Reporting automatic gain control (AGC) information for carrier phase positioning

Abstract

A method includes receive, from a LMF, at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes (310); performing at least one of a carrier phase measurement for at least one of the plurality of network nodes according to the first request, or a carrier phase difference measurement based on carrier phase measurements of at least two of the plurality of network nodes according to the second request (320); and reporting to the LMF at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement (330).

Description

[0001] REPORTING AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL (AGC) INFORMATION FOR CARRIER PHASE POSITIONING TECHNICAL FIELD [1] This description relates to wireless communications. BACKGROUND [2] A communication system may be a facility that enables communication between two or more nodes or devices, such as fixed or mobile communication devices. Signals can be carried on wired or wireless carriers. [3] An example of a cellular communication system is an architecture that is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). A recent development in this field is often referred to as the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology. E-UTRA (evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access) is the air interface of 3GPP's Long Term Evolution (LTE) upgrade path for mobile networks. In LTE, base stations or access points (APs), which are referred to as enhanced Node AP (eNBs), provide wireless access within a coverage area or cell. In LTE, mobile devices, or mobile stations are referred to as user equipments (UE). LTE has included a number of improvements or developments. Aspects of LTE are also continuing to improve. [4] 5G New Radio (NR) development is part of a continued mobile broadband evolution process to meet the requirements of 5G, similar to earlier evolution of 3G and 4G wireless networks. In addition, 5G is also targeted at the new emerging use cases in addition to mobile broadband. A goal of 5G is to provide significant improvement in wireless performance, which may include new levels of data rate, latency, reliability, and security. 5G NR may also scale to efficiently connect the massive Internet of Things (IoT) and may offer new types of mission-critical services. For example, ultra-reliable and low- latency communications (URLLC) devices may require high reliability and very low latency. 6G and other networks are also being developed. SUMMARY [5] A method may include receiving, from a location management function (LMF), at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes; performing at least one of a carrier phase measurement for at least one of the plurality of network nodes according to the first request, or a carrier phase difference measurement based on carrier phase measurements of at least two of the plurality of network nodes according to the second request; and reporting to the LMF at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement. [6] An apparatus may include at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a location management function (LMF), at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes; perform at least one of a carrier phase measurement for at least one of the plurality of network nodes according to the first request, or a carrier phase difference measurement based on carrier phase measurements of at least two of the plurality of network nodes according to the second request; and report to the LMF at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement. [7] A method may include transmitting to a user device, at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes; and receiving from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement. [8] An apparatus may include at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: transmit to a user device, at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes; and receive from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement. [9] A method may include receive, from a location management function (LMF), a request for the apparatus to perform measurement and / or correction of automatic gain control (AGC) gain level-induced phase offsets resulting from applying different AGC gain levels during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across a plurality of network nodes; estimate AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes; and perform at least one of the following: correcting the AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in at least one of the carrier phase measurements or a carrier phase difference measurement, and reporting at least one of the corrected carrier phase measurements or the corrected carrier phase difference measurement to the LMF; or reporting, to the LMF, at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement, and at least one of the AGC gain levels applied during the carrier phase measurements or the estimated AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase measurements.

[0010] An apparatus may include at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a location management function (LMF), a request for the apparatus to perform measurement and / or correction of automatic gain control (AGC) gain level-induced phase offsets resulting from applying different AGC gain levels during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across a plurality of network nodes; estimate AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes; and perform at least one of the following: correcting the AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in at least one of the carrier phase measurements or a carrier phase difference measurement, and reporting at least one of the corrected carrier phase measurements or the corrected carrier phase difference measurement to the LMF; or reporting, to the LMF, at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement, and at least one of the AGC gain levels applied during the carrier phase measurements or the estimated AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase measurements.

[0011] A method may include transmitting to a user device, a request for the user device to perform measurement and / or correction of automatic gain control (AGC) gain level-induced phase offsets resulting from the user device applying different AGC gain levels during carrier phase measurements of a plurality of network nodes; and performing at least one of the following: receiving from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurements or a carrier phase difference measurement, and at least one of AGC gain levels applied by the user device during the carrier phase measurements or estimated AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase measurements, and performing AGC gain level-induced compensation or correction on at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement to obtain at least one of calculated corrected carrier phase measurements or a calculated corrected carrier phase difference measurement; or receiving from the user device, at least one of corrected carrier phase measurements or a corrected carrier phase difference measurement in which AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement have been corrected by the user device.

[0012] An apparatus may include at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: transmit to a user device, a request for the user device to perform measurement and / or correction of automatic gain control (AGC) gain level-induced phase offsets resulting from the user device applying different AGC gain levels during carrier phase measurements of a plurality of network nodes; and perform at least one of the following: receiving from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurements or a carrier phase difference measurement, and at least one of AGC gain levels applied by the user device during the carrier phase measurements or estimated AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase measurements, and performing AGC gain level- induced compensation or correction on at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement to obtain at least one of calculated corrected carrier phase measurements or a calculated corrected carrier phase difference measurement; or receiving from the user device, at least one of corrected carrier phase measurements or a corrected carrier phase difference measurement in which AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement have been corrected by the user device.

[0013] Other example embodiments are provided or described for each of the example methods, including: means for performing any of the example methods; a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor, are configured to cause a computing system to perform any of the example methods; and an apparatus including at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform any of the example methods.

[0014] The details of one or more examples of embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG.1 is a block diagram of a wireless network according to an example embodiment.

[0016] FIG.2 is a diagram illustrating operation of an automatic gain control according to an example embodiment.

[0017] FIG.3 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an apparatus (e.g., which may be a UE or user device, or other apparatus) according to an example embodiment.

[0018] FIG.4 is a flow chart illustrating operation of location management function (LMF) according to an example embodiment.

[0019] FIG.5 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an apparatus (e.g., a UE or user device or other apparatus) according to another example embodiment.

[0020] FIG.6 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a location management function (LMF) according to another example embodiment.

[0021] FIG.7 is a diagram illustrating operation according to an example embodiment.

[0022] FIG.8 is a diagram illustrating operation according to another example embodiment.

[0023] FIG.9 is a diagram illustrating a UE performing self-measurement or calibration of AGC gain level-induced phase offsets for different AGC gain levels according to an example embodiment.

[0024] FIG.10 is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., UE, user device, AP, BS, eNB, gNB, RAN node, network node, TRP, or other node) 1300 according to an example embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] FIG.1 is a block diagram of a wireless network 130. In the wireless network 130 of FIG.1, user devices 131, 132, 133 and 135, which may also be referred to as mobile stations (MSs) or user equipment (UEs), may be connected (and in communication) with a base station (BS) 134, which may also be referred to as an access point (AP), an enhanced Node B (eNB), a gNB or a network node. The terms user device and user equipment (UE) may be used interchangeably. A BS may also include or may be referred to as a RAN (radio access network) node, and may include a portion of a BS or a portion of a RAN node, such as (e.g., such as a centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU) in the case of a split BS or split gNB). At least part of the functionalities of a BS (e.g., access point (AP), base station (BS) or (e)Node B (eNB), gNB, RAN node) may also be carried out by any node, server or host which may be operably coupled to a transceiver, such as a remote radio head. BS (or AP) 134 provides wireless coverage within a cell 136, including to user devices (or UEs) 131, 132, 133 and 135. Although only four user devices (or UEs) are shown as being connected or attached to BS 134, any number of user devices may be provided. BS 134 is also connected to a core network 150 via a S1 interface 151. This is merely one simple example of a wireless network, and others may be used.

[0026] A base station (e.g., such as BS 134) is an example of a radio access network (RAN) node within a wireless network. A BS (or a RAN node) may be or may include (or may alternatively be referred to as), e.g., an access point (AP), a gNB, an eNB, or portion thereof (such as a central / centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU) in the case of a split BS or split gNB), or other network node.

[0027] Some functionalities of the communication network may be carried out, at least partly, in a central / centralized unit, CU, (e.g., server, host or node) operationally coupled to distributed unit, DU, (e.g., a radio head / node). Thus, 5G networks architecture may be based on a so-called CU-DU split. The gNB-CU (central node) may control a plurality of spatially separated gNB-DUs, acting at least as transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) nodes. In some examples, the gNB-DUs (also referred to as a DU) may comprise e.g., a radio link control (RLC), medium access control (MAC) layer and a physical (PHY) layer, whereas the gNB-CU (also referred to as a CU) may comprise the layers above RLC layer, such as a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio resource control (RRC) and an internet protocol (IP) layers. Other functional splits are possible too.

[0028] According to an illustrative example, a BS node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, …) or a radio access network (RAN) may be part of a mobile telecommunication system. A RAN (radio access network) may include one or more BSs or RAN nodes that implement a radio access technology, e.g., to allow one or more UEs to have access to a network or core network. Thus, for example, the RAN (RAN nodes, such as BSs or gNBs) may reside between one or more user devices or UEs and a core network. According to an example embodiment, each RAN node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, …) or BS may provide one or more wireless communication services for one or more UEs or user devices, e.g., to allow the UEs to have wireless access to a network, via the RAN node. Each RAN node or BS may perform or provide wireless communication services, e.g., such as allowing UEs or user devices to establish a wireless connection to the RAN node, and sending data to and / or receiving data from one or more of the UEs. For example, after establishing a connection to a UE, a RAN node or network node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, …) may forward data to the UE that is received from a network or the core network, and / or forward data received from the UE to the network or core network. RAN nodes or network nodes (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, …) may perform a wide variety of other wireless functions or services, e.g., such as broadcasting control information (e.g., such as system information or on-demand system information) to UEs, paging UEs when there is data to be delivered to the UE, assisting in handover of a UE between cells, scheduling of resources for uplink data transmission from the UE(s) and downlink data transmission to UE(s), sending control information to configure one or more UEs, and the like. These are a few examples of one or more functions that a RAN node or BS may perform.

