Positioning method and apparatus, and terminal and device

Abstract

The present application belongs to the field of communications. Disclosed are a positioning method and apparatus, and a terminal and a device. The method comprises: a terminal receiving a first request from a first core network device; on the basis of the first request, the terminal sending a first signal to at least one ambient Internet-of-Things device; the terminal measuring a backscatter signal of the at least one ambient Internet-of-Things device for the first signal, so as to obtain a first measurement result, or the terminal determining location information of the terminal on the basis of location information of the at least one ambient Internet-of-Things device and the first measurement result that is obtained by means of measuring the backscatter signal of the at least one ambient Internet-of-Things device for the first signal; and the terminal sending to the first core network device a first response message for the first request, wherein the first response message comprises at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of the at least one ambient Internet-of-Things device.

Description

Positioning method, device, terminal and equipment

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on February 7, 2024, with application number 202410175336.5 and invention name “Positioning method, device, terminal and equipment”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a positioning method, apparatus, terminal, and device. Background Art

[0004] In related technologies, the location of user equipment (UE) can be supported by a positioning method that relies on radio access technologies (RAT), that is, the UE measures and calculates RAT signals from access network equipment and / or the access network equipment measures RAT signals from the UE.

[0005] In addition, the UE's position can also be supported by a positioning method independent of RAT, that is, the position is measured and calculated by a positioning method based on non-RAT technology.

[0006] However, the non-RAT technology positioning method for UE supported by the wireless communication architecture does not involve the ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) technology. Therefore, when the ambient Internet of Things is introduced into the communication system, how to realize the positioning of the terminal based on the ambient Internet of Things devices remains to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The embodiments of the present application provide a positioning method, apparatus, terminal, and device, which enable the terminal to use the environmental Internet of Things device for auxiliary positioning when the environmental Internet of Things is introduced into the communication system.

[0008] In a first aspect, a positioning method is provided, which is performed by a terminal. The method includes:

[0009] The terminal receives a first request from the first core network device, where the first request is used to request the terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and location information of the terminal based on measurement of an environmental IoT device;

[0010] The terminal sends a first signal to at least one environmental Internet of Things device based on the first request;

[0011] The terminal measures, by the at least one environmental Internet of Things device, a backscattered signal of the first signal to obtain the first measurement result, or determines, by the terminal, the location information of the terminal based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result obtained by measuring the backscattered signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device to the first signal;

[0012] The terminal sends a first response message to the first request to the first core network device, where the first response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of the at least one environmental IoT device.

[0013] In a second aspect, a positioning method is provided, which is performed by an access network device. The method includes:

[0014] The access network device sends a third request to the terminal, where the third request is used to request location information of the terminal, and the third request includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the use of an environmental Internet of Things device to assist in positioning;

[0015] The access network device receives a third response message to the third request from the terminal, where the third response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of at least one environmental Internet of Things device;

[0016] The first measurement result includes a measurement result obtained by measuring a backscatter signal of the first signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device, and the location information of the terminal includes location information determined based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result.

[0017] According to a third aspect, a positioning method is provided, which is performed by a first core network device. The method includes:

[0018] The first core network device sends a first request to the terminal, where the first request is used to request the terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and location information of the terminal based on measurement of the environmental IoT device;

[0019] The first core network device receives a first response message to the first request from the terminal, where the first response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of at least one environmental IoT device;

[0020] The first measurement result includes a measurement result obtained by measuring a backscatter signal of the first signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device, and the location information of the terminal includes location information determined based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result.

[0021] In a fourth aspect, a positioning method is provided, which is performed by a second core network device, and the method includes:

[0022] The second core network device receives a second request, where the second request is used to request location information of the terminal, and the second request includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a positioning method supported by the terminal using an environment-based IoT device-assisted positioning method.

[0023] The second core network device sends a second response message to the second request, where the second response message includes the location information of the terminal.

[0024] In a fifth aspect, a positioning device is provided, comprising:

[0025] Communication unit for:

[0026] receiving a first request from a first core network device, where the first request is used to request a terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and location information of the terminal based on a measurement of an environmental IoT device;

[0027] Based on the first request, sending a first signal to at least one environmental IoT device;

[0028] a processing unit, configured to measure a backscatter signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device with respect to the first signal to obtain the first measurement result, or, the terminal determining the location information of the terminal based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result obtained by measuring the backscatter signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device with respect to the first signal;

[0029] The communication unit is further used to: send a first response message to the first request to the first core network device, where the first response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

[0030] In a sixth aspect, a positioning device is provided, comprising:

[0031] A sending unit, configured to send a third request to the terminal, wherein the third request is used to request location information of the terminal, and the third request includes second indication information, wherein the second indication information is used to instruct the use of an environmental Internet of Things device to assist in positioning;

[0032] a receiving unit, configured to receive a third response message to the third request from the terminal, the third response message including at least one of the following: a first measurement result, location information of the terminal, and location information of at least one environmental Internet of Things device;

[0033] The first measurement result includes a measurement result obtained by measuring a backscatter signal of the first signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device, and the location information of the terminal includes location information determined based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result.

[0034] In a seventh aspect, a positioning device is provided, comprising:

[0035] A sending unit, configured to send a first request to a terminal, wherein the first request is used to request the terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and location information of the terminal based on a measurement of an environmental IoT device;

[0036] a receiving unit, configured to receive a first response message to the first request from the terminal, where the first response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of at least one environmental Internet of Things device;

[0037] The first measurement result includes a measurement result obtained by measuring a backscatter signal of the first signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device, and the location information of the terminal includes location information determined based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result.

[0038] In an eighth aspect, a positioning device is provided, comprising:

[0039] A receiving unit, configured to receive a second request, the second request being used to request location information of a terminal, the second request including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a positioning mode supported by the terminal using an environment-based Internet of Things device-assisted positioning;

[0040] A sending unit is configured to send a second response message to the second request, where the second response message includes the location information of the terminal.

[0041] In a ninth aspect, a terminal is provided, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores programs or instructions that can be run on the processor, and when the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect are implemented.

[0042] In a tenth aspect, a terminal is provided, comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is configured to:

[0043] receiving a first request from a first core network device, where the first request is used to request the terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and location information of the terminal based on a measurement of an environmental IoT device;

[0044] Based on the first request, sending a first signal to at least one environmental IoT device;

[0045] The processor is configured to: measure a backscatter signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device with respect to the first signal to obtain the first measurement result, or, the terminal determines the location information of the terminal based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result obtained by measuring the backscatter signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device with respect to the first signal;

[0046] The communication interface is also used to: send a first response message to the first request to the first core network device, and the first response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

[0047] In the eleventh aspect, an access network device is provided, which includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores programs or instructions that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in the second aspect are implemented.

[0048] In a twelfth aspect, an access network device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is configured to:

[0049] Sending a third request to the terminal, where the third request is used to request location information of the terminal, and the third request includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the use of an environmental Internet of Things device to assist in positioning;

[0050] receiving a third response message to the third request from the terminal, the third response message including at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of at least one environmental IoT device;

[0051] The first measurement result includes a measurement result obtained by measuring a backscatter signal of the first signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device, and the location information of the terminal includes location information determined based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result.

[0052] In the thirteenth aspect, a core network device is provided, which access network device includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores programs or instructions that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in the third aspect are implemented.

[0053] In a fourteenth aspect, a core network device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is configured to:

[0054] Sending a first request to a terminal, where the first request is used to request the terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and location information of the terminal based on a measurement of an environmental IoT device;

[0055] receiving a first response message to the first request from the terminal, where the first response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, location information of the terminal, and location information of at least one environmental IoT device;

[0056] The first measurement result includes a measurement result obtained by measuring a backscatter signal of the first signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device, and the location information of the terminal includes location information determined based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result.

[0057] In the fifteenth aspect, a core network device is provided, which access network device includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores programs or instructions that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in the fourth aspect are implemented.

[0058] In a sixteenth aspect, a core network device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is configured to:

[0059] Receive a second request, where the second request is used to request location information of the terminal, and the second request includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a positioning mode supported by the terminal using an environment-based Internet of Things device-assisted positioning;

[0060] A second response message to the second request is sent, where the second response message includes the location information of the terminal.

[0061] In the seventeenth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instruction is stored. When the program or instruction is executed by a processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect are implemented, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect are implemented, or the steps of the method described in the third aspect are implemented, or the steps of the method described in the fourth aspect are implemented.

[0062] In aspect 18, a wireless communication system is provided, comprising: a terminal and a network side device, wherein the terminal can be used to execute the steps of the method described in aspect 1, and the network side device can be used to execute the steps of the method described in aspect 2, or execute the steps of the method described in aspect 3, or execute the steps of the method described in aspect 4.

[0063] In the nineteenth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method described in the third aspect, or the steps of the method described in the fourth aspect.

[0064] In the twentieth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, which is stored in a storage medium, and the program / program product is executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method described in the third aspect, or the steps of the method described in the fourth aspect.

[0065] In an embodiment of the present application, the positioning method includes: a terminal receives a first request from a first core network device, the first request being used to request the terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and the terminal's location information based on a measurement of an environmental IoT device; the terminal sends a first signal to at least one environmental IoT device based on the first request; the terminal measures a backscattered signal of the at least one environmental IoT device in response to the first signal to obtain the first measurement result, or the terminal determines the terminal's location information based on the location information of the at least one environmental IoT device and the first measurement result obtained by measuring the backscattered signal of the at least one environmental IoT device in response to the first signal; the terminal sends a first response message to the first core network device in response to the first request, the first response message including at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the terminal's location information, and the location information of the at least one environmental IoT device. This is equivalent to the terminal obtaining the first measurement result by measuring the backscattered signal of the at least one environmental IoT device in response to the first signal, and the first measurement result can be used to locate the terminal, that is, when the environmental IoT is introduced into the communication system, the terminal can use the environmental IoT device for auxiliary positioning. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0067] FIG1 is an example of a system architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0068] FIG2 is an example of a deployment scenario of an environmental IoT device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0069] FIG3 is an example of another deployment scenario of an environmental IoT device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0070] FIG4 is a schematic flow chart of a RAT-based positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0071] FIG5 is a schematic flow chart of a positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0072] FIG6 is a schematic flow chart of another positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0073] FIG7 is a schematic flow chart of another positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0074] FIG8 is a schematic flow chart of another positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0075] FIG9 is a schematic flow chart of another positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0076] FIG10 is a schematic flow chart of another positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0077] FIG11 is a schematic block diagram of a positioning device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0078] FIG12 is a schematic block diagram of another positioning device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0079] FIG13 is a schematic block diagram of another positioning device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0080] FIG14 is a schematic block diagram of another positioning device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0081] FIG15 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0082] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a terminal provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0083] Figure 17 is a schematic block diagram of an access network device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0084] Figure 18 is a schematic block diagram of a core network device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0085] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0086] The terms "first", "second", etc. in this application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way are interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same type, and do not limit the number of objects, for example, the first object can be one or more. In addition, "or" in this application represents at least one of the connected objects. For example, "A or B" covers three options, namely, Option 1: including A but not including B; Option 2: including B but not including A; Option 3: including both A and B. The character " / " generally indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0087] The term "indication" in this application can be either a direct indication (or explicit indication) or an indirect indication (or implicit indication). A direct indication can be understood as the sender explicitly informing the receiver of specific information, the operation to be performed, or the requested result, etc. in the instruction sent; an indirect indication can be understood as the receiver determining the corresponding information based on the instruction sent by the sender, or making a judgment and determining the operation to be performed or the requested result, etc. based on the judgment result.

