Information transmission method and apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of communications. Disclosed are an information transmission method and apparatus, and a storage medium, which can enable an access network device to perform a location measurement corresponding to a terminal device in a timely manner. The method comprises: receiving a first request message from a location management function network element, wherein the first request message is used for requesting location signal configuration information of a terminal device, and the first request message carries first information; and the first information is used for identifying a location measurement corresponding to the terminal device, and the location measurement corresponding to the terminal device is a location measurement performed by an access network device on a location signal sent by the terminal device.

Description

Information transmission method, device and storage medium

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on December 8, 2023, with application number 202311686791.3 and application name “Information Transmission Method, Device and Storage Medium”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to information transmission methods, devices, and storage media. Background Art

[0003] Currently, the access network device can perform positioning measurements on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device based on the request message. After that, if the positioning signal sent by the terminal device changes, the access network device needs to obtain a measurement update message from the location management function (LMF) side before it can continue to perform positioning measurements on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device based on the measurement update message. This can easily delay the access network device from performing positioning measurements on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide an information transmission method, apparatus, and storage medium, which enable access network equipment to perform positioning measurements corresponding to terminal equipment in a timely manner.

[0005] In a first aspect, an information transmission method is provided. The method can be executed by an access network device, or by a component of the access network device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the access network device. It can also be implemented by a logic module or software that implements all or part of the access network device. The following description uses the method executed by the access network device as an example. The information transmission method includes: receiving a first request message from a positioning management function network element, wherein the first request message is used to request positioning signal configuration information of a terminal device, and the first request message carries first information. The first information is used to identify a positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device, where the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device is a positioning measurement performed by the access network device on a positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present application, the access network device can obtain the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device through the first information carried in the first request message. Since the terminal device and the positioning measurement have a corresponding relationship, the access network device can directly perform positioning measurement on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device. If the positioning signal of the terminal device changes subsequently, the access network device can also directly continue to perform positioning measurement on the signal sent by the terminal device based on the corresponding relationship between the terminal device and the positioning measurement, eliminating the operation of transmitting measurement update messages between the access network device and the positioning management function network element, so that the access network device can perform the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device in a timely manner, thereby avoiding delays in the access network device performing the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device.

[0007] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation method, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application also includes: when the positioning signal sent by the terminal device changes, performing positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device on the changed positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

[0008] That is to say, when the positioning signal sent by the terminal device changes, the access network device can directly perform the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device on the changed positioning signal sent by the terminal device, rather than performing the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device before the change. This not only eliminates the operation of transmitting measurement update messages between the access network device and the positioning management function network element, but also avoids the impact of the invalid positioning signal on the positioning measurement results, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the positioning measurement results obtained by the access network device.

[0009] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first information includes an identifier of a positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device.

[0010] Because the request message is used to request configuration information for the positioning signal sent by the terminal device, it is therefore a message related to the terminal device. The first information can be carried in the request message, meaning it is also related to the terminal device. In this case, the first information includes an identifier for the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device. This allows the access network device to identify the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device upon receiving the request message.

[0011] With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation, the positioning signal is a sounding reference signal SRS.

[0012] That is to say, the information transmission method described in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to the SRS measurement scenario.

[0013] With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first request message is a positioning information request message.

[0014] Since the positioning information request message is an interactive message in the SRS measurement process, when the first request message is a positioning information request message, it can be shown that the information transmission method described in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to the SRS measurement scenario.

[0015] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation method, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: receiving a second request message from a positioning management function network element, wherein the second request message is used to request the access network device to perform positioning measurements corresponding to the terminal device, and the second request message carries the first information.

[0016] In this implementation, the second request message also carries the first information, allowing the access network device to associate the first and second request messages using the first information. If one request message changes, the access network device can determine the other request message based on the association between the first and second request messages and adaptively modify the other request message, ensuring that changes to the first and second request messages remain synchronized, thereby avoiding confusion during the access network device's positioning measurement process.

[0017] With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the second request message is a measurement request message.

[0018] Since the measurement request message is an interactive message in the SRS measurement process, when the second request message is a measurement request message, it can be shown that the information transmission method described in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to the SRS measurement scenario.

[0019] In a second aspect, an information transmission method is provided. The method can be executed by a positioning management function network element, or by a component of the positioning management function network element, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the positioning management function network element. The method can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the positioning management function network element. The following description uses the method executed by the positioning management function network element as an example. The information transmission method includes: sending a first request message to an access network device, wherein the first request message is used to request positioning signal configuration information of a terminal device, and the request message carries first information. The first information is used to identify the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device, and the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device is a positioning measurement performed by the access network device on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

[0020] In combination with the above second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first information includes an identifier of a positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device.

[0021] In combination with the above second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the positioning signal is a sounding reference signal SRS.

[0022] With reference to the second aspect above, in a possible implementation, the first request message is a positioning information request message.

[0023] In combination with the above-mentioned second aspect, in a possible implementation method, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: sending a second request message to the access network device, wherein the second request message is used to request the access network device to perform positioning measurements corresponding to the terminal device, and the second request message carries the first information.

[0024] With reference to the foregoing second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the second request message is a measurement request message.

[0025] Among them, the beneficial effects of the above-mentioned second aspect and possible implementation methods of the second aspect can refer to the beneficial effects of the above-mentioned first aspect and possible implementation methods of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0026] In a third aspect, an information transmission method is provided. This method can be executed by an access network device, or by a component of the access network device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the access network device. It can also be implemented by a logic module or software that implements all or part of the access network device. The following description uses the method executed by the access network device as an example. The information transmission method includes: receiving a second request message from a positioning management function network element, wherein the second request message is used to request the access network device to perform positioning measurements, and the measurement request message carries second information. The second information is used to indicate the terminal device corresponding to the positioning measurement, and the positioning measurement is a positioning measurement performed by the access network device on a positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

[0027] In an embodiment of the present application, the access network device can obtain the terminal device corresponding to the positioning measurement through the second information carried in the second request message. Since the terminal device and the positioning measurement have a corresponding relationship, the access network device can directly perform positioning measurement on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device. If the positioning signal of the terminal device changes subsequently, the access network device can also directly continue to perform positioning measurement on the signal sent by the terminal device based on the corresponding relationship between the terminal device and the positioning measurement, eliminating the operation of transmitting measurement update messages between the access network device and the positioning management function network element, so that the access network device can perform the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device in a timely manner, thereby avoiding delays in the access network device performing the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device.

[0028] In combination with the third aspect above, in a possible implementation, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application further includes: when the positioning signal sent by the terminal device changes, performing positioning measurement on the changed positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

[0029] In combination with the third aspect above, in a possible implementation, the second information includes an identifier or an associated identifier of the terminal device.

