Method for determining location information, and communication apparatus

Abstract

A method for determining location information, and a communication apparatus. A location management function device may receive a first message, wherein the first message is used for requesting location information of a terminal device; the location management function device may send a second message to a first access network device on the basis of the first message, wherein the second message is used for instructing positioning to be performed on the terminal device; the first access network device may return positioning measurement data of the terminal device to the location management function device; and the location management function device may determine the location information of the terminal device on the basis of the positioning measurement data. Thus, it is not necessary for an access and mobility management device to perform forwarding during a positioning process, and the flexibility of deployment can be improved.

Description

Method and communication device for determining position information

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on August 15, 2023, with application number 202311032245.8 and application name “Method and communication device for determining location information”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a method and a communication device for determining location information in the field of communications. Background Art

[0003] In existing communication systems, positioning management function devices can locate terminal devices. In existing technologies, the positioning management function device needs to go through the access and mobility management device to locate the terminal device. For example, the positioning management function device sends a measurement instruction to the access and mobility management device, the terminal device measures the positioning reference signal sent by the access network device, the terminal device sends the measurement result to the access and mobility management function through the access network device, and the access and mobility management device sends the measurement result to the positioning management function device. For another example, the positioning management function device sends a measurement instruction to the access network device through the access and mobility management device, the access network device measures the positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device, and the access network device can send the measurement result to the positioning management function device through the access and mobility management function device. In other words, the positioning management function device relies on the forwarding of the access and mobility management device in the process of locating the terminal device, which makes the deployment of the positioning management function device inflexible.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a method and a communication device for determining location information, which can improve deployment flexibility.

[0006] In a first aspect, a method for determining location information is provided, which is applied to a positioning management function device, including: receiving a first message, the first message being used to request positioning of a terminal device; sending a second message to a first access network device based on the first message, the second message being used to instruct positioning of the terminal device, the first access network device being an access network device to which the terminal device accesses; receiving positioning measurement data from the first access network device, the positioning measurement data being used to determine the location information of the terminal device; and determining the location information of the terminal device based on the positioning measurement data.

[0007] In the above scheme, the positioning management function device can receive a first message, where the first message is used to request the location information of the terminal device. The positioning management function device can send a second message to the first access network device based on the first message, where the second message is used to indicate the positioning of the terminal device. The first access network device can return the positioning measurement data of the terminal device to the positioning management function device. The positioning management function device can determine the location information of the terminal device based on the positioning measurement data, thereby avoiding the need for access and forwarding of mobility management devices during the positioning process, and improving the flexibility of deployment.

[0008] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: obtaining a first identifier of the terminal device; the second message includes the first identifier; wherein, receiving positioning measurement data from the first access network device includes: receiving the positioning measurement data and the first identifier from the first access network device, and the first identifier corresponds to the positioning measurement data.

[0009] In the above scheme, the positioning management function can obtain the first identifier of the terminal device, and the second message sent to the first access network device can include the first identifier. The first access network device can send the first identifier and positioning measurement data to the positioning management device. In this way, the positioning management function device can determine that the positioning measurement data is the positioning measurement data of the terminal device identified by the first identifier. Optionally, the first identifier is a temporary identifier of the terminal device. That is to say, the positioning management function device uses the temporary identifier of the terminal device in the process of sending information with the first access network device to avoid being attacked when using the permanent identifier of the terminal device, thereby improving security.

[0010] In some possible implementations, sending the second message to the first access network device according to the first message includes: sending the second message and a positioning event identifier to the first access network device according to the first message, and the positioning event identifier is used to identify a positioning event in which the terminal device performs a positioning; wherein, receiving the first identifier and the positioning measurement data from the first access network device includes: receiving the first identifier, the positioning event identifier and the positioning measurement data from the first access network device.

[0011] In the above solution, the positioning management function device can determine that the positioning measurement data is data corresponding to the positioning event identified by the positioning event identifier based on the positioning event identifier. In this way, it can avoid the first terminal device being unable to determine which positioning event the positioning measurement data corresponds to.

[0012] Optionally, the positioning measurement data is obtained by measurement by the first access network device, that is, the terminal device can send a positioning reference signal, and the first access network device can measure the positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device to obtain the positioning measurement data.

[0013] In some possible implementations, sending the second message to the first access network device according to the first message includes: sending the second message and the identifier of the positioning management function device to the first access network device according to the first message; wherein, receiving the first identifier and positioning measurement data from the first access network device includes: receiving from the first access network device the first identifier and the positioning measurement data sent by the first access network device according to the identifier of the positioning management function device.

[0014] In the above solution, the first access network device determines to which device the second message is to be sent according to the identifier of the positioning management function device, thereby preventing the first access network device from not knowing to which device the second message is to be sent, thereby improving transmission reliability.

[0015] Optionally, the positioning measurement data can be obtained by measuring by the terminal device, that is, the first access network device can send a positioning reference signal, the terminal device can measure the positioning reference signal to obtain the positioning measurement data, and the terminal device sends the positioning measurement data and the identifier of the positioning management function device to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can know which device to send the positioning measurement data.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: acquiring a positioning capability of the terminal device from a unified data storage device according to the first identifier; and determining a positioning method according to the positioning capability, wherein the positioning method corresponds to the positioning measurement data.

[0017] In the above solution, the positioning management function device can determine the positioning method according to the positioning capability, so that the obtained positioning measurement data corresponds to the positioning method.

[0018] In some possible implementations, the first message is also used to indicate the positioning type for positioning the terminal device; if the positioning type is the last known location of the terminal device, the method further includes: sending the first identifier to a unified data storage device to obtain the location information of the terminal device; wherein, determining the location information of the terminal device based on the positioning measurement data includes: if the location information of the terminal device is not obtained from the unified data storage device, determining the location information of the terminal device based on the positioning measurement data.

[0019] If the first message indicates that the positioning type for positioning the terminal device is the last position, the positioning management function device can first send the first identifier of the terminal device to the unified data storage device. If the unified data storage device saves the location information of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device can be sent to the positioning management function device. At this time, the method ends. Optionally, if the unified data storage device does not save the location information of the terminal device, that is, the positioning management function device does not obtain the location information of the terminal device from the unified data storage device, the location information of the terminal device can be determined based on the positioning measurement data.

[0020] In some possible implementations, the receiving the first message includes: receiving the first message from the first access network device; wherein, the obtaining the first identifier includes: obtaining the first identifier from the first message.

[0021] In the above solution, the first message sent by the first access network device may include the first identifier of the terminal device, and the positioning management function device may obtain the first identifier from the first message.

[0022] In some possible implementations, receiving the first message includes:

[0023] receiving the first message from a gateway mobile positioning center, where the first message includes the second identifier of the terminal device;

[0024] The obtaining of the first identifier includes:

[0025] Sending the second identifier to the unified data storage device;

[0026] Receiving, from the unified data storage device, the first identifier corresponding to the second identifier, where the first identifier is a temporary identifier of the terminal device and the second identifier is a permanent identifier of the terminal device; or comprising:

[0027] Receiving the first identifier from the gateway mobile positioning center; or comprising:

[0028] Sending the second identifier to the first access network device;

[0029] The first identifier corresponding to the second identifier is received from the first access network device.

[0030] In the above scheme, the positioning management function device can obtain the second identifier from the first message from the gateway mobile positioning center and obtain the first identifier corresponding to the second identifier from the unified data storage device based on the second identifier, or can receive the first identifier from the gateway mobile positioning center, or can obtain the first identifier from the first access network device based on the second identifier. The second identifier is a permanent identifier, and the first identifier is a temporary identifier. In other words, to improve the security of the terminal device and avoid constantly using the terminal device's permanent identifier for communication, the terminal device's temporary identifier can be used for communication. In this way, security can be improved and the leakage of the terminal device's permanent identifier can be avoided.

[0031] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: obtaining an identifier of the first access network device;

[0032] The sending a second message to the first access network device according to the first message includes:

[0033] The second message is sent to the first access network device identified by the identifier of the first access network device according to the first message.

[0034] In the above scheme, if the positioning management function device has not communicated with the first access network device, the positioning management function device does not know to which access network device to send the second message. Therefore, the positioning management function can first obtain the identifier of the first access network device, and then send the second message to the first access network device identified by the identifier of the first access network device.

[0035] In some possible implementations, obtaining the identifier of the first access network device includes:

[0036] Receiving an identifier of the first access network device from the gateway mobile positioning center; or comprising:

[0037] Sending the second identifier to the unified data storage device;

[0038] Receiving, from a unified data storage device, an identifier of the first access network device corresponding to the second identifier, where the second identifier is a permanent identifier of the terminal device; or comprising:

[0039] If the identifier of the first access network device is not obtained from the unified data storage device, paging is initiated to at least one access network device within the registration area of ​​the terminal device to obtain the identifier of the first access network device, and the at least one access network device includes the first access network device.

[0040] In the above scheme, the positioning management function device can obtain the identifier of the first access network device from the gateway mobile positioning center, or the positioning management function device can obtain the second identifier of the terminal device from the gateway mobile positioning center, and the gateway mobile positioning center obtains the identifier of the first access network device from the unified data storage device based on the second identifier, or the positioning management function device can initiate paging within the registration area of ​​the terminal device to obtain the identifier of the first access network device, thereby providing several methods for obtaining the identifier of the first access network device.

[0041] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: sending first indication information to the first access network device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to maintain a radio resource control RRC connection state.

[0042] In the above solution, for periodic positioning services, the terminal device needs to be periodically positioned, and the first access network device needs to periodically report positioning measurement data. Therefore, the positioning management function device can send first indication information to the first access network device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to maintain an RRC connected state. The first access network device maintains the terminal device in the RRC connected state based on the first indication information, thereby avoiding power consumption issues caused by the terminal device constantly establishing an RRC connection with the access network device.

[0043] In the second aspect, a method for determining location information is provided, which is applied to a first access network device, including: receiving a third message, the third message being used to request the location information of a terminal device; determining a positioning management function device based on the third message; and sending a first message to the positioning management function device, the first message being used to request positioning of the terminal device.

[0044] In the above solution, the first access network device can determine the positioning management function device based on the third message used to request the location information of the terminal device, thereby avoiding the problem of being unable to determine the positioning management function device, thereby causing positioning failure.

[0045] In some possible implementations, the third message includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the third message is used to request positioning.

[0046] That is, the second indication information in the third message may directly indicate that the third message is used to request positioning, so that the first access network device may learn that a network element for positioning needs to be determined according to the second indication information.

[0047] In some possible implementations, determining the positioning management function device based on the third message includes: sending a fourth message to the network element selection function device based on the second indication information included in the third message, and the fourth message is used to request the discovery of the positioning management function device; receiving a third identifier from the network element selection function device, and the third identifier is used to identify the positioning management function device.

[0048] In the above solution, the first access network device may request the network element selection function device to discover the positioning management function device, thereby providing a method for discovering the positioning management function device.

[0049] In some possible implementations, the receiving the third message includes: receiving the third message from a terminal device or a gateway mobile positioning center.

[0050] In the above solution, if the third message is received from the terminal device, it means that the terminal device initiates a positioning request. If the third message is received from the gateway mobile positioning center, it means that the gateway mobile positioning center initiates a positioning request.

[0051] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: acquiring a first identifier of the terminal device; and the first message includes the first identifier.

[0052] In the above scheme, the first access network device can obtain the first identifier of the terminal device, and can carry the first identifier of the terminal device in the first message and send it to the positioning management function device, so that the positioning management function device can know how to locate the terminal device with the first identifier.

[0053] In some possible implementations, obtaining the first identifier of the terminal device includes:

[0054] Receive the first identification of the terminal device from a gateway mobile positioning center; or,

[0055] Receive the second identifier of the terminal device from the network element mobile center, and determine the first identifier based on the second identifier, where the first identifier is a temporary identifier of the terminal device and the second identifier is a permanent identifier of the terminal device.

[0056] In the above scheme, the first access network device can receive the first identifier of the terminal device from the gateway mobile positioning center, or can obtain the first identifier of the terminal device based on the second identifier of the terminal device received from the gateway positioning center. The first identifier can be a temporary identifier. In this way, the first access network device can use the first identifier to communicate with other network elements, which can improve the security of communication.

[0057] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: receiving a second message from a positioning management function device, the second message including a first identifier, and the second message being used to indicate positioning of the terminal device; and sending the first identifier and positioning measurement data to the positioning management function device according to the second message, the positioning measurement data corresponding to the first identifier, and the positioning measurement data being used to determine the location information of the terminal device.

[0058] In some possible implementations, the receiving the second message from the positioning management function device includes: receiving the second message and a positioning event identifier from the positioning management function device, where the positioning event identifier is used to identify a positioning event for performing a positioning operation on the terminal device;

[0059] The sending the first identifier and positioning measurement data to the positioning management function device according to the second message includes:

[0060] The first identifier, the positioning measurement data and the positioning event identifier are sent to a positioning management function device.

[0061] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: receiving, from a positioning management function device, a second message sent by the positioning management function device, the first identifier, and an identifier of the positioning management function device, where the second message is used to instruct to locate the terminal device;

[0062] Sending the second message and the identifier of the positioning management function device to the terminal device;

[0063] receiving, from the terminal device, an identifier of the positioning management function device and positioning measurement data of the terminal device;

[0064] The first identifier and the positioning measurement data of the terminal device are sent to the positioning management function device according to the identifier of the positioning management function device.

[0065] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: receiving first indication information from the positioning management function device, the first indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to maintain a radio resource control RRC connection state; and maintaining the terminal device in a radio resource RRC connection state according to the first indication information.

[0066] The description of the second aspect may refer to the description of the first aspect, and will not be described in detail to avoid redundancy.

[0067] In the third aspect, a method for determining location information is provided, which is applied to a gateway mobile positioning center, including: receiving a fifth message, the fifth message being used to request the location information of a terminal device; determining a positioning management function device based on the information of the terminal device; and sending a first message to the positioning management function device based on the fifth message, the first message being used to request positioning of the terminal device.

[0068] In the above solution, the gateway mobile positioning center can determine the positioning management function device according to the information of the terminal device, thus avoiding the problem of being unable to locate due to the inability to determine the positioning management function device.

[0069] Optionally, the fifth message is used to request the location information of a device, and the positioning management function device can be determined based on the information of the device.

[0070] In some possible implementations, the information of the terminal device indicates a registration area of ​​the terminal device or an identifier of a first access network device accessed by the terminal device.

[0071] In the above solution, the gateway mobile positioning center can determine the positioning management function device according to the registration area of ​​the terminal device or the identifier of the first access network device accessed by the terminal device, thereby providing a method for determining the positioning management function device.

[0072] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: sending a second identifier of the terminal device to a unified data storage device;

[0073] Receive the information of the terminal device sent by the unified data storage device according to the second identifier.

