Positioning technique selection via a network entity for ground truth generation associated with an artificial intelligence positioning estimation

Abstract

Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products provide positioning technique selection for ground truth generation associated with an artificial intelligence (AI) positioning estimation In an implementation, positioning technique information associated with an AI positioning functionality of an apparatus is determined, a positioning-related request for a user equipment is generated based on the positioning technique information, and transmission of the positioning-related request is caused to a network entity. In an implementation, the positioning-related request includes an indicator that the positioning-related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the user equipment for use by the AI positioning functionality.

Description

POSITIONING TECHNIQUE SELECTION VIA A NETWORK ENTITY FOR GROUND TRUTH GENERATION ASSOCIATED WITH AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE POSITIONING ESTIMATIONTECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0001] An example embodiment of the present disclosure generally relates to communication systems and, more particularly, to network functions and artificial intelligence functionality provided by a communication network.BACKGROUND

[0002] Fourth generation (4G) wireless mobile telecommunications technology, also known as Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, was designed to provide high-capacity mobile multimedia with high data rates and machine type communications. Next generation or fifth generation (5G) technology is intended to achieve even higher data rates via enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), massive Machine-Type Communication (mMTC), Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communications (URLLC), etc. Third generation partnership project (3GPP) 5G technology is a next generation of radio systems and network architecture that can deliver extreme broadband and ultra-robust, low latency connectivity.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] Apparatuses, methods and computer program products are provided in accordance with an example embodiment to provide positioning technique selection via a network entity for ground truth generation associated with an artificial intelligence (Al) positioning estimation.

[0004] In an example embodiment, an apparatus is provided. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine positioning technique information associated with an Al positioning functionality of the apparatus. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to generate a positioning- related request for a user equipment based on the positioning technique information. In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes an indicator that the positioning- related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the userequipment for use by the Al positioning functionality. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to cause transmission of the positioning-related request to a network entity.

[0005] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine the positioning technique information based on a positioning technique utilized by the Al positioning functionality to generate location information for the user equipment.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to determine, based on the positioning technique information, one or more candidate positioning techniques for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to determine, based on the positioning technique information, one or more undesirable positioning techniques to avoid for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more undesirable positioning techniques.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to determine, based on the positioning technique information, one or more candidate positioning reference units (PRUs) for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more candidate PRUs.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes one or more positioning-related estimation preferences associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to, in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity, receive the ground truth positioning-related information from the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes a positioning-relatedestimation for a PRU associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized for a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to whether and / or which PRU is utilized for a positioning-related location estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to cause transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity based on a positioning protocol for a network associated with the network entity.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive the ground truth positioning-related information in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to train or retrain the Al positioning functionality based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive the ground truth positioning-related information in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine performance of the Al positioning functionality based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the network entity is associated with a location management function.

[0015] In another example embodiment, a method is provided. In one or more embodiments, the method includes determining positioning technique information associatedwith an Al positioning functionality of an apparatus. In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes generating a positioning-related request for a user equipment based on the positioning technique information. In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes an indicator that the positioning-related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the user equipment for use by the Al positioning functionality. In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes causing transmission of the positioning-related request to a network entity.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes determining the positioning technique information based on a positioning technique utilized by the Al positioning functionality to generate location information for the user equipment.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes determining, based on the positioning technique information, one or more candidate positioning techniques for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes determining, based on the positioning technique information, one or more undesirable positioning techniques to avoid for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning- related request includes information related to the one or more undesirable positioning techniques.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes determining, based on the positioning technique information, one or more candidate PRUs for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more candidate PRUs.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes one or more positioning-related estimation preferences associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes, in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity, receiving the ground truth positioning-related information from the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the networkentity additionally or alternatively includes a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes a positioning-related estimation for a PRU associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized for a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to whether and / or which PRU is utilized for a positioning-related location estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes causing transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity based on a positioning protocol for a network associated with the network entity.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes receiving the ground truth positioning-related information in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes training or retraining the Al positioning functionality based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes receiving the ground truth positioning-related information in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes determining performance of the Al positioning functionality based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the network entity is associated with a location management function.

[0026] In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus provides means for determining positioning technique information associated with an Al positioning functionality of the apparatus. In one or more embodiments,the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for generating a positioning-related request for a user equipment based on the positioning technique information. In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes an indicator that the positioning-related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the user equipment for use by the Al positioning functionality. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for causing transmission of the positioning-related request to a network entity.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for determining the positioning technique information based on a positioning technique utilized by the Al positioning functionality to generate location information for the user equipment.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for determining, based on the positioning technique information, one or more candidate positioning techniques for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for determining, based on the positioning technique information, one or more undesirable positioning techniques to avoid for derivation of the ground truth positioning- related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more undesirable positioning techniques.

[0030] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for determining, based on the positioning technique information, one or more candidate PRUs for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more candidate PRUs.

[0031] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes one or more positioning-related estimation preferences associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, in response to the transmission of the positioning- related request to the network entity, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for receiving the ground truth positioning-related information from the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from thenetwork entity additionally or alternatively includes a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes a positioning-related estimation for a PRU associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized for a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to whether and / or which PRU is utilized for a positioning-related location estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0033] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for causing transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity based on a positioning protocol for a network associated with the network entity.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for receiving the ground truth positioning-related information in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for training or retraining the Al positioning functionality based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for receiving the ground truth positioning-related information in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for determining performance of the Al positioning functionality based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the network entity is associated with a location management function.

[0037] In another example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided. In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to determine positioning technique information associated with an Al positioning functionality of an apparatus. In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to generate a positioning-related request for a user equipment based on the positioning technique information. In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes an indicator that the positioning-related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the user equipment for use by the Al positioning functionality. In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to cause transmission of the positioning-related request to a network entity.

[0038] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to determine the positioning technique information based on a positioning technique utilized by the Al positioning functionality to generate location information for the user equipment.

[0039] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to determine, based on the positioning technique information, one or more candidate positioning techniques for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques.

[0040] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to determine, based on the positioning technique information, one or more undesirable positioning techniques to avoid for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning- related request includes information related to the one or more undesirable positioning techniques.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to determine, based on the positioning technique information, one or more candidate PRUs for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more candidate PRUs.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes one or more positioning-related estimation preferences associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to, in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity, receive the ground truth positioning-related information from the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes a positioning-related estimation for a PRU associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized for a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to whether and / or which PRU is utilized for a positioning-related location estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0044] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to cause transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity based on a positioning protocol for a network associated with the network entity.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to receive the ground truth positioning-related information in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the non- transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to train or retrain the Al positioning functionality based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to receive the ground truth positioning-related information in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the non- transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to determine performance of the Al positioning functionality based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity.

[0047] In one or more embodiments, the network entity is associated with a location management function.

[0048] In yet another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive, from a network entity, a positioning-related request that includes an indicator that the positioning-related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the network entity for use by an Al positioning functionality of the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the indicator. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to cause transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information to the network entity.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to cause transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information via a positioning protocol for a network.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to determine a positioning-related estimation for a user equipment. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes the positioning-related estimation for the user equipment.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to determine a positioning-related estimation for a PRU. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes the positioning-related estimation for the PRU.

[0052] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to determine one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized by the network entity for a positioning- related estimation for a user equipment. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to determine one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus is further caused to determine whether and / or which PRU is to be utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to whether and / or which PRU is utilized for the positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more candidate positioning techniques to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more non-uplink based positioning techniques to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more non-uplink based positioning techniques.

[0057] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more undesirable positioning techniques to avoid for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively includes instructions that, when executed by the at leastone processor, cause the apparatus to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more undesirable positioning techniques.

[0058] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more candidate PRUs to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate PRUs.

