Communication method, device and system, and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the technical field of communications. Disclosed are a communication method and apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium. The communication method comprises: acquiring first information from a first network element, wherein the first information comprises at least one candidate located user equipment (UE) and the capability of each candidate located UE; and on the basis of the capability of each candidate located UE, determining a second UE from the at least one candidate located UE, wherein the second UE is used for ranging or sidelink location service. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, selecting a located UE on the basis of a UE capability obtained from a first network element is considered while ranging and sidelink location are supported.

Description

Communication method, device, system and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, device, system, and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In order to support direct communication between terminals, a sidelink (SL) communication mode is introduced. Ranging refers to determining the distance between two or more terminals, or the direction from one terminal to another terminal, through a PC5 interface. A PC5 interface refers to a communication interface between terminals, for example, a short-distance direct communication interface between vehicles, people, and road infrastructure. Sidelink SL positioning refers to estimating the position of the located terminal based on the sidelink SL. For example, ranging or sidelink SL positioning can be performed on the located terminal (for example, a target terminal (target user equipment, target UE)) based on the information of a terminal (for example, a positioning terminal (located user equipment, located UE)). The reference terminal can be, for example, an SL reference terminal whose position is known or can be known in ranging or sidelink SL positioning. For another example, the relative position information of a terminal (for example, a target terminal) and another terminal (for example, an SL reference terminal (sidelink reference user equipment, sidelink reference UE)) can be determined through ranging or sidelink SL positioning. Sidelink SL positioning can also be called sidelink positioning.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, device, system, and storage medium.

[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The method is performed by a first terminal, and the method includes:

[0006] Acquire first information from a first network element, where the first information includes: at least one candidate positioning terminal and a capability of each of the candidate positioning terminals;

[0007] Based on the capability of each candidate positioning terminal, a second terminal is determined from at least one candidate positioning terminal, where the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning service.

[0008] A second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a first network element and includes:

[0009] Sending first information to a first terminal, where the first information includes: at least one candidate positioning terminal and a capability of each of the candidate positioning terminals;

[0010] The capability of each candidate positioning terminal is used to assist the first terminal in determining a second terminal from at least one candidate positioning terminal, and the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning service.

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

[0012] A processing module, configured to obtain first information from a first network element, where the first information includes: at least one candidate positioning terminal and a capability of each of the candidate positioning terminals;

[0013] It is further configured to determine a second terminal from at least one of the candidate positioning terminals based on the capability of each of the candidate positioning terminals, where the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning services.

[0014] According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a network element is provided, including:

[0015] a transceiver module, configured to send first information to a first terminal, wherein the first information includes: at least one candidate positioning terminal and a capability of each candidate positioning terminal;

[0016] The capability of each candidate positioning terminal is used to assist the first terminal in determining a second terminal from at least one candidate positioning terminal, and the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning service.

[0017] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, including:

[0018] one or more processors;

[0019] The processor is used to execute the optional implementation of the aforementioned first aspect.

[0020] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, including:

[0021] one or more processors;

[0022] The processor is used to execute the optional implementation of the aforementioned second aspect.

[0023] In a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is proposed, including a terminal and a network element, wherein the terminal is used to implement the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect, and the network element is used to implement the method described in the optional implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0024] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which executable instructions are stored. The executable instructions are loaded and executed by the processor to implement the method described in the optional implementation of the first or second aspect above.

[0025] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0027] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a wireless communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] FIG2 is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0029] FIG3a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG3 b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG5a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG5 b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG6 a is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG6 b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG7a is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG7 b is a schematic structural diagram of a chip proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a device, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0039] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is executed by a first terminal and includes:

[0040] Acquire first information from a first network element, where the first information includes: at least one candidate positioning terminal and a capability of each of the candidate positioning terminals;

[0041] Based on the capability of each candidate positioning terminal, a second terminal is determined from at least one candidate positioning terminal, where the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning service.

[0042] In the above embodiment, while supporting ranging and sidelink positioning, the UE capability obtained from the first network element is considered to select the UE for positioning.

[0043] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: performing at least one of the following operations:

[0044] Establishing a PC5 link between the first terminal and the second terminal;

[0045] Modifying a PC5 link between the first terminal and the second terminal;

[0046] Release the PC5 link between the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the UE capability obtained from the first network element is taken into consideration for selecting the positioning UE, and the PC5 link between the terminals can also be properly managed.

[0048] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, obtaining the first information from the first network element includes:

[0049] Receive first information sent by the first network element via the second network element.

[0050] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is sent after the first network element receives second information sent by the second network element, and the second information is used to request positioning.

[0051] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes any one of the following:

[0052] Sidelink-terminal termination-positioning request SL-MT-LR request message;

[0053] A message sent by the first network element to the first terminal during the side chain positioning process.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the capability of the candidate positioning terminal is provided to the first terminal through the SL-MT-LR request message or the message sent by the first network element to the first terminal during the sidelink positioning process.

[0055] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information further includes at least one of the following:

[0056] First logo;

[0057] The first indication information is used to instruct the selection of a positioning terminal.

[0058] In the above embodiment, if it is determined that the first terminal performs positioning terminal selection, the first information includes instruction information to instruct the first terminal to perform positioning terminal selection.

[0059] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes a first parameter, where the first parameter is used to describe the capability of the candidate positioning terminal.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the provision of terminal capabilities is achieved by including parameters describing the capabilities of the candidate positioning terminals in the first information.

[0061] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the capability of the candidate positioning terminal includes: a side chain positioning method supported by the candidate positioning terminal and an application layer identifier of the candidate positioning terminal.

[0062] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first parameter includes a side chain positioning protocol message.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the provision of terminal capabilities is achieved by including a sidelink positioning protocol message in the first information.

[0064] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0065] Third information is sent to the first network element via the second network element, where the third information is a response to the first information.

[0066] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a first network element and includes:

[0067] Sending first information to a first terminal, where the first information includes: at least one candidate positioning terminal and a capability of each of the candidate positioning terminals;

[0068] The capability of each candidate positioning terminal is used to assist the first terminal in determining a second terminal from at least one candidate positioning terminal, and the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning service.