[0029] A user device or user node (user terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile terminal, handheld wireless device, etc.) may refer to a portable computing device that includes wireless mobile communication devices operating either with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM), including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: a mobile station (MS), a mobile phone, a cell phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handset, a device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), a laptop and / or touch screen computer, a tablet, a phablet, a game console, a notebook, a vehicle, a sensor, and a multimedia device, as examples, or any other wireless device. It should be appreciated that a user device may also be (or may include) a nearly exclusive uplink only device, of which an example is a camera or video camera loading images or video clips to a network.

[0030] Also, a user node may include a user equipment (UE), a user device, a user terminal, a mobile terminal, a mobile station, a mobile node, a subscriber device, a subscriber node, a subscriber terminal, or other user node. For example, a user node may be used for wireless communications with one or more network nodes (e.g., gNB, eNB, BS, AP, CU, DU, CU / DU) and / or with one or more other user nodes, regardless of the technology or radio access technology (RAT). In LTE (as an illustrative example), core network 150 may be referred to as Evolved Packet Core (EPC), which may include a mobility management entity (MME) which may handle or assist with mobility / handover of user devices between BSs, one or more gateways that may forward data and control signals between the BSs and packet data networks or the Internet, and other control functions or blocks. Other types of wireless networks, such as 5G (which may be referred to as New Radio (NR)) may also include a core network.

[0031] In addition, the techniques described herein may be applied to various types of user devices or data service types, or may apply to user devices that may have multiple applications running thereon that may be of different data service types. New Radio (5G) development may support a number of different applications or a number of different data service types, such as for example: machine type communications (MTC), enhanced machine type communication (eMTC), Internet of Things (IoT), and / or narrowband IoT user devices, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), and ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC). Many of these new 5G (NR) – related applications may require generally higher performance than previous wireless networks.

[0032] IoT may refer to an ever-growing group of objects that may have Internet or network connectivity, so that these objects may send information to and receive information from other network devices. For example, many sensor type applications or devices may monitor a physical condition or a status, and may send a report to a server or other network device, e.g., when an event occurs. Machine Type Communications (MTC, or Machine to Machine communications) may, for example, be characterized by fully automatic data generation, exchange, processing and actuation among intelligent machines, with or without intervention of humans. Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) may support much higher data rates than currently available in LTE.

[0033] Ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC) is a new data service type, or new usage scenario, which may be supported for New Radio (5G) systems. This enables emerging new applications and services, such as industrial automations, autonomous driving, vehicular safety, e-health services, and so on. 3GPP targets in providing connectivity with reliability corresponding to block error rate (BLER) of 10-5 and up to 1 ms U-Plane (user / data plane) latency, by way of illustrative example. Thus, for example, URLLC user devices / UEs may require a significantly lower block error rate than other types of user devices / UEs as well as low latency (with or without requirement for simultaneous high reliability). Thus, for example, a URLLC UE (or URLLC application on a UE) may require much shorter latency, as compared to an eMBB UE (or an eMBB application running on a UE).

[0034] The techniques described herein may be applied to a wide variety of wireless technologies or wireless networks, such as 5G (New Radio (NR)), cmWave, and / or mmWave band networks, IoT, MTC, eMTC, eMBB, URLLC, 6G, etc., or any other wireless network or wireless technology. These example networks, technologies or data service types are provided only as illustrative examples.

[0035] Positioning based on carrier phase (based on carrier phase measurement(s)) is a promising technique that has been used in GPS / GNSS for cm-level accuracy. The carrier phase measurement can be utilized to estimate a range (or distance) between a transmitter and receiver with a granularity of carrier wavelength. A range (distance) between the transmitter and receiver (e.g., between gNB and UE) can be expressed by using the fractional and integer multiple of carrier wavelength (^), i.e., ^^^^^ (^) = ^^ + ^^, (1)

[0036] where ^ is carrier phase measured in cycle. Note that in the above ranging expression, the receiver only can measure the fractional phase term ^, the integer value ^ cannot be directly measured. The integer part needs to be resolved by using some indirect methods, and hence ^ is known as integer ambiguity.

[0037] In addition to determining a range or distance between a UE and gNB, carrier phase measurements may be used to perform UE positioning (e.g., to determine a position or location of a UE). For example, determining a range or distance between gNB and UE may only require one carrier phase (or reference signal carrier phase (RSCP)) measurement, whereas positioning of a UE based on carrier phase measurements may be performed based on multiple (two or more) carrier phase measurements (e.g., based on RSCP1 with respect to gNB1, and RSCP2 with respect to gNB2).

[0038] For the transmitted PRS (positioning reference signal) resource from the ^^^gNB, and utilizing expression (1) the ^^^UE measured phase can be expressed as (2) ^^^(^^) = ^^^^ ^ − ^^^ + (^^(^^) − ^^(^^)),

[0039] actual geographical distance between the ^^^UE and the ^^^gNB, ^ is the wavelength associated with ^^^gNB, ^^^denotes integer ambiguity of the propagated wavelength. In expression (2), notations ^^(^^) and ^^(^^) are used to denote the phase offsets due to ^^^UE and ^^^gNB, respectively. The phase offsets, for example, could be caused by time offsets, frequency offsets, LO (Local Oscillator) initial phases, etc.

[0040] To calculate the UE position (or location) using (2), the phase offsets ^^(^^) and ^^(^^) need to be removed. This is done by using the single-difference phase measurement and double-difference phase measurement. a) single-difference phase measurement: To do this, an additional gNB measurement is used by ^^^UE. Let us assume that ^^^gNB is used, and the measured phase at the ^^^UE for the transmitted PRS from the ^^^gNB at time ^^is ^^!^!^(^^) = ^ ^ − ^!^ + (^^(^^) − ^!(^^)), (3) =^), the single-difference phase, i.e., subtracting φ^^from φ^^is as follows (in the below expressions time notation ^ is omitted to lighten the expressions): ^= Δ^ Δ^ ^^!" ^ ^^ − Δ^ + Δ^ , (4)− which can be removed by calculating double-difference phase. Note that single- difference phase is also known as reference signal carrier phase difference (RSCPD). b) double-difference phase measurement: To do this, an additional reference UE is used (e.g., positioning reference unit (PRU)). Let us assume that the '^^UE is the PRU. Under similar condition, the single-difference phase measurement, as expression (4), for the '^^PRU can be written as Δ*Δ^^*^^!!="^ − Δ^* *^! + Δ^^! , (5)Note that Δ^^^! and UE phase same . can subtracting Δ^^*! from Δ^^^! as follows: ^ ΔΔ^^*ΔΔ^ *^! ^*^!=" (6^ − ΔΔ^^! , )− now the UE location can be estimated by using the single and double-differenced phase in the CPP (carrier phase positioning) method to achieve the target positioning accuracy (e.g., in the range of cm-level).

[0041] Thus, expression (2) is RSCP (or carrier phase measurement). Expression (4) is RSCPD (or carrier phase difference measurement, e.g., which may be a difference between two carrier phase measurements). For example, the UE may measure carrier phase (RSCPi) from (or with respect to) gNBi, and measures carrier phase (RSCPj) from (or with respect to) gNBj. RSCPi – RSCPj = RSCPD. In UE assisted mode, UE may calculate RSCPi and RSCPj. UE can optionally calculate RSCPD, and using LPP protocol, the UE reports RSCPi, RSCPj and / or RSCPD to the location management function (LMF). Using LPP protocol, UE may report this information to LMF and this information is transparent / encapsulated, so connected or serving gNB just forwards this information to LMF from UE.

[0042] Expression (2) is the carrier phase measurement (RSCP) by kthUE from ithgNB (based on received downlink positioning reference signals (DL PRS) received by the UE). In expression (2), ^^(^^) and ^^(^^) are the phase offsets due to ^^^UE and ^^^gNB, respectively. As noted above, to improve accuracy of UE positioning based on carrier phase positioning, these phase offsets of UE and gNB should be removed. Expression (3) is an RSCP for UE with respect to a jth gNB. Expression (4) shows the subtraction of RSCPs based on ithand jthgNBs (e.g., RSCPi – RSCPj), to obtain an RSCPD. This removes phase offset due to the UE. This process is repeated for a reference UE, reference gNB or positioning reference unit (PRU), instead of the UE, via expressions (5) and (6), in order to remove the phase offsets due to the gNBs.

[0043] In an example embodiment, ideal or more accurate RSCP cancellation may be obtained if UE can measure carrier phase (RSCP) from two gNBs, e.g., from gNBi and gNBj at the same (or about the same) time, because the channel is time varying. Also, due to the local oscillator (LO) and other radio frequency (RF) components, the UE phase offset (^^in expression (2)) can vary in time. Furthermore, the UE may use different automatic gain control (AGC) gain levels for phase measurements for gNBi and gNBj, e.g., due to possibly different channel conditions during these different phase measurements for gNBi and gNBj. The UE’s possible use of different AGC gain levels to measure RSCPi and RSCPj can introduce AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in the RSCP (carrier phase measurements) for RSCPi and RSCPj. Even if UE measures RSCP (carrier phase measurements) at the same time window for gNBi and gNBj, the UE may still typically use different AGC gain levels for RSCPi and RSCPj (e.g., due to different channel conditions during reception of PRSs from different gNBs), creating this AGC gain level-induced phase offsets or error. In that case, the ^^or phase offsets of the UE for the two RSCP measurements will not be the same and cannot be removed via RSCPD calculation at expression (4), thus, creating or introducing inaccuracies into the RSCPD measurements and into the UE positioning calculation (which is based on the two RSCPD measurements, and / or the four RSCP measurements).