[0030] Since the second request message is used to request the access network device to perform positioning measurements, the second request message is related to positioning measurements. The second information can be carried in the measurement request message, that is, the second information is also related to positioning measurements, and the association identifier can associate the positioning measurement with the terminal device. Therefore, in this case, the second information includes the terminal device identifier or the association identifier, so that after receiving the measurement request message, the access network device can know that the positioning measurement is corresponding to the terminal device.

[0031] In combination with the third aspect above, in a possible implementation, the positioning signal is a sounding reference signal SRS.

[0032] With reference to the third aspect above, in a possible implementation, the second request message is a measurement request message.

[0033] In combination with the above-mentioned third aspect, in a possible implementation method, before receiving the second request message from the positioning management function network element, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application also includes: sending a positioning information response message to the positioning management function network element, wherein the positioning information response message is used to indicate the positioning signal configuration information of the terminal device, and the positioning information response message carries the second information.

[0034] In other words, the access network device can pre-notify the positioning management function element of the second information so that the positioning management function element can subsequently carry the second information in the measurement request message. In addition, since the positioning information response message is an exchanged message in the SRS measurement process, when the second information is carried in the positioning information response message, it can be shown that the information transmission method described in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to the SRS measurement scenario.

[0035] In a fourth aspect, an information transmission method is provided. The method can be executed by a positioning management function network element, or by a component of the positioning management function network element, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the positioning management function network element. The method can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the positioning management function network element. The following description uses the method executed by the positioning management function network element as an example. The information transmission method includes: sending a second request message to an access network device, wherein the second request message is used to request the access network device to perform positioning measurement, and the measurement request message carries second information. The second information is used to indicate the terminal device corresponding to the positioning measurement, and the positioning measurement is a measurement based on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

[0036] In combination with the fourth aspect above, in a possible implementation, the second information includes an identifier or an associated identifier of the terminal device.

[0037] In combination with the fourth aspect above, in a possible implementation, the positioning signal is a sounding reference signal SRS.

[0038] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible implementation, the second request message is a measurement request message.

[0039] In combination with the above-mentioned fourth aspect, in a possible implementation method, before sending a second request message to the access network device, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: receiving a positioning information response message from the access network device, wherein the positioning information response message is used to indicate the positioning signal configuration information of the terminal device, and the positioning information response message carries the second information.

[0040] Among them, the beneficial effects of the above-mentioned fourth aspect and possible implementation methods of the fourth aspect can refer to the beneficial effects of the above-mentioned third aspect and possible implementation methods of the third aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0041] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the various methods described above. The communication device may be the access network device described in the first aspect or any implementation of the first aspect, or a device including the access network device, or a device included in the access network device, such as a chip; or the communication device may be the positioning management function network element described in the second aspect or any implementation of the second aspect, or a device including the positioning management function network element, or a device included in the positioning management function network element, such as a chip; or the communication device may be the access network device described in the third aspect or any implementation of the third aspect, or a device including the access network device, or a device included in the access network device, such as a chip; or the communication device may be the positioning management function network element described in the fourth aspect or any implementation of the fourth aspect, or a device including the positioning management function network element, or a device included in the positioning management function network element, such as a chip. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the methods described above, which may be implemented in hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software implementations in hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0042] In some possible designs, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module, also referred to as a transceiver unit, is configured to implement the transmitting and / or receiving functions described in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The transceiver module may be comprised of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface. The processing module may be configured to implement the processing functions described in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof.

[0043] In some possible designs, the transceiver module includes a sending module and a receiving module, which are respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation methods.

[0044] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store computer instructions, and when the processor executes the instructions, the communication device performs the method of any of the above aspects. The communication device can be the access network device in the first aspect or any implementation of the first aspect, or a device including the access network device, or a device included in the access network device, such as a chip; or the communication device can be the positioning management function network element in the second aspect or any implementation of the second aspect, or a device including the positioning management function network element, or a device included in the positioning management function network element, such as a chip; or the communication device can be the access network device in the third aspect or any implementation of the third aspect, or a device including the access network device, or a device included in the access network device, such as a chip; or the communication device can be the positioning management function network element in the fourth aspect or any implementation of the fourth aspect, or a device including the positioning management function network element, or a device included in the positioning management function network element, such as a chip.

[0045] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface is configured to communicate with a module outside the communication device; and the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instruction to cause the communication device to perform the method of any of the above aspects. The communication device may be the access network device of the first aspect or any implementation of the first aspect, or a device including the access network device, or a device included in the access network device, such as a chip; or the communication device may be the positioning management function network element of the second aspect or any implementation of the second aspect, or a device including the positioning management function network element, or a device included in the positioning management function network element, such as a chip; or the communication device may be the access network device of the third aspect or any implementation of the third aspect, or a device including the access network device, or a device included in the access network device, such as a chip; or the communication device may be the positioning management function network element of the fourth aspect or any implementation of the fourth aspect, or a device including the positioning management function network element, or a device included in the positioning management function network element, such as a chip.

[0046] In an eighth aspect, a communications device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in a memory, so that the communications device performs the method of any of the aforementioned aspects. The memory may be coupled to the processor, or may be independent of the processor. The communications device may be the access network device described in the first aspect or any implementation of the first aspect, or a device including the access network device, or a device included in the access network device, such as a chip; or the communications device may be the positioning management function network element described in the second aspect or any implementation of the second aspect, or a device including the positioning management function network element, or a device included in the positioning management function network element, such as a chip; or the communications device may be the access network device described in the third aspect or any implementation of the third aspect, or a device including the access network device, or a device included in the access network device, such as a chip; or the communications device may be the positioning management function network element described in the fourth aspect or any implementation of the fourth aspect, or a device including the positioning management function network element, or a device included in the positioning management function network element, such as a chip.

[0047] In the ninth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is run on a communication device, the communication device can execute any of the above aspects or any of its implementation methods.

[0048] In a tenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute the method of any of the above aspects or any of its implementations.

[0049] In the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided (for example, the communication device may be a chip or a chip system), which includes a processor for implementing the functions involved in any of the above aspects or any of its implementation methods.

[0050] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data.

[0051] In some possible designs, when the device is a chip system, it can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0052] It can be understood that when the communication device provided in any one of the fifth to eighth aspects is a chip, the above-mentioned sending action / function can be understood as output, and the above-mentioned receiving action / function can be understood as input.

[0053] In the twelfth aspect, an information transmission method is provided, which includes the method of the above-mentioned first aspect or any implementation thereof, the method of the above-mentioned second aspect or any implementation thereof, the method of the above-mentioned third aspect or any implementation thereof, and the method of the above-mentioned fourth aspect or any implementation thereof.

[0054] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the access network device of the above aspect and the positioning management function network element of the above aspect.

