Terminal positioning method and apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a terminal positioning method and apparatus, and a storage medium. The method comprises: receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning; and when the first trigger condition is at least satisfied, sending a positioning request message to an access network device. The present disclosure can ensure the rationality of an occasion for triggering positioning, and improve the positioning efficiency of terminals.

Description

Terminal positioning method, device, and storage medium Technical Field

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

[0002] With the development of mobile communication technology, terminal positioning is becoming increasingly important in the communication process. By obtaining terminal location information, we can provide personalized location-based services and improve network resource management to meet the diverse needs of users and services.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] In related technologies, network equipment often needs to send signaling to the terminal through a try-and-fail method to initiate the terminal positioning process. However, this try-and-fail method wastes a lot of signaling and reduces the terminal positioning efficiency. To ensure that the timing of triggering positioning is more reasonable, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a terminal positioning method, apparatus, and storage medium.

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

[0006] receiving first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning;

[0007] At least the first trigger condition is met, and a positioning request message is sent to the access network device.

[0008] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal positioning method is provided, including:

[0009] receiving a positioning request message sent by a terminal;

[0010] The positioning request message is sent by the terminal when at least a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning is met, and the first trigger condition is determined based on first indication information received by the terminal.

[0011] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, including:

[0012] a transceiver module, configured to receive first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning;

[0013] The transceiver module is further configured to send a positioning request message to the access network device when at least the first trigger condition is satisfied.

[0014] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an access network device is provided, including:

[0015] a transceiver module, configured to receive a positioning request message sent by a terminal;

[0016] The positioning request message is sent by the terminal when at least a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning is met, and the first trigger condition is determined based on first indication information received by the terminal.

[0017] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, including:

[0018] one or more processors;

[0019] The terminal is used to execute the terminal positioning method described in the first aspect.

[0020] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an access network device is provided, including:

[0021] one or more processors;

[0022] Wherein, the access network device is used to execute the terminal positioning method described in the second aspect.

[0023] According to the seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including a terminal and an access network device, wherein the terminal is used to execute the terminal positioning method described in the first aspect, and the access network device is used to execute the terminal positioning method described in the second aspect.

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

[0025] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal receives first indication information, which can indicate a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning. Thus, when at least the first trigger condition is met, a positioning request message can be sent to an access network device, allowing the access network device to initiate the terminal positioning process based on the received positioning request message. Through the solution provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the access network device can initiate the terminal positioning process without sending signaling to the terminal in a try-and-fail manner, thereby reducing signaling resource consumption during the terminal positioning process, ensuring the rationality of the timing of triggering positioning, and improving the terminal's positioning efficiency.

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

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

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

[0029] FIG2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a terminal positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the SL-TDOA positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG4A is a schematic flow chart of a terminal positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG4B is a schematic flow chart of a terminal positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG5A is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG5B is a schematic structural diagram of an access network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG6A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 5100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG6B is a schematic structural diagram of a chip 5200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when referring to the drawings, like numbers in different figures represent like or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to represent all possible embodiments consistent with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present invention, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0038] The terms used in this disclosure are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of at least one of the associated listed items.

[0039] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used in this disclosure to describe various messages, these messages should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish messages of the same type from each other. For example, a first message may also be referred to as a second message, and similarly, a second message may be referred to as a first message without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "at the time of" or "when" or "in response to determining."

[0040] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a terminal positioning method, device, and storage medium.

[0041] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal positioning method, including:

[0042] receiving first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning;

[0043] At least the first trigger condition is met, and a positioning request message is sent to the access network device.

[0044] In the above embodiment, by receiving the first indication information for indicating the first trigger condition for terminal positioning, a positioning request message can be sent to the access network device when at least the first trigger condition is met to trigger the terminal positioning process, thereby ensuring the rationality of the timing of triggering positioning and improving the positioning efficiency of the terminal.

[0045] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, receiving the first indication information includes:

[0046] Receive a positioning message sent by other terminals or core network devices, where the positioning message includes the first indication information.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the first indication information is obtained by receiving positioning messages sent by other terminals or core network devices. Other terminals or core network devices have the ability to configure positioning trigger conditions for the terminals to improve the flexibility of the terminal positioning process.

[0048] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the positioning message is a Sidelink Positioning Protocol SLPP message.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the SLPP message is used as the carrier of the first indication message to achieve multiplexing of the SLPP message and improve message utilization.

[0050] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the positioning message is an SLPP location request message, and the first indication information is carried in a first information element IE of the SLPP location request message.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the first information element IE of the SLPP location request message is used as a carrier of the first indication message to achieve multiplexing of the SLPP location request message, thereby improving message utilization.

[0052] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first IE includes any one of the following:

[0053] Public location information request IE;

[0054] Sidelink round trip time SL-RTT location information request IE;

[0055] Sidelink arrival azimuth SL-AOA position information request IE;

[0056] Sidelink departure azimuth SL-AOD position information request IE;

[0057] Sidelink Time Difference of Arrival SL-TDOA Position Request Message IE;

[0058] IE used to indicate the first trigger condition.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the existing IE of the SLPP location request message is used as the carrier of the first indication message to achieve IE multiplexing and improve message utilization; or, an IE for indicating the first trigger condition is specially set in the SLPP location request message to achieve the purpose of carrying the first indication information with the SLPP location request message, thereby improving the flexibility of sending the first indication information.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first trigger condition is associated with at least one of the following:

[0061] Anchor terminal;

[0062] Network status;

[0063] Positioning duration.