[0074] In the above scheme, the gateway mobile positioning center can send the second identifier of the terminal device to the unified data storage device, and the unified data storage device can save the information of the terminal device corresponding to the second identifier. In this way, the unified data storage device can send the information of the terminal device corresponding to the second identifier to the gateway mobile positioning center.

[0075] In some possible implementations, the first message includes an identifier of the first access network device.

[0076] In the above solution, the first message sent by the gateway mobile positioning center to the positioning management function device may include the identifier of the first access network device, so that the positioning management device can send the second message to the first access network device identified by the identifier of the first access network device.

[0077] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: the fifth message including a second identifier of the terminal device; and / or,

[0078] The first message includes the first identifier of the terminal device and / or the second identifier of the terminal device, the second identifier is the permanent identifier of the terminal device, and the first identifier is the temporary identifier of the terminal device.

[0079] In the above scheme, the fifth message received by the gateway mobile positioning center may include the permanent identification of the terminal device. The gateway mobile positioning center can determine the temporary identification of the terminal device based on the permanent identification of the terminal device, and can include the temporary identification of the terminal device in the first message sent to the positioning management function device. In this way, the positioning management function device can determine the located terminal device based on the temporary identification of the terminal device, which can improve the security of positioning.

[0080] In some possible implementations, the first message includes a first identifier of the terminal device, and the method further includes:

[0081] Sending the second identifier to the unified data storage device;

[0082] Receive a first identifier corresponding to the second identifier sent by the unified data storage device.

[0083] In the above scheme, the gateway mobile positioning center can send the second identifier to the unified data storage device, the unified data storage device can save the first identifier corresponding to the second identifier, and the unified data storage device can return the first identifier to the gateway mobile positioning center. In this way, the third message sent by the gateway mobile positioning center to the first access network device can include the first identifier.

[0084] In the fourth aspect, a method for determining location information is provided, which is applied to a gateway mobile positioning center, including: receiving a fifth message, the fifth message being used to request the location information of a terminal device, the fifth message including a second identifier of the terminal device; obtaining an identifier of a first access network device based on the second identifier of the terminal device; and sending a third message to the first access network device based on the identifier of the first access network device, the third message being used to request the location information of the terminal device.

[0085] In the above scheme, the gateway mobile positioning center can determine the identifier of the first access network device to which the terminal device accesses based on the second identifier of the terminal device included in the fifth message, and can send a third message to the first access network device based on the identifier of the first access network device, so that the first access network device can send the first message to the positioning management function device based on the third message, thereby locating the terminal device.

[0086] In some possible implementations, obtaining the identifier of the first access network device based on the second identifier of the terminal device includes: if the identifier of the first access network device is not obtained from the unified data storage device, obtaining the registration area of ​​the terminal device based on the second identifier; initiating paging to at least one access network device within the registration area of ​​the terminal device to obtain the identifier of the first access network device, the at least one access network device including the first access network device.

[0087] In the above solution, the gateway mobile positioning center can attempt to obtain the identifier of the first access network device from the unified data storage device. If the identifier of the first access network device is not obtained from the unified data storage device, the gateway mobile positioning center can initiate paging to at least one access network device within the registration area of ​​the terminal device. If a certain access network device is paged, the identifier of the first access network device can be obtained. In other words, if the gateway mobile positioning center is unsure whether the unified data storage device has stored the identifier of the first access network device, it can attempt to obtain the identifier of the first access network device from the unified data storage device. If the identifier of the first access network device is not obtained from the unified data storage device, the gateway mobile positioning center can obtain the identifier of the first access network device through paging.

[0088] In some possible implementations, obtaining the identifier of the first access network device based on the second identifier of the terminal device includes: sending the second identifier of the terminal device to a unified data storage device; and receiving the identifier of the first access network device corresponding to the second identifier sent by the unified data storage device.

[0089] In the above solution, the gateway mobile positioning center can send the second identifier of the terminal device to the unified data storage device. If the unified data storage device saves the identifier of the first access network device corresponding to the second identifier, the identifier of the first access network device can be sent to the gateway mobile positioning center.

[0090] In some possible implementations, the third message includes a first identifier of the terminal device and / or a second identifier of the terminal device, where the first identifier is a temporary identifier of the terminal device and the second identifier is a permanent identifier of the terminal device.

[0091] In the above scheme, the third message sent by the gateway mobile positioning center to the first access network device identified by the identifier of the first access network device may include the first identifier and / or the second identifier. If the third message includes the first identifier, the first access network device can be informed of the positioning of the terminal device corresponding to the first identifier; if the third message includes the second identifier, the first access network device can obtain the first identifier of the terminal device based on the second identifier, thereby obtaining the positioning of the terminal device corresponding to the first identifier.

[0092] In some possible implementations, the third message includes the first identifier, and the method further includes: sending the second identifier in the fifth message to the unified data storage device; and receiving the first identifier of the terminal device corresponding to the second identifier sent by the unified data storage device.

[0093] In the above scheme, the gateway mobile positioning center can send the second identifier to the unified data storage device, the unified data storage device can save the first identifier corresponding to the second identifier, and the unified data storage device can return the first identifier to the gateway mobile positioning center. In this way, the third message sent by the gateway mobile positioning center to the first access network device can include the first identifier.

[0094] In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication device that implements any of the above-mentioned aspects. The functions may be implemented through hardware or through hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-mentioned functions. For example, a transceiver module or unit, a processing module or unit, an acquisition module or unit, etc.

[0095] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a memory and a processor, the memory being used to store a computer program; the processor being used to enable the communication device to execute any one of the methods described in any of the above aspects when calling the computer program.

[0096] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor coupled to a memory, and the processor executes a computer program stored in the memory to implement any of the methods described in any of the above aspects.

[0097] The chip system may be a single chip or a chip module composed of multiple chips.

[0098] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the method described in any one of the above aspects is implemented.

[0099] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which, when executed on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute any one of the methods described in the above aspects.

[0100] It can be understood that the beneficial effects of the fifth to ninth aspects mentioned above can be found in the relevant descriptions of the first to fourth aspects mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0101] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the system architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0102] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of another system architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0103] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a method for determining location information provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0104] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of another method for determining location information provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0105] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of another method for determining location information provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0106] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of another method for determining location information provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0107] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of another method for determining location information provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0108] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of another method for determining location information provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0109] FIG9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0110] FIG10 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0111] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0112] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: global system for mobile communications (GSM) system, code division multiple access (CDMA) system, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, general packet radio service (GPRS), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, future fifth generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), etc.

[0113] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture used in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG1 , the system 100 includes: user equipment (UE) 101, a radio access network (RAN) 102, a user plane function (UPF) 103, a data network (DN) 104, a core access and mobility management function (AMF) 105, a session management function (SMF) 106, a policy control function (PCF) 107, a unified data management (UDM) 108, a location management function (LMF) 109, an authentication server function (AUSF) 110, a network repository function (NRF) 111, a gateway mobile location center (GMLC) 112, or at least one of a unified data repository (UDR) 113.

[0114] UE 101, also known as terminal equipment, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device, etc.

[0115] UE 101 may be a device that provides voice / data connectivity to a user, such as a handheld device or a vehicle-mounted device with a wireless connection function. At present, some examples of terminal devices include: mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks or future evolved public land mobile communication networks (PLMNs). The present application does not limit this, or the UE 101 may be a communication chip in these terminal devices.

[0116] RAN 102 can be a device that communicates with UE 101. The RAN 102 can also be called an access network device or a wireless access network device. It can be a transmission reception point (TRP), an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, a home base station (for example, home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), a base band unit (BBU), or a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The RAN 102 can be a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a network device in a 5G network, or a network device in a future evolved PLMN network, etc. It can also be an access point (AP) in a WLAN, or a gNB in ​​an NR system. The above-mentioned RAN 102 can also be a city base station, a micro base station, a micro base station, a femto base station, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0117] UPF 103 is primarily responsible for user-plane service processing, such as service routing, forwarding, billing, quality of service (QoS) mapping and execution, uplink identification and routing to the data network, downlink packet buffering and notification triggering of downlink data arrival, and connection to external data networks. UPF 103 may also be referred to as a user-plane network element or user-plane device in 5G, and may be a different name in future communications, which is not limited in this application.

[0118] DN 104 provides data transmission services for UE 101 and may be a public data network (PDN) such as the Internet. That is, data for the service requested by UE 101 originates from DN 104 .

[0119] The AMF 105 is mainly used for mobility management and access management, and can be used to implement other functions of the mobility management entity (MME) in addition to session management, such as lawful interception, access authorization (or authentication), UE 101 registration, mobility management, tracking area update process, reachability detection, session management network element selection, mobile state transition management, etc. The AMF 105 may also be called an access and mobility management function, an access and mobility management device, an access and mobility management network element, an access management device, a mobility management device, etc. In future communication systems, the AMF 105 may also have other names. The name of the network element with the mobility function of managing the UE 101 in the embodiment of the present application is not limited.

[0120] SMF 106 is responsible for selecting or reselecting a UPF and managing session-related services, such as IP address allocation for session establishment and release, session establishment, modification, and release, and quality of service (QoS) control. SMF 106 may also be referred to as a session management function, session management device, session management function device, session management function network element, or session management network element. In future communication systems, SMF 106 may also have other names. The names of network elements with session management functions in the embodiments of this application are not limited.

[0121] PCF 107 is used to implement policy control functions, charging policy control functions, and quality of service (QoS) control. During QoS control by PCF 107, PCF 107 may generate QoS rules. PCF 107 may also be referred to as a policy control function, a policy control device, a policy control function device, a policy control function network element, or a policy control network element. In future communication systems, PCF 107 may also have other names. The name of the network element with policy control functions in the embodiments of the present application is not limited.

[0122] The UDM 108 is responsible for managing the subscription information of the UE 101. The UDM 108 may also be referred to as a data management function, a data management device, a data management function device, a data management function network element, a data management network element, a unified data management function, a unified data management device, a unified data management function device, a unified data management function network element, or a unified data management network element. In future communication systems, the UDM 108 may also have other names. The name of the network element with the data management function in the embodiment of the present application is not limited.

[0123] The LMF 109 is used to locate the UE 101 and can control other network elements to perform measurements on the UE 101. The LMF 109 may also be referred to as a positioning management function, a positioning management device, a positioning management function device, a positioning management function network element, a positioning management network element, a positioning management function, a positioning management device, a positioning management function device, a positioning management function network element, or a positioning management network element. In future communication systems, the LMF 109 may also have other names. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the name of the network element having the positioning management function device.

[0124] The AUSF 110 is used to authenticate the UE. The AUSF 110 may be referred to as an authentication service function, an authentication service device, an authentication service function device, an authentication service function network element, or an authentication service network element. In future communication systems, the AUSF 110 may also have other names. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the name of the network element having the authentication service function.

[0125] NRF 111 supports registration and discovery of network functions. NRF 111 may be referred to as a network storage function, a network storage device, a network storage function device, a network storage function network element, or a network storage network element. In future communication systems, NRF 111 may also have other names. This embodiment of the present application does not limit the name of the network element with network storage.

[0126] GMLC 112 is a gateway for managing positioning. GMLC 112 may be referred to as a gateway mobile positioning center function, a gateway mobile positioning center device, a gateway mobile positioning center device, a gateway mobile positioning center network element, or the like. In future communication systems, GMLC 112 may also have other names. This embodiment of the present application does not limit the name of the network element with network storage.

[0127] UDR 113 is used to store data, for example, for storing the correspondence between the permanent identifier and the temporary identifier of UE 101, or for storing the correspondence between the permanent identifier, the temporary identifier, and the identifier of RAN 102 of UE 101. UDR 113 may also be referred to as a unified data storage function, a unified data storage function device, a unified data storage device, a unified data storage network element, a unified data storage repository, etc. In future communication systems, UDR 113 may also have other names. This embodiment of the present application does not limit the name of the network element with network storage.

[0128] It should be noted that the naming of the various network elements included in Figure 1 (such as UE 101, RAN 102, UPF 103, DN 104, AMF 105, SMF 106, PCF 107, UDM 108, LMF 109, AUSF 110, NRF 111, GMLC 112 and UDR 113, etc.) is only a name, and the name does not limit the function of the network element itself. In 5G networks and other future networks, the above-mentioned network elements may also have other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the above-mentioned network elements may use the terminology in 5G, or may be other names, etc., which are uniformly explained here and will not be repeated below.

[0129] It should be noted that the network elements in Figure 1 do not have to exist simultaneously, and the network elements required can be determined according to needs. The connection relationship between the network elements in Figure 1 is not unique and can be adjusted according to needs.

[0130] It should also be noted that, in FIG1 , network elements other than UE 101 may be referred to as network devices. In other words, network devices may include one or more network elements other than UE 101 in FIG1 . Network devices may include access network devices and core network devices. RAN 102 in FIG1 may be referred to as access network devices, and network elements other than RAN 102, UE 101, and DN 105 in FIG1 may be referred to as core network devices.

[0131] As shown in Figure 1, there is an interface between UE 101 and AMF 105, an interface between RAN 102 and AMF 105, and an interface between AMF 105 and other core network elements. The interaction between other core network elements and UE 101 or RAN 102 needs to rely on forwarding by AMF 105, which makes the deployment of core network elements inflexible. For example, in a positioning scenario, information sent by UE 101 to LMF 109 needs to be forwarded by AMF 105, and information sent by LMF 109 to UE 101 also needs to be forwarded by AMF 105, which makes the deployment of LMF 109 inflexible. In some scenarios, RAN can directly interface with other core network elements. For example, as shown in Figure 2, interfaces can exist between RAN 102 and UPF 103, SMF 106, AMF 105, PCF 107, LMF 109 and selected functional network elements. This can improve flexibility and core network elements do not depend on the deployment of AMF 105.

[0132] The following describes the network elements in Figure 2. The introduction of UE 101, RAN 102, UPF 103, DN 104, AMF 105, SMF 106, PCF 107, UDM 108, and LMF 109 can refer to the description in Figure 1. The selection function network element and the identification storage function network element are introduced here.

[0133] (1) The selection function element is used to select a core network element for UE 101, which can be NRF 111 shown in Figure 1. Core network elements in the network can register with the selection function element, and the selection function element can then select a target core network element for the terminal device from the registered core network elements. The selection function element can obtain the subscription data of the terminal device from UDM 108 and then select a target core network element for UE 101 based on the core network element registration information and subscription data.

[0134] (2) The identification storage function network element is used to store information of UE 101, for example, to store identification information of UE 101. The identification information of UE 101 can be a temporary identification of the UE, or a permanent identification of the UE, or a correspondence between a temporary identification of UE 101 and a permanent identification, or a correspondence between a temporary identification of UE 101, a permanent identification of UE 101 and an identification of RAN 102. Optionally, the identification storage function network element can also be referred to as a storage function entity or a storage device. It can be understood that the identification storage function network element can also be replaced with other possible names, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. Optionally, the function of the identification storage function network element can be implemented by other network elements, for example, by UDM 108 or UDR. That is, the identification storage function network element in Figure 2 can be integrated with UDM 108.