[0069] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, sending the first information to the first terminal includes:

[0070] The first information is sent to the first terminal via the second network element.

[0071] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, before sending the first information to the first terminal via the second network element, the method further includes:

[0072] Receive second information sent by the second network element, where the second information is used to request positioning.

[0073] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes any one of the following:

[0074] Sidelink-terminal termination-positioning request SL-MT-LR request message;

[0075] A message sent by the first network element to the first terminal during the side chain positioning process.

[0076] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information further includes at least one of the following:

[0077] First logo;

[0078] The first indication information is used to instruct the selection of a positioning terminal.

[0079] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes a first parameter, where the first parameter is used to describe the capability of the candidate positioning terminal.

[0080] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the capability of the candidate positioning terminal includes: a side chain positioning method supported by the candidate positioning terminal and an application layer identifier of the candidate positioning terminal.

[0081] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first parameter includes a side chain positioning protocol message.

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

[0083] Receive third information sent by the first terminal via the second network element, where the third information is a response to the first information.

[0084] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal, including:

[0085] A processing module, configured to obtain first information from a first network element, where the first information includes: at least one candidate positioning terminal and a capability of each of the candidate positioning terminals;

[0086] It is further configured to determine a second terminal from at least one of the candidate positioning terminals based on the capability of each of the candidate positioning terminals, where the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning services.

[0087] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network element, including:

[0088] a transceiver module, configured to send first information to a first terminal, wherein the first information includes: at least one candidate positioning terminal and a capability of each candidate positioning terminal;

[0089] The capability of each candidate positioning terminal is used to assist the first terminal in determining a second terminal from at least one candidate positioning terminal, and the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning service.

[0090] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, including:

[0091] one or more processors;

[0092] The processor executes the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect.

[0093] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, including:

[0094] one or more processors;

[0095] The processor executes the method described in the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0096] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, including a terminal and a network element, wherein the terminal is used to implement the method described in the optional implementation method of the first aspect, and the network element is used to implement the method described in the optional implementation method of the second aspect.

[0097] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0098] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0099] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0100] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a chip or a chip system, which includes a processing circuit for executing the method described in the optional implementation of the first or second aspect above.

[0101] It is understandable that the aforementioned apparatus for random access, communication equipment, communication system, storage medium, program product, and computer program are all used to perform the methods proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here. The communication equipment may be a terminal or a network element.

[0102] The present disclosure provides communication methods, apparatuses, communication devices, communication systems, and storage media. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method," "information processing method," and "for random access" are interchangeable; the terms "apparatus for random access," "information processing apparatus," and "communication apparatus" are interchangeable; and the terms "information processing system" and "communication system" are interchangeable.

[0103] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0104] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0105] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0106] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0107] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0108] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "at least one of", "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0109] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, descriptions such as “at least one of A, B, C…”, “A and / or B and / or C…”, etc. include the situation where any one of A, B, C… exists alone, and also include any combination of any multiple of A, B, C…, and each situation can exist alone; for example, “at least one of A, B, C” includes the situation where A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, the combination of A and B, the combination of A and C, the combination of B and C, and the combination of A, B, and C; for example, A and / or B includes the situation where A exists alone, B exists alone, and the combination of A and B.

[0110] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "in one case A, in another case B," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B," may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: executing A independently of B (in some embodiments, A); executing B independently of A (in some embodiments, B); selectively executing A and B (in some embodiments, selecting between A and B); and executing both A and B (in some embodiments, A and B). The same applies when there are more branches, such as A, B, and C.

[0111] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. For another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first configuration" and the "second configuration" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0112] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0113] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0114] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", "above" and the like can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0115] In some embodiments, devices, etc. can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

[0116] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station" "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0117] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0118] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, which can also be referred to as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it can also be set as a structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, languages ​​such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced with languages ​​corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side").

[0119] For example, an uplink channel, a downlink channel, etc. may be replaced by a side channel, and an uplink, a downlink, etc. may be replaced by a side link.

[0120] In some embodiments, terms such as "uplink", "uplink", "physical uplink" can be interchangeable with each other, and terms such as "downlink", "downlink", "physical downlink" can be interchangeable with each other, and terms such as "side", "sidelink", "side communication", "sidelink communication", "direct connection", "direct link", "direct communication", "direct link communication" can be interchangeable with each other.

[0121] In some embodiments, the terms "downlink control information (DCI)", "downlink (DL) assignment", "DL DCI", "uplink (UL) grant", "UL DCI" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0122] In some embodiments, terms such as "physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)" and "DL data" can be used interchangeably, and terms such as "physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)" and "UL data" can be used interchangeably.

[0123] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be performed by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values ​​(for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0124] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network (eg, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.).

[0125] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0126] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0127] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0128] As shown in FIG1 , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102 .

[0129] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0130] In some embodiments, the network device 102 may include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0131] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, but is not limited thereto.

[0132] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applicable to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may become internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces may be implemented through software or programs.

[0133] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0134] In some embodiments, the access network device may be a single device, or may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each including all or part of a first network element, a second network element, etc. The network element may be virtual or physical. The network device may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0135] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or device groups, each including all or part of the one or more network elements. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0136] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0137] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in Figure 1, or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in Figure 1 are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in Figure 1, or may include other entities outside of Figure 1. The number and form of the entities may be arbitrary. The connection relationship between the entities is illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0138] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), other systems utilizing random access, and next-generation systems based on and extending these systems. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0139] For ease of understanding, the terms of the present disclosure are explained below.

[0140] 1. Distance-based services and sidechain positioning

[0141] Ranging: Determines the distance between two or more UEs and / or the direction between one UE (the target UE) and another UE (the reference UE) using the PC5 interface. Sidelink positioning uses PC5 to locate a UE. Ranging-based services and sidelink positioning involve distance measurements, direction measurements, or both.