[0088] It is worth noting that the technology described in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application are often used interchangeably, and the technology described can be used for the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as for other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes a New Radio (NR) system for illustrative purposes, and NR terminology is used in most of the following description, but these technologies can also be applied to systems other than NR systems, such as 6th generation (6G) systems. th Generation, 6G) communication system.

[0089] FIG1 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0090] As shown in FIG1 , the wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. The terminal 11 may be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computer, netbook, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), mobile internet device (MID), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) device, robot, wearable device, flight vehicle, vehicle user equipment (VUE), shipborne equipment, pedestrian user equipment (PUE), smart home (home appliances with wireless communication capabilities, such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, or furniture), game console, personal computer (PC), ATM, self-service kiosk, or other terminal-side devices. Wearable devices include: smart watches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart bracelets, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. Among them, the vehicle-mounted device can also be called a vehicle-mounted terminal, vehicle-mounted controller, vehicle-mounted module, vehicle-mounted component, vehicle-mounted chip or vehicle-mounted unit, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of the terminal 11 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0091] The network side device 12 may include an access network device or a core network device.

[0092] Access network equipment may also be referred to as radio access network (RAN) equipment, radio access network functions, or radio access network units. Access network equipment may include base stations, wireless local area network (WLAN) access points (APs), or wireless fidelity (WiFi) nodes. Among them, the base station can be referred to as Node B (NB), Evolved Node B (eNB), the next generation Node B (gNB), New Radio Node B (NR Node B), access point, Relay Base Station (RBS), Serving Base Station (SBS), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), radio base station, radio transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Home Node B (HNB), Home Evolved Node B (home evolved Node B), Transmission Reception Point (TRP) or other appropriate terms in the field. As long as the same technical effect is achieved, the base station is not limited to specific technical vocabulary. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, only the base station in the NR system is used as an example for introduction, and the specific type of the base station is not limited.

[0093] The core network device may include but is not limited to at least one of the following: core network node, core network function, mobility management entity (MME), access mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), user plane function (UPF), policy control function (PCF), policy and charging rules function unit (PCRF), edge application server discovery function (EASDF), unified data management (UDM), unified data storage (UDR), home user server (HSS), centralized network configuration (CNC), network storage function (NRF), network exposure function (NEF), local NEF (L-NEF), binding support function (BNSF), network access function (UE ... Function, BSF), application function (Application Function, AF), etc. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, only the core network device in the NR system is introduced as an example, and the specific type of the core network device is not limited.But not limited to at least one of the following: core network node, core network function, Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Location Management Function (LMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Centralized Network Configuration (CNC), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Local NEF (L-NEF), Binding Support Function (BSF), Function, BSF), application function (Application Function, AF), etc. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, only the core network device in the NR system is introduced as an example, and the specific type of the core network device is not limited.

[0094] In order to facilitate a better understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the technologies related to the present application are explained.

[0095] (1) Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT).

[0096] A-IoT is an IoT service consisting of a large number of devices. A-IoT devices have ultra-low complexity, ultra-low cost, and ultra-low power consumption. They power themselves through energy harvesting. The devices themselves do not have batteries or have only limited energy storage capabilities (for example, using a capacitor).

[0097] In wireless communication systems, A-IoT devices typically use energy harvested from radio waves, which can come from network devices such as base stations (BS) or user equipment (UE).

[0098] A-IoT devices can have the following features:

[0099] The device has a peak power consumption of ≈1μW and has energy storage. It does not have any uplink or downlink signal amplification capabilities. The device's uplink transmission is backscattered on an externally provided carrier source (i.e., the radio waves mentioned above).

[0100] Peak power consumption is ≤ several hundred μW, with energy storage capabilities and support for uplink and / or downlink signal amplification. Uplink transmission can be generated directly within the device or backscattered from an externally provided carrier source.

[0101] Deployment scenarios for A-IoT devices may include:

[0102] A-IoT BS and small base stations co-exist at the same site:

[0103] As shown in Figure 2, the A-IoT BS acts as a carrier source. The A-IoT BS stimulates the A-IoT device to perform backscattering through the downlink carrier, that is, to perform uplink transmission to the BS.

[0104] A-IoT BS and large base stations coexist at the same site:

[0105] As shown in Figure 3, an indoor UE acts as an intermediate node. The A-IoT BS controls the UE through air interface signaling. The UE stimulates the A-IoT device to perform backscattering via a downlink carrier, which is an uplink transmission to the UE. The UE then forwards the A-IoT device's uplink transmission to the BS over the air interface.

[0106] The main business types of A-IoT devices include:

[0107] Inventory, command and positioning.

[0108] Among them, inventory is the most basic and important service of A-IoT devices, which is specifically used to enable the network to obtain the reader / register coverage of the specific A-IoT device through the reader / register.

[0109] (2) New Radio (NR) positioning architecture.

[0110] The UE's location may be supported by radio access technology (RAT)-dependent positioning methods, where the UE measures RAT signals from the access network and / or the access network measures RAT signals from the UE. The UE's location may also be supported by RAT-independent positioning methods, where the UE's location is derived from measurements of non-RAT signals and / or other information.

[0111] FIG4 is a schematic flow chart of a RAT-based positioning method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0112] As shown in FIG4 , the positioning method 200 may include:

[0113] S201, a Location Service (LCS) client sends an LCS request to a Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC).

[0114] In mobile terminated location request (MT-LR) positioning, the LCS client initiates an LCS request to the 5G core network (5G Core, 5GC) GMLC.

[0115] S202, GMLC sends a request for obtaining UE connection management (Connected Management, CM) to Unified Data Management (UDM).

[0116] S203: UDM sends a response to GMLC regarding UE CM acquisition.

[0117] S204, GMLC sends a request to AMF to provide location information.

[0118] S205: Establish a NAS signaling connection.

[0119] The AMF checks the UE status based on the UE's Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI), and initiates a network-triggered service request when the UE is in the CM idle state (IDLE), so that the UE establishes a non-access stratum (NAS) signaling connection with the AMF.

[0120] S206, the AMF performs LMF selection.

[0121] S207, AMF requests LMF for location information.

[0122] S208, UE positioning.

[0123] The AMF requests the LMF for location information, and the LMF and the UE interact through the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) message, or interacts with the UE's serving next-generation radio access network (RAN) node (gNB or NG-eNB) through the NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPA) message to obtain the UE location.

[0124] S209, LMF sends a response to the request for location information to AMF.

[0125] After obtaining the UE location, the LMF provides the UE location information to the AMF through the response to the request for location information.

[0126] S210, AMF sends a response to the request for providing location information to GMLC.

[0127] After the AMF obtains the UE location, it provides it to the GMLC by responding to the request for providing location information.

[0128] S211, GMLC sends a response to the LCS request to the LCS client.

[0129] After GMLC obtains the UE location, it provides the UE location to the LCS client through the response to the LCS request.

[0130] In addition, the location of the UE can also be supported by a positioning method independent of the RAT, through a positioning method of non-RAT technology. However, the positioning method of non-RAT technology for UE supported by the wireless communication architecture does not involve A-IoT technology. When the environmental Internet of Things is introduced in the communication system, it can be considered to use environmental Internet of Things devices to assist in the positioning of the UE. In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a positioning method that enables the interaction of A-IoT devices in the A-IoT system to achieve positioning of the terminal position.

[0131] The positioning method provided in the embodiments of the present application is described in detail below through some embodiments and their application scenarios in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0132] FIG5 is a schematic flowchart of a positioning method 310 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0133] As shown in FIG5 , the positioning method 310 may include at least part of the following:

[0134] S311, the terminal receives a first request from a first core network device, where the first request is used to request the terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and location information of the terminal based on a measurement of an environmental IoT device.

[0135] S312: The terminal sends a first signal to at least one environmental IoT device based on the first request.

[0136] Exemplarily, the first signal may be a continuous wave (CW).

[0137] S313, the terminal measures the backscatter signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device to the first signal to obtain the first measurement result, or the terminal determines the location information of the terminal based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result obtained by measuring the backscatter signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device to the first signal.

[0138] S314. The terminal sends a first response message to the first request to the first core network device, where the first response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of the at least one environmental IoT device.

[0139] Exemplarily, the first core network device may be LMF.

[0140] Exemplarily, the first request includes positioning mode indication information, and the positioning mode indication information is used to indicate a first positioning mode used by the terminal for assisting positioning using an IoT device in a usage environment.

[0141] Exemplarily, the first response message includes the first measurement result and the location information of the at least one environmental IoT device, so that the first core network device can determine the location information of the terminal based on the first measurement result and the location information of the at least one environmental IoT device.

[0142] Exemplarily, the first response message includes the location information of the terminal, and the terminal can independently determine the location information of the terminal based on the first measurement result and the location information of the at least one environmental IoT device.

[0143] In this embodiment, the terminal obtains the first measurement result by measuring the backscatter signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device to the first signal. The first measurement result can be used to locate the terminal, that is, when the environmental Internet of Things is introduced into the communication system, the terminal can use the environmental Internet of Things device for auxiliary positioning.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first measurement result includes at least one of the following:

[0145] a received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the backscattered signal;

[0146] The received power of the backscattered signal (Reference Signal Receiving Power, RSRP);

[0147] Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) of the backscattered signal;

[0148] Round Trip Time (RTT) between the first signal and the backscattered signal.

[0149] In some embodiments, the method 310 further includes:

[0150] The terminal sends a second request to the second core network device, the second request is used to request the location information of the terminal, the second request includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate the positioning method supported by the terminal using the IoT device-assisted positioning environment; the terminal receives a second response message to the second request from the second core network device, the second response message includes the location information of the terminal.

[0151] Exemplarily, the second core network device may be an AMF.

[0152] Exemplarily, the positioning method using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning can be called an A-IoT positioning method or an A-IoT positioning method.

[0153] Exemplarily, before receiving the first request from the first core network device, the terminal sends a second request to the second core network device, and after sending the response to the first request to the first core network device, the terminal receives a response to the second request from the second core network device.

