an SLPP message, or may be an LPP message.

[0376] Optionally, the first message further includes a routing ID or a correlation ID.

[0377] Optionally, each positioning message corresponds to a routing identifier or a correlation identifier.

[0378] Optionally, the identifier of each second terminal corresponds to a routing identifier or a related identifier.

[0379] The routing identifier or related identifier is used by the AMF to determine which LMF the positioning message belongs to.

[0380] In some embodiments, the first message includes first indication information.

[0381] Optionally, the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first message is a segmented message, that is, to indicate whether the first message as a whole is segmented.

[0382] Furthermore, the first indication information is also used to indicate whether the first message is the last segment among multiple segmented messages.

[0383] Optionally, the first indication information is used to indicate whether each positioning message in the first message is a segmented message, that is, whether it is segmented is separately indicated for each positioning message.

[0384] Furthermore, the first indication information is also used to indicate whether the positioning message is the last segment among multiple segmented messages.

[0385] Optionally, the first indication information is used to indicate whether the positioning message corresponding to each second terminal in the first message is a segmented message, that is, to indicate whether at least one positioning message corresponding to each second terminal is segmented as a whole.

[0386] Furthermore, the first indication information is further used to indicate whether the positioning message corresponding to each second terminal is the last segment in the multiple segmented messages.

[0387] In some embodiments, the name of the first indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "segment indication", "segment indication information", "segment message indication", etc.

[0388] In some embodiments, the message body type of the first message is the same as the message body type of at least one positioning message included in the first message.

[0389] Optionally, the first message includes a positioning message of any one or more of the following message body types:

[0390] Request Capabilities message (requestCapabilities);

[0391] Provide capabilities message (provideCapabilities);

[0392] Request assistance information message (requestAssistanceData);

[0393] Provide assistance information message (provideAssistanceData);

[0394] Request location information message (requestLocationInformation);

[0395] Provide location information message (provideLocationInformation);

[0396] error;

[0397] Abort.

[0398] As an example, the following describes an example in which the first network element 1031 obtains capability information of the second terminal 102A and the second terminal 102B through the first terminal 101. The first network element 1031 sends a first message (the type of the first message is a request capability message) to the first terminal 101, which includes a positioning message to be sent to the second terminal 102A (the type of the positioning message is a request capability message) and a positioning message to be sent to the second terminal 102B (the type of the positioning message is a request capability message). After receiving the first message sent by the first network element 1031, the first terminal 101 can send a first message (the type of the first message is also a request capability message) to the second terminal 102A and the second terminal 102B, respectively. Optionally, the first message sent by the first terminal 101 to the second terminal 102A includes the positioning message (request capability message) of the second terminal 102A, and the first message sent by the first terminal 101 to the second terminal 102B includes the positioning message (request capability message) of the second terminal 102B.

[0399] In some embodiments, the message body of the first message includes a message body list, and the message body list includes one or more positioning messages.

[0400] Optionally, the first message further includes an identifier of a terminal corresponding to each positioning message (ie, each item in the message body list).

[0401] Optionally, each positioning message (that is, each item in the message body list) corresponds to one or more terminal identifiers.

[0402] Optionally, the terminal corresponding to each positioning message (that is, each item in the message body list) may be the first terminal or the second terminal.

[0403] Optionally, the terminal corresponding to the positioning message is a first terminal, and the first message may not include an identifier of the terminal corresponding to the positioning message.

[0404] Furthermore, the receiver of the first message assumes that the terminal corresponding to the positioning message that does not include the terminal identifier is the first terminal.

[0405] Optionally, the first message includes an identifier of a transaction corresponding to each positioning message (ie, each item in the message body list).

[0406] Optionally, the format of each positioning message is a character string, such as an octet string (OCTET STRING), which is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0407] In some embodiments, the first message includes second indication information.

[0408] Optionally, the second indication information is used to indicate whether all positioning messages included in the first message need to be sent to the corresponding second terminal, that is, the second indication information is applied to all positioning messages included in the first message.

[0409] Optionally, the second indication information is used to indicate whether each positioning message included in the first message needs to be sent to the corresponding second terminal, that is, the second indication information indicates each positioning message included in the first message separately.

[0410] In some embodiments, the name of the second indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "forwarding indication", "forwarding indication information", etc.

[0411] Optionally, the positioning message included in the first message may only include the message body of the positioning message.

[0412] Step S2102 : The first terminal 101 sends a first message to the second terminal 102 .

[0413] In some embodiments, the number of the second terminal 102 is one or more.

[0414] In some embodiments, the first message includes positioning messages to be sent to multiple second terminals 102. The first terminal 101 can first extract at least one positioning message corresponding to each second terminal 102, encapsulate it in the first message sent to each second terminal 102, and then send it to each second terminal 102.