[0059] In yet another example embodiment, a method is provided. In one or more embodiments, the method includes receiving, from a network entity, a positioning-related request that includes an indicator that the positioning-related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the network entity for use by an Al positioning functionality of the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes determining the ground truth positioning-related information based on the indicator. In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes causing transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information to the network entity.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes causing transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information via a positioning protocol for a network.

[0061] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes determining a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes the positioning- related estimation for the user equipment.

[0062] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes determining a positioning-related estimation for a PRU. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes the positioning-related estimation for the PRU.

[0063] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes determining one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized by the network entity for a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques.

[0064] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includesdetermining one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques.

[0065] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes determining whether and / or which PRU is to be utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to whether and / or which PRU is utilized for the positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0066] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more candidate positioning techniques to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes determining the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques.

[0067] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more non-uplink based positioning techniques to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes determining the ground truth positioning- related information based on the information related to the one or more non-uplink based positioning techniques.

[0068] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more undesirable positioning techniques to avoid for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes determining the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more undesirable positioning techniques.

[0069] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more candidate PRUs to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively includes determining the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate PRUs.

[0070] In yet another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided. In one or moreembodiments, the apparatus provides means for receiving, from a network entity, a positioning- related request that includes an indicator that the positioning-related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the network entity for use by an Al positioning functionality of the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for determining the ground truth positioning-related information based on the indicator. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for causing transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information to the network entity.

[0071] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for causing transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information via a positioning protocol for a network.

[0072] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for determining a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes the positioning-related estimation for the user equipment.

[0073] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for determining a positioning-related estimation for a PRU. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes the positioning- related estimation for the PRU.

[0074] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for determining one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized by the network entity for a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques.

[0075] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for determining one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning- related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques.

[0076] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for determining whether and / or which PRU is to be utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to whether and / or which PRU is utilized for the positioning-relatedestimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0077] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more candidate positioning techniques to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for determining the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques.

[0078] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more non-uplink based positioning techniques to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for determining the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more non-uplink based positioning techniques.

[0079] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more undesirable positioning techniques to avoid for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for determining the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more undesirable positioning techniques.

[0080] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more candidate PRUs to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for determining the ground truth positioning- related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate PRUs.

[0081] In yet another example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided. In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to receive, from a network entity, a positioning-related request that includes an indicator that the positioning-related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the network entity for use by an Al positioning functionality of the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the indicator. In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally oralternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to cause transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information to the network entity.

[0082] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to cause transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information via a positioning protocol for a network.

[0083] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to determine a positioning-related estimation for a user equipment. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes the positioning- related estimation for the user equipment.

[0084] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to determine a positioning-related estimation for a PRU. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes the positioning-related estimation for the PRU.

[0085] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to determine one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized by the network entity for a positioning-related estimation for a user equipment. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques.

[0086] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to determine one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques.

[0087] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to determine whether and / or which PRU is to be utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to whether and / or which PRU is utilized for the positioning-related estimation associated with theground truth positioning-related information.

[0088] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more candidate positioning techniques to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques.

[0089] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more non-uplink based positioning techniques to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more non-uplink based positioning techniques.

[0090] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more undesirable positioning techniques to avoid for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more undesirable positioning techniques.

[0091] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more candidate PRUs to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate PRUs.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0092] Having thus described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0093] Figure 1 depicts an example communication network in which implementations in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0094] Figure 2 another example communication network in which implementations in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0095] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an apparatus configured in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0096] Figure 4 illustrates example transmissions between user equipment, a positioning reference unit, and / or a location management function in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0097] Figure 5 illustrates example transmissions between a network node, a positioning reference unit, a location management function, and / or user equipment in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0098] Figure 6 illustrates a flowchart illustrating operations performed, such as by the apparatus of Figure 3, in order to provide positioning technique selection for ground truth generation associated with an Al positioning estimation, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0099] Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart illustrating operations performed, such as by the apparatus of Figure 3, in order to provide positioning technique selection for ground truth generation associated with an Al positioning estimation, in accordance with one or more other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0100] Figure 8 illustrates a flowchart illustrating operations performed, such as by the apparatus of Figure 3, in order to provide positioning technique selection for ground truth generation associated with an Al positioning estimation, in accordance with one or more other example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0101] Figure 9 illustrates a flowchart illustrating operations performed, such as by the apparatus of Figure 3, in order to provide positioning technique selection for ground truth generation associated with an Al positioning estimation, in accordance with one or more other example embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0102] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited tothe certain embodiments set forth herein; rather, these certain embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and / or stored in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0103] Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and / or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and / or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and / or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and / or firmware. As defined herein, a “computer-readable storage medium,” which refers to a physical storage medium (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory device), may be differentiated from a “computer-readable transmission medium,” which refers to an electromagnetic signal.

[0104] Communication networks (e.g., wireless communication networks) employ a variety of technologies and use various standards throughout the world. There are generally agreed upon standards that promote some degree of unity between networks, with some of those standards being defined by 3 GPP (3rdGeneration Partnership Project), such as the Third Generation (3G), a Fourth Generation (4G), and / or a next generation (e.g., Fifth Generation, or 5G) network. 5G is the fifth generation of the technology standard for broadband cellular networks. These standards provide an architecture through which user equipment (UE) can communicate with networks and other UE devices

[0105] Certain example embodiments will be illustrated herein in conjunction with example communication systems and associated techniques to provide positioning technique selection for ground truth generation associated with an artificial intelligence (Al) positioning estimation. It should be understood, however, that the scope of the claims is not limited to particular types of communication networks, communication systems, and / or processes disclosed. An example embodiment can be implemented in a terminal device (e.g., a userequipment) or a network (e.g., a communication network) of a communication system, using alternative processes and operations. For example, although illustrated in the context of wireless cellular systems utilizing 3 GPP system elements such as a 3 GPP next generation core network, the disclosed embodiment can be adapted in a straightforward manner to a variety of other types of communication systems. Additionally, while the present disclosure may describe certain embodiments in conjunction with a 5G communication system, other embodiments also apply to and comprise other networks and network technologies, such as 3G, 4G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), 6G, etc. without limitation.

[0106] In accordance with an illustrative embodiment implemented in a 5G communication system environment, one or more 3GPP technical specifications (TS) and technical reports (TR) provide further explanation of user equipment and core network elements / entities / functions and / or operations performed by the user equipment and the core network elements / entities / functions, e.g., 3GPP TR 38.843, 3GPP TR 38.817, etc. Other 3GPP TS / TR documents provide other conventional details that one of ordinary skill in the art will realize. Additionally or alternatively, an Al and / or machine learning (ML) embodiment implemented in a 5G communication system environment in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein may be related to one or more core network elements / entities / functions and / or operations described in 3GPP Release 19. However, while an illustrative embodiment is well- suited for implementation associated with the above-mentioned 3GPP standards for 5G, an alternative embodiment is not necessarily intended to be limited to any particular standards.

[0107] In certain communication systems, a next generation-radio access network (NG- RAN) node and / or a UE can provide information such as, for example, measurement and / or other location assistance information to a location management function (LMF). For example, an NG-RAN and / or a UE can send the information to the LMF via an access and mobility management function (AMF). Based on the information the LMF can configures the UE using a positioning protocol via the AMF. Additionally or alternatively, the NG-RAN can configure the UE using a radio resource control (RRC) protocol.

