Los-NLOS indicator measurement and indication procedures with BW aggregation and frequency hopping

Abstract

A UE receives, from an LMF, a request message indicating that the UE should report a joint LoS / NLoS indicator derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink PRS bandwidths The UE performs aggregated positioning measurement(s) on the aggregated downlink PRSs and estimates the joint LoS / NLoS indicator derived from the aggregated downlink PRSs. The UE reports the aggregated positioning measurement(s). The UE reports, to the LMF, the joint LoS / NLoS indicator derived from the aggregated downlink PRSs and corresponding to aggregated positioning measurement(s). Techniques are presented for the LMF and also for UL SRSs, and can be extended to frequency hopping. Similar techniques are used for received power metric measurements.

Description

LoS-NLoS Indicator Measurement and Indication Procedures with BW Aggregation and Frequency HoppingCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from, and the benefit of, US Provisional Application No. 63 / 644765, filed May 9, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Examples of embodiments herein relate generally to cellular networks and, more specifically, relate to positioning for UEs (user equipment) within cellular networks.BACKGROUND

[0003] Positioning of UEs (user equipment, which are wireless and generally mobile devices) in cellular systems is important. For instance, UEs need to be located accurately to provide various services like emergency response, commercial use cases such as location estimation for indoor factory, navigation, and optimized network resource allocation. Cellular network positioning uses a combination of technologies and information from multiple sources to estimate the UE's location.

[0004] One technique being used involves downlink (DL) positioning reference signal (PRS) positioning frequency layers (PFLs). PFLs are specialized frequency bands in 5G cellular networks designed to provide high-accuracy location estimation for various use cases, including enhanced emergency services, navigation, and optimized network resource allocation.

[0005] A PFL is defined as follows: A positioning frequency layer is defined as a collection of DL PRS (downlink positioning reference signal) resource sets where each DL PRS resource set is in turn a collection of DL PRS resources. All DL PRS resources from all DL PRS resource sets from the same positioning frequency layer have some common / same PRS parameters viz. PRS subcarrier spacing, PRS resource bandwidth, PRS start PRB, PRS Point A, PRS Comb size and PRS cyclic prefix. See R2- 2313241 , Nokia, Nokia Shanghai Bell, “Definition of Positioning Frequency Layer”, 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #124, Chicago, USA, 13 - 17 November 2023. A PFL may be characterized by the following properties:

[0006] 1 . Frequency band: Each PFL operates on a specific frequency band, which is different from the usual 4G / 5G (fourth generation / fifth generation) downlink / uplink frequency resource configuration for data communication. PFL is instead used for frequency resource allocation for downlink positioning reference signals. Each PFL may be located in a downlink component carrier, so multiple PFLs may be in multiple component carriers, respectively.

[0007] 2. High accuracy: Bandwidth aggregation (or carrier aggregation) across multiple PFLs is optimized for high-accuracy location estimation, typically with a precision of around 0.1-1 meters. In this document, the terms bandwidth aggregation and carrier aggregation may be used interchangeably.

[0008] While bandwidth aggregation (or carrier aggregation) across multiple PFLs is helpful to improve positioning accuracy, the performance can be affected by Line-of-Sight (LoS) and Non-Line-of-Sight (NLoS) measurements, and these measurements and indicators play a crucial role in determining the accuracy of positioning information.

[0009] A LoS measurement occurs when the signal path between the base station (BS) and the user equipment (UE) is direct, with no obstacles or obstructions. This means that the signal travels from the BS to the UE via a straight line, without being blocked or reflected by other objects.

[0010] An NLoS measurement occurs when there are obstacles or obstructions between the gNB (a base station for 5G) and the UE, causing the signal to be reflected, diffracted, or scattered. This can lead to multiple signal paths reaching the UE, making it more challenging to accurately determine the UE's position.

[0011] The presence or absence of obstacles can significantly impact the accuracy of positioning measurements. PFLs, however, may be used to mitigate the effects of NLoS conditions by using multiple signals and advanced processing techniques. NLoS is channel property. Consider the following:

[0012] 1) If the first (LoS) and second (NLoS) paths are close by (in distance), then the use of smaller BW (bandwidth) PFL may not be sufficient to detect the first (LoS) and second (NLoS) paths.

[0013] 2) So, the use of a larger PRS BW (e.g., by using PRSs / PFLs aggregation) may provide higher sampling rate, and the first (LoS) and second (NLoS) paths may therefore be detected.

[0014] Furthermore, bandwidth aggregation of multiple PFLs enable better LoS and NLoS measurements: By using the bandwidth aggregation of multiple PFLs, 5G networks can provide more accurate positioning information even in the presence of NLoS conditions.

[0015] The UE or gNB may be able to derive an LoS / NLoS indicator from a timing measurement with a bandwidth aggregation or without bandwidth aggregation. These may affect the LoS / NLoS indicator value.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0016] This section is intended to include examples and is not intended to be limiting.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving, by a user equipment from a location management function, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report a joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; performing, by the user equipment, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; estimating, by the user equipment, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; reporting, by the user equipment, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and reporting, by the user equipment to the location management function, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0018] An additional exemplary embodiment includes a computer program, comprising instructions for performing the method of the previous paragraph, when the computer program is run on an apparatus. The computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing the instructions embodied therein for use with the apparatus. Another example is the computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the apparatus.

[0019] An exemplary apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, by a user equipment from a location management function, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report a joint line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; performing, by the user equipment, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; estimating, by the user equipment, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; reporting, by the user equipment, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and reporting, by the user equipment to the location management function, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0020] An exemplary computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium bearing instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, by a user equipment from a location management function, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report a joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; performing, by the user equipment, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; estimating, by the user equipment, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; reporting, by the user equipment, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and reporting, by the user equipment to the location management function, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0021] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for: receiving, by a user equipment from a location management function, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report a joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; performing, by the user equipment, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated downlinkpositioning reference signals; estimating, by the user equipment, the joint line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; reporting, by the user equipment, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and reporting, by the user equipment to the location management function, the joint line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving, by a base station from a location management function, a request message requesting that the base station provides a joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; performing, by the base station, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; estimating, by the base station, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; reporting, by the base station, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements to the location management function; and reporting, by the base station to the location management function, the joint line of sight / non- line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0023] An additional exemplary embodiment includes a computer program, comprising instructions for performing the method of the previous paragraph, when the computer program is run on an apparatus. The computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing the instructions embodied therein for use with the apparatus. Another example is the computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the apparatus.

[0024] An exemplary apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, by a base station from a location management function, a request message requesting that the base station provides a joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; performing, by the base station, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; estimating, by the base station, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; reporting, by the base station, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements to the location management function; and reporting, by the base station to the location management function, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0025] An exemplary computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium bearing instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:receiving, by a base station from a location management function, a request message requesting that the base station provides a joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; performing, by the base station, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; estimating, by the base station, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; reporting, by the base station, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements to the location management function; and reporting, by the base station to the location management function, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0026] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for: receiving, by a base station from a location management function, a request message requesting that the base station provides a joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; performing, by the base station, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; estimating, by the base station, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; reporting, by the base station, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements to the location management function; and reporting, by the base station to the location management function, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes sending, by a location management function to a user equipment, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report a joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, reporting of the one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; and receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0028] An additional exemplary embodiment includes a computer program, comprising instructions for performing the method of the previous paragraph, when the computer program is run on an apparatus. The computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing the instructions embodied therein for use with theapparatus. Another example is the computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the apparatus.