[0415] In some embodiments, the first message includes positioning messages to be sent to multiple second terminals 102. The first terminal 101 may not extract at least one positioning message corresponding to each second terminal 102, but directly use multicast to send the received first message to each second terminal 102.

[0416] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, information interaction between a core network device (such as a first network element, etc.) and a terminal (such as a first terminal) is accomplished through transparent transmission of an access network device.

[0417] 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.

[0418] In some embodiments, terms such as "uplink", "uplink", "physical uplink" can be interchangeable with each other, and terms such as "downlink", "downlink", "physical downlink" can be interchangeable with each other, and terms such as "side", "sidelink", "side communication", "sidelink communication", "direct connection", "direct link", "direct communication", "direct link communication" can be interchangeable with each other.

[0419] In some embodiments, the terms "downlink control information (DCI)", "downlink (DL) assignment", "DL DCI", "uplink (UL) grant", "UL DCI" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0420] In some embodiments, terms such as "physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)" and "DL data" can be used interchangeably, and terms such as "physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)" and "UL data" can be used interchangeably.

[0421] In some embodiments, the terms "radio", "wireless", "radio access network (RAN)", "access network (AN)", "RAN-based" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0422] 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.

[0423] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0424] 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.

[0425] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be performed by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values ​​(for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0426] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data after receiving it; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the recipient to respond to the content sent.

[0427] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps 2101 to 2102. For example, step 2101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 2101+2102 may be implemented as independent embodiments, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0428] In some embodiments, step 2101 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0429] In some embodiments, step 2102 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0430] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2A .

[0431] In this embodiment or example, unless there is any contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, the optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other embodiments or other examples.

[0432] FIG2B is an interactive diagram of a sidelink SL positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2B , the method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is used in a communication system 100, and the method includes:

[0433] Step S2201: The second terminal 102 sends a first message to the first terminal 101.

[0434] In some embodiments, the first message is used for positioning the first terminal 101 and / or the second terminal 102 .

[0435] In some embodiments, the number of the second terminal 102 is one or more.

[0436] In some embodiments, a non-access stratum (NAS) connection exists between the first terminal 101 and the core network device.

[0437] In some embodiments, there is no NAS connection between the second terminal 102 and the core network device.

[0438] In some embodiments, the first message may be an SLPP message, or may be an LPP message.

[0439] In some embodiments, the name of the above-mentioned first message is not limited, and it can be, for example, "sidelink positioning protocol message", "positioning protocol message", "sidelink positioning protocol forwarding message", "positioning protocol forwarding message" and so on.

[0440] In some embodiments, the first message includes one or more positioning messages.

[0441] Optionally, the first message includes one or more positioning messages to be sent by at least one second terminal 102 to the first network element 1031 .

[0442] Optionally, all positioning messages included in the first message correspond to one second terminal 102 .

[0443] Optionally, the multiple positioning messages included in the first message correspond to multiple second terminals 102, and each second terminal 102 corresponds to one or more positioning messages.

[0444] In some embodiments, the message body type of the above-mentioned first message is the first type.

[0445] Optionally, the above-mentioned first type is a newly added type, which is used to identify that the first message is a forwarding message.

[0446] Optionally, the name of the first type is not limited, and may be, for example, "forward", "forward message", etc.

[0447] In some embodiments, at least one second terminal 102 sends the positioning message to be sent to the first network element 1031 to the first terminal 101 through the above-mentioned first message, and the first terminal 101 then sends the positioning message corresponding to each second terminal 102 to the first network element 1031 through the first message.

[0448] Optionally, all positioning messages included in the first message are positioning messages corresponding to one second terminal 102 , and the first terminal 101 may directly send the received first message to the first network element 1031 .

[0449] Optionally, the first message includes multiple positioning messages to be sent by the second terminals 102 to the first network element 1031. The first terminal 101 can first extract at least one positioning message corresponding to each second terminal 102, encapsulate them in the first message sent to the first network element 1031, and then send them to the first network element 1031.

[0450] Optionally, the first message includes multiple positioning messages to be sent by the second terminals 102 to the first network element 1031 . The first terminal 101 may not extract at least one positioning message corresponding to each second terminal 102 , but directly forward it to the first network element 1031 .

[0451] In some embodiments, the first message may be an operation based on a transaction operation, that is, it may include the creation of a transaction, a transaction ID, and the end of a transaction.

[0452] In some embodiments, the header of the first message is used to indicate at least one of the following information:

[0453] an identifier of the transaction corresponding to the first message;

[0454] an indication of the end of the transaction corresponding to the first message;

[0455] The identifier (session ID) of the positioning session corresponding to the first message;

[0456] An indication of the end of the positioning session corresponding to the first message;

[0457] The sequence number corresponding to the first message;

[0458] The acknowledgement character (ACK) is requested to indicate information.

[0459] Optionally, the sequence number corresponding to the first message can be used by a terminal or network element that receives the first message to detect and identify the first message, etc.