[0055] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any implementation method of the fifth to thirteenth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by the corresponding implementation methods of the first to fourth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0056] It should be noted that various possible implementations of any of the above aspects can be combined under the premise that there is no contradiction between the solutions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] FIG1 is a flow chart of a positioning measurement process provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] FIG2 is a flow chart of a positioning measurement update process provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG5 is a flow chart of an information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a positioning measurement update provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG7 is a flow chart of another information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application, a brief introduction to the relevant technologies of this application is first given. The brief introduction is as follows:

[0066] 1. Positioning measurement technology: refers to the technology that performs positioning measurement through communication between user equipment (UE) and access network equipment to determine the UE's location or the relative positions of UEs.

[0067] Take the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) network as an example: the UE in the 5G network can be used to send positioning signals. The access network equipment in the 5G network can measure the positioning signals sent by the UE, obtain positioning measurement results, and send the above positioning measurement results to the core network (5G core network, 5GC) in the 5G network. Among them, the 5GC may include LMF and access and mobility management function (AMF). The AMF provides a communication tunnel for the LMF and the access network equipment, and the LMF is used to control the positioning measurement process of the access network equipment and process the reported positioning measurement results to obtain the UE's location information.

[0068] As shown in FIG1 , in various embodiments of the present application, the positioning measurement process may specifically include the following steps:

[0069] S101. LMF sends a position information request message to the access network device through the access and mobility management function (AMF). Correspondingly, the access network device receives the position information request message from the LMF through the AMF.

[0070] The positioning information request message is used to request the sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information of the UE.

[0071] Specifically, the LMF sends a positioning information request message to the AMF, and accordingly, the AMF receives the positioning information request message from the LMF. The AMF sends a downlink UE associated radio access network application protocol (NRPPA) transport message to the access network device, and accordingly, the access network device receives a downlink UE associated NRPPA transport message from the AMF. The downlink UE associated NRPPA transport message carries the positioning information request message.

[0072] It should be pointed out that since the NRPPA transmission message associated with the downlink UE carries identification information that can be used to identify the UE, for example, LMF UE next generation access protocol (NGAP) identification information, or AMF UE NGAP identification information, the NRPPA transmission message associated with the downlink UE is a message related to the UE.

[0073] S102: The access network device configures SRS configuration information for the UE.

[0074] In some examples, the SRS configuration information may include at least one of the following: bandwidth, frequency, subcarrier spacing, or period. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the SRS configuration information, and the SRS configuration information may also include other information, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0075] S103. The access network device sends a positioning information response message to the LMF through the AMF. Correspondingly, the LMF receives the positioning information response message from the access network device through the AMF.

[0076] The positioning information response message includes the SRS configuration information of the UE.

[0077] Specifically, the access network device sends an uplink UE associated NRPPA transport message to the AMF. Correspondingly, the AMF receives an uplink UE associated NRPPA transport message from the access network device. The uplink UE associated NRPPA transport message carries a positioning information response message. The AMF sends a positioning information response message to the LMF. Correspondingly, the LMF receives a positioning information response message from the AMF.

[0078] It should be noted that since the uplink UE associated NRPPA transport message carries identification information for identifying the UE, for example, LMF UE NGAP identification information, or AMF UE NGAP identification information, the uplink UE associated NRPPA transport message is a message related to the UE.

[0079] S104. LMF sends a measurement request message to the access network device through AMF. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the measurement request message from LMF through AMF.

[0080] The measurement request message is used to instruct the access network device to perform positioning measurement, and the positioning measurement is a positioning measurement performed on the SRS.

[0081] Specifically, the LMF sends a measurement request message to the AMF, and accordingly, the AMF receives the measurement request message from the LMF. The AMF sends a downlink non-UE associated NRPPA transport message to the access network device, and accordingly, the access network device receives a downlink non-UE associated NRPPA transport message from the AMF. The downlink non-UE associated NRPPA transport message carries the measurement request message.

[0082] It should be noted that, since the downlink non-UE-associated NRPPA transmission message does not carry identification information that can be used to identify the UE, the downlink non-UE-associated NRPPA transmission message is a message unrelated to the UE.

[0083] S105. The access network device sends a measurement response message to the LMF through the AMF. Correspondingly, the LMF receives the measurement response message from the access network device through the AMF.

[0084] The measurement response message includes the above positioning measurement result.

[0085] Specifically, the access network device sends an uplink non-UE associated NRPPA transport message to the AMF, and accordingly, the AMF receives an uplink non-UE associated NRPPA transport message from the access network device. The uplink non-UE associated NRPPA transport carries a measurement response message. The AMF sends a measurement response message to the LMF, and accordingly, the LMF receives a measurement response message from the AMF.

[0086] It should be noted that, since the uplink non-UE-associated NRPPA transmission message does not carry identification information that can be used to identify the UE, the uplink non-UE-associated NRPPA transmission message is a message unrelated to the UE.

[0087] S106. The LMF processes the positioning measurement result to obtain the location information of the UE.

[0088] However, the UE's SRS configuration information can easily change. For example, if the UE's resident cell switches from cell 1 to cell 2, the access network device needs to reconfigure new SRS configuration information for the UE, that is, the UE's SRS configuration information changes. If the UE's SRS configuration information changes, taking the 5G network as an example, as shown in Figure 2, in various embodiments of the present application, the positioning measurement update process may include the following steps:

[0089] S201. The access network device sends a positioning information update message to the LMF through the AMF. Correspondingly, the LMF receives the positioning information update message from the access network device through the AMF.

[0090] The positioning information update message is used to indicate new SRS configuration information configured by the access network device for the UE.

[0091] For example, assuming that the cell where the UE resides is switched from cell 1 to cell 2, the new SRS configuration information may include SRS configuration information configured by the access network device for the UE residing in cell 2.

[0092] S202. LMF sends a measurement update message to the access network device through AMF. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the measurement update message from LMF through AMF.

[0093] The measurement update message is used to instruct the access network device to continue positioning measurement based on the new SRS configuration information.

[0094] Specifically, the LMF sends a measurement update message to the AMF, and accordingly, the AMF receives the measurement update message from the LMF. The AMF sends a measurement update message to the access network device, and accordingly, the access network device receives the measurement update message from the AMF.

[0095] It should be noted that, since the measurement update message does not carry identification information for identifying the UE, and the message carrying the measurement update message does not carry identification information that can be used to identify the UE, the measurement update message is a message irrelevant to the UE.

[0096] S203: The access network device continues to perform positioning measurement based on the new SRS configuration information.