[0135] It should be noted that the naming of the various network elements included in Figures 1 and 2 (such as UE, RAN, UPF, DN, AMF, SMF, PCF and UDM, etc.) is only a name, and the name does not limit the function of the network element itself. In 5G networks and other future networks, the above-mentioned network elements may also have other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the above-mentioned network elements may use the terminology in 5G, or may be other names, etc., which are uniformly explained here and will not be repeated below.

[0136] It should be noted that the network elements in Figures 1 and 2 do not necessarily need to exist at the same time. The required network elements can be determined based on demand, and more or fewer network elements can be included than in Figures 1 and 2. The connection relationship between the network elements in Figures 1 and 2 is not unique and can be adjusted based on demand.

[0137] The network elements in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as entities or functional entities. For example, AMF may also be referred to as an AMF entity or an AMF device, and SMF may also be referred to as an SMF entity or an SMF device. The above-mentioned network elements may be network elements in a hardware device, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform). Optionally, the above-mentioned network elements may be implemented by one device, or by multiple devices together, or may be a functional module within a device, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0138] For the convenience of description in the following embodiments, LMF 109 is used as the positioning management function device, RAN 102 is used as the first access network device, UE 101 is used as the terminal device, UDM 104 is used as the unified data storage device, AMF 105 is used as the access and mobility management device, and GMLC 112 is used as the gateway mobile positioning center.

[0139] In existing communication systems, positioning management function devices can locate terminal devices. In the existing technology, the positioning management function device needs to go through the access and mobility management device to locate the terminal device. For example, the positioning management function device sends a measurement instruction to the terminal device through the access and mobility management device, the terminal device measures the positioning reference signal sent by the access network device, the terminal device sends the measurement result to the access and mobility management function through the access network device, and the access and mobility management device sends the measurement result to the positioning management function device; for another example, the positioning management function device sends a measurement instruction to the access network device through the access and mobility management device, the access network device measures the positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device, and the access network device can send the measurement result to the positioning management function device through the access and mobility management function device. In other words, the positioning management function device relies on the forwarding of the access and mobility management device in the process of locating the terminal device, which makes the deployment of the positioning management function device inflexible. Therefore, in the scenario shown in Figure 2, there is an interface between the access network device and the core network element, so there is an urgent need for a positioning method that can meet the positioning requirements in the scenario shown in Figure 2. As shown in FIG3 , a method 300 for determining location information provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. As shown in FIG3 , the method 300 includes:

[0140] S310: The terminal device sends a third message to the first access network device, and the first access network device receives the third message from the terminal device. The third message is used to request location information of the terminal device.

[0141] That is, the need of the terminal device to determine the location information of the terminal device may trigger the execution of S310.

[0142] Among them, the first access network device can be an access network device accessed by the terminal device.

[0143] Optionally, S310 is an optional step and may not exist. That is, when the first access network device has a positioning requirement for the terminal device or the first access network device receives a request for the terminal device from other network devices, S320 may be executed directly. In other words, the positioning requirement may be initiated by the terminal device or by the first access network device.

[0144] Optionally, the third message includes a second identifier of the terminal device. Optionally, the second identifier may be a permanent identifier of the terminal device or an identifier assigned to the terminal device by the first access network device or a core network element such as an access and mobility management device. For example, the second identifier may be a generic public subscription identity (GPSI) or a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI).

[0145] Optionally, the third message may include second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the third message is used to request location information.

[0146] Optionally, the message type of the third message may also indicate that the third message is used to request location information.

[0147] Optionally, the third message is a positioning request message.

[0148] Optionally, the third message may be a radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0149] S320, the first access network device sends a first message to the positioning management function device, and the positioning management function device receives the first message from the first access network device, where the first message is used to request positioning of the terminal device.

[0150] Optionally, before S320, the method 300 further includes: the first access network device determines the positioning management function device according to the received third message, so that the first message can be sent to the determined positioning management function device in S320.

[0151] Optionally, if the third message may contain second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the third message is used to request location information, the first access network device may determine, based on the second indication information, that the third message is used to request location information. Therefore, the first access network device needs to determine a positioning management function device. Therefore, the first access network device may send a fourth message to the network element selection function device based on the second indication information. The fourth message is used to request discovery of the positioning management function device. The network element selection function device sends a third identifier to the first access network device. The third identifier is used to identify the positioning management function device. Alternatively, the first access network device may determine the positioning management function device based on a locally configured positioning management function device. That is, the first access network device learns that the third message is used to request location information. Therefore, the first access network device needs to determine a network element for positioning. The first access network device sends a fourth message to the network element selection function device to request discovery of the network element for positioning. The network element selection function device selects an appropriate positioning management function device based on the identifier of the first access network device that sent the fourth message, and sends the identifier of the positioning management function device to the first access network device. Optionally, if the third message includes the second identifier, the fourth message may also include the second identifier. After receiving the second identifier, the network element selection function device obtains the registration area of ​​the terminal device based on the second identifier. The network element selection function selects the positioning management function device based on the registration area of ​​the terminal device and sends the identifier of the positioning management function device to the first access network device. Optionally, the network element selection function device may be the network element selection function shown in FIG2, for example, or the NRF 111 shown in FIG1.

[0152] Optionally, if the message type of the third message indicates that the third message is used to request location information or that the third message is a positioning request message, the first access network device can determine that the third message is used to request location information based on the message type or positioning request message name of the third message, and therefore the first access network device needs to determine the positioning management function device. Therefore, the first access network device can send a fourth message to the network element selection function device based on the message type of the third message, and the fourth message is used to request the discovery of the positioning management function device. The network element selection function device sends a third identifier to the first access network device, and the third identifier is used to identify the positioning management function device. Alternatively, the first access network device can determine the positioning management function device based on the locally configured positioning management function device. In other words, the first access network device learns that the third message is used to request location information, and therefore the first access network device needs to determine a network element for positioning. The first access network device sends a fourth message to the network element selection function device to request the discovery of the network element for positioning. The network element selection function device selects an appropriate positioning management function device based on the identifier of the first access network device that sent the fourth message, and sends the identifier of the positioning management function device to the first access network device. Optionally, if the third message includes the second identifier, the fourth message may also include the second identifier. After receiving the second identifier, the network element selection function device obtains the registration area of ​​the terminal device based on the second identifier. The network element selection function selects the positioning management function device based on the registration area of ​​the terminal device and sends the identifier of the positioning management function device to the first access network device. Optionally, the network element selection function device may be the network element selection function shown in FIG2, for example, or the NRF 111 shown in FIG1.

[0153] Optionally, the first access network device can obtain the first identifier of the terminal device. Optionally, the first message can include the first identifier of the terminal device, and the first identifier is used to identify the terminal device. The first identifier can be a temporary identifier assigned to the terminal device by the first access network device or the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device. That is, after the first access network device obtains the first identifier of the terminal device, the first message sent to the positioning management function device can carry the first identifier. Optionally, the first access network device obtains or receives the first identifier of the terminal device from the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device. Optionally, if the third message includes the second identifier of the terminal device, the first access network device can determine the first identifier based on the second identifier. For example, the first access network device stores the correspondence between the second identifier and the first identifier of the terminal device. For another example, the first access network device can assign the first identifier to the terminal device based on the second identifier, the second identifier is a permanent identifier, and the first identifier is a temporary identifier. Optionally, if the third message includes the second identifier of the terminal device, the first access network device may send the second identifier to the unified data storage device, and the unified data storage device stores the correspondence between the second identifier and the first identifier of the terminal device. The unified data storage device may send the first identifier to the first access network device, wherein the second identifier is a permanent identifier and the first identifier is a temporary identifier. In other words, in order to improve the security of the terminal device and avoid always using the permanent identifier of the terminal device for communication, the first access network device may obtain the temporary identifier of the terminal device based on the permanent identifier of the terminal device. In this way, the temporary identifier may be used for communication, thereby improving security and avoiding the problem of leakage of the permanent identifier of the terminal device.

[0154] Optionally, if the third message includes the second identifier, the first message sent by the first access network device to the positioning management function device may also include the second identifier.

[0155] Optionally, the first message is also used to indicate the positioning type for locating the terminal device, or the first message may further include positioning type indication information. If the first message indicates or the positioning type indication information indicates that the positioning type for locating the terminal device is the last position, the positioning management function device may first request the unified data storage device to obtain the location information of the terminal device or send the first identifier of the terminal device. If the unified data storage device has saved the location information of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device may be sent to the positioning management function device. At this time, method 300 ends and S330-S350 may not be executed. Optionally, if the unified data storage device does not save the location information of the terminal device, that is, the positioning management function device does not obtain the location information of the terminal device from the unified data storage device, then S330-S350 may continue to be executed.

[0156] S330, the positioning management function device sends a second message to the first access network device according to the first message, and the first access network device receives the second message from the positioning management function device, where the second message is used to instruct positioning of the terminal device.

[0157] Among them, the second message may include information such as the positioning method, positioning accuracy, and positioning period of the terminal device.

[0158] Optionally, S330 includes: the positioning management function device sending a second message and a positioning event identifier to the first access network device based on the first message, where the positioning event identifier is used to identify a positioning event in which the terminal device performs positioning, and the first access network device receiving the second message and the positioning event identifier sent by the positioning management function device. Optionally, the positioning management function device may perform positioning on the terminal device once or multiple times, and may send different positioning event identifiers for different positioning events. Thus, after receiving the positioning measurement data and the positioning event identifier from the first access network device, the positioning management function device may determine, based on the positioning event identifier, that the positioning measurement data is the positioning measurement data corresponding to the positioning event identifier.

[0159] Optionally, S330 includes: the location management function device sending a second message and an identifier of the location management function device to the first access network device based on the first message, and the first access network device receiving the second message and the identifier of the location management function device from the location management function device. Optionally, the second message and the identifier of the location management function device are encapsulated in a container. That is, after receiving the second message and the identifier of the location management function device, the first access network device also directly forwards them to the terminal device without parsing.

[0160] Optionally, the positioning management function device can obtain the first identifier of the terminal device. In S330, the positioning management function device can include the first identifier of the terminal device in the second message sent to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can determine to locate the terminal device identified by the first identifier. For example, if the first message includes the first identifier of the first terminal device, the first identifier of the first terminal device can be obtained in the first message. Optionally, if the first message includes the second identifier of the first terminal device, the positioning management function device can obtain the first identifier based on the second identifier. For example, the positioning management function device sends the second identifier to the unified data storage device, and the unified data storage device stores the correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier. The unified data storage device can send the first identifier corresponding to the second identifier to the positioning management function device.

[0161] Optionally, if the first message includes the second identifier of the first terminal device, in S330, the second message that the positioning management function device can send to the first access network device can also include the second identifier of the terminal device. In other words, the second identifier is a permanent identifier of the terminal device, and the second message that the positioning management function device can send to the first access network device includes the permanent identifier of the terminal device, so that the first access network device can determine to locate the terminal device identified by the second identifier. In other words, the first access network device can receive the first identifier and / or the second identifier from the positioning management function device so that the first access network device can determine to locate the terminal device identified by the first identifier and / or the second identifier.

[0162] S340: The first access network device sends positioning measurement data to the positioning management function device, and the positioning management function device receives the positioning measurement data from the first access network device.

[0163] Optionally, if the second message sent by the positioning management function device to the first access network device includes a first identifier, S340 includes: the first access network device sends positioning measurement data and a first identifier to the positioning management function device, and the positioning management function device receives the positioning measurement data and the first identifier from the first access network device, wherein the first identifier corresponds to the positioning measurement data, that is, the positioning measurement data is the positioning measurement data of the terminal device identified by the first identifier, thereby avoiding the positioning management function device being unable to identify which terminal device the positioning measurement data belongs to.

[0164] Optionally, if the positioning management function device sends the positioning event identifier and the second message to the first access network device in S330, then S340 includes: the first access network device sends positioning measurement data and the positioning event identifier to the positioning management function device, and the positioning management function device receives the positioning measurement data and the positioning event identifier from the first access network device. In this way, the positioning management function device can determine, based on the positioning event identifier, that the positioning measurement data is data corresponding to the positioning event identified by the positioning event identifier. Optionally, the positioning measurement data is measured by the first access network device, that is, the terminal device can send a positioning reference signal, and the first access network device can measure the positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device and obtain the positioning measurement data. Optionally, if the second message sent by the positioning management function device to the first access network device includes the first identifier, S340 includes: the first access network device sends positioning measurement data, a positioning event identifier and a first identifier to the positioning management function device, and the positioning management function device receives positioning measurement data, a positioning event identifier and a first identifier from the first access network device, wherein the first identifier corresponds to the positioning measurement data and the positioning event identifier, and the positioning management function device can determine, based on the first identifier and the positioning event identifier, that the positioning measurement data is positioning measurement data corresponding to a positioning event identified by the positioning event identifier of the terminal device identified by the first identifier.

[0165] Optionally, if the positioning management function device in S330 sends a second message and an identifier of the positioning management function device to the first access network device based on the first message, then S340 includes: the first access network device sends a second message to the positioning management function device based on the identifier of the positioning management function device, that is, the first access network device determines to send the second message to the positioning management function device corresponding to the identifier based on the identifier of the positioning management function device, so as to avoid the first access network device not knowing to which device to send the second message. Optionally, the positioning measurement data can be obtained by measurement by the terminal device, that is, the first access network device can send a positioning reference signal, the terminal device can measure the positioning reference signal to obtain positioning measurement data, and the terminal device sends the positioning measurement data and the identifier of the positioning management function device to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can know to send the positioning measurement data to the positioning management function device corresponding to the identifier. Optionally, if the second message sent by the positioning management function device to the first access network device includes a first identifier, S340 includes: the first access network device sends positioning measurement data and the first identifier to the positioning management function device according to the identifier of the positioning management function device, and the positioning management function device receives the positioning measurement data and the first identifier from the first access network device, wherein the first identifier corresponds to the positioning measurement data, and the positioning management function device can determine, based on the first identifier, that the positioning measurement data is the positioning measurement data corresponding to the terminal device identified by the first identifier.

