Valid area and / or non-valid area for positioning solutions

Abstract

Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus. A method performed by a UE, the method comprising sending, to a network node in a communication network, information relating to one or more positioning solutions that are used to determine the position of the UE and / or measurements for the UE.

Description

[0001] Valid area and / or non-valid area for positioning solutions

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for positioning solutions.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] The 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) has started a new work item (Wl) in New Radio (NR) Release 19 (Rel-19) related to artificial intelligence (Al) / machine learning (ML) for positioning, i.e. RP-242399 “AI / ML for NR Air Interface”.

[0006] The Al models for positioning may be trained in one or more particular areas (e.g. inside a factory, a shopping mall, a specific city, etc.) or for general scenarios. So, regarding a User Equipment (UE)-side Al model, it is beneficial for the UE to inform the network of its valid area(s) (and / or the areas that the model is not valid), or inform the network of information of whether the Al functionality(ies) and / or Al model(s) available to the UE are applicable in the current area or not.

[0007] In the capability transfer procedure of the interface (i.e. the Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP)) between the UE and the Location Management Function (LMF) in NR, the UE can reactively send ‘LPP Provide Capabilities’ to the LMF for particular position method(s), or common to multiple position methods based on the LPP Request Capabilities message from the LMF to the UE. Alternatively, the UE can proactively send ‘LPP Provide Capabilities’ to the LMF although there is no such request message from the LMF.

[0008] For the ‘assistance data’ transfer procedure in LPP, the UE may send a RequestAssistanceData message to the LMF, and then the LMF responds with a ProvideAssistanceData message to the UE that contains assistance data. The provided assistance data may match, or be a subset of, the requested assistance data, or the provided assistance data may include more assistance data than requested. Additionally, the LMF may send the ProvideAssistanceData message to the UE even without the UE sending a request for the assistance data.

[0009] The LPP procedures are not required to happen in any fixed order to provide more flexibility in positioning. Therefore, a UE may request assistance information at any time to comply with a previous request for location measurements from the LMF, and the UE may transfer capability information to the LMF at any time, e.g. if not already performed, or if there is an update.

[0010] SUMMARY

[0011] There currently exist certain challenge(s). In particular, the exchange of information relating to the validity / invalidity of an Al-based or non-AI-based positioning solution between a UE and the network is not currently supported by the 3GPP standards specification.

[0012] Certain aspects of the disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges. In particular, this disclosure provides solutions to support the exchange of information relating to valid / non-valid areas between a UE and the network for one or more positioning solution(s). Any particular positioning solution may be Al-based, or non-AI-based. As used herein, the ‘valid area’ for one functionality or model means that the functionality or model is applicable to this area, and ‘non-valid area’ for one functionality or model means that the functionality or model is not applicable in this area. In this disclosure the terms “positioning solution”, “functionality” and “model” are used generally interchangeably.

[0013] As used herein, the term “valid / non-valid area limitation” refers to an indication of whether a particular positioning solution has an area limitation. That is, the indication indicates whether the positioning solution has a limitation as to areas in which the positioning solution can provide valid position of the UE and / or valid measurement result of the UE, and / or areas in which the positioning solution cannot provide valid position and / or valid measurement result of the UE. In some embodiments the existence of a valid / non-valid area limitation can be understood as indicating that the positioning solution has one or more valid areas and / or one or more invalid areas (i.e. areas where the positioning solution is not able to provide valid position and / or valid measurement result). In these embodiments, the absence of a valid / non-valid area limitation can indicate that the positioning solution is generally applicable. In some embodiments, a single bit or flag can be used to indicate whether the positioning solution has a valid / non-valid area limitation. In these embodiments, one value of the bit or flag can indicate that the positioning solution does not have any area limitations (i.e. the positioning solution is able to provide a valid position of the UE regardless of where the UE is located), and the other value of the bit or flag can indicate that the positioning solution does have area limitations (i.e. there is at least one area that, when the UE is in that area, the positioning solution is not able to provide valid UE position and / or valid measurement result).

[0014] As used herein, the term “valid / non-valid area information” refers to information indicating the area or areas where the positioning solution is able to provide valid position and / or valid measurement result for the UE and / or indicating the area or areas where the positioning solution is unable to provide valid position and / or valid measurement result for the UE (i.e. the positioning solution is invalid for those areas). In some embodiments, the valid / non-valid area information can explicitly indicate one or more areas where the positioning solution is able to provide valid position and / or valid measurement result for the UE, and the non-valid areas are implicitly indicated (i.e. the area(s) that are not indicated as being a valid area). Alternatively, the valid / non- valid area information can explicitly indicate one or more areas where the positioning solution is not able to provide valid position and / or valid measurement result for the UE (i.e. the information indicates the non-valid area(s)), and the valid areas are implicitly indicated (i.e. the area(s) that are not indicated as being non-valid areas). In other embodiments, the valid / non-valid area information can explicitly indicate one or more areas where the positioning solution is able to provide valid position and / or valid measurement result for the UE, and explicitly indicate the areas where the positioning solution is not valid areas.

[0015] As used herein, the term “applicability information” refers to information indicating whether the UE is in an area where the positioning solution is able to provide valid position and / or valid measurement result for the UE and / or where the positioning solution is unable to provide valid position and / or valid measurement result for the UE (i.e. the positioning solution is invalid forthose areas). In some embodiments, a single bit or flag can be used to indicate whether or not the UE is in an area where the positioning solution is able to provide valid position and / or valid measurement result for the UE. That is, one value of the bit or flag can indicate that the UE is in an area where the positioning solution is able to provide valid position and / or valid measurement result for the UE, and the other value of the bit of flag indicates that the UE is in an area where the positioning solution is not able to provide valid position and / or valid measurement result for the UE.

[0016] In some embodiments, the applicability information is contained or comprised in an applicability report. The applicability information and / or applicability report can also include the valid / non-valid area information described above.

[0017] The techniques can include one or more of the following features or steps:

[0018] • A UE can: o indicate its valid / non-valid area information for the supported positioning functionality(ies) / solutions(s) via a capability message, for example a LPP ProvideCapabilities message, in a capability transfer procedure after receiving a corresponding capability transfer request from the LMF, if there is a valid / non-valid area limitation at the UE side; and o update the valid / non-valid area information for the functionality(ies) / solution(s) for which the LMF requested the UE capability if there is an update.

[0019] • A UE can: o indicate its valid / non-valid area limitation for the supported positioning functionality(ies) / solution(s) via a capability message, for example a LPP ProvideCapabilities message, in a capability transfer procedure after receiving a corresponding capability transfer request from the LMF, if there is a valid / non-valid area limitation at the UE side; and o reactively send valid / non-valid area information to the LMF via an assistance data response message or an assistance data request message once a corresponding assistance data message, for example a LPP ProvideAssistanceData message, has been received from the LMF in an assistance data transfer procedure; or o proactively send valid / non-valid area information to the LMF via an assistance data request message, for example a LPP RequestAssistanceData message, for which the LMF has sent a corresponding assistance data message, for example a LPP ProvideAssistanceData message, if there is an update to this valid / non-valid area information.

[0020] • A UE can: o indicate its valid / non-valid area limitation for the supported positioning functionality(ies) / solution(s) via a capability message, for example a LPP ProvideCapabilities message, in a capability transfer procedure after receiving a capability transfer request from the LMF if there is valid / non-valid area limitation at the UE side; and o then send the functionality(ies) / solution(s) applicability information to the LMF after receiving the assistance data message, for example a LPP ProvideAssistanceData message, with the positioning area information from the LMF in the assistance data transfer procedure.