[0029] An exemplary apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: sending, by a location management function to a user equipment, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report a joint line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, reporting of the one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; and receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0030] An exemplary computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium bearing instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: sending, by a location management function to a user equipment, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report a joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, reporting of the one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; and receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0031] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for: sending, by a location management function to a user equipment, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report a joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, reporting of the one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; and receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function,position estimation by utilizing at least the joint line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes sending, by a location management function to a base station, a request message requesting that the base station provide a joint line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of the joint line of sight / non-li ne of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0033] An additional exemplary embodiment includes a computer program, comprising instructions for performing the method of the previous paragraph, when the computer program is run on an apparatus. The computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing the instructions embodied therein for use with the apparatus. Another example is the computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the apparatus.

[0034] An exemplary apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: sending, by a location management function to a base station, a request message requesting that the base station provide a joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0035] An exemplary computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium bearing instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: sending, by a location management function to a base station, a request message requesting that the base station provide a joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregateduplink sounding reference signals; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0036] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for: sending, by a location management function to a base station, a request message requesting that the base station provide a joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving, by a user equipment from a location management function, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; performing, by the user equipment, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; estimating, by the user equipment, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; reporting, by the user equipment, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and reporting, by the user equipment to the location management function, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0038] An additional exemplary embodiment includes a computer program, comprising instructions for performing the method of the previous paragraph, when the computer program is run on an apparatus. The computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing the instructions embodied therein for use with the apparatus. Another example is the computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the apparatus.

[0039] An exemplary apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, by a user equipment from a location management function, a request message indicating thatthe user equipment should report joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; performing, by the user equipment, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; estimating, by the user equipment, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; reporting, by the user equipment, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and reporting, by the user equipment to the location management function, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0040] An exemplary computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium bearing instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, by a user equipment from a location management function, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; performing, by the user equipment, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; estimating, by the user equipment, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; reporting, by the user equipment, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and reporting, by the user equipment to the location management function, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0041] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for: receiving, by a user equipment from a location management function, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; performing, by the user equipment, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; estimating, by the user equipment, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; reporting, by the user equipment, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and reporting, by the user equipment to the location management function, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving, by a base station from a location management function, a request message requesting that the base station provides joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals acrossmultiple component carriers; performing, by the base station, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; estimating, by the base station, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; reporting, by the base station, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements to the location management function; and reporting, by the base station to the location management function, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0043] An additional exemplary embodiment includes a computer program, comprising instructions for performing the method of the previous paragraph, when the computer program is run on an apparatus. The computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing the instructions embodied therein for use with the apparatus. Another example is the computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the apparatus.

[0044] An exemplary apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, by a base station from a location management function, a request message requesting that the base station provides joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; performing, by the base station, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; estimating, by the base station, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; reporting, by the base station, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements to the location management function; and reporting, by the base station to the location management function, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0045] An exemplary computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium bearing instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, by a base station from a location management function, a request message requesting that the base station provides joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; performing, by the base station, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; estimating, by the base station, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; reporting, by the base station, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements to the location management function; and reporting, by the base station to the location management function, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0046] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for: receiving, by a base station from a location management function, a request message requesting that the base station provides joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; performing, by the base station, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; estimating, by the base station, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; reporting, by the base station, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements to the location management function; and reporting, by the base station to the location management function, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes sending, by a location management function to a user equipment, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, reporting of the one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; and receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint received power metric measurements associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0048] An additional exemplary embodiment includes a computer program, comprising instructions for performing the method of the previous paragraph, when the computer program is run on an apparatus. The computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing the instructions embodied therein for use with the apparatus. Another example is the computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the apparatus.

[0049] An exemplary apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: sending, by a location management function to a user equipment, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, reporting of the one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; and receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, the joint received powermetric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint received power metric measurements associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0050] An exemplary computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium bearing instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: sending, by a location management function to a user equipment, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, reporting of the one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; and receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint received power metric measurements associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0051] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for: sending, by a location management function to a user equipment, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, reporting of the one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; and receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint received power metric measurements associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes sending, by a location management function to a base station, a request message requesting that the base station provide joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the locationmanagement function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint received power metric measurements associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0053] An additional exemplary embodiment includes a computer program, comprising instructions for performing the method of the previous paragraph, when the computer program is run on an apparatus. The computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing the instructions embodied therein for use with the apparatus. Another example is the computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the apparatus.

[0054] An exemplary apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: sending, by a location management function to a base station, a request message requesting that the base station provide joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint received power metric measurements associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0055] An exemplary computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium bearing instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: sending, by a location management function to a base station, a request message requesting that the base station provide joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint received power metric measurements associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0056] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for: sending, by a location management function to a base station, a request message requesting that the base station provide joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated uplink soundingreference signals; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint received power metric measurements associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] The accompanying drawings use reference numerals, where the same reference numerals may be used to refer to like parts throughout, but parts having the same reference numeral can differ in operation and components. In the attached drawings:

[0058] FIG. 1 is an illustrative example of DL PRS frequency hopping;

[0059] FIG. 2A is used to illustrate an overview of the DL PRS examples herein and also some concepts associated with the examples;

[0060] FIG. 2B is used to illustrate an overview of the UL SRS examples herein and also some concepts associated with the examples;

[0061] FIG. 3 is a signaling diagram of LoS / NLoS indicator indication for DL PRS aggregation;

[0062] FIG. 3A is a block indicating possible requests from operation 3 of FIG. 3;

[0063] FIG. 3B is a block indicating possible operations associated with operation 6 of FIG. 3;

[0064] FIG. 3C is a block indicating possible operations associated with operation 8 of FIG. 3;

[0065] FIG. 4 is a signaling diagram of LoS / NLoS indicator indication for UL SRS aggregation;

[0066] FIG. 4A is a block indicating possible requests from operation 3 of FIG. 4;

[0067] FIG. 4B is a block indicating possible operations associated with operation 6 of FIG. 4;

[0068] FIG. 4G is a block indicating possible operations associated with operation 8 of FIG. 4;

[0069] FIG. 5 is a signaling diagram of LoS / NLoS indicator indication for DL PRS frequency hopping;

[0070] FIG. 6 is a signaling diagram of LoS / NLoS indicator indication for UL SRS frequency hopping;

[0071] FIG. 7 is a signaling diagram of RSRP / RSRPP measurement and indication procedure for DL PRS aggregation;

[0072] FIG. 7A is a block indicating possible requests from operation 3 of FIG. 7;

[0073] FIG. 7B is a block indicating possible operations associated with operation 6 of FIG. 7;

[0074] FIG. 7C is a block indicating possible operations associated with operation 8 of FIG. 7;

[0075] FIG. 8 is a signaling diagram of RSRP / RSRPP measurement and indication procedure for UL SRS aggregation;

[0076] FIG. 8A is a block indicating possible requests from operation 3 of FIG. 8;

[0077] FIG. 8B is a block indicating possible operations associated with operation 6 of FIG. 8;

[0078] FIG. 8C is a block indicating possible operations associated with operation 8 of FIG. 8; and

[0079] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting exemplary system in which the exemplary embodiments may be practiced.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0080] Abbreviations that may be found in the specification and / or the drawing figures are defined below, at the end of the detailed description section.

[0081] The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. All of the embodiments described in this Detailed Description are exemplary embodiments provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the examples.

[0082] When more than one drawing reference numeral, word, or acronym is used within this description with ”, and in general as used within this description, the 7” may be interpreted as “or”, “and”, or “both”. As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or,” mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0083] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “includes” and / or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0084] It is noted that capital and lowercase words or phrases are considered to be the same herein. For instance, the words Slice and slice are the same, as are the phrases Network Repository Function and network repository function.

[0085] Any flow diagram or signaling diagram (such as FIGS. 2-7) herein is considered to be a logic flow diagram, and illustrates the operation of an exemplary method, results of execution of computer program instructions embodied on a computer readable memory, functions performed by logic implemented in hardware, and / or interconnected means for performing functions in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. For methods, flow diagrams, and signaling diagrams, the orders of method steps, blocks in the flow, or signaling are not critical and instead are examples.