[0044] Automatic gain control (AGC) is an important function used in the UE RF (radio frequency) receiver front-end to regulate the received signal strength prior to the input of the signal to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). AGC may ensure that the signal level at the ADC input is within dynamic range required by ADC to maintain good signal quality (e.g., to maintain good signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR)) after the analog-to-digital conversion, e.g., ADC’s quantization error or saturation is minimized. In general, the operation of the AGC (or AGC algorithm) will continuously monitor the received signal levels in the RF receiver front-end, compare the signal level to predefined thresholds and adjust the receiver gain accordingly, e.g., for each OFDM symbol of the received positioning reference signals. For instance, if the received signal exceeds the accepted ADC’s max threshold signal levels (or the received signal power or amplitude is greater than a threshold), the AGC (or AGC algorithm) will attenuate the receiver gain stage (causing the amplitude or power of the received signal to decrease), and vice versa. If the received signal is weak (e.g., signal amplitude or power is less than a threshold), the AGC will boost or increase the receiver gain stage (causing the amplitude of the received signal to increase).

[0045] FIG.2 is a diagram illustrating operation of an automatic gain control according to an example embodiment. As an example AGC, the gain adjustment by the AGC may follow the discrete gain state manner, e.g., the AGC algorithm may apply a specific (or different) gain value for each signal level threshold. For example, if the received signal (e.g., amplitude or power) is less than an outer threshold low, the AGC will increase gain by D steps; if the received signal is greater than outer threshold low but less then inner threshold low, the AGC will increase gain by C steps (which is less than D steps); if the received signal is between inner threshold low and inner threshold high, no gain change is applied by AGC (no gain level adjustment is applied to the received signal); if the received signal is greater than inner threshold high but less than outer threshold high, the AGC will decrease gain by B steps; and, if the received signal is greater than an outer threshold high, the AGC will decrease gain by A steps, e.g., where A, B, C and D are integers. This illustrates an example of how an AGC may adjust a gain level (and thus, increase or decrease the amplitude or power of the received signal) based on the amplitude or power of the signal, which may have been attenuated based on the channel conditions.

[0046] Phase measurements may include receiving the positioning reference signals (PRS), and calculating carrier phases. The reception of the PRS from different gNBs may occur at different measurement time instances. Therefore, as noted, the UE may use different automatic gain control (AGC) gain levels for phase measurements (RSCP) for gNBi and gNBj, e.g., due to possibly different channel conditions during these different phase measurement time instances for gNBi and gNBj. The UE’s possible use of different AGC gain levels to measure RSCPi and RSCPj can introduce AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in the RSCP (carrier phase measurements) for RSCPi and RSCPj, which may typically cause errors or inaccuracies in UE positioning.

[0047] Various example embodiments are described, e.g., related to or for:

[0048] 1) the UE to receive a request to apply a fixed AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals (PRS) for a carrier phase measurement (RSCP) and / or a request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of PRS for carrier phase measurements (e.g., RSCPi and RSCPj) for a carrier phase difference measurement (RSCPD), and reporting to the LMF at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement; and / or,

[0049] 2) for the UE to estimate AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with carrier phase measurements (e.g., associated with RSCPi and RSCPj), and then the UE either corrects the AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in the carrier phase measurements and a carrier phase difference measurement and then reports corrected carrier phase measurements and / or corrected carrier phase difference measurement to the LMF, or the UE reports the AGC gain level-induced phase offsets to the LMF, e.g., to allow the LMF to correct these AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in one or more of the carrier phase measurements and / or carrier phase difference measurements.

[0050] FIG.3 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an apparatus (e.g., which may be a UE or user device, or other apparatus) according to an example embodiment. Operation 310 includes receiving, from a location management function (LMF), at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes. Operation 320 includes performing at least one of a carrier phase measurement for at least one of the plurality of network nodes according to the first request, or a carrier phase difference measurement based on carrier phase measurements of at least two of the plurality of network nodes according to the second request. And, operation 330 includes reporting to the LMF at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0051] With respect to the method of FIG.3, the method may further include determining, based on at least one of capabilities of the apparatus or channel conditions, at least one of the following: whether or not the apparatus can apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or whether or not the apparatus can apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0052] With respect to the method of FIG.3,the method may further include, sending, based on the determination, an indication to the LMF indicating at least one of whether or not the apparatus can apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or whether or not the apparatus can apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0053] With respect to the method of FIG.3, the method may further include: reporting to the LMF, one or more AGC gain levels applied by the apparatus for the at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0054] With respect to the method of FIG.3, the method may include: wherein if the apparatus is unable to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise a plurality of AGC gain levels used for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, and if the apparatus is able to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise the fixed AGC gain level.

[0055] With respect to the method of FIG.3, the method may include: wherein if the apparatus is unable to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise a plurality of AGC gain levels used during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, and if the apparatus is able to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise the same AGC gain level.

[0056] With respect to the method of FIG.3, wherein the reporting the one or more AGC gain levels comprises indicating to the LMF that one or more AGC gain levels used in a previous instance of carrier phase measurement or carrier phase difference measurement are applied.

[0057] With respect to the method of FIG.3, the method may further include: receiving from the LMF, an indication of a set of network nodes for which the apparatus may apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0058] With respect to the method of FIG.3, the method may further include: receiving, from the LMF, an indication to apply an AGC gain level that is used by the apparatus during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurement of a reference network node or serving network node during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurement of one or more other network nodes.

[0059] With respect to the method of FIG.3, the method may further include: reporting, to the LMF, at least one of a first AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase measurement indicating whether or not a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level was applied during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or a second AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase difference measurement indicating whether or not a same AGC gain level was applied during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0060] FIG.4 is a flow chart illustrating operation of location management function (LMF) according to an example embodiment. Operation 410 includes transmitting to a user device, at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes. Operation 420 includes receiving from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0061] With respect to the method of FIG.4, the method may further include: receiving an indication indicating at least one of whether or not the user device can apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or whether or not the user device can apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0062] With respect to the method of FIG.4, the method may further include: receiving from the user device, an indication of one or more AGC gain levels applied by the user device for the at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0063] With respect to the method of FIG.4, the method may include: wherein if the user device is unable to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise a plurality of AGC gain levels used for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, and if the user device is able to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise the fixed AGC gain level.

[0064] With respect to the method of FIG.4, the method may include: wherein if the user device is unable to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise a plurality of AGC gain levels used during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, and if the user device is able to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise the same AGC gain level.

[0065] With respect to the method of FIG.4, wherein the receiving the indication of one or more AGC gain levels may include receiving an indication that one or more AGC gain levels used in a previous instance of carrier phase measurement or carrier phase difference measurement are applied.

[0066] With respect to the method of FIG.4, the method may further include: transmitting to the user device, an indication of a set of network nodes for which the user device may apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0067] With respect to the method of FIG.4, the method may further include: transmitting to the user device, an indication for the user device to apply an AGC gain level that is used by the user device during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurement of a reference network node or serving network node during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurement of one or more other network nodes.

[0068] With respect to the method of FIG.4, the method may further include: receiving from the user device, at least one of a first AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase measurement indicating whether or not a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level was applied during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or a second AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase difference measurement indicating whether or not a same AGC gain level was applied during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0069] With respect to the method of FIG.4, the method may further include: estimating a position of the user device based at least on the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0070] With respect to the method of FIG.4, the method may further include performing at least one of the following: adjusting or filtering one or more of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement based on AGC gain levels of the user device, and wherein the estimating the position of the user device is based at least on the adjusted or filtered carrier phase measurements or carrier phase difference measurement; or transmitting a request to the user device to re-perform, or determine again, the carrier phase measurements and determine a carrier phase difference measurement.

[0071] FIG.5 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an apparatus (e.g., a UE or user device or other apparatus) according to another example embodiment. Operation 510 includes receiving, from a location management function (LMF), a request for the apparatus to perform measurement and / or correction of automatic gain control (AGC) gain level-induced phase offsets resulting from applying different AGC gain levels during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across a plurality of network nodes. Operation 520 includes estimating AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes. And, operation 530 includes performing at least one of the following: correcting the AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in at least one of the carrier phase measurements or a carrier phase difference measurement, and reporting at least one of the corrected carrier phase measurements or the corrected carrier phase difference measurement to the LMF; or reporting, to the LMF, at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement, and at least one of the AGC gain levels applied during the carrier phase measurements or the estimated AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase measurements.

[0072] With respect to the method of FIG.5, wherein the performing at least one of the correcting and reporting, or the reporting, may include: correcting the AGC gain level- induced phase offsets in at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement; and reporting, to the LMF, at least one of the corrected carrier phase measurements or the corrected carrier phase difference measurement.

[0073] With respect to the method of FIG.5, wherein the performing at least one of the correcting and reporting, or the reporting, may include: reporting, to the LMF, at least one of the carrier phase measurements, or the carrier phase difference measurement, and at least one of the AGC gain levels applied during the carrier phase measurements or the estimated AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase measurements.

[0074] With respect to the method of FIG.5, the method may further include: receiving, from the LMF, a request for the apparatus to reports its capabilities to perform measurement, reporting and / or correction of AGC gain level-induced phase offsets during carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes; and transmitting, to the LMF, a response indicating capabilities of the apparatus to perform measurement, reporting and / or correction of AGC gain level-induced phase offsets during carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes.