[0021] • A LMF can send a ‘request location information’ message to the UE to enable at least one positioning solution. Enabling a positioning solution means that the UE is to use / start using the positioning solution to determine its position / location or measurements that can be used by the LMF to determine the position / location of the UE. The UE can find that at least one indicated positioning solution is not applicable in the current area (for example the measurement outcome or positioning outcome is lower than a pre-defined, preconfigured, or configured requirement), and the UE can report that the positioning solution is not applicable in applicability information that is sent to the LMF via a ‘provide location information’ message. The applicability information may explicitly or implicitly indicate the current area is a ‘not valid’ area for the corresponding positioning functionality(ies) / solution(s). Additionally, the request location information message may include configuration information for one or more threshold(s) which can be used by the UE for the decision of whether the (Al-based or non-AI-based) positioning solution(s) is(are) applicable or not applicable in the current positioning area. Alternatively, the configuration information for the threshold(s) may be sent from the LMF to the UE via the assistance data message.

[0022] Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantage(s), and in particular the solutions provide for the exchange of information relating to the validity / invalidity of an Al-based or non-AI-based positioning solution between a UE and the network. Certain embodiments support for the exchange of valid / non-valid area information between the UE and a network for Al-based positioning solution(s) and / or non-AI-based positioning solution(s).

[0023] According to some embodiments there is provided a method performed by a user equipment. The method comprises sending, to a network node in a communication network, information relating to one or more positioning solutions that are used to determine the position of the UE and / or measurements for the UE. For each of the positioning solutions that the information relates to, the information indicates any one or more of: whether the positioning solution has an area limitation; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is valid for; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is not valid for; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is valid; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is not valid; whether the respective positioning solution is valid; and whether the respective positioning solution is not valid.

[0024] According to some embodiments there is provided a method performed by a network node in a communication network. The method comprises receiving, from a User Equipment, UE, information relating to one or more positioning solutions that are used to determine the position of the UE and / or measurements for the UE. For each of the positioning solutions that the information relates to, the information indicates any one or more of: whether the positioning solution has an area limitation; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is valid for; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is not valid for; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is valid; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is not valid; whether the respective positioning solution is valid; and whether the respective positioning solution is not valid.

[0025] According to some embodiments, there is provided a computer program product. The computer program product comprises a computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein, the computer readable code being configured such that, on execution by a suitable computer or processor, the computer or processor is caused to perform the method performed by the user equipment.

[0026] According to some embodiments, there is provided a computer program product. The computer program product comprises a computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein, the computer readable code being configured such that, on execution by a suitable computer or processor, the computer or processor is caused to perform the method performed by the network node.

[0027] According to some embodiments, there is provided a user equipment configured to send to a network node in a communication network, information relating to one or more positioning solutions that are used to determine the position of the UE and / or measurements for the UE. For each of the positioning solutions that the information relates to, the information indicates any one or more of: whether the positioning solution has an area limitation; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is valid for; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is not valid for; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is valid; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is not valid; whether the respective positioning solution is valid; and whether the respective positioning solution is not valid.

[0028] According to some embodiments, there is provided a user equipment. The user equipment comprises a processor and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor whereby said UE is operative to send, to a network node in a communication network, information relating to one or more positioning solutions that are used to determine the position of the UE and / or measurements for the UE. For each of the positioning solutions that the information relates to, the information indicates any one or more of: whether the positioning solution has an area limitation; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is valid for; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is not valid for; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is valid; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is not valid; whether the respective positioning solution is valid; and whether the respective positioning solution is not valid.

[0029] According to some embodiments, there is provided a network node. The network node is configured to receive, from a User Equipment, UE, information relating to one or more positioning solutions that are used to determine the position of the UE and / or measurements for the UE. For each of the positioning solutions that the information relates to, the information indicates any one or more of: whether the positioning solution has an area limitation; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is valid for; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is not valid for; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is valid; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is not valid; whether the respective positioning solution is valid; and whether the respective positioning solution is not valid.

[0030] According to some embodiments, there is provided a network node. The network node comprises a processor and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor whereby said network node is operative to receive, from a User Equipment, UE, information relating to one or more positioning solutions that are used to determine the position of the UE and / or measurements for the UE. For each of the positioning solutions that the information relates to, the information indicates any one or more of: whether the positioning solution has an area limitation; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is valid for; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is not valid for; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is valid; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is not valid; whether the respective positioning solution is valid; and whether the respective positioning solution is not valid.

[0031] According to some embodiment, there is provided a user equipment. The user equipment comprises processing circuitry configured to cause the user equipment to send, to a network node in a communication network, information relating to one or more positioning solutions that are used to determine the position of the UE and / or measurements for the UE. For each of the positioning solutions that the information relates to, the information indicates any one or more of: whether the positioning solution has an area limitation; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is valid for; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is not valid for; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is valid; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is not valid; whether the respective positioning solution is valid; and whether the respective positioning solution is not valid. The user equipment also comprises power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

[0032] According to some embodiments, there is provided a network node. The network node comprises processing circuitry configured to cause the network node to receive, from a User Equipment, UE, information relating to one or more positioning solutions that are used to determine the position of the UE and / or measurements for the UE. For each of the positioning solutions that the information relates to, the information indicates any one or more of: whether the positioning solution has an area limitation; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is valid for; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is not valid for; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is valid; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is not valid; whether the respective positioning solution is valid; and whether the respective positioning solution is not valid. The network node also comprises power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

[0033] According to some embodiments, there is provided a user equipment. The user equipment comprises an antenna configured to send and receive wireless signals. The user equipment comprises radio front-end circuitry connected to the antenna and to processing circuitry, and configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna and the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to send, to a network node in a communication network, information relating to one or more positioning solutions that are used to determine the position of the UE and / or measurements for the UE. For each of the positioning solutions that the information relates to, the information indicates any one or more of: whether the positioning solution has an area limitation; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is valid for; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is not valid for; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is valid; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is not valid; whether the respective positioning solution is valid; and whether the respective positioning solution is not valid. The user equipment also comprises an input interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to allow input of information into the UE to be processed by the processing circuitry; an output interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to output information from the UE that has been processed by the processing circuitry; and a battery connected to the processing circuitry and configured to supply power to the UE.

[0034] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary capability exchange procedure;

[0037] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary assistance data exchange procedure;

[0038] Fig. 3 shows an exemplary position / location request procedure;

[0039] Fig. QQ1 shows an example of a communication system in accordance with some embodiments;

[0040] Fig. QQ2 shows a UE in accordance with some embodiments;

[0041] Fig. QQ3 shows a RAN network node in accordance with some embodiments;

[0042] Fig. QQ7 shows a core network node in accordance with further embodiments; and

[0043] Fig. QQ4 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized.

[0044] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0046] As noted above, this disclosure provides solutions to support the valid / non-valid area information exchange between a UE and the network for one or more positioning solution(s). The terms “non-valid”, “not valid” and “invalid” are used interchangeably in this disclosure.

[0047] A positioning solution is a functionality (e.g. an algorithm or process) or model that is used by the UE to determine its position from one or more measurements, or that is used by the UE to obtain one or more measurements that are subsequently sent to, and processed by, the LMF to determine the position / location of the UE. A positioning solution may be for use in determining the position of the UE in a specific area, such as inside a factory, shopping mall, specific city, etc. (irrespective of whether the UE determines the position from the measurements itself or the UE sends the measurements to the LMF for the LMF to determine the UE position), or it may be for use in determining the position of the UE more generally, e.g. over a wider area, such as in a country or state (likewise). The terms “functionality” and “model” are used generally interchangeably.

[0048] The UE may use or execute the positioning solution in response to a request from the LMF. Depending on the particular positioning solution, the UE can obtain measurements according to the positioning solution, determine its location / position from the measurements, and report the position / location to the LMF. Alternatively, the UE can obtain measurements according to the positioning solution, report the measurements to the LMF, and the LMF can determine location / position of the UE from the measurements.