[0460] In some embodiments, the first message may include an identifier of at least one second terminal 102 .

[0461] Optionally, the identifier of the second terminal can be used to identify the second terminal corresponding to the positioning message included in the first message.

[0462] Optionally, the identifier of the second terminal 102 may include one or more identifiers, such as an application layer identifier of the terminal, a Generic Public Subscription Identifier (GPSI), a layer 2 identifier (Layer 2 ID), etc., which is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0463] As an example, the first message may include both the application layer identifier and the layer 2 identifier of the second terminal 102. The purpose is to provide a mapping relationship between the application layer identifier and the layer 2 identifier when the first message is sent to the second terminal 102 for the first time. In the subsequent process of forwarding the positioning message corresponding to the second terminal, the first message may only carry a layer 2 identifier, and the recipient of the first message can find the corresponding application layer identifier based on the layer 2 identifier of the terminal.

[0464] In the above embodiment, the indication overhead can be effectively reduced.

[0465] Optionally, at least one positioning message included in the first message and to be forwarded to the same second terminal 102 may share an indication field of the same terminal identifier.

[0466] In the above embodiment, the indication overhead can be effectively reduced.

[0467] Optionally, the first message may further include an identifier of the first terminal 101 .

[0468] In some embodiments, the encapsulation format of each positioning message may be a string (STRING), such as an octet string (OCTET STRING), which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0469] Optionally, the character string includes a message header and a message body of the positioning message, that is, the character string includes each complete positioning message to be sent to at least one second terminal.

[0470] Optionally, each of the above positioning messages may be an SLPP message, or may be an LPP message.

[0471] Optionally, the first message further includes a routing ID or a correlation ID.

[0472] Optionally, each positioning message corresponds to a routing identifier or a correlation identifier.

[0473] Optionally, the identifier of each second terminal corresponds to a routing identifier or a related identifier.

[0474] The routing identifier or related identifier is used by the AMF to determine which LMF the positioning message belongs to.

[0475] In some embodiments, the first message includes first indication information.

[0476] Optionally, the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first message is a segmented message, that is, to indicate whether the first message as a whole is segmented.

[0477] Furthermore, the first indication information is also used to indicate whether the first message is the last segment among multiple segmented messages.

[0478] Optionally, the first indication information is used to indicate whether each positioning message in the first message is a segmented message, that is, whether it is segmented is separately indicated for each positioning message.

[0479] Furthermore, the first indication information is also used to indicate whether the positioning message is the last segment among multiple segmented messages.

[0480] Optionally, the first indication information is used to indicate whether the positioning message corresponding to each second terminal in the first message is a segmented message, that is, to indicate whether at least one positioning message corresponding to each second terminal is segmented as a whole.

[0481] Furthermore, the first indication information is further used to indicate whether the positioning message corresponding to each second terminal is the last segment in the multiple segmented messages.

[0482] In some embodiments, the name of the first indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "segment indication", "segment indication information", "segment message indication", etc.

[0483] In some embodiments, the message body type of the first message is the same as the message body type of at least one positioning message included in the first message.

[0484] Optionally, the first message includes a positioning message of any one or more of the following message body types:

[0485] Request capability message;

[0486] Provide capability information;

[0487] Requesting assistance information messages;

[0488] providing auxiliary information messages;

[0489] Request location information message;

[0490] Providing location information messages;

[0491] error;

[0492] Abort.

[0493] As an example, the following describes an example in which the first network element 1031 obtains capability information of the second terminal 102A and the second terminal 102B through the first terminal 101. The second terminal 102A and the second terminal 102B send a first message to the first terminal 101 (the first message type is a provide capability message). Optionally, the first message sent by the second terminal 102A to the first terminal 101 includes a positioning message (provide capability message) for the second terminal 102A, and the first message sent by the second terminal 102B to the first terminal 101 includes a positioning message (provide capability message) for the second terminal 102B. After receiving the first messages sent by the second terminal 102A and the second terminal 102B, the first terminal 101 may send a first message to the first network element 1031 (the first message type is also a request capability message). Optionally, the message may include a positioning message corresponding to the second terminal 102A (the positioning message type is a request capability message) and a positioning message corresponding to the second terminal 102B (the positioning message type is a request capability message).

[0494] In some embodiments, the message body of the first message includes a message body list, and the message body list includes one or more positioning messages.

[0495] Optionally, the first message further includes an identifier of a terminal corresponding to each positioning message (ie, each item in the message body list).

[0496] Optionally, each positioning message (that is, each item in the message body list) corresponds to one or more terminal identifiers.

[0497] Optionally, the terminal corresponding to each positioning message (that is, each item in the message body list) may be the first terminal or the second terminal.

[0498] Optionally, the terminal corresponding to the positioning message is a first terminal, and the first message may not include an identifier of the terminal corresponding to the positioning message.