[0154] In this embodiment, the demander / applicant for the terminal's location information includes the second core network device, other core network devices, or a third-party application function. The other core network device or the third-party application function notifies the second core network device of the demand for the terminal's location information, and the second core network device sends the second request to the terminal.

[0155] It should be noted that the first indication information involved in this application is used to indicate the recommended positioning method of using the Internet of Things device for assisted positioning in the use environment, which can be understood as: recommending the terminal to use the positioning method of using the Internet of Things device for assisted positioning in the use environment, but in other alternative embodiments, the first indication information may not be used to indicate a specific positioning method, but may be used to indicate the positioning method of using the Internet of Things device for assisted positioning in the use environment, that is, to indicate that the recommended positioning method is the positioning method of using the Internet of Things device for assisted positioning in the use environment, and this application does not make any specific limitation on this.

[0156] In some embodiments, the first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0157] The terminal acts as a reader of environmental IoT devices;

[0158] Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning;

[0159] A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

[0160] Exemplarily, the indication of using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning can be understood as an indication that the type of recommended positioning method or the type of preferred positioning method is a positioning method using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning.

[0161] Exemplarily, the list of environmental IoT devices includes at least one of the following: a permanent device identifier, a universal public device identifier, a device identifier within a reader, and radio frequency identification devices (RFID). The permanent device identifier is used to uniquely identify the environmental IoT device globally within the communication system; the universal public device identifier is used to uniquely identify the environmental IoT device within a network or a network element; and the device identifier within the reader is used to uniquely identify the environmental IoT device within the reader.

[0162] In some embodiments, before S311, the method 310 further includes:

[0163] The terminal sends a first capability to the first core network device, where the first capability is used to indicate whether the terminal supports or does not support the use of an environmental Internet of Things device to assist in positioning.

[0164] Exemplarily, the terminal may actively send the first capability to the first core network device.

[0165] In some embodiments, before the terminal sends the first capability to the first core network device, the method 310 also includes: the terminal receives a fourth request from the first core network device, the fourth request is used to request the first capability of the terminal, and the first capability is used to indicate that the terminal supports or does not support the use of environmental Internet of Things devices to assist in positioning; wherein, the terminal sends the first capability to the first core network device, including: the terminal sends a fourth response message to the first core network device to the fourth request, and the fourth response message includes the first capability.

[0166] In this embodiment, the terminal sends the first capability to the first core network device in response to the fourth request sent by the first core network device.

[0167] In some embodiments, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0168] The terminal supports positioning methods for IoT device-assisted positioning in the use environment;

[0169] The terminal supports measuring the backscattered signal;

[0170] The terminal supports determining location information of the terminal based on the first measurement result;

[0171] a type of the first signal supported by the terminal;

[0172] A measurement quantity of the backscatter signal supported by the terminal.

[0173] In some embodiments, before S311, the method 310 further includes:

[0174] The terminal sends inventory information to the second core network device, where the inventory information includes at least one of the following:

[0175] The types of environmental IoT devices inventoried;

[0176] A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

[0177] Exemplarily, the type of the ambient IoT device may also be referred to as the characteristics of the ambient IoT device, which include but are not limited to: peak power, whether it is active, whether it has energy storage capability, and whether it has uplink (UL) or downlink (DL) amplification function.

[0178] Exemplarily, the list of environmental IoT devices includes at least one of the following: a permanent device identifier, a universal public device identifier, a device identifier within a reader, and radio frequency identification devices (RFID). The permanent device identifier is used to uniquely identify the environmental IoT device globally within the communication system; the universal public device identifier is used to uniquely identify the environmental IoT device within a network or a network element; the reader identifier is used to uniquely identify the reader, and the device identifier within the reader is used to uniquely identify the environmental IoT device within the reader.

[0179] In some embodiments, before S311, the method 310 further includes:

[0180] The terminal receives first auxiliary data from the first core network device when the terminal is assisted in positioning by an Internet of Things device in its usage environment.

[0181] Exemplarily, the first core network device may actively send the first auxiliary data to the terminal.

[0182] In some embodiments, before the terminal receives the first auxiliary data when the terminal is assisted in positioning by the Internet of Things device in the usage environment from the first core network device, the method 310 also includes: the terminal sends a fifth request to the first core network device, and the fifth request is used to request the first auxiliary data; wherein, the terminal receives the first auxiliary data when the terminal is assisted in positioning by the Internet of Things device in the usage environment from the first core network device, including: the terminal receives a fifth response message to the fifth request from the first core network device, and the fifth response message includes the first auxiliary data.

[0183] In this embodiment, the first core network device sends the first auxiliary data to the terminal in response to the fifth request sent by the terminal.

[0184] In some embodiments, the first assistance data includes at least one of the following:

[0185] a first configuration for the terminal to send the first signal, the first configuration including at least one of the following: a type of the first signal and a resource of the first signal;

[0186] Each of the at least one ambient IoT device is configured to send a second configuration of the backscatter signal, where the second configuration includes a resource of the backscatter signal.

[0187] Exemplarily, the first signal may be CW.

[0188] FIG6 is a schematic flowchart of a positioning method 320 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0189] As shown in FIG6 , the positioning method 320 may include at least part of the following:

[0190] S321: The access network device sends a third request to the terminal, where the third request is used to request location information of the terminal. The third request includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the use of an environmental IoT device to assist in positioning.

[0191] S322: The access network device receives a third response message to the third request from the terminal, where the third response message includes at least one of the following: a first measurement result, location information of the terminal, and location information of at least one environmental IoT device;

[0192] The first measurement result includes a measurement result obtained by measuring a backscatter signal of the first signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device, and the location information of the terminal includes location information determined based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result.

[0193] In this embodiment, the access network device sends a third request to the terminal and carries the second indication information in the third request. Since the second indication information is used to indicate the use of environmental Internet of Things devices to assist in positioning, it can trigger the terminal to use the environmental Internet of Things devices to assist in positioning for positioning, and obtain the location information of the terminal obtained by the terminal using the environmental Internet of Things devices to assist in positioning through the third response message.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first measurement result includes at least one of the following:

[0195] a received strength indicator RSSI of the backscattered signal;

[0196] The received power RSRP of the backscattered signal;

[0197] The time difference of arrival TDOA of the backscattered signal;

[0198] A round trip time (RTT) between the first signal and the backscattered signal.

[0199] In some embodiments, the second indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0200] Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning;

[0201] A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, wherein the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device;

[0202] The location information of the inventoried environmental IoT devices.

[0203] Exemplarily, the indication of using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning can be understood as an indication that the type of recommended positioning method or the type of preferred positioning method is a positioning method using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning.

[0204] Exemplarily, the list of environmental IoT devices includes at least one of the following: a permanent device identifier, a universal public device identifier, a device identifier within a reader, and radio frequency identification devices (RFID). The permanent device identifier is used to uniquely identify the environmental IoT device globally within the communication system; the universal public device identifier is used to uniquely identify the environmental IoT device within a network or a network element; and the device identifier within the reader is used to uniquely identify the environmental IoT device within the reader.

[0205] FIG7 is a schematic flowchart of a positioning method 330 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0206] As shown in FIG7 , the positioning method 330 may include at least part of the following:

[0207] S331: The first core network device sends a first request to the terminal, where the first request is used to request the terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and location information of the terminal based on measurement of an environmental IoT device.

[0208] S332: The first core network device receives a first response message to the first request from the terminal, where the first response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of at least one environmental IoT device;

[0209] The first measurement result includes a measurement result obtained by measuring a backscatter signal of the first signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device, and the location information of the terminal includes location information determined based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result.

[0210] In this embodiment, the first core network device sends a first request to the terminal, requesting the terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and the location information of the terminal based on the measurement of the environmental Internet of Things device, thereby triggering the terminal to measure the environmental Internet of Things device and obtain the first measurement result. The first measurement result can be used to locate the terminal, that is, when the environmental Internet of Things is introduced into the communication system, the terminal can use the environmental Internet of Things device for auxiliary positioning.

[0211] In some embodiments, the first measurement result includes at least one of the following:

[0212] a received strength indicator RSSI of the backscattered signal;

[0213] The received power RSRP of the backscattered signal;

[0214] The time difference of arrival TDOA of the backscattered signal;

[0215] A round trip time (RTT) between the first signal and the backscattered signal.

[0216] In some embodiments, before S331, the method 330 further includes:

[0217] The first core network device receives a first capability from the terminal, where the first capability is used to indicate whether the terminal supports or does not support the use of an environmental IoT device to assist in positioning.

[0218] In some embodiments, before the first core network device receives the first capability from the terminal, the method 330 further includes:

[0219] The first core network device sends a fourth request to the terminal, where the fourth request is used to request the first capability of the terminal;

[0220] The first core network device receiving the first capability from the terminal includes:

[0221] The first core network device receives a fourth response message to the fourth request from the terminal, where the fourth response message includes the first capability.

[0222] In some embodiments, before S331, the method 330 further includes:

[0223] The first core network device sends first auxiliary data for assisting positioning of the terminal using an Internet of Things device in its usage environment to the terminal.

[0224] In some embodiments, before the first core network device sends the first assistance data for assisting positioning of the terminal using an IoT device in its usage environment to the terminal, the method 330 further includes:

[0225] The first core network device receives a fifth request from the terminal, where the fifth request is used to request first assistance data for assisting positioning of the terminal using an environment IoT device;

[0226] The first core network device sends first auxiliary data to the terminal when the terminal is positioned using an IoT device in its usage environment, including:

[0227] The first core network device sends a fifth response message to the fifth request to the terminal, where the fifth response message includes the first auxiliary data.

[0228] In some embodiments, before S331, the method 330 further includes:

[0229] The first core network device receives a sixth request from the second core network device, where the sixth request is used to request the first core network device to locate the terminal using a positioning method assisted by an environmental Internet of Things device;

[0230] The sixth request includes at least one of the following:

[0231] A positioning service LCS association identifier, where the LCS association identifier is used to associate the first core network device with the terminal;

[0232] A first identifier, where the first identifier is used to identify a serving base station where the terminal is located, and the first identifier includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier and a base station identifier;

[0233] The first indication information is used to indicate the positioning method supported by the terminal using the IoT device-assisted positioning method in the usage environment.

[0234] In some embodiments, the first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0235] The terminal acts as a reader of environmental IoT devices;

[0236] Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning;

[0237] A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

[0238] In some embodiments, the method 330 further includes:

[0239] The first core network device sends a sixth response message to the sixth request to the second core network device, where the sixth response message includes at least one of the following:

[0240] location information of the terminal;

[0241] The LCS association identifier;

[0242] The terminal uses an IoT device-assisted positioning method for the use environment;

[0243] A first capability, where the first capability is used to indicate whether the terminal supports or does not support the use of an environmental IoT device to assist in positioning;

[0244] Positioning accuracy;

[0245] The time of acquiring the location information of the terminal;

[0246] The terminal may provide information about the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning, and the information about the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning by the terminal may include at least one of the following: an identifier of the environmental Internet of Things device used by the terminal, and location information of the environmental Internet of Things device used by the terminal for auxiliary positioning.