[0108] Moreover, in certain communication systems, AL / ML positioning can be utilized to provide a new measurement and / or to enhance a measurement related to location estimation. For example, an AI / ML model can be implemented by a network entity and / or a UE to provide a new measurement and / or to enhance a measurement related to location estimation. For AI / ML-based positioning, ground truth labels (or a ground truth approximation) associated with model inference output (e.g., estimated UE position in UE-based direct AI / ML positioning) can be utilized to train and / or monitor the performance of AI / ML models. Typically, a groundtruth label can be generated using a non-ML-based positioning technique such as, for example, an uplink / downlink positioning technique or a non-radio access technologies (RAT) sensorbased technique. However, if a positioning technique for generating a ground truth label uses the same or a similar radio channel as a ML-based positioning technique, it becomes highly likely that any imperfections degrading the accuracy of the location estimations would also degrade the quality of the ground truth. To illustrate, for direct AI / ML positioning which utilizes downlink positioning reference signal (PRS) measurements as input, if another downlink-based positioning technique (e.g., downlink time difference of arrival (TDOA)) is utilized, then any existence of a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) path between the transmission and reception point (TRP) and the target UE would degrade the quality of the ground truth labels. Additionally, UE measurement inaccuracies, timing errors, and / or estimation errors can also degrade the quality of the ground truth labels. As such, a positioning technique to generate ground truth labels can impact the quality of ground truth label, which in turn can impact the performance of an AI / ML model and / or accuracy of positioning estimates provided by the AI / ML model.

[0109] Accordingly, described herein are apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for providing positioning technique selection for ground truth generation (or ground truth approximation) associated with an Al and / or ML positioning estimation to resolve some or all of the described limitations of current communication networks and / or current network protocols. For example, selection of a particular positioning technique can be provided by a user equipment, network entity, and / or network function (e.g., LMF) to generate ground truths for Al and / or ML positioning estimation related to a communication network. In an example, a UE can provide a positioning technique selection to a LMF to be utilized for ground truth generation. As such, the LMF can assist the UE to generate ground truths. The positioning technique selection can be notified via an indicator (e.g., a flag) indicating that the positioning request is for the ground truth generation. Additionally or alternatively, the positioning technique selection can include a preference for using a specific positioning technique (e.g., non-DL-based method) and / or a specific positioning reference unit (PRU) for the ground truth generation.

[0110] In various embodiments, selection of a positioning technique can be utilized to generate ground truth labels associated with output of a model (e.g., an Al model or a ML model) configured for positioning estimation. The output of the model can correspond to an inference output (e.g., a UE location estimation). In various embodiments, the ground truth information (e.g., ground truth labels) related to the ground truth generation can be utilized totrain and / or monitor performance of a model (e.g., an Al model or a ML model). In certain embodiments, one or more positioning-related estimation preferences can additionally be selected to further improve ground truth generation associated with an Al and / or ML positioning estimation. The one or more positioning-related estimation preferences can include quality criteria for a positioning estimation, a time window / period (e.g., corresponding to desired timestamps) for positioning estimation, reference signal configuration preferences (e.g., bandwidth, TRP identifiers, etc.), and / or one or more other types of positioning-related estimation preferences.

[0111] Such methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are thus described that provide improved performance and improved accuracy for Al and / or ML functionality for a network entity and / or user equipment associated with a network such as a communication network, a positioning network, or another type of network. For example, by utilizing positioning technique selection as disclosed herein, Al and / or ML features, feature groups, models, configurations, and / or functions may be improved as compared to traditional techniques. In various embodiments, improved ground truth labels for Al and / or ML functionality can be provided by utilizing positioning technique selection as disclosed herein. Improved positioning estimates for a user equipment can also be provided by utilizing positioning technique selection as disclosed herein. Furthermore, a number of computing resources and / or processing tasks for user equipment to access a communication network and / or employ network functions (e.g., LMF, etc.) for the communication network can be reduced. Efficiency and / or network connectivity for a communication network can also be improved. For example, overall network signaling can be reduced to provide improved resiliency, security, network latency, and / or network speeds provided by a communication network. Additionally, by utilizing positioning technique selection as disclosed herein, it is possible to minimize signaling load and / or reduce bandwidth being dedicated to signaling, machine learning model employment, machine learning application employment, and / or other such activities.

[0112] Referring now to Figure 1, an example communication network 100 is illustrated according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Communication network 100 (also referred to as a wireless communication network, a cellular network, or a mobile network) is a type of network where at least at least one link is wireless, and provides voice and / or data services to a plurality of devices. Communication network 100 can be a 5G network. Additionally or alternatively, at least a portion of the communication network canbe a 3G network, a 4G network, an LTE network, a 6G network, and / or another type of network.

[0113] Figure 1 depicts the communication network 100 in which implementations in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure may be performed. The depiction of the communication network 100 in Figure 1 is not intended to limit or otherwise confine the example embodiment described and contemplated herein to any particular configuration of elements or systems, nor is it intended to exclude any alternative configurations or systems for the set of configurations and systems that can be used in connection with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Rather, Figure 1, and the communication network 100 disclosed therein is merely presented to provide an example basis and context for the facilitation of some of the features, aspects, and uses of the methods, apparatuses, and computer program products disclosed and contemplated herein. It will be understood that while many of the aspects and components presented in Figure 1 are shown as discrete, separate elements, other configurations may be used in connection with the methods, apparatuses, and computer programs described herein, including configurations that combine, omit, and / or add aspects and / or components.

[0114] Communication network 100 is illustrated as providing communication services to UEs 110. UEs 110 can be enabled for voice services, data services, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) or Machine Type Communications (MTC) services, Internet of Things (loT) services, and / or other services. Although the UEs 110 may be configured in a variety of different manners, the UEs 110 may respectively be embodied as a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a pager, a mobile television, a gaming device, a laptop computer, a computer with a mobile broadband adapter, a camera, a tablet computer, a portable digital assistant (PDA), a communicator, pad, a wearable device, a headset, a touch surface, a video recorder, an audio / video player, radio, an electronic book, a positioning device (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) device), a virtual reality device, an augmented reality device, or any combination of the aforementioned, and other types of voice and text and multi-modal communication systems.

[0115] In the context of a 5G network, the communication network 100 can comprise a series of connected network devices and specialized hardware that is distributed throughout a service region, state, province, city, or country, and one or more network entities, which can be stored at and / or hosted by one or more of the connected network devices or specialized hardware. In some embodiments, a UE 110 can connect to a radio access network (RAN) 120, which can then relay the communications between the UE 102 and the core network130. In some embodiments, the UE 110 can be in communication with the RAN 120, which can act as a relay between the UE 110 and other components or services of the core network 130. For instance, in some embodiments, the UE 110 can communicate with the RAN 120, which can in turn communicate with an AMF associated with the core network 130.

[0116] In one or more embodiments, the RAN 120 can communicate with UEs 110 over a radio interface. The RAN 120 can support Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN) access, Evolved-UMTS terrestrial Radio Access network (E-UTRAN) access, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access, fixed access, satellite radio access, new Radio Access Technologies (RAT), and / or the like. To provide communication between the UE 110 and the core network 130, the RAN 120 includes one or more network nodes 124 and one or more gateway network nodes 126. In various embodiments, the one or more network nodes 124 can be dispersed over a geographic area. A respective network node 124 can include an entity that uses radio communication technology to communicate with one or more UEs 110 via one or more communication channels. For example, a respective network node 124 can be configured as a base station. In various embodiments, the one or more communication channels can be associated with a licensed spectrum. A respective network node 124 can also interface one or more UEs 110 with a core network 130. In one or more embodiments, a respective network node 124 can interface one or more UEs 110 with the core network 130 via a respective gateway network node 126 or a gateway network node 126 employed among two or more network nodes 124.

[0117] In one or more embodiments, the one or more network nodes 124 can be configured as one or more RAN nodes such as, for example, one or more NG-RAN nodes or one or more home NG-RAN nodes. In another embodiment, the one or more network nodes 124 can be configured as one or more Femto base stations such as, for example, one or more Femto 5G base stations or one or more Home gNBs.

[0118] The one or more gateway network nodes 126 can be one or more RAN node gateways such as, for example, one or more NG-RAN node gateways or one or more home NG-RAN node gateways. In another embodiments, the one or more gateway network nodes 126 can be configured as one or more Femto gateways such as, for example, one or more Femto 5G gateways or one or more Home gNB gateways.