[0049] Thus, depending on the particular positioning solution, the output of the positioning solution at the UE may be a position / location of the UE, or one or more measurements.

[0050] The position of the UE may be expressed with respect to a global reference frame (e.g. latitude, longitude, and optionally altitude), or with respect to one or more local features or landmarks (e.g. in Room A, in Museum B, Plaza C, etc.).

[0051] A positioning solution may only be valid for certain areas, and invalid / not valid elsewhere, or invalid / not valid in certain other areas. That is, when the UE is in a first area, the positioning solution may be able to provide a group of valid position(s) / location(s) / measurement result(s) of the UE (i.e. a group of position(s) / location(s) / measurement result(s) of the UE that is sufficiently accurate), and so the positioning solution is ‘valid’ for the first area. On the other hand, when the UE is in a different area / not in the first area, the positioning solution may not be able to provide a group of valid position(s) / location(s) / measurement result(s) of the UE (i.e. a group of position(s) / location(s) / measurement result(s) of the UE that is not sufficiently accurate), and so the positioning solution is ‘not valid’ or ‘invalid’ for that area. The measurement results may be obtained based on measurement(s) and / or algorithm(s) and / or model(s).

[0052] A positioning solution may be Al-based or not Al-based. A positioning solution that is Al- based includes one or more elements that use an Al or ML model as part of determining the position and / or the measurement result(s) of the UE. A positioning solution that is not Al-based does not include any elements that use an Al or ML model as part of determining the position and / or the measurement result(s) of the UE.

[0053] The techniques for supporting valid / non-valid area information exchange between a UE and the network are described below in the context of a 5thGeneration (5G) / New Radio (NR) network, but it will be appreciated that the techniques can be applied to any type of communication network, including any subsequent generation network, such as 6thGeneration (6G). In this respect, the techniques are described with respect to a Location Management Function (LMF), but they are also applicable to any other type of node or function in a communication network that is responsible for, or involved in, managing and / or assisting position / location estimation by a UE (or other type of wireless device).

[0054] Fig. 1 is a signalling diagram illustrating an exemplary capability exchange procedure according to some embodiments. The signalling is shown between a UE 110 and a LMF 120. The procedure in Fig. 1 is used by a LMF 120 to find out the capabilities of the UE 110, and in the context of this disclosure, to find out the capabilities of the UE 110 with respect to its positioning solution(s). Thus, the LMF 120 can send a Capability Request message 130 to the UE 110 that requests / asks the UE 110 to provide the LMF 120 with information about the UE’s capabilities. The UE sends a Capability Response 140 to the LMF 120 that includes the UE’s capability information.

[0055] In some cases the UE 110 may proactively send a Capability Response 140 indicating its capabilities without having received a Capability Request 130 from the LMF 120. In some cases the UE 110 may send a Capability Response 140 indicating its capabilities some time after receiving a Capability Request 130 from the LMF 120. In some cases the UE 110 may send a Capability Response 140 if the UE capabilities change or are updated, in which case the Capability Response 140 can indicate the changed or updated capabilities.

[0056] The Capability Request 130 can be a Requestcapabilities message or a LPP Requestcapabilities message, and / or the Capability Response 140 can be a ProvideCapabilities message or a LPP ProvideCapabilities message.

[0057] Fig. 2 is a signalling diagram illustrating an exemplary assistance data exchange procedure according to some embodiments. The signalling is shown between a UE 210 and a LMF 220. The procedure in Fig. 2 is used by a UE 210 to request assistance data from the LMF 220. Assistance data is information that can be used by the UE 210, and in particular used by the positioning solution(s) of the UE 210 to assist in determining the position or measurements of the UE. For example, assistance data can include almanac data used by Global Positioning System (GPS) algorithms. In some examples, assistance data can include downlink signal configuration(s) for at least one position solution. The UE 210 can send an Assistance Data Request message 230 to the LMF 220 that requests / asks the LMF 220 to provide the UE 210 with assistance data. The LMF 220 sends an Assistance Data Message 240 to the UE 210 that includes the requested assistance data. The UE 210 may respond to the LMF 220 with an Assistance Data Response message 250. This response message 250 may comprise further information for use by the LMF 220. In some cases the UE 210 does not send an Assistance Data Response message 250 to the LMF 220.

[0058] In some cases the LMF 220 may proactively send assistance data to the UE 210 without the UE 210 having requested the assistance data from the LMF 220. In some cases the LMF 220 may send assistance data some time after receiving an assistance data request from the UE 210. In some cases the LMF 220 may send assistance data if the assistance data changes or is updated, in which case the Assistance Data Message 240 can indicate the changed or updated assistance data.

[0059] The Assistance Data Request 230 can be a RequestAssistanceData message or a LPP RequestAssistanceData message. The Assistance Data Message 240 can be a ProvideAssistanceData message or a LPP ProvideAssistanceData message. The Assistance Data Response 250 can be a ResponseAssistanceData message, a LPP ResponseAssistanceData message or an Abort message.

[0060] Fig. 3 is a signalling diagram illustrating an exemplary location / position request procedure according to some embodiments. The signalling is shown between a UE 310 and a LMF 320. The procedure in Fig. 3 is used by a LMF 320 to request location / position information from the UE 310. Location / position information is information indicating the location or position of the UE 310, or measurement results of the UE 310 depending on the particular positioning solution), and more generally is the information output by the positioning solution(s) of the UE 310. The LMF 320 can send a Location Information Request message 330 to the UE 310 that requests / asks the UE 310 to provide location information for the UE 310 to the LMF 320. The UE 310 sends a Provide Location Information Message 340 to the LMF 320 that includes the requested location information.

[0061] The Location Information Request 330 can be a RequestLocationlnformation message or a LPP RequestLocationlnformation message, and / or the Provide Location Information Response 340 can be a ProvideLocationlnformation message, a LPP ProvideLocationlnformation message, a SignalMeasurementlnformation message, or a LPP SignalMeasurementlnformation message.

[0062] In some embodiments of the techniques described herein, the LMF 120, 220, 320 (which is a node or function in the core network) receives a positioning request for a UE 110, 210, 310 from, for example, another node in the core network. The positioning request from the core network can be a request for the LMF 120, 220, 320 to report the position of the UE 110, 210, 310. The LMF 120, 220, 320 sends a positioning capability request message to the UE 110, 210, 310 to request the UE’s capabilities for determining its position. In particular, the positioning capability request message may include a request for the capability of at least one positioning solution of the UE 110, 210, 310. The positioning capability request may request the capabilities of at least one Al-based positioning solution.

[0063] After receiving the positioning capability request message from the LMF 120, 220, 320, the UE 110, 210, 310 reports its related capability to the LMF 120, 220, 320. The capability information reported by the UE 110, 210, 310 may indicate a valid area limitation and / or a non- valid area limitation for at least one requested (Al-based or non-AI-based) positioning solution.

[0064] The LMF 120, 220, 320 can send an assistance data message to the UE 110, 210, 310 (i.e. a message comprising assistance data), with the provided assistance data being applicable to at least one of the positioning solution(s) of the UE 110, 210, 310 (e.g. applicable to an Al-based positioning solution of the UE).

[0065] In embodiments where the UE 110, 210, 310 provides measurements according to the positioning solution and the LMF 120, 220, 320 determines the position of the UE 110, 210, 310 from the measurements, the assistance data for the (Al-based or non-AI-based) positioning solution(s) may include area information indicating at least one specific positioning area where the LMF may use the (Al-based or non-AI-based) positioning solution(s) for positioning purposes or may not use the (Al-based or non-AI-based) positioning solution(s) for positioning purposes. The area information may be provided per positioning solution, or may be provided per group of positioning solution(s) where one group of positioning solution(s) may include at least one positioning solution.