[0086] Technical context is now provided for technical areas related to the understanding of the examples.

[0087] It is well known that the accuracy of positioning measurements, especially the timing related measurements, normally improves with the increase in signal bandwidth. However, in 5G NR sub-6GHz, the maximum supported carrier bandwidth per PFL (positioning frequency layer) is 100 MHz, and this maximum available bandwidth already limits the achievable (maximum) possible positioning accuracy by using Rel-16 / 17 positioning methods. Thus, to further improve the positioning accuracy, two additionaltechniques have been considered in Rel-18: a) bandwidth (BW) aggregation for positioning; and b) carrier phase-based positioning. The examples herein focus on the bandwidth aggregation for positioning.

[0088] The Rel-18 WID on BW aggregation for positioning is defined [see RP-223549, Intel Corporation et al., “New WID on Expanded and Improved NR Positioning”, 3GPP TSG RAN Meeting #98-e, Electronic Meeting, December 12-16, 2022] as the following (see between opening and closing quotation marks):

[0089] “Specify bandwidth aggregation for positioning measurements across up to three intra-band contiguous carriers.

[0090] Specify signaling and procedures to support aggregation of PRS / SRS (respectively) resources across PFLs / carriers (respectively) for positioning measurements under the assumption that the signals over aggregated resources are transmitted and received (respectively) using a single RF chain (same antenna).

[0091] NOTE: The support of bandwidth aggregation for positioning measurements applies only to timing related measurements (e.g., RSTD, RTOA, and UE / gNB Rx-Tx time difference).

[0092] Specify RRM requirements with measurement gaps in connected mode, and in inactive mode, including PRS measurement period / reporting.”

[0093] For standards at the time of this document, Rel-18 BW aggregation for positioning is in the maintenance phase, and below a few Rel-18 related agreements for related technical areas are presented.

[0094] Rel-18 related agreements on BW aggregation for related technical areas are as follows. Selected RAN1 Agreements are described now. In RAN1 #113, the following agreements were made on the common transmission properties of the aggregated PRS and SRS resources.

[0095] Agreement for PRS aggregation is as follows. For PRS bandwidth aggregation between PRS in two or three different PFLs, the following are needed for the aggregated PRS resources for a TRP:

[0096] 1 ) The same periodicity and slot offset.

[0097] 2) The same muting pattern.

[0098] 3) The same NR-DL-PRS-SFNO-Offset value.

[0099] 4) The UE expects to be configured with PRS resources that maintain a per-symbol uniformly spaced PRS pattern across aggregated bandwidths in frequency domain (Note: It does not preclude dropping some REs in the guard band between two PFLs).

[0100] 5) FFS same antenna port from RAN1 perspective.

[0101] Agreement for SRS aggregation is described now.

[0102] For SRS bandwidth aggregation between SRS in two or three carriers, the following is needed for the aggregated SRS resources.

[0103] 1) The same periodicityAndOffset, and slotOffset.

[0104] 2) The configuration of pathloss RS, Po and alpha to ensure the same Tx PSD (power per subcarrier).

[0105] a) The same configuration of Po and alpha.

[0106] b) Note: UE may either perform pathloss RS measurement across component carriers and form a single path loss value to apply across component carriers or perform pathloss RS measurement in a single component carrier and apply across component carriers.

[0107] In RAN1#113, the following agreements were made for the linkage of PFL / PRS-Resource-Set (component carrier / SRS-Resource set) which are to be aggregated for positioning measurements:

[0108] Agreement for PFL / PRS is as follows.

[0109] For PRS bandwidth aggregation across PFLs, support:

[0110] 1) Option 2: Per TRP basis and per PRS resource set basis.

[0111] a) For each TRP, support new signaling to indicate which PRS resource sets across PFLs are linked.

[0112] b) It is assumed that the PRS resources across the linked PRS resource sets are linked if the conditions are satisfied. For the non-linked PRS resource sets, no aggregation is assumed even if the conditions are satisfied.

[0113] Agreement for component carrier / SRS is described now.

[0114] For SRS bandwidth aggregation across two or three carriers, support

[0115] 1) Option 2: Per SRS resource set basis.

[0116] a) Support new signaling to indicate which SRS resource sets across carriers are linked.

[0117] b) It is assumed that the SRS resources across the linked SRS resource sets are linked if the conditions are satisfied. For the non-linked SRS resource sets, no aggregation is assumed even if the conditions are satisfied.

[0118] In RAN1 #115, the following agreements were made on reporting of RSRP / RSRPP measurements:

[0119] Agreement is as follows.

[0120] If the UE / gNB reports aggregated timing measurement, the single reported RSRP / RSRPP (if reported) is based on aggregated PRS / SRS resources across aggregated PFLs / carriers.

[0121] Notel : it is up to RAN4 whether to define a corresponding requirement

[0122] Note2: for UL, measured SRS signals refer to aggregated SRS resources. For DL, measured PRS signals refer to aggregated PRS resources.

[0123] Frequency Hopping for positioning is now described.

[0124] Rel-18 WID for NR positioning also contains frequency hopping (FH) strategies to be defined for the UEs with Reduced Capabilities (RedCap). The WID of RedCap positioning is defined as the following.

[0125] 1) Specify support of Frequency Hopping (FH) beyond maximum RedCap UE bandwidth for reception of DL PRS and transmission of UL SRS for positioning [RAN1 , RAN2], NOTE: The complexity of the corresponding capabilities for RedCap UEs should be addressed for the introduction of appropriate capabilities for RedCap UEs.

[0126] 2) Specify RRM requirements for positioning including RRM measurements and procedures for RedCap UEs for both with and without frequency hopping [RAN4],

[0127] As noted in the above WID, the RedCap are bandwidth (BW) limited devices. However, the accuracy of positioning is proportional to the positioning reference signal BW. Hence, to solve the BW limitedness problem of RedCap and to improve the positioning accuracy, frequency hopping strategy (for example, as shown in FIG. 1 , which is an illustrative example of DL PRS frequency hopping) that has been agreed for Rel-18. This figure shows a RedCap BW aggregation strategy, and a transmitted PRS BW, which is formed into PRS-1 , PRS-2, ..., PRS- / , and PRS- / +1 , which are aggregated hops for a PRS band. A received PRS band in the ithhop is illustrated.

[0128] As part of PRS frequency stitching / hopping as shown in FIG. 1 , the UE may need to align the phase of multiple frequency “chunks” (hops) to remove errors due to phase offsets between the chunks. This procedure can be performed by having an overlapping frequency part for concurrent chunks (or hops), as illustrated in FIG. 1 by the blocks for the frequency hops being slightly overlapping. Overlapping is not required, however, although consecutive PRS hops should be used.

[0129] In RAN 1 , for standards at the time of this application, the following agreement on “hopping and measurement reporting” was made.

[0130] Agreement is as follows.

[0131] For DL Rx hopping or UL Tx hopping, support the UE or gNB to report the following:

[0132] 1) A single measurement based on receiving multiple hops of the DL PRS or UL SRS for positioning.

[0133] 2) One measurement where a measurement is associated with one received hop.

[0134] 3) FFS: indication of how many received hops / which received hops were used in the measurement report.

[0135] 4) Note: no new measurement definition is introduced in RAN1 .

[0136] 5) FFS: conditions when the above measurements are reported, and whether the above measurements can be reported together.

[0137] Now that certain technical context has been provided, technical problems are described. The position of a target UE is estimated by measuring its distances from different reference points (e.g., gNBs), for example by using Trilateral principle. For high accuracy UE positioning, these distances should associate with the LoS path between UE and each reference point, and further the distance between UE and each reference point should be estimated with high accuracy. Hence, with each positioning measurements (e.g., RSTD, RTOA, and UE / gNB Rx-Tx time difference, which are measures of distances), the association of LoS or NLoS indication is essential for high accuracy positioning.