[0064] In the above embodiment, by providing a variety of contents that may be included in the first trigger condition, the first trigger condition can be set according to actual needs, thereby increasing the diversity of the set first trigger condition and improving the flexibility of the terminal positioning process.

[0065] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the first trigger condition is associated with the anchor terminal, the first trigger condition includes at least one of the following:

[0066] The number of anchor terminals is greater than or equal to a first threshold;

[0067] An anchor terminal for distance or angle measurement is detected.

[0068] In the above embodiment, by providing optional configuration content of the first trigger condition associated with the anchor terminal, the first trigger condition associated with the anchor terminal can be set according to actual needs to increase the diversity of the first trigger condition, thereby improving the flexibility of the terminal positioning process.

[0069] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the first trigger condition is associated with the network state, the first trigger condition includes at least one of the following:

[0070] The network status of the terminal and / or other terminals discovered by the terminal meets the network status condition;

[0071] The signal quality of the sidelink between the terminal and the other terminal meets the signal quality condition.

[0072] In the above embodiment, by providing optional configuration content of the first trigger condition associated with the network status, the first trigger condition associated with the network status can be set according to actual needs to improve the diversity of the first trigger condition, thereby improving the flexibility of the terminal positioning process.

[0073] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the network status condition includes any one of the following:

[0074] The terminal is within the network coverage area;

[0075] The terminal is not within the network coverage area;

[0076] At least one of the other terminals is within the network coverage;

[0077] At least one of the other terminals has positioning capability and is within network coverage.

[0078] In the above embodiment, by providing a variety of network status conditions that need to be met by terminals and / or other terminals discovered by the terminal when the positioning process is triggered, the network status conditions of the terminal and / or other terminals when the positioning process is triggered can be set according to actual needs to improve the diversity of the first trigger condition, thereby improving the flexibility of the terminal positioning process.

[0079] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the first trigger condition is associated with the positioning duration, the first trigger condition includes:

[0080] During the positioning duration, the positioning request message is continuously sent to the access network device.

[0081] In the above embodiment, by providing optional configuration content of the first trigger condition associated with the positioning duration, the first trigger condition associated with the positioning duration can be set according to actual needs to improve the diversity of the first trigger condition, thereby improving the flexibility of the terminal positioning process.

[0082] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0083] Upon receiving second indication information, stop sending the positioning request message to the access network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate termination of positioning.

[0084] In the above embodiment, a method of terminating positioning by using the second indication information is provided to control the timing of positioning termination and improve the flexibility of the terminal positioning process.

[0085] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, at least satisfying the first trigger condition, sending a positioning request message to the access network device includes:

[0086] When the first trigger condition and the second trigger condition are simultaneously met, the positioning request message is sent to the access network device;

[0087] The second trigger condition is a trigger condition for terminal positioning pre-stored on the terminal.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the second trigger condition for terminal positioning is predicted on the terminal so that the positioning triggering timing can be determined based on the first trigger condition and the second trigger condition, thereby improving the flexibility of the terminal positioning process.

[0089] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the positioning request message is used for any of the following:

[0090] Requesting the access network device to locate the terminal;

[0091] Request the access network device to locate other terminals discovered by the terminal.

[0092] In the above embodiment, multiple optional functions are provided for the positioning request message, so that the terminal can request positioning not only for itself but also for other terminals it has discovered, thereby improving the flexibility of the terminal positioning process.

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

[0094] receiving a positioning request message sent by a terminal;

[0095] The positioning request message is sent by the terminal when at least a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning is met, and the first trigger condition is determined based on first indication information received by the terminal.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the terminal sends a positioning request message to the network device when at least the first trigger condition for terminal positioning is met, so that the network device can receive the positioning request message sent by the terminal to trigger the terminal positioning process, thereby ensuring the rationality of the timing of triggering positioning and improving the positioning efficiency of the terminal.

[0097] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the process of obtaining the first indication information includes any one of the following:

[0098] Receive a positioning message sent by other terminals or core network devices, where the positioning message includes the first indication information.

[0099] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the positioning message is a Sidelink Positioning Protocol SLPP message.

[0100] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the positioning message is an SLPP location request message, and the first indication information is carried in a first information element IE of the SLPP location request message.

[0101] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first IE includes any one of the following:

[0102] Public location information request IE;

[0103] Sidelink round trip time SL-RTT location information request IE;

[0104] Sidelink arrival azimuth SL-AOA position information request IE;

[0105] Sidelink departure azimuth SL-AOD position information request IE;

[0106] Sidelink Time Difference of Arrival SL-TDOA Position Request Message IE;

[0107] IE used to indicate the first trigger condition.

[0108] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first trigger condition is associated with at least one of the following:

[0109] Anchor terminal;

[0110] Network status;

[0111] Positioning duration.

[0112] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, when the first trigger condition is associated with the anchor terminal, the first trigger condition includes at least one of the following:

[0113] The number of anchor terminals is greater than or equal to a first threshold;

[0114] An anchor terminal for distance or angle measurement is detected.