[0066] After the UE 110, 210, 310 receives the message from the LMF 120, 220, 320 comprising the assistance data, the UE 110, 210, 310 can send a response message to the LMF 120, 220, 320. The response message may provide any of: (i) a confirmation of the applicability information of the indicated Al-based positioning solutions for the given area(s) (ii) the applicability information of the indicated (Al-based or non-AI-based) positioning solutions for the given area(s), and / or (iii) the applicability information of the indicated (Al-based or non-AI-based) positioning solutions for other area(s). The LMF uses the received applicability information for decision of final positioning solutions for UE positioning purposes.

[0067] Some implementation examples of a Capability Response message sent from a UE to a LMF are shown below in Examples 1-1 to 1-4: Example 1-1

[0068] Some implementation examples of an assistance data message sent from a LMF to a UE are shown below in Examples 2-1 to 2-4:

[0069] Example 2-1 where: centerPoint indicates the coordinates of the centre of a rectangular geographic area, PositioningAreaWidth indicates the width of the rectangular geographic area, and PositioningAreaHeight indicates the height of the rectangular geographic area.

[0070] In these examples, width is measured from the centre along the latitude and is measured as the total width of the rectangle, the scale factor is 1 kilometre (km), and the range is from 1 km to 128 km. Height is measured from the centre along the longitude and is measured as the total height of the rectangle, the scale factor is 1 km, and the range is from 1 km to 128 km.

[0071] The examples above also can be used to indicate the detailed non-valid geographic area(s) where the positioning solution(s) would not be used for determining the position of the UE.

[0072] Some implementation examples of an assistance data response sent from a UE to a LMF are shown below in Examples 3-1 and 3-2:

[0073] Example 3-1 Example 3-2

[0074] In another embodiment, which can be used in combination with, or instead of, the embodiments described above, the LMF 120, 220, 320 can send a ‘location information request’ message to the UE 110, 210, 310 to enable at least one (Al-based or non-AI-based) positioning solution. The UE 110, 210, 310 may find that at least one indicated (Al-based or non-AI-based) positioning solution is not applicable in the current area (for example the measurement outcome or positioning outcome is lower than the pre-defined, pre-configured, or configured requirements) and the UE 110, 210, 310 can report applicability information (indicating that the positioning solution is not applicable to the area the UE is currently in) to the LMF 120, 220, 320 via the ‘provide location information’ message. The applicability information may explicitly or implicitly indicate current area is a ‘not valid’ area for the corresponding (Al-based or non-AI-based) positioning solution(s). Additionally, the ‘location information request’ message may include the configuration information of the threshold(s) which can be used by the UE 110, 210, 310 for the decision of whether the (Al-based or non-AI based) positioning solution(s) is(are) applicable or not applicable in the current positioning area. Alternatively, the configuration information of the threshold(s) may be sent from the LMF 120, 220, 320 to the UE 110, 210, 310 via the assistance data message.

[0075] In alternative embodiments of the techniques described herein, the LMF 120, 220, 320 receives a positioning request for a UE 110, 210, 310 from, for example, another node or function in the core network. The positioning request from the core network can be a request for the LMF 120, 220, 320 to report the position of the UE 110, 210, 310. The LMF 120, 220, 320 sends a positioning capability request message to the UE 110, 210, 310 to request the UE’s capabilities for determining its position. In particular, the positioning capability request message may include a request for the capability of at least one positioning solution of the UE. The positioning capability request may request the capabilities of at least one Al-based positioning solution.

[0076] After receiving the positioning capability request message from the LMF 120, 220, 320, the UE 110, 210, 310 reports its related capability to the LMF 120, 220, 320. The capability information reported by the UE 110, 210, 310 may indicate information of valid area(s) and / or non-valid area(s) for at least one requested (Al-based or non-AI-based) positioning solution.

[0077] After receiving the capability information from the UE 110, 210, 310, the LMF 120, 220, 320 can use the received capability information for selecting a positioning solution by comparing a target positioning area(s) and the valid / non-valid area information received from the UE 110, 210, 310. For example, if the target positioning area is the valid area for some (Al-based or non-AI- based) positioning solution(s) of the UE 110, 210, 310, then the LMF 120, 220, 320 may try to use the positioning solution(s) which are applicable in the target positioning area for determining the positioning of this UE 110, 210, 310. If the target positioning area is not the valid area or is in the non-valid area for some positioning solution(s) of the UE 110, 210, 310, then the LMF 120, 220, 320 will not use the positioning solution(s) that are not applicable to the target positioning area for determining the positioning of this UE 110, 210, 310.

[0078] The implementation examples shown below in Examples 4-1 to 4-3 relate to embodiments where a UE sends a provide capabilities response that indicates information of valid area(s) and / or non-valid area(s) for at least one requested (Al-based or non-AI-based) positioning solution:

[0079] Example 4-1

[0080] In the examples above, each valid area may be associated with one identifier (ID) information, and each non-valid area may be associated with one ID information.

[0081] Fig. QQ1 shows an example of a communication system QQ100 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0082] In the example, the communication system QQ100 includes a telecommunication network QQ102 that includes an access network QQ104, such as a radio access network (RAN), and a core network QQ106, which includes one or more core network nodes QQ108. The access network QQ104 includes one or more access network nodes, such as access network nodes QQ110a and QQ110b (one or more of which are also referred to as RAN network nodes or RAN nodes QQ110 herein), or any other similar 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) access nodes or non-3GPP access points (AP). Moreover, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, a network node is not necessarily limited to an implementation in which a radio portion and a baseband portion are supplied and integrated by a single vendor. Thus, it will be understood that network nodes include disaggregated implementations or portions thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the telecommunication network QQ102 includes one or more Open-RAN (ORAN) network nodes. An ORAN network node is a node in the telecommunication network QQ102 that supports an ORAN specification (e.g., a specification published by the O-RAN Alliance, or any similar organization) and may operate alone or together with other nodes to implement one or more functionalities of any node in the telecommunication network QQ102, including one or more network nodes QQ110 and / or core network nodes QQ108.

[0083] Examples of an ORAN network node include an open radio unit (0-Rll), an open distributed unit (O-DU), an open central unit (O-CU), including an O-CU control plane (O-CU-CP) or an O- Cll user plane (O-CU-UP), a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) (near-real time or non-real time) hosting software or software plug-ins, such as a near-real time control application (e.g., xApp) or a non-real time control application (e.g., rApp), or any combination thereof (the adjective “open” designating support of an ORAN specification). The network node may support a specification by, for example, supporting an interface defined by the ORAN specification, such as an A1 , F1 , W1 , E1 , E2, X2, Xn interface, an open fronthaul user plane interface, or an open fronthaul management plane interface. Moreover, an ORAN access node may be a logical node in a physical node. Furthermore, an ORAN network node may be implemented in a virtualization environment (described further below) in which one or more network functions are virtualized. For example, the virtualization environment may include an O-Cloud computing platform orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) Framework via an 0-2 interface defined by the O-RAN Alliance or comparable technologies.

[0084] The network nodes QQ110 facilitate direct or indirect connection of wireless devices (also referred to interchangeably herein as user equipment (UE)), such as by connecting UEs QQ112a, QQ112b, QQ112c, and QQ112d (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs QQ112) to the core network QQ106 over one or more wireless connections. The access network nodes QQ110 may be, for example, access points (APs) (e.g. radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g. radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and New Radio (NR) NodeBs (gNBs)).

[0085] Unless otherwise indicated, the general term ‘network node’ as used herein refers to access network nodes QQ110 and core network nodes QQ108.

[0086] Example wireless communications over a wireless connection include transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information without the use of wires, cables, or other material conductors. Moreover, in different embodiments, the communication system QQ100 may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, UEs, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals whether via wired or wireless connections. The communication system QQ100 may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and / or other similar type of system.