[0075] With respect to the method of FIG.5, the method may further include: receiving, from the LMF, assistance data including a pathloss range for each of the plurality of network nodes for calibration and / or estimation of AGC gain levels and / or AGC gain level-induced phase offsets; and wherein the estimating AGC gain level- induced phase offsets is based at least in part on the pathloss range for each of the network nodes.

[0076] FIG.6 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a location management function (LMF) according to another example embodiment. Operation 610 includes transmitting to a user device, a request for the user device to perform measurement and / or correction of automatic gain control (AGC) gain level-induced phase offsets resulting from the user device applying different AGC gain levels during carrier phase measurements of a plurality of network nodes. And, operation 620 includes performing at least one of the following: receiving from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurements or a carrier phase difference measurement, and at least one of AGC gain levels applied by the user device during the carrier phase measurements or estimated AGC gain level- induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase measurements, and performing AGC gain level-induced compensation or correction on at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement to obtain at least one of calculated corrected carrier phase measurements or a calculated corrected carrier phase difference measurement; or receiving from the user device, at least one of corrected carrier phase measurements or a corrected carrier phase difference measurement in which AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement have been corrected by the user device.

[0077] With respect to the method of FIG.6, wherein the performing at least one of the receiving and the correcting, or the receiving, may include: receiving from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement, and at least one of the AGC gain levels applied by the user device during the carrier phase measurements or the estimated AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase measurements, and performing AGC gain level-induced compensation or correction on at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement to obtain at least one of the calculated corrected carrier phase measurements or the calculated corrected carrier phase difference measurement.

[0078] With respect to the method of FIG.6, wherein the performing at least one of the receiving and the correcting, or the receiving, comprises: receiving from the user device, at least one of the corrected carrier phase measurements or the corrected carrier phase difference measurement in which AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement have been corrected by the user device.

[0079] With respect to the method of FIG.6, the method may further include: transmitting to the user device, a request for the user device to report its capabilities to perform measurement, reporting and / or correction of AGC gain level-induced phase offsets during carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes; and receive from the user device, a response indicating capabilities of the user device to perform measurement, reporting and / or correction of AGC gain level-induced phase offsets during carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes.

[0080] With respect to the method of FIG.6, the method may further include: transmitting to the user device, assistance data including a pathloss range for each of the plurality of network nodes for calibration and / or estimation of AGC gain levels and / or AGC gain level-induced phase offsets.

[0081] With respect to the method of FIG.6, the method may further include: estimating position of the user device based at least on either: 1) at least one of the received corrected carrier phase measurements or the received corrected carrier phase difference measurement received from the user device, or 2) at least one of the calculated corrected carrier phase measurements or the calculated corrected carrier phase difference measurement.

[0082] FIG.7 is a diagram illustrating operation according to an example embodiment. A UE 710 may be in communication with a serving gNB 712 and a location management function (LMF) 716. Other (or neighbor) gNBs 714 are also shown. LMF 716 may be an entity in the core network, the cloud or other location, that is responsible for managing location or positioning services for UEs or other nodes or devices. LMF 716, for example, may estimate or determine a position or location of a UE based on measurements or other information received from one or more UEs or other nodes or devices. The LMF 716 may configure and / or manage one or more UEs to perform and report to the LMF one or more measurements in order to support or perform UE positioning.

[0083] At step 1 of FIG.7, LMF 716 configures (e.g., LMF sends a message to the UE via serving gNB 712 to configure) the UE to initiate or perform carrier phase positioning, e.g., including configuring the UE to perform and report carrier phase measurements (RSCP) for one or more gNBs, carrier phase difference measurement (RSCPD), UE behavior information with respect to use of AGC gain levels that are applied by the UE, and / or other information that may be used for carrier phase positioning.

[0084] At step 2 of FIG.7, the UE receives, from LMF 716, at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of (e.g., OFDM) symbols during reception of positioning reference signals (PRS) for a carrier phase measurement (e.g., RSCP) for at least one gNB, and / or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements (e.g., RSCPi, RSCPj for gNBi, gnBj, respectively) for or across the plurality of gNBs or network nodes (e.g., for a carrier phase difference measurement or RSCPD). The first and second requests may be received as separate requests, or may be one request. Also, in some cases, the UE 710 may receive only the second request, which may implicitly also request the UE to apply the same automatic gain control gain level for a plurality of (e.g., OFDM) symbols during reception of positioning reference signals (PRS) for a carrier phase measurement. In addition, LMF 716 may indicate to the UE 710 to use an AGC gain level during reception of PRS for carrier phase measurements for the adjacent (or neighbor) gNBs 714 same as that used for a reference gNB (e.g., serving gNB 712). Also, LMF 716 may indicate to UE 710 a set of gNBs for which a same AGC gain level may be applied during reception of PRS signals for carrier phase measurements (for measurements of RSCP). For example, in terms of indicating a set of gNBs for which a same AGC gain level may be applied for RSCP measurements, LMF 716 may derive a set of gNBs with roughly UE location / distance knowledge with the gNBs, and using a certain pathloss model, for which a same AGC level within certain margin is applicable. For example, LMF 716 may indicate a set of gNBs that have approximately (e.g., within a threshold of each other) that same pathloss or signal attenuation to the UE, so that the UE 710 may apply a same AGC gain level during reception of PRS signals for carrier phase measurements.

[0085] An application of UE ranging may require only one RSCP measurement from the UE, and the UE 710 applying a fixed AGC gain level during reception of symobols of PRS signals for a RSCP (carrier phase) measurement may eliminate AGC gain level induced phase offset errors in a UE ranging calculation, or in a UE positioning (which requires multiple RSCP measurements with respect to different gNBs).

[0086] At steps 3 and 4 of FIG.7, serving gNB 712 and neighbor gNB(s) 714 transmit downlink positioning reference signals (DL PRS), which are received by UE 710.

[0087] At step 5 of FIG.7, based on the DL PRS signals, UE 710 performs a carrier phase measurement (RSCP) for each gNB, e.g., measures RSCPi for gNBi and RSCPj for gNBj, e.g., based on the received DL PRS signals from each of the gNBs. The UE 710 may determine, based on at least one of capabilities of the UE 710 or channel conditions, at least one of the following: whether or not the UE 710 can apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or whether or not the UE 710 can apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0088] At step 6 of FIG.7, UE 710 may determine the AGC gain level(s) applied during reception (and / or measurement) of PRS signals for each carrier phase measurement (for each RSCP measurement), for each gNB, including whether one AGC level was used for the DL PRS for each RSCP measurement or multiple AGC gain levels were used for each RSCP measurement. A DL PRS may include multiple orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) symbols, and a same AGC gain level may be applied by the UE 710 when receiving these OFDM symbols for a RSCP measurement, or UE 710 may apply different AGC gain levels when receiving these OFDM symbols of the PRS for a RSCP measurement, e.g., based on the UE’s capabilities and / or channel conditions.

[0089] At step 7 of FIG.7, the UE 710 reports to the LMF (via serving gNB 712) the RSCP measurement for each gNB, e.g., UE 710 may report RSCPi (carrier phase measurement) measured with respect to gNBi, RSCPj measured with respect to gNBj, …for the gNBs for which UE 710 measured RSCP. At step 8, UE 710 reports its AGC behavior for each of the RSCP measurements, e.g., including whether UE 710 applied a single AGC gain level or multiple AGC gain levels during reception of PRS for each RSCP (carrier phase) measurement, and the AGC gain level(s) applied by the UE 710 during reception of PRS for the RSCP measurement. Thus, for example, UE 710 may report to LMF 716 (e.g., for each carrier phase measurement) the carrier phase measurement (RSCP) and a first AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase measurement indicating whether or not a fixed AGC gain level was applied during reception of the PRS for the carrier phase measurement. As noted, the UE 701 may report the AGC gain level(s) applied during PRS reception for the RSCP measurement. UE 710 may, for example, indicate that one or more AGC gain levels applied during PRS reception for a RSCP measurement were the same as one or more AGC gain levels applied by UE 710 during PRS reception for a previous RSCP measurement instance.

[0090] At step 9 of FIG.7, UE 710 may determine one or more carrier phase difference measurements (RSCPD), e.g., based on carrier phase measurements (e.g., RSCPi, RSCPj) for multiple network nodes or gNBs, measured or determined in step 5 of FIG.7. As noted above, in step 2, the UE 710 may receive a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of PRS for carrier phase measurements (e.g., RSCPi, RSCPj for gNBi, gNBj, respectively) for or across the plurality of gNBs (e.g., gNBi, gNBj, e.g., which may be serving gNB 712 and neighbor gNB 714) (e.g., for a carrier phase difference measurement or RSCPD). As noted, a UE’s possible use of different AGC gain levels to measure RSCPi and RSCPj can introduce AGC gain level- induced phase offsets in the RSCP (carrier phase measurements) for RSCPi and RSCPj, which may cause errors in RSCPD, and thus typically cause errors or inaccuracies in UE positioning. Thus, to the extent the UE 710 is able (e.g., based on the UE’s capabilities and / or channel conditions with respect to these gNBs) to apply a same AGC gain level for the multiple RSCP measurements (e.g., during reception of PRS for measurement of RSCPi and RSCPj), this may eliminate the AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in RSCPD, thereby increasing accuracy of UE positioning. For example, the UE 710 may determine if it can use the same AGC gain level during reception of PRS for measuring RSCPi and RSCPj (e.g., for performing carrier phase measurements for serving gNB 712 and neighbor gNB 714). If the UE is unable to apply a same AGC gain level for these two RSCP measurements, then the UE might apply different AGC gain levels during PRS reception for these two RSCP measurements.