[0247] In some embodiments, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0248] an indication that the terminal supports measuring the backscatter signal;

[0249] a type of the first signal supported by the terminal;

[0250] A measurement quantity of the backscatter signal supported by the terminal.

[0251] In some embodiments, the first assistance data includes at least one of the following:

[0252] a first configuration for the terminal to send the first signal, where the first configuration includes at least one of the following: a type of the first signal and a resource of the first signal;

[0253] Each of the at least one ambient IoT device is configured to send a second configuration of the backscatter signal, where the second configuration includes a resource of the backscatter signal.

[0254] It should be understood that the solution of method 320 can refer to the solution related to the first core network device in method 310. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0255] FIG8 is a schematic flowchart of a positioning method 340 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0256] As shown in FIG8 , the positioning method 340 may include at least part of the following:

[0257] S341: A second core network device receives a second request, where the second request is used to request location information of a terminal, and the second request includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a positioning mode supported by the terminal using an environmental IoT device-assisted positioning method.

[0258] S342: The second core network device sends a second response message to the second request, where the second response message includes the location information of the terminal.

[0259] Exemplarily, the second core network device receives the second request from the terminal and sends the second response message to the terminal. Alternatively, the second core network device receives the second request from another device (eg, a core network device) and sends the second response message to the other device.

[0260] Exemplarily, after receiving the second request, the second core network device obtains the location information of the terminal and then sends the second response message.

[0261] In this embodiment, the second core network device receives the second request and carries the first indication information in the second request. Since the first indication information is used to indicate the positioning method supported by the terminal using the environment Internet of Things device-assisted positioning, in the process of obtaining the location information of the terminal, the terminal can be triggered to use the environment Internet of Things device-assisted positioning positioning method for positioning, and the location information obtained by the terminal using the environment Internet of Things device-assisted positioning positioning method is obtained through the second response message.

[0262] In some embodiments, after S341, the method 340 further includes:

[0263] The second core network device sends a sixth request to the first core network device, where the sixth request is used to request the first core network device to locate the terminal by using an environmental Internet of Things device-assisted positioning method;

[0264] The sixth request includes at least one of the following:

[0265] A positioning service LCS association identifier, where the LCS association identifier is used to associate the first core network device with the terminal;

[0266] A first identifier, where the first identifier is used to identify a serving base station where the terminal is located, and the first identifier includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier and a base station identifier;

[0267] The first indication information is used to indicate the positioning method supported by the terminal using the IoT device-assisted positioning method in the usage environment.

[0268] In some embodiments, the first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0269] The terminal acts as a reader of environmental IoT devices;

[0270] Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning;

[0271] A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

[0272] In some embodiments, the method 340 further includes:

[0273] The second core network device receives a sixth response message to the sixth request from the first core network device, where the sixth response message includes at least one of the following:

[0274] The response to the sixth request includes at least one of the following:

[0275] location information of the terminal;

[0276] The LCS association identifier;

[0277] The terminal uses an IoT device-assisted positioning method for the use environment;

[0278] A first capability, where the first capability is used to indicate whether the terminal supports or does not support the use of an environmental IoT device to assist in positioning;

[0279] Positioning accuracy;

[0280] The time of acquiring the location information of the terminal;

[0281] The terminal may provide information about the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning, and the information about the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning by the terminal may include at least one of the following: an identifier of the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning by the terminal, and location information of the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning by the terminal.

[0282] In some embodiments, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0283] An indication that the terminal supports measuring backscatter signals;

[0284] a type of first signal supported by the terminal;

[0285] A measurement quantity of backscattered signals supported by the terminal.

[0286] In some embodiments, before S341, the method 340 further includes:

[0287] The second core network device receives inventory information from the terminal, where the inventory information includes at least one of the following:

[0288] The types of environmental IoT devices inventoried;

[0289] A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

[0290] In some embodiments, after S341, the method 340 further includes:

[0291] The second core network device determines a first core network device for locating the terminal based on the second request and the inventory information, and the first core network device supports the ability to use environmental Internet of Things devices to assist in positioning.

[0292] It should be understood that the solution of method 340 can refer to the solution related to the second core network device in method 310. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0293] FIG9 is a schematic flowchart of a positioning method 350 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0294] As shown in FIG9 , the positioning method 350 may include at least part of the following:

[0295] S351, inventory process.

[0296] UE acts as a reader (reader / register) of IoT devices in the environment and takes inventory of IoT devices in the surrounding environment.

[0297] The AMF obtains inventory information, where the inventory information includes at least one of the following:

[0298] The inventory information includes at least one of the following:

[0299] The types of environmental IoT devices inventoried;

[0300] List of inventoried environmental IoT devices.

[0301] Exemplarily, the type of the ambient IoT device may also be referred to as the characteristics of the ambient IoT device, which include but are not limited to: peak power, whether it is active, whether it has energy storage capability, and whether it has uplink (UL) or downlink (DL) amplification function.

[0302] Exemplarily, the list of environmental IoT devices includes at least one of the following: a permanent device identifier, a universal public device identifier, a device identifier within a reader, and radio frequency identification devices (RFID). The permanent device identifier is used to uniquely identify the environmental IoT device globally within the communication system; the universal public device identifier is used to uniquely identify the environmental IoT device within a network or a network element; the reader identifier is used to uniquely identify the reader, and the device identifier within the reader is used to uniquely identify the environmental IoT device within the reader.

[0303] S352, AMF receives the second request.

[0304] Exemplarily, the second request may be a location service (LCS) request.

[0305] Exemplarily, the AMF receives the second request sent by the UE or other core network device.

[0306] Exemplarily, the second request is used to request the location information of the UE, and the second request includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the positioning method supported by the terminal using the environment IoT device assisted positioning.

[0307] Exemplarily, the first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0308] UE acts as a reader of ambient IoT devices;

[0309] Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning;

[0310] List of inventoried environmental IoT devices.

[0311] Exemplarily, the second request may further include at least one of the following:

[0312] The first capability is used to indicate whether the UE supports or does not support the use of environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning.

[0313] A fifth request, the fifth request being used to request first assistance data for UE's use of an environment IoT device-assisted positioning;

[0314] Exemplarily, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0315] The positioning method supported by the UE for IoT device-assisted positioning in the usage environment;

[0316] UE supports measurement of backscattered signals;

[0317] The UE supports determining the location information of the UE based on a measurement result obtained by an IoT device in a measurement environment of a backscattered signal of the first signal;

[0318] a type of first signal supported by the UE;

[0319] The measurement quantity of the backscatter signal supported by the UE.

[0320] Exemplarily, the first auxiliary data includes at least one of the following:

[0321] a first configuration of the UE for sending the first signal, the first configuration including at least one of the following: a type of the first signal and a resource of the first signal;

[0322] Each of the measured environmental IoT devices is configured to send a second configuration of the backscatter signal, where the second configuration includes resources of the backscatter signal.

[0323] Exemplarily, the first signal may be CW.

[0324] It should be noted that step S351 may be located after step S352, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0325] S353: Establish a NAS signaling connection to ensure that the UE is in CM_CONNECTED.

[0326] If the UE is in the CM-IDLE state, the AMF initiates a network-triggered service request to establish a NAS signaling connection with the UE. In particular, if the second request in S352 comes from the UE, the UE has already initiated a UE-triggered service request to establish a NAS signaling connection with the AMF before sending the second request. In this case, S353 can be omitted.

[0327] S354, AMF performs LMF selection.

[0328] Based on the second request, the inventory information, and the capabilities of the LMF, the AMF selects an LMF that supports assisted positioning using environmental IoT devices. The capabilities of the LMF include whether it supports assisted positioning using environmental IoT devices.

[0329] S355, AMF sends the sixth request to LMF.

[0330] The AMF sends the sixth request to the LMF, where the sixth request is used to request the LMF to locate the UE through the positioning method assisted by the environmental Internet of Things device;

[0331] The sixth request includes at least one of the following:

[0332] LCS association identifier, where the LCS association identifier is used to associate the LMF with the UE;

[0333] A first identifier, where the first identifier is used to identify a serving base station where the UE is located, and the first identifier includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier and a base station identifier;

[0334] The first indication information.

[0335] S356, LMF determines the use of environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning.

[0336] Based on the sixth request, the LMF determines to use a positioning method using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning to locate the UE. Optionally, the LMF further determines one or more positioning methods using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning, for example, determining a first positioning method using a first measurement value of a backscattered signal.

[0337] S357, the transmission process of the first capability between the LMF and the UE.

[0338] Exemplarily, the UE may actively send the first capability to the LMF.

[0339] Exemplarily, the UE receives a fourth request from the LMF, where the fourth request is used to request the first capability of the UE. The UE sends a fourth response message to the LMF for the fourth request, where the fourth response message includes the first capability. Exemplarily, the fourth request may be carried by an LPP capability request (Request Capability) message, and the fourth response message may be provided to the LMF by an LPP capability provision (Provide Capability) message.

[0340] Exemplarily, the first positioning mode may be a positioning mode supported by the first capability.

[0341] S358, the first auxiliary data transmission process between the LMF and the UE.

[0342] Exemplarily, the LMF may actively send the first assistance data to the UE.

[0343] Exemplarily, the UE sends a fifth request to the LMF, where the fifth request is used to request the first assistance data; the UE receives a fifth response message to the fifth request from the LMF, where the fifth response message includes the first assistance data. Exemplarily, the fifth request may be carried by an LPP Request Assistance Data message, and the fifth response message may be provided to the UE by an LPP Provide Assistance Data message.

[0344] S359, the first request sent by LMF to the UE.

[0345] The LMF sends a first request to the UE, where the first request is used to request the UE to provide at least one of a first measurement result and the UE's location information based on measurements of the surrounding IoT devices. Exemplarily, the first request can be carried by an LPP Location Information Request message.

[0346] Exemplarily, the first request may include an indication of the first positioning method.

[0347] S3510: The UE measures the backscattered signal.

[0348] Based on the first positioning method and the first assistance data, the UE sends a first signal to trigger and measure backscattered signals of one or more ambient IoT devices in response to the first signal, thereby obtaining a first measurement result. The first signal may be a CW signal. The first measurement result includes at least one of the following:

[0349] Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) of the backscattered signal;

[0350] Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP)

[0351] Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) of the backscattered signal;

[0352] Round Trip Time (RTT) between the first signal and the backscattered signal.

[0353] Furthermore, the first measurement result may be in the form of a list, where each entry in the list corresponds to a measurement result of the UE on an environmental IoT device.

[0354] For example, the UE calculates its own location information using the first measurement result. One possible approach is that the UE knows the location information of each IoT device in the environment, and calculates its own location information based on the location information of each IoT device in the environment and the first measurement result.