[0119] In certain embodiments, the network nodes 124 in a NG-RAN can be referred to as gNodeBs (NR base stations) and / or ng-eNodeBs (LTE base stations supporting a 5G Core Network). In certain embodiments, the network nodes 124 are one or more Wireless Access Points (WAP) to enable a UE 110 to connect to a Local Area Network (LAN) through awireless (radio) connection. For example, in certain embodiments, the network nodes 124 can employ radio communication technology to communicate with a UE 110 over an unlicensed spectrum and / or provides the UE 110 access to the core network 130. One example of a WAP is a Wi-Fi access point that operates on the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz radio bands. Accordingly, the term “network node”, in certain embodiments, can refer to an eNodeB, a gNodeB, an ng-eNodeB, a WAP, and / or the like.

[0120] In various embodiments, the UEs 110 can attach to a cell of the RAN 120 to access the core network 130. The RAN 120 can therefore represent a radio interface between UEs 110 and the core network 130. The core network 130 can be a portion of the communication network 100 that provides various services to UEs 110 connected by the RAN 120. One example of the core network 130 is a 5G Core (5GC) network according to the 3GPP. Another example of the core network 130 is an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network according to the 3GPP.

[0121] The core network 130 includes network elements 132. The network elements 132 can include servers, devices, apparatuses, or equipment (including hardware) that provide services for the UEs 110. The network elements 132 can include one or more network functions. For example, the network elements 132, in a 5G network, can include Application Function (AF), AMF, LMF, PRU, a Session Management Function (SMF), a User Plane Function (UPF), a Policy Control Function (PCF), a Unified Data Management (UDM), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Data Network (DN), e.g. operator services, Internet access or 3rd party services, Unstructured Data Storage Function (UDSF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), Session Management Function (SMF), Unified Data Repository (UDR), User Plane Function (UPF), UE radio Capability Management Function (UCMF), Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), Charging Function (CHF), and / or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the network elements 132, in an EPC network, can include a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a Service Gateway (S-GW), a Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW), and / or the like.

[0122] In some embodiments, the UEs 110 can include a single-mode or a dual -mode device such that the UEs 110 can be connected to the RAN 120. In some embodiments, the RAN 104 can be configured to implement one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs), such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS), LTE or 5GNR, among others, that can be used to connect the UE 102 to the core network 130. In some embodiments, the RAN 120 can comprise or be implemented using a chip, such as a silicon chip, in a respective UE 110 thatcan be paired with or otherwise recognized by a similar chip in the core network 130, such that the RAN 120 can establish a connection or line of communication between the respective UE 110 and the core network 130 by identifying and pairing the chip within the respective UE 110 with the chip within the core network 130.

[0123] In some embodiments, the communication network 100 or components thereof can be configured to communicate with a communication device (e.g., the UEs 110) or the like over multiple different frequency bands, e.g., FR1 (below 6 GHz), FR2 (mm Wave), other suitable frequency bands, sub-bands thereof, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the communication network 100 can comprise or employ massive Multiple Input and Multiple Output (massive MIMO) antennas. In some embodiments, the communication network 100 can comprise multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) antennas. In some embodiments, the communication network 100 can employ edge computing whereby the computing servers are communicatively, physically, computationally, and / or temporally closer to the communications device (e.g., UE 110) in order to reduce latency and data traffic congestion. In some embodiments, the communication network 100 can employ other technologies, devices, or techniques, such as small cell, low-powered RAN, beamforming of radio waves, WIFI-cellular convergence, Non- Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA), channel coding, and the like.

[0124] Figure 2 illustrates an example communication network 200 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication network 200 can illustrate an exemplary architecture for providing positioning estimations according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in Figure 2, the communication network 200 includes UE 110, the RAN 120, and the core network 130. The UE 110 can be communicatively coupled to the RAN 120. In certain embodiments, the RAN 120 can include the UE 110. The RAN 120 can also be communicatively coupled to and / or interfaced with the core network 130. As illustrated in Figure 2, the core network 130 includes at least an AMF 202 and a LMF 204.

[0125] In some embodiments, the UE 110 can connect to the RAN 120, which can then relay the communications between the UE 110 and the core network 130. In some embodiments, the UE 110 can be in communication with the RAN 120, which can act as a relay between the UE 110 and other components or services of the core network 130. For instance, in some embodiments, the UE 110 can communicate with the RAN 120, which can in turn communicate with the AMF 202 of the core network 130. In other embodiments, the UE 110 can communicate directly with the AMF 202. The AMF 202 can be in communication with at least the LMF 204. The LMF 204 can be a network entity thatprovides positioning functionality related to determining a geographic position (e.g., a location) of the UE 110. In some embodiments, the LMF 204 can determine the geographic position of the UE 110 based on measurements such as, but not limited to, downlink and / or uplink location measurement signals. In some embodiments, the AMF 202 can additionally be in communication with one or more other network functions (NFs) of the core network 130.

[0126] In one or more embodiments, positioning technique selection for ground truth generation (or ground truth approximation) associated with an Al and / or ML positioning estimation can be provided within the communication network 100 and / or the communication network 200 by employing an apparatus 300 as depicted in Figure 3. The apparatus 300 may be embodied by and / or incorporated into one or more network nodes (e.g., network node 124), one or more gateway network nodes (e.g., gateway network node 126), one or more UEs (e.g., UE 110), or any of the other devices discussed with respect to Figure 1 or Figure 2, such as another device incorporated or otherwise associated with the RAN 120 and / or the core network 130. Alternatively, the apparatus 300 may be embodied by another device, external to such devices. For example, the apparatus may be embodied by a computing device, such as a personal computer, a computer workstation, a server or the like, or by any of various mobile computing devices, such as a mobile terminal, including but not limited to a smartphone, a tablet computer, or the like, for example.

[0127] Regardless of the manner in which the apparatus 300 is embodied, the apparatus 300 of an example embodiment is configured to include or otherwise be in communication with a processing circuitry 302 and a memory 304. In some embodiments, the apparatus 300 is configured to additionally include or otherwise be in communication with a communication interface 306. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 302 may be in communication with the memory 304 via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus 300. The memory 304 may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory 304 may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing device like the processing circuitry 302). The memory 304 may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus 300 to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the memory 304 can be configured to buffer input data for processingby the processing circuitry 302. Additionally or alternatively, the memory 304 can be configured to store instructions for execution by the processing circuitry 302.

[0128] As described above, the apparatus 300 may be embodied by a computing device. However, in some embodiments, the apparatus 300 may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the apparatus 300 may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and / or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and / or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus 300 may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present disclosure on a single chip or as a single “system on a chip.” As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

[0129] The processing circuitry 302 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processing circuitry 302 may be embodied as one or more of various hardware processing means including a processor, such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing circuitry including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. As such, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry 302 may include one or more processing cores configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor may enable multiprocessing within a single physical package. Additionally or alternatively, the processing circuitry 302 may include one or more processors configured in tandem via the bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining and / or multithreading.

[0130] In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 302 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 304 or otherwise accessible to the processing circuitry 302. Alternatively or additionally, the processing circuitry 302 may be configured to execute hard coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processing circuitry 302 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processing circuitry 302 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processing circuitry 302 may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processing circuitry 302 is embodied as anexecutor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processing circuitry 302 to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed. However, in some cases, the processing circuitry 302 may be a processor of a specific device (e.g., a pass-through display or a mobile terminal) configured to employ an embodiment of the present disclosure by further configuration of the processing circuitry 302 by instructions for performing the algorithms and / or operations described herein. The processing circuitry 302 may include, among other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and logic gates configured to support operation of the processing circuitry 302.