[0091] At step 10 of FIG.7, the UE 710 may determine the AGC gain level(s) applied during reception of PRS for measuring RSCP (carrier phase measurement) of serving gNB 712 and neighbor gNB 712 (e.g., RSCPi and RSCPj), for each RSCPD (carrier phase difference) measurement. This AGC gain level(s) applied might be one (the same) gain level if the UE 710 has this ability to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of PRS for measurement of RSCPi and RSCPj for a RSCPD. Otherwise, the applied AGC gain level(s) may be multiple (or a plurality of) AGC gain levels that are applied by the UE 710 for the RSCP measurements for the RSCPD.

[0092] At step 11 of FIG.7, UE 710 reports to LMF 716 one or more RSCPD measurements. UE 710 may also report the RSCP measurements as well, if not previously reported to the LMF 716. At step 12 of FIG.7, UE 710 may report to LMF 716 a second AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase difference measurement indicating whether or not a same AGC gain level was applied during reception of PRS for the carrier phase (RSCPi, RSCPj) measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement (RSCPD). The one or more AGC gain value applied by the UE during PRS reception for RSCP measurements for the RSCPD may be reported to the LMF 716. Also, for example, the RSCP measurements (reported by UE 710 to LMF 716 at step 7, e.g., RSPCi, RSCPj), RSCPD measurement(s) (reported by UE 710 to LMF 716 at step 11), and / or AGC behavior information (e.g., reported by UE 710 to LMF 716 at steps 8 and 12) may be reported by UE 710 (e.g., via serving gNB 712) to LMF 716 within one message, or within or among multiple messages or signals.

[0093] At step 13 of FIG.7, the LMF 716, based on the reported RSCP measurements, RSCPD and / or reported behavior information, may estimate position of the UE (e.g., estimate or determine UE position for UE 710). For example, at step 13, the LMF 716 may estimate UE position if a same AGC gain level was applied for the RSCP measurements (RSCPi, RSCPj) for the RSCPD. Thus, for example, the LMF 716 may estimate position of the UE 710 based at least on the carrier phase difference measurement (RSCPD) if the second AGC behavior information for the RSCPD indicates that the same AGC gain level was applied by the UE 710 during reception of PRS for carrier phase measurements (e.g., RSCPi, RSCPj) for the carrier phase difference measurement (RSCPD).

[0094] Also, for example, at step 14 of FIG.7, if the UE 710 applied different AGC gain levels during PRS reception for the multiple RSCP measurements for the RSCPD, the LMF 716 may take one or more additional actions. For example, LMF 716 may perform at least one of the following if the second AGC behavior information for the carrier phase difference measurement (RSCPD) indicates that the same AGC gain levels were not applied by UE during reception of PRS for carrier phase measurements (e.g., RSCPi, RSCPj) for the carrier phase difference measurement (RSCPD): 1) adjust or filter one or more of the carrier phase measurements (RSCPi, RSCPj) or the carrier phase difference measurement (RSCPj) based on AGC gain levels of the UE, and then determine position of the UE based at least on the adjusted or filtered carrier phase measurements or carrier phase difference measurement; and / or 2) transmit a request to the UE 710 to re-perform, or determine again, the carrier phase measurements (RSCPi, RSCPj) and determine a (e.g., updated) carrier phase difference measurement (RSCPD).

[0095] FIG.8 is a diagram illustrating operation according to another example embodiment. According to an example embodiment, with reference to FIG.8, if the UE 710 cannot (e.g., is unable, possibly due to its capabilities and / or due to channel conditions) apply a same AGC gain level for the RSCP measurements for the RSCPD measurement, the UE may estimate AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with each of the carrier phase measurements (e.g., associated with RSCPi and RSCPj). The UE may then either: 1) correct the AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in the carrier phase measurements (RSCPi, RSCPj) and / or the carrier phase difference (RSCPD) measurement and then report the corrected RSCP measurements and / or corrected RSCPD measurement to the LMF 716; or 2) the UE 710 reports the estimated AGC gain level-induced phase offsets for each carrier phase (RSCPi, RSCPj) to the LMF 716 (e.g., possibly with RSCP and RSCPD measurements), e.g., to allow the LMF 716 to correct these AGC gain level- induced phase offsets in the RSCP and / or RSCPD measurements. As an illustrative example, UE 710 may estimate AGC gain level-induced phase offset for RSCPi, and AGC gain level-induced offset for RSCPj, and UE 710 or LMF 716 may subtract these two AGC gain level-induced offsets to remove the AGC gain level-induced offset error from the RSCPD measurement, or from RSCPi and RSCPj before determining RSCPD.

[0096] At step 1 of FIG.8, LMF 716 may initiate the UE 710 for carrier phase positioning, or may configure UE 710 for carrier phase positioning. At step 2, UE 710 may receive, from the LMF 716, a request for the UE to report its capabilities to perform measurement (e.g., self-measurement or calibration), reporting and / or correction of AGC gain level-induced phase offsets during carrier phase (RSCP) measurements of a plurality of gNBs or network nodes. AGC gain level-induced phase offset calibration may be or may include estimating the AGC gain level-induced phase offset for each gain level, e.g., based on UE self measurement. At step 3, the UE 710 may report or transmit, to the LMF 716, a response indicating capabilities of the UE to perform measurement (e.g., UE self- measurement or calibration), reporting and / or correction of AGC gain level-induced phase offsets during carrier phase measurements.

[0097] At step 5 of FIG.8, UE 710 may receive from LMF 716 a request to perform AGC gain level-induced phase offset measurement and / or correction for RSCPD measurement. For example, UE 710 may receive from LMF 716 a request for the UE to perform measurement and / or correction of AGC gain level-induced phase offsets resulting from applying different AGC gain levels during reception of PRS for carrier phase measurements for or across a plurality of network nodes. At step 6 of FIG.8, UE 710 may perform self-measurement (calibration) for AGC gain level-induced phase offsets for different gain levels that may be applied by the AGC. This self-measurement or calibration may include UE 710 estimating AGC gain level-induced phase offsets for each of a plurality of gain levels (e.g., see FIG.2 for examples of different gain levels that may be applied based on power or amplitude of received signal, such as gain levels A, B, C, D, etc.). The UE 710 may estimate these phase offsets periodically or regularly (e.g., when the UE or device is not being used for transmitting or receiving a signal), or the UE 710 may estimate these phase offsets in advance, and store them in memory for future use. Or these phase offsets may be estimated by a system or during device production or post-manufacturing test of a UE, and then stored in UE memory.

[0098] FIG.9 is a diagram illustrating a UE performing self-measurement or calibration of AGC gain level-induced phase offsets for different AGC gain levels according to an example embodiment. UE 710 may include a transmitter 910, an AGC 920 and a receiver 930. While operating in a loop-back (or self-test) mode, transmitter 910 generates a signal at level X dBm, which is input to AGC 920. AGC 920 detects the power or amplitude (X dBm) of the received signal, and applies an AGC gain level (e.g., gain level A, B, C or D, as shown in FIG.2, as an illustrative example). AGC 920 outputs a signal 922 that is phase shifted based on the AGC gain level-induced phase offset (e.g., a different phase offset caused by AGC 920 based on a different gain level applied by AGC 920). Receiver 930 detects or estimates the phase offset in signal 922 by comparing (or subtracting) the phase of the signal 922 output by AGC 920 with the phase of training signal 912. This process may be repeated for each of a number of different signal levels and / or for different AGC gain levels. If the UE 710 is provided with assistance information, such as pathloss range (e.g., which may provide an indication of likely signal attenuation a signal is likely to undergo between a gNB and UE 710, thus indicating AGC gain levels that would most likely be used), then the UE may need to perform calibration or self-measurement of phase offsets only for a subset or some of the AGC gain levels. If no assistance information is provided to the UE 710 with respect to a gNB, then the UE 710 may perform self-measurement of AGC gain level-induced phase offsets for all of its gain levels, or for a set of gain levels that may be selected by the UE without assistance information. Therefore, for example, LMF 716, may provide UE 710 with assistance information (such as a pathloss range) for one or more gNBs to allow the UE to reduce the number of gain levels for which the UE will perform estimation of AGC gain level- induced phased offsets. For example, LMF 716 may derive pathloss range based on rough UE location and a pathloss model, or based on available previous RSRP / RSPP measurements by the UE with respect to the gNB.

[0099] At step 7 of FIG.8, UE may perform carrier phase (RSCP) measurement and carrier phase (RSCPD) measurement based on PRS signals received by UE from the gNB. UE 710 may also determine the AGC gain level applied during reception of PRS signals for each of the RSCP measurements (for each gNB). This may be performed for multiple gNBs, such as gNBi, gNBj, …

[0100] Steps 8-10 of FIG.8 describe an embodiment in which the UE 710 compensates for (or corrects) AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in RSCP and / or RSCPD measurements. Steps 11-13 describe another embodiment in which the UE 710 provides estimated AGC gain level-induced phase offsets for each RSCP measurement to LMF 716, and LMF 716 corrects or compensates for the AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in the RSCP and / or RSCPD measurements.