[0355] S3511, UE sends a first response message to the first request to LMF.

[0356] The UE provides a first response message to the LMF, where the first response message may be carried by an LPP Provide Location Information message. The first response message includes at least one of the following:

[0357] the first measurement result;

[0358] UE location information;

[0359] Location information of IoT devices in various environments.

[0360] S3512, LMF performs position calculation.

[0361] When the LMF only obtains the first measurement result or the first request is only used to request the provision of the measurement result, the LMF calculates the location information of the UE based on the location information of each environmental IoT device and the first measurement result.

[0362] S3513, LMF sends the sixth response message of the sixth request to AMF.

[0363] The LMF provides the AMF with a sixth response message to the sixth message, where the sixth response message includes at least one of the following:

[0364] UE location information;

[0365] The LCS association identifier;

[0366] The positioning method used by the UE to assist in positioning using environmental IoT devices;

[0367] A first capability, where the first capability is used to indicate whether the UE supports or does not support the use of an environmental IoT device to assist in positioning;

[0368] Positioning accuracy;

[0369] The time of obtaining the UE's location information;

[0370] The information of the environmental Internet of Things device used by the UE for auxiliary positioning includes at least one of the following: the identification of the environmental Internet of Things device used by the UE and the location information of the environmental Internet of Things device used by the UE for auxiliary positioning.

[0371] Exemplarily, the AMF also stores the first capability in the corresponding UE context.

[0372] S3514: AMF sends a second response message to the second request.

[0373] The AMF provides a second response message to the second request, which includes the location information of the UE.

[0374] In an embodiment of the present application, the first measurement result is obtained by measuring the backscatter signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device to the first signal. The first measurement result can be used to locate the terminal, that is, when the environmental Internet of Things is introduced into the communication system, the terminal can use the environmental Internet of Things device for auxiliary positioning.

[0375] FIG10 is a schematic flowchart of a positioning method 360 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0376] As shown in FIG10 , the positioning method 360 may include at least part of the following:

[0377] S361: The gNB sends a third request to the UE. The third request is used to request the location information of the terminal. The third request includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the use of an environmental IoT device to assist in positioning.

[0378] Exemplarily, the gNB sends the third request to the UE through an RRC message, and the RRC message may be a UE information request (UEInformationRequest).

[0379] Exemplarily, the second indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0380] Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning;

[0381] A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, wherein the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device;

[0382] The location information of the inventoried environmental IoT devices.

[0383] S362: Inventory and measurement of backscattered signals, and optional calculation of UE location information.

[0384] UE acts as a reader (reader / register) of IoT devices in the environment and takes inventory of IoT devices in the surrounding environment.

[0385] The AMF obtains inventory information, where the inventory information includes at least one of the following:

[0386] The inventory information includes at least one of the following:

[0387] The types of environmental IoT devices inventoried;

[0388] List of inventoried environmental IoT devices.

[0389] Exemplarily, the type of the ambient IoT device may also be referred to as the characteristics of the ambient IoT device, which include but are not limited to: peak power, whether it is active, whether it has energy storage capability, and whether it has uplink (UL) or downlink (DL) amplification function.

[0390] Exemplarily, the list of environmental IoT devices includes at least one of the following: a permanent device identifier, a universal public device identifier, a device identifier within a reader, and radio frequency identification devices (RFID). The permanent device identifier is used to uniquely identify the environmental IoT device globally within the communication system; the universal public device identifier is used to uniquely identify the environmental IoT device within a network or a network element; the reader identifier is used to uniquely identify the reader, and the device identifier within the reader is used to uniquely identify the environmental IoT device within the reader.

[0391] For backscatter signal measurement, after receiving the third request, the UE sends a first signal to trigger and measure the backscatter signals of one or more ambient IoT devices in response to the first signal, and obtain a first measurement result. The first signal may be a CW signal. The first measurement result includes at least one of the following:

[0392] Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) of the backscattered signal;

[0393] Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP)

[0394] Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) of the backscattered signal;

[0395] Round Trip Time (RTT) between the first signal and the backscattered signal.

[0396] Furthermore, the first measurement result may be in the form of a list, where each entry in the list corresponds to a measurement result of the UE on an environmental IoT device.

[0397] For example, the UE calculates its own location information using the first measurement result. One possible approach is that the UE knows the location information of each IoT device in the environment, and calculates its own location information based on the location information of each IoT device in the environment and the first measurement result.

[0398] S363: The UE sends a third response message to the gNB in ​​response to the third request. The third response message includes at least one of the following:

[0399] the first measurement result;

[0400] UE location information;

[0401] Location information of IoT devices in various environments.

[0402] Exemplarily, the UE sends the third response message to the gNB through an RRC message, and the third response message may be a UE information response (UEInformationResponse).

[0403] In this embodiment, the access network device sends a third request to the terminal and carries the second indication information in the third request. Since the second indication information is used to indicate the use of environmental Internet of Things devices to assist in positioning, it can trigger the terminal to use the environmental Internet of Things devices to assist in positioning for positioning, and obtain the location information of the terminal obtained by the terminal using the environmental Internet of Things devices to assist in positioning through the third response message.

[0404] The positioning method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be executed by a positioning device. In the embodiment of the present application, the positioning method performed by the positioning device is taken as an example to illustrate the positioning device provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0405] FIG11 is a schematic block diagram of a positioning device 410 provided according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0406] As shown in FIG11 , the positioning device 410 includes:

[0407] The communication unit 411 is configured to:

[0408] receiving a first request from a first core network device, where the first request is used to request a terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and location information of the terminal based on a measurement of an environmental IoT device;

[0409] Based on the first request, sending a first signal to at least one environmental Internet of Things device;

[0410] The processing unit 412 is configured to measure a backscatter signal of the at least one environmental IoT device with respect to the first signal to obtain the first measurement result, or to determine, by the terminal, the location information of the terminal based on the location information of the at least one environmental IoT device and the first measurement result obtained by measuring the backscatter signal of the at least one environmental IoT device with respect to the first signal;

[0411] The communication unit 411 is further used to: send a first response message to the first request to the first core network device, where the first response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

[0412] In some embodiments, the first measurement result includes at least one of the following:

[0413] a received strength indicator RSSI of the backscattered signal;

[0414] The received power RSRP of the backscattered signal;

[0415] The time difference of arrival TDOA of the backscattered signal;

[0416] A round trip time (RTT) between the first signal and the backscattered signal.

[0417] In some embodiments, the communication unit 411 is further configured to:

[0418] Sending a second request to a second core network device, where the second request is used to request location information of the terminal, and the second request includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a positioning mode supported by the terminal using an environmental IoT device-assisted positioning method;

[0419] A second response message to the second request is received from the second core network device, where the second response message includes the location information of the terminal.

[0420] In some embodiments, the first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0421] The terminal acts as a reader of environmental IoT devices;

[0422] Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning;

[0423] A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

[0424] In some embodiments, the communication unit 411 is further configured to:

[0425] receiving a third request from the access network device, the third request being used to request location information of the terminal, the third request including second indication information being used to instruct the use of an environmental Internet of Things device to assist in positioning;

[0426] A third response message to the third request is sent to the access network device, where the third response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

[0427] In some embodiments, the second indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0428] Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning;

[0429] A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, wherein the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device;

[0430] The location information of the inventoried environmental IoT devices.

[0431] In some embodiments, before receiving the first request from the first core network device, the communication unit 411 is further configured to:

[0432] A first capability is sent to the first core network device, where the first capability is used to indicate whether the terminal supports or does not support the use of an environmental Internet of Things device to assist in positioning.

[0433] In some embodiments, the communication unit 411 is specifically configured to:

[0434] Before sending the first capability to the first core network device, receiving a fourth request from the first core network device, the fourth request being used to request the first capability of the terminal, the first capability being used to indicate whether the terminal supports or does not support assisted positioning using an environmental Internet of Things device;

[0435] A fourth response message to the fourth request is sent to the first core network device, where the fourth response message includes the first capability.

[0436] In some embodiments, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0437] The terminal supports positioning methods for IoT device-assisted positioning in the use environment;

[0438] The terminal supports measuring the backscattered signal;

[0439] The terminal supports determining location information of the terminal based on the first measurement result;

[0440] a type of the first signal supported by the terminal;

[0441] A measurement quantity of the backscatter signal supported by the terminal.

[0442] In some embodiments, before receiving the first request from the first core network device, the communication unit 411 is further configured to:

[0443] Sending inventory information to the second core network device, where the inventory information includes at least one of the following:

[0444] The types of environmental IoT devices inventoried;

[0445] A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

[0446] In some embodiments, before receiving the first request from the first core network device, the communication unit 411 is further configured to:

[0447] Receive first auxiliary data from the first core network device when the terminal is assisted in positioning by an Internet of Things device in its usage environment.

[0448] In some embodiments, the communication unit 411 is specifically configured to:

[0449] Before receiving, from the first core network device, first assistance data for assisting positioning of the terminal using an environment IoT device, sending a fifth request to the first core network device, the fifth request being used to request the first assistance data;

[0450] The communication unit 411 receives a fifth response message to the fifth request from the first core network device, where the fifth response message includes the first auxiliary data.

[0451] In some embodiments, the first assistance data includes at least one of the following:

[0452] a first configuration for the terminal to send the first signal, the first configuration including at least one of the following: a type of the first signal and a resource of the first signal;

[0453] Each of the at least one ambient IoT device is configured to send a second configuration of the backscatter signal, where the second configuration includes a resource of the backscatter signal.

[0454] It should be understood that the positioning device 410 provided in the embodiment of the present application may correspond to the terminal in the method embodiment of the present application, and the various units in the positioning device 410 are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes of method 310 or method 350. For the sake of brevity, they are not repeated here.

[0455] In an embodiment of the present application, the first measurement result is obtained by measuring the backscatter signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device to the first signal. The first measurement result can be used to locate the terminal, that is, when the environmental Internet of Things is introduced into the communication system, the terminal can use the environmental Internet of Things device for auxiliary positioning.

[0456] FIG12 is a schematic block diagram of a positioning device 420 provided according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0457] As shown in FIG12 , the positioning device 420 includes:

[0458] A sending unit 421 is configured to send a third request to a terminal, where the third request is used to request location information of the terminal, and the third request includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to instruct the use of an environmental IoT device to assist in positioning;

[0459] The receiving unit 422 is configured to receive a third response message to the third request from the terminal, where the third response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of at least one environmental IoT device;

[0460] The first measurement result includes a measurement result obtained by measuring a backscatter signal of the first signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device, and the location information of the terminal includes location information determined based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result.

[0461] In some embodiments, the second indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0462] Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning;

[0463] A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, wherein the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device;

[0464] The location information of the inventoried environmental IoT devices.