[0087] The wireless devices / UEs QQ112 may be any of a wide variety of communication devices, including wireless devices arranged, configured, and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with the network nodes QQ110 and other communication devices. Similarly, the access network nodes QQ110 are arranged, capable, configured, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with the UEs QQ112 and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the telecommunication network QQ102 to enable and / or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and / or to perform other functions, such as administration in the telecommunication network QQ102.

[0088] In the depicted example, the core network QQ106 connects the access network nodes QQ110 to one or more host computing systems, such as host QQ116. These connections may be direct or indirect via one or more intermediary networks or devices. In other examples, network nodes may be directly coupled to hosts. The core network QQ106 includes one more core network nodes (e.g. core network node QQ108) that are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the wireless devices / UEs, access network nodes, and / or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node QQ108. Example core network nodes include functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (ALISF), Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0089] The host QQ116 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of the access network QQ104 and / or the telecommunication network QQ102. The host QQ116 may host a variety of applications to provide one or more service. Examples of such applications include live and pre-recorded audio / video content, data collection services such as retrieving and compiling data on various ambient conditions detected by a plurality of UEs, analytics functionality, social media, functions for controlling or otherwise interacting with remote devices, functions for an alarm and surveillance center, or any other such function performed by a server.

[0090] As a whole, the communication system QQ100 of Figure QQ1 enables connectivity between the wireless devices / UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system may be configured to operate according to predefined rules or procedures, such as specific standards that include, but are not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2ndGeneration (2G), 3rdGeneration (3G), 4thGeneration (4G), 5thGeneration (5G) standards, or any applicable future generation standard (e.g. 6thGeneration (6G)); wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards (WiFi); and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC), ZigBee, LiFi, and / or any low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox.

[0091] In some examples, the telecommunication network QQ102 is a cellular network that implements 3GPP standardized features. Accordingly, the telecommunications network QQ102 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to the telecommunication network QQ102. For example, the telecommunications network QQ102 may provide Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services to some UEs, while providing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services to other UEs, and / or Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) / Massive loT services to yet further UEs.

[0092] In some examples, the UEs QQ112 are configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a UE may be designed to transmit information to the access network QQ104 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the access network QQ104. Additionally, a UE may be configured for operating in single- or multi-Radio Access Technology (RAT) or multistandard mode. For example, a UE may operate with any one or combination of Wi-Fi, NR (New Radio) and LTE, i.e. being configured for multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC), such as E- UTRAN (Evolved-UTRA (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access) Network) New Radio - Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

[0093] In the example, the hub QQ114 communicates with the access network QQ104 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., UE QQ112c and / or QQ112d) and network nodes (e.g., network node QQ110b). In some examples, the hub QQ114 may be a controller, router, content source and analytics, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, the hub QQ114 may be a broadband router enabling access to the core network QQ106 for the UEs. As another example, the hub QQ114 may be a controller that sends commands or instructions to one or more actuators in the UEs. Commands or instructions may be received from the UEs, network nodes QQ110, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in the hub QQ114. As another example, the hub QQ114 may be a data collector that acts as temporary storage for UE data and, in some embodiments, may perform analysis or other processing of the data. As another example, the hub QQ114 may be a content source. For example, for a UE that is a VR device, display, loudspeaker, or other media delivery device, the hub QQ114 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which the hub QQ114 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and / or after adding additional local content. In still another example, the hub QQ114 acts as a proxy server or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular if one or more of the UEs are low energy Internet of Things (loT) devices.

[0094] The hub QQ114 may have a constant / persistent or intermittent connection to the network node QQ110b. The hub QQ114 may also allow for a different communication scheme and / or schedule between the hub QQ114 and UEs (e.g., UE QQ112c and / or QQ112d), and between the hub QQ114 and the core network QQ106. In other examples, the hub QQ114 is connected to the core network QQ106 and / or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, the hub QQ114 may be configured to connect to a machine-to-machine (M2M) service provider over the access network QQ104 and / or to another UE over a direct connection. In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with the network nodes QQ110 while still connected via the hub QQ114 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the hub QQ114 may be a dedicated hub - that is, a hub whose primary function is to route communications to / from the UEs from / to the network node QQ110b. In other embodiments, the hub QQ114 may be a nondedicated hub - that is, a device which is capable of operating to route communications between the UEs and network node QQ110b, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and / or end point for certain data channels.

[0095] Fig. QQ2 shows a wireless device or UE QQ200 in accordance with some embodiments. The UE QQ200 may be UE 110, 210, 310. The UE QQ200 presents additional details of some embodiments of the UE QQ112 of Fig. QQ1. As used herein, a wireless device / UE refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and / or other UEs. Examples of a wireless device / UE include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, mobile phone, cell phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phone, wireless local loop phone, desktop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless cameras, gaming console or device, music storage / playback device, wearable terminal device, wireless endpoint, mobile station, tablet, laptop, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), an Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR) device, wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), vehicle, vehicle-mounted or vehicle embedded / integrated wireless device, etc. Other examples include any UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a narrow band internet of things (NB-loT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

[0096] A wireless device / UE may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), or vehicle-to- everything (V2X). In other examples, a UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the relevant device. Instead, a UE may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter).

[0097] The UE QQ200 includes processing circuitry QQ202 that is operatively coupled via a bus QQ204 to an input / output interface QQ206, a power source QQ208, a memory QQ210, a communication interface QQ212, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain UEs may utilize all or a subset of the components shown in Fig. QQ2. The level of integration between the components may vary from one UE to another UE. Further, certain UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0098] The processing circuitry QQ202 is configured to process instructions and data and may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory QQ210. The processing circuitry QQ202 may be implemented as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored computer programs, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry QQ202 may include multiple central processing units (CPUs). The processing circuitry QQ202 may be configured to cause the UE QQ202 to perform the methods of operating a UE as described herein.

[0099] In the example, the input / output interface QQ206 may be configured to provide an interface or interfaces to an input device, output device, or one or more input and / or output devices. Examples of an output device include a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. An input device may allow a user to capture information into the UE QQ200. Examples of an input device include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presencesensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, etc., or any combination thereof. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port may be used to provide an input device and an output device.

[0100] In some embodiments, the power source QQ208 is structured as a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic device, or power cell, may be used. The power source QQ208 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from the power source QQ208 itself, and / or an external power source, to the various parts of the UE QQ200 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Delivering power may be, for example, for charging of the power source QQ208. Power circuitry may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from the power source QQ208 to make the power suitable for the respective components of the UE QQ200 to which power is supplied.

[0101] The memory QQ210 may be or be configured to include memory such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash drives, and so forth. In one example, the memory QQ210 includes one or more application programs QQ214, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data QQ216. The memory QQ210 may store, for use by the UE QQ200, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

[0102] The memory QQ210 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as tamper resistant module in the form of a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) including one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as a Universal SIM (USIM) and / or Integrated SIM (ISIM), other memory, or any combination thereof. The UICC may for example be an embedded UICC (eUlCC), integrated UICC (iUICC) or a removable UICC commonly known as ‘SIM card’. The memory QQ210 may allow the UE QQ200 to access instructions, application programs and the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied as or in the memory QQ210, which may be or comprise a device-readable storage medium.

[0103] The processing circuitry QQ202 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network using the communication interface QQ212. The communication interface QQ212 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or be communicatively coupled to an antenna QQ222. The communication interface QQ212 may include one or more transceivers used to communicate, such as by communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another UE or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter QQ218 and / or a receiver QQ220 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, the transmitter QQ218 and receiver QQ220 may be coupled to one or more antennas (e.g., antenna QQ222) and may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

[0104] In the illustrated embodiment, communication functions of the communication interface QQ212 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, LPWAN communication, data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) or other Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. Communications may be implemented in according to one or more communication protocols and / or standards, such as IEEE 802.11 , Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), GSM, LTE, New Radio (NR), UMTS, WiMax, Ethernet, transmission control protocol / internet protocol (TCP / IP), synchronous optical networking (SONET), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), QUIC, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and so forth.