[0138] However, there is another information associated with measurement (such as LoS / NLoS indicator estimation and indication, which is introduced during Rel-17 positioning enhancement work) is also equallyimportant to proper functioning of the time-related measurement. That is, the timing positioning measurements (e.g., RSTD, RTOA, UE / gNB Rx-TX) using wider BW (which is achieved in the expenses of BW aggregation) is not enough to improve the positioning accuracy, if associated with each measurements LoS / NLoS indication is not used. This from the Rel-18 agreements and the draft 3GPP TS 38.214, one can easily see that the way LoS / NLoS to be handled for BW aggregation positioning is completely overlooked.

[0139] Hence, the legacy approach needs to be used for the estimation of Los / NLoS indicator even for the BW aggregated positioning measurements. In 3GPP TS 38.214, Section 5.1.6.5, LoS / NLoS indication approach is specified as follows (between the opening and closing quotation marks):

[0140] “The UE may be requested, subject to UE capability, to report LoS / NLoS indicator(s) via higher layer parameter nr-los-nlos-lndicatorRequest. The UE can report LoS / NLoS indicator(s) via higher layer parameter nr-los-nlos-lndicator associated with each DL RSTD, DL PRS-RSRP, DL PRS-RSRPP, and UE Rx-Tx time difference measurements. The UE can report LoS / NLoS indicator(s) via higher layer parameter nr-los-nlos-lndicator associated with each dl-PRS-ID in a measurement report. For the LoS / NLoS indicator(s) associated with DL RSTD, the UE may report one indicator associated with the dl-PRS-ID indicated by higher layer parameter dl-PRS-Referencelnfo and one indicator associated with the dl-PRS-ID of the DL RSTD measurement. A UE may be provided with LoS / NLoS indicator(s) via higher layer parameter nr-los-nlos-lndicator, and it may be associated with each DL PRS resource of each configured dl-PRS-ID or may be associated with each configured dl-PRS-ID. The values of the higher layer parameter LOS-NLOS-lndicator may be soft values (0, 0.1 , ..., 0.9, 1) or hard values (0, 1) with the values corresponding to the likelihood of LoS, with a value of 1 corresponding to LoS and a value of 0 corresponding to NLoS.”

[0141] Based on the above specification, the UE reports a single LoS / NLOS indicator associated with each dl-PRS-ID used for the positioning measurement. However, with the bandwidth aggregation positioning, a positioning measurement may be estimated by aggregating multiple linked positioning reference signal across multiple PFLs; and hence the legacy LoS / NLoS indicator indication approach defined above for bandwidth aggregated positioning measurement may not be applicable. That is, the positioning measurements using wider BW (which is achieved in the expense of BW aggregation) is not enough to improve the positioning accuracy, if associated with each measurements LoS / NLoS indication is not estimated and indicated in accordance with the BW aggregation. Thus, the LoS / NLoS indicator estimation and reporting approach for the aggregation of positioning resources, is required for the improved UE positioning accuracy.

[0142] The examples herein address the above issues (e.g., LoS / NLoS indicator estimation and reporting, including RSRP / RSRPP estimation and reporting) related to aggregation of positioning resources via bandwidth aggregation and frequency hopping.

[0143] Examples herein address at least the issues described above. An overview is provided now and further details are presented below.

[0144] The following uses a nested topical structure for ease of reference. This nested topical structure has the following key: I, II, III... are main categories; a, b, c... are subcategories; 1 , 2, 3... are further subcategories; and i, ii, iii... are even further subcategories.

[0145] As part of the overview, FIGS. 2A and 2B are presented to help outline the various examples. With reference to FIG. 2A, this figure is used to illustrate an overview of the DL PRS examples herein and also some concepts associated with the examples. As indicated by block 210, the DL PRS involves mainly the UE and LMF (though the gNB(s) play a role too). There are three examples: block 215 illustrates one example using an LoS / NLoS indicator and aggregated PRS resources, and is illustrated in FIG. 3; block 220 illustrates one example using an LoS / NLoS indicator and frequency hop(s), and is illustrated in FIG. 5; and block 225 illustrates one example using RSRP / RSRPP measurements and aggregated PRS resources, and is illustrated in FIG. 7. Block 230 indicates that aggregated multiple individual PRS BWs may be aggregated using the following: aggregation of a PRS BW of one PFL; or one PRS BW of one frequency hop. There are two techniques for aggregating PRS: aggregation via PRS of PFL(s) as in FIG. 3 (block 215) and FIG. 7 (block 225); and via PRS of the frequency hop(s) example in FIG. 5 and block 220. Block 235 indicates that multiple PRS parts may be combined into a single wideband PRS, then from there aggregated LoS / NLoS indicator (or aggregated RSRP / RSRPP measurement) may be determined. Consider the following example. Assume two PFLs aggregation. For BW aggregation, a linkage information between “PRS resource set of PFL-1” and “PRS resource set of PFL-2” is provided to UE. Then, the UE aggregates “PRS resource” of “PRS resource set of PFL-1” with “PRS resource” of “PRS resource set of PFL-2”, that satisfy a condition for BW aggregation. Consider this additional example. If more than one PRS resource belonging to PFLs satisfy the BW aggregation condition, in principle, BW aggregation may be able to be performed among PRS resources satisfying BW aggregation conditions across PFLs. For instance: 1) PFL-1 consists of resources: PRS_resource-11 , PRS_resource-12; and 2) PFL-2 consists of resources: PRS_resource-21 , PRS_resource-22. Then, based on BW aggregation condition, the following aggregated PRS resources may be determined: BW aggregation of PRS_resource- 11 & PRS_resource-21 ; and also BW aggregation of PRS_resource-12 & PRS_resource-22.

[0146] It is further noted that aggregated DL PRSs across multiple DL PRS bandwidths could cover two cases such that 1) carrier aggregation of multiple DL PRS resources is covered or 2) aggregation of multiple DL PRS hops is covered. Thus, a DL PRS could be a DL PRS resource or a part of DL PRS resource. Furthermore, this can cover aggregation of multiple DL PRS hops, where a single DL PRS hop is a part of a single DL PRS resource.

[0147] Turning to FIG. 2B, this figure is used to illustrate an overview of the UL SRS examples herein and also some concepts associated with the examples. As indicated by block 240, the UL SRS involves mainlythe gNB and LMF (though a UE plays a role too). There are three examples: block 245 illustrates one example using an LoS / NLoS indicator and aggregated SRS resources, and is illustrated in FIG. 4; block 250 illustrates one example using an LoS / NLoS indicator and frequency hop(s), and is illustrated in FIG. 6; and block 255 illustrates one example using RSRP / RSRPP measurements and aggregated SRS resources, and is illustrated in FIG. 8. Block 260 indicates that aggregated multiple parts of SRS BWs may be as follows: an SRS BW of one component carrier; or one SRS BW could be one frequency hop. It is assumed herein that, for the component carriers, one frequency hop may be performed using one component carrier. If a frequency hop is performed across multiple component carriers, this needs to satisfy “frequency hopping” as well as “BW aggregation” conditions. In further detail, SRS hopping is performed with wider BW than supported by a single component carrier, then component carriers aggregation is needed. That is, component carrier aggregation along with frequency hopping (FH). It is possible to generalize to cover both intra-component carrier FH and inter-component carrier FH. There are two techniques for aggregating SRS: aggregation via SRS of component carrier(s) as in FIG. 4 (block 245) and FIG. 8 (block 255); and via SRS of the frequency hop(s) example in FIG. 6 and block 250. Block 265 indicates that multiple SRS parts may be combined into a single wideband SRS, then from there aggregated LoS / NLoS indicator (or aggregated RSRP / RSRPP measurement) may be determined.