[0465] It should be understood that the positioning device 420 provided in the embodiment of the present application may correspond to the access network device in the method embodiment of the present application, and the various units in the positioning device 420 are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes of method 320 or method 350. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0466] In an embodiment of the present application, by sending a third request to the terminal and carrying the first indication information in the third request, since the first indication information is used to indicate the positioning method supported by the terminal using the environment Internet of Things device assisted positioning, the terminal can be triggered to use the environment Internet of Things device assisted positioning positioning method for positioning, and the location information obtained by the terminal using the environment Internet of Things device assisted positioning positioning method is obtained through the third response message.

[0467] FIG13 is a schematic block diagram of a positioning device 430 provided according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0468] As shown in FIG13 , the positioning device 430 includes:

[0469] A sending unit 431 is configured to send a first request to a terminal, where the first request is used to request the terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and location information of the terminal based on a measurement of an environmental IoT device;

[0470] A receiving unit 432 is configured to receive a first response message to the first request from the terminal, where the first response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of at least one environmental IoT device;

[0471] The first measurement result includes a measurement result obtained by measuring a backscatter signal of the first signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device, and the location information of the terminal includes location information determined based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result.

[0472] In some embodiments, the first measurement result includes at least one of the following:

[0473] a received strength indicator RSSI of the backscattered signal;

[0474] The received power RSRP of the backscattered signal;

[0475] The time difference of arrival TDOA of the backscattered signal;

[0476] A round trip time (RTT) between the first signal and the backscattered signal.

[0477] In some embodiments, before the sending unit 431 sends the first request to the terminal, the receiving unit 432 is further configured to:

[0478] A first capability is received from the terminal, where the first capability is used to indicate whether the terminal supports or does not support using an environmental IoT device to assist in positioning.

[0479] In some embodiments, before the receiving unit 432 receives the first capability from the terminal, the sending unit 431 is further configured to:

[0480] Sending a fourth request to the terminal, where the fourth request is used to request the first capability of the terminal;

[0481] The receiving unit 432 is specifically configured to:

[0482] A fourth response message to the fourth request is received from the terminal, the fourth response message including the first capability.

[0483] In some embodiments, before sending the first request to the terminal, the sending unit 431 is further configured to:

[0484] The first auxiliary data when the terminal is positioned assisted by an Internet of Things device in its usage environment is sent to the terminal.

[0485] In some embodiments, before the sending unit 431 sends the first auxiliary data for assisting positioning of the terminal using an IoT device in an environment, the receiving unit 432 is further configured to:

[0486] receiving a fifth request from the terminal, the fifth request being used to request first assistance data for assisting positioning of an IoT device in an environment where the terminal is used;

[0487] The sending unit 431 is specifically configured to:

[0488] A fifth response message to the fifth request is sent to the terminal, where the fifth response message includes the first assistance data.

[0489] In some embodiments, before receiving the first capability from the terminal, the receiving unit 432 is further configured to:

[0490] receiving a sixth request from the second core network device, the sixth request being used to request the first core network device to locate the terminal using a positioning method assisted by an environmental Internet of Things device;

[0491] The sixth request includes at least one of the following:

[0492] A positioning service LCS association identifier, where the LCS association identifier is used to associate the first core network device with the terminal;

[0493] A first identifier, where the first identifier is used to identify a serving base station where the terminal is located, and the first identifier includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier and a base station identifier;

[0494] The first indication information is used to indicate the positioning method supported by the terminal using the IoT device-assisted positioning method in the usage environment.

[0495] In some embodiments, the first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0496] The terminal acts as a reader of environmental IoT devices;

[0497] Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning;

[0498] A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

[0499] In some embodiments, the sending unit 431 is specifically configured to:

[0500] Sending a sixth response message to the sixth request to the second core network device, where the sixth response message includes at least one of the following:

[0501] location information of the terminal;

[0502] The LCS association identifier;

[0503] The terminal uses an IoT device-assisted positioning method for the use environment;

[0504] A first capability, where the first capability is used to indicate whether the terminal supports or does not support the use of an environmental IoT device to assist in positioning;

[0505] Positioning accuracy;

[0506] The time of acquiring the location information of the terminal;

[0507] The terminal may provide information about the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning, and the information about the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning by the terminal may include at least one of the following: an identifier of the environmental Internet of Things device used by the terminal, and location information of the environmental Internet of Things device used by the terminal for auxiliary positioning.

[0508] In some embodiments, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0509] an indication that the terminal supports measuring the backscatter signal;

[0510] a type of the first signal supported by the terminal;

[0511] A measurement quantity of the backscatter signal supported by the terminal.

[0512] In some embodiments, the first assistance data includes at least one of the following:

[0513] a first configuration for the terminal to send the first signal, where the first configuration includes at least one of the following: a type of the first signal and a resource of the first signal;

[0514] Each of the at least one ambient IoT device is configured to send a second configuration of the backscatter signal, where the second configuration includes a resource of the backscatter signal.

[0515] It should be understood that the positioning device 430 provided in the embodiment of the present application may correspond to the first core network device in the method embodiment of the present application, and the various units in the positioning device 430 are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes of method 330 or method 350. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0516] In an embodiment of the present application, by sending a first request to the terminal, requesting the terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and the location information of the terminal based on the measurement of the environmental Internet of Things device, the terminal can be triggered to measure the environmental Internet of Things device and obtain the first measurement result. The first measurement result can be used to locate the terminal, that is, when the environmental Internet of Things is introduced into the communication system, the terminal can use the environmental Internet of Things device for auxiliary positioning.

[0517] FIG14 is a schematic block diagram of a positioning device 440 provided according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0518] As shown in FIG14 , the positioning device 440 includes:

[0519] A receiving unit 441 is configured to receive a second request, where the second request is used to request location information of a terminal, and the second request includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a positioning mode supported by the terminal using an environment-based IoT device-assisted positioning method.

[0520] The sending unit 442 is configured to send a second response message to the second request, where the second response message includes the location information of the terminal.

[0521] In some embodiments, after the receiving unit 441 receives the second request, the sending unit 442 is further configured to:

[0522] Sending a sixth request to the first core network device, where the sixth request is used to request the first core network device to locate the terminal using a positioning method assisted by an environmental Internet of Things device;

[0523] The sixth request includes at least one of the following:

[0524] A positioning service LCS association identifier, where the LCS association identifier is used to associate the first core network device with the terminal;

[0525] A first identifier, where the first identifier is used to identify a serving base station where the terminal is located, and the first identifier includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier and a base station identifier;

[0526] The first indication information is used to indicate the positioning method supported by the terminal using the IoT device-assisted positioning method in the usage environment.

[0527] In some embodiments, the first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0528] The terminal acts as a reader of environmental IoT devices;

[0529] Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning;

[0530] A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

[0531] In some embodiments, the receiving unit 441 is further configured to:

[0532] A sixth response message to the sixth request is received from the first core network device, where the sixth response message includes at least one of the following:

[0533] The response to the sixth request includes at least one of the following:

[0534] location information of the terminal;

[0535] The LCS association identifier;

[0536] The terminal uses an IoT device-assisted positioning method for the use environment;

[0537] A first capability, where the first capability is used to indicate whether the terminal supports or does not support the use of an environmental IoT device to assist in positioning;

[0538] Positioning accuracy;

[0539] The time of acquiring the location information of the terminal;

[0540] The terminal may provide information about the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning, and the information about the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning by the terminal may include at least one of the following: an identifier of the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning by the terminal, and location information of the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning by the terminal.

[0541] In some embodiments, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0542] An indication that the terminal supports measuring backscatter signals;

[0543] a type of first signal supported by the terminal;

[0544] A measurement quantity of backscattered signals supported by the terminal.

[0545] In some embodiments, before receiving the second request, the receiving unit 441 is further configured to:

[0546] The second core network device receives inventory information from the terminal, where the inventory information includes at least one of the following:

[0547] The types of environmental IoT devices inventoried;

[0548] A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

[0549] In some embodiments, the apparatus 440 further includes a determining unit. After the receiving unit 441 receives the second request, the determining unit is configured to:

[0550] Based on the second request and the inventory information, a first core network device for locating the terminal is determined, and the first core network device supports the ability to use environmental Internet of Things devices to assist in positioning.

[0551] It should be understood that the positioning device 440 provided in the embodiment of the present application may correspond to the second core network device in the method embodiment of the present application, and the various units in the positioning device 440 are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes of method 340 or method 350. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0552] In an embodiment of the present application, the first indication information is carried in the second request. Since the first indication information is used to indicate the positioning method supported by the terminal using the environment Internet of Things device-assisted positioning, in the process of obtaining the location information of the terminal, the terminal can be triggered to use the positioning method assisted by the environment Internet of Things device for positioning, and the location information obtained by the terminal using the positioning method assisted by the environment Internet of Things device for positioning can be obtained through the second response message.

[0553] The positioning device in the embodiments of the present application can be an electronic device, such as an electronic device with an operating system, or a component in an electronic device, such as an integrated circuit or chip. The electronic device can be a terminal, a network-side device, or other device. For example, the type of terminal can include but is not limited to the type of terminal 11 listed above, the type of network-side device can include but is not limited to the type of network-side device 12 listed above, and other devices can include servers, network attached storage (NAS), etc., which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0554] The positioning device provided in the embodiment of the present application can implement the various processes implemented by the method embodiments of Figures 5 to 9 and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be described here.

[0555] The embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device 500, as shown in Figure 15, the communication device 500 includes a processor 501 and a memory 502, and the memory 502 stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor 501. When the program or instruction is executed by the processor 501, the various steps of the above-mentioned positioning method embodiment are implemented. For example, when the communication device 500 is a terminal, when the program or instruction is executed by the processor 501, the various steps performed by the terminal in the above-mentioned positioning method embodiment are implemented, and the same technical effect can be achieved. When the communication device 500 is an access network device, when the program or instruction is executed by the processor 501, the various steps performed by the access network device in the above-mentioned positioning method embodiment are implemented, and the same technical effect can be achieved. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here. When the communication device 500 is a first core network device, when the program or instruction is executed by the processor 501, the various steps performed by the first core network Ebei in the above-mentioned positioning method embodiment are implemented, and the same technical effect can be achieved. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here. When the communication device 500 is a second core network device, the program or instruction is executed by the processor 501 to implement the various steps performed by the second core network device in the above positioning method embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0556] The present application also provides a terminal including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to execute a program or instruction to implement the steps of the positioning method embodiment described above. This terminal embodiment corresponds to the above-described terminal-side method embodiment, and each implementation process and implementation method of the above-described method embodiment can be applied to this terminal embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. Specifically, Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a terminal implementing an embodiment of the present application.

[0557] The terminal 600 includes but is not limited to: a radio frequency unit 601, a network module 602, an audio output unit 603, an input unit 604, a sensor 605, a display unit 606, a user input unit 607, an interface unit 608, a memory 609 and at least some of the components of the processor 610.