[0097] As mentioned above in relation to the “positioning measurement technology”, the access network device can perform positioning measurements on the positioning signal based on a request message (e.g., a measurement request message). However, since the measurement request message is a message unrelated to the UE, the access network device cannot associate the terminal device with the positioning measurement, resulting in the access network device being unable to know that the positioning measurement is performed on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device. If the positioning signal sent by the subsequent terminal device changes, the access network device can only obtain a measurement update message from the LMF side before it can continue to perform positioning measurements on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device based on the measurement update message. This can easily delay the access network device from performing positioning measurements on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

[0098] Based on this, the present application provides an information transmission method, whereby an access network device can obtain the positioning measurement corresponding to a terminal device through the first information carried in a first request message. Since the terminal device and the positioning measurement have a corresponding relationship, the access network device can directly perform positioning measurement on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device. If the positioning signal of the terminal device subsequently changes, the access network device can also directly continue to perform positioning measurement on the signal sent by the terminal device based on the corresponding relationship between the terminal device and the positioning measurement, thereby eliminating the operation of transmitting measurement update messages between the access network device and the positioning management function network element, so that the access network device can perform the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device in a timely manner, thereby avoiding delays in the access network device performing the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device.

[0099] 1. In the embodiments of the present application, for ease of description, when numbering, the numbers may be consecutively numbered starting from 1, starting from 0, or starting from any parameter. It should be understood that the above are all settings made to facilitate the description of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0100] 2. "Pre-definition" or "pre-configuration" can be achieved by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in a device (for example, an access network device or a positioning management function network element). The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation method. Among them, "saving" may mean saving in one or more memories. One or more memories may be set separately or integrated in an encoder or decoder, a processor, or a communication device. One or more memories may also be partially set separately and partially integrated in a decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The type of memory may be any form of storage medium, which is not limited by the embodiments of the present application.

[0101] 3. The “protocol” involved in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, for example, it may include the long term evolution (LTE) protocol, the new radio (NR) protocol, and related protocols used in future communication systems. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0102] 4. In the embodiments of the present application, descriptions such as "when...", "in the case of...", "if" and "if" all mean that under certain objective circumstances, the device (for example, the access network device or the positioning management function network element) will make corresponding processing. It does not limit the time, and does not require the device (for example, the access network device or the positioning management function network element) to have a judgment action when implementing it, nor does it mean that there are other limitations.

[0103] 5. In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated with each other are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B. "And / or" in the embodiments of this application is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural. In addition, in the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. In addition, in order to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between identical or similar items with basically the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art will understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit differences. At the same time, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete way for easy understanding.

[0104] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to LTE systems or NR systems (also referred to as 5G systems), vehicle to everything (V2X) systems, LTE and NR hybrid networking systems, or device to device (D2D) systems, machine to machine (M2M) communication systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems (such as narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems), and other next-generation communication systems. Alternatively, the communication system may also be a non-3GPP communication system without limitation.

[0105] In addition, the communication architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the communication architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0106] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication system 300 includes an access network device 301 and a positioning management function network element 302. Optionally, the communication system 300 may further include an access and mobility management function network element 303, through which the access network device 301 and the positioning management function network element 302 can communicate.

[0107] In one possible implementation, the positioning management function network element 302 sends a first request message to the access network device 301. The access network device 301 receives the first request message from the positioning management function network element 302. The first request message is used to request positioning signal configuration information for the terminal device and carries first information. The first information is used to identify the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device. The positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device is a positioning measurement performed by the access network device on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device. The specific implementation and related technical effects of this solution can be referred to in the subsequent method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0108] In one possible implementation, the positioning management function network element 302 sends a second request message to the access network device 301. The access network device 301 receives the second request message from the positioning management function network element 302. The second request message is used to request the access network device to perform positioning measurements, and the measurement request message carries second information. The second information indicates the terminal device for the positioning measurement. The positioning measurement is a positioning measurement performed by the access network device on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device. The specific implementation and related technical effects of this solution can be referred to in the subsequent method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0109] In one possible implementation, the access network device in the embodiment of the present application may cover N cells (e.g., cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3). For example, the access network device may include an evolved base station (NodeB or eNB or e-NodeB, evolutionary Node B) in an LTE system or an enhanced LTE (LTE-advanced, LTE-A) system, such as a traditional macro base station eNB and a micro base station eNB in ​​a heterogeneous network scenario. Alternatively, the access network device may include a next generation node B (gNB) in an NR system. Alternatively, the access network device may include a transmission reception point (TRP), a home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), a base band unit (BBU), a base band pool (BBU pool), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) access point (AP), etc. Alternatively, the access network device may include a base station in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), which can be deployed on an aircraft or satellite. In the NTN, the access network device or access device can function as a Layer 1 (L1) relay, a base station, or an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node. Alternatively, the access network device may be a device that implements base station functions in the IoT, such as a device that implements base station functions in drone communications, V2X, D2D, or machine-to-machine (M2M) communications.

[0110] In some possible scenarios, the access network device in the embodiments of the present application may also be a module or unit that can implement some of the functions of the base station. For example, the access network device may be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU may be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0111] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, the access network device may be an access network device or a module of an access network device in an open radio access network (open RAN, ORAN) system. In the ORAN system, CU may also be referred to as open (open, O)-CU, DU may also be referred to as O-DU, CU-CP may also be referred to as O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and RU may also be referred to as O-RU. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0112] Optionally, the base station in the embodiment of the present application may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), relay stations, access points, home base stations, TRPs, transmitting points (TPs), mobile switching centers, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0113] In one possible implementation, the location management function network element 302 is a LMF. The LMF is a device deployed in the core network that provides positioning functions for the communication network. As shown in Figure 3, the access network device 301 can communicate with the LMF through the access and mobility management function network element 303.

[0114] In one possible implementation, the access and mobility management function network element 303 is an AMF. The AMF is a device deployed in the core network that meets 5G standards and can provide access and mobility management functions for the communication network. The AMF is primarily used to perform registration, connection, reachability, and mobility management, and to provide a message transmission channel between the access network device 301 and the positioning management function network element 302. In view of this, the AMF can serve as an access point between the access network device 301 and the core network.

[0115] Optionally, as shown in FIG3 , the communication system 300 may further include a terminal device 304 .

[0116] In one possible implementation, the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application can be, for example, a UE, an access terminal, a terminal unit, a terminal station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a wireless communication device, a terminal agent or a terminal device in a 5G network or a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN). The access terminal may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device or a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical care, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc. In one possible implementation, the terminal device may be mobile or fixed.

[0117] In one possible implementation, the access network device and positioning management function network element in the embodiment of the present application can also be referred to as a communication device, which can be a general device or a dedicated device, and the embodiment of the present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0118] In one possible implementation, the relevant functions of the access network device or the positioning management function network element in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a single device, or can be implemented by multiple devices together, or can be implemented by one or more functional modules within a single device, and the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this. It is understood that the above functions can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or a combination of hardware and software, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0119] For example, the relevant functions of the access network device or the positioning management function network element in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by the communication device 400 in Figure 4. Figure 4 shows a schematic structural diagram of the communication device 400 provided in the embodiment of the present application. The communication device 400 includes one or more processors 401, a communication line 402, and at least one communication interface (Figure 4 is only exemplary and is described by taking the communication interface 404 and one processor 401 as an example), and may also include a memory 403.