[0131] The apparatus 300 may optionally include the communication interface 306. The communication interface 306 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and / or transmit data from / to a network and / or any other device or module in communication with the apparatus. In this regard, the communication interface 306 may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and / or software for enabling communications with a wireless communication network. Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface 306 may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). In some environments, the communication interface 306 may alternatively or also support wired communication. As such, for example, the communication interface 306 may include a communication modem and / or other hardware / software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB) or other mechanisms.

[0132] Figure 4 illustrates example transmissions between the UE 110 and one or more network entities such as a PRU 402 and the LMF 204, according to one or more embodiments. The below example transmissions provide the foreseen steps or messaging needed. In one or more embodiments, the example transmissions illustrate UE-based positioning and / or UE- assisted / LMF -based positioning with an Al positioning functionality (e.g., an Al model) at the UE. The Al positioning functionality can be related to direct Al positioning for UE-based positioning. Alternatively, the Al positioning functionality can be related to Al assisted positioning for UE-assisted / LMF -based positioning.

[0133] With the example transmissions illustrated in Figure 4, the UE 110 can request that the LMF 204 generates ground truths (e.g., one or more ground truth labels) for Al positioning functionality 410 of the UE 110. In some embodiments, the Al positioning functionality 410 can include an Al model (e.g., a ML model). For example, the Al model can be a positioningmodel that determines the position of the UE 110. In another example, the Al model can be a positioning model that determines one or more parameters (e.g., ToA, received power, etc.) that may be utilized to assist a location determination associated with the UE 110. As such, the UE 110 can request that the LMF 204 generates ground truths (e.g., one or more ground truth labels) associated with output of the Al model. In some embodiments, the UE 110 can provide a preference regarding which positioning technique(s) is to be selected (or not to be selected) for the ground truth generation. In some embodiments, the request can be integrated with a positioning request. Additionally the request can at least indicate that the positioning request is sent for ground truth generation purposes (to enable the LMF 204 to optimally select a suitable positioning technique and / or configuration for the ground truth generation). In some embodiments, the request can indicate one or more positioning-related estimation preferences associated with the ground truth generation. The one or more positioning-related estimation preferences can include quality criteria for a positioning estimation, a time window / period (e.g., corresponding to desired timestamps) for positioning estimation, reference signal configuration preferences (e.g., bandwidth, TRP identifiers, etc.), and / or one or more other types of positioning-related estimation preferences associated with the ground truth generation. As an example, the UE 110 can request using uplink-based NR RAT techniques (e.g., uplink TDOA) for ground truth generation, since downlink-based positioning techniques (e.g., DL TDOA) would be impacted by any imperfections in the ground truths. Similarly, if the LMF 204 is provided with knowledge that the request is associated with ground truth generation, the LMF 204 can avoid using downlink-based positioning techniques even if the UE 110 does not indicate a particular positioning technique preference.

[0134] In some embodiments, the UE 110 and / or the PRU 402 performs a sidelink procedure (e.g., sidelink discovery or sidelink positioning), at 1. The sidelink procedure can include one or more sidelink communications with one or more other UEs and / or one or more other devices in a communication network. Additionally, the sidelink procedure can enable the UE 110 to be aware of one or more candidate PRUs (e.g., the PRU 402) such that the UE 110 can determine to utilize the one or more candidate PRUs (e.g., the PRU 402) for at least a portion of the ground truth generation. Moreover, the LMF 204 can send a list of one or more candidate PRUs to the UE 110 for the ground truth generation. In some embodiments, the sidelink procedure can determine a PRU that was used previously for generating ground truths for the UE 110. Additionally or alternatively, the sidelink procedure can determine conditions such as a PRU being in the same serving cell with the UE 110, a PRU being within a certain range (e.g., distance and / or range) around the UE 110, etc.

[0135] In an embodiment, the UE 110 determines positioning technique information for ground truth generation, at 2. The positioning technique information can be associated with the Al positioning functionality 410. For example, the UE 110 can determine the positioning technique information based on a positioning technique utilized by the Al positioning functionality 410 to generate location information for the UE 110. In some embodiments, the positioning technique utilized by the Al positioning functionality 410 can be a positioning technique utilized for training the Al positioning functionality 410 (e.g., for training an Al model of the Al positioning functionality 410). In some embodiments, the UE 110 can determine the positioning technique information based on the sidelink procedure and / or information determined via the sidelink procedure.

[0136] In some embodiments, the UE 110 can determine one or more candidate positioning techniques for derivation of ground truth positioning-related information by the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402. For example, the UE 110 can determine one or more non-downlink based positioning techniques, one or more uplink based positioning techniques, and / or one or more sidelink based positioning techniques for derivation of ground truth positioning-related information by the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402. In some examples, the one or more candidate positioning techniques include uplink TDOA (UL TDOA), SL RTT, or one or more other candidate positioning techniques. Additionally or alternatively, the UE 110 can determine one or more undesirable positioning techniques (e.g., one or more downlink based positioning techniques) to avoid for derivation of ground truth positioning-related information by the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402. Additionally or alternatively, the UE 110 can determine one or more candidate PRUs for derivation of ground truth positioning-related information by the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402. Additionally or alternatively, the UE 110 can determine one or more positioning-related estimation preferences for derivation of ground truth positioning-related information by the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402.

[0137] Additionally, in an embodiment, the UE 110 generates and / or transmits a positioning-related request (e.g., POSITIONING-RELATED REQUEST) with an indicator to request ground truth generation, at 3. For example, the UE 110 can generate the positioning- related request for the UE 110 based on the positioning technique information. The positioning-related request can include an indicator that the positioning-related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the UE 110 for use by the Al positioning functionality 410. Additionally, the UE 110 can cause transmission of the positioning-related request to the LMF 204. In some embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques (e.g.,the one or more non-downlink based positioning techniques, the one or more uplink based positioning techniques, and / or the one or more sidelink based positioning techniques), the one or more undesirable positioning techniques (e.g., the one or more downlink based positioning techniques), and / or the one or more candidate PRUs. In some embodiments, the positioning- related request can additionally include one or more positioning-related estimation preferences for derivation of ground truth positioning-related information by the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402. In some embodiments, the indicator includes a list of one or more candidate positioning techniques, one or more undesirable positioning techniques, and / or one or more candidate PRUs where the list is ranked based on preference for the UE 110. In some embodiments, the UE 110 can cause transmission of the positioning-related request to the LMF 204 based on a positioning protocol for a communication network associated with the LMF 204. For example, the positioning protocol can be an LTE positioning protocol (LPP) or another type of positioning protocol. In some embodiments, the positioning-related request is transmitted as part of a location information request related to the positioning protocol.

[0138] Additionally, in an embodiment, the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402 derives ground truth positioning-related information based on the positioning-related request, at 4. For example, the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402 can derive ground truth positioning-related information based on the indicator included in the positioning-related request. In some embodiments, the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402 can determine the ground truth positioning- related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques. In some embodiments, the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402 can determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more nondownlink based positioning techniques. In some embodiments, the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402 can determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more undesirable positioning techniques. In some embodiments, the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402 can determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate PRUs.

[0139] In some embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information can include a positioning-related estimation for the UE 110. Additionally or alternatively, the ground truth positioning-related information can include a positioning-related estimation for the PRU 402 associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally or alternatively, the ground truth positioning-related information can include information related to one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized for a positioning-related estimation for the UE 110. The one or more features can include one or more intermediate positioning relatedfeatures such as ToA, a LOS / NLOS indication, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the ground truth positioning-related information can include information related to whether and / or which PRU (e.g., the PRU 402) to be utilized for a positioning-related location estimation for the UE 110. In some embodiments, a reference signal configuration related to the ground truth positioning-related information can depend on capabilities of the UE 110 and / or the PRU 402 (e.g., a power category, one or more antenna configurations, supported bandwidth, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, a reference signal configuration related to the ground truth positioning-related information can depend one or more real-time conditions (e.g., one or more mobility conditions) related to the UE 110.