[0558] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the terminal 600 may also include a power supply (such as a battery) to power various components. The power supply may be logically connected to the processor 610 through a power management system, thereby implementing functions such as charging, discharging, and power consumption management through the power management system. The terminal structure shown in Figure 16 does not constitute a limitation of the terminal. The terminal may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements, which will not be described in detail here.

[0559] It should be understood that in an embodiment of the present application, the input unit 604 may include a graphics processing unit (GPU) 6041 and a microphone 6042, and the graphics processor 6041 processes the image data of a static picture or video obtained by an image capture device (such as a camera) in a video capture mode or an image capture mode. The display unit 606 may include a display panel 6061, and the display panel 6061 may be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode, etc. The user input unit 607 includes a touch panel 6071 and at least one of other input devices 6072. The touch panel 6071 is also called a touch screen. The touch panel 6071 may include two parts: a touch detection device and a touch controller. Other input devices 6072 may include, but are not limited to, a physical keyboard, function keys (such as volume control keys, switch keys, etc.), a trackball, a mouse, and a joystick, which will not be repeated here.

[0560] In the embodiment of the present application, after receiving downlink data from a network-side device, the radio frequency unit 601 may transmit the data to the processor 610 for processing. Furthermore, the radio frequency unit 601 may send uplink data to the network-side device. Typically, the radio frequency unit 601 includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, an amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low-noise amplifier, a duplexer, and the like.

[0561] The memory 609 can be used to store software programs or instructions and various data. The memory 609 may mainly include a first storage area for storing programs or instructions and a second storage area for storing data, wherein the first storage area may store an operating system, applications or instructions required for at least one function (such as a sound playback function, an image playback function, etc.). In addition, the memory 609 may include a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), a double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), an enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), a synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and a direct memory bus random access memory (DRRAM). The memory 609 in the embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0562] Processor 610 may include one or more processing units. Optionally, processor 610 integrates an application processor and a modem processor. The application processor primarily handles operations related to the operating system, user interface, and application programs, while the modem processor primarily processes wireless communication signals, such as a baseband processor. It is understood that the modem processor may not be integrated into processor 610.

[0563] The radio frequency unit 601 is used for:

[0564] receiving a first request from a first core network device, where the first request is used to request the terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and location information of the terminal based on a measurement of an environmental IoT device;

[0565] Based on the first request, sending a first signal to at least one environmental Internet of Things device;

[0566] The processor 610 is configured to measure a backscatter signal of the at least one environmental IoT device with respect to the first signal to obtain the first measurement result, or to determine, by the terminal, the location information of the terminal based on the location information of the at least one environmental IoT device and the first measurement result obtained by measuring the backscatter signal of the at least one environmental IoT device with respect to the first signal;

[0567] The radio frequency unit 601 is further used to: send a first response message to the first request to the first core network device, where the first response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

[0568] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal obtains the first measurement result by measuring the backscatter signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device to the first signal. The first measurement result can be used to locate the terminal, that is, when the environmental Internet of Things is introduced into the communication system, the terminal can use the environmental Internet of Things device for auxiliary positioning.

[0569] It can be understood that the implementation process of each implementation method mentioned in this embodiment can refer to the relevant description of the method embodiment and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be described here.

[0570] The present application also provides a network-side device, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to execute a program or instruction to implement the steps of the positioning method embodiment shown above. This network-side device embodiment corresponds to the above-mentioned network-side device method embodiment, and each implementation process and implementation method of the above-mentioned method embodiment can be applied to this network-side device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects.

[0571] Specifically, embodiments of the present application also provide a network-side device. As shown in Figure 17, the network-side device 700 includes an antenna 71, a radio frequency device 72, a baseband device 73, a processor 74, and a memory 75. Antenna 71 is connected to radio frequency device 72. In the uplink direction, radio frequency device 72 receives information via antenna 71 and sends the received information to baseband device 73 for processing. In the downlink direction, baseband device 73 processes the information to be transmitted and sends it to radio frequency device 72. Radio frequency device 72 processes the received information and then sends it through antenna 71.

[0572] The method executed by the network-side device in the above embodiment may be implemented in the baseband device 73 , which includes a baseband processor.

[0573] The baseband device 73 may include, for example, at least one baseband board, on which multiple chips are arranged, as shown in Figure 17, one of the chips is, for example, a baseband processor, which is connected to the memory 75 through a bus interface to call the program in the memory 75 to execute the network device operations shown in the above method embodiment.

[0574] The network side device may further include a network interface 76, which is, for example, a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI).

[0575] Specifically, the network side device 700 of the embodiment of the present application also includes: instructions or programs stored in the memory 75 and executable on the processor 74. The processor 74 calls the instructions or programs in the memory 75 to execute the method of executing each module shown in Figure 12 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0576] Specifically, the embodiment of the present application further provides a network side device. As shown in FIG18 , the network side device 800 includes: a processor 801, a network interface 802, and a memory 803. The network interface 802 is, for example, a common public radio interface (CPRI).

[0577] Specifically, the network side device 800 of the embodiment of the present application also includes: instructions or programs stored in the memory 803 and can be run on the processor 801. The processor 801 calls the instructions or programs in the memory 803 to execute the methods of execution of each module shown in Figure 13 or Figure 14, and achieves the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0578] An embodiment of the present application further provides a readable storage medium, on which a program or instruction is stored. When the program or instruction is executed by a processor, each process of the above-mentioned positioning method embodiment is implemented and the same technical effect can be achieved. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0579] The processor is the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiment. The readable storage medium includes a computer-readable storage medium, such as a computer read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transitory readable storage medium.

[0580] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above-mentioned positioning method embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0581] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be called a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system-on-chip chip, etc.

[0582] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the above-mentioned positioning method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it is not repeated here.

[0583] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including: a terminal and a network-side device, wherein the terminal can be used to execute the steps performed by the terminal in the positioning method described above, and the network-side device can be used to execute the steps performed by the network-side device in the positioning method described above.

[0584] It should be noted that, in this article, the terms "comprise", "include" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "comprises a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the element. In addition, it should be pointed out that the scope of the methods and devices in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, and may also include performing functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in the opposite order according to the functions involved. For example, the described method may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may also be added, omitted or combined. In addition, the features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0585] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be implemented by means of a computer software product plus a necessary general-purpose hardware platform, or of course, by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.) and includes a number of instructions for enabling a terminal or network-side device to execute the methods described in each embodiment of the present application.

[0586] The embodiments of the present application are described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned specific implementation methods. The above-mentioned specific implementation methods are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Under the guidance of this application, ordinary technicians in this field can also make many forms of implementation methods without departing from the purpose of this application and the scope of protection of the claims. These implementation methods are all within the protection of this application.

Claims

1. A positioning method, wherein: The method comprises: The terminal receives a first request from the first core network device, where the first request is used to request the terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and location information of the terminal based on measurement of an environmental IoT device; The terminal sends a first signal to at least one environmental Internet of Things device based on the first request; The terminal measures, by the at least one environmental Internet of Things device, a backscattered signal of the first signal to obtain the first measurement result, or determines, by the terminal, the location information of the terminal based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result obtained by measuring the backscattered signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device to the first signal; The terminal sends a first response message to the first request to the first core network device, where the first response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of the at least one environmental IoT device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first measurement result includes at least one of the following: a received strength indicator RSSI of the backscattered signal; The received power RSRP of the backscattered signal; The time difference of arrival TDOA of the backscattered signal; A round trip time (RTT) between the first signal and the backscattered signal.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The method further comprises: The terminal sends a second request to the second core network device, where the second request is used to request the location information of the terminal, and the second request includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a positioning mode supported by the terminal using an environment IoT device-assisted positioning method; The terminal receives a second response message to the second request from the second core network device, where the second response message includes location information of the terminal.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The first indication information includes at least one of the following: The terminal acts as a reader of environmental IoT devices; Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning; A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The method further comprises: The terminal receives a third request from the access network device, the third request being used to request location information of the terminal, the third request including second indication information being used to instruct the use of an environmental Internet of Things device to assist in positioning; The terminal sends a third response message to the access network device for the third request, where the third response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The second indication information includes at least one of the following: Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning; A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, wherein the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device; The location information of the inventoried environmental IoT devices.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein Before the terminal receives the first request from the first core network device, the method further includes: The terminal sends a first capability to the first core network device, where the first capability is used to indicate whether the terminal supports or does not support the use of an environmental Internet of Things device to assist in positioning.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: Before the terminal sends the first capability to the first core network device, the method further includes: The terminal receives a fourth request from the first core network device, where the fourth request is used to request a first capability of the terminal, where the first capability is used to indicate whether the terminal supports or does not support assisted positioning using an environmental Internet of Things device; The terminal sending the first capability to the first core network device includes: The terminal sends a fourth response message to the fourth request to the first core network device, where the fourth response message includes the first capability.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein The first capability includes at least one of the following: The terminal supports positioning methods for IoT device-assisted positioning in the use environment; The terminal supports measuring the backscattered signal; The terminal supports determining location information of the terminal based on the first measurement result; a type of the first signal supported by the terminal; A measurement quantity of the backscatter signal supported by the terminal.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein Before the terminal receives the first request from the first core network device, the method further includes: The terminal sends inventory information to the second core network device, where the inventory information includes at least one of the following: The types of environmental IoT devices inventoried; A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein Before the terminal receives the first request from the first core network device, the method further includes: The terminal receives first auxiliary data from the first core network device when the terminal is assisted in positioning by an Internet of Things device in its usage environment.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein Before the terminal receives, from the first core network device, first assistance data for assisting positioning by an Internet of Things device in the use environment of the terminal, the method further includes: The terminal sends a fifth request to the first core network device, where the fifth request is used to request the first auxiliary data; The receiving, by the terminal from the first core network device, of first auxiliary data for assisting positioning by an Internet of Things device in the use environment of the terminal includes: The terminal receives a fifth response message to the fifth request from the first core network device, where the fifth response message includes the first auxiliary data.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The first auxiliary data includes at least one of the following: a first configuration for the terminal to send the first signal, the first configuration including at least one of the following: a type of the first signal and a resource of the first signal; Each of the at least one ambient IoT device is configured to send a second configuration of the backscatter signal, where the second configuration includes a resource of the backscatter signal.

14. A positioning method, wherein: The method comprises: The access network device sends a third request to the terminal, where the third request is used to request location information of the terminal, and the third request includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the use of an environmental Internet of Things device to assist in positioning; The access network device receives a third response message to the third request from the terminal, where the third response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of at least one environmental Internet of Things device; The first measurement result includes a measurement result obtained by measuring a backscatter signal of the first signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device, and the location information of the terminal includes location information determined based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The second indication information includes at least one of the following: Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning; A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, wherein the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device; The location information of the inventoried environmental IoT devices.