[0115] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, when the first trigger condition is associated with the network state, the first trigger condition includes at least one of the following:

[0116] The network status of the terminal and / or other terminals discovered by the terminal meets the network status condition;

[0117] The signal quality of the sidelink between the terminal and the other terminal meets the signal quality condition.

[0118] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the network status condition includes any one of the following:

[0119] The terminal is within the network coverage area;

[0120] The terminal is not within the network coverage area;

[0121] At least one of the other terminals is within the network coverage;

[0122] At least one of the other terminals has positioning capability and is within network coverage.

[0123] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, when the first trigger condition is associated with the positioning duration, the first trigger condition includes:

[0124] During the positioning duration, the positioning request message is continuously sent to the access network device.

[0125] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the positioning request message is sent by the terminal when at least a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning is met, including:

[0126] The positioning request message is sent by the terminal when the first trigger condition and the second trigger condition are simultaneously met;

[0127] The second trigger condition is a trigger condition for terminal positioning pre-stored on the terminal.

[0128] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0129] Based on the positioning request message, third indication information is sent to each terminal participating in the positioning, where the third indication information is used to instruct each terminal participating in the positioning to perform device positioning.

[0130] In the above embodiment, the third instruction information is sent to each terminal participating in the positioning based on the positioning request message to instruct each terminal participating in the positioning to perform device positioning, thereby ensuring smooth implementation of the terminal positioning process.

[0131] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal, including:

[0132] a transceiver module, configured to receive first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning;

[0133] The transceiver module is further configured to send a positioning request message to the access network device when at least the first trigger condition is satisfied.

[0134] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an access network device, including:

[0135] a transceiver module, configured to receive a positioning request message sent by a terminal;

[0136] The positioning request message is sent by the terminal when at least a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning is met, and the first trigger condition is determined based on first indication information received by the terminal.

[0137] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal, including:

[0138] one or more processors;

[0139] The terminal is used to execute the first aspect and the terminal positioning method described in any one of the first aspects.

[0140] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an access network device, including:

[0141] one or more processors;

[0142] The access network device is used to execute the second aspect and the terminal positioning method described in any one of the second aspects.

[0143] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, comprising a terminal and an access network device, wherein the terminal is used to execute the first aspect and the terminal positioning method described in any one of the first aspects, and the access network device is used to execute the second aspect and the terminal positioning method described in any one of the second aspects.

[0144] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium storing instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes a terminal positioning method as described in the first aspect, any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, and any one of the second aspect.

[0145] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the terminal positioning method described in the first aspect, any item in the first aspect, the second aspect, and any item in the second aspect.

[0146] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the terminal positioning method described in the first aspect, any item in the first aspect, the second aspect, and any item in the second aspect.

[0147] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system, wherein the chip or chip system includes a processing circuit configured to execute the terminal positioning method according to the first aspect, any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, and any one of the second aspect.

[0148] It is understandable that the above-mentioned terminals, access network devices, core network devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, computer programs, chips, or chip systems are all used to perform the methods proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0149] The present disclosure provides a terminal positioning method, apparatus, and storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "terminal positioning method" and "information processing method" and "communication method" are interchangeable; the terms "terminal positioning apparatus" and "information processing apparatus" and "communication apparatus" are interchangeable; and the terms "information processing system" and "communication system" are interchangeable.

[0150] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0151] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0152] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0153] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0154] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0155] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0156] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0157] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0158] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0159] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0160] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0161] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0162] In some embodiments, devices and equipment can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc.

[0163] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.

[0164] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" may also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", and in some embodiments may also be understood as "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission and / or reception point (TRP)" "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)", etc.

[0165] In some embodiments, "terminal" or "terminal device" may be referred to as "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal" "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc.

[0166] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0167] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0168] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0169] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0170] As shown in FIG1 , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and an access network device 102 .

[0171] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0172] In some embodiments, the access network device 102 is, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0173] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0174] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0175] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0176] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 , or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1 are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in FIG1 , or may include other entities outside of FIG1 . The number and form of the entities are arbitrary, and the entities may be physical or virtual. The connection relationships between the entities are illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0177] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0178] FIG2 is an interactive diagram of a terminal positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a terminal positioning method, which includes:

[0179] Step S2101: The terminal receives first indication information.

[0180] The first indication information is used to indicate a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning. Optionally, the first trigger condition may be used to indicate a condition that the network environment in which the terminal is located needs to meet when starting the terminal positioning process.

[0181] In some embodiments, the terminal may receive positioning information sent by other terminals, and the positioning information may include first indication information, so that the terminal may receive the first indication information.

[0182] The terminal and the other terminal may be terminals with different roles in a network environment.

[0183] For example, the terminal may be a target terminal (or target user equipment, target UE) that needs to be located, the other terminal may be an anchor terminal (or anchor user equipment, anchor UE) that assists the target UE in positioning, or the other terminal may be a service terminal (or service user equipment, server UE) with positioning and position calculation functions.

[0184] For another example, the terminal may be an anchor UE, and the other terminals may be other anchor UEs participating in positioning, or the other terminals may be target UEs, or the other terminals may be server UEs.