[0166] Optionally, if the second message sent by the positioning management function device to the first access network device includes the first identifier, method 300 further includes: the positioning management function device may obtain the positioning capability of the terminal device from the unified data storage device based on the first identifier, the positioning management function device may determine the positioning method based on the positioning capability of the terminal device, and the positioning measurement data in S340 may correspond to the positioning method. Optionally, the second message sent by the positioning management function device to the first access network device may include indication information indicating the positioning method. If the positioning measurement data is measured by the first access network device, the first access network device may obtain the positioning measurement data based on the indication information indicating the positioning method. If the positioning measurement data is measured by the terminal device, the first access network device may send indication information indicating the positioning method to the terminal device, and the terminal device may obtain the positioning measurement data based on the indication information indicating the positioning method. Optionally, the positioning management function device may not send the indication information indicating the positioning method to the first access network device. The positioning management function device may configure the positioning parameters to the first access network device based on the positioning method. If the positioning measurement data is measured by the first access network device, the first access network device can obtain the positioning measurement data corresponding to the positioning parameters based on the positioning parameters, so that the positioning management function device can receive the positioning measurement data corresponding to the positioning parameters; if the positioning measurement data is measured by the terminal device, the first access network device can send the positioning parameters to the terminal device, the terminal device obtains the positioning measurement data corresponding to the positioning parameters based on the positioning parameters, and sends the positioning measurement data corresponding to the positioning parameters to the positioning management function device through the first access network device, and the positioning management function device can receive the positioning measurement data corresponding to the positioning parameters.

[0167] Optionally, for a periodic positioning service, the terminal device needs to be periodically positioned, and the first access network device needs to periodically report positioning measurement data. Therefore, the positioning management function device may send first indication information to the first access network device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to maintain an RRC connected state. The first access network device maintains the terminal device in the RRC connected state based on the first indication information, thereby avoiding power consumption issues caused by the terminal device constantly establishing an RRC connection with an access network device.

[0168] S350: The positioning management function device determines the location information of the terminal device according to the positioning measurement data.

[0169] S360: The positioning management function device sends the location information of the terminal device to the first access network device, and the first access network device receives the location information of the terminal device from the positioning management function device.

[0170] Optionally, if S310 exists, the method 300 further includes S370:

[0171] S370, the first access network device sends the location information of the terminal device to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the location information of the terminal device from the first access network device.

[0172] That is to say, if the terminal device requests location information, the first access network device can send the location information of the terminal device to the terminal device.

[0173] Optionally, the positioning management function device sends the location information of the terminal device and the first identifier of the terminal device to the first access network device, and then the first access network device sends the location information to the terminal device corresponding to the first identifier.

[0174] Optionally, S370 includes: the first access network device sends a response message to the third message to the terminal device, and the terminal device can receive a response message to the third message from the first access network device. The response message to the third message may include location information of the terminal device.

[0175] In the above method 300, after the first access network device receives the third message, it can determine the positioning management function device based on the third message and send a first message to the positioning management function device. The first message is used to request the location information of the terminal device. The positioning management function device can send a second message to the first access network device based on the first message. The second message is used to indicate the positioning of the terminal device. The first access network device can return the positioning measurement data of the terminal device to the positioning management function device. The positioning management function device can determine the location information of the terminal device based on the positioning measurement data and return it to the terminal device through the first access network device, avoiding the need for the access and mobility management device to forward the information of the positioning management device, and can improve the flexibility of deployment.

[0176] The method 300 is described below with reference to the method 400. In the method 400, the terminal device is a UE, the first access network device is a RAN, and the positioning management function device is an LMF. As shown in FIG4 , the method 400 includes:

[0177] S401, the UE sends a UL NAS message to the RAN, and the RAN receives the UL NAS message from the UE. The UL NAS message is used to request the location information of the UE. The UL NAS message includes second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that the UL NAS message is used to request the location information of the terminal device or request positioning of the terminal device.

[0178] Alternatively, the UL NAS message may not include the second indication information, and the message type of the UL NAS message may indicate that the UL NAS message is used to request location information of the terminal device, or the UL NAS message is replaced by a location request message.

[0179] For example, the third message in method 300 may be a UL NAS message.

[0180] Optionally, the UL NAS message may include a mobile originated location request (MO-LR) message. The MO-LR message may request different location service types. For example, type A indicates that the UE requests the UE's location information, and type B indicates that the UE's location information needs to be sent to the UE, and may also be sent to a location services (LCS) client or an application function (AF).

[0181] The UE currently accesses the RAN.

[0182] Optionally, the UL NAS message may include the GPSI or SUPI of the UE, where the GPSI or SUPI is used to identify the UE, and the GPSI or SUPI may be a permanent identifier of the UE.

[0183] S402: The RAN sends a fourth message to the NRF, and the NRF receives the fourth message from the RAN. The fourth message is used to request discovery of a location management function device.

[0184] Optionally, the network element selection function device in method 300 may be an NRF.

[0185] Optionally, the RAN may determine, based on the second indication information or the message type of the UL NAS message, that the UL NAS message is used to request location information, and thus may execute S402. If the UL NAS message includes the GPSI or SUPI of the UE, the fourth message may also include the GPSI or SUPI of the UE.

[0186] S403: The NRF sends the LMF identifier to the RAN, and the RAN receives the LMF identifier.

[0187] The identifier of the LMF may be an Internet Protocol (IP) address or fully qualified domain name (FQDN) information of the LMF.

[0188] Optionally, if the fourth message includes the SUPI or GPSI of the UE, before S403, the NRF can obtain the identifier of the RAN to which the UE accesses based on the SUPI or GPSI of the UE, and the NRF can determine the identifier of the LMF based on the identifier of the RAN. For example, the NRF can determine the area covered by the RAN based on the identifier of the RAN, and determine the identifier of the LMF that is closer to the area covered by the RAN.

[0189] Optionally, if the fourth message includes the SUPI or GPSI of the UE, before S403, the NRF may obtain the registration area of ​​the UE according to the SUPI or GPS of the UE, and determine the identifier of the LMF according to the registration area of ​​the UE.

[0190] S402 and S403 are the processes for the RAN to discover the LMF. In some scenarios, if the RAN already knows the LMF, S402 and S403 may not be performed. For example, the LMF has previously located the UE. Therefore, in the current positioning process, the previously located LMF can be used as the currently located LMF, so the RAN does not need to discover the LMF again.

[0191] Optionally, if the RAN can select the LMF according to the locally configured LMF information, S402 to S403 are not performed.

[0192] S404: RAN obtains the temporary identity of the UE.

[0193] Optionally, the temporary identifier of the UE is used to identify the UE between the RAN and core network elements.

[0194] Optionally, the RAN may allocate a temporary ID (temp ID) to the UE. That is, if the fourth message includes the UE's SUPI or GPSI, the temporary ID allocated by the RAN to the UE corresponds to the UE's SUPI or GPSI. The RAN may store the correspondence between the UE's temporary ID and the UE's permanent ID (SUPI or GPSI) in the UDR.

[0195] Alternatively, a temporary identifier may be allocated to the UE by another device, and the temporary identifier of the UE may be sent to the RAN. For example, the temporary identifier may be allocated to the UE by the AMF. The AMF may send the temporary identifier allocated to the UE to the RAN, so that the RAN can obtain the temporary identifier of the UE and store the temporary identifier of the UE. Alternatively, the AMF may store the correspondence between the temporary identifier of the UE and the permanent identifier of the UE in the UDR.

[0196] For example, the first identifier in the method 300 may be a temporary identifier of the UE. The second identifier in the method 300 may be a permanent identifier of the UE, for example, the second identifier is SUPI or GPSI.

[0197] It is understandable that S404 is an optional step, that is, the RAN may not obtain the temporary identifier of the UE, and may use the permanent identifier of the UE during the communication between the RAN and the core network element.

[0198] Optionally, there is no restriction on the order of S403 and S402 , and S404 can be performed before, after, or simultaneously with S402 .

[0199] S405, RAN sends a first message to the LMF corresponding to the LMF identifier in S403, and the LMF receives the first message from RAN. The first message is used to request location information of the terminal device.

[0200] Optionally, if S404 exists, the first message may include a temporary identifier of the UE.

[0201] Optionally, if the UL NAS message in S401 includes an MO-LR message, the first message in S405 may also include an MO-LR message.

[0202] Optionally, if S404 does not exist, the first message may also include the permanent identifier of the UE (SUPI or GPSI).

[0203] S406, the LMF sends a second message to the RAN, and the RAN receives the second message from the LMF, where the second message is used to instruct the UE to be positioned.

[0204] Optionally, if the first message includes the temporary identifier of the UE, the second message in S406 may also include the temporary identifier of the UE, indicating that the UE identified by the temporary identifier of the UE is positioned.

[0205] Optionally, S406 includes: the LMF may send a second message and a positioning event identifier to the RAN, and the RAN receives the second message and the positioning event identifier from the LMF, where the positioning event identifier is used to identify a positioning event for a UE positioning operation. For example, the positioning event identifier may be an LCS correlation identifier.

[0206] Optionally, S406 includes: the LMF may send a second message and an LMF identifier to the RAN, and the RAN receives the second message and the LMF identifier from the LMF. Optionally, the second message and the LMF identifier may be containerized. The LMF identifier is used to identify the LMF. For example, the LMF identifier may be a routing identifier.

[0207] Optionally, the second message may be an N1 message transfer. Optionally, the second message may include a downlink positioning message and a temporary identifier of the UE. The DL positioning message is used to indicate positioning of the identified UE using the temporary identifier of the UE.

[0208] Optionally, the second message may include a network positioning message, or include a networking positioning message and a temporary identifier of the UE, and the network positioning message may instruct to locate the UE identified by the temporary identifier of the UE.

[0209] S407a: The RAN obtains positioning measurement data according to the second message.

[0210] Optionally, if S406 includes: the LMF may send a second message and a positioning event identifier to the RAN, and the RAN receives the second message and the positioning event identifier from the LMF, then the positioning measurement data in S407a is identified as the positioning measurement data corresponding to the positioning event identifier.

[0211] Optionally, in S407a, the UE may send a positioning reference signal, and the RAN measures the positioning reference signal sent by the RAN according to the second message to obtain positioning measurement data, also known as uplink measurement.

[0212] If S407a exists, S408a may exist.

[0213] S408a: RAN sends positioning measurement data to LMF, and LMF receives the positioning measurement data from RAN. S411 may be executed after S408a.

[0214] Optionally, if in S406, the LMF can send a second message and a positioning event identifier to the RAN, and the RAN receives the second message and the positioning event identifier from the LMF, then S408a includes: the RAN sends the positioning event identifier and positioning measurement data to the LMF, and the positioning measurement data corresponds to the positioning event identifier.

[0215] S407b: The RAN sends a second message to the UE, and the UE receives the second message.

[0216] Optionally, if the LMF sends the second message and the LMF identifier to the RAN in S406, then in S407b, the RAN sends the second message and the LMF identifier to the UE.

[0217] Optionally, if the second message includes a downlink positioning message and a temporary identifier of the UE, the second message in S407b may also include the downlink positioning message and the temporary identifier of the UE. The downlink positioning message is used to indicate that the identified UE is positioned using the temporary identifier of the UE. The downlink positioning message is used to indicate that the identified UE is positioned using the temporary identifier of the UE. Optionally, the RAN may send a radio resource control (RRC) message to the UE, and the RRC message may include the second message.

[0218] If S407b exists, S408b may exist.

[0219] S408b: The UE obtains positioning measurement data through measurement according to the second message.

[0220] Optionally, in S408b, the RAN may send a positioning reference signal, and the UE measures the positioning reference signal sent by the RAN according to the second message to obtain positioning measurement data, which may also be called downlink measurement.

[0221] If S408b exists, S409b may also exist.

[0222] S409b: The UE sends positioning measurement data to the RAN, and the RAN receives the positioning measurement data from the UE.

[0223] Optionally, in S407b, the RAN sends the second message and the LMF identifier to the UE, then in S409b, the UE sends the positioning measurement data and the LMF identifier to the RAN, and the RAN receives the LMF identifier and the positioning measurement data from the UE.

[0224] Optionally, if the second message in S407b includes the temporary identifier of the UE, S409b includes: the UE sends the positioning measurement data and the temporary identifier of the UE to the RAN, indicating that the positioning measurement data is the positioning measurement data of the UE identified by the temporary identifier of the UE.

[0225] Optionally, S409b includes: the UE may send an RRC message to the RAN, and the RRC message may include the positioning measurement data. Or if the second message in S407b includes the temporary identifier of the UE, then in S409b the UE may send an RRC message to the RAN, and the RRC message includes the positioning measurement data and the identifier of the LMF. Or if in S407b, the RAN sends the second message and the identifier of the LMF to the UE, then in S409b the UE sends an RRC message to the RAN, and the RRC message includes the positioning measurement data and the identifier of the LMF. Or if in S407b, the second message includes the temporary identifier of the UE, and the RAN sends the second message and the identifier of the LMF to the UE, then in S409b the UE sends an RRC message to the RAN, and the RRC message includes the positioning measurement data, the identifier of the LMF, and the temporary identifier of the UE.

[0226] Optionally, the UE may send an uplink positioning message to the RAN, where the uplink positioning message may include positioning measurement data. Optionally, the RRC message sent by the UE to the RAN may include an uplink positioning message. The uplink positioning message corresponds to the downlink positioning message.

[0227] S410b may also exist when S409b exists.

[0228] S410b: RAN sends positioning measurement data to LMF, and LMF receives positioning measurement data from RAN. S411 may be executed after S409b.

[0229] Optionally, if in S409b, the RAN sends the positioning measurement data and the LMF identifier to the UE, then S410b includes: the RAN sends the positioning measurement data to the LMF with the LMF identifier.

[0230] Optionally, S407a and S408a may exist, while S407b, S408b, S409b, and S410b may not exist. Optionally, S407a and S408a may not exist, while S407b, S408b, S409b, and S410b may exist. Optionally, S407a and S408a may exist, while S407b, S408b, S409b, and S410b may also exist. That is, S406, S407a, and S408a may form a branch, where the RAN measures and obtains positioning measurement data, and S406, S407b, S408b, S409b, and S410 may form a branch, where the UE measures and obtains positioning measurement data. One or both of these branches may exist, and this embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0231] S411, LMF determines the location information of the UE according to the positioning measurement data.

[0232] Optionally, if S408a is present, and in S408a, the RAN sends the positioning event identifier and positioning measurement data to the LMF, and the positioning measurement data corresponds to the positioning event identifier. Then, in S411, the LMF can determine, based on the positioning event identifier, that the positioning measurement data is positioning measurement data corresponding to the positioning event identified by the positioning event identifier. Therefore, the LMF can determine the UE's location information for the positioning event.

[0233] Optionally, when S407a and S408a exist, and S407b, S408b, S409b, and S410b do not exist, the positioning measurement data used by the LMF to determine the UE's location information in S411 may be the data sent by the RAN in S408a. When S407a and S408a do not exist, and S407b, S408b, S409b, and S410b exist, the positioning measurement data used by the LMF to determine the UE's location information in S411 may be the data sent by S410b. Optionally, when S407a and S408a exist, and S407b, S408b, S409b and S410b also exist, the positioning measurement data used by the LMF in S411 to determine the UE's location information may be sent by S407b and sent by S410b. For example, the positioning measurement data in S407b may be the first positioning measurement data, and the positioning measurement data in S410b may be the second positioning measurement data. In S411, the LMF may determine the UE's location information based on the first positioning measurement data and the second positioning measurement data.