[0142] Positioning: A function that can detect geographic location and speed (for example, a mobile terminal).

[0143] Network-based Operation: involves ranging / sidelink positioning operations of 5GC NF for service request processing and result calculation.

[0144] Ranging / SL Positioning Application Identifier: A globally unique identifier used to identify a specific ranging or SL positioning application. This identifier can be mapped to a V2X service type or a proximity-based service (ProSe) identifier.

[0145] Relative position: The estimated position of a UE relative to other network elements or other UEs.

[0146] Relative velocity: The estimated velocity of a UE relative to another UE.

[0147] Sidelink Positioning: Use PC5 to locate the UE to obtain absolute position, relative position or ranging information.

[0148] 2. Ranging Role

[0149] Located UE: A SL reference UE whose location is known or can be determined using Uu-based positioning. A located UE can be used to determine the location of a target UE using sidelink positioning.

[0150] SL Reference UE: A UE that supports positioning of a target UE, for example, by using a side link to send and / or receive reference signals for positioning, provide positioning-related information, etc. Exemplarily, the SL Reference UE may also be referred to as an "anchor UE".

[0151] SL Positioning Client UE: A third-party UE other than the SL reference UE and target UE, which initiates ranging / sidelink positioning service requests on behalf of the applications residing on it.

[0152] SL Positioning Server UE: This UE provides method determination, assistance data distribution, and / or position calculation functionality for sidelink positioning and ranging-based services. It interacts with other UEs via PC5 as needed to determine ranging or SL positioning methods, distribute assistance data, and calculate the position of the target UE. If any of these functions are supported, the target UE or SL reference UE can act as a SL Positioning Server UE.

[0153] Target UE: A UE whose distance, direction and / or position is measured using Sidelink with the support of one or more SL reference UEs in ranging-based services and Sidelink positioning.

[0154] The ranging or SL positioning position result can include absolute position, relative position, or distance and direction, depending on the service request. If the target UE decides to initiate the SL-MO-LR procedure, one or more SL reference UEs, or one or more positioning UEs, are included in the service request.

[0155] Optionally, the LMF may pre-configure a list of candidate positioning UEs, which includes, for example, capabilities, static information, and location information of positioning UEs (such as RSUs or positioning UEs deployed by operators).

[0156] Optionally, the LMF may provide a list of candidate positioning UEs to the target UE. The target UE may discover and select one or more positioning UEs to be used in the ranging or SL positioning process.

[0157] Optionally, when multiple candidate positioning UEs are found, a positioning UE is selected from the candidate positioning UE list.

[0158] Optionally, the UE is located based on the following:

[0159] Candidate list of positioning UEs (if available);

[0160] Capabilities of candidate positioning UEs, such as supported sidelink positioning methods;

[0161] Required positioning quality of service (QoS);

[0162] Whether the serving Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) of the candidate positioning UE is the same as the serving PLMN of the target UE;

[0163] UE information, including whether the UE is within the coverage area, the location of the UE, etc.

[0164] Optionally, when the LMF determines the SL positioning of the target UE and triggers the discovery of the positioning UE, the LMF may decide whether "LMF or target UE" selects the positioning UE. If the decision is that the target UE selects the positioning UE, the target UE discovers and selects the positioning UE and sends the selected positioning UE to the LMF.

[0165] Optionally, in a sidelink-mobile originated-location request (Sindlink-Mobile Originated-Location Request, SL-MO-LR) process involving a location management function (LMF), or a sidelink-mobile terminated-location request (Sindlink-Mobile Terminated-Location Request, SL-MT-LR) process involving a location management function (LMF), or in a 5GC-MT-LR process using SL positioning, or in a 5GC-MO-LR process using SL positioning, the LMF may provide the target UE with an indication that the target UE selects a UE, for example: for positioning UE selection, the LMF may provide the target UE with a list of candidate positioning UEs configured in the LMF, and the target UE may obtain UE capabilities via an SLPP message during capability exchange on a PC5 link established between the target UE and the candidate positioning UEs.

[0166] That is, the target UE can obtain the UE's capabilities through the SideLink Positioning Protocol (SLPP) message during the capability exchange process on the PC5 link established between the target UE and the candidate positioning UE. Therefore, UE selection only occurs after the direct link is established between the UEs.

[0167] However, if a positioning UE is not selected, for example, the target UE and the non-selected positioning UEs do not have overlapping capabilities (for example, the target UE and the candidate positioning UE support different sidelink positioning methods and cannot support the corresponding positioning measurements), then the corresponding service does not require a direct link between the target UE and the non-selected positioning UE. Therefore, the PC5 link between the target UE and the non-selected positioning UE becomes useless.

[0168] In some embodiments, the target UE is a UE located using SL positioning. Optionally, to assist the target UE, the LMF may provide the target UE with a list of candidate positioning UEs. In this case, the LMF maintains a list of candidate positioning UEs that includes the capabilities and location information of the candidate positioning UEs.

[0169] In some embodiments, the target UE may select a positioning UE considering a list of candidate positioning UEs provided by the LMF and the UE capability of each UE in the candidate positioning UE list.

[0170] In some embodiments, if the target UE selects a positioning UE, the target UE reports the UE identity, ie, the application layer ID of the selected positioning UE, to the LMF; otherwise, the UE identities of all discovered positioning UEs are reported to the LMF.

[0171] The present disclosure provides a solution for obtaining UE capabilities, supporting UE (re)selection for ranging and sidelink positioning services, and performing appropriate link management for selected UEs and unselected UEs in consideration of the obtained UE capabilities.

[0172] Based on the above wireless communication system, various embodiments of the communication method proposed in the present disclosure are described in detail below.

[0173] FIG2 is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2 , the communication method is used in a communication system 100, and the method includes:

[0174] S201. A first network element sends first information.

[0175] In some embodiments, the first network element sends first information to the first terminal.

[0176] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one candidate positioning terminal and the capability of each candidate positioning terminal.

[0177] In some embodiments, the first information includes a list of candidate positioning terminals, where the list includes at least one candidate positioning terminal. The first information may further include a capability of each candidate positioning terminal.