[0140] Additionally, in an embodiment, the LMF 204 transmits the ground truth positioning-related information (e g., GROUND TRUTH POSITIONING-RELATED INFORMATION) to the UE 110, at 5. In some embodiments, the LMF 204 can cause transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information to the UE 110 via a positioning protocol for a communication network associated with the LMF 204. For example, the positioning protocol can be a new NR positioning protocol A (NRPPa), an LPP, or another type of positioning protocol. In some embodiments, the UE 110 can train or retrain the Al positioning functionality 410 based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the LMF 204. For example, the UE 110 can train or retrain the Al positioning functionality 410 based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the LMF 204 to improve label calculation / generation and / or to improve label validity / quality conditions. Alternatively, in some embodiments, another entity (e.g., a server external to a 3 GPP network associated with the UE 110, an LMF such as the LMF 204, a network entity such as a core network entity or network function, etc.) can train or retrain the Al positioning functionality 410 based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the LMF 204. In some embodiments, the UE 110 can determine performance of the Al positioning functionality 410 based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the LMF 204. Alternatively, in some embodiments, another entity (e.g., a server external to a 3 GPP network associated with the UE 110, an LMF such as the LMF 204, a network entity such as a core network entity or network function, etc.) can determine performance of the Al positioning functionality 410 based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the LMF 204.

[0141] In some embodiments, the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402 can determine a positioning-related estimation for the UE 110. Additionally, the ground truth positioning- related information can include the positioning-related estimation for the UE 110. In someembodiments, the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402 can determine a positioning-related estimation for PRU 402. Additionally, the ground truth positioning-related can include the positioning-related estimation for the PRU 402. In some embodiments, the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402 can determine one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized by the UE 110 for a positioning-related estimation for the UE 110. Additionally, the ground truth positioning-related information can include information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques. In some embodiments, the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402 can determine one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning- related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, the ground truth positioning-related information can include information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques. In some embodiments, the LMF 204 and / or the PRU 402 can determine whether and / or which PRU to be utilized for a positioning-related estimation for the UE 110. Additionally, the ground truth positioning- related information can include information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques. In some embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information additionally or alternatively includes information related to one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. In some embodiments, the ground truth positioning- related information additionally or alternatively includes information related to whether and / or which PRU is utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0142] Figure 5 illustrates example transmissions between one or more network entities such as the network node 124, a PRU 502 and the LMF 204, according to one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, the example transmissions between the network node 124, a PRU 502 and the LMF 204 can additionally include one or more transmissions with respect to the UE 110. In some embodiments, the network node 124 can be a gNB. The below example transmissions provide the foreseen steps or messaging needed. In one or more embodiments, the example transmissions illustrate NG-RAN node assisted positioning with an Al positioning functionality (e.g., an Al model) at the network node. The Al positioning functionality can be related to direct Al positioning for NG-RAN node assisted positioning.

[0143] With the example transmissions illustrated in Figure 5, the network node 124 can request that the LMF 204 generates ground truths (e.g., one or more ground truth labels) for Al positioning functionality 510 of the network node 124. In some embodiments, the Al positioning functionality 510 can include an Al model (e.g., a ML model). For example, theAl model can be a positioning model that determines the position of the UE 110. In another example, the Al model can be a positioning model that determines one or more parameters (e.g., ToA, received power, etc.) that may be utilized to assist a location determination by a network entity (e.g., the LMF 204). As such, the network node 124 can request that the LMF 204 generates ground truths (e.g., one or more ground truth labels) associated with output of the Al model. In some embodiments, the network node 124 can provide a preference regarding which positioning technique(s) is to be selected (or not to be selected) for the ground truth generation. In some embodiments, the request can be integrated with a positioning request. Additionally the request can at least indicate that the positioning request is sent for ground truth generation purposes (to enable the LMF 204 to optimally select a suitable positioning technique and / or configuration for the ground truth generation). In some embodiments, the request can indicate one or more positioning-related estimation preferences associated with the ground truth generation. The one or more positioning-related estimation preferences can include quality criteria for a positioning estimation, a time window / period (e.g., corresponding to desired timestamps) for positioning estimation, reference signal configuration preferences (e.g., bandwidth, TRP identifiers, etc.), and / or one or more other types of positioning-related estimation preferences associated with the ground truth generation. As an example, the network node 124 can request using uplink-based NR RAT techniques (e.g., uplink TDOA) for ground truth generation, since downlink-based positioning techniques (e.g., DL TDOA) would be impacted by any imperfections in the ground truths. Similarly, if the LMF 204 is provided with knowledge that the request is associated with ground truth generation, the LMF 204 can avoid using downlink-based positioning techniques even if the network node 124 does not indicate a particular positioning technique preference.

[0144] In some embodiments, the network node 124 and / or the PRU 502 performs a positioning procedure, at 1. The positioning procedure can enable the network node 124 to be aware of one or more candidate PRUs (e.g., the PRU 502) such that the network node 124 can determine to utilize the one or more candidate PRUs (e.g., the PRU 502) for at least a portion of the ground truth generation. In some embodiments, the positioning procedure can be with respect to the PRU 502.

[0145] In an embodiment, the network node 124 determines positioning technique information for ground truth generation, at 2. The positioning technique information can be associated with the Al positioning functionality 510. For example, the network node 124 can determine the positioning technique information based on a positioning technique utilized by the Al positioning functionality 510 to generate location information for the UE 110. In someembodiments, the positioning technique utilized by the Al positioning functionality 510 can be a positioning technique utilized for training the Al positioning functionality 510 (e.g., for training an Al model of the Al positioning functionality 510). In some embodiments, the network node 124 can determine the positioning technique information based on the positioning procedure and / or information determined via the positioning procedure.

[0146] In some embodiments, the network node 124 can determine one or more candidate positioning techniques for derivation of ground truth positioning-related information by the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110. For example, the network node 124 can determine one or more non-uplink based positioning techniques, one or more downlink based positioning techniques, and / or one or more sidelink based positioning techniques for derivation of ground truth positioning-related information by the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110. In some examples, the one or more candidate positioning techniques include downlink TDOA (DL TDOA), SL RTT, or one or more other candidate positioning techniques. Additionally or alternatively, network node 124 can determine one or more undesirable positioning techniques (e.g., one or more uplink based positioning techniques) to avoid for derivation of ground truth positioning-related information by the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110. Additionally or alternatively, network node 124 can determine one or more candidate PRUs for derivation of ground truth positioning-related information by the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110. Additionally or alternatively, network node 124 can determine one or more positioning-related estimation preferences for derivation of ground truth positioning-related information by the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110.

[0147] Additionally, in an embodiment, network node 124 generates and / or transmits a positioning-related request (e.g., POSITIONING-RELATED REQUEST) with an indicator to request ground truth generation, at 3. For example, network node 124 can generate the positioning-related request for network node 124 based on the positioning technique information. The positioning-related request can include an indicator that the positioning- related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for network node 124 for use by the Al positioning functionality 510. Additionally, network node 124 can cause transmission of the positioning-related request to the LMF 204. In some embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques (e.g., the one or more non-uplink based positioning techniques, the one or more downlink based positioning techniques, and / or the one or more sidelink based positioning techniques), the one or more undesirable positioning techniques (e.g., the one or more uplink based positioning techniques), and / or the one or more candidate PRUs. In someembodiments, the positioning-related request can additionally include one or more positioning- related estimation preferences for derivation of ground truth positioning-related information by the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110502. In some embodiments, the indicator includes a list of one or more candidate positioning techniques, one or more undesirable positioning techniques, and / or one or more candidate PRUs where the list is ranked based on preference for network node 124. In some embodiments, network node 124 can cause transmission of the positioning-related request to the LMF 204 based on a positioning protocol for a communication network associated with the LMF 204. In some embodiments, the positioning-related request is transmitted as part of a location information request related to the positioning protocol.