[0148] Similar to DL PRSs above, it is further noted that aggregated UL SRSs across multiple UL SRS bandwidths could cover two cases such that 1) carrier aggregation of multiple UL SRS resources is covered or 2) aggregation of multiple UL SRS hops is covered. Thus, an UL SRS could be an UL SRS resource or a part of n UL SRS resource. Furthermore, this can cover aggregation of multiple UL SRS hops, where a single UL SRS hop is a part of a single UL SRS resource.

[0149] It is further noted that any aggregated measurement described herein (in blocks 235 / 265) would be performed on aggregated PRS BW or SRS BW. This aggregation is described in blocks 230 (for PRS) and 260 (for SRS).

[0150] I) A procedure to obtain LoS / NLoS indicator measurement and indication in case of BW- aggregated positioning measurements is described now. In this case, a procedure is defined for both DL PRS aggregation and UL SRS aggregation. These include the following proposals:

[0151] a) For DL PRS aggregation:

[0152] 1) Proposal #1 : In case the UE is requested to report a LoS / NLoS indictor for aggregated measurements from the PRS BW aggregation, the UE understands that the UE is requested to report a joint LoS / NLoS indicator (e.g., estimated) from aggregated PRS resources of the linked DL PRS resource sets.

[0153] i) In case the UE reports a LoS / NLoS indicator and a joint timing measurement for PRS resources of indicated DL PRS resource sets, the LMF understands that the reported LoS / NLoS indicator is a joint LoS / NLoS indicator derived from the aggregated linked PRS resource sets.

[0154] ii) In another embodiment, when the UE reports aggregated measurements, the UE can report either a LoS / NLoS indicator from a single DL PRS positioning frequency layer (PFL) or a joint LoS / NLoS indicator from aggregated PRSs across multiple PFLs, and the UE reports information as to whether the UE reported an LoS / NLoS indicator per PFL or a joint LoS / NLoS indicator.

[0155] b) For UL SRS aggregation:

[0156] 1) Proposal #1 : In case the gNB is requested to report a LoS / NLoS indictor for BW aggregation, the gNB understands that the gNB is requested to report a joint LoS / NLoS indicator (e.g., estimated) from aggregated SRS resources of the linked UL SRS resource sets.

[0157] i) In case the gNB reports a LoS / NLoS indicator and a joint timing measurement for SRS resources of indicated UL SRS resource sets, the LMF understands that the reported LoS / NLoS indicator is a joint LoS / NLoS indicator derived from the linked SRS resource sets.

[0158] ii) In another embodiment, when the gNB reports aggregated measurements, the gNB can report either a LoS / NLoS indicator from a single component carrier (Component Carrier) or a joint LoS / NLoS indicator from aggregated SRSs across multiple component carriers, and the gNB reports information whether the UE reported an LoS / NLoS indicator per component carrier or a joint LoS / NLoS indicator.

[0159] II) A procedure to obtain LoS / NLoS indicator measurement and indication in case of frequency hopping positioning measurements is described now. In this case, a procedure is defined for both DL PRS and UL SRS frequency hopping. So, we have following proposals:

[0160] a) For DL PRS aggregation:

[0161] 1) In case that UE uses frequency hopping to receive DL PRS, UE may report a LoS / NLoS indicator determined based on a single frequency hop or multiple frequency hop. In addition, the UE reports whether the reported LoS / NLoS indicator is from a single hop or multi-hop.

[0162] b) For UL SRS aggregation:

[0163] 1) In case that UE frequency hops for UL SRS transmission, the gNB may report a LoS / NLoS indicator determined based on a single frequency hop or multiple frequency hop. In addition, the gNB reports whether the reported LoS / NLoS indicator is from a single hop or multi-hop.

[0164] III) A procedure to obtain RSRP / RSRPP measurement and indication in case of BW aggregated positioning measurements is described now. In this case, a procedure is defined for both DL PRS aggregation and UL SRS aggregation. The following proposals are considered.

[0165] a) For DL PRS aggregation:

[0166] 1) Proposal #1 : In case the UE is requested to report a joint measurement, the UE automatically understands that the UE is indicated to report a joint RSRP / RSRPP measurement for the PRS resources of the linked DL PRS resource sets. It is noted that RSRP / RSRPP measurement could be one or both of RSRP or RSRPP. Furthermore, other received power metric measurements may be used instead of RSRP / RSRPP measurements.

[0167] i) In case the UE reports a RSRP / RSRPP and a joint timing measurement for PRS resources of indicated DL PRS resource sets, the LMF understands that the reported RSRP / RSRPP is a joint measurement that is aggregated from the linked PRS resource sets.

[0168] 2) Proposal #2: In case the UE reports a joint timing measurement together with a carrier phase (CP) measurement, the UE does not report a joint RSRP / RSRPP measurement.

[0169] d) For UL SRS aggregation:

[0170] 1) Proposal #1 : In case the gNB is requested to report a joint measurement, the gNB automatically understands that the gNB is indicated to report a joint RSRP / RSRPP measurement for the SRS resources of the linked UL SRS resource sets.

[0171] i) In case the gNB reports a RSRP / RSRPP and a joint timing measurement for SRS resources of indicated UL SRS resource sets, the LMF understands that the reported RSRP / RSRPP is a joint measurement that is aggregated from the linked SRS resource sets.

[0172] 2) Proposal #2: In case the gNB reports a joint timing measurement together with a carrier phase (CP) measurement, the gNB does not report a joint RSRP / RSRPP measurement.

[0173] Now that an overview has been provided, more detail is provided. This includes providing detailed operations of above proposals. For clarity, the same nested topical structure used above is used below too.

[0174] In this section, detailed operations are described for the proposal proposed above covering following procedures:

[0175] I) LoS / NLoS indicator measurement / indication procedure with BW aggregation;

[0176] II) LoS / NLoS indicator measurement / indication procedure with frequency hopping; and

[0177] III) RSRP / RSRPP indicator measurement / indication procedure with BW aggregation.

[0178] I) LoS / NLoS indicator measurement / indication procedure with BW aggregation. Here, there are two cases for a) DL PRS aggregation, and b) UL PRS aggregation.

[0179] a) LoS / NLoS indicator measurement and indication procedure for DL PRS aggregation.

[0180] For the operations discussed below, the corresponding example signaling is shown in FIG. 3, which is a signaling diagram of LoS / NLoS indicator indication for DL PRS aggregation. FIG. 3 has signaling between UE 10, a serving gNB 70-1 , one or more neighbor gNBs 70-2, and an LMF 99-1. It is noted that there could be more than one neighbor gNB. Each operation associated with the figure is labelled with a label such as [FIG. 3, Operation x],

[0181] [FIG. 3, Operation 1] The UE and gNBs are configured for PRS aggregation for positioning measurement using two or three PFLs.

[0182] [FIG. 3, Operation 2] The LMF indicates to the UE the linked DL PRS resource sets across PFLs for the aggregation of PRS resources for positioning measurements.

[0183] [FIG. 3, Operation 3] The LMF requests UE to report LoS / NLoS indicator.

[0184] Refer to FIG. 3A, which is a block indicating possible requests from operation 3 of FIG. 3. In one implementation, the LMF may request to report LoS / NLoS indicator as in the legacy measurement. In another implementation, the LMF may request the UE to report LoS / NLoS indicator (e.g., estimated) from aggregated PRS resources of the linked DL PRS resource sets. In another implementation, the LMF may indicate (e.g., selected) PRS resource IDs from the linked DL PRS resource sets, and request UE to report LoS / NLoS indicator (e.g., estimated) from the indicated (e.g., selected) PRS resource IDs from the linked DL PRS resource sets.

[0185] [FIG. 3, Operation 4] Individual gNB(s) 70-1 , 20-2 (and possibly additional gNBs) transmits PRS resources across PFLs.