[0178] In some embodiments, the first information may further include at least one of the following:

[0179] First logo;

[0180] The first indication information is used to instruct the selection of a positioning terminal.

[0181] In some embodiments, the first identifier may be a positioning service correlation identifier (Correlation ID).

[0182] In some embodiments, if the first network element determines that the first terminal performs positioning terminal selection, the first information may carry first indication information for instructing the first terminal to perform positioning terminal selection.

[0183] In some embodiments, the first network element is, for example, a Location Management Function (LMF).

[0184] In some embodiments, the first network element is used as "a core network element that provides control plane positioning in 5GC, completes the calculation and feedback of location information in the 5G network, provides positioning process management, terminal capability acquisition, auxiliary data provision, terminal position estimation and other functions", and the name is not limited to this.

[0185] In some embodiments, the first information includes a first parameter, where the first parameter is used to describe the capability of the candidate positioning terminal.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first parameter includes a SideLink Positioning Protocol (SLPP) message. Optionally, the first parameter may be an embedded SLPP message.

[0187] In some embodiments, the first information may include an SLPP message for providing capabilities of the candidate positioning terminal.

[0188] In some embodiments, the capabilities of the candidate positioning terminal include: a side chain positioning method supported by the candidate positioning terminal and an application layer identifier of the candidate positioning terminal.

[0189] In some embodiments, step S201 includes step S201-1 and step S201-2. Specifically:

[0190] S201-1. A first network element sends first information to a second network element.

[0191] In some embodiments, the first information may be a side link-terminal-positioning request SL-MT-LR request message.

[0192] In some embodiments, the first network element may send a SL-MT-LR request message to the second network element. Optionally, the first network element may send a SL-MT-LR request message to the second network element via an AMF communication N1N2 message transfer (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer) service operation.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first information may be a message sent by the first network element to the first terminal during the side chain positioning process.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first network element may send a message sent to the first terminal during the sidelink positioning process to the second network element. Optionally, the first network element may send the first information to the second network element via any one of a UE capability request (Capabilities Request for UEs 1 to n), a sharing assistance data request (sharing Assistance Data for UEs), a UE location information request (Request Location Information for UEs 1 to n), or a newly added request for requesting UE selection.

[0195] S201-2. The second network element sends first information to the first terminal.

[0196] In some embodiments, if the first information is a SL-MT-LR request message, the second network element may send the SL-MT-LR request message to the first terminal. Optionally, the second network element may forward the SL-MT-LR request message to the first terminal via a downlink non-access layer transport (DL NAS TRANSPORT).

[0197] In some embodiments, the second network element may further forward the routing identifier corresponding to the first identifier to the first terminal.

[0198] In some embodiments, if the first information is a message sent by the first network element to the first terminal during the sidelink positioning process, the first network element can use UE capability request (Capabilities Request for UEs 1 to n), auxiliary data request (sharing Assistance Data for UEs), UE location information request (Request Location Information for UEs 1 to n) or any one of the newly added requests for requesting UE selection to send the first information to the first terminal via the second network element through downlink non-access layer transmission (DL NAS TRANSPORT).

[0199] In some embodiments, in an SL-MT-LR process involving LMF, or a 5GC-MT-LR process using SL positioning, or a 5GC-MO-LR process using SL positioning, the first network element may send an SL-MT-LR request message to the first terminal via the second network element.

[0200] In some embodiments, in the SL-MO-LR process involving LMF, the first network element may send a message sent by the first network element to the first terminal via the second network element.

[0201] In some embodiments, the second network element is, for example, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0202] In some embodiments, the second network element is used to "be responsible for functions such as terminal identity authentication, authorization, registration, mobility management and connection management", but the name is not limited to this.

[0203] In some embodiments, before step S201, the following steps may also be included:

[0204] S200. The second network element sends second information to the first network element.

[0205] In some embodiments, the second information is used to request positioning.

[0206] In some embodiments, the second information may be a location request message. Optionally, the second network element may send the second information to the first network element via an LMF location_determine location request (Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation Request) message via the AML.

[0207] S202: The first terminal obtains first information.

[0208] In some embodiments, the first terminal obtaining the first information means receiving the first information.

[0209] In some embodiments, the first terminal obtaining the first information means that the first terminal receives the first information sent by the first network element.

[0210] In some embodiments, the first terminal may also obtain the first information through other methods, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0211] In some embodiments, correspondingly, the first network element sends the first information, which can be understood as the first network element sending the first information to the first terminal.

[0212] In some embodiments, the first terminal receives the first information, which can also be understood as the first terminal receiving the first information sent by the first network element.

[0213] S203: The first terminal determines the second terminal based on the first information.

[0214] In some embodiments, the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning services.

[0215] In some embodiments, the first terminal obtains first information and determines a second terminal for ranging and sidelink positioning services based on the first information.

[0216] In some embodiments, the first terminal determines the second terminal from at least one candidate positioning terminal based on the capability of each candidate positioning terminal in the first information.

[0217] In some embodiments, the above method may further include:

[0218] S204. The first terminal sends third information to the first network element via the second network element.

[0219] In some embodiments, the third information is a response to the first information.

[0220] In some embodiments, step S204 includes step S204-1 and step S204-2. Specifically:

[0221] S204-1. The first terminal sends third information to the second network element.

[0222] In some embodiments, if the first information is a SL-MT-LR request message, the third information is a SL-MT-LR response message. Optionally, the first terminal may send the third information to the second network element via an uplink non-access stratum transport (UL NAS TRANSPORT) message.

[0223] In some embodiments, if the first information is a UE capability request (Capabilities Request for UEs 1 to n), a sharing Assistance Data for UEs, a UE location information request (Request Location Information for UEs 1 to n), or any of the newly added requests for requesting UE selection, the third information is the corresponding response message.

[0224] In some embodiments, the third information may include information of at least one positioning UE selected by the target UE.

[0225] In some embodiments, the third information may further include a routing identifier corresponding to the first identifier.