[0499] Furthermore, the receiver of the first message assumes that the terminal corresponding to the positioning message that does not include the terminal identifier is the first terminal.

[0500] Optionally, the first message includes an identifier of a transaction corresponding to each positioning message (ie, each item in the message body list).

[0501] Optionally, the format of each positioning message is a character string, such as an octet string (OCTET STRING), which is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0502] In some embodiments, the first message includes second indication information.

[0503] Optionally, the second indication information is used to indicate whether all positioning messages included in the first message need to be sent to the first network element 1031, that is, the second indication information acts on all positioning messages included in the first message.

[0504] Optionally, the second indication information is used to indicate whether each positioning message included in the first message needs to be sent to the first network element 1031, that is, the second indication information indicates each positioning message included in the first message separately.

[0505] In some embodiments, the name of the second indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "forwarding indication", "forwarding indication information", etc.

[0506] Optionally, the positioning message included in the first message may only include the message body of the positioning message.

[0507] Step S2202: The first terminal 101 sends a first message to the first network element 1031 through the access network device.

[0508] Optionally, the first message includes one or more positioning messages to be sent by at least one second terminal 102 and the first terminal 101 to the first network element 1031 .

[0509] Optionally, the first terminal 101 corresponds to one or more positioning messages.

[0510] In some embodiments, all positioning messages included in the first message are positioning messages corresponding to one second terminal 102 , and the first terminal 101 may directly send the received first message to the first network element 1031 .

[0511] In some embodiments, the first message includes multiple positioning messages to be sent by the second terminals 102 to the first network element 1031. The first terminal 101 can first extract at least one positioning message corresponding to each second terminal 102, encapsulate them in the first message sent to the first network element 1031, and then send them to the first network element 1031.

[0512] In some embodiments, the first message includes multiple positioning messages to be sent by the second terminals 102 to the first network element 1031. The first terminal 101 may not extract at least one positioning message corresponding to each second terminal 102, but directly forward it to the first network element 1031.

[0513] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, information interaction between a core network device (such as a first network element, etc.) and a terminal (such as a first terminal) is accomplished through transparent transmission of an access network device.

[0514] 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.

[0515] In some embodiments, terms such as "uplink", "uplink", and "physical uplink" can be interchangeable, and terms such as "downlink", "downlink", and "physical downlink" can be interchangeable, and terms such as "side", "sidelink", "side communication", and "sidelink communication" can be interchangeable.

[0516] In some embodiments, the terms "downlink control information (DCI)", "downlink (DL) assignment", "DL DCI", "uplink (UL) grant", "UL DCI" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0517] In some embodiments, terms such as "physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)" and "DL data" can be used interchangeably, and terms such as "physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)" and "UL data" can be used interchangeably.

[0518] In some embodiments, the terms "radio", "wireless", "radio access network (RAN)", "access network (AN)", "RAN-based" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0519] 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.

[0520] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0521] 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.

[0522] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be performed by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values ​​(for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0523] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data after receiving it; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the recipient to respond to the content sent.

[0524] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps 2201 and 2202. For example, step 2201 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 2202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 2201+2202 may be implemented as independent embodiments, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0525] In some embodiments, step 2201 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0526] In some embodiments, step 2202 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0527] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2B .

[0528] In this embodiment or example, unless there is any contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, the optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other embodiments or other examples.

[0529] FIG3A is a flow chart of a sidelink SL positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a sidelink SL positioning method, which is executed by a first terminal and includes:

[0530] Step S3101: Receive a first message sent by the first network element 1031 through the access network device.

[0531] The optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0532] In some embodiments, step S3101 is omitted, and the first terminal 101 autonomously implements the function indicated by the first message, or the above function is default or acquiescent.

[0533] Step S3102: Send a first message to the second terminal 102.

[0534] The optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0535] In some embodiments, step S3101 is omitted, and the first terminal 101 autonomously implements the function indicated by the first message, or the above function is default or acquiescent.

[0536] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps 3101 to 3102. For example, step 3101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 3102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3101+3102 may be implemented as independent embodiments, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0537] In some embodiments, step 3101 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0538] In some embodiments, step 3102 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0539] FIG3B is a flow chart of a sidelink SL positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a sidelink SL positioning method, which is performed by a first terminal and includes:

[0540] Step S3201: Receive a first message sent by the second terminal 102.

[0541] The optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2201 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0542] In some embodiments, step S3201 is omitted, and the first terminal 101 autonomously implements the function indicated by the first message, or the above function is default or default.

[0543] Step S3202: Send a first message to the first network element 1031 through the access network device.

[0544] The optional implementation of step S3202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2202 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0545] In some embodiments, step S3202 is omitted, and the first terminal 101 autonomously implements the function indicated by the first message, or the above function is default or by default.