[0186] [FIG. 3, Operation 5] The UE performs PRS aggregated positioning measurements, which includes performing positioning measurements from aggregated PRS resources of the linked DL PRS resource sets.

[0187] [FIG. 3, Operation 6] The UE estimates the LoS / NLoS indicator from aggregated PRS resources. See FIG. 3B, which is a block indicating possible operations associated with operation 6 of FIG. 3.

[0188] In particular, the UE estimates LoS / NLoS indictor from aggregated PRS resources of the linked DL PRS resource sets. In another implementation, if LMF indicates (e.g., selected) PRS resource IDs from the linked DL PRS resource sets, then UE estimates LoS / NLoS indicator from the indicated (e.g., selected) PRS resource IDs from the linked DL PRS resource sets. Although the UE is requested to report a joint LoS / NLoS indicator, the UE can report a LoS / NLoS indicator associated with one of the linked DL PRS resources. The UE may report whether the reported LoS / NLoS indicator is a joint LoS / NLoS indicator or not.

[0189] [FIG. 3, Operation 7] The UE reports positioning measurement to LMF.

[0190] [FIG. 3, Operation 8] The UE reports LoS / NLoS indicator to LMF. See FIG. 3C, which is a block indicating possible operations associated with operation 8 of FIG. 3.

[0191] The UE may indicate that LoS / NLoS indicator is from aggregated PRS resources of the linked PRS resource sets. The UE may also report IDs of the PRS resource and PRS resource sets, that are aggregated for the estimation of LoS / NLoS indicator. The indication of used resource IDs may be useful, as UE may use different PRS resources than indicated by the LMF. The UE may report whether the reported LoS / NLoS indicator is a joint LoS / NLoS indicator or not.

[0192] [FIG. 3, Operation 9] The LMF estimates UE position by utilizing the LoS / NLoS indicator associated with the positioning measurements.

[0193] b) LoS / NLoS indicator measurement and indication procedure for UL SRS aggregation. For the operations discussed below, the corresponding example signaling is shown in FIG. 4, which is a signaling diagram of LoS / NLoS indicator indication for UL SRS aggregation. The operations associated with the figure are labelled with labels such as [FIG. 4, Operation x].

[0194] [FIG. 4, Operation 1] The UE and gNB are configured for SRS aggregation for positioning measurement using two or three component carriers.

[0195] [FIG. 4, Operation 2] The LMF indicates to the UE and gNBs the linked UL SRS resource sets across component carriers for the aggregation of SRS resources for positioning measurements.

[0196] [FIG. 4, Operation 3] The LMF requests gNBs to report LoS / NLoS indicator. See FIG. 4A, which is a block indicating possible requests from operation 3 of FIG. 4.

[0197] In one implementation, the LMF may just request to report LoS / NLoS indicator as in the legacy measurement. In another implementation, the LMF may request gNBs to report LoS / NLoS indicator (e.g., estimated) from aggregated SRS resources of the linked UL SRS resource sets from all component carriers. In another implementation, the LMF may indicate (e.g., selected) SRS resource IDs from the linked UL SRS resource sets / component carriers, and request gNBs to report a joint LoS / NLoS indicator derived from multiple component carriers.

[0198] [FIG. 4, Operation 4] The UE transmits SRS resources across component carriers.

[0199] [FIG. 4, Operation 5] Each gNB 70-1 , 70-2 (or possibly other gNB(s)) performs SRS aggregated positioning measurements, including performing positioning measurements from aggregated SRS resources of the linked UL SRS resource sets.

[0200] [FIG. 4, Operation 6] Each gNB 70-1 , 70-2 (or possibly other gNB(s)) estimates LoS / NLoS indicator. See FIG. 4B, which is a block indicating possible operations associated with operation 6 of FIG. 4.

[0201] Each gNB estimates LoS / NLoS indictor from aggregated SRS resources of the linked UL SRS resource sets. In another implementation, if the LMF indicates (e.g., selected) SRS resource IDs from the linked UL SRS resource sets, then each gNB estimates LoS / NLoS indicator from the indicated (e.g., selected) SRS resource IDs from the linked UL SRS resource sets.

[0202] [FIG. 4, Operation 7] Each gNB reports positioning measurement to the LMF.

[0203] [FIG. 4, Operation 8] Each gNB reports LoS / NLoS indicator from the UL SRS aggregation to the LMF. See FIG. 4C, which is a block indicating possible operations associated with operation 8 of FIG. 4.

[0204] Each gNB may indicate that LoS / NLoS indicator is from aggregated SRS resources of the linked SRS resource sets. Although the gNB is requested to report a joint LoS / NLoS indicator, the gNB can report a LoS / NLoS indicator associated with one of the linked UL SRS resources (component carrier). The gNB may report whether the reported LoS / NLoS indicator is a joint LoS / NLoS indicator derived from multiple component carriers (multiple UL SRS resources) or not. Each gNB may also report IDs of the SRS resource and SRS resource sets, that are aggregated for the estimation of LoS / NLoS indicator. The indication of used resource IDs may be useful, as the gNB may use different SRS resources than indicated by LMF.

[0205] [FIG. 4, Operation 9] The LMF estimates UE position by utilizing the LoS / NLoS indicator associated with the positioning measurement.

[0206] 2) LoS / NLoS indicator measurement / indication procedure with frequency hopping is described now. Here, there are two cases for a) UE perform frequency hopping to receive DL PRS, and b) UE perform frequency hopping to transmit UL SRS.

[0207] a) LoS / NLoS indication measurement / indication with UE performing frequency hopping to receive DL PRS is described. In case UE uses frequency hopping to receive DL PRS, the following procedures are described in FIG. 5, which a signaling diagram of LoS / NLoS indicator indication for DL PRS frequency hopping (other procedures / operations are as defined in FIG. 3).

[0208] The UE receives a request from LMF to report LoS / NLoS from single or joint processing from multiple frequency hops. This is in operation 2.

[0209] The UE determines LoS / NLoS indicator as requested by the LMF. Alternatively, the UE decides to use single or multiple hops based on its capability. See operation 5.

[0210] The UE reports a LoS / NLoS indicator determined based on a single frequency hop or multiple frequency hop. In addition, the UE reports whether the reported LoS / NLoS indicator is from a single hop or multi-hop. See operation 7.

[0211] b) LoS / NLoS indication measurement / indication for UE performing frequency hopping to transmit UL SRS is now described.

[0212] In case the UE uses frequency hops to transmit UL SRS, the following procedures are described in FIG. 6, which is a signaling diagram of LoS / NLoS indicator indication for UL SRS frequency hopping (other procedures / operations are as defined in FIG. 4).

[0213] The gNB receives request from LMF to report LoS / NLoS from single or joint processing from multiple frequency hops. See operation 2.

[0214] The gNB determines LoS / NLoS indicator as requested by LMF. Alternatively, gNB decides to use single or multiple hops based on its capability. See operation 5.

[0215] The gNB reports a LoS / NLoS indicator determined based on a single frequency hop or multiple frequency hop. In addition, the gNB reports whether the reported LoS / NLoS indicator is from a single hop or multi-hop. See operation 7.

[0216] III) RSRP / RSRPP indicator measurement / indication procedure with BW aggregation is described now. There two cases for a) DL PRS aggregation, and b) UL SRS aggregation.

[0217] a) RSRP / RSRPP measurement and indication procedure for DL PRS aggregation is described now.

[0218] For the operations discussed below, the corresponding example signaling is shown in FIG. 7, which is a signaling diagram of RSRP / RSRPP measurement and indication procedure for DL PRSaggregation. The operations associated with the figure are labelled with labels similar to [FIG. 7, Operation x].

[0219] [FIG. 7, Operation 1] The UE and gNBs are configured for PRS aggregation for positioning measurement using two or three PFLs.