[0226] S204-2. The second network element sends third information to the first network element.

[0227] In some embodiments, if the first message is a SL-MT-LR request message, the third message is a SL-MT-LR response message.

[0228] In some embodiments, if the first information is a UE capability request (Capabilities Request for UEs 1 to n), a sharing Assistance Data for UEs, a UE location information request (Request Location Information for UEs 1 to n), or any of the newly added requests for requesting UE selection, the third information is the corresponding response message.

[0229] Optionally, the second network element may send the third information to the first network element via AMF_Communication N1 message notification (Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify).

[0230] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", and "data" can be used interchangeably.

[0231] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0232] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain", "preset", "preset", "setting", "indicated", "a certain", "any", and "first" can be interchangeable. "Specific A", "preset A", "preset A", "setting A", "indicated A", "a certain A", "any A", and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-specified in a protocol, etc., or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or indication, etc., or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, etc., but not limited to this.

[0233] In some embodiments, terms such as "in the case of", "at the time of", "when", "if", and "if" can be used interchangeably.

[0234] In some embodiments, the above method may further include at least one of the following operations:

[0235] Establishing a PC5 link between the first terminal and the second terminal;

[0236] Modifying a PC5 link between the first terminal and the second terminal;

[0237] Release the PC5 link between the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0238] In some embodiments, the first terminal may manage a PC5 link with the second terminal. Optionally, the first terminal may establish, modify, or release a PC5 link with the second terminal.

[0239] The method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S200 to S204-2. For example, step S203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S202 and S203 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S200, S202, and S203 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S201-1, S201-2, S202, and S203 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S200, S201-1, S201-2, S202, and S203 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0240] In some embodiments, step S200 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0241] In some embodiments, steps S201 - 1 and S201 - 2 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0242] In some embodiments, step S202 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0243] In some embodiments, steps S204 - 1 and S204 - 2 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0244] FIG3a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3a, the communication method can be executed by a first terminal, and the method includes:

[0245] S301: Receive first information sent by a first network element via a second network element.

[0246] Optional implementations of step S301 can refer to the optional implementations of steps S201-1 and S201-2 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG2, which will not be described in detail here.

[0247] In some embodiments, the first information includes a list of candidate positioning terminals, where the list includes at least one candidate positioning terminal. The first information may further include a capability of each candidate positioning terminal.

[0248] In some embodiments, the first information includes any of the following:

[0249] Sidelink-terminal termination-positioning request SL-MT-LR request message;

[0250] A message sent by the first network element to the first terminal during the side chain positioning process.

[0251] In some embodiments, in an SL-MT-LR process involving LMF, or a 5GC-MT-LR process using SL positioning, or a 5GC-MO-LR process using SL positioning, the first network element may send an SL-MT-LR request message to the first terminal via the second network element.

[0252] In some embodiments, in the SL-MO-LR process involving LMF, the first network element may send a message sent by the first network element to the first terminal via the second network element.

[0253] In some embodiments, the first information further includes at least one of the following:

[0254] First logo;

[0255] The first indication information is used to instruct the selection of a positioning terminal.

[0256] In some embodiments, the first terminal receives first information sent by the second network element.

[0257] S302: Determine a second terminal based on the first information.

[0258] The optional implementation of step S302 can refer to the optional implementation of step S203 in FIG. 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0259] In some embodiments, the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning services.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first terminal obtains first information and determines a second terminal for ranging and sidelink positioning services based on the first information.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first terminal determines the second terminal from at least one candidate positioning terminal based on the capability of each candidate positioning terminal in the first information.

[0262] In some embodiments, the method may further include: sending third information to the first network element via the second network element.

[0263] In some embodiments, the third information is a response to the first information.

[0264] The method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S301 and S302. For example, step S302 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0265] In some embodiments, step S301 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0266] FIG3b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3b, the communication method can be executed by a first terminal, and the method includes:

[0267] S311. Obtain first information.

[0268] The optional implementation of step S311 can refer to step S202 in FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S301 in FIG. 3 a , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 a , which will not be described in detail here.

[0269] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one candidate positioning terminal and the capability of each candidate positioning terminal.

[0270] In some embodiments, first information is obtained from a first network element.

[0271] In some embodiments, the first terminal receives first information sent by the first network element via the second network element.

[0272] In some embodiments, the first information is sent after the first network element receives the second information sent by the second network element, where the second information is used to request positioning.

[0273] In some embodiments, the first information includes any of the following:

[0274] Sidelink-terminal termination-positioning request SL-MT-LR request message;

[0275] A message sent by the first network element to the first terminal during the side chain positioning process.

[0276] In some embodiments, the first information further includes at least one of the following:

[0277] First logo;

[0278] The first indication information is used to instruct the selection of a positioning terminal.

[0279] In some embodiments, the first information includes a first parameter, where the first parameter is used to describe the capability of the candidate positioning terminal.

[0280] In some embodiments, the capabilities of the candidate positioning terminal include: a side chain positioning method supported by the candidate positioning terminal and an application layer identifier of the candidate positioning terminal.

[0281] In some embodiments, the first parameter comprises a sidelink positioning protocol message.

[0282] S312: Determine a second terminal based on the first information.

[0283] The optional implementation of step S312 can refer to step S203 in FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S302 in FIG. 3 a , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 a , which will not be described in detail here.

[0284] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0285] Third information is sent to the first network element via the second network element, where the third information is a response to the first information.

[0286] For the optional implementation of the above optional embodiment, reference may be made to the optional implementation of steps S204 - 1 and S204 - 2 in FIG. 2 , and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0287] In some embodiments, the above method may further include performing at least one of the following operations:

[0288] Establishing a PC5 link between the first terminal and the second terminal;

[0289] Modifying a PC5 link between the first terminal and the second terminal;

[0290] Release the PC5 link between the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0291] FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4 , the method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure is executed by a first network element, and the method includes:

[0292] S401: Send first information.

[0293] In some embodiments, the first network element sends first information to the first terminal.