[0120] The processor 401 may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the present application.

[0121] The communication line 402 may include a path for connecting different components.

[0122] Communication interface 404 may be a transceiver module for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, RAN, or wireless local area networks (WLAN). For example, the transceiver module may be a device such as a transceiver or a transceiver. In one possible implementation, communication interface 404 may also be a transceiver circuit located within processor 401, used to implement signal input and output to the processor.

[0123] The memory 403 may be a device having a storage function. For example, it may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via a communication line 402. The memory may also be integrated with the processor.

[0124] The memory 403 is used to store computer-executable instructions for executing the solution of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 401. The processor 401 is used to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403, thereby implementing the information transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0125] Alternatively, in an embodiment of the present application, the processor 401 may also perform functions related to the processing of the information transmission method provided in the following embodiments of the present application, and the communication interface 404 is responsible for communicating with other devices or communication networks, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0126] In a possible implementation, the memory 403 in the embodiment of the present application may also be used to store information or parameters described in the following embodiments, such as first indication information.

[0127] The computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application code, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0128] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 401 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG. 4 .

[0129] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 400 may include multiple processors, such as the processor 401 and the processor 407 in FIG4 . Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. The processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0130] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication apparatus 400 may further include an output device 405 and an input device 406. The output device 405 communicates with the processor 401 and may display information in a variety of ways.

[0131] The communication device 400 can be a general-purpose device or a dedicated device. For example, the communication device 400 can be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a network server, an embedded device, or a device with a similar structure as shown in FIG4. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of the communication device 400.

[0132] The information transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to FIG5 .

[0133] It should be noted that in the following embodiments of the present application, the message names, the names of the parameters, or the names of the information between the network elements are only examples. In other embodiments, they may also be other names. The method provided in the embodiments of the present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0134] It is understood that in the embodiments of the present application, each network element may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of the present application may also perform other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, the steps may be performed in a different order than those presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application need to be performed.

[0135] Figure 5 is an example of an information transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method is illustrated by taking the interaction between an access network device and a positioning management function network element as an example. Of course, the subject that executes the access network device action in the method can also be a device / module in the access network device, such as a chip, processor, processing unit, etc. in the access network device, and the subject that executes the positioning management function network element action in the method can also be a device / module in the positioning management function network element, such as a chip, processor, processing unit, etc. in the positioning management function network element. The embodiment of the present application does not make specific limitations on this. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the information transmission method includes the following steps:

[0136] S501: A positioning management function network element sends a first request message to an access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first request message from the positioning management function network element.

[0137] The first request message carries first information. The first information is used to identify the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device. The positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device is a positioning measurement performed by the access network device on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

[0138] Optionally, the positioning management function network element and the access network device can communicate through the access and mobility management function network element. In this case, the above S501 can be replaced by: the positioning management function network element sends a first request message to the access and mobility management function network element, and the access and mobility management function network element receives the first request message sent by the positioning management function network element. The access and mobility management function network element sends the first request message to the access network device, and the access network device receives the first request message from the access and mobility management function network element.

[0139] In one example, the positioning signal is an SRS. Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the positioning signal, and the positioning signal may also be other positioning signals, such as a positioning reference signal (PRS). This application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0140] In a possible implementation, the first request message is the position information request message recorded in S101. Further, the access network device may add the first information based on the position information request message recorded in S101.

[0141] In a possible implementation, the first information includes an identifier of a positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device.

[0142] Optionally, the identifier of the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device may be the same as the LMF measurement identity (Identity document, ID) (LMF measurement ID) in the measurement request message sent by the positioning management function network element (for example, the measurement request message recorded in S104). Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the identifier of the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device. The identifier of the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device may also be other identifiers, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0143] For example, the following Table 1 gives an example of a positioning information request message. As shown in Table 1 below, the positioning information request message may include a message type, an NRPPA transaction ID, an LMF measurement ID, requested SRS transmission characteristics, UE reporting information, a UE terminal equipment tunnel group (TEG) information request, and a UE TEG reporting periodicity. Among them, the LMF measurement ID (LMF measurement ID) can be an identifier of the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device recorded in the embodiment of the present application.

[0144] In addition, the presence, range, IE type and reference, semantics description, criticality, and assigned criticality of each information included in the positioning information request message can be understood by referring to Table 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0145] Table 1

[0146] Of course, the above is only an exemplary description of the positioning information request message. The positioning information request message can also be other information, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0147] It is understandable that, since the request message is used to request configuration information for the positioning signal sent by the terminal device, the request message is a message related to the terminal device. The first information can be carried in the request message, that is, the first information is also information related to the terminal device. Therefore, in this case, the first information includes an identifier of the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device, allowing the access network device to know that the positioning measurement is a positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device after receiving the request message.

[0148] As can be seen from the aforementioned introduction to the "positioning measurement update process", when the SRS configuration information of the UE changes, the access network device needs to re-report the SRS configuration information of the UE after the change. The LMF determines the measurement update message based on the SRS configuration information of the UE after the change, and sends the measurement update message to the access network device. The access network device can only obtain the measurement update message from the LMF side before it can continue to perform positioning measurements on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device according to the measurement update message. That is to say, before S202, even if the SRS configuration information of the UE changes, the access network device will still perform positioning measurements on the positioning signal before the change, which can easily lead to positioning measurement interruption or inaccurate positioning measurement results. In view of this, optionally, the information transmission method recorded in the embodiment of the present application can also include the following steps including S502.

[0149] S502: When the positioning signal sent by the terminal device changes, the access network device performs positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device on the changed positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

[0150] It can be understood that the positioning signal sent by the terminal device changes, which can also be understood as the positioning signal configuration information of the terminal device changing.

[0151] In one possible implementation, the implementation process of the above S502 may be: when the positioning signal changes, the access network device may update the measurement information required for the access network device to perform the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device (for example, the time-frequency domain resources required for the access network device to perform the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device, etc.) based on the actual situation of the positioning signal change, and perform the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device on the changed positioning signal sent by the terminal device according to the above-mentioned determined measurement information.

[0152] For example, as shown in FIG6 , it is assumed that the terminal device 1 switches from cell 1 to cell 2: the access network device needs to reconfigure the configuration information of the positioning measurement for the terminal device 1 residing in cell 2, so that the terminal device 1 will send a new positioning signal based on the new SRS configuration information, that is, the positioning signal sent by the terminal device 1 will change. As shown in (a) of FIG6 , if based on the existing positioning update process, the access network device will still measure the positioning signal sent by the terminal device before the change before receiving the measurement update message, and report the measurement result of the positioning signal sent by the terminal device before the change to the positioning management function network element through the access and mobility management function network element. As shown in (b) of FIG6 , the access network device provided in the embodiment of the present application can directly perform the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device after the change (for example, the positioning signal sent by the terminal device 1 residing in cell 2) according to the corresponding relationship between the terminal device and the positioning measurement. In addition, the access network device can report the measurement result of the positioning signal sent by the terminal device after the change to the positioning management function network element through the access and mobility management function network element.