[0546] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3201 and S3202. For example, in step 32, the communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps 3201 and 3202. For example, step 3201 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 3202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3201+3202 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and so on, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0547] In some embodiments, step 3201 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0548] In some embodiments, step 3202 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0549] FIG4A is a flow chart of a sidelink SL positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a sidelink SL positioning method, which is performed by a second terminal and includes:

[0550] Step S4101: Receive a first message sent by the first terminal 101.

[0551] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0552] Optionally, the first message is sent by the first network element 1031 to the first terminal 101 via the access network device. Optional implementations thereof may refer to the optional implementations of step S2101 in FIG2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG2A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0553] FIG4B is a flow chart of a sidelink SL positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a sidelink SL positioning method, which is performed by a second terminal and includes:

[0554] Step S4201: Send a first message to the first terminal 101.

[0555] The optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2201 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0556] Optionally, the first message is sent by the first terminal 101 to the first network element 1031 via the access network device. For optional implementations, see the optional implementations of step S2202 in FIG2B and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG2B , which will not be described in detail here.

[0557] FIG5A is a flow chart of a sidelink SL positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a sidelink SL positioning method, which is executed by a first network element and includes:

[0558] Step S5101: Send a first message to the first terminal 101 through the access network device.

[0559] The optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0560] Optionally, the first message is sent by the first terminal 101 to the second terminal 102. For optional implementations thereof, reference may be made to the optional implementations of step S2102 in FIG2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG2A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0561] FIG5B is a flow chart of a sidelink SL positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a sidelink SL positioning method, which is executed by a first network element and includes:

[0562] Step S5201: Receive a first message sent by a first terminal through an access network device.

[0563] The optional implementation of step S5201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2202 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0564] Optionally, the first message is sent by the second terminal 102 to the first terminal 101. For optional implementations thereof, reference may be made to the optional implementations of step S2201 in FIG2B and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG2B , which will not be described in detail here.

[0565] The following is an exemplary introduction to the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0566] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, UE A receives a positioning message from another UE or LMF and forwards it to the LMF or other UE.

[0567] In some embodiments, the positioning message is a SLPP message, or a LPP message.

[0568] In some embodiments, the other UE may be one or more. The positioning messages from or sent to the same UE may be one or more.

[0569] In some embodiments, the UE A has a NAS connection with the network, and the other UEs do not have a NAS connection with the network, for example, the other UEs are not within the network coverage.

[0570] In some embodiments, positioning messages from other UEs or LMFs are forwarded via dedicated SLPP messages.

[0571] Optionally, a special SLPP message body (SLPP-MessageBody) type is used, and the SLPP message body is specifically used to forward the positioning message. For example, the SLPP message can be as follows, and a forward type can be added to the type of the message body.

[0572] As an example, the encoding format of the message body can be as follows, where forward is a newly added type:

[0573] Optionally, the LMF sends the intended positioning message to the transit UE via a dedicated forwarding message. The transit UE then forwards the positioning message for each UE in the forwarding message to each UE via the forwarding message. If the forwarding message only involves positioning messages for a single UE, the transit UE can directly send the received forwarding message to that UE. If the forwarding message involves positioning messages for multiple UEs, the transit UE can first extract the positioning messages for each UE, encapsulate them separately in forwarding messages sent to each UE, and then send them to each UE. Alternatively, the transit UE can directly send the received forwarding message to each UE via multicast without extracting the positioning messages.

[0574] Optionally, the dedicated SLPP message body is also based on a transaction operation, ie, includes transaction creation, transaction ID, and transaction end.

[0575] Optionally, the Header information of the special SLPP message indicates one or more of the following information: transaction ID, transaction end indication, session ID, session end indication, sequence number, and request ACK indication.

[0576] In some embodiments, the dedicated SLPP message body includes a UE identifier, and the UE identifier is used to identify the UE to which the forwarded positioning message belongs.

[0577] Optionally, the UE identifier may include one or more identifiers, such as a UE application layer identifier, GPSI, and Layer 2 ID. For example, the UE application layer identifier and the Layer 2 identifier may be included simultaneously. The purpose is to provide a mapping relationship between the application layer identifier and the Layer 2 identifier during the first transmission. In subsequent forwarding, only one Layer 2 identifier needs to be carried, and the recipient can find the corresponding application layer identifier based on the Layer 2 identifier.

[0578] Optionally, multiple positioning messages for the same UE may share the same UE identity indication field to reduce UE identity indication overhead.

[0579] Optionally, the SLPP message body includes one or more UE identifiers.

[0580] In some embodiments, the dedicated SLPP message body includes the forwarded positioning message, and the forwarded positioning message is encapsulated in an OCTET STRING format.

[0581] The use of the OCTET STRING format can avoid the UE forwarding the message from needing to identify the content of the forwarded message. Each OCTET STRING contains the entire positioning message to be forwarded, including the message header and body.