[0234] S412, LMF sends the UE location information to RAN, and RAN receives the UE location information from LMF.

[0235] Optionally, the LMF may send the UE's location information and the UE's temporary identifier to the RAN, so that the RAN may learn that the UE's location information is the UE's location information identified by the UE's temporary identifier.

[0236] S413 , the RAN sends the UE's location information to the UE, and the UE receives the UE's location information from the RAN.

[0237] Optionally, S413 includes: the RAN sending an RRC message to the UE, the UE receiving the RRC message from the RAN, the RRC message including the UE's location information. Optionally, if the LMF sent the UE's location information and the UE's temporary identifier to the RAN in S412, then in S413 the RAN sends an RRC message to the UE based on the UE's temporary identifier, the UE receiving the RRC message from the RAN, the RRC message including the UE's location information.

[0238] Optionally, if the first message in S405 includes an MO-LR message and the MO-LR message requests type A, S412 and S413 may be executed; if the MO-LR message requests type B, then after S411, method 400 further includes: the LMF sending the UE's location information to the LCS client or AF via the GMLC. Optionally, the LMF sending the UE's location information to the LCS client or AF via the GMLC includes: the LMF selecting a GMLC and obtaining an identifier of the AF. For example, the LMF may obtain the identifier of the AF from the UDM. The LMF sends the UE's location information and the AF's identifier to the selected GMLC. Alternatively, when the LMF obtains the UE's temporary identifier in the first message, the LMF may send the UE's temporary identifier to the UDR. The UDR sends the UE's permanent identifier corresponding to the temporary identifier. The LMF may send the UE's permanent identifier, the UE's location information, and the AF's identifier to the GMLC. The GMLC sends the UE's location information and the UE's permanent identifier (SUPI or GPSI) to the AF based on the AF's identifier. In this way, the AF may know that the UE's location information is the UE's location information identified by the SUPI or GPSI. Or LMF can send the UE's location information, the UE's temporary identifier and the AF's identifier to GMLC, GMLC can send the UE's temporary identifier to UDR, UDR discovers the UE's permanent identifier corresponding to the UE's temporary identifier from GMLC, and GMLC sends the UE's location information and the UE's permanent identifier to AF based on the AF's identifier.

[0239] The positioning initiated by the terminal device in method 300 and the positioning initiated by the UE in method 400 are also referred to as MO-LR procedures under the RAN service-based interface. In some cases, the application function (AF) can also initiate positioning. The following describes positioning initiated by the application function in conjunction with methods 500 and 600.

[0240] S510, the application function sends a fifth message to the gateway mobile positioning center, and the gateway mobile positioning center receives the fifth message from the application function. The fifth message is used to request location information of the terminal device.

[0241] That is, the application function may trigger the execution of S510 if it needs to determine the location information of the terminal device.

[0242] Optionally, S510 is an optional step and may not exist. S510 may be triggered to be executed by other network elements.

[0243] Optionally, the fifth message includes a second identifier of the terminal device. Optionally, the second identifier may be a permanent identifier of the terminal device. For example, the second identifier may be a GPSI or a SUPI.

[0244] Optionally, the message type of the fifth message may also indicate that the fifth message is used to request location information.

[0245] S520: The gateway mobile positioning center determines a positioning management function device according to the information of the terminal device.

[0246] Optionally, S510 may trigger execution of S520, that is, the gateway mobile positioning center determines that it needs to request the location information of the terminal device according to the fifth message. Therefore, the gateway mobile positioning center may obtain the information of the terminal device and execute S520.

[0247] Optionally, the terminal device information may indicate a registration area of ​​the terminal device. That is, the gateway mobile positioning center determines the location management function device based on the registration area of ​​the terminal device. Specifically, the gateway mobile positioning center determines the location management function device serving the registration area based on the registration area of ​​the terminal device.

[0248] Optionally, the terminal device information may indicate the identifier of the first access network device to which the terminal device is connected. In other words, the gateway mobile positioning center determines the location management function device based on the identifier of the first access network device to which the terminal device is connected. Specifically, the gateway mobile positioning center determines the location of the first access network device based on the identifier of the first access network device, and determines the location management function device serving the location of the first access network device.

[0249] Optionally, the terminal device information may indicate the terminal device's registration area and an identifier of the first access network device to which the terminal device is connected. In other words, the gateway mobile positioning center determines the location management function device based on the identifier of the first access network device to which the terminal device is connected and the terminal device's registration area. Specifically, the gateway mobile positioning center determines the location of the first access network device based on the identifier of the first access network device, and determines the location management function device that serves the registration area and the location of the first access network device.

[0250] Optionally, if the fifth message includes a second identifier, wherein the second identifier may be a permanent identifier of the terminal device. Before S520, the method further includes: the gateway mobile positioning center sends the second identifier of the terminal device to the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device, and the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device sends the information of the terminal device to the gateway mobile positioning center based on the second identifier of the terminal device, and the information of the terminal device may indicate the registration area of ​​the terminal device and / or the identifier of the first access network device to which the terminal device accesses. In other words, the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device may save the information of the terminal device, and the gateway mobile positioning center may send the information of the terminal device to the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device based on the second identifier.

[0251] Optionally, if the terminal device's information indicates the terminal device's registration area, the gateway mobile center can also obtain the identifier of the first access network device to which the terminal device is connected. The gateway mobile positioning center can send a second identifier to the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device. The unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device can store a correspondence between the identifier of the first access network device corresponding to the second identifier. The unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device can send the identifier of the first access network device to which the terminal device is connected to the gateway mobile center, where the second identifier can be a permanent identifier of the terminal device. In other words, the identifier of the first access network device can not only identify the positioning management function device, but also send the identifier of the first access network device to the positioning management function device. Therefore, even if the gateway mobile positioning center determines the positioning management function device based on the terminal device's registration area, the gateway mobile positioning center can continue to obtain the identifier of the first access network device. Conversely, if the gateway mobile positioning center determines the positioning management function device based on the identifier of the first access network device, it is not necessary to obtain the terminal device's registration area from the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device.

[0252] Optionally, method 500 also includes: the gateway mobile positioning center can obtain the first identifier of the terminal device. Optionally, if the fifth message includes the second identifier of the terminal device, the gateway mobile positioning center can send the second identifier to the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device, the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device stores the correspondence between the second identifier and the first identifier of the terminal device, and the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device can send the first identifier to the gateway mobile positioning center, wherein the second identifier is a permanent identifier and the first identifier is a temporary identifier. That is to say, in order to improve the security of the terminal device and avoid always using the permanent identifier of the terminal device for communication, the gateway mobile positioning center can obtain the temporary identifier of the terminal device based on the permanent identifier of the terminal device, so that the temporary identifier can be used for communication, which can improve security and avoid the problem of leakage of the permanent identifier of the terminal device.

[0253] Optionally, if the fifth message includes the second identifier of the terminal device, and the gateway mobile positioning center needs to obtain the first identifier of the terminal device and the identifier of the first access network device to which the terminal device is connected, the gateway mobile positioning center may send the second identifier to the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device, the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device may store the first identifier and the identifier of the first access network device corresponding to the second identifier, and the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device may send the first identifier and the identifier of the first access network device to the gateway mobile positioning center. In other words, the gateway mobile positioning center may send the second identifier once, and the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device may return the first identifier and the identifier of the first access network device corresponding to the second identifier to the gateway mobile positioning center. Optionally, the first access network device or the access and mobility management function device may assign a first identifier to the terminal device, the first identifier being used to identify the terminal device between the first access network device and the core network device, and the first access network device or the access and mobility management function device may store the correspondence between the second identifier, the first identifier, and the identifier of the first access network device in the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device. Optionally, if the gateway mobile positioning center also needs to obtain the registration area information of the terminal device, the gateway mobile positioning center can send a second identifier to the unified data storage device, the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device can store the first identifier corresponding to the second identifier, the identifier of the registration area and the identifier of the first access network device, and the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device sends the first identifier, the identifier of the first access network device and information indicating the registration area to the gateway mobile positioning center.

[0254] S530: The gateway mobile positioning center sends a first message to the positioning management function device. The positioning management function device receives the first message from the gateway mobile positioning center. The first message is used to request positioning of the terminal device.

[0255] Optionally, if the gateway mobile positioning center obtains the identifier of the first access network device in S520, the first message in S530 may also include the identifier of the first access network device. Optionally, if the gateway mobile positioning center does not obtain the identifier of the first access network device, the first message in S530 may not include the identifier of the first access network device. Optionally, the first message may include the second identifier of the first terminal device.

[0256] Optionally, if the gateway mobile positioning center obtains the first identifier of the terminal device in S520, the first message in S530 may include the first identifier of the terminal device. Optionally, the first message may also include the second identifier of the first terminal device.

[0257] Optionally, if the gateway mobile positioning center obtains the identifier of the first access network device and the first identifier of the terminal device in S520, the first message in S530 may include the identifier of the first access network device and the first identifier of the terminal device. Optionally, the first message in S530 may also include the second identifier of the first terminal device.

[0258] S540: The positioning management function device obtains an identifier of the first access network device.

[0259] The following describes three ways in which the positioning management function device obtains the identifier of the first access network device.

[0260] Method 1: If the first message in S530 includes the identifier of the first access network device, the positioning management function device may obtain the identifier of the first access network device from the first message.

[0261] Method 2: If the first message includes the first identifier or the second identifier of the terminal device, the positioning management function device sends the first identifier or the second identifier of the terminal device to the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device. The unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device can save the identifier of the first access network device accessing the terminal device. The unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device obtains the identifier of the first access network device based on the first identifier or the second identifier. The unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device can send the identifier of the first access network device to the positioning management function device. The first identifier can be a temporary identifier of the terminal device, and the second identifier can be a permanent identifier of the terminal device.

[0262] Optionally, in mode 2, the first message in S530 does not include the identifier of the first access network device. Alternatively, if the first message in S530 does not include the identifier of the first access network device, the positioning management function device obtains the identifier of the first access network device using mode 2.

[0263] Method three, the positioning management function device can send the second identifier of the terminal device to the unified data storage device. If the unified data storage device saves the identifier of the first access network device corresponding to the second identifier, the identifier of the first access network device is sent to the positioning management device. This is method two. If the unified data storage device does not save the identifier of the first access network device corresponding to the second identifier, the positioning management device cannot obtain the identifier of the first access network device from the unified data storage device based on the second identifier. Therefore, the positioning management function device can initiate paging to at least one access network device within the registration area of ​​the terminal device to obtain the identifier of the first access network device. The at least one access network device includes the first access network device. Optionally, the positioning management function device can send the first identifier or the second identifier to the access and mobility management device or the unified data storage device. The unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device can send registration area information to the positioning management device based on the first identifier or the second identifier. The registration area information is used to indicate the registration area of ​​the terminal device. Among them, the second identifier can be a permanent identifier of the terminal device.

[0264] Optionally, in mode three, the first message in S530 does not include an identifier of the first access network device.

[0265] Optionally, the method 500 further includes: the positioning management function device may obtain the first identifier of the first terminal device. Two ways in which the positioning management function device obtains the first identifier of the first terminal device are described below.

[0266] Method 1: The first message in S530 may include the first identifier of the terminal device, and the positioning management function device can obtain the first identifier of the terminal device from the first message from the gateway mobile positioning center. That is, the gateway mobile positioning center can obtain the first identifier and carry the first identifier in the first message and send it to the positioning management function device.

[0267] In the second method, the first message in S530 may include the second identifier of the terminal device. The location management function device may send the second identifier to the unified data storage device. The unified data storage device may send the first identifier corresponding to the second identifier to the location management function device based on the second identifier. The second identifier is the permanent identifier of the terminal device, and the first identifier is the temporary identifier of the terminal device. In other words, in this case, the first message in S530 may not include the first identifier of the terminal device.

[0268] Method three, the first message in S530 may include the second identifier of the terminal device and the identifier of the first access network device. The positioning management function device may send the second identifier to the first access network device identified by the first access network device. The first access network device may assign the first identifier to the terminal device based on the second identifier, and send the first identifier of the terminal device to the positioning management function device.

[0269] Optionally, if the first message received by the positioning management function device from the gateway mobile positioning center includes the second identifier of the terminal device, the positioning management function device needs to obtain the first identifier of the terminal device and the identifier of the first access network device to which the terminal device is connected from the unified data storage device, then the positioning management function device can send the second identifier to the unified data storage device, the unified data storage device can save the first identifier and the identifier of the first access network device corresponding to the second identifier, and send the first identifier and the identifier of the first access network device to the positioning management function device, that is, the positioning management function device can send the second identifier to the unified data storage device once, and the unified data storage device can return the first identifier and the identifier of the first access network device at the same time.

[0270] It is understandable that the above description describes that the positioning management function device can obtain the first identifier and the identifier of the first access network device from the unified data storage device based on the second identifier. In some cases, the positioning management function device can obtain the first identifier from the unified data storage device based on the second identifier, and the positioning management function device can obtain the identifier of the first access network device from the unified data management device based on the second identifier; or the positioning management function device can obtain the first identifier from the unified data management device based on the second identifier, and the positioning management function device can obtain the identifier of the first access network device from the unified data storage device based on the second identifier. In other words, the positioning management function device can obtain the first identifier and the identifier of the first access network device from one device, or it can obtain the first identifier and the identifier of the first access network device from two different devices respectively.

[0271] S550: The positioning management function device sends a second message to the first access network device identified by the identifier of the first access network device according to the first message, and the first access network device receives the second message from the positioning management function device. The second message is used to instruct positioning of the terminal device.

[0272] Optionally, if the positioning management function device obtains the first identifier, the second message in S550 may include the first identifier of the terminal device, where the first identifier is used to identify the terminal device.

[0273] Optionally, S550 includes: the positioning management function device sending a second message and a positioning event identifier to the first access network device identified by the identifier of the first access network device based on the first message, where the positioning event identifier is used to identify a positioning event in which the terminal device performs a positioning operation, and the first access network device receiving the second message and the positioning event identifier sent by the positioning management function device. Optionally, the positioning management function device may perform one or more positioning operations on the terminal device, and may send different positioning event identifiers for different positioning events. Thus, after receiving the positioning measurement data and the positioning event identifier from the first access network device, the positioning management function device may determine, based on the positioning event identifier, that the positioning measurement data is the positioning measurement data corresponding to the positioning event identifier.