[0185] For another example, the terminal may be a server UE, and the other terminal may be a target UE, or the other terminal may be an anchor UE.

[0186] Anchor UEs can be of various types. For example, an anchor UE can be a roadside unit (RSU). An RSU-type anchor UE is a type of infrastructure that can provide positioning services by collaborating with other anchor UEs. Another example is that a regular UE can also serve as an anchor UE, but it is difficult for a regular UE-type anchor UE to assist in providing positioning services with other UEs.

[0187] In addition, some anchor UEs have the ability to obtain absolute position information (such as Global Positioning System (GPS) position information), which can assist other UEs in absolute positioning; however, some anchor UEs may not have the ability to obtain absolute position information.

[0188] In some embodiments, the terminal may also receive a positioning message sent by a core network device, and the positioning information may include first indication information so that the terminal can receive the first indication information.

[0189] The terminal may be a target UE, or an anchor UE, or a server UE. The embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit the specific type of the terminal.

[0190] A core network device can be a single device that includes multiple network elements, or it can be multiple devices or device groups that each include all or part of multiple network elements. Network elements can be virtual or physical. The core network, for example, includes at least one of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), the 5G Core Network (5GCN), and the Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0191] Optionally, the terminal may receive a positioning message sent by a first network element of a core network device.

[0192] The first network element may be a location management function (LMF) network element.

[0193] Through the above embodiment, the terminal can receive a positioning message sent by other terminals or core network devices. The positioning message can include the first indication information, so that the terminal can obtain the first indication message.

[0194] In some embodiments, the positioning message may be a Sidelink Positioning Protocol (SLPP) message.

[0195] For example, the positioning message may be an SLPP location request message, wherein the SLPP location request message is a message type used in sidelink communication, and is used to implement terminal positioning to obtain location information of the terminal.

[0196] Optionally, the Sidelink-based positioning method may include absolute positioning, relative positioning, ranging, etc. Absolute positioning is to determine the absolute position coordinates of the terminal, relative positioning is to determine the position coordinates of the terminal relative to a reference point, and ranging is to determine the distance and / or angle of the terminal relative to a reference point.

[0197] It should be noted that the SLPP location request message may include various types of information units (or information elements, IEs). An IE is a basic unit in the communication protocol, used to convey specific information during the communication process. An IE can be a small block of data in the protocol header or message that describes communication parameters, configuration options, status information, etc. An information element can carry different types of information, such as network configuration, channel status, and device capabilities.

[0198] Optionally, the SLPP may include an IE for indicating a message type, an IE for indicating a requested device identification (ID), an IE for requesting different types of location information, an IE for indicating a requested timestamp, and the like.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first indication information may be carried in a first information element (ie, a first IE) of the SLPP location request message. The first IE may be an IE used to request different types of location information.

[0200] Optionally, the first IE may be a public location information request IE; or, the first IE may be a sidelink round-trip time (SL-RTT) location information request IE; or, the first IE may be a sidelink angle of arrival (SL-AOA) location information request IE; or, the first IE may be a sidelink angle of departure (SL-AOD) location information request IE; or, the first IE may be a sidelink time difference of arrival (SL-TDOA) location information request IE; or, an IE specifically used to indicate the first trigger condition may be pre-configured in the SLPP location request message, so that the first IE may be an IE used to indicate the first trigger condition.

[0201] The public location information request IE may be used to request the public location information of the terminal, for example, the region, country, city, etc. where the terminal is located.

[0202] The SL-RTT Location Information Request IE can be used to request terminal positioning by measuring the sidelink round-trip delay. It should be noted that the method of achieving terminal positioning by measuring the sidelink round-trip delay can be called the SL-RTT positioning method. The SL-RTT positioning method can calculate the distance between two terminals based on the measurement of the sidelink round-trip delay. When using the SL-RTT positioning method for positioning, one terminal (referred to as the first terminal) first sends a location request message to another terminal (referred to as the second terminal), and carries its own Sidelink ID and timestamp and other information in the location request message; after receiving the location request message, the second terminal will record the timestamp carried in the location request message and reply with a location response message, and carry its own Sidelink ID and timestamp and other information in the location response message; after receiving the location response message, the first terminal records the timestamp in the location response message and sends an end message to the second terminal; after receiving the end message, the second terminal can record the timestamp of receiving the end message, so that the first terminal and the second terminal can calculate the SL-RTT (i.e., half of the round-trip time) based on the recorded timestamp to estimate the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0203] The SL-AOA location information request IE can be used to request terminal positioning by measuring the angle of the signal arrival direction. It should be noted that the method of measuring the angle of the signal arrival direction to achieve terminal positioning can be called the SL-AOA positioning method, and the SL-AOA positioning method can estimate the distance between terminals by measuring the angle of the signal arrival direction. When using the SL-AOA positioning method for positioning, the first terminal can send a location request message to the second terminal; after receiving the location request message, the second terminal will measure the angle of the signal arrival direction and return the angle value to the first terminal in the location response message; after receiving the location response message, the first terminal can use its own location information and the received angle value to estimate the distance between it and the second terminal.