[0582] Optionally, the forwarded positioning message supports selection from two message formats: LPP and SLPP.

[0583] Optionally, the SLPP message body includes one or more forwarded positioning messages. The one or more forwarded positioning messages may belong to the same or different UEs.

[0584] Optionally, the RoutingID or correlation ID in the SLPP message body is the RoutingID or correlation ID carried by the NAS layer when transmitting the SLPP message. The RoutingID or correlation ID may be indicated on a per-forwarded positioning message basis or on a per-UE ID basis.

[0585] In some embodiments, the dedicated SLPP message body includes segment indication information, where the segment indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0586] Optionally, the segment indication information indicates the entire SLPP message body, and is used to indicate whether the message body is a segment.

[0587] Furthermore, the segment indication information further indicates whether the segment is the last segment.

[0588] Optionally, the segment indication information is individually indicated according to each forwarded positioning message in the SLPP message body, and is used to indicate whether the forwarded positioning message is a segment.

[0589] Furthermore, the segment indication information further indicates whether the segment is the last segment.

[0590] Optionally, the segment indication information is indicated as a whole based on all positioning messages of each UE in the SLPP message body, and is used to indicate whether the forwarded positioning message of the UE is a segment.

[0591] Furthermore, the segment indication information further indicates whether the segment is the last segment.

[0592] Based on some of the above embodiments, an example is provided below. This example is a design method for a Forward type message body. The encoding format of the message body can be as follows:

[0593] Among them, forward-r18-IEs represents the parameters included in the forward type message, that is, each information element (IE), such as the UE identifier (ue-identity), the forwarded message (forwardedMessage) (wherein the type of the forwarded message is OCTET STRING), the segmentation information (segmentationInfo-r14) (wherein this IE is an optional (OPTIONAL) IE), and so on. One or more.

[0594] In some embodiments, UE A forwards the positioning message to be forwarded using a message body of a corresponding type according to the message body type of the positioning message to be forwarded.

[0595] Optionally, the existing message body types of SLPP messages include request capability, provide capability, request auxiliary information, provide auxiliary information, request location information, provide location information, Error, and Abort. Depending on the message body type of the positioning message to be forwarded, it is carried in the corresponding message body type for forwarding. Taking the example of LMF obtaining the capability information of UE 2 and UE3 through UE 1, LMF sends a request capability message to UE1, which contains the request capability message bodies of UE2 and UE3. After receiving the request capability message from LMF, UE1 sends request capability messages to UE2 and UE3 respectively. The request capability message sent to UE2 carries the request capability message body of UE2, and the request capability message sent to UE3 carries the request capability message body of UE3.

[0596] In some embodiments, the SLPP message body includes a message body list and UE identification information to which each message body belongs.

[0597] Optionally, the SLPP message body includes one or more of the following: request capability, provide capability, request auxiliary information, provide auxiliary information, request location information, provide location information, Error, Abort.

[0598] Optionally, each item in the message body list may be associated with one or more UE identifiers.

[0599] Optionally, each item in the message body list may contain its corresponding transaction ID.

[0600] Optionally, the format of each message body is OCTET STRING.

[0601] Optionally, if the UE corresponding to a message body is the transit UE itself, the UE identifier to which the message body belongs may not be included. The receiver assumes that the UE corresponding to the message body that does not include the UE identifier is the transit UE.

[0602] As an example, the following example is provided. In this example, the message to be forwarded is a design method of providing capabilities message (ProvideCapabilities). The encoding format of the message body can be as follows:

[0603] Among them, ProvideCapabilities-r18-IEs represents the parameters included in the message of the ProvideCapabilities type, that is, each information element IE, such as UE identity (ue-identity), general capability IE (commonIEsProvideCapabilities), SL-RTT capability (SL-RTT-ProvideCapabilities), SL-TDOA capability (SL-TDOA-ProvideCapabilities), SL-AOA capability (SL-AOA-ProvideCapabilities), etc. One or more.

[0604] In some embodiments, the message body includes indication information for indicating whether the message body needs to be forwarded to the corresponding UE.

[0605] Optionally, the instruction information acts on all message bodies in the message body list.

[0606] Optionally, the indication information is separately indicated for each message body in the message body list.

[0607] Based on the above embodiment, the following two situations can be supported: one situation is that the LMF provides information of multiple UEs to a UE, and does not require the UE to forward it to the corresponding UE. The other situation is that the LMF provides information of multiple UEs to a UE in order to hope that the UE will forward it to the corresponding UE.

[0608] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0609] 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.