[0294] In some embodiments, the first information includes: at least one candidate positioning terminal and the capability of each candidate positioning terminal.

[0295] Optional implementations of step S401 can refer to the optional implementations of steps S201-1 and S201-2 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG2, which will not be described in detail here.

[0296] In some embodiments, the first network element may also send the first information to other devices.

[0297] In some embodiments, the capability of each candidate positioning terminal is used to assist the first terminal in determining a second terminal from at least one candidate positioning terminal, where the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning service.

[0298] In some embodiments, step S401 may specifically include: sending first information to the first terminal via the second network element.

[0299] In some embodiments, before step S401, the method may further include:

[0300] Receive second information sent by the second network element, where the second information is used to request positioning.

[0301] In some embodiments, the first information includes any of the following:

[0302] Sidelink-terminal termination-positioning request SL-MT-LR request message;

[0303] A message sent by the first network element to the first terminal during the side chain positioning process.

[0304] In some embodiments, the first information further includes at least one of the following:

[0305] First logo;

[0306] The first indication information is used to instruct the selection of a positioning terminal.

[0307] In some embodiments, the first information includes a first parameter, where the first parameter is used to describe the capability of the candidate positioning terminal.

[0308] In some embodiments, the capabilities of the candidate positioning terminal include: a side chain positioning method supported by the candidate positioning terminal and an application layer identifier of the candidate positioning terminal.

[0309] In some embodiments, the first parameter comprises a sidelink positioning protocol message.

[0310] In some embodiments, the above method may further include:

[0311] Receive third information sent by the first terminal via the second network element, where the third information is a response to the first information.

[0312] FIG5a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5a, the method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is used in a communication system 100, and the method includes:

[0313] S501. A first network element sends first information.

[0314] The optional implementation of step S501 can refer to steps S201-1 and S201-2 in Figure 2, step S301 in Figure 3a, the optional implementation of step S401 in Figure 4, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2, 3a, and 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0315] S502: The first terminal receives first information.

[0316] The optional implementation of step S502 can refer to the optional implementation of step S202 in Figure 2, step S311 in Figure 3b, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 3b, which will not be repeated here.

[0317] S503: The first terminal determines the second terminal based on the first information.

[0318] Optional implementations of step S502 may refer to the optional implementations of step S203 in FIG. 2 , step S302 in FIG. 3 a , step S312 in FIG. 3 b , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 a to 3 b , which will not be described in detail here.

[0319] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above embodiments of the communication system side, terminal side, network element side, core network device side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0320] The present disclosure also provides an optional implementation scheme, as shown in FIG5b, which may include steps S511-S517. Specifically:

[0321] S511-S514: Send the location request to the Location Management Function (LMF). The LMF determines and executes the location request using ranging and sidelink positioning. For example, in step S514, the AML sends the location request (which may correspond to the second information above) to the LMF via the LMF Location_DetermineLocation Request message (Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation Request).

[0322] S511a. During the 5GC-MO-LR process using SL positioning, an MO-LR request is sent from UE1, and the LMF that receives the positioning service request in step S514 can trigger the use of SL positioning.

[0323] S511b. During the 5GC-MT-LR process using SL positioning, the mobile terminal terminates the positioning request sent from the GMLC, and the LMF that receives the location service request in step S514 can trigger the use of SL positioning.

[0324] S511c. In the process for the sidelink-mobile originated-location request (SL-MO-LR), the LMF receives a positioning service request for ranging and sidelink positioning based on the SL-MO-LR request from UE1 in step S514.

[0325] S511d. In the process for the sidelink-terminal-terminated-location request (Sindlink-MobileTerminated-LocationRequest, SL-MT-LR), the LMF receives the ranging and sidelink positioning service request based on the ranging and sidelink positioning location request from the Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) in step S514.

[0326] S515 , execute the following steps S0 - S5 to request location from UE1 using ranging or SL positioning service.

[0327] These steps apply to SL-MT-LR processes involving LMF, or 5GC-MT-LR processes using SL positioning, or 5GC-MO-LR processes using SL positioning. For SL-MO-LR processes involving LMF, skip these steps.

[0328] Step S0. LMF uses the AMF communication N1N2 message transmission (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer) service operation to send an SL-MT-LR request (which can correspond to the first information above) to AMF as a supplementary service request message, and the session ID parameter is set to the location service (LCS) related identifier (ID).

[0329] In some embodiments, the SL-MT-LR request may include the application layer identification (Application Layer ID) of the other UE 2 to UE n, the type of required location result in the case of relative location (e.g., relative location or distance and / or direction), and the SL reference UE.

[0330] Optionally, the SL-MT-LR request may include the application layer ID of the other UE 2 to UE n, the type of required location result (absolute location) in the case of absolute location, the positioning UE, and the coordinate ID.

[0331] Optionally, in this step, if the type of the required positioning result is absolute position, if candidate positioning UEs are included, then other UEs 2 to UE n are candidate positioning UEs.

[0332] In some embodiments, after the LMF determines that the positioning of the target UE requires assistance from the positioning UE, the LMF decides the target UE or the LMF selects the positioning UE, and the SL-MT-LR request also includes an indication of the target UE or the LMF selects the positioning UE.

[0333] In some embodiments, if the UE capabilities of the candidate positioning UEs are available in the LMF, the LMF may also include the UE capabilities of each candidate positioning UE in the SL-MT-LR request.

[0334] Optionally, when the target UE determines to select a positioning UE, the UE capability from the LMF can help the target UE select a positioning UE.

[0335] In some embodiments, UE capabilities may be included in the parameters describing each UE's capabilities, for example, the supported sidelink positioning methods and the associated application layer IDs for each UE.

[0336] In some embodiments, UE capabilities may be included in an SLPP message providing each UE capability and the associated application layer ID.

[0337] Step S1: AMF forwards the SL-MT-LR request and the routing ID corresponding to the LCS correlation ID to UE1 using a downlink non-access layer transport (DL NAS TRANSPORT) message.