[0101] At step 9 of FIG.8, UE 710 may estimate AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase (RSCPi, RSCPj, …) measurements of a plurality of gNBs (or network nodes), e.g., based on the applied AGC gain level during PRS reception for the RSCP measurement and the stored self-measurement values of phase offsets for each AGC gain level. For example, the UE may determine the AGC gain level- induced offset that corresponds to the applied AGC gain level during PRS reception for the RSCP measurement. Also, at step 9, for each RSCP measurement, and / or for RSCPD measurement, UE 710 may compensate for (or correct) AGC gain level-induced phase offset(s) for the RSCP measurements and / or RSCPD measurement. For example, the AGC gain level-induced phase offset corresponding to the applied gain level for the RSCP measurement may be subtracted from the phase of the RSCP, or the two phase offsets of the RSCPi and RSCPj may be subtracted for the RSCPD, e.g., in order to compensate for (or correct) the AGC gain level-induced phase offsets. Thus, at step 9, UE 710 may correct the AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in the carrier phase measurements (e.g., RSCPi, RSCPj) and / or a carrier phase difference measurement (RSCPD), and at step 10, the UE 710 may report to LMF 716 the corrected carrier phase measurements (corrected RSCPi and corrected RSCPj) and / or the corrected carrier phase difference (corrected RSCPD) measurement.

[0102] At step 12, UE 710 may report to LMF 716 the measured (but not yet corrected, since in this embodiment, maybe the UE does not or cannot perform phase offset correction, for example) RSCP measurements and / or RSCPD measurement, the applied AGC gain levels and / or the associated (or corresponding) AGC gain level-induced phase offsets for each of the RSCP measurements, e.g., to allow the LMF 716 to correct (or compensate for) the AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in RSCP and / or RSCPD measurements. At step 13 of FIG.8, LMF 716 may perform AGC gain level-induced compensation or correction on the carrier phase (e.g., RSCPi, RSCPj) measurements and / or the carrier phase difference (RSCPD) measurement to obtain calculated corrected carrier phase measurements and a calculated corrected carrier phase difference measurement.

[0103] At step 14, LMF 716 may estimate UE position, e.g., based on the corrected (corrected by either UE or LMF) RSCP and / or RSCPD measurements.

[0104] Some Examples will be described:

[0105] Example 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 at least to: receive, from a location management function (LMF), at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes; perform at least one of a carrier phase measurement for at least one of the plurality of network nodes according to the first request, or a carrier phase difference measurement based on carrier phase measurements of at least two of the plurality of network nodes according to the second request; and report to the LMF at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0106] Example 2. The apparatus of example 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: determine, based on at least one of capabilities of the apparatus or channel conditions, at least one of the following: whether or not the apparatus can apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or whether or not the apparatus can apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0107] Example 3. The apparatus of example 2, wherein the apparatus is further caused to, based on the determination, send an indication to the LMF indicating at least one of whether or not the apparatus can apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or whether or not the apparatus can apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0108] Example 4. The apparatus of any of examples 1-3, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: report to the LMF, one or more AGC gain levels applied by the apparatus for the at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0109] Example 5. The apparatus of example 4, wherein if the apparatus is unable to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise a plurality of AGC gain levels used for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, and if the apparatus is able to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise the fixed AGC gain level.

[0110] Example 6. The apparatus of any of examples 4 or 5, wherein if the apparatus is unable to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise a plurality of AGC gain levels used during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, and if the apparatus is able to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise the same AGC gain level.

[0111] Example 7. The apparatus of example 4, wherein when reporting the one or more AGC gain levels, the apparatus is caused to indicate to the LMF that one or more AGC gain levels used in a previous instance of carrier phase measurement or carrier phase difference measurement are applied.

[0112] Example 8. The apparatus of any of examples 1-7, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: receive from the LMF, an indication of a set of network nodes for which the apparatus may apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0113] Example 9. The apparatus of any of examples 1-8, wherein the apparatus is further caused to receive, from the LMF, an indication to apply an AGC gain level that is used by the apparatus during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurement of a reference network node or serving network node during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurement of one or more other network nodes.

[0114] Example 10. The apparatus of any of examples 1-9, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: report, to the LMF, at least one of a first AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase measurement indicating whether or not a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level was applied during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or a second AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase difference measurement indicating whether or not a same AGC gain level was applied during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0115] Example 11. A method performed by an apparatus such as for example, a user device, comprising: receiving, from a location management function (LMF), at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes; performing at least one of a carrier phase measurement for at least one of the plurality of network nodes according to the first request, or a carrier phase difference measurement based on carrier phase measurements of at least two of the plurality of network nodes according to the second request; and reporting to the LMF at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0116] Example 12. The method of example 11, further comprising: determining, based on at least one of capabilities of the apparatus or channel conditions, at least one of the following: whether or not the apparatus can apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or whether or not the apparatus can apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0117] Example 13. The method of example 12, further comprising, based on the determination, sending an indication to the LMF indicating at least one of whether or not the apparatus can apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or whether or not the apparatus can apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0118] Example 14. The method of any of examples 11-13, further comprising: reporting to the LMF, one or more AGC gain levels applied by the apparatus for the at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0119] Example 15. The method of example 14, comprising: wherein if the apparatus is unable to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise a plurality of AGC gain levels used for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, and if the apparatus is able to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise the fixed AGC gain level.

[0120] Example 16. The method of any of examples 14 or 15, comprising: wherein if the apparatus is unable to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise a plurality of AGC gain levels used during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, and if the apparatus is able to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise the same AGC gain level.

[0121] Example 17. The method of example 14, wherein the reporting the one or more AGC gain levels comprises indicating to the LMF that one or more AGC gain levels used in a previous instance of carrier phase measurement or carrier phase difference measurement are applied.

[0122] Example 18. The method of any of examples 11-17, further comprising: receiving from the LMF, an indication of a set of network nodes for which the apparatus may apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0123] Example 19. The method of any of examples 11-18, further comprising: receiving, from the LMF, an indication to apply an AGC gain level that is used by the apparatus during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurement of a reference network node or serving network node during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurement of one or more other network nodes.

[0124] Example 20. The method of any of examples 11-19, further comprising: reporting, to the LMF, at least one of a first AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase measurement indicating whether or not a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level was applied during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or a second AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase difference measurement indicating whether or not a same AGC gain level was applied during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0125] Example 21. 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 at least to: transmit to a user device, at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes; and receive from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0126] Example 22. The apparatus of example 21, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: receive an indication indicating at least one of whether or not the user device can apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or whether or not the user device can apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0127] Example 23. The apparatus of any of examples 21-22, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: receive from the user device, an indication of one or more AGC gain levels applied by the user device for the at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0128] Example 24. The apparatus of example 23, wherein if the user device is unable to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise a plurality of AGC gain levels used for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, and if the user device is able to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise the fixed AGC gain level.

[0129] Example 25. The apparatus of any of examples 23 or 24, wherein if the user device is unable to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise a plurality of AGC gain levels used during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, and if the user device is able to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise the same AGC gain level.

[0130] Example 26. The apparatus of example 23, wherein when receiving the indication of one or more AGC gain levels, the apparatus is caused to receive an indication that one or more AGC gain levels used in a previous instance of carrier phase measurement or carrier phase difference measurement are applied.

[0131] Example 27. The apparatus of any of examples 21-26, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: transmit to the user device, an indication of a set of network nodes for which the user device may apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0132] Example 28. The apparatus of any of examples 21-27, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: transmit to the user device, an indication for the user device to apply an AGC gain level that is used by the user device during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurement of a reference network node or serving network node during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurement of one or more other network nodes.

[0133] Example 29. The apparatus of any of examples 21-28, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: receive from the user device, at least one of a first AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase measurement indicating whether or not a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level was applied during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or a second AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase difference measurement indicating whether or not a same AGC gain level was applied during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0134] Example 30. The apparatus of any of examples 21-29, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: estimate a position of the user device based at least on the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0135] Example 31. The apparatus of example 30, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform at least one of the following: adjusting or filtering one or more of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement based on AGC gain levels of the user device, and wherein the estimating the position of the user device is based at least on the adjusted or filtered carrier phase measurements or carrier phase difference measurement; or transmitting a request to the user device to re-perform, or determine again, the carrier phase measurements and determine a carrier phase difference measurement.

[0136] Example 32. A method performed by an apparatus such as for example, a LMF, comprising: transmitting to a user device, at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes; and receiving from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0137] Example 33. The method of example 32, further comprising: receiving an indication indicating at least one of whether or not the user device can apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or whether or not the user device can apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0138] Example 34. The method of any of examples 32-33, further comprising: receiving from the user device, an indication of one or more AGC gain levels applied by the user device for the at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0139] Example 35. The method of example 34, comprising: wherein if the user device is unable to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise a plurality of AGC gain levels used for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, and if the user device is able to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise the fixed AGC gain level.

[0140] Example 36. The method of any of examples 34 or 35, comprising: wherein if the user device is unable to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise a plurality of AGC gain levels used during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, and if the user device is able to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise the same AGC gain level.

[0141] Example 37. The method of example 34, wherein the receiving the indication of one or more AGC gain levels comprises receiving an indication that one or more AGC gain levels used in a previous instance of carrier phase measurement or carrier phase difference measurement are applied.

[0142] Example 38. The method of any of examples 32-37, further comprising: transmitting to the user device, an indication of a set of network nodes for which the user device may apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0143] Example 39. The method of any of examples 32-38, further comprising: transmitting to the user device, an indication for the user device to apply an AGC gain level that is used by the user device during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurement of a reference network node or serving network node during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurement of one or more other network nodes.

[0144] Example 40. The method of any of examples 32-39, further comprising: receiving from the user device, at least one of a first AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase measurement indicating whether or not a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level was applied during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or a second AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase difference measurement indicating whether or not a same AGC gain level was applied during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0145] Example 41. The method of any of examples 32-40, further comprising: estimating a position of the user device based at least on the carrier phase difference measurement.

[0146] Example 42. The method of example 41, further comprising performing at least one of the following: adjusting or filtering one or more of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement based on AGC gain levels of the user device, and wherein the estimating the position of the user device is based at least on the adjusted or filtered carrier phase measurements or carrier phase difference measurement; or transmitting a request to the user device to re-perform, or determine again, the carrier phase measurements and determine a carrier phase difference measurement.