[0105] Regardless of the type of sensor, a UE may provide an output of data captured by its sensors, through its communication interface QQ212, via a wireless connection to a network node. Data captured by sensors of a UE can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another UE. The output may be periodic (e.g., once every 15 minutes if it reports the sensed temperature), random (e.g., to even out the load from reporting from several sensors), in response to a triggering event (e.g., when moisture is detected an alert is sent), in response to a request (e.g., a user initiated request), or a continuous stream (e.g., a live video feed of a patient).

[0106] As another example, a UE comprises an actuator, a motor, or a switch, related to a communication interface configured to receive wireless input from a network node via a wireless connection. In response to the received wireless input the states of the actuator, the motor, or the switch may change. For example, the UE may comprise a motor that adjusts the control surfaces or rotors of a drone in flight according to the received input or to a robotic arm performing a medical procedure according to the received input.

[0107] A UE, when in the form of an Internet of Things (loT) device, may be a device for use in one or more application domains, these domains comprising, but not limited to, city wearable technology, extended industrial application and healthcare. Non-limiting examples of such an loT device are a device which is or which is embedded in: a connected refrigerator or freezer, a TV, a connected lighting device, an electricity meter, a robot vacuum cleaner, a voice controlled smart speaker, a home security camera, a motion detector, a thermostat, a smoke detector, a door / window sensor, a flood / moisture sensor, an electrical door lock, a connected doorbell, an air conditioning system like a heat pump, an autonomous vehicle, a surveillance system, a weather monitoring device, a vehicle parking monitoring device, an electric vehicle charging station, a smart watch, a fitness tracker, a wearable for tactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or item-tracking device, a sensor for monitoring a plant or animal, an industrial robot, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and any kind of medical device, like a heart rate monitor or a remote controlled surgical robot. A UE in the form of an loT device comprises circuitry and / or software in dependence of the intended application of the loT device in addition to other components as described in relation to the UE QQ200 shown in Figure QQ2.

[0108] As yet another specific example, in an loT scenario, a UE may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurements to another UE and / or a network node. The UE may in this case be an M2M device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, the UE may implement the 3GPP NB-loT standard. In other scenarios, a UE may represent a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a truck, a ship and an airplane, or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and / or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.

[0109] In practice, any number of UEs may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first UE might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second UE that is a remote controller operating the drone. When the user makes changes from the remote controller, the first UE may adjust the throttle on the drone (e.g. by controlling an actuator) to increase or decrease the drone’s speed. The first and / or the second UE can also include more than one of the functionalities described above. For example, a UE might comprise the sensor and the actuator, and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

[0110] Fig. QQ3 shows a network node, access network node or RAN node QQ300 in accordance with some embodiments. The network node QQ300 may be LMF 120, 220, 320.

[0111] As used herein, access network node or RAN network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and / or with other RAN network nodes or equipment, or core network nodes, in a telecommunication network. Examples of access network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g. radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g. radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)), Open-RAN (O-RAN) nodes or components of an O-RAN node (e.g., O- RU, O-DU, O-CU).

[0112] Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and so, depending on the provided amount of coverage, may be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units, distributed units (e.g., in an O-RAN access node) and / or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS).

[0113] Other examples of network nodes include multiple transmission point (multi-TRP) 5G access nodes, multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell / multicast coordination entities (MCEs), Operation and Maintenance (O&M) nodes, Operations Support System (OSS) nodes, Self-Organizing Network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g. Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centers (E-SMLCs)), and / or Minimization of Drive Tests (MDTs).

[0114] The RAN network node QQ300 includes a processing circuitry QQ302, a memory QQ304, a communication interface QQ306, and a power source QQ308. The RAN network node QQ300 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeB component and a RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which the RAN network node QQ300 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, the RAN network node QQ300 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memory QQ304 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna QQ310 may be shared by different RATs). The RAN network node QQ300 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node QQ300, for example GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, Zigbee, Z-wave, LoRaWAN, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within RAN network node QQ300.

[0115] The processing circuitry QQ302 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node QQ300 components, such as the memory QQ304, to provide RAN network node QQ300 functionality.

[0116] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry QQ302 includes a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry QQ302 includes one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry QQ312 and baseband processing circuitry QQ314. In some embodiments, the radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry QQ312 and the baseband processing circuitry QQ314 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry QQ312 and baseband processing circuitry QQ314 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

[0117] The memory QQ304 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry QQ302. The memory QQ304 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and / or other instructions capable of being executed by the processing circuitry QQ302 and utilized by the RAN node QQ300. The memory QQ304 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry QQ302 and / or any data received via the communication interface QQ306. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry QQ302 and memory QQ304 is integrated.

[0118] The communication interface QQ306 is used in wired or wireless communication of signalling and / or data between network nodes, the access network, the core network, and / or UE. As illustrated, the communication interface QQ306 comprises port(s) / terminal(s) QQ316 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. The communication interface QQ306 also includes radio front-end circuitry QQ318 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, the antenna QQ310. Radio front-end circuitry QQ318 comprises filters QQ320 and amplifiers QQ322. The radio front-end circuitry QQ318 may be connected to an antenna QQ310 and processing circuitry QQ302. The radio front-end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna QQ310 and processing circuitry QQ302. The radio front-end circuitry QQ318 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or UEs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuitry QQ318 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters QQ320 and / or amplifiers QQ322. The radio signal may then be transmitted via the antenna QQ310. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna QQ310 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry QQ318. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry QQ302. In other embodiments, the communication interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0119] In certain alternative embodiments, the RAN node QQ300 does not include separate radio front-end circuitry QQ318, instead, the processing circuitry QQ302 includes radio front-end circuitry and is connected to the antenna QQ310. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry QQ312 is part of the communication interface QQ306. In still other embodiments, the communication interface QQ306 includes one or more ports or terminals QQ316, the radio front-end circuitry QQ318, and the RF transceiver circuitry QQ312, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the communication interface QQ306 communicates with the baseband processing circuitry QQ314, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0120] The antenna QQ310 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. The antenna QQ310 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuitry QQ318 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and / or signals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, the antenna QQ310 is separate from the network node QQ300 and connectable to the network node QQ300 through an interface or port.

[0121] The antenna QQ310, communication interface QQ306, and / or the processing circuitry QQ302 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and / or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be received from a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, the antenna QQ310, the communication interface QQ306, and / or the processing circuitry QQ302 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment.

[0122] The power source QQ308 provides power to the various components of network node QQ300 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source QQ308 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node QQ300 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node QQ300 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid, an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of the power source QQ308. As a further example, the power source QQ308 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.

[0123] Embodiments of the network node QQ300 may include additional components beyond those shown in Fig. QQ3 for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node QQ300 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node QQ300 and to allow output of information from the network node QQ300. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node QQ300. In some embodiments providing a core network node, such as core network node 108 of Fig. QQ1 , some components, such as the radio front-end circuitry QQ318 and the RF transceiver circuitry QQ312 may be omitted.

[0124] Fig. QQ7 shows a core network node QQ700 in accordance with some embodiments, and implementing some steps of the methods performed by the LMF 120, 220, 320 described herein.