[0274] Optionally, S550 includes: the positioning management function device sending a second message and the identifier of the positioning management function device to the first access network device identified by the identifier of the first access network device based on the first message, and the first access network device receiving the second message and the identifier of the positioning management function device from the positioning management function device. Optionally, the second message and the identifier of the positioning management function device are encapsulated in a container. That is, after receiving the second message and the identifier of the positioning management function device, the first access network device also directly forwards them to the terminal device without parsing.

[0275] Optionally, if the positioning management function device can obtain the first identifier of the terminal device, in S550, the positioning management function device can include the first identifier of the terminal device in the second message sent to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can determine the location of the terminal device identified by the first identifier.

[0276] Optionally, if the first message includes the second identifier of the first terminal device, in S550, the second message that the positioning management function device can send to the first access network device can also include the second identifier of the terminal device. That is, the second identifier is a permanent identifier of the terminal device, and the second message that the positioning management function device can send to the first access network device includes the permanent identifier of the terminal device, so that the first access network device can determine to locate the terminal device identified by the second identifier. In other words, the first access network device can receive the first identifier and / or the second identifier from the positioning management function device so that the first access network device can determine to locate the terminal device identified by the first identifier and / or the second identifier.

[0277] S560, same as S340.

[0278] S570, same as S350.

[0279] S580: The positioning management function device sends the location information of the terminal device to the gateway mobile positioning center, and the gateway mobile positioning center receives the location information of the terminal device from the positioning management function device.

[0280] Optionally, S580 includes: the positioning management function device can send a response message to the first message to the gateway mobile positioning center, and the gateway mobile positioning center receives the response message to the first message from the positioning management function device, and the response message to the first message includes the location information of the terminal device.

[0281] S590, the gateway mobile positioning center sends the location information of the terminal device to the application function, and the application function receives the location information of the terminal device from the gateway mobile positioning center. The application function receives the location information of the terminal device from the gateway mobile positioning center.

[0282] Optionally, S590 includes: the gateway mobile positioning center sends a response message to the fifth message to the application function, and the application function receives a response message to the fifth message from the gateway mobile positioning center, where the response message to the fifth message includes location information of the terminal device.

[0283] In the above method 500, the gateway mobile positioning center may be replaced by other network elements, such as a network exposure function (NEF).

[0284] In the above method 500, after the gateway mobile positioning center receives the fifth message, it can determine the positioning management function device based on the information of the terminal device and send a first message to the positioning management function device. The first message is used to request the location information of the terminal device. The positioning management function device can obtain the identifier of the first access network device. The positioning management function device can send a second message to the first access network device identified by the identifier of the first access network device based on the first message. The second message is used to indicate the positioning of the terminal device. The first access network device can return the positioning measurement data of the terminal device to the positioning management function device. The positioning management function device can determine the location information of the terminal device based on the positioning measurement data and return it to the terminal device through the first access network device, avoiding the need for the access and mobility management device to forward the information of the positioning management device, and can improve the flexibility of deployment.

[0285] The method 500 is described below with reference to the method 600. In the method 600, the terminal device is a UE, the first access network device is a RAN, the positioning management function device is an LMF, the gateway mobile positioning center is a GMLC, and the application function is an AF. As shown in FIG6 , the method 600 includes:

[0286] S601: AF sends an LCS request message to GMLC, and GMSC receives the LCS request message from AF. The LCS request message includes the GPSI or SUPI of the UE.

[0287] The fifth message in method 500 may be an LCS request message.

[0288] Optionally, the AF may trigger the execution of S601 if it needs to locate the UE.

[0289] S602: GMLC determines LMF based on UE information.

[0290] Optionally, the GMLC may obtain UE information from the UDR based on the GPSI or SUPI of the UE in the LCS request message, where the UE information indicates the registration area of ​​the UE and / or the identifier of the RAN to which the UE accesses.

[0291] Optionally, the GMLC may obtain UE information from the UDM according to the GPSI or SUPI of the UE in the LCS request message, where the UE information indicates the registration area of ​​the UE and / or the identifier of the RAN to which the UE accesses.

[0292] Optionally, S602 includes: the GMLC determines the LMF according to the registration area of ​​the UE indicated by the UE information and / or the identifier of the RAN accessing the UE. For details, please refer to the description of method 500.

[0293] S603a: The GMLC determines the RAN identifier and the temporary identifier of the UE according to the GPSI or SUPI.

[0294] Optionally, S603a includes: GMLC sends GPSI or SUPI to UDR, UDR can save the RAN identifier corresponding to GPSI or SUPI and the temporary identifier of UE, UDR sends the RAN identifier and the temporary identifier of UE to GMLC, and GMLC obtains the RAN identifier and the temporary identifier of UE from UDR.

[0295] Optionally, S603a includes: GMLC sends GPSI or SUPI to UDM, UDM can save the RAN identifier corresponding to GPSI or SUPI and the temporary identifier of UE, UDM sends the RAN identifier and the temporary identifier of UE to GMLC, and GMLC obtains the RAN identifier and the temporary identifier of UE from UDM.

[0296] Optionally, S603a includes: the GMLC sends the GPSI or SUPI to the UDR, the UDR may save the RAN identifier corresponding to the GPSI or SUPI, the UDR sends the RAN identifier to the GMLC, and the GMLC obtains the RAN identifier from the UDR; the GMLC sends the GPSI or SUPI to the UDM, the UDM may save the temporary identifier of the UE corresponding to the GPSI or SUPI, the UDM sends the temporary identifier of the UE to the GMLC, and the GMLC obtains the temporary identifier of the UE from the UDR. Alternatively, S603a includes: the GMLC sends the GPSI or SUPI to the UDR, the UDR may save the temporary identifier of the UE corresponding to the GPSI or SUPI, the UDR sends the temporary identifier of the UE to the GMLC, and the GMLC obtains the temporary identifier of the UE from the UDR; the GMLC sends the GPSI or SUPI to the UDM, the UDM may save the RAN identifier corresponding to the GPSI or SUPI, the UDM sends the RAN identifier to the GMLC, and the GMLC obtains the RAN identifier from the UDR.

[0297] S604a, GMLC sends a determine location request to LMF, and LMF receives the determine location request from GMLC. The determine location request includes the RAN identifier and the temporary identifier of the UE.

[0298] Optionally, the location determination message may further include the GPSI or SUPI of the UE.

[0299] That is to say, if the GMLC determines the identifier of the RAN to which the UE accesses and the temporary identifier of the UE based on the GPSI or SUPI, the identifier of the RAN and the temporary identifier of the UE can be sent to the LMF through a location determination message.

[0300] Optionally, the first message in method 500 may be the position determination message in S604a.

[0301] S603b: GMLC determines the identifier of the RAN according to the GPSI or SUPI.

[0302] Optionally, S603b includes: the GMLC sends the GPSI or SUPI to the UDR, the UDR may save the RAN identifier corresponding to the GPSI or SUPI, the UDR sends the RAN identifier to the GMLC, and the GMLC obtains the RAN identifier from the UDR.

[0303] Optionally, S603b includes: the GMLC sends the GPSI or SUPI to the UDM, the UDM may store the RAN identifier corresponding to the GPSI or SUPI, the UDM sends the RAN identifier to the GMLC, and the GMLC obtains the RAN identifier from the UDM.

[0304] S604b, GMLC sends a determine location request message to LMF, and LMF receives the determine location request from GMLC. The determine location request message includes the RAN identifier and the GPSI or SUPI of the UE.

[0305] That is to say, if the GMLC determines the identifier of the RAN to which the UE accesses based on the GPSI or SUPI, the identifier of the RAN and the GPSI or SUPI of the UE can be sent to the LMF through a location determination message, so that the LMF can determine the temporary identifier of the UE based on the GPSI or SUPI of the UE.

[0306] Optionally, the first message in method 500 may be the position determination message in S604b.

[0307] S605b, LMF obtains the temporary identity of the UE according to the GPSI or SUPI of the UE.

[0308] Optionally, in S604b, the LMF receives a location determination message from the GMLC including the RAN identifier and the GPSI or SUPI of the UE. The LMF may obtain the RAN identifier from the location determination message in S604b, and the LMF may obtain the temporary identifier of the UE based on the GPSI or SUPI of the UE in the location determination message in S604b. Optionally, the LMF obtains the temporary identifier of the UE based on the GPSI or SUPI of the UE in the location determination message in S604b, including: the LMF sends the GPSI or SUPI of the UE to the UDR or UDM, the UDR or UDM may save the temporary identifier of the UE corresponding to the GPSI or SUPI, and the UDR or UDM sends the temporary identifier of the UE to the LMF, so that the LMF can obtain the temporary identifier of the UE.

[0309] S603c: GMLC determines the temporary identity of the UE according to the GPSI or SUPI.

[0310] Optionally, S603c includes: GMLC sends GPSI or SUPI to UDR, UDR can save the temporary identifier of the UE corresponding to GPSI or SUPI, UDR sends the temporary identifier of the UE to GMLC, and GMLC obtains the temporary identifier of the UE from UDR.

[0311] Optionally, S603c includes: GMLC sends GPSI or SUPI to UDM, UDM can save the temporary identifier of the UE corresponding to GPSI or SUPI, UDM sends the temporary identifier of the UE to GMLC, and GMLC obtains the temporary identifier of the UE from UDM.

[0312] Among them, there can be one step among S603a, S603b or S603c. If S603a exists, then S604a can exist; if S603b exists, then S604b can exist; if S603c exists, then S604c can exist.

[0313] S604c, GMLC sends a determine location request to LMF, and LMF receives the determine location request from GMLC. The determine location request includes the temporary identifier of the UE and the GPSI or SUPI of the UE.

[0314] That is to say, if the GMLC determines the temporary identifier of the UE based on the GPSI or SUPI, the temporary identifier of the UE and the GPSI or SUPI of the UE can be sent to the LMF through a location determination message.

[0315] Optionally, the first message in method 500 may be the position determination message in S604c.

[0316] S605c: The LMF obtains the RAN identifier according to the GPSI or SUPI of the UE.

[0317] Optionally, in S604c, the LMF receives a location determination message from the GMLC including the temporary identifier of the UE and the GPSI or SUPI of the UE. The LMF may obtain the temporary identifier of the UE from the location determination message in S604c, and may obtain the identifier of the RAN to which the UE accesses based on the GPSI or SUPI of the UE in the location determination message in S604c. Optionally, the LMF obtains the identifier of the RAN to which the UE accesses based on the GPSI or SUPI of the UE in the location determination message in S604c, including: the LMF sends the GPSI or SUPI of the UE to the UDR or UDM, the UDR or UDM may save the identifier of the RAN corresponding to the GPSI or SUPI, and the UDR or UDM sends the identifier of the RAN to the LMF, so that the LMF can obtain the identifier of the RAN.

[0318] S604d, GMLC sends a determine location request message to LMF, and LMF receives the determine location request from GMLC. The determine location request message includes the GPSI or SUPI of the UE.

[0319] That is to say, if GMLC can send the UE's GPSI or SUPI to LMF, LMF can obtain the UE's temporary identity and RAN identity based on the UE's GPSI or SUPI.

[0320] Among them, there may be one step in S603a, S603b or S603c or S604d. If S603a, S603b or S603c does not exist, S604d may exist, that is, if the GMLC does not obtain the RAN identifier or the temporary identifier of the UE, the location determination message sent to the LMF may include the GPSI or SUPI of the UE, so that the LMF can determine the location based on the GPSI or SUPI of the UE or the temporary identifier of the UE and the identifier of the RAN.

[0321] Optionally, the first message in method 500 may be the position determination message in S604d.

[0322] S606, the LMF sends a second message to the RAN identified by the RAN identifier, and the RAN receives the second message from the LMF. The second message includes the temporary identifier of the UE, and the second message is used to instruct the positioning of the UE identified by the temporary identifier of the UE.

[0323] Optionally, S606 includes: the LMF may send a second message and a positioning event identifier to the RAN, and the RAN receives the second message and the positioning event identifier from the LMF, where the positioning event identifier is used to identify a positioning event for a UE positioning operation. For example, the positioning event identifier may be an LCS correlation identifier.

[0324] Optionally, S606 includes: the LMF may send a second message and an LMF identifier to the RAN, and the RAN may receive the second message and the LMF identifier from the LMF. Optionally, the second message and the LMF identifier may be containerized. The LMF identifier is used to identify the LMF. For example, the LMF identifier may be a routing identifier.

[0325] Optionally, the second message may be an N1 message transfer. Optionally, the second message may include a downlink positioning message and a temporary identifier of the UE. The DL positioning message is used to indicate positioning of the identified UE using the temporary identifier of the UE.

[0326] Optionally, the second message may include a network positioning message, or include a networking positioning message and a temporary identifier of the UE, and the network positioning message may instruct to locate the UE identified by the temporary identifier of the UE.

[0327] S603a, S604a, and S606 can form one branch; S603b, S604b, S605b, and S606 can form one branch; S603c, S604c, S605c, and S606 can form one branch; and S604d, S605d, and S606 can form one branch. The protocol may specify the implementation method. In other words, in a specific implementation, one branch may exist, but multiple branches may not exist simultaneously.

[0328] S607a is the same as S407a.

[0329] S608a is the same as S408a.

[0330] S607b is the same as S407b.

[0331] S608b is the same as S408b.

[0332] S609b is the same as S409b.

[0333] S610b is the same as S410b.

[0334] S611 is the same as S411.

[0335] S612, LMF sends the UE location information to GMLC, and GMLC receives the UE location information from LMF.

[0336] Optionally, S612 includes: LMF sends a response message of the location determination message to GMLC, and GMLC receives a response message of the location determination message from LMF, and the response message of the location determination message may include the location information of the UE.

[0337] S613, GMLC sends the UE location information to AF, and AF receives the UE location information from GMLC.

[0338] Optionally, S613 includes: the GMLC sends a response message of the LCS request message to the AF, and the AF receives a response message of the LCS request message from the GMLC, where the response message of the LCS request message includes the location information of the UE.

[0339] In the above method 600, the GMLC may be replaced by other network elements, such as NEF.

[0340] In the above-mentioned methods 500 and 600, positioning is initiated by the application function or AF. Methods 500 and 600 can also be called mobile terminated location requests (MT-LR). In methods 500 and 600, the gateway mobile positioning center can determine the network element of the positioning management function device based on the information of the terminal device. In some scenarios, the gateway mobile positioning center can determine the identifier of the first access network device and send a third message to the first access network device based on the identifier of the first access network device. The first access network device can determine the positioning management function device based on the third message and send the first message to the positioning management function device. That is to say, in methods 700 and 800, the gateway mobile positioning center cannot communicate directly with the positioning management function device. The gateway mobile positioning center can communicate with the positioning management function device through the first access network device. The following describes the situation where the first access network device determines the positioning management function device in combination with methods 700 and 800. As shown in Figure 7, method 700 includes:

[0341] S701, the application function sends a fifth message to the gateway mobile positioning center, and the gateway mobile positioning center receives the fifth message from the application function. The fifth message is used to request location information of the terminal device, and the fifth message includes a second identifier of the terminal device.