[0153] It is understandable that when the positioning signal sent by the terminal device changes, the access network device can directly perform the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device on the changed positioning signal sent by the terminal device, rather than performing the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device before the change. This not only eliminates the operation of transmitting measurement update messages between the access network device and the positioning management function network element, but also avoids the impact of the invalid positioning signal on the positioning measurement results, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the positioning measurement results obtained by the access network device.

[0154] Optionally, after S501, the access network device may further send a positioning information response message (e.g., the positioning information response message described in S103) to the positioning management function network element. Accordingly, the positioning management function network element receives the positioning information response message from the access network device. The positioning information response message includes positioning signal configuration information for the terminal device.

[0155] Optionally, after S501, the information transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application also includes: the positioning management function network element sends a second request message to the access network device, and accordingly, the access network device can receive the second request message from the positioning management function network element, wherein the second request message is used to request the access network device to perform positioning measurements corresponding to the terminal device, and the second request message carries the first information.

[0156] It is understood that the second request message also carries the first information, so the access network device can associate the first request message with the second request message using the first information. If one request message changes, the access network device can determine the other request message based on the association between the first and second request messages and adaptively modify the other request message, thereby synchronizing changes in the first and second request messages and avoiding confusion during the access network device's positioning measurement process.

[0157] In one possible implementation, the second request message is a measurement request message (e.g., the measurement request message described in S104). However, since the measurement request message is a message exchanged in the SRS measurement process, when the second request message is a measurement request message, it can be indicated that the information transmission method described in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to the SRS measurement scenario.

[0158] Optionally, after the positioning management function network element sends the second request message to the access network device, the access network device may also send a measurement response message (e.g., the measurement response message recorded in S105) to the positioning management function network element. Accordingly, the positioning management function network element receives the measurement response message from the access network device. The measurement response message includes the positioning measurement result of the terminal device.

[0159] The present application provides an information transmission method, whereby an access network device can obtain the positioning measurement corresponding to a terminal device through the first information carried in a first request message. Since the terminal device and the positioning measurement have a corresponding relationship, the access network device can directly perform positioning measurement on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device. If the positioning signal of the terminal device subsequently changes, the access network device can also directly continue to perform positioning measurement on the signal sent by the terminal device based on the corresponding relationship between the terminal device and the positioning measurement, eliminating the operation of transmitting measurement update messages between the access network device and the positioning management function network element, so that the access network device can promptly perform the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device, thereby avoiding delays in the access network device performing the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device.

[0160] Figure 7 is another example of the information transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method is illustrated by taking the interaction between an access network device and a positioning management function network element as an example. Of course, the subject that executes the access network device action in the method can also be a device / module in the access network device, such as a chip, processor, processing unit, etc. in the access network device, and the subject that executes the positioning management function network element action in the method can also be a device / module in the positioning management function network element, such as a chip, processor, processing unit, etc. in the positioning management function network element. The embodiment of the present application does not make specific limitations on this. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the information transmission method includes the following steps:

[0161] S701: The positioning management function network element sends a second request message to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the second request message from the positioning management function network element.

[0162] The second request message is used to request the access network device to perform a positioning measurement. The measurement request message carries second information. The second information is used to indicate the terminal device for the positioning measurement. The positioning measurement is a positioning measurement performed by the access network device on a positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

[0163] Optionally, the positioning management function network element and the access network device can communicate through the access and mobility management function network element. In this case, S701 described above can be replaced by: the positioning management function network element sends a second request message to the access and mobility management function network element, and the access and mobility management function network element receives the second request message sent by the positioning management function network element. The access and mobility management function network element sends the second request message to the access network device, and the access network device receives the second request message from the access and mobility management function network element.

[0164] In one possible implementation, the second request message may be a measurement request message, i.e., the measurement request message recorded in S104. The second request message carrying the second information may be understood as adding the second information to the measurement request message recorded in S104.

[0165] In a possible implementation, the second information includes an identifier or an associated identifier of the terminal device.

[0166] It is understandable that, since the second request message is used to request the access network device to perform positioning measurements, the second request message is a message related to positioning measurements. The second information can be carried in the measurement request message, that is, the second information is also information related to positioning measurements. In this case, the second information includes the terminal device identifier or association identifier, allowing the access network device to know, upon receiving the measurement request message, that the positioning measurement is for the terminal device.

[0167] Optionally, the terminal device identifier may be identifier information for indirectly identifying the terminal device, or may be information for directly indicating the terminal device identifier, and this embodiment of the present application does not impose any restrictions on this. The association identifier may be used to associate the terminal device with the positioning measurement, that is, to associate the first request message with the second request message.

[0168] In the embodiment of the present application, the relevant description of S701 can refer to the above S501 and will not be repeated here.

[0169] Furthermore, after the access network device receives the second request message from the positioning management function network element, if the positioning signal sent by the terminal device changes, the description of the access network device performing positioning measurement on the changed positioning signal sent by the terminal device can be specifically referred to the description of the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0170] In one possible implementation, before the access network device receives the second request message from the positioning management function network element (i.e., S701), the access network device may also send a positioning information response message to the positioning management function network element. Accordingly, the positioning management function network element receives the positioning information response message from the access network device. The positioning information response message indicates the positioning signal configuration information of the terminal device, and the positioning information response message carries the second information.

[0171] In other words, the access network device can pre-notify the positioning management function element of the second information so that the positioning management function element can subsequently carry the second information in the measurement request message. In addition, since the positioning information response message is an exchanged message in the SRS measurement process, when the second information is carried in the positioning information response message, it can be shown that the information transmission method described in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to the SRS measurement scenario.

[0172] Exemplarily, the positioning information response message may be the positioning information response message recorded in S103.

[0173] Optionally, before the access network device sends the positioning information response message to the positioning management function network element, the positioning management function network element may also send a positioning information request message (e.g., the positioning information request message described in S101) to the access network device. Accordingly, the access network device receives the positioning information request message from the positioning management function network element. The positioning information request message is used to request positioning signal configuration information for the terminal device.

[0174] Optionally, after the access network device receives the second request message from the positioning management function network element (i.e., S701), the access network device may further send a measurement response message (e.g., the measurement response message described in S105) to the positioning management function network element. Accordingly, the positioning management function network element receives the measurement response message from the access network device. The measurement response message includes the positioning measurement result of the terminal device.