[0204] The SL-AOD location information request IE can be used to request the positioning of the terminal by measuring the angle of the direction in which the signal leaves. It should be noted that the method of positioning the terminal by measuring the angle of the direction in which the signal leaves can be called the SL-AOD positioning method, and the SL-AOD positioning method can estimate the distance between terminals by measuring the angle of the direction in which the signal leaves. When using the SL-AOD positioning method for positioning, the first terminal can send a location update message to the second terminal when preparing to leave, which contains information such as the current location information and timestamp of the first terminal; after receiving the location update message, the second terminal will measure the angle of the direction in which the signal leaves, and include the angle value in a location update response message and send it to the first terminal; the first terminal can use the received angle value and its own location information to estimate the distance between it and the second terminal.

[0205] The SL-TDOA location information request IE can be used to request the measurement of the time difference between the arrival of signals at different terminals to achieve terminal positioning. It should be noted that the method of achieving terminal positioning by measuring the time difference between the arrival of signals at different terminals can be called the SL-TDOA positioning method. The SL-TDOA positioning method can estimate the distance between terminals by measuring the time difference between the arrival of signals at different terminals. When using the SL-TDOA positioning method for positioning, a terminal can send a synchronization signal to other terminals around it. After receiving the signal, the other terminals record the timestamp of the received signal; by comparing the timestamps of the received signals, the time difference of the arrival of signals between different terminals can be calculated; these time differences are proportional to the distance between the terminals, so these time differences can be used to estimate the distance between the terminals.

[0206] The above are only several exemplary descriptions of the first IE and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present disclosure. In more possible implementations, the first IE may also be other types of IE, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0207] Optionally, the positioning message may carry the first indication information only when requesting certain positioning methods, but not when requesting other positioning methods. For example, the positioning message may carry the first indication information when requesting one or more positioning methods such as SL-RTT, SL-TDOA, SL-AOD, and SL-TDOA.

[0208] After obtaining the first indication information, the terminal can obtain the first trigger condition indicated by the first indication information.

[0209] In some embodiments, the first trigger condition may be a trigger condition associated with at least one of an anchor terminal (ie, an anchor UE), a network state, and a positioning duration.

[0210] When the first trigger condition is associated with an anchor terminal, the first trigger condition may be: the number of anchor terminals is greater than or equal to a first threshold; an anchor terminal used for ranging or angle measurement is detected.

[0211] Taking the first trigger condition that the number of anchor terminals is greater than or equal to the first threshold as an example, the first trigger condition may be that the terminal has discovered enough anchor UEs for the requested positioning; or, for the SL-TDOA positioning method or the SL-AOA positioning method or the SL-AOD positioning method, the first trigger condition may be that at least three anchor UEs required for the positioning process have been discovered.

[0212] Taking the SL-TDOA positioning method as an example, in the SL-TDOA positioning method, the terminal can determine the specific position of the terminal relative to the anchor terminal by measuring the positioning signals sent by at least three anchor terminals (such as RSU) through the Sidelink link. Referring to Figure 3, Figure 3 is an architectural diagram of the SL-TDOA positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, the terminal (that is, the UE) can determine the specific position of the terminal relative to the RSU by measuring the Sidelink Position Reference Signal (SL PRS) sent by three RSUs.

[0213] Taking the first trigger condition of detecting an anchor terminal used for ranging or angle measurement as an example, for the SL-RTT positioning method, the first trigger condition may be detecting the other UE of the two UEs used for ranging or angle measurement.

[0214] When the first trigger condition is associated with the network status, the first trigger condition can be at least one of the following: the network status of the terminal and / or other terminals discovered by the terminal meets the network status condition; the signal quality of the side link between the terminal and other terminals meets the signal quality condition.

[0215] Taking the first trigger condition as the network status of the terminal and / or other terminals discovered by the terminal meeting the network status condition as an example, the first trigger condition may be that the terminal is within the network coverage (that is, the terminal is in-coverage), or, the first trigger condition may be that the terminal is not within the network coverage (that is, the terminal is out-of-coverage), or, the first trigger condition may be that at least one of the other terminals is within the network coverage (that is, at least one of the other terminals discovered by the terminal is in-coverage), or, the first trigger condition may be that at least one of the other terminals has positioning capability and is within the network coverage (that is, at least one of the other terminals discovered by the terminal that can participate in positioning is in-coverage).

[0216] Taking the example of the first trigger condition being that the signal quality of the sidelink between the terminal and another terminal meets a signal quality condition, the first trigger condition may be that the signal quality of the sidelink (SL) between the terminal and the other terminal meets a threshold requirement. Meeting the threshold requirement may be that the signal quality of the sidelink between the terminal and the other terminal is greater than a signal quality threshold value. The signal quality threshold value may be configurable based on technical requirements.

[0217] When the first trigger condition is associated with the positioning duration, the first trigger condition may be continuously sending a positioning request message to the access network device within the positioning duration.

[0218] The positioning duration may be a pre-configured duration. Optionally, the positioning duration may be in seconds, milliseconds, minutes, etc., which is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0219] In some embodiments, the terminal may also stop sending the positioning request message to the access network device when receiving the second indication information. The second indication information may be used to indicate the termination of positioning.

[0220] Optionally, the second indication information may be an abort message, or the second indication information may be an error message, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0221] It should be noted that the multiple first trigger conditions mentioned above can be used in combination.