[0610] 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 a 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 to implement 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 ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0611] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6A, the first terminal 6100 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 6101, a processing module 6102, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to receive a first message sent by a first network element through an access network device, and send the first message to a second terminal; and / or, receive a first message sent by the second terminal, and send the first message to the first network element through the access network device; wherein the first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving (for example, step 2101, step 2102, step 2201, step 2202, but not limited thereto) executed by the first terminal 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0612] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6B, the second terminal 6200 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 6201, a processing module 6202, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to receive a first message sent by the first terminal, the first message being sent by the first network element through the access network device; and / or, to send a first message to the first terminal, the first message being used by the first terminal to send to the first network element through the access network device; wherein the first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving (for example, step 2101, step 2102, step 2201, step 2202, but not limited thereto) executed by the second terminal 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0613] Figure 6C is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6C, the first network element 6300 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 6301, a processing module 6302, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to send a first message to the first terminal through the access network device, and the first message is used for the first terminal to send to the second terminal; and / or, receive a first message sent by the first terminal through the access network device, and the first message is sent by the second terminal; wherein the first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving (for example, step 2101, step 2102, step 2201, step 2202, but not limited thereto) performed by the first network element 1031 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0614] Figure 6D is a schematic diagram of the structure of the core network device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6D, the core network device 6400 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 6401, a processing module 6402, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to send a first message to a first terminal through an access network device, the first message being sent by the first terminal to a second terminal; and / or, to receive a first message sent by the first terminal through the access network device, the first message being sent by the second terminal; wherein the first message is used for locating the first terminal and / or the second terminal. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving (for example, step 2101, step 2102, step 2201, step 2202, but not limited thereto) executed by the first network element 1031 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0615] 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.

[0616] 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.

[0617] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 7100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 7100 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 7100 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.

[0618] As shown in Figure 7A, the communication device 7100 includes one or more processors 7101. The processor 7101 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 the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 7100 is used to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 7101 are used to call instructions to enable the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods.

[0619] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more transceivers 7102. When the communication device 7100 includes one or more transceivers 7102, the transceiver 7102 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., step 2101 and step 2102, but not limited thereto) such as sending and / or receiving in the above method, and the processor 7101 performs at least one of the other steps. In an optional embodiment, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, and the receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, and interface 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.

[0620] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more memories 7103 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 7103 may be located outside the communication device 7100. In alternative embodiments, the communication device 7100 may include one or more interface circuits 7104. Optionally, the interface circuits 7104 are connected to the memory 7102 and may be configured to receive data from the memory 7102 or other devices, or to send data to the memory 7102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 7104 may read data stored in the memory 7102 and send the data to the processor 7101.

[0621] The communication device 7100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 7100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 7100 may not be limited by FIG. 7A. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0622] 7B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 7200 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 7100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 7200 shown in FIG7B , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0623] The chip 7200 includes one or more processors 7201. The chip 7200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0624] In some embodiments, chip 7200 further includes one or more interface circuits 7202. Alternatively, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pins may be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 7200 further includes one or more memories 7203 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of memory 7203 may be located external to chip 7200. Optionally, interface circuit 7202 is connected to memory 7203 and may be used to receive data from memory 7203 or other devices, or may be used to send data to memory 7203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 7202 may read data stored in memory 7203 and send the data to processor 7201.

[0625] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 7202 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps 2101, 2102, 2201, and 2202) of the aforementioned method. For example, the interface circuit 7202 performing the communication steps (e.g., steps 2101, 2102, 2201, and 2202) of the aforementioned method means that the interface circuit 7202 performs data exchange between the processor 7201, chip 7200, memory 7203, or a transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 7201 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0626] The modules and / or devices described in various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be arbitrarily combined or separated according to circumstances. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0627] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed on the communication device 7100, the communication device 7100 executes 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 temporary storage medium.

[0628] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 7100, enables the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0629] 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.

[0630] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer program can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0631] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professionals and technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0632] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0633] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, but the scope of protection of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this disclosure should be included in the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A sidelink SL positioning method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a first terminal, and includes: receiving, through the access network device, a first message sent by the first network element, and sending the first message to the second terminal; and / or, receiving a first message sent by the second terminal, and sending the first message to the first network element through the access network device; The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The number of the second terminals is one or more, a non-access layer NAS connection exists between the first terminal and a core network device, and no NAS connection exists between the second terminal and the core network device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first message includes one or more positioning messages, and all the positioning messages included in the first message correspond to one second terminal, or multiple positioning messages correspond to multiple second terminals, and each second terminal corresponds to one or more positioning messages.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The message body type of the first message is the first type.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first message includes an identifier of the second terminal.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The identifier of the second terminal includes at least one of the following: an application layer identifier of the second terminal; A general public user identity (GPSI) of the second terminal; The layer 2 identity of the second terminal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that: The first message includes a routing identifier or a correlation identifier, wherein each positioning message corresponds to one routing identifier or one correlation identifier, or each identifier of the second terminal corresponds to one routing identifier or one correlation identifier.

8. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that: The first message includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate any one of the following: The first indication information is used to indicate whether the first message is a segmented message; The first indication information is used to indicate whether each positioning message in the first message is a segmented message; The first indication information is used to indicate whether the positioning message corresponding to each second terminal in the first message is a segmented message.

9. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that: The message header of the first message is used to indicate at least one of the following information: an identifier of the transaction corresponding to the first message; an end indication of the transaction corresponding to the first message; an identifier of a positioning session corresponding to the first message; an end indication of the positioning session corresponding to the first message; A sequence number corresponding to the first message; Request confirmation character ACK indication information.

10. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The message body type of the first message is the same as the message body type of at least one positioning message included in the first message.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The first message includes a positioning message of any one or more of the following message body types: Request capability message; Provide capability information; requesting ancillary information messages; providing auxiliary information messages; Request location information message; Providing location information messages; mistake; Abort.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: The first message includes identifiers of one or more terminals corresponding to each positioning message, and the terminals include at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The first message does not include an identifier of a terminal corresponding to the positioning message corresponding to the first terminal.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that: The first message includes an identifier of a transaction corresponding to each of the positioning messages.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that: The first message includes second indication information; The second indication information is used to indicate whether all the positioning messages included in the first message need to be sent to the corresponding second terminal; or, The second indication information is used to indicate whether each positioning message included in the first message needs to be sent to the corresponding second terminal.

16. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 15, characterized in that: The encapsulation format of each positioning message is an eight-bit character string, and the character string includes a message header and a message body of the positioning message.

17. A sidelink SL positioning method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a second terminal, and the method includes: receiving a first message sent by a first terminal, where the first message is sent by a first network element to the first terminal through an access network device; and / or, Sending a first message to the first terminal, where the first message is used by the first terminal to send to the first network element through the access network device; The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The number of the second terminals is one or more, a non-access layer NAS connection exists between the first terminal and a core network device, and no NAS connection exists between the second terminal and the core network device.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The first message includes one or more positioning messages, and all the positioning messages included in the first message correspond to one second terminal, or multiple positioning messages correspond to multiple second terminals, and each second terminal corresponds to one or more positioning messages.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The message body type of the first message is the first type.

21. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The message body type of the first message is the same as the message body type of at least one positioning message included in the first message.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The first message includes a positioning message of any one or more of the following message body types: Request capability message; Provide capability information; requesting ancillary information messages; providing auxiliary information messages; Request location information message; Providing location information messages; mistake; Abort.

23. A sidelink SL positioning method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a first network element, and the method includes: Sending a first message to a first terminal through an access network device, where the first message is used by the first terminal to send to a second terminal; and / or, receiving a first message sent by the first terminal through the access network device, where the first message is sent by the second terminal to the first terminal; The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The number of the second terminals is one or more, a non-access layer NAS connection exists between the first terminal and a core network device, and no NAS connection exists between the second terminal and the core network device.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The first message includes one or more positioning messages, and all the positioning messages included in the first message correspond to one second terminal, or multiple positioning messages correspond to multiple second terminals, and each second terminal corresponds to one or more positioning messages.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The message body type of the first message is the first type.

27. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The message body type of the first message is the same as the message body type of at least one positioning message included in the first message.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The first message includes a positioning message of any one or more of the following message body types: Request capability message; Provide capability information; requesting ancillary information messages; providing auxiliary information messages; Request location information message; Providing location information messages; mistake; Abort.

29. A sidelink SL positioning method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The first network element sends a first message to the first terminal through the access network device, and the first terminal sends the first message to the second terminal; and / or, The second terminal sends a first message to the first terminal, and the first terminal sends the first message to the first network element through the access network device; The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

30. A first terminal, characterized in that: The first terminal includes: a transceiver module, configured to receive a first message sent by a first network element through an access network device, and send the first message to a second terminal; and / or, receiving a first message sent by the second terminal, and sending the first message to the first network element through the access network device; The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

31. A second terminal, characterized in that: The second terminal includes: receiving a first message sent by a first terminal, where the first message is sent by a first network element to the first terminal through an access network device; and / or, Sending a first message to the first terminal, where the first message is used by the first terminal to send to the first network element through the access network device; The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

32. A first network element, characterized in that: The first network element includes: Sending a first message to a first terminal through an access network device, where the first message is used by the first terminal to send to a second terminal; and / or, receiving a first message sent by the first terminal through the access network device, where the first message is sent by the second terminal to the first terminal; The first message is used for positioning the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

33. A terminal, characterized in that: The terminal comprises: one or more processors; The terminal is used to execute the side link SL positioning method described in any one of claims 1-16 or 17-32.

34. A first network element, characterized in that: The first network element includes: one or more processors; Wherein, the terminal is used to execute the side link SL positioning method described in any one of claims 33-48.

35. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device executes the sidelink SL positioning method as described in any one of claims 1-16, 17-32 or 33-48.

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