[0175] The present application provides an information transmission method, whereby an access network device can obtain the terminal device corresponding to the positioning measurement through the second information carried in the second request message. Since the terminal device and the positioning measurement have a corresponding relationship, the access network device can directly perform positioning measurement on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device. If the positioning signal of the terminal device subsequently changes, the access network device can also directly continue to perform positioning measurement on the signal sent by the terminal device based on the corresponding relationship between the terminal device and the positioning measurement, eliminating the operation of transmitting measurement update messages between the access network device and the positioning management function network element, so that the access network device can promptly perform the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device, thereby avoiding delays in the access network device performing the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device.

[0176] The above primarily describes the solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication device for implementing the various methods described above. The communication device may be the access network device described in the method embodiments described above, or a device including the access network device described above, or a component that can be used in the access network device; alternatively, the communication device may be the location management function network element described in the method embodiments described above, or a device including the location management function network element described above, or a component that can be used in the location management function network element. It is understood that, to implement the aforementioned functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the respective functions. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that, in conjunction with the various exemplary units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professionals and technicians may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0177] In the embodiment of the present application, the communication device can be divided into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be understood that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0178] For example, taking the communication device as a positioning management function network element or access network device in the above method embodiment as an example, Figure 8 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 80. The communication device 80 includes a processing module 801 and a transceiver module 802. The transceiver module 802, which may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement transceiver functions and may be, for example, a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0179] When the communication device 80 shown in FIG8 is the access network device in the above embodiment:

[0180] In one possible implementation:

[0181] Processing module 801 is configured to instruct transceiver module 802 to receive a first request message from a positioning management function network element. The first request message is used to request positioning signal configuration information for a terminal device and carries first information. The first information is used to identify a positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device. The positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device is a positioning measurement performed by an access network device on a positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

[0182] In some embodiments, the processing module 801 is further configured to perform positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device on the changed positioning signal sent by the terminal device when the positioning signal sent by the terminal device changes.

[0183] In some embodiments, the first information includes an identifier of a positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device.

[0184] In some embodiments, the positioning signal is an SRS.

[0185] In some embodiments, the first request message is a positioning information request message.

[0186] In some embodiments, the processing module 801 is further used to instruct the transceiver module 802 to receive a second request message from the positioning management function network element, where the second request message is used to request the access network device to perform positioning measurements corresponding to the terminal device, and the second request message carries the first information.

[0187] In some embodiments, the second request message is a measurement request message.

[0188] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module and will not be repeated here.

[0189] In the embodiments of the present application, the access network device is presented in the form of integrated functional modules. "Module" here can refer to a specific ASIC, circuit, processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the aforementioned functions. In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the access network device can take the form of the communication device 400 shown in Figure 4.

[0190] For example, the processor 401 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG4 may call the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403 to enable the communication device 400 to execute the information transmission method in the above method embodiment.

[0191] Specifically, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 802 and the processing module 801 in FIG8 can be implemented by the processor 401 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG4 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing module 801 in FIG8 can be implemented by the processor 401 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG4 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 802 in FIG8 can be implemented by the communication interface 404 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG4.

[0192] Since the access network device provided in the embodiment of the present application can execute the above-mentioned information transmission method, the technical effects that can be obtained can be referred to the above-mentioned method embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0193] When the communication device 80 shown in FIG8 is the positioning management function network element in the above embodiment:

[0194] In one possible implementation:

[0195] Processing module 801 is configured to instruct transceiver module 802 to send a first request message to an access network device. The first request message is used to request positioning signal configuration information of a terminal device and carries first information. The first information is used to identify a positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device. The positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device is a positioning measurement performed by the access network device on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first information includes an identifier of a positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device.

[0197] In some embodiments, the positioning signal is an SRS.

[0198] In some embodiments, the first request message is a positioning information request message.

[0199] In some embodiments, the processing module 801 is further used to instruct the transceiver module 802 to send a second request message to the access network device, where the second request message is used to request the access network device to perform positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device, and the second request message carries the first information.

[0200] In some embodiments, the second request message is a measurement request message.

[0201] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module and will not be repeated here.

[0202] In the embodiments of the present application, the location management function network element is presented in the form of integrated functional modules. "Module" here can refer to a specific ASIC, circuit, processor and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuit, and / or other device capable of providing the aforementioned functionality. In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the location management function network element can take the form of the communication device 400 shown in Figure 4.

[0203] For example, the processor 401 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG4 may call the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403 to enable the communication device 400 to execute the information transmission method in the above method embodiment.

[0204] Specifically, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 802 and the processing module 801 in FIG8 can be implemented by the processor 401 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG4 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing module 801 in FIG8 can be implemented by the processor 401 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG4 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 802 in FIG8 can be implemented by the communication interface 404 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG4.

[0205] Since the positioning management function network element provided in this embodiment can execute the above information transmission method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0206] When the communication device 80 shown in FIG8 is the access network device in the above embodiment:

[0207] In one possible implementation:

[0208] Processing module 801 is configured to instruct transceiver module 802 to receive a second request message from a positioning management function network element. The second request message is used to request an access network device to perform a positioning measurement, and the measurement request message carries second information. The second information is used to identify the terminal device for the positioning measurement. The positioning measurement is a positioning measurement performed by the access network device on a positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

[0209] In some embodiments, the processing module 801 is further configured to perform positioning measurement on the changed positioning signal sent by the terminal device when the positioning signal sent by the terminal device changes.

[0210] In some embodiments, the second information includes an identifier or an associated identifier of the terminal device.

[0211] In some embodiments, the positioning signal is an SRS.

[0212] In some embodiments, the second request message is a measurement request message.

[0213] In some embodiments, the processing module 801 is further used to instruct the transceiver module 802 to send a positioning information response message to the positioning management function network element. The positioning information response message is used to indicate the positioning signal configuration information of the terminal device. The positioning information response message carries the second information.

[0214] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module and will not be repeated here.

[0215] In the embodiments of the present application, the access network device is presented in the form of integrated functional modules. "Module" here can refer to a specific ASIC, circuit, processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the aforementioned functions. In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the access network device can take the form of the communication device 400 shown in Figure 4.

[0216] For example, the processor 401 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG4 may call the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403 to enable the communication device 400 to execute the information transmission method in the above method embodiment.

[0217] Specifically, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 802 and the processing module 801 in FIG8 can be implemented by the processor 401 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG4 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing module 801 in FIG8 can be implemented by the processor 401 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG4 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 802 in FIG8 can be implemented by the communication interface 404 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG4.