[0338] Step S2: If there is no discovery process, UE1 attempts to discover UE2 to UEn using the application layer ID and optional coordinate ID of each candidate positioning UE.

[0339] Step S3: If UE1 has not yet obtained the UE capability, it obtains the required sidelink positioning capability of the discovered UE through SLPP.

[0340] Step S4: UE1 returns an SL-MT-LR response to the AMF via a supplementary service response message in an uplink non-access layer transport (UL NAS TRANSPORT) message.

[0341] Optionally, the supplementary service response message includes the routing ID received in step S1.

[0342] Optionally, the supplementary service response message may further include an SLPP container, where the SLPP container includes the capabilities of the UE.

[0343] In some embodiments, the SL-MT-LR response message includes information of UEs that have been discovered among UE 2 to UE n.

[0344] In some embodiments, if the SL-MT-LR request further indicates requesting UE capabilities, the SL-MT-LR response message may further include the discovered sidelink positioning capabilities of the UE.

[0345] In step S4, if UE1 receives the indication from the LMF to select the positioning UE in step S1, the SL-MT-LR response message includes the information of all discovered positioning UEs.

[0346] In some embodiments, the LMF performs positioning UE selection based on the information obtained from all discovered positioning UEs.

[0347] In some embodiments, if UE1 receives an indication in the SL-MT-LR request that the target UE selects a positioning UE, UE1 performs positioning UE selection and considers the UE capabilities from the LMF when the target UE selects a positioning UE, and the SL-MT-LL response message includes the application layer ID of the selected positioning UE.

[0348] Step S5: The AMF forwards the SL-MT-LR response message (which may correspond to the third information above) to the LMF indicated by the routing ID received in step S4. For example, the AMF carries the SL-MT-LR response message through the AMF_Communication_N1MessageNotify message.

[0349] Optionally, the SL-MT-LR response message may further include an LCS correlation identifier (Correlation ID) corresponding to the routing ID.

[0350] It should be noted that the above steps S0-S5 may correspond to steps 10-15 in clause 6.20.3 of TS23.273.

[0351] S516. For the SL-MO-LR process, the ranging or sidelink positioning position measurement data or results of UE1 and other discovered UEs are always returned to the LMF.

[0352] Optionally, the LMF indicates to the UE1 whether the ranging or side-link positioning result is calculated by the LMF or the UE1.

[0353] It should be noted that for the SL-MO-LR process, as described in steps 10-19 in clause 6.20.1 of TS 23.273, the ranging or sidelink positioning measurement data or results of UE1 and other discovered UEs are always returned to the LMF, and the LMF indicates to UE1 in step 13 or step 14 whether the ranging or sidelink positioning result is calculated by the LMF (in step 19) or UE1 (in step 17).

[0354] If step S515 is performed (for the SL-MT-LR procedure involving LMF, or the 5GC-MT-LR procedure using SL positioning, or the 5GC-MO-LR procedure using SL-positioning), the UE has been selected for positioning.

[0355] In some embodiments, for the SL-MO-LR process, step S515 is skipped. When providing candidate positioning UEs from the LMF to the UE, if the UE capabilities of the candidate positioning UEs are available in the LMF, the LMF may provide the UE with the UE capabilities of each candidate positioning UE. If the target UE performs positioning UE selection, the UE capabilities from the LMF assist the target UE in selecting the positioning UE. Optionally, the LFM may carry the candidate positioning UE list and the UE capabilities of each candidate positioning UE in a message as described in any of steps 10, 13, 14, and 15 in clause 6.20.1 of TS 23.273 (which may correspond to the first information above), or may carry the candidate positioning UE list and the UE capabilities of each candidate positioning UE in a newly added message (which may correspond to the first information above).

[0356] S517. The positioning result is sent to AMF.

[0357] For example: LMF sends the positioning result to AMF through the LMF positioning_determine positioning response (Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation Response) message.

[0358] In a service-based architecture (SBA), interactions between network elements can be achieved by calling services, rather than sending request messages and response messages. In a non-SBA architecture, this is achieved by sending corresponding messages. For example, in SBA, sending an Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation request corresponds to calling the Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation service, and the Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation response corresponds to the output after the Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation service is executed. Of course, for other requests sent, the corresponding service can also be called for implementation, and the response corresponding to the request corresponds to the output after the corresponding service is called for execution. There is no specific limitation on the request and / or response.

[0359] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network element (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0360] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of some or all of the above units or modules are realized by designing the logical relationship of the elements in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be implemented by a programmable logic device (PLD), taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules.

[0361] All units or modules of the above devices can be implemented in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or partially implemented in the form of software called by the processor, and the remaining part implemented in the form of hardware circuits. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP); in another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable, such as a hardware circuit implemented by a processor as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document to implement the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0362] FIG6 a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG6 a , the terminal may include: at least one of a transceiver module 611 and a processing module 612 .

[0363] In some embodiments, the processing module 612 is used to obtain first information from a first network element, where the first information includes: at least one candidate positioning terminal and the capability of each of the candidate positioning terminals; the processing module 612 is also used to determine a second terminal from at least one of the candidate positioning terminals based on the capability of each of the candidate positioning terminals, where the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning services.

[0364] Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module 611 is used to execute the steps related to sending and receiving signaling executed by the first terminal in any of the above methods, for example: at least one of steps S200, S201-1, and S204-2 shown in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0365] FIG6 b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG6 b , the network element includes: at least one of a transceiver module 621 and a processing module 622 .

[0366] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 621 is used to send first information to the first terminal, where the first information includes: at least one candidate positioning terminal and the capability of each candidate positioning terminal; wherein the capability of each candidate positioning terminal is used to assist the first terminal in determining a second terminal from at least one candidate positioning terminal, and the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning services.

[0367] Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module 611 is used to execute the steps related to sending and receiving signaling executed by the first terminal in any of the above methods, for example: at least one of steps S200, S204-1, and S204-2 shown in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0368] Figure 7a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 7100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 7100 can be a network element (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network element in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal in implementing any of the above methods. Communication device 7100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0369] As shown in Figure 7a, the communication device 7100 includes one or more processors 7101. The processor 7101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, baseband chip, terminal device, terminal device chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The processor 7101 is used to call instructions to enable the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods.