[0125] As used herein, core network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and / or with other core network nodes or equipment or RAN network nodes, in a telecommunication network. The core network node QQ700 may be operable as a core network node, a core network function or, more generally, a core network entity, such as the core network node QQ108 described above with respect to Fig. QQ1). Examples of core network nodes in this context include core network entities such as one or more of a Location Management Function (LMF), Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0126] The core network node QQ700 includes processing circuitry QQ702, a memory QQ704, a communication interface QQ706, and a power source QQ708, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. The core network node QQ700 may be composed of multiple physically separate components, which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which the core network node QQ700 comprises multiple separate components, one or more of the separate components may be shared among several core network nodes. The processing circuitry QQ702 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other core network node QQ700 components, such as the memory QQ704, core network node QQ700 functionality. For example, the processing circuitry QQ702 may be configured to cause the network node to perform the methods of operating a core network node described herein.

[0127] The memory QQ704 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry QQ702. The memory QQ704 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and / or other instructions capable of being executed by the processing circuitry QQ702 and utilized by the core network node QQ700. The memory QQ704 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry QQ702 and / or any data received via the communication interface QQ706. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry QQ702 and memory QQ704 are integrated.

[0128] The communication interface QQ706 is used in wired or wireless communication of signalling and / or data between a core network node, access network node(s), and / or UE.

[0129] The power source QQ708 provides power to the various components of core network node QQ700 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source QQ708 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the core network node QQ700 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the core network node QQ700 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid, an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of the power source QQ708. As a further example, the power source QQ708 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail. Embodiments of the core network node QQ700 may include additional components beyond those shown in Fig. QQ7 for providing certain aspects of the core network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the core network node QQ700 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the core network node QQ700 and to allow output of information from the core network node QQ700. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the core network node QQ700.

[0130] Fig. QQ4 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment QQ400 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to any device described herein, or components thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components. Some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines (VMs) implemented in one or more virtual environments QQ400 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes, such as a hardware computing device that operates as a network node, access network node, RAN node, UE, core network node, or host. Further, in embodiments in which the virtual node does not require radio connectivity (e.g. a core network node or host), then the node may be entirely virtualized. In some embodiments, the virtualization environment QQ400 includes components defined by the O-RAN Alliance, such as an O-Cloud environment orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an 0-2 interface. Virtualization may facilitate distributed implementations of an access network node, network node, RAN node, UE, core network node, or host.

[0131] Applications QQ402 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) are run in the virtualization environment Q400 to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0132] Hardware QQ404 includes processing circuitry, memory that stores software and / or instructions executable by hardware processing circuitry, and / or other hardware devices as described herein, such as a network interface, input / output interface, and so forth. Software may be executed by the processing circuitry to instantiate one or more virtualization layers QQ406 (also referred to as hypervisors or virtual machine monitors (VMMs)), provide VMs QQ408a and QQ408b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as VMs QQ408), and / or perform any of the functions, features and / or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein. The virtualization layer QQ406 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to the VMs QQ408.

[0133] The VMs QQ408 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by a corresponding virtualization layer QQ406. Different embodiments of the instance of a virtual appliance QQ402 may be implemented on one or more of VMs QQ408, and the implementations may be made in different ways. Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.

[0134] In the context of NFV, a VM QQ408 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of the VMs QQ408, and that part of hardware QQ404 that executes that VM, be it hardware dedicated to that VM and / or hardware shared by that VM with others of the VMs, forms separate virtual network elements. Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more VMs QQ408 on top of the hardware QQ404 and corresponds to the application QQ402.

[0135] Hardware QQ404 may be implemented in a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware QQ404 may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware QQ404 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g. such as in a data center or CPE) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration QQ410, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications QQ402. In some embodiments, hardware QQ404 is coupled to one or more radio units that each include one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that may be coupled to one or more antennas. Radio units may communicate directly with other hardware nodes via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station. In some embodiments, some signalling can be provided with the use of a control system QQ412 which may alternatively be used for communication between hardware nodes and radio units.

[0136] Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and / or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination. Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality may be partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and / or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0137] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device- readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device, but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and / or by end users and a wireless network generally.

[0138] The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements, and procedures that, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and can be thus within the scope of the disclosure. Various exemplary embodiments can be used together with one another, as well as interchangeably therewith, as should be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art. EMBODIMENTS

[0139] A Embodiments

[0140] 1 . A method performed by a user equipment, UE, the method comprising: sending, to a network node in a communication network, information relating to one or more positioning solutions that can used to determine the position of the UE and / or measurements for the UE, wherein, for each of the positioning solutions that the information relates to, the information indicates any one or more of:

[0141] (i) whether the positioning solution has an area limitation;

[0142] (ii) one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is valid for;

[0143] (iii) one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is not valid for;

[0144] (iv) whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is valid;

[0145] (v) whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is not valid;

[0146] (vi) whether the respective positioning solution is valid; and

[0147] (vii) whether the respective positioning solution is not valid.

[0148] 2. The method of embodiment 1 , wherein the information is sent to the network node in any of a message indicating capabilities of the UE; a message requesting assistance data from the network node; a message sent in response to receiving assistance data from the network node; and / or a message sent in response to a request for the UE to determine its position and / or the UE to determine measurements.

[0149] 3. The method of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the method further comprises: receiving a message from the network node; wherein the information is sent to the network node after receiving the message from the network node.

[0150] 4. The method of any of embodiments 1-3, wherein the information is sent to the network node in response to receiving any of: a request for the UE to indicate its capabilities; a message comprising assistance data; and / or a message requesting the UE to determine its position and / or determine measurements.

[0151] 5. The method of any of embodiments 1-4, wherein the information indicates a plurality of (i)- (vii). 6. The method of embodiment 5, wherein the information is sent to the network node in a plurality of messages.

[0152] 7. The method of embodiment 5 or 6, wherein a first message sent to the network node comprises a first one or more of (i)-(vii), and a second message sent to the network node comprises a different one or more of (i)-(vii) .

[0153] 8. The method of any of embodiments 1-7, wherein the network node is a location management node.

[0154] 9. The method of any of embodiments 1-8, wherein the network node is a Location Management Function, LMF.

[0155] 10. The method of any of embodiments 1-9, wherein the method further comprises: using one of the positioning solutions, wherein using the positioning solution comprises determining a position of the UE, or obtaining measurements for use by the network node in determining the position of the UE.

[0156] 11. The method of any of embodiments 1-10, wherein the one or more positioning solutions comprises at least one positioning solution that uses, or is based on, an Artificial Intelligence, Al, model.

[0157] 12. The method of any of embodiments 1-11 , wherein the one or more positioning solutions comprises at least one positioning solution that does not use or is not based on an Artificial Intelligence, Al, model.

[0158] Group B Embodiments

[0159] 13. A method performed by a network node in a communication network, the method comprising: receiving, from a User Equipment, UE, information relating to one or more positioning solutions that can used to determine the position of the UE and / or measurements for the UE, wherein, for each of the positioning solutions that the information relates to, the information indicates any one or more of:

[0160] (i) whether the positioning solution has an area limitation;

[0161] (ii) one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is valid for; (iii) one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is not valid for;

[0162] (iv) whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is valid;

[0163] (v) whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is not valid;

[0164] (vi) whether the respective positioning solution is valid; and

[0165] (vii) whether the respective positioning solution is not valid.

[0166] 14. The method of embodiment 13, wherein the information is received from the UE in any of a message indicating capabilities of the UE; a message requesting assistance data from the network node; a message sent in response to receiving assistance data from the network node; and / or a message sent in response to a request for the UE to determine its position and / or the UE determine measurements.

[0167] 15. The method of embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the method further comprises: sending a message to the UE; wherein the information is received from the UE after sending the message to the UE.

[0168] 16. The method of any of embodiments 13-15, wherein the information is received from the UE in response to sending any of: a request for the UE to indicate its capabilities; a message comprising assistance data; and / or a message requesting the UE to determine its position and / or determine measurements.

[0169] 17. The method of any of embodiments 13-16, wherein the information indicates a plurality of (i)-(vii).