16. A positioning method, wherein: The method comprises: The first core network device sends a first request to the terminal, where the first request is used to request the terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and location information of the terminal based on measurement of the environmental IoT device; The first core network device receives a first response message to the first request from the terminal, where the first response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of at least one environmental IoT device; The first measurement result includes a measurement result obtained by measuring a backscatter signal of the first signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device, and the location information of the terminal includes location information determined based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein The first measurement result includes at least one of the following: a received strength indicator RSSI of the backscattered signal; The received power RSRP of the backscattered signal; The time difference of arrival TDOA of the backscattered signal; A round trip time (RTT) between the first signal and the backscattered signal.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein Before the first core network device sends the first request to the terminal, the method further includes: The first core network device receives a first capability from the terminal, where the first capability is used to indicate whether the terminal supports or does not support the use of an environmental IoT device to assist in positioning.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein Before the first core network device receives the first capability from the terminal, the method further includes: The first core network device sends a fourth request to the terminal, where the fourth request is used to request the first capability of the terminal; The first core network device receiving the first capability from the terminal includes: The first core network device receives a fourth response message to the fourth request from the terminal, where the fourth response message includes the first capability.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein Before the first core network device sends the first request to the terminal, the method further includes: The first core network device sends first auxiliary data for assisting positioning of the terminal using an Internet of Things device in its usage environment to the terminal.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein Before the first core network device sends the first auxiliary data for assisting positioning of the terminal using an IoT device in its usage environment to the terminal, the method further includes: The first core network device receives a fifth request from the terminal, where the fifth request is used to request first assistance data for assisting positioning of the terminal using an environment IoT device; The first core network device sends first auxiliary data to the terminal when the terminal is positioned using an IoT device in its usage environment, including: The first core network device sends a fifth response message to the fifth request to the terminal, where the fifth response message includes the first auxiliary data.

22. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein Before the first core network device sends the first request to the terminal, the method further includes: The first core network device receives a sixth request from the second core network device, where the sixth request is used to request the first core network device to locate the terminal using a positioning method assisted by an environmental Internet of Things device; The sixth request includes at least one of the following: A positioning service LCS association identifier, where the LCS association identifier is used to associate the first core network device with the terminal; A first identifier, where the first identifier is used to identify a serving base station where the terminal is located, and the first identifier includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier and a base station identifier; The first indication information is used to indicate the positioning method supported by the terminal using the IoT device-assisted positioning method in the usage environment.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein The first indication information includes at least one of the following: The terminal acts as a reader of environmental IoT devices; Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning; A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein The method further comprises: The first core network device sends a sixth response message to the sixth request to the second core network device, where the sixth response message includes at least one of the following: location information of the terminal; The LCS association identifier; The terminal uses an IoT device-assisted positioning method for the use environment; A first capability, where the first capability is used to indicate whether the terminal supports or does not support the use of an environmental IoT device to assist in positioning; Positioning accuracy; The time of acquiring the location information of the terminal; The terminal may provide information about the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning, and the information about the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning by the terminal may include at least one of the following: an identifier of the environmental Internet of Things device used by the terminal, and location information of the environmental Internet of Things device used by the terminal for auxiliary positioning.

25. The method according to any one of claims 18, 19 and 24, wherein The first capability includes at least one of the following: an indication that the terminal supports measuring the backscatter signal; a type of the first signal supported by the terminal; A measurement quantity of the backscatter signal supported by the terminal.

26. The method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein The first auxiliary data includes at least one of the following: a first configuration for the terminal to send the first signal, where the first configuration includes at least one of the following: a type of the first signal and a resource of the first signal; Each of the at least one ambient IoT device is configured to send a second configuration of the backscatter signal, where the second configuration includes a resource of the backscatter signal.

27. A positioning method, wherein: include: The second core network device receives a second request, where the second request is used to request location information of the terminal, and the second request includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a positioning method supported by the terminal using an environment-based IoT device-assisted positioning method. The second core network device sends a second response message to the second request, where the second response message includes the location information of the terminal.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein After the second core network device receives the second request, the method further includes: The second core network device sends a sixth request to the first core network device, where the sixth request is used to request the first core network device to locate the terminal by using an environmental Internet of Things device-assisted positioning method; The sixth request includes at least one of the following: A positioning service LCS association identifier, where the LCS association identifier is used to associate the first core network device with the terminal; A first identifier, where the first identifier is used to identify a serving base station where the terminal is located, and the first identifier includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier and a base station identifier; The first indication information is used to indicate the positioning method supported by the terminal using the IoT device-assisted positioning method in the usage environment.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein The first indication information includes at least one of the following: The terminal acts as a reader of environmental IoT devices; Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning; A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

30. The method according to claim 28 or 29, wherein The method further comprises: The second core network device receives a sixth response message to the sixth request from the first core network device, where the sixth response message includes at least one of the following: The response to the sixth request includes at least one of the following: location information of the terminal; The LCS association identifier; The terminal uses an IoT device-assisted positioning method for the use environment; A first capability, where the first capability is used to indicate whether the terminal supports or does not support the use of an environmental IoT device to assist in positioning; Positioning accuracy; The time of acquiring the location information of the terminal; The terminal may provide information about the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning, and the information about the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning by the terminal may include at least one of the following: an identifier of the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning by the terminal, and location information of the environmental Internet of Things device used for auxiliary positioning by the terminal.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein The first capability includes at least one of the following: An indication that the terminal supports measuring backscatter signals; a type of first signal supported by the terminal; A measurement quantity of backscattered signals supported by the terminal.

32. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 31, wherein Before the second core network device receives the second request, the method further includes: The second core network device receives inventory information from the terminal, where the inventory information includes at least one of the following: The types of environmental IoT devices inventoried; A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein After the second core network device receives the second request, the method further includes: The second core network device determines a first core network device for locating the terminal based on the second request and the inventory information, and the first core network device supports the ability to use environmental Internet of Things devices to assist in positioning.

34. A positioning device, wherein: include: Communication unit for: receiving a first request from a first core network device, where the first request is used to request a terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and location information of the terminal based on a measurement of an environmental IoT device; Based on the first request, sending a first signal to at least one environmental IoT device; a processing unit, configured to measure a backscatter signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device with respect to the first signal to obtain the first measurement result, or, the terminal determining the location information of the terminal based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result obtained by measuring the backscatter signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device with respect to the first signal; The communication unit is further used to: send a first response message to the first request to the first core network device, where the first response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein: The first measurement result includes at least one of the following: a received strength indicator RSSI of the backscattered signal; The received power RSRP of the backscattered signal; The time difference of arrival TDOA of the backscattered signal; A round trip time (RTT) between the first signal and the backscattered signal.

36. A positioning device, wherein: include: A sending unit, configured to send a third request to the terminal, wherein the third request is used to request location information of the terminal, and the third request includes second indication information, wherein the second indication information is used to instruct the use of an environmental Internet of Things device to assist in positioning; a receiving unit, configured to receive a third response message to the third request from the terminal, the third response message including at least one of the following: a first measurement result, location information of the terminal, and location information of at least one environmental Internet of Things device; The first measurement result includes a measurement result obtained by measuring a backscatter signal of the first signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device, and the location information of the terminal includes location information determined based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result.

37. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein The second indication information includes at least one of the following: Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning; A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, wherein the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device; The location information of the inventoried environmental IoT devices.

38. A positioning device, wherein: include: A sending unit, configured to send a first request to a terminal, wherein the first request is used to request the terminal to provide at least one of a first measurement result and location information of the terminal based on a measurement of an environmental IoT device; a receiving unit, configured to receive a first response message to the first request from the terminal, where the first response message includes at least one of the following: the first measurement result, the location information of the terminal, and the location information of at least one environmental Internet of Things device; The first measurement result includes a measurement result obtained by measuring a backscatter signal of the first signal of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device, and the location information of the terminal includes location information determined based on the location information of the at least one environmental Internet of Things device and the first measurement result.

39. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein The first measurement result includes at least one of the following: a received strength indicator RSSI of the backscattered signal; The received power RSRP of the backscattered signal; The time difference of arrival TDOA of the backscattered signal; A round trip time (RTT) between the first signal and the backscattered signal.

40. The apparatus according to claim 38 or 39, wherein Before the sending unit sends the first request to the terminal, the receiving unit is further configured to: receiving a sixth request from the second core network device, the sixth request being used to request the first core network device to locate the terminal using a positioning method assisted by an environmental Internet of Things device; The sixth request includes at least one of the following: A positioning service LCS association identifier, where the LCS association identifier is used to associate the first core network device with the terminal; A first identifier, where the first identifier is used to identify a serving base station where the terminal is located, and the first identifier includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier and a base station identifier; The first indication information is used to indicate the positioning method supported by the terminal using the IoT device-assisted positioning method in the usage environment.

41. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein The first indication information includes at least one of the following: The terminal acts as a reader of environmental IoT devices; Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning; A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

42. A positioning device, wherein: include: A receiving unit, configured to receive a second request, the second request being used to request location information of a terminal, the second request including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a positioning mode supported by the terminal using an environment-based Internet of Things device-assisted positioning; A sending unit is configured to send a second response message to the second request, where the second response message includes the location information of the terminal.

43. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein After the receiving unit receives the second request, the sending unit is further configured to: Sending a sixth request to the first core network device, where the sixth request is used to request the first core network device to locate the terminal using a positioning method assisted by an environmental Internet of Things device; The sixth request includes at least one of the following: A positioning service LCS association identifier, where the LCS association identifier is used to associate the first core network device with the terminal; A first identifier, where the first identifier is used to identify a serving base station where the terminal is located, and the first identifier includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier and a base station identifier; The first indication information is used to indicate the positioning method supported by the terminal using the IoT device-assisted positioning method in the usage environment.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein: The first indication information includes at least one of the following: The terminal acts as a reader of environmental IoT devices; Instructions for using environmental IoT devices to assist in positioning; A list of environmental Internet of Things devices that have been inventoried, where the list of environmental Internet of Things devices includes the at least one environmental Internet of Things device.

45. A terminal, wherein: The method comprises a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, the steps of the positioning method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 are implemented.

46. An access network device, wherein: The method comprises a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, the steps of the positioning method according to any one of claims 14 to 15 are implemented.

47. A first core network device, wherein: The method comprises a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, the steps of the positioning method according to any one of claims 16 to 26 are implemented.

48. A second core network device, wherein: It includes a processor and a memory, the memory stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, the steps of the positioning method according to any one of claims 27 to 33 are implemented.

49. A readable storage medium, wherein: The readable storage medium stores a program or instruction, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the positioning method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, or implements the steps of the positioning method according to any one of claims 14 to 15, or implements the steps of the positioning method according to any one of claims 16 to 26, or implements the steps of the positioning method according to any one of claims 27 to 33.

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