[0370] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more transceivers 7103. When the communication device 7100 includes one or more transceivers 7103, the transceiver 7103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, at least one of steps S200, S201-1, S201-2, S204-1, and S204-2 shown in FIG2 , but not limited thereto), and the processor 7101 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, steps S202 and S203 shown in FIG2 , but not limited thereto). In an optional embodiment, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, and the receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, and interface may be interchangeable, the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be interchangeable, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be interchangeable.

[0371] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more memories 7102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 7102 may be located outside the communication device 7100.

[0372] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more transceivers 7103. When the communication device 7100 includes one or more transceivers 7103, the communication steps such as sending and receiving in the above method are performed by the transceiver 7103, and the other steps are performed by the processor 7101.

[0373] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0374] Optionally, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more interface circuits 7104, which are connected to the memory 7102. The interface circuits 7104 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 7102 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 7102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 7104 may read instructions stored in the memory 7102 and send the instructions to the processor 7101.

[0375] The communication device 7100 described in the above embodiment may be a network element or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 7100 described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 7100 may not be limited by FIG. 7a. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network element, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0376] FIG7 b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 7200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 7100 can be a chip or a chip system, reference can be made to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 7200 shown in FIG7 b , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0377] The chip 7200 includes one or more processors 7201. The chip 7200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0378] In some embodiments, chip 7200 further includes one or more interface circuits 7202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pins may be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 7200 further includes one or more memories 7203 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of memory 7203 may be located outside chip 7200. Optionally, interface circuit 7202 is connected to memory 7203 and may be used to receive data from memory 7203 or other devices, or may be used to send data to memory 7203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 7202 may read data stored in memory 7203 and send the data to processor 7201.

[0379] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 7202 performs at least one of the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method (e.g., at least one of steps S200, S201-1, S201-2, S204-1, and S204-2 shown in FIG. 2 , but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 7202 performing the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method, for example, means that the interface circuit 7202 performs data exchange between the processor 7201, the chip 7200, the memory 7203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 7201 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps S202 and S203 shown in FIG. 2 , but not limited thereto).

[0380] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 7100, enables the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0381] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

[0382] The technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be arbitrarily combined without conflict.

[0383] Other embodiments of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow from the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

[0384] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exact construction described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a first terminal, and includes: Acquire first information from a first network element, where the first information includes: at least one candidate positioning terminal and a capability of each of the candidate positioning terminals; Based on the capability of each candidate positioning terminal, a second terminal is determined from at least one candidate positioning terminal, where the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning service.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further includes performing at least one of the following operations: Establishing a PC5 link between the first terminal and the second terminal; Modifying a PC5 link between the first terminal and the second terminal; Release the PC5 link between the first terminal and the second terminal.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The acquiring the first information from the first network element includes: Receive first information sent by the first network element via the second network element.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first information is sent after the first network element receives the second information sent by the second network element, and the second information is used to request positioning.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The first information includes any one of the following: Sidelink-terminal termination-positioning request SL-MT-LR request message; A message sent by the first network element to the first terminal during the side chain positioning process.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first information further includes at least one of the following: First logo; The first indication information is used to instruct the selection of a positioning terminal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The first information includes a first parameter, and the first parameter is used to describe the capability of the candidate positioning terminal.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The capabilities of the candidate positioning terminal include: a side chain positioning method supported by the candidate positioning terminal and an application layer identifier of the candidate positioning terminal.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The first parameter includes a side chain positioning protocol message.

10. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: Third information is sent to the first network element via the second network element, where the third information is a response to the first information.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a first network element, and the method includes: Sending first information to a first terminal, where the first information includes: at least one candidate positioning terminal and a capability of each of the candidate positioning terminals; The capability of each candidate positioning terminal is used to assist the first terminal in determining a second terminal from at least one candidate positioning terminal, and the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning service.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The sending the first information to the first terminal includes: The first information is sent to the first terminal via the second network element.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that Before sending the first information to the first terminal via the second network element, the method further includes: Receive second information sent by the second network element, where the second information is used to request positioning.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The first information includes any one of the following: Sidelink-terminal termination-positioning request SL-MT-LR request message; A message sent by the first network element to the first terminal during the side chain positioning process.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that The first information further includes at least one of the following: First logo; The first indication information is used to instruct the selection of a positioning terminal.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that The first information includes a first parameter, and the first parameter is used to describe the capability of the candidate positioning terminal.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The capabilities of the candidate positioning terminal include: a side chain positioning method supported by the candidate positioning terminal and an application layer identifier of the candidate positioning terminal.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The first parameter includes a side chain positioning protocol message.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive third information sent by the first terminal via the second network element, where the third information is a response to the first information.

20. A terminal, characterized in that: include: A processing module, configured to obtain first information from a first network element, where the first information includes: at least one candidate positioning terminal and a capability of each of the candidate positioning terminals; It is further configured to determine a second terminal from at least one of the candidate positioning terminals based on the capability of each of the candidate positioning terminals, where the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning services.

21. A network element, characterized in that: include: a transceiver module, configured to send first information to a first terminal, wherein the first information includes: at least one candidate positioning terminal and a capability of each candidate positioning terminal; The capability of each candidate positioning terminal is used to assist the first terminal in determining a second terminal from at least one candidate positioning terminal, and the second terminal is used for ranging or sidelink positioning service.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The processor is configured to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

23. A communication device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The processor is configured to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

24. A communication system, characterized in that: include: A terminal and a network element, wherein the terminal is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and the network element is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores executable instructions, which are loaded and executed by a processor to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores executable instructions, which are loaded and executed by a processor to implement the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

27. A computer program, characterized in that When the program is run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

28. A computer program, characterized in that When the program is run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

29. A program product, characterized in that When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

30. A program product, characterized in that When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

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