[0222] In some embodiments, after obtaining the first trigger condition, the terminal can detect the data associated with the terminal positioning process in the current network environment based on the first trigger condition to determine whether the data associated with the terminal positioning process in the current network environment meets the positioning trigger condition.

[0223] In some embodiments, a second trigger condition for terminal positioning may be pre-stored on the terminal. The second trigger condition may serve as a supplement to the first trigger condition, so that based on the first trigger condition and the second trigger condition, it is possible to jointly detect whether the data associated with the terminal positioning process in the current network environment meets the positioning trigger condition.

[0224] In some embodiments, data associated with a first trigger condition may be detected based on the first trigger condition, and related data not involved in the first trigger condition may be detected based on a second trigger condition.

[0225] That is, for the content that has been configured with the first trigger condition, the data corresponding to the content can be detected according to the first trigger condition.

[0226] For content that is not configured with the first trigger condition, the corresponding data may be detected according to the second trigger condition.

[0227] For example, if the first trigger condition for the network status of the terminal and / or other terminals discovered by the terminal is not configured, the terminal may detect the network status of the terminal and / or other terminals discovered by the terminal based on a pre-stored second trigger condition. For example, the second trigger condition may be that the terminal is within the network coverage area, or the second trigger condition may be that at least one of the other terminals discovered by the terminal is within the network coverage area, or the second trigger condition may be that at least one of the other terminals discovered by the terminal has positioning capability and is within the network coverage area.

[0228] For another example, if the first trigger condition for the signal quality of the sidelink between the terminal and another terminal is not configured, the terminal may detect the signal quality of the sidelink between the terminal and the other terminal based on a pre-stored second trigger condition. For example, the second trigger condition may be that the signal quality of the sidelink between the terminal and the anchor terminal is greater than or equal to a signal quality threshold.

[0229] For another example, if the first trigger condition for the number of anchor terminals is not configured, the terminal may detect the number of anchor terminals based on a pre-stored second trigger condition. For example, for the SL-TDOA positioning method, the SL-AOA positioning method, or the SL-AOD positioning method, the second trigger condition may be that the number of anchor terminals is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the first threshold may be 3.

[0230] For another example, if the first trigger condition for detecting an anchor terminal for ranging or angle measurement is not configured, the terminal may detect whether an anchor terminal for ranging or angle measurement exists based on a pre-stored second trigger condition. For example, for the SL-RTT positioning method, the second trigger condition may be the discovery of another terminal for ranging or angle measurement.

[0231] For another example, if the first trigger condition for determining whether an anchor terminal has an absolute position is not configured, the terminal may detect whether an anchor terminal has an absolute position based on a pre-stored second trigger condition.

[0232] For another example, if the first trigger condition for determining whether the terminal has location calculation capability is not configured, the terminal may detect whether the terminal has location calculation capability based on a pre-stored second trigger condition. For example, the second trigger condition may be that the terminal has location calculation capability.

[0233] The above is merely an exemplary description of several second trigger conditions and does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present disclosure. In more possible implementations, the second trigger condition may also be other possible conditions, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0234] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codeword", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0235] In some embodiments, the terms "side", "sidelink", "side communication", "sidelink communication", "direct connection", "direct link", "direct communication", "direct link communication" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0236] In some embodiments, terms such as "duration", "period", "time window", "window", and "time" can be used interchangeably.

[0237] Step S2102: If at least the first indication information is satisfied, the terminal sends a positioning request message to the access network device.

[0238] In some embodiments, the terminal may send a positioning request message to the access network device when the first trigger condition and the second trigger condition are simultaneously met.

[0239] In some embodiments, the positioning request message may be used to request the access network device to perform positioning for the terminal; or, the positioning request message may be used to request the access network device to perform positioning for other terminals discovered by the terminal.

[0240] For example, if the terminal is a target UE, the positioning request message may be used to request the access network device to locate the terminal. For another example, if the terminal is an anchor UE or a server UE, the positioning request message may be used to request the access network device to locate other terminals discovered by the terminal.

[0241] Step S2103: The access network device receives a positioning request message sent by the terminal.

[0242] Step S2104: The access network device sends third indication information to each terminal participating in the positioning based on the positioning request message.

[0243] The third indication information may be used to instruct each terminal participating in positioning to perform device positioning.

[0244] It should be noted that the terminals participating in positioning may include the above-mentioned terminals and other terminals discovered by the terminals.

[0245] Optionally, each terminal participating in positioning may include a target UE and multiple anchor UEs; or, each terminal participating in positioning may include two UEs used for ranging or angle measurement.

[0246] The device positioning process is formally started by sending the third indication information to each terminal participating in the positioning, so as to obtain the terminal location information.

[0247] The terminal location information may be absolute location information, or the terminal location information may be relative location information, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0248] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0249] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0250] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain", "preset", "preset", "setting", "indicated", "a certain", "any", and "first" can be interchangeable. "Specific A", "preset A", "preset A", "setting A", "indicated A", "a certain A", "any A", and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-specified in a protocol, etc., or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or indication, etc., or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, etc., but not limited to this.