[0148] Additionally, in an embodiment, the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110 derives ground truth positioning-related information based on the positioning-related request, at 4. For example, the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110 can derive ground truth positioning-related information based on the indicator included in the positioning-related request. In some embodiments, the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110 can determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques. In some embodiments, the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110 can determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more non-downlink based positioning techniques. In some embodiments, the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110 can determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more undesirable positioning techniques. In some embodiments, the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110 can determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate PRUs.

[0149] In some embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information can include a positioning-related estimation for the UE 110. Additionally or alternatively, the ground truth positioning-related information can include a positioning-related estimation for the PRU 502 associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally or alternatively, the ground truth positioning-related information can include information related to one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized for a positioning-related estimation for the UE 110. The one or more features can include one or more intermediate positioning related features such as ToA, a LOS / NLOS indication, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the ground truth positioning-related information can include information related to whether and / or which PRU (e.g., the PRU 502) to be utilized for a positioning-related location estimation for the UE110. In some embodiments, a reference signal configuration related to the ground truth positioning-related information can depend on capabilities of the UE 110 and / or the PRU 502 (e.g., a power category, one or more antenna configurations, supported bandwidth, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, a reference signal configuration related to the ground truth positioning-related information can depend one or more real-time conditions (e.g., one or more mobility conditions) related to the UE 110.

[0150] Additionally, in an embodiment, the LMF 204 transmits the ground truth positioning-related information (e g., GROUND TRUTH POSITIONING-RELATED INFORMATION) to network node 124, at 5. In some embodiments, the LMF 204 can cause transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information to network node 124 via a positioning protocol for a communication network associated with the LMF 204. In some embodiments, network node 124 can train or retrain the Al positioning functionality 510 based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the LMF 204. For example, the network node 124 can train or retrain the Al positioning functionality 410 based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the LMF 204 to improve label calculation / generation and / or to improve label validity / quality conditions. In some embodiments, network node 124 can determine performance of the Al positioning functionality 510 based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the LMF 204.

[0151] In some embodiments, the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110 can determine a positioning-related estimation for the UE 110. Additionally, the ground truth positioning-related information can include the positioning-related estimation for the UE 110. In some embodiments, the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110 can determine a positioning-related estimation for PRU 502. Additionally, the ground truth positioning- related can include the positioning-related estimation for the PRU 502. In some embodiments, the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110 can determine one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized by network node 124 for a positioning- related estimation for the UE 110. Additionally, the ground truth positioning-related information can include information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques. In some embodiments, the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110 can determine one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, the ground truth positioning-related information can include information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques. In some embodiments, the LMF 204, the PRU 502, and / or the UE 110 can determine whether and / or which PRU is to be utilized for apositioning-related estimation for the UE 110. Additionally, the ground truth positioning- related information can include information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques. In some embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information additionally or alternatively includes information related to one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. In some embodiments, the ground truth positioning- related information additionally or alternatively includes information related to whether and / or which PRU is utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0152] Figure 6 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method 600, Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method 700, Figure 8 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method 800, and Figure 9 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method 900, according to one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts and combination of blocks in the flowcharts can be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and / or other communication devices associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above can be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above can be stored, for example, by the memory 304 of the apparatus 300 employing an embodiment of the present disclosure and executed by the processing circuitry 302. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions can be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (for example, hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus implements the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer- readable memory produce an article of manufacture the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer- implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks.

[0153] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0154] Referring now to Figure 6, the operations performed, such as by the apparatus 300 of Figure 3, in order to provide positioning technique selection for ground truth generation associated with an Al positioning estimation are depicted, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 600 is associated with functionality of the UE 110. As shown in block 602 of Figure 6, the apparatus 300 includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine positioning technique information associated with an artificial intelligence (Al) positioning functionality of an apparatus (e.g., the apparatus 300). In some embodiments, the apparatus corresponds to the UE 110. As shown in block 604 of Figure 6, the apparatus 300 includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to generate a positioning-related request for the apparatus based on the positioning technique information, where the positioning-related request comprises an indicator that the positioning- related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the apparatus for use by the Al positioning functionality. As shown in block 606 of Figure 6, the apparatus 300 includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to cause transmission of the positioning-related request to a network entity.

[0155] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine the positioning technique information based on a positioning technique utilized by the Al positioning functionality to generate location information for the apparatus.

[0156] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine, based on the positioning technique information, one or more candidate positioning techniques for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques.

[0157] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configuredto determine, based on the positioning technique information, one or more non-downlink based positioning techniques for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more non-downlink based positioning techniques.

[0158] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine, based on the positioning technique information, one or more undesirable positioning techniques to avoid for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning- related request includes information related to the one or more undesirable positioning techniques.

[0159] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine, based on the positioning technique information, one or more candidate PRUs for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more candidate PRUs.

[0160] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes one or more positioning-related estimation preferences associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0161] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to, in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity, receive the ground truth positioning-related information from the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity includes a positioning-related estimation for the apparatus. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes a positioning-related estimation for a PRU associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized for a positioning-related estimation for the apparatus. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to one or more features orpositioning techniques utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to whether and / or which PRU is utilized for a positioning-related location estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0162] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to cause transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity based on a positioning protocol for a network associated with the network entity.

[0163] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to receive the ground truth positioning-related information in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to train or retrain the Al positioning functionality based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity.

[0164] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to receive the ground truth positioning-related information in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine performance of the Al positioning functionality based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity.

[0165] In one or more embodiments, the network entity is associated with a location management function.

[0166] Referring now to Figure 7, the operations performed, such as by the apparatus 300 of Figure 3, in order to provide positioning technique selection for ground truth generation associated with an Al positioning estimation are depicted, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 700 is associated with functionality of the LMF 204. As shown in block 702 of Figure 7, the apparatus 300 includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to receive, from a user equipment, a positioning-related request that comprises an indicator that the positioning-related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information forthe user equipment for use by an artificial intelligence (Al) positioning functionality of the user equipment. As shown in block 704 of Figure 7, the apparatus 300 includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the indicator. As shown in block 706 of Figure 7, the apparatus 300 includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to cause transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information to the user equipment.

[0167] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to cause transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information via a positioning protocol for a network.

[0168] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine a positioning-related estimation for a user equipment. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes the positioning- related estimation for the user equipment.

[0169] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine a positioning-related estimation for a PRU. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes the positioning-related estimation for the PRU.

[0170] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized by the user equipment for a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques.

[0171] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques.

[0172] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternativelyincludes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine whether and / or which PRU to be utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to whether and / or which PRU is utilized for the positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0173] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more candidate positioning techniques to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques.

[0174] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more non-downlink based positioning techniques to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more non-downlink based positioning techniques.

[0175] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more undesirable positioning techniques to avoid for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more undesirable positioning techniques.

[0176] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more candidate PRUs to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate PRUs.

[0177] Referring now to Figure 8, the operations performed, such as by the apparatus 300 of Figure 3, in order to provide positioning technique selection for ground truth generation associated with an Al positioning estimation are depicted, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 800 is associated with functionality of the network node 124. As shown in block 802 of Figure 8, the apparatus 300 includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine positioning technique information associated with an artificial intelligence (Al) positioning functionality of an apparatus (e.g., the apparatus 300). In some embodiments, the apparatus corresponds to the network node 124. As shown in block 804 of Figure 8, the apparatus 300 includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to generate a positioning-related request for a user equipment based on the positioning technique information, where the positioning-related request comprises an indicator that the positioning-related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the user equipment for use by the Al positioning functionality. As shown in block 806 of Figure 8, the apparatus 300 includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to cause transmission of the positioning-related request to a network entity.

[0178] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine the positioning technique information based on a positioning technique utilized by the Al positioning functionality to generate location information for the user equipment.