[0147] Example 43. 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 at least to: receive, from a location management function (LMF), a request for the apparatus to perform measurement and / or correction of automatic gain control (AGC) gain level-induced phase offsets resulting from applying different AGC gain levels during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across a plurality of network nodes; estimate AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes; and perform at least one of the following: correcting the AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in at least one of the carrier phase measurements or a carrier phase difference measurement, and reporting at least one of the corrected carrier phase measurements or the corrected carrier phase difference measurement to the LMF; or reporting, to the LMF, at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement, and at least one of the AGC gain levels applied during the carrier phase measurements or the estimated AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase measurements.

[0148] Example 44. The apparatus of example 43, wherein when performing at least one of the correcting and the reporting, or the reporting, the apparatus is caused to: correct the AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement; and report, to the LMF, at least one of the corrected carrier phase measurements or the corrected carrier phase difference measurement.

[0149] Example 45. The apparatus of example 43, wherein when performing at least one of the correcting and the reporting, or the reporting, the apparatus is caused to: report, to the LMF, at least one of the carrier phase measurements, or the carrier phase difference measurement, and at least one of the AGC gain levels applied during the carrier phase measurements or the estimated AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase measurements.

[0150] Example 46. The apparatus of any of examples 43-45, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: receive, from the LMF, a request for the apparatus to reports its capabilities to perform measurement, reporting and / or correction of AGC gain level- induced phase offsets during carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes; and transmit, to the LMF, a response indicating capabilities of the apparatus to perform measurement, reporting and / or correction of AGC gain level-induced phase offsets during carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes.

[0151] Example 47. The apparatus of any of examples 43-46, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: receive, from the LMF, assistance data including a pathloss range for each of the plurality of network nodes for calibration and / or estimation of AGC gain levels and / or AGC gain level-induced phase offsets; and wherein the estimating AGC gain level- induced phase offsets is based at least in part on the pathloss range for each of the network nodes.

[0152] Example 48. A method performed by an apparatus such as for example, a user device, comprising: receiving, from a location management function (LMF), a request for the apparatus to perform measurement and / or correction of automatic gain control (AGC) gain level-induced phase offsets resulting from applying different AGC gain levels during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across a plurality of network nodes; estimating AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes; and performing at least one of the following: correcting the AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in at least one of the carrier phase measurements or a carrier phase difference measurement, and reporting at least one of the corrected carrier phase measurements or the corrected carrier phase difference measurement to the LMF; or reporting, to the LMF, at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement, and at least one of the AGC gain levels applied during the carrier phase measurements or the estimated AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase measurements.

[0153] Example 49. The method of example 48, wherein the performing at least one of the correcting and reporting, or the reporting, comprises: correcting the AGC gain level- induced phase offsets in at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement; and reporting, to the LMF, at least one of the corrected carrier phase measurements or the corrected carrier phase difference measurement.

[0154] Example 50. The method of example 48, wherein the performing at least one of the correcting and reporting, or the reporting, comprises: reporting, to the LMF, at least one of the carrier phase measurements, or the carrier phase difference measurement, and at least one of the AGC gain levels applied during the carrier phase measurements or the estimated AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase measurements.

[0155] Example 51. The method of any of examples 48-50, further comprising: receiving, from the LMF, a request for the apparatus to reports its capabilities to perform measurement, reporting and / or correction of AGC gain level-induced phase offsets during carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes; and transmitting, to the LMF, a response indicating capabilities of the apparatus to perform measurement, reporting and / or correction of AGC gain level-induced phase offsets during carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes.

[0156] Example 52. The method of any of examples 48-51, further comprising: receiving, from the LMF, assistance data including a pathloss range for each of the plurality of network nodes for calibration and / or estimation of AGC gain levels and / or AGC gain level-induced phase offsets; and wherein the estimating AGC gain level- induced phase offsets is based at least in part on the pathloss range for each of the network nodes.

[0157] Example 53. 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 at least to: transmit to a user device, a request for the user device to perform measurement and / or correction of automatic gain control (AGC) gain level-induced phase offsets resulting from the user device applying different AGC gain levels during carrier phase measurements of a plurality of network nodes; and perform at least one of the following: receiving from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurements or a carrier phase difference measurement, and at least one of AGC gain levels applied by the user device during the carrier phase measurements or estimated AGC gain level- induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase measurements, and performing AGC gain level-induced compensation or correction on at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement to obtain at least one of calculated corrected carrier phase measurements or a calculated corrected carrier phase difference measurement; or receiving from the user device, at least one of corrected carrier phase measurements or a corrected carrier phase difference measurement in which AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement have been corrected by the user device.

[0158] Example 54. The apparatus of example 53, wherein when performing at least one of the receiving and the correcting, or the receiving, the apparatus is caused to: receive from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement, and at least one of the AGC gain levels applied by the user device during the carrier phase measurements or the estimated AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase measurements, and perform AGC gain level- induced compensation or correction on at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement to obtain at least one of the calculated corrected carrier phase measurements or the calculated corrected carrier phase difference measurement.

[0159] Example 55. The apparatus of example 53, wherein when performing at least one of the receiving and the correcting, or the receiving, the apparatus is caused to: receive from the user device, at least one of the corrected carrier phase measurements or the corrected carrier phase difference measurement in which AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement have been corrected by the user device.

[0160] Example 56. The apparatus of any of examples 53-55, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: transmit to the user device, a request for the user device to report its capabilities to perform measurement, reporting and / or correction of AGC gain level- induced phase offsets during carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes; and receive from the user device, a response indicating capabilities of the user device to perform measurement, reporting and / or correction of AGC gain level-induced phase offsets during carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes.

[0161] Example 57. The apparatus of any of examples 53-56, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: transmit to the user device, assistance data including a pathloss range for each of the plurality of network nodes for calibration and / or estimation of AGC gain levels and / or AGC gain level-induced phase offsets.

[0162] Example 58. The apparatus of any of examples 53-57, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: estimate position of the user device based at least on either: 1) at least one of the received corrected carrier phase measurements or the received corrected carrier phase difference measurement received from the user device, or 2) at least one of the calculated corrected carrier phase measurements or the calculated corrected carrier phase difference measurement.

[0163] Example 59. A method performed by an apparatus such as for example, a LMF, comprising: transmitting to a user device, a request for the user device to perform measurement and / or correction of automatic gain control (AGC) gain level-induced phase offsets resulting from the user device applying different AGC gain levels during carrier phase measurements of a plurality of network nodes; and performing at least one of the following: receiving from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurements or a carrier phase difference measurement, and at least one of AGC gain levels applied by the user device during the carrier phase measurements or estimated AGC gain level- induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase measurements, and performing AGC gain level-induced compensation or correction on at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement to obtain at least one of calculated corrected carrier phase measurements or a calculated corrected carrier phase difference measurement; or receiving from the user device, at least one of corrected carrier phase measurements or a corrected carrier phase difference measurement in which AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement have been corrected by the user device.

[0164] Example 60. The method of example 59, wherein the performing at least one of the receiving and the correcting, or the receiving, comprises: receiving from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement, and at least one of the AGC gain levels applied by the user device during the carrier phase measurements or the estimated AGC gain level-induced phase offsets associated with the carrier phase measurements, and performing AGC gain level-induced compensation or correction on at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement to obtain at least one of the calculated corrected carrier phase measurements or the calculated corrected carrier phase difference measurement.

[0165] Example 61. The method of example 59, wherein the performing at least one of the receiving and the correcting, or the receiving, comprises: receiving from the user device, at least one of the corrected carrier phase measurements or the corrected carrier phase difference measurement in which AGC gain level-induced phase offsets in at least one of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement have been corrected by the user device.

[0166] Example 62. The method of any of examples 59-61, further comprising: transmitting to the user device, a request for the user device to report its capabilities to perform measurement, reporting and / or correction of AGC gain level-induced phase offsets during carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes; and receive from the user device, a response indicating capabilities of the user device to perform measurement, reporting and / or correction of AGC gain level-induced phase offsets during carrier phase measurements of the plurality of network nodes.

[0167] Example 63. The method of any of examples 59-62, further comprising: transmitting to the user device, assistance data including a pathloss range for each of the plurality of network nodes for calibration and / or estimation of AGC gain levels and / or AGC gain level-induced phase offsets.

[0168] Example 64. The method of any of examples 59-63, further comprising: estimating position of the user device based at least on either: 1) at least one of the received corrected carrier phase measurements or the received corrected carrier phase difference measurement received from the user device, or 2) at least one of the calculated corrected carrier phase measurements or the calculated corrected carrier phase difference measurement.

[0169] FIG.10 is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., UE, user device, AP, BS, eNB, gNB, RAN node, network node, TRP, or other node) 1300 according to an example embodiment. The wireless station 1300 may include, for example, one or more (e.g., two as shown in FIG.10) RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers 1302A, 1302B, where each wireless transceiver includes a transmitter to transmit signals and a receiver to receive signals. The wireless station also includes a processor or control unit / entity (controller) 1304 to execute instructions or software and control transmission and receptions of signals, and a memory 1306 to store data and / or instructions.