[0342] That is, the application function's need to determine the location information of the terminal device may trigger the execution of S701.

[0343] Optionally, S701 is an optional step and may not exist. S701 may be triggered to be executed by other network elements.

[0344] Optionally, the second identifier may be a permanent identifier of the terminal device. For example, the second identifier may be a GPSI or a SUPI.

[0345] Optionally, the message type of the fifth message may also indicate that the fifth message is used to request location information.

[0346] S702: The gateway mobile positioning center obtains the identifier of the first access network device according to the second identifier of the terminal device.

[0347] Optionally, S702 includes: the gateway mobile positioning center sends the second identifier of the terminal device to the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device, the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device can receive the second identifier of the terminal device from the gateway mobile positioning center, the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device can store the identifier of the first access network device corresponding to the second identifier of the terminal device, the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device sends the identifier of the first access network device corresponding to the second identifier of the terminal device to the gateway mobile positioning center, and the gateway mobile positioning center receives the identifier of the first access network device corresponding to the second identifier sent by the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device.

[0348] Optionally, S702 includes: if the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device cannot send the identifier of the first access network device to the gateway mobile positioning center, for example, the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device does not store the identifier of the first access network device, then the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device sends the registration area information of the terminal device to the gateway mobile positioning center, where the registration area information is used to indicate the registration area of ​​the terminal device. In this way, the gateway mobile positioning center can initiate paging to one or more access network devices within the registration area, so that the terminal device can access the network through the first access network device. After the terminal device accesses the network through the first access network device, the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device again sends the identifier of the first access network device to the gateway mobile positioning center.

[0349] Optionally, S702 includes: if the gateway mobile positioning center fails to obtain the identifier of the first access network device from the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device, obtaining the registration area of ​​the terminal device based on the second identifier; and the gateway mobile positioning center initiates paging to at least one access network device within the registration area of ​​the terminal device to obtain the identifier of the first access network device, the at least one access network device including the first access network device. In other words, the gateway mobile positioning center attempts to obtain the identifier of the first access network device from the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device based on the second identifier of the terminal device. If the gateway mobile positioning center fails to obtain the identifier of the first access network device from the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device, the gateway mobile positioning center may send the second identifier to the unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device. The unified data storage device or the access and mobility management device may send registration area information of the terminal device to the gateway mobile positioning center. The registration area information is used to indicate the registration area of ​​the terminal device. Therefore, the gateway mobile positioning center may initiate paging to one or more access network devices within the registration area to determine whether any access network device responds. If any access network device responds, the access network device may be determined to be the first access network device, and the identifier of the first access network device may be obtained.

[0350] Optionally, the gateway mobile positioning center may also obtain the first identification of the terminal device according to the second identification of the terminal device, where the first identification is a temporary identification of the terminal device and the second identification is a permanent identification of the terminal device.

[0351] S703: The gateway mobile positioning center sends a third message to the first access network device according to the identifier of the first access network device. The first access network device receives the third message from the gateway mobile positioning center. The third message is used to request location information of the terminal device.

[0352] Optionally, the third message in S730 may also include a second identifier of the terminal device. For example, the second identifier may be GPSI or SUPI.

[0353] Optionally, if in S702, the gateway mobile positioning center obtains the first identifier of the terminal device based on the second identifier of the terminal device, the third message in S703 may also include the first identifier of the terminal device, wherein the first identifier is a temporary identifier of the terminal device and the second identifier is a permanent identifier of the terminal device.

[0354] Optionally, if in S702, the gateway mobile positioning center obtains the first identifier of the terminal device, the third message in S703 may include the first identifier of the terminal device and the second identifier of the terminal device, the first identifier is a temporary identifier of the terminal device, and the second identifier is a permanent identifier of the terminal device.

[0355] Optionally, the first access network device may be an access network device to which the terminal device accesses.

[0356] S704: The first access network device determines the positioning management function device according to the third message.

[0357] Optionally, the first access network device may determine, based on the third message, that the gateway mobile positioning center needs to request the location information of the terminal device. Therefore, the first access network device determines that it needs to identify a positioning management function device. Therefore, the first access network device may send a fourth message to the network element selection function device, where the fourth message is used to request discovery of the positioning management function device. The network element selection function device sends a third identifier to the first access network device, where the third identifier is used to identify the positioning management function device. In other words, the first access network device may learn that the third message is used to request location information, and therefore the first access network device needs to identify a network element for positioning. The first access network device sends a fourth message to the network element selection function device, where the fourth message is used to request discovery of the network element for positioning. The network element selection function device selects an appropriate positioning management function device based on the identifier of the first access network device that sent the fourth message, and sends the identifier of the positioning management function device to the first access network device. Optionally, if the third message includes a second identifier, the fourth message may also include the second identifier. After receiving the second identifier, the network element selection function device obtains the registration area of ​​the terminal device based on the second identifier. The network element selection function selects a positioning management function device based on the registration area of ​​the terminal device and sends the identifier of the positioning management function device to the first access network device.

[0358] S705 is the same as S320.

[0359] Optionally, if the third message includes the first identifier, the first message in S705 may also include the first identifier.

[0360] S706-S709 are the same as S330-S360 respectively.

[0361] S710: The first access network device sends location information of the terminal device to the gateway mobile positioning center, and the gateway mobile positioning center receives the location information of the terminal device from the first access network device.

[0362] Optionally, S710 includes: the first access network device sends a response message to the third message to the gateway mobile positioning center, and the gateway mobile positioning center receives a response message to the third message from the first access network device, where the response message to the third message includes location information of the terminal device.

[0363] S711, the gateway mobile positioning center sends the location information of the terminal device to the application function, and the application function receives the location information of the terminal device from the network element mobile positioning center.

[0364] Optionally, S711 includes: the gateway mobile positioning center sends a response message to the fifth message to the application function, and the application function receives a response message to the fifth message from the gateway mobile positioning center. The response message to the fifth message may include location information of the terminal device.

[0365] In the above method 700, the gateway mobile positioning center may be replaced by other network elements, such as a network exposure function (NEF).

[0366] In the above method 700, after the gateway mobile positioning center receives the fifth message, it can determine the first access network device based on the second identifier of the terminal device in the fifth message, and send a third message to the first access network device. The first access network device can determine the positioning management function device based on the third message, and send a first message to the positioning management function device. The first message is used to request the location information of the terminal device. The positioning management function device can send a second message to the first access network device based on the first message. The second message is used to indicate the positioning of the terminal device. The first access network device can return the positioning measurement data of the terminal device to the positioning management function device. The positioning management function device can determine the location information of the terminal device based on the positioning measurement data, and return it to the gateway mobile positioning center through the first access network device, avoiding the need for the access and mobility management device to forward the information of the positioning management device, and can improve the flexibility of deployment.

[0367] The method 700 is described below with reference to the method 800. In the method 800, the terminal device is a UE, the first access network device is a RAN, the positioning management function device is an LMF, the gateway mobile positioning center is a GMLC, and the application function is an AF. As shown in FIG8 , the method 800 includes:

[0368] S801, same as S601.

[0369] S802: The GMLC determines the RAN identifier and the temporary identifier of the UE according to the GPSI or SUPI of the UE.

[0370] Optionally, GMLC sends GPSI or SUPI to UDR, UDR can save the RAN identifier corresponding to GPSI or SUPI and the temporary identifier of UE, UDR sends the RAN identifier and the temporary identifier of UE to GMLC, GMLC obtains the RAN identifier and the temporary identifier of UE from UDR, that is, GMLC can send GPSI or SUPI to UDR once, and UDR can send the RAN identifier and the temporary identifier of UE to GMLC.

[0371] S803: The GMLC sends a provide positioning request message to the RAN identified by the RAN identifier. The provide positioning request message may include the temporary identifier of the UE.

[0372] Optionally, the third message in method 700 may be the provide location request message in S803.

[0373] Optionally, the provide location request message may further include the GPSI or SUPI of the UE.

[0374] S804: RAN determines the LMF according to the Provide Location Request message.

[0375] S805: RAN sends a location confirmation message to LMF, and LMF receives the location confirmation message from RAN. The location confirmation message is used to request the location information of the terminal device. The location confirmation message may include the temporary identifier of the UE.

[0376] Optionally, the first message in method 700 may be the position determination message in S805.

[0377] Optionally, if the provide location request message in S803 does not include the temporary identifier of the UE but includes the permanent identifier of the UE, then the first message in S805 may also include the permanent identifier of the UE but not the temporary identifier of the UE.

[0378] S806, same as S406.

[0379] S807a, same as S407a.

[0380] S808a is the same as S408a.

[0381] S807b is the same as S407b.

[0382] S808b is the same as S408b.

[0383] S809b is the same as S409b.

[0384] S810b is the same as S410b.

[0385] S811 is the same as S411.

[0386] S812, LMF sends the UE location information to RAN, and RAN receives the UE location information from LMF.

[0387] Optionally, S812 includes: the LMF sends a response message of the location determination message to the RAN, and the RAN receives the response message of the location determination message, where the response message of the location determination message includes the location information of the UE.

[0388] S813, same as S612.

[0389] S814, same as S613.

[0390] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the steps performed by the unified data storage device can be replaced by the steps performed by the unified data management device, that is, the unified data storage device and the unified data management device can replace each other, that is, UDR and UDM can replace each other.

[0391] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, a message used to request the location information of the terminal device can be replaced with a message used to request positioning of the terminal device.

[0392] The above describes the method embodiments provided by this application, and the following describes the device embodiments provided by this application. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for matters not described in detail, reference can be made to the method embodiments above. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0393] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 9, the communication device 900 may include a processing unit 910 and a communication unit 920. The communication unit 920 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the communication can be internal communication of the communication device 900 or communication between the communication device 900 and other devices; the processing unit 910 can implement corresponding processing functions. The communication unit 920 can also be called a communication interface or a transceiver unit. Optionally, the communication device 900 may also include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing unit 910 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit so that the device implements the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0394] In one possible design, the communication device 900 may be the location management function device in method 300, method 500, or method 700 described above, or the LMF in method 400, method 600, or method 800. It may also be a module or chip applied to the location management function device or LMF. The communication device 900 may be used to execute the steps or processes performed by the management function device or LMF in each of the above embodiments.

[0395] Specifically, the communication unit 920 is used to: receive a first message, where the first message is used to request positioning of the terminal device; send a second message to the first access network device based on the first message, where the second message is used to indicate positioning of the terminal device, and the first access network device is the access network device to which the terminal device accesses; receive positioning measurement data from the first access network device, where the positioning measurement data is used to determine the location information of the terminal device; and the processing unit 910 is used to: determine the location information of the terminal device based on the positioning measurement data.

[0396] Optionally, the processing unit 910 is further used to obtain a first identifier of the terminal device; the second message includes the first identifier; the communication unit 920 is specifically used to: receive positioning measurement data and the first identifier from the first access network device, where the first identifier corresponds to the positioning measurement data.

[0397] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is specifically used to: send a second message and a positioning event identifier to the first access network device according to the first message, where the positioning event identifier is used to identify a positioning event in which the terminal device performs a positioning; and receive the first identifier, the positioning event identifier and the positioning measurement data from the first access network device.

[0398] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is specifically used to: send a second message and an identifier of the communication device 900 to the first access network device according to the first message; and receive a first identifier and positioning measurement data sent by the first access network device according to the identifier of the communication device 900 from the first access network device.

[0399] Optionally, the processing unit 910 is further configured to: obtain the positioning capability of the terminal device from the unified data storage device according to the first identifier;

[0400] The positioning method is determined according to the positioning capability, and the positioning method corresponds to the positioning measurement data.

[0401] Optionally, the first message is also used to indicate the positioning type for locating the terminal device; if the positioning type is the last position of the terminal device, the communication unit 920 is also used to: send a first identifier to the unified data storage device to obtain the location information of the terminal device; the processing unit 910 is specifically used to: if the location information of the terminal device is not obtained from the unified data storage device, determine the location information of the terminal device based on the positioning measurement data.

[0402] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is specifically configured to receive a first message from a first access network device; and obtain a first identifier from the first message.

[0403] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is specifically used to: receive a first message from a gateway mobile positioning center, the first message including a second identifier of the terminal device; send the second identifier to a unified data storage device; receive a first identifier corresponding to the second identifier from the unified data storage device, the first identifier is a temporary identifier of the terminal device, and the second identifier is a permanent identifier of the terminal device; or used to: receive the first identifier from a gateway mobile positioning center; or used to: send the second identifier to a first access network device; receive the first identifier corresponding to the second identifier from the first access network device.

[0404] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is further configured to: obtain an identifier of the first access network device; and the communication unit 920 is specifically configured to: send a second message to the first access network device identified by the identifier of the first access network device according to the first message.

[0405] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is specifically used to: receive the identifier of the first access network device from the gateway mobile positioning center; or to: send a second identifier to the unified data storage device; receive the identifier of the first access network device corresponding to the second identifier from the unified data storage device, the second identifier being a permanent identifier of the terminal device; or to: if the identifier of the first access network device is not obtained from the unified data storage device, initiate paging to at least one access network device within the registration area of ​​the terminal device to obtain the identifier of the first access network device, the at least one access network device including the first access network device.

[0406] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is further used to: send first indication information to the first access network device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to maintain a radio resource control RRC connection state.

[0407] In one possible design, the communication device 900 may be the first access network device in method 300 or method 700 above, or the RAN in method 400 or method 800, or may be a module or chip applied to the first access network device or RAN. The communication device 900 may be used to execute the steps or processes executed by the first access network device or RAN in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0408] Specifically, the communication unit 920 is used to receive a third message, which is used to request the location information of the terminal device; the processing unit 910 is used to determine the positioning management function device based on the third message; the communication unit 920 is also used to send a first message to the positioning management function device, which is used to request positioning of the terminal device.

[0409] Optionally, the third message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the third message is used to request positioning.

[0410] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is further configured to: send a fourth message to the network element selection function device according to the second indication information included in the third message, where the fourth message is used to request discovery of the positioning management function device;

[0411] The third identifier is received from the network element selection function device, where the third identifier is used to identify the positioning management function device.

[0412] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is specifically configured to receive a third message from a terminal device or a gateway mobile positioning center.

[0413] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is further used to: obtain a first identifier of the terminal device; and the first message includes the first identifier.

[0414] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is specifically used to: receive a first identifier of the terminal device from a gateway mobile positioning center; or receive a second identifier of the terminal device from a network element mobile center, and determine the first identifier based on the second identifier, the first identifier being a temporary identifier of the terminal device, and the second identifier being a permanent identifier of the terminal device.