[0220] [FIG. 7, Operation 2] The LMF indicates to the UE the linked DL PRS resource sets across PFLs for the aggregation of PRS resources for positioning measurements.

[0221] [FIG. 7, Operation 3] The LMF requests the UE to report RSRP / RSRPP measurements. See FIG. 7A, which is a block indicating possible requests from operation 3 of FIG. 7.

[0222] In one implementation, the LMF may just request to report RSRP / RSRPP measurements as in the legacy measurement. In another implementation, the LMF may request the UE to report RSRP / RSRPP measurements (e.g., estimated) from aggregated PRS resources of the linked DL PRS resource sets. In another implementation, the LMF may indicate (e.g., selected) PRS resource IDs from the linked DL PRS resource sets, and request the UE to report RSRP / RSRPP measurements (e.g., estimated) from the indicated (e.g., selected) PRS resource IDs from the linked DL PRS resource sets.

[0223] [FIG. 7, Operation 4] The gNB transmits PRS resources across PFLs.

[0224] [FIG. 7, Operation 5] The UE performs positioning measurements from aggregated PRS resources of the linked DL PRS resource sets. Positioning measurement may be timing measurement (e.g., RSTD, UE Rx-Tx, and others) together with a carrier phase (CP) measurement.

[0225] [FIG. 7, Operation 6] The UE performs RSRP / RSRPP measurements, e.g., from aggregated PRS resources. Refer to FIG. 7B, which is a block indicating possible operations associated with operation 6 of FIG. 7.

[0226] The UE performs RSRP / RSRPP measurements from aggregated PRS resources of the linked DL PRS resource sets. In another implementation, if the LMF indicates (e.g., selected) PRS resource IDs from the linked DL PRS resource sets, then the UE performs RSRP / RSRPP measurements from the indicated (e.g., selected) PRS resource IDs from the linked DL PRS resource sets.

[0227] [FIG. 7, Operation 7] The UE reports positioning measurement to the LMF.

[0228] [FIG. 7, Operation 8] The UE reports RSRP / RSRPP measurements to the LMF. See FIG. 7C, which is a block indicating possible operations associated with operation 8 of FIG. 7.

[0229] The UE may indicate that RSRP / RSRPP measurements are from aggregated PRS resources of the linked PRS resource sets. The UE may also report IDs of the PRS resource and PRS resource sets, which are aggregated for the measurements of RSRP / RSRPP. Indication of used resource IDs may be useful, as the UE may use different PRS resources than indicated by LMF. In case the UE reports a joint timing measurement (e.g., RSTD, UE Rx-Tx, for uplink) together with a carrier phase (CP) measurement, the UE does not report a joint RSRP / RSRPP measurement.

[0230] [FIG. 7, Operation 9] The LMF estimates UE position by utilizing the measurements associated with the positioning measurement.

[0231] b) RSRP / RSRPP measurement and indication procedure for UL SRS aggregation are described now. For the operations discussed below, the corresponding example signaling is shown in FIG. 8. The operations associated with the figure are labelled with labels such as the following: [FIG. 8, Operation x],

[0232] [FIG. 8, Operation 1] The UE and gNB are configured for UL SRS aggregation for positioning measurement using two or three component carriers.

[0233] [FIG. 8, Operation 2] The LMF indicates to the UE and gNBs the linked UL SRS resource sets across component carriers for the aggregation of SRS resources for positioning measurements.

[0234] [FIG. 8, Operation 3] The LMF requests the gNBs to report RSRP / RSRPP measurements. Refer to FIG. 8A, which is a block indicating possible requests from operation 3 of FIG. 8

[0235] In one implementation, the LMF may request to report RSRP / RSRPP measurements as in the legacy measurement. In another implementation, the LMF may request gNBs to report RSRP / RSRPP measurements (e.g., estimated) from aggregated SRS resources of the linked UL SRS resource sets. In another implementation, the LMF may indicate (e.g., selected) SRS resource IDs from the linked UL SRS resource sets, and request gNBs to report RSRP / RSRPP measurements (e.g., estimated) from the indicated (e.g., selected) SRS resource IDs from the linked UL SRS resource sets.

[0236] [FIG. 8, Operation 4] The UE transmits SRS resources across component carriers.

[0237] [FIG. 8, Operation 5] Each gNB performs positioning measurements from aggregated SRS resources of the linked UL SRS resource sets. Positioning measurement may be timing measurement (e.g., RTOA, gNB Rx-Tx) together with a carrier phase (CP) measurement.

[0238] [FIG. 8, Operation 6] Each gNB perform RSRP / RSRPP measurements. FIG. 8B is a block indicating possible operations associated with operation 6 of FIG. 8.

[0239] Each gNB performs RSRP / RSRPP measurements from aggregated SRS resources of the linked UL SRS resource sets. In another implementation, if the LMF indicates (e.g., selected) SRS resource IDs from the linked UL SRS resource sets, then each gNB performs RSRP / RSRPP measurements from the indicated (e.g., selected) SRS resource IDs from the linked UL SRS resource sets.

[0240] [FIG. 8, Operation 7] Each gNB reports positioning measurement to the LMF.

[0241] [FIG. 8, Operation 8] Each gNB reports RSRP / RSRPP measurements to the LMF. Refer to FIG. 8C, which is a block indicating possible operations associated with operation 8 of FIG. 8.

[0242] Each gNB may indicate that RSRP / RSRPP measurements are from aggregated SRS resources of the linked SRS resource sets. Each gNB may also report IDs of the SRS resource and SRS resource sets, that are aggregated for the measurements of RSRP / RSRPP. Indication of used resource IDs may be useful, as gNB may use different SRS resources than indicated by the LMF. In case the gNB reports a jointtiming measurement (e.g., RTOA, gNB Rx-TX) together with a carrier phase (CP) measurement, the gNB does not report a joint RSRP / RSRPP measurement.

[0243] [FIG. 8, Operation 9] The LMF estimates UE position by utilizing the RSRP / RSRPP measurements associated with the positioning measurement.

[0244] Turning to FIG. 9, this figure shows a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example of a cellular network 1 that is connected to a user equipment (UE) 10. A number of network elements are shown in the cellular network of FIG. 9: gNBs 70-1 and 70-2; and a core network 90.

[0245] In FIG. 9, a user equipment (UE) 10 is in wireless communication via radio links 11-1 and 11-2 with the gNBs 70-1 and 70-2, respectively, of the cellular network 1. A UE 10 is a wireless communication device, such as a mobile device, that is configured to access a cellular network. The UE 10 is illustrated with one or more antennas 28. The ellipses 3 indicate there could be multiple UEs 10 in wireless communication via radio links with the gNBs 70. The UE 10 includes one or more processors 13, one or more memories 15, and other circuitry 16. The other circuitry 16 includes one or more receivers (Rx(s)) 17 and one or more transmitters (Tx(s)) 18. Instructions 12 are used to cause the UE 10 to perform the operations described herein. For a UE 10, the other circuitry 16 could include circuitry such as for user interface elements (not shown) like a display. Instructions 12 may be implemented via a program stored in memory / memories 15 and executed by processor(s) 13, or by circuitry such being implemented as part of the processor(s) or other hardware elements, or both.

[0246] gNBs 70, as network elements of the cellular network 1 , provide the UE 10 access to cellular network 1 and to the data network 91 via the core network 90 (e.g., via a user plane function (UPF) of the core network 90). As such, the gNBs 70 may be considered to be access nodes, which provide access by UE(s) 10 to the cellular network 1. The gNBs 70 are 5G base stations in an example. The possible internal circuitry of gNB 70-1 is illustrated, and it is assumed other gNBs 70 are similar. The gNB 70-1 is illustrated as having one or more antennas 58. In general, the gNB 70-1 may be referred to as RAN node, although many will make reference to this as a gNB (gNode B, a base station for NR, new radio) instead. There are, however, many other examples of RAN nodes including an eNB (evolved Node B) or TRP (Transmission- Reception Point). The gNB 70-1 includes one or more processors 73, one or more memories 75, and other circuitry 76. The other circuitry 76 includes one or more receivers (Rx(s)) 77 and one or more transmitters (Tx(s)) 78. Instructions 72 are used to cause the gNB 70-1 to perform the operations described herein. Instructions 72 may be implemented via a program stored in memory / memories 75 and executed by processor(s) 73, or by circuitry such being implemented as part of the processor(s) or other hardware elements, or both.