[0170] 18. The method of embodiment 17, wherein the information is received from the UE in a plurality of messages.

[0171] 19. The method of embodiment 17 or 18, wherein a first message received from the UE comprises a first one or more of (i)-(vii) , and a second message received from the UE comprises a different one or more of (i)-(vii) .

[0172] 20. The method of any of embodiments 13-19, wherein the network node is a location management node. 21. The method of any of embodiments 13-20, wherein the network node is a Location Management Function, LMF.

[0173] 22. The method of any of embodiments 13-21, wherein the method further comprises: receiving, from the UE, a position determined using one of the positioning solutions; or receiving, from the UE, measurements obtained according to one of the positioning solutions and determining the position of the UE from the received measurements.

[0174] 23. The method of any of embodiments 13-22, wherein the one or more positioning solutions comprises at least one positioning solution that uses, or is based on, an Artificial Intelligence, Al, model.

[0175] 24. The method of any of embodiments 13-23, wherein the one or more positioning solutions comprises at least one positioning solution that does not use or is not based on an Artificial Intelligence, Al, model.

[0176] Group D Embodiments

[0177] 25. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein, the computer readable code being configured such that, on execution by a suitable computer or processor, the computer or processor is caused to perform the method of any of the Group A embodiments or the Group B embodiments.

[0178] 26. A user equipment, UE, configured to perform the method of any of the Group A embodiments.

[0179] 27. A user equipment, UE, comprising a processor and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor whereby said UE is operative to perform the method of any of the Group A embodiments.

[0180] 28. A network node configured to perform the method of any of the Group B embodiments.

[0181] 29. A network node comprising a processor and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor whereby said network node is operative to perform the method of any of the Group B embodiments. 30. A user equipment, UE, comprising: processing circuitry configured to cause the user equipment to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments; and power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

[0182] 31. A network node, comprising: processing circuitry configured to cause the network node to perform any of the steps of any of the Group B embodiments; power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

[0183] 32. A user equipment, UE, comprising: an antenna configured to send and receive wireless signals; radio front-end circuitry connected to the antenna and to processing circuitry, and configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna and the processing circuitry; the processing circuitry being configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments; an input interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to allow input of information into the UE to be processed by the processing circuitry; an output interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to output information from the UE that has been processed by the processing circuitry; and a battery connected to the processing circuitry and configured to supply power to the UE.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A method performed by a user equipment, UE, the method comprising: sending, to a network node in a communication network, information relating to one or more positioning solutions that are used to determine the position of the UE and / or measurements for the UE, wherein, for each of the positioning solutions that the information relates to, the information indicates any one or more of: whether the positioning solution has an area limitation; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is valid for; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is not valid for; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is valid; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is not valid; whether the respective positioning solution is valid; and whether the respective positioning solution is not valid.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the information is sent to the network node in any of a message indicating capabilities of the UE; a message requesting assistance data from the network node; a message sent in response to receiving assistance data from the network node; and / or a message sent in response to a request for the UE to determine its position and / or the UE to determine measurements.

3. The method of claims 1 or 2, wherein the method further comprises: receiving a message from the network node; wherein the information is sent to the network node after receiving the message from the network node.

4. The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein the information is sent to the network node in response to receiving any of: a request for the UE to indicate its capabilities; a message comprising assistance data; and / or a message requesting the UE to determine its position and / or determine measurements.

5. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein the information indicates a plurality of the information indications.

6. The method of claims 5, wherein the information is sent to the network node in a plurality of messages.

7. The method of claims 5 or 6, wherein a first message sent to the network node comprises a first one or more of the information indications, and a second message sent to the network node comprises a different one or more of the information indications.

8. The method of any of claims 1 -7, wherein the network node is a location management node.

9. The method of any of claims 1-8, wherein the network node is a Location Management Function, LMF.

10. The method of any of claims 1-9, wherein the method further comprises: using one of the positioning solutions, wherein using the positioning solution comprises determining a position of the UE, or obtaining measurements for use by the network node in determining the position of the UE.11 . The method of any of claims 1-10, wherein the one or more positioning solutions comprises at least one positioning solution that uses, or is based on, an Artificial Intelligence, Al, model.

12. The method of any of claims 1-11 , wherein the one or more positioning solutions comprises at least one positioning solution that does not use or is not based on an Artificial Intelligence, Al, model.

13. A method performed by a network node in a communication network, the method comprising: receiving, from a User Equipment, UE, information relating to one or more positioning solutions that are used to determine the position of the UE and / or measurements for the UE, wherein, for each of the positioning solutions that the information relates to, the information indicates any one or more of: whether the positioning solution has an area limitation; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is valid for; one or more areas that the respective positioning solution is not valid for; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is valid; whether the UE is in an area that the respective positioning solution is not valid; whether the respective positioning solution is valid; and whether the respective positioning solution is not valid.

14. The method of claims 13, wherein the information is received from the UE in any of a message indicating capabilities of the UE; a message requesting assistance data from the network node; a message sent in response to receiving assistance data from the network node; and / or a message sent in response to a request for the UE to determine its position and / or the UE determine measurements.

15. The method of claims 13 or 14, wherein the method further comprises: sending a message to the UE; wherein the information is received from the UE after sending the message to the UE.

16. The method of any of claims 13-15, wherein the information is received from the UE in response to sending any of: a request for the UE to indicate its capabilities; a message comprising assistance data; and / or a message requesting the UE to determine its position and / or determine measurements.

17. The method of any of claims 13-16, wherein the information indicates a plurality of the information indications.

18. The method of claims 17, wherein the information is received from the UE in a plurality of messages.

19. The method of claims 17 or 18, wherein a first message received from the UE comprises a first one or more of the information indications, and a second message received from the UE comprises a different one or more of the information indications.

20. The method of any of claims 13-19, wherein the network node is a location management node.

21. The method of any of claims 13-20, wherein the network node is a Location Management Function, LMF.

22. The method of any of claims 13-21 , wherein the method further comprises: receiving, from the UE, a position determined using one of the positioning solutions; or receiving, from the UE, measurements obtained according to one of the positioning solutions and determining the position of the UE from the received measurements.

23. The method of any of claims 13-22, wherein the one or more positioning solutions comprises at least one positioning solution that uses, or is based on, an Artificial Intelligence, Al, model.

24. The method of any of claims 13-23, wherein the one or more positioning solutions comprises at least one positioning solution that does not use or is not based on an Artificial Intelligence, Al, model.

25. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein, the computer readable code being configured such that, on execution by a suitable computer or processor, the computer or processor is caused to perform the method of any of the claims 1-12.

26. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein, the computer readable code being configured such that, on execution by a suitable computer or processor, the computer or processor is cause to perform the method of any of the claims 13-24.

27. A user equipment, UE, configured to perform the method of any of the claims 1-12.

28. A user equipment, UE, comprising a processor and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor whereby said UE is operative to perform the method of any of the claims 1-12.

29. A network node configured to perform the method of any of the claims 13-24.

30. A network node comprising a processor and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor whereby said network node is operative to perform the method of any of the claims 13-24.

31. A user equipment, UE, comprising: processing circuitry configured to cause the user equipment to perform any of the steps of any of the claims 1-12; and power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

32. A network node, comprising: processing circuitry configured to cause the network node to perform any of the steps of any of the claims 13-24; power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

33. A user equipment, UE, comprising: an antenna configured to send and receive wireless signals; radio front-end circuitry connected to the antenna and to processing circuitry, and configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna and the processing circuitry; the processing circuitry being configured to perform any of the steps of any of the claims 1- 12; an input interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to allow input of information into the UE to be processed by the processing circuitry; an output interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to output information from the UE that has been processed by the processing circuitry; and a battery connected to the processing circuitry and configured to supply power to the UE.

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