[0415] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is also used to: receive a second message from a positioning management function device, the second message includes a first identifier, and the second message is used to indicate the positioning of the terminal device; send the first identifier and positioning measurement data to the positioning management function device according to the second message, the positioning measurement data corresponds to the first identifier, and the positioning measurement data is used to determine the location information of the terminal device.

[0416] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is specifically used to: receive a second message and a positioning event identifier from the positioning management function device, where the positioning event identifier is used to identify a positioning event for positioning the terminal device; and send a first identifier, positioning measurement data and a positioning event identifier to the positioning management function device.

[0417] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is also used to: receive a second message sent by the positioning management function device, a first identifier and an identifier of the positioning management function device from the positioning management function device, the second message being used to indicate positioning of the terminal device; send the second message and the identifier of the positioning management function device to the terminal device; receive the identifier of the positioning management function device and the positioning measurement data of the terminal device from the terminal device; and send the first identifier and the positioning measurement data of the terminal device to the positioning management function device according to the identifier of the positioning management function device.

[0418] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is also used to: receive first indication information from the positioning management function device, the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to maintain a radio resource control RRC connection state; the processing unit 910 is used to keep the terminal device in a radio resource RRC connection state according to the first indication information.

[0419] In one possible design, the communication device 900 may be the gateway mobile positioning center in method 500 above, or the GMLC in method 600, or may be a module or chip applied to the gateway mobile positioning center or GMLC. The communication device 900 may be used to execute the steps or processes executed by the GMLC or gateway mobile positioning center in each of the above embodiments.

[0420] Specifically, the communication unit 920 is used to receive the fifth message, which is used to request the location information of the terminal device; the processing unit 910 is used to determine the positioning management function device based on the information of the terminal device; the communication unit 920 is used to send a first message to the positioning management function device based on the fifth message, and the first message is used to request positioning of the terminal device.

[0421] Optionally, the information of the terminal device indicates a registration area of ​​the terminal device or an identifier of a first access network device accessed by the terminal device.

[0422] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is further configured to: send a second identifier of the terminal device to the unified data storage device; and receive information about the terminal device sent by the unified data storage device according to the second identifier. Optionally, the first message includes an identifier of the first access network device.

[0423] Optionally, the fifth message includes the second identifier of the terminal device; and / or the first message includes the first identifier of the terminal device and / or the second identifier of the terminal device, the second identifier is the permanent identifier of the terminal device, and the first identifier is the temporary identifier of the terminal device.

[0424] Optionally, the first message includes a first identifier of the terminal device, and the communication unit 920 is further configured to: send a second identifier to the unified data storage device; and receive a first identifier corresponding to the second identifier sent by the unified data storage device.

[0425] In one possible design, the communication device 900 may be the gateway mobile positioning center in method 700 above, or the GMLC in method 800, or may be a module or chip applied to the gateway mobile positioning center or GMLC. The communication device 900 may be used to execute the steps or processes executed by the gateway mobile positioning center or GMLC in each of the above embodiments.

[0426] Specifically, the communication unit 920 is used to: receive a fifth message, the fifth message is used to request the location information of the terminal device, the fifth message includes the second identifier of the terminal device; obtain the identifier of the first access network device based on the second identifier of the terminal device; send a third message to the first access network device based on the identifier of the first access network device, the third message is used to request the location information of the terminal device.

[0427] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is specifically used to: if the identifier of the first access network device is not obtained from the unified data storage device, obtain the registration area of ​​the terminal device based on the second identifier; initiate paging to at least one access network device within the registration area of ​​the terminal device to obtain the identifier of the first access network device, and the at least one access network device includes the first access network device.

[0428] Optionally, the communication unit 920 is specifically configured to: send a second identifier of the terminal device to the unified data storage device; and receive an identifier of the first access network device corresponding to the second identifier sent by the unified data storage device.

[0429] Optionally, the third message includes the first identifier of the terminal device and / or the second identifier of the terminal device, the first identifier is a temporary identifier of the terminal device, and the second identifier is a permanent identifier of the terminal device.

[0430] Optionally, the third message includes the first identifier. Optionally, the communication unit 920 is further used to: send the second identifier in the fifth message to the unified data storage device; and receive the first identifier of the terminal device corresponding to the second identifier sent by the unified data storage device.

[0431] It should be understood that the "unit" in the communication device 900 can be implemented by hardware, can be implemented by software, and can also be implemented by hardware executing the corresponding software implementation. For example, the "unit" can refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (such as a shared processor, a dedicated processor or a group processor, etc.) and a memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combined logic circuit and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. For another example, the communication unit 920 can be replaced by a transceiver transceiver circuit (for example, a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit 910 can be replaced by a processor or a processing circuit.

[0432] Figure 10 shows a schematic block diagram of another communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1000 may be a location management function device, LMF, access network device, RAN, gateway mobile positioning center, or GMLC. It may also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the location management function device, LMF, access network device, RAN, gateway mobile positioning center, or GMLC in implementing the above-mentioned method. The device may be used to implement the method described in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description of the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0433] The device 1000 may include one or more processors 1010, which may also be referred to as processing units, and may implement certain control functions. The processor 1010 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor. For example, it may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control a communication device (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a user chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0434] In an optional design, the processor 1010 may also store instructions and / or data, which can be executed by the processor 1010 to enable the apparatus 1000 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, the processing unit 910 in the communication apparatus 900 may be the processor 1010.

[0435] In another optional design, the device 1000 may include a communication interface 1020 for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the communication interface 1020 may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, an interface circuit, or a transceiver. The transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver for implementing the receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver may be used for reading and writing code / data, or the transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver may be used for transmitting or delivering signals. Optionally, the communication unit 920 in the communication device 900 may be the communication interface 1020.

[0436] Optionally, the device 1000 may include one or more memories 1030, which may store instructions that can be executed on the processor 1010, causing the device 1000 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, the memory 1030 may also store data. Optionally, the processor 1010 may also store instructions and / or data. The processor 1010 and the memory 1030 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0437] It should be understood that, in one possible design, each step in the method embodiment provided in the present application can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or by instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0438] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiment can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or by instructions in the form of software. The above processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component. The various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0439] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0440] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the various steps or processes executed by the positioning management function device or LMF or access network device or RAN or gateway mobile positioning center or GMLC in any of the above method embodiments.

[0441] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a program code. When the program code is run on a computer, the computer executes the various steps or processes performed by the positioning management function device or LMF or access network device or RAN or gateway mobile positioning center or GMLC in any of the above method embodiments.

[0442] The present application also provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface, which is used to send and / or receive signals, so that the processor executes the various steps or processes performed by the positioning management function device or LMF or access network device or RAN or gateway mobile positioning center or GMLC in any of the above method embodiments.

[0443] The present application also provides a communication system, which includes at least two of a terminal device, a positioning management function device, an access network device, or a gateway mobile positioning center, or includes at least two of a UE, a LMF, a RAN, or a GMLC;

[0444] The above-mentioned device embodiments and method embodiments are completely corresponding, and the corresponding steps are performed by the corresponding modules or units. For example, the communication unit or communication interface performs the receiving or sending steps in the method embodiment. Other steps except sending and receiving can be performed by the processing unit or processor.

[0445] In the embodiments of this application, each term and English abbreviation is provided for convenience of description and shall not constitute any limitation to this application. This application does not exclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future agreements.

[0446] As used in this specification, the terms "component," "module," "system," and the like are used to represent computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, an execution thread, a program, and / or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and a computing device can be a component. One or more components can reside in a process and / or an execution thread, and a component can be located on one computer and / or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can be executed from various computer-readable storage media having various data structures stored thereon. Components can communicate, for example, via local and / or remote processes based on signals having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component between a local system, a distributed system, and / or a network, such as the Internet interacting with other systems via signals).

[0447] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented using electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professionals and technicians may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0448] 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 be based on the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0449] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0450] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0451] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0452] In the above embodiments, the functions of each functional unit can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When software is used for implementation, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions (programs). When the computer program instructions (programs) are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions 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 instructions can be transmitted from a website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center by wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrations. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0453] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0454] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application 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 application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for determining location information, characterized in that Applicable to devices with positioning management functions, including: Receiving a first message, where the first message is used to request positioning of a terminal device; Sending a second message to a first access network device according to the first message, where the second message is used to instruct positioning of the terminal device, and the first access network device is an access network device accessed by the terminal device; receiving positioning measurement data from the first access network device, where the positioning measurement data is used to determine the location information of the terminal device; The location information of the terminal device is determined according to the positioning measurement data.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: Obtaining a first identifier of the terminal device; The second message includes the first identifier; The receiving positioning measurement data from the first access network device includes: The positioning measurement data and the first identifier are received from the first access network device, where the first identifier corresponds to the positioning measurement data.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The sending the second message to the first access network device according to the first message includes: Sending the second message and a positioning event identifier to the first access network device according to the first message, where the positioning event identifier is used to identify a positioning event for the terminal device to perform a positioning operation; The receiving the first identifier and the positioning measurement data from the first access network device includes: The first identifier, the positioning event identifier and the positioning measurement data are received from the first access network device.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sending the second message to the first access network device according to the first message includes: Sending the second message and the identifier of the positioning management function device to the first access network device according to the first message; The receiving the first identifier and positioning measurement data from the first access network device includes: The first identifier and the positioning measurement data sent by the first access network device according to the identifier of the positioning management function device are received from the first access network device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Acquiring the positioning capability of the terminal device from a unified data storage device according to the first identifier; A positioning method is determined according to the positioning capability, and the positioning method corresponds to the positioning measurement data.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that The first message is also used to indicate a positioning type for positioning the terminal device; If the positioning type is the last position of the terminal device, the method further includes: Sending the first identifier to a unified data storage device to obtain location information of the terminal device; Wherein, determining the location information of the terminal device according to the positioning measurement data includes: If the location information of the terminal device is not acquired from the unified data storage device, the location information of the terminal device is determined according to the positioning measurement data.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that The receiving a first message comprises: Receiving the first message from the first access network device; The obtaining of the first identifier includes: The first identifier is obtained from the first message.

8. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that The receiving a first message comprises: receiving the first message from a gateway mobile positioning center, where the first message includes a second identifier of the terminal device; The obtaining of the first identifier includes: Sending the second identifier to the unified data storage device; Receiving, from the unified data storage device, the first identifier corresponding to the second identifier, where the first identifier is a temporary identifier of the terminal device, and the second identifier is a permanent identifier of the terminal device; or comprising: Receiving the first identifier from the gateway mobile positioning center; or comprising: Sending the second identifier to the first access network device; Receive the first identifier corresponding to the second identifier from the first access network device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: Obtaining an identifier of the first access network device; The sending a second message to the first access network device according to the first message includes: The second message is sent to the first access network device identified by the identifier of the first access network device according to the first message.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The obtaining the identifier of the first access network device includes: Receiving an identifier of the first access network device from a gateway mobile positioning center; or comprising: Sending a second identifier of the terminal device to the unified data storage device; Receiving, from a unified data storage device, an identifier of the first access network device corresponding to the second identifier, where the second identifier is a permanent identifier of the terminal device; or comprising: If the identifier of the first access network device is not obtained from the unified data storage device, paging is initiated to at least one access network device in the registration area of ​​the terminal device to obtain the identifier of the first access network device, and the at least one access network device includes the first access network device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send first indication information to the first access network device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to maintain a radio resource control RRC connection state.

12. A method for determining location information, characterized in that Applicable to the first access network device, including: receiving a third message, wherein the third message is used to request location information of a terminal device; Determine the location management function device according to the third message; A first message is sent to the positioning management function device, where the first message is used to request positioning of the terminal device.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The third message includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the third message is used to request positioning.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The determining of the positioning management function device according to the third message includes: Sending a fourth message to the network element selection function device according to the second indication information included in the third message, wherein the fourth message is used to request discovery of the positioning management function device; A third identifier is received from the network element selection function device, where the third identifier is used to identify the positioning management function device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that The receiving of the third message comprises: The third message is received from the terminal device or the gateway mobile positioning center.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: Obtaining a first identifier of the terminal device; The first message includes the first identifier.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The obtaining of the first identification of the terminal device includes: Receive a first identification of the terminal device from a gateway mobile positioning center; or, A second identifier of the terminal device is received from the gateway mobile center, and the first identifier is determined according to the second identifier, wherein the first identifier is a temporary identifier of the terminal device and the second identifier is a permanent identifier of the terminal device.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a second message from a positioning management function device, where the second message includes a first identifier and the second message is used to instruct positioning of the terminal device; The first identifier and positioning measurement data are sent to a positioning management function device according to the second message, where the positioning measurement data corresponds to the first identifier and is used to determine the location information of the terminal device.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The receiving a second message from the positioning management function device includes: receiving the second message and a positioning event identifier from the positioning management function device, where the positioning event identifier is used to identify a positioning event for performing a positioning operation on the terminal device; The sending the first identifier and the positioning measurement data to the positioning management function device according to the second message includes: The first identifier, the positioning measurement data and the positioning event identifier are sent to a positioning management function device.

20. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving, from a positioning management function device, a second message sent by the positioning management function device, the first identifier and the identifier of the positioning management function device, the second message being used to instruct positioning of the terminal device; Sending the second message and the identifier of the positioning management function device to the terminal device; receiving, from the terminal device, an identifier of the positioning management function device and positioning measurement data of the terminal device; The first identifier and the positioning measurement data of the terminal device are sent to the positioning management function device according to the identifier of the positioning management function device.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive first indication information from the positioning management function device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to maintain a radio resource control RRC connection state; According to the first indication information, the terminal device is kept in a wireless resource RRC connection state.

22. A method for determining location information, characterized in that Applied to gateway mobile positioning center, including: receiving a fifth message, where the fifth message is used to request location information of a terminal device; Determine the location management function device according to the information of the terminal device; Based on the fifth message, a first message is sent to the positioning management function device, where the first message is used to request positioning of the terminal device.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The information of the terminal device indicates the registration area of ​​the terminal device or the identifier of the first access network device accessed by the terminal device.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending a second identifier of the terminal device to the unified data storage device; Receive the information of the terminal device sent by the unified data storage device according to the second identifier.

25. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that The first message includes an identifier of a first access network device, where the first access network device is an access network device to which the terminal device accesses.

26. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that The fifth message includes the second identifier of the terminal device; and / or, The first message includes a first identifier of the terminal device and / or a second identifier of the terminal device, where the second identifier is a permanent identifier of the terminal device and the first identifier is a temporary identifier of the terminal device.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that The first message includes a first identifier of the terminal device, and the method further includes: Sending the second identifier to the unified data storage device; Receive a first identifier corresponding to the second identifier sent by the unified data storage device.

28. A communication device, characterized in that: Comprising means for carrying out the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 27 is implemented.

30. A chip, characterized in that: The chip comprises a processor connected to a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the chip executes the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27.

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