[0251] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be performed by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values ​​(for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0252] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2104. For example, step S2101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2101 + step S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2101 + step S2102 + step S2103 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0253] In some embodiments, step S2102, step S2103, and step S2104 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0254] In some embodiments, step S2101, step S2103, and step S2104 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0255] In some embodiments, step S2103 and step S2104 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0256] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2 .

[0257] FIG4A is a flow chart of a terminal positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a terminal positioning method, which includes:

[0258] Step S4101: Obtain first indication information.

[0259] The first indication information may be used to indicate a first triggering condition for performing terminal positioning.

[0260] In some embodiments, the terminal may receive first indication information.

[0261] In some embodiments, the terminal may receive first indication information sent by other terminals or core network devices, but is not limited thereto. The terminal may also receive first indication information sent by other entities.

[0262] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0263] Step S4102: If at least the first trigger condition is met, a positioning request message is sent.

[0264] The positioning request message may be used to request the access network device to locate the terminal; or, the positioning request message may be used to request the access network device to locate other terminals discovered by the terminal.

[0265] In some embodiments, if at least a trigger condition is satisfied, the terminal may send a positioning request message to the access network device, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The terminal may also send a positioning request message to other entities.

[0266] The optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0267] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4101 to S4102. For example, step S4101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S4102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0268] In some embodiments, step S4101 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0269] In some embodiments, step S4102 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0270] FIG4B is a flow chart of a terminal positioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a terminal positioning method, which includes:

[0271] Step 4201: Get the positioning request message.

[0272] The positioning request message is sent by the terminal when at least a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning is met, and the first trigger condition is determined based on first indication information received by the terminal.

[0273] The positioning request message may be used to request the access network device to locate the terminal; or, the positioning request message may be used to request the access network device to locate other terminals discovered by the terminal.

[0274] In some embodiments, the access network device may receive a positioning request message sent by a terminal, but is not limited thereto. The access network device may also receive a positioning request message sent by other entities.

[0275] The optional implementation of step S4201 can be found in step S2103 of FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S4102 of FIG. 4A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0276] Step S4202: Send third indication information based on the positioning request message.

[0277] The third indication information may be used to instruct each terminal participating in positioning to perform device positioning.

[0278] In some embodiments, the access network device may send the third indication information to each terminal participating in positioning, but is not limited thereto. The access network device may also send the third indication information to other entities.

[0279] The optional implementation of step S4202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0280] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4201 to S4202. For example, step S4201 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0281] In some embodiments, step S4202 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0282] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, step S4201 may be combined with step S4102 of FIG. 4A .

[0283] The present disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, a device is provided that includes units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another device is provided that includes units or modules for implementing each step performed by an access network device in any of the above methods.

[0284] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0285] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0286] Figure 5A is a structural diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5A, the terminal 5100 may include at least: a transceiver module 5101. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 5101 is configured to receive a first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate a first trigger condition for terminal positioning; the transceiver module 5101 is also configured to at least meet the first trigger condition and send a positioning request message to the access network device. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving (for example, step S2101, step S2102, but not limited thereto) executed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0287] Figure 5B is a structural diagram of an access network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5B, the access network device 5200 may include at least: a transceiver module 5201. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 5201 is configured to receive a positioning request message sent by a terminal; wherein, the positioning request message is sent by the terminal when at least a first trigger condition for terminal positioning is met, and the first trigger condition is determined based on the first indication information received by the terminal. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving (for example, step S2103, step S2104, but not limited thereto) performed by the access network device in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0288] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, and the transmitting module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0289] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 6100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 6100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 6100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0290] As shown in Figure 6A, the communication device 6100 includes one or more processors 6101. Processor 6101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, baseband chip, terminal device, terminal device chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The communication device 6100 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0291] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more memories 6102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 6102 may be located outside the communication device 6100.

[0292] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more transceivers 6103. When the communication device 6100 includes one or more transceivers 6103, the transceiver 6103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101, step S2102, step S2103, and step S2104, but not limited thereto), and the processor 6101 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0293] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0294] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 may include one or more interface circuits 6104. Optionally, the interface circuit 6104 is connected to the memory 6102. The interface circuit 6104 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 6102 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 6102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6104 may read instructions stored in the memory 6102 and send the instructions to the processor 6101.

[0295] The communication device 6100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 6100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 6100 may not be limited to FIG6A. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (6) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0296] 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 6200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 6100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 6200 shown in FIG6B , but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0297] The chip 6200 includes one or more processors 6201 , and the chip 6200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0298] In some embodiments, the chip 6200 further includes one or more interface circuits 6202. Optionally, the interface circuit 6202 is connected to the memory 6203. The interface circuit 6202 can be used to receive signals from the memory 6203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 6203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6202 can read instructions stored in the memory 6203 and send the instructions to the processor 6201.

[0299] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 6202 executes at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101, step S2102, step S2103, step S2104, but not limited to these), and the processor 6201 executes at least one of the other steps.

[0300] In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver may be used interchangeably.

[0301] In some embodiments, the chip 6200 further includes one or more memories 6203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 6203 may be located outside the chip 6200.

[0302] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed on the communication device 6100, the communication device 6100 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a transient storage medium.