[0170] Processor 1304 may also make decisions or determinations, generate frames, packets or messages for transmission, decode received frames or messages for further processing, and other tasks or functions described herein. Processor 1304, which may be a baseband processor, for example, may generate messages, packets, frames or other signals for transmission via wireless transceiver 1302 (1302A or 1302B). Processor 1304 may control transmission of signals or messages over a wireless network, and may control the reception of signals or messages, etc., via a wireless network (e.g., after being down- converted by wireless transceiver 1302, for example). Processor 1304 may be programmable and capable of executing software or other instructions stored in memory or on other computer media to perform the various tasks and functions described above, such as one or more of the tasks or methods described above. Processor 1304 may be (or may include), for example, hardware, programmable logic, a programmable processor that executes software or firmware, and / or any combination of these. Using other terminology, processor 1304 and transceiver 1302 together may be considered as a wireless transmitter / receiver system, for example.

[0171] In addition, referring to FIG.10, a controller (or processor) 1308 may execute software and instructions, and may provide overall control for the station 1300, and may provide control for other systems not shown in FIG.10, such as controlling input / output devices (e.g., display, keypad), and / or may execute software for one or more applications that may be provided on wireless station 1300, such as, for example, an email program, audio / video applications, a word processor, a Voice over IP application, or other application or software.

[0172] In addition, a storage medium may be provided that includes stored instructions, which when executed by a controller or processor may result in the processor 1304, or other controller or processor, performing one or more of the functions or tasks described above.

[0173] According to another example embodiment, RF or wireless transceiver(s) 1302A / 1302B may receive signals or data and / or transmit or send signals or data. Processor 1304 (and possibly transceivers 1302A / 1302B) may control the RF or wireless transceiver 1302A or 1302B to receive, send, broadcast or transmit signals or data.

[0174] Example embodiments are provided or described for each of the example methods, including: An apparatus (e.g., 1300, FIG.10) including means (e.g., processor 1304, RF transceivers 1302A and / or 1302B, and / or memory 1306, in FIG.10) for carrying out any of the methods; a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., memory 1306, FIG.10) comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor (processor 1304, FIG.10), are configured to cause a computing system (e.g., 1300, FIG.10) to perform any of the example methods; and an apparatus (e.g., 1300, FIG. 10) including at least one processor (e.g., processor 1304, FIG.10), and at least one memory (e.g., memory 1306, FIG.10) including computer program code, the at least one memory (1306) and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor (1304), cause the apparatus (e.g., 1300) at least to perform any of the example methods.

[0175] Embodiments of the various techniques described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Embodiments may be implemented as a computer program product, i.e., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine-readable storage device or in a propagated signal, for execution by, or to control the operation of, a data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers. Embodiments may also be provided on a computer readable medium or computer readable storage medium, which may be a non-transitory medium. Embodiments of the various techniques may also include embodiments provided via transitory signals or media, and / or programs and / or software embodiments that are downloadable via the Internet or other network(s), either wired networks and / or wireless networks. In addition, embodiments may be provided via machine type communications (MTC), and also via an Internet of Things (IOT).

[0176] As used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ or “circuit” refers to all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of circuits and soft-ware (and / or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of processor(s) or (ii) portions of processor(s) / software including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus to perform various functions, and (c) circuits, such as 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 in this application. As a further example, as used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term ‘circuitry’ would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or another network device.

[0177] The computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some sort of carrier, distribution medium, or computer readable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Such carriers include a record medium, computer memory, read- only memory, photoelectrical and / or electrical carrier signal, telecommunications signal, and software distribution package, for example. Depending on the processing power needed, the computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer, or it may be distributed amongst a number of computers.

[0178] Furthermore, embodiments of the various techniques described herein may use a cyber-physical system (CPS) (a system of collaborating computational elements controlling physical entities). CPS may enable the embodiment and exploitation of massive amounts of interconnected ICT devices (sensors, actuators, processors microcontrollers,...) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber physical systems, in which the physical system in question has inherent mobility, are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robotics and electronics transported by humans or animals. The rise in popularity of smartphones has increased interest in the area of mobile cyber-physical systems. Therefore, various embodiments of techniques described herein may be provided via one or more of these technologies.

[0179] A computer program, such as the computer program(s) described above, can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and can be deployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit or part of it suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

[0180] Method steps may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing a computer program or computer program portions to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. Method steps also may be performed by, and an apparatus may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).

[0181] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer, chip or chipset. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. Elements of a computer may include at least one processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer also may include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0182] To provide for interaction with a user, embodiments may be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor, for displaying information to the user and a user interface, such as a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

[0183] Embodiments may be implemented in a computing system that includes a backend component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a frontend component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an embodiment, or any combination of such backend, middleware, or frontend components. Components may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN), e.g., the Internet.

[0184] While certain features of the described embodiments have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the various embodiments.

Claims

WHAT 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 at least to: receive, from a location management function (LMF), at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes; perform at least one of a carrier phase measurement for at least one of the plurality of network nodes according to the first request, or a carrier phase difference measurement based on carrier phase measurements of at least two of the plurality of network nodes according to the second request; and report to the LMF at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: determine, based on at least one of capabilities of the apparatus or channel conditions, at least one of the following: whether or not the apparatus can apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or whether or not the apparatus can apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus is further caused to, based on the determination, send an indication to the LMF indicating at least one of whether or not the apparatus can apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or whether or not the apparatus can apply a same AGC gain level duringreception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 1-3, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: report to the LMF, one or more AGC gain levels applied by the apparatus for the at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein if the apparatus is unable to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise a plurality of AGC gain levels used for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, and if the apparatus is able to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise the fixed AGC gain level.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 4 or 5, wherein if the apparatus is unable to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise a plurality of AGC gain levels used during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, and if the apparatus is able to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise the same AGC gain level.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein when reporting the one or more AGC gain levels, the apparatus is caused to indicate to the LMF that one or more AGC gain levels used in a previous instance of carrier phase measurement or carrier phase difference measurement are applied.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 1-7, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:receive from the LMF, an indication of a set of network nodes for which the apparatus may apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes for the carrier phase difference measurement.

9. The apparatus of any of claims 1-8, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: receive, from the LMF, an indication to apply an AGC gain level that is used by the apparatus during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurement of a reference network node or serving network node during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurement of one or more other network nodes.

10. The apparatus of any of claims 1-9, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: report, to the LMF, at least one of a first AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase measurement indicating whether or not a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level was applied during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or a second AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase difference measurement indicating whether or not a same AGC gain level was applied during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

11. 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 at least to: transmit to a user device, at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes; and receive from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: receive an indication indicating at least one of whether or not the user device can apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or whether or not the user device can apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

13. The apparatus of any of claims 11-12, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: receive from the user device, an indication of one or more AGC gain levels applied by the user device for the at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein if the user device is unable to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise a plurality of AGC gain levels used for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, and if the user device is able to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for the plurality of symbols during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise the fixed AGC gain level.

15. The apparatus of any of claims 13 or 14, wherein if the user device is unable to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise a plurality of AGC gain levels used during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, and if the user device is able to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement, the one or more AGC gain levels comprise the same AGC gain level.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein when receiving the indication of one or more AGC gain levels, the apparatus is caused to receive an indication that one or more AGC gain levels used in a previous instance of carrier phase measurement or carrier phase difference measurement are applied.

17. The apparatus of any of claims 11-16, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: transmit to the user device, an indication of a set of network nodes for which the user device may apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes for the carrier phase difference measurement.

18. The apparatus of any of claims 11-17, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: transmit to the user device, an indication for the user device to apply an AGC gain level that is used by the user device during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurement of a reference network node or serving network node during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurement of one or more other network nodes.

19. The apparatus of any of claims 11-18, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: receive from the user device, at least one of a first AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase measurement indicating whether or not a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level was applied during reception of the positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurement, or a second AGC behavior information associated with the carrier phase difference measurement indicating whether or not a same AGC gain level was applied during reception of positioning reference signals for the carrier phase measurements for the carrier phase difference measurement.

20. The apparatus of any of claims 11-19, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: estimate a position of the user device based at least on the carrier phase difference measurement.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform at least one of the following:adjusting or filtering one or more of the carrier phase measurements or the carrier phase difference measurement based on AGC gain levels of the user device, and wherein the estimating the position of the user device is based at least on the adjusted or filtered carrier phase measurements or carrier phase difference measurement; or transmitting a request to the user device to re-perform, or determine again, the carrier phase measurements and determine a carrier phase difference measurement.

22. An apparatus, comprising: means for receiving, from a location management function (LMF), at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes; means for performing at least one of a carrier phase measurement for at least one of the plurality of network nodes according to the first request, or a carrier phase difference measurement based on carrier phase measurements of at least two of the plurality of network nodes according to the second request; and means for reporting to the LMF at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

23. An apparatus, comprising: means for transmitting to a user device, at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes; and means for receiving from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

24. A method, comprising: receiving, from a location management function (LMF), at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes; performing at least one of a carrier phase measurement for at least one of the plurality of network nodes according to the first request, or a carrier phase difference measurement based on carrier phase measurements of at least two of the plurality of network nodes according to the second request; and reporting to the LMF at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

25. A method, comprising: transmitting to a user device, at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes; and receiving from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

26. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor, cause a computing system to perform: receiving, from a location management function (LMF), at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes;performing at least one of a carrier phase measurement for at least one of the plurality of network nodes according to the first request, or a carrier phase difference measurement based on carrier phase measurements of at least two of the plurality of network nodes according to the second request; and reporting to the LMF at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

27. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor, cause a computing system to perform: transmitting to a user device, at least one of a first request to apply a fixed automatic gain control (AGC) gain level for a plurality of symbols during reception of positioning reference signals for a carrier phase measurement for at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes, or a second request to apply a same AGC gain level during reception of positioning reference signals for carrier phase measurements for or across the plurality of network nodes; and receiving from the user device, at least one of the carrier phase measurement, or the carrier phase difference measurement.

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