[0179] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine, based on the positioning technique information, one or more candidate positioning techniques for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques.

[0180] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine, based on the positioning technique information, one or more undesirable positioning techniques to avoid for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning- related request includes information related to the one or more undesirable positioning techniques.

[0181] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine, based on the positioning technique information, one or more candidate PRUs for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to the one or more candidate PRUs.

[0182] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes one or more positioning-related estimation preferences associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0183] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to, in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity, receive the ground truth positioning-related information from the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes a positioning-related estimation for a PRU associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized for a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. In one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity additionally or alternatively includes information related to whether and / or which PRU is utilized for a positioning-related location estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0184] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to cause transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity based on a positioning protocol for a network associated with the network entity.

[0185] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternativelyincludes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to receive the ground truth positioning-related information in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to train or retrain the Al positioning functionality based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity.

[0186] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to receive the ground truth positioning-related information in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine performance of the Al positioning functionality based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity.

[0187] In one or more embodiments, the network entity is associated with a location management function.

[0188] Referring now to Figure 9, the operations performed, such as by the apparatus 300 of Figure 3, in order to provide positioning technique selection for ground truth generation associated with an Al positioning estimation are depicted, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 900 is associated with functionality of the LMF 204. As shown in block 902 of Figure 9, the apparatus 300 includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to receive, from a network entity, a positioning-related request that comprises an indicator that the positioning-related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the network entity for use by an artificial intelligence (Al) positioning functionality of the network entity. As shown in block 904 of Figure 9, the apparatus 300 includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the indicator. As shown in block 906 of Figure 9, the apparatus 300 includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to cause transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information to the network entity.

[0189] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to cause transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information via a positioningprotocol for a network.

[0190] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine a positioning-related estimation for a user equipment. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes the positioning- related estimation for the user equipment.

[0191] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine a positioning-related estimation for a PRU. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes the positioning-related estimation for the PRU.

[0192] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized by the network entity for a positioning-related estimation for a user equipment. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques.

[0193] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques.

[0194] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine whether and / or which PRU is to be utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the ground truth positioning-related information includes information related to whether and / or which PRU is utilized for the positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

[0195] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more candidate positioning techniques to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques.

[0196] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more non-downlink based positioning techniques to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more non-downlink based positioning techniques.

[0197] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more undesirable positioning techniques to avoid for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more undesirable positioning techniques.

[0198] In one or more embodiments, the positioning-related request includes information related to one or more candidate PRUs to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus 300 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processing circuitry 302, the memory 304, or the like, configured to determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate PRUs.

[0199] As described above, Figures 6-9 are flowcharts of various methods that can be carried out by, e.g., the apparatus 300, and / or according to a computer program product, according to an example embodiment of the disclosure. A computer program product is therefore defined in those instances in which the computer program instructions, such as computer-readable program code portions, are stored by at least one non-transitory computer- readable storage medium with the computer program instructions, such as the computer- readable program code portions, being configured, upon execution, to perform the functions described above, such as, e.g., in conjunction with the communications flowchart of Figure 4, the communications flowchart of Figure 5, and / or as part of the system of Figure 1 and / or Figure 2. In other embodiments, the computer program instructions, such as the computer- readable program code portions, need not be stored or otherwise embodied by a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium, but may, instead, be embodied by a transitory medium with the computer program instructions, such as the computer-readable program code portions, still being configured, upon execution, to perform the functions described above.

[0200] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0201] In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be modified or further amplified. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional optional operations may be included. Modifications, additions, or amplifications to the operations above may be performed in any order and in any combination.

[0202] Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments presented herein and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine positioning technique information associated with an artificial intelligence (Al) positioning functionality of the apparatus; generate a positioning-related request for a user equipment based on the positioning technique information, wherein the positioning-related request comprises an indicator that the positioning-related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the user equipment for use by the Al positioning functionality; and cause transmission of the positioning-related request to a network entity.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine the positioning technique information based on a positioning technique utilized by the Al positioning functionality to generate location information for the user equipment.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to determine, based on the positioning technique information, one or more candidate positioning techniques for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity, and wherein the positioning-related request comprises information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to determine, based on the positioning technique information, one or more undesirable positioning techniques to avoid for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity, and wherein the positioning-related request comprises information related to the one or more undesirable positioning techniques.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to determine, based on the positioning technique information, one or more candidate positioning reference units (PRUs) for derivation of the ground truth positioning-related information by the network entity, and wherein the positioning-related request comprises information related to the one or more candidate PRUs.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positioning-related request comprises one or more positioning-related estimation preferences associated with the ground truth positioning- related information.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity, receive the ground truth positioning-related information from the network entity.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity comprises a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity comprises a positioning-related estimation for a positioning reference unit (PRU) associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity comprises information related to one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized for a positioning-related estimation for the user equipment.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity comprises information related to one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity comprises information related to whether and / or which positioning reference unit (PRU) is utilized for a positioning-related location estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: cause transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity based on a positioning protocol for a network associated with the network entity.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive the ground truth positioning-related information in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity; and train or retrain the Al positioning functionality based on the ground truth positioning- related information received from the network entity.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive the ground truth positioning-related information in response to the transmission of the positioning-related request to the network entity; and determine performance of the Al positioning functionality based on the ground truth positioning-related information received from the network entity.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network entity is associated with a location management function.

17. A method, comprising: determining positioning technique information associated with an artificial intelligence (Al) positioning functionality of an apparatus; generating a positioning-related request for a user equipment based on the positioning technique information, wherein the positioning-related request comprises an indicator that the positioning-related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the user equipment for use by the Al positioning functionality; andcausing transmission of the positioning-related request to a network entity.

18. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive, from a network entity, a positioning-related request that comprises an indicator that the positioning-related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the network entity for use by an artificial intelligence (Al) positioning functionality of the network entity; determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the indicator; and cause transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information to the network entity.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: cause transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information via a positioning protocol for a network.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is further caused to determine a positioning-related estimation for a user equipment, and wherein the ground truth positioning-related information comprises the positioning-related estimation for the user equipment.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is further caused to determine a positioning-related estimation for a positioning reference unit (PRU), and wherein the ground truth positioning-related information comprises the positioning-related estimation for the PRU.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is further caused to determine one or more features or positioning techniques to be utilized by the network entity for a positioning-related estimation for a user equipment, and wherein the ground truth positioning-related information comprises information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is further caused to determine one or more features or positioning techniques utilized for a positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information, and wherein the ground truth positioning-related information comprises information related to the one or more features or positioning techniques.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is further caused to determine whether and / or which positioning reference unit (PRU) is to be utilized for a positioning- related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information, and wherein the ground truth positioning-related information comprises information related to whether and / or which PRU is utilized for the positioning-related estimation associated with the ground truth positioning-related information.

25. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the positioning-related request comprises information related to one or more candidate positioning techniques to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information, and the apparatus further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate positioning techniques.

26. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the positioning-related request comprises information related to one or more non-uplink based positioning techniques to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information, and the apparatus further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more non-uplink based positioning techniques.

27. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the positioning-related request comprises information related to one or more undesirable positioning techniques to avoid for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information, and the apparatus furthercomprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more undesirable positioning techniques.

28. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the positioning-related request comprises information related to one or more candidate positioning reference units (PRUs) to utilize for determination of the ground truth positioning-related information, and the apparatus further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine the ground truth positioning-related information based on the information related to the one or more candidate PRUs.

29. A method, comprising: receiving, from a network entity, a positioning-related request that comprises an indicator that the positioning-related request is requesting ground truth positioning-related information for the network entity for use by an artificial intelligence (Al) positioning functionality of the network entity; determining the ground truth positioning-related information based on the indicator; and causing transmission of the ground truth positioning-related information to the network entity.

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