[0218] Since the access network device provided in the embodiment of the present application can execute the above-mentioned information transmission method, the technical effects that can be obtained can be referred to the above-mentioned method embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0219] When the communication device 80 shown in FIG8 is the positioning management function network element in the above embodiment:

[0220] In one possible implementation:

[0221] Processing module 801 is configured to instruct transceiver module 802 to send a second request message to an access network device. The second request message is configured to request the access network device to perform a positioning measurement, and the measurement request message carries second information. The second information is configured to indicate a terminal device for the positioning measurement, where the positioning measurement is performed based on a positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

[0222] In some embodiments, the second information includes an identifier or an associated identifier of the terminal device.

[0223] In some embodiments, the positioning signal is an SRS.

[0224] In some embodiments, the second request message is a measurement request message.

[0225] In some embodiments, the processing module 801 is further used to instruct the transceiver module 802 to receive a positioning information response message from the access network device. The positioning information response message is used to indicate the positioning signal configuration information of the terminal device. The positioning information response message carries the second information.

[0226] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module and will not be repeated here.

[0227] In the embodiments of the present application, the location management function network element is presented in the form of integrated functional modules. "Module" here can refer to a specific ASIC, circuit, processor and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuit, and / or other device capable of providing the aforementioned functionality. In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the location management function network element can take the form of the communication device 400 shown in Figure 4.

[0228] For example, the processor 401 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG4 may call the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403 to enable the communication device 400 to execute the information transmission method in the above method embodiment.

[0229] Specifically, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 802 and the processing module 801 in FIG8 can be implemented by the processor 401 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG4 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing module 801 in FIG8 can be implemented by the processor 401 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG4 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 802 in FIG8 can be implemented by the communication interface 404 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG4.

[0230] Since the positioning management function network element provided in this embodiment can execute the above information transmission method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0231] It should be understood that one or more of the above modules or units can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of the two. When any of the above modules or units is implemented in software, the software exists in the form of computer program instructions and is stored in a memory, and a processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow. The processor can be built into an SoC (system on chip) or an ASIC, or it can be an independent semiconductor chip. In addition to the core used to execute software instructions to perform calculations or processing within the processor, it can further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), PLDs (programmable logic devices), or logic circuits that implement dedicated logic operations.

[0232] When the above modules or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a CPU, a microprocessor, a digital signal processing (DSP) chip, a microcontroller unit (MCU), an artificial intelligence processor, an ASIC, a SoC, an FPGA, a PLD, a dedicated digital circuit, a hardware accelerator or a non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or not rely on the software to execute the above method flow.

[0233] In one possible implementation, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device (for example, the communication device may be a chip or a chip system), which includes a processor for implementing the method in any of the above method embodiments. In one possible design, the communication device also includes a memory. The memory is used to store necessary program instructions and data, and the processor can call the program code stored in the memory to instruct the communication device to execute the method in any of the above method embodiments. Of course, the memory may not be in the communication device. When the communication device is a chip system, it may be composed of a chip, or it may include a chip and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0234] In one possible implementation, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is run on a communication device, the communication device can execute any of the above-mentioned method embodiments or any of its implementation methods.

[0235] In a possible implementation, an embodiment of the present application further provides an information transmission method, which includes any of the above method embodiments or any of its implementations.

[0236] In a possible implementation, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes a positioning management function network element of the above method embodiment and an access network device of the above method embodiment.

[0237] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0238] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art may understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by reviewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0239] Although the present application has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, it is apparent that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely illustrative of the present application as defined by the appended claims and are deemed to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, the present application is intended to include such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An information transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to access network equipment, including: Receive a first request message from a positioning management function network element, where the first request message is used to request positioning signal configuration information of a terminal device, where the first request message carries first information, where the first information is used to identify a positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device, where the positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device is a positioning measurement performed by the access network device on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: When the positioning signal sent by the terminal device changes, a positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device is performed on the changed positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first information includes an identifier of a positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The positioning signal is a sounding reference signal SRS.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first request message is a positioning information request message.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receive a second request message from the positioning management function network element, where the second request message is used to request the access network device to perform positioning measurements corresponding to the terminal device, and the second request message carries the first information.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The second request message is a measurement request message.

8. An information transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to positioning management function network elements, including: A first request message is sent to an access network device, where the first request message is used to request positioning signal configuration information of a terminal device. The request message carries first information, where the first information is used to identify a positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device. The positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device is a positioning measurement performed by the access network device on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first information includes an identifier of a positioning measurement corresponding to the terminal device.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The positioning signal is a sounding reference signal SRS.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: The first request message is a positioning information request message.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A second request message is sent to the access network device, where the second request message is used to request the access network device to perform positioning measurements corresponding to the terminal device, and the second request message carries the first information.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The second request message is a measurement request message.

14. An information transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to access network equipment, including: Receive a second request message from a positioning management function network element, where the second request message is used to request an access network device to perform positioning measurement, where the measurement request message carries second information, where the second information is used to indicate a terminal device corresponding to the positioning measurement, and where the positioning measurement is a positioning measurement performed by the access network device on a positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: When the positioning signal sent by the terminal device changes, the positioning measurement is performed on the changed positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The second information includes an identifier or an associated identifier of the terminal device.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that: The positioning signal is a sounding reference signal SRS.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that: The second request message is a measurement request message.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that: Before receiving the second request message from the location management function network element, the method further includes: A positioning information response message is sent to the positioning management function network element, where the positioning information response message is used to indicate the positioning signal configuration information of the terminal device, and the positioning information response message carries the second information.

20. An information transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to positioning management function network elements, including: A second request message is sent to the access network device, where the second request message is used to request the access network device to perform positioning measurement, and the measurement request message carries second information, where the second information is used to indicate the terminal device corresponding to the positioning measurement, and the positioning measurement is a measurement based on the positioning signal sent by the terminal device.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The second information includes an identifier or an associated identifier of the terminal device.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that The positioning signal is a sounding reference signal SRS.

23. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that: The second request message is a measurement request message.

24. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that: Before sending the second request message to the access network device, the method further includes: Receive a positioning information response message from the access network device, where the positioning information response message is used to indicate positioning signal configuration information of the terminal device, and the positioning information response message carries the second information.

25. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A functional unit for executing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, or a functional unit for executing the method as described in any one of claims 8 to 13, or a functional unit for executing the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 19, or a functional unit for executing the method as described in any one of claims 20 to 24; wherein the actions performed by the functional unit are implemented by hardware or by executing corresponding software implementations through hardware.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a processor; the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction, or to use a logic circuit to cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, or to cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 8-13, or to cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 14-19, or to cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 20-24.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs, which, when executed on a computer, cause the communication device to execute the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, or cause the communication device to execute the method as described in any one of claims 8 to 13, or cause the communication device to execute the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 19, or cause the communication device to execute the method as described in any one of claims 20 to 24.

28. A communication system, characterized in that: include: A communication device for executing the method according to any one of claims 1-7 or 14-19, and a communication device for executing the method according to any one of claims 8-13 or 20-24.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

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