[0303] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 6100, enables the communication device 6100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0304] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

[0305] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

[0306] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exact structures that have been described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A terminal positioning method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Receiving first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning; At least the first trigger condition is met, and a positioning request message is sent to the access network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The receiving first indication information comprises: Receive a positioning message sent by other terminals or core network equipment, where the positioning message includes the first indication information.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The positioning message is a Side Link Positioning Protocol SLPP message.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The positioning message is a SLPP location request message, and the first indication information is carried in a first information element IE of the SLPP location request message.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first IE includes any one of the following: Public location information request IE; Sidelink round trip delay SL-RTT location information request IE; Sidelink arrival azimuth SL-AOA position information request IE; Sidelink departure azimuth SL-AOD position information request IE; Sidelink time difference of arrival SL-TDOA position request message IE; An IE used to indicate the first trigger condition.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first trigger condition is associated with at least one of the following: Anchor terminal; Network status; Positioning duration.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that When the first trigger condition is associated with the anchor terminal, the first trigger condition includes at least one of the following: The number of anchor terminals is greater than or equal to a first threshold; An anchor terminal for distance or angle measurement is detected.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that When the first trigger condition is associated with the network state, the first trigger condition includes at least one of the following: The network status of the terminal and / or other terminals discovered by the terminal meets the network status condition; The signal quality of the side link between the terminal and the other terminal meets the signal quality condition.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The network status condition includes any of the following: The terminal is within the coverage of the network; The terminal is not within the network coverage area; At least one of the other terminals is within the network coverage; At least one of the other terminals has positioning capability and is within network coverage.

10. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that When the first trigger condition is associated with the positioning duration, the first trigger condition includes: During the positioning duration, the positioning request message is continuously sent to the access network device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: Upon receiving second indication information, stop sending the positioning request message to the access network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate the termination of positioning.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The sending a positioning request message to the access network device when at least the first trigger condition is met includes: When the first trigger condition and the second trigger condition are met at the same time, the positioning request message is sent to the access network device; The second trigger condition is a trigger condition for terminal positioning pre-stored in the terminal.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The positioning request message is used for any of the following: Requesting the access network device to locate the terminal; Request the access network device to locate other terminals discovered by the terminal.

14. A terminal positioning method, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving a positioning request message sent by a terminal; The positioning request message is sent by the terminal when at least a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning is met, and the first trigger condition is determined based on first indication information received by the terminal.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The process of obtaining the first indication information includes any one of the following: Receive a positioning message sent by other terminals or core network equipment, where the positioning message includes the first indication information.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The positioning message is a Side Link Positioning Protocol SLPP message.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The positioning message is a SLPP location request message, and the first indication information is carried in a first information element IE of the SLPP location request message.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The first IE includes any one of the following: Public location information request IE; Sidelink round trip delay SL-RTT location information request IE; Sidelink arrival azimuth SL-AOA position information request IE; Sidelink departure azimuth SL-AOD position information request IE; Sidelink time difference of arrival SL-TDOA position request message IE; An IE used to indicate the first trigger condition.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that The first trigger condition is associated with at least one of the following: Anchor terminal; Network status; Positioning duration.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that When the first trigger condition is associated with the anchor terminal, the first trigger condition includes at least one of the following: The number of anchor terminals is greater than or equal to a first threshold; An anchor terminal for distance or angle measurement is detected.

21. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that When the first trigger condition is associated with the network state, the first trigger condition includes at least one of the following: The network status of the terminal and / or other terminals discovered by the terminal meets the network status condition; The signal quality of the side link between the terminal and the other terminal meets the signal quality condition.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The network status condition includes any of the following: The terminal is within the coverage of the network; The terminal is not within the network coverage area; At least one of the other terminals is within the network coverage; At least one of the other terminals has positioning capability and is within network coverage.

23. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that When the first trigger condition is associated with the positioning duration, the first trigger condition includes: During the positioning duration, the positioning request message is continuously sent to the access network device.

24. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 23, characterized in that The positioning request message is sent by the terminal when at least a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning is met, and includes: The positioning request message is sent by the terminal when the first trigger condition and the second trigger condition are met at the same time; The second trigger condition is a trigger condition for terminal positioning pre-stored in the terminal.

25. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 24, characterized in that The method further comprises: Based on the positioning request message, third indication information is sent to each terminal participating in the positioning, where the third indication information is used to instruct each terminal participating in the positioning to perform device positioning.

26. A terminal, characterized in that: include: A transceiver module is configured to receive first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning; The transceiver module is further configured to send a positioning request message to the access network device when at least the first trigger condition is satisfied.

27. An access network device, characterized in that: include: A transceiver module, configured to receive a positioning request message sent by a terminal; The positioning request message is sent by the terminal when at least a first trigger condition for performing terminal positioning is met, and the first trigger condition is determined based on first indication information received by the terminal.

28. A terminal, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The terminal is used to execute the terminal positioning method described in any one of claims 1-13.

29. An access network device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; Wherein, the access network device is used to execute the terminal positioning method described in any one of claims 14-25.

30. A communication system, characterized in that: It comprises a terminal and an access network device, wherein the terminal is used to execute the terminal positioning method according to any one of claims 1-13, and the access network device is used to execute the terminal positioning method according to any one of claims 14-25.

31. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device executes the terminal positioning method as described in any one of claims 1-13 or 14-25.

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