[0247] Two or more gNBs 70 (e.g., 70-1 and 70-2) communicate using, e.g., link(s) 79. The ellipses 4 indicate there could be more than two gNBs 70. The link(s) 79 may be wired or wireless or both and mayimplement, e.g., an Xn interface for 5G (fifth generation), an X2 interface for LTE (Long Term Evolution), or other suitable interface for other standards.

[0248] The cellular network 1 may include a core network 90, as a second network element or elements, that may include core network functionality, and which provide connectivity via a link or links 81 with a data network 91 , such as a telephone network and / or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet). The core network 90 includes one or more processors 93, one or more memories 95, and other circuitry 96. The other circuitry 96 includes one or more receivers (Rx(s)) 97 and one or more transmitters (Tx(s)) 98. Instructions 92 are used to cause the core network 90 to perform the operations described herein. The instructions 92 may be implemented via a program stored in memory / memories 95 and executed by processor(s) 93, or by circuitry such being implemented as part of the processor(s) or other hardware elements, or both.

[0249] The core network 90 could be a 5GC (5G core network). The core network 90 can implement or comprise multiple network functions (NF(s)) 99, and the instructions 92 may implement one or more of the NFs 99. A 5G core network may use circuitry such as memory and processors and might implement a virtualization layer that executes on top of the memory and processors. The 5G core network could include or be implemented by a single standalone computing system (or systems), a distributed computing system, or a cloud computing system.

[0250] Core network functionality for 5G may include access and mobility management functionality that is provided by a network function 99 such as an access and mobility management function (AMF), session management functionality that is provided by a network function such as a session management function (SMF). Core network functionality for access and mobility management in an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network may be provided by an MME (Mobility Management Entity) and / or SGW (Serving Gateway) functionality, which routes data to the data network. Many others are possible, as illustrated by the examples in FIG. 9: AMF; SMF; MME; SGW; GMLC (Gateway Mobile Location Center); LMF (Location Management Function) 99-1 ; UDM (Unified Data Management) / UDR (Unified Data Repository); NRF (Network Repository Function); and / or E-SMLC (Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center). These are merely exemplary core network functionality that may be provided by the core network 90, and note that both 5G and LTE core network functionality might be provided by the core network 90.

[0251] The gNB 70-1 is coupled via a backhaul link 31 to the core network 90. The gNB 70-1 and the core network 90 may include an NG (Next Generation) interface for 5G, or an S1 interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other radio access technologies for communicating via the backhaul link 31 .

[0252] Block 2 illustrates that the core network 90 has a set of resources including 92, 93, 95, and 96. The individual NFs 99, such as the LMF 99-1 , can be implemented via a corresponding subset 2’ of resources comprising 92’, 93’, and 95’. Regardless of how the individual NFs 99 are implemented, such as (see reference 5) via a virtualization machine, VM, (e.g., a virtualization layer), a container, or cloud-nativearchitecture, these are implemented via the subset 2’ of resources. That is, the NFs 99 such as LMF 99-1 are implemented via circuitry like the processors 93’ and memories 95’, and the instructions 92’. Specifically, the one or more memories 95’ store instructions 92’ of the LMF 99-1 , wherein the instructions 92’ when executed by one or more processors 93’ cause an apparatus (e.g., core network 90 or a part of it) to perform operations as described herein.

[0253] The LMF 99-1 manages the support of different location services for target UEs 10, including positioning of UEs 10 and delivery of assistance data to UEs 10. The LMF 99-1 may interact with the serving gNB for a target UE 10 in order to obtain position measurements for the UE 10.

[0254] In the data network 91 , there is a computer-readable medium 94. The computer-readable medium 94 contains instructions that, when downloaded and installed into the memories 15, 75, or 95 of the corresponding UE 10, gNB 70, and / or core network element(s) 90, and executed by processor(s) 13, 73, or 93, cause the respective device to perform corresponding actions described herein. The computer- readable medium 94 may be implemented in other forms, such as via a compact disc or memory stick.

[0255] The instructions 12, 72, and 92 (as part of a corresponding program 12, 72, and 92) are stored by corresponding one or more memories 15, 75, or 95. These instructions, when executed by the corresponding one or more processors 13, 73, or 93, cause the corresponding apparatus 10, 70, or 90, to perform the operations described herein. The computer readable memories 15, 75, or 95 are circuitry and may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, firmware, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The processors 13, 73, and 93, are circuitry and may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment. For example, these processors may include one or more of general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, and may also include specialized circuits such as field- programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific circuits (ASICs), signal processing devices and other devices, or combinations of these devices, as non-limiting examples. The processors 13, 73, and 93 are circuitry that can be programmed to perform functions via software, firmware or the like (including microcode), but are not solely software. Any (see reference 5) VM (e.g., a virtualization layer), container, or cloud-native architecture is executed by the processors 13, 73, and 93.

[0256] The receivers 17, 77, and 97, and the transmitters 18, 78, and 98 may implement wired or wireless interfaces. The receivers and transmitters may be grouped together as transceivers.

[0257] The cellular network 1 may implement network virtualization, which is the process of combining circuitry and software network resources and network functionality into a single, software-based administrative entity, a virtual network. Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is categorized as either external, combiningmany networks, or parts of networks, into a virtual unit, or internal, providing network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. Note that the virtualized entities (such as network functions 99) that result from the network virtualization are still implemented, at some level, using circuitry such as processors 73 and / or 93 and memories 75 and / or 95, e.g., by the processors 73 / 93 executing instructions 72 / 92, and also such virtualized entities create technical effects.

[0258] In general, the various embodiments of the user equipment 10 can include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones (such as smart phones, mobile phones, cellular phones, voice over Internet Protocol (IP) (VoIP) phones, and / or wireless local loop phones), tablets, portable computers, vehicles or vehiclemounted devices for, e.g., wireless V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communication, image capture devices such as digital cameras, gaming devices, music storage and playback appliances, Internet appliances (including Internet of Things, loT, devices), loT devices with sensors and / or actuators for, e.g., automation applications, as well as portable units or terminals that incorporate combinations of such functions, laptop- embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), Universal Serial Bus (USB) dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like. That is, the UE 10 could be any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, the UE may also be referred to as a communication device, terminal device (MT), a Subscriber Station (SS), a Portable Subscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS), or an Access Terminal (AT).

[0259] Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect and / or advantage of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is examples improve the reliability of LoS / NLoS indication, by performing the LoS / NLoS indicator measurement by aggregating the positioning resources. Another technical effect and / or advantage of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is, by exploiting the improved LoS / NLoS indication, positioning accuracy of the target UE can be improved. Another technical effect and / or advantage of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is flexibility for UE LoS / NLoS measurement and indication based on its capability Goint LoS / NLoS reporting or not); and unambiguous reporting to LMF.

[0260] The following are additional examples.

[0261] Example 1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment from a location management function, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report a joint line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; performing, by the user equipment, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals;estimating, by the user equipment, the joint line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; reporting, by the user equipment, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and reporting, by the user equipment to the location management function, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0262] Example 2. The method according to example 1 , wherein the one or more aggregated positioning measurements comprise one or more of the following: reference signal time difference; user equipment Rx- Tx time difference; or carrier phase measurement.

[0263] Example 3. The method according to example 1 or 2, wherein: the reporting the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator further comprises reporting a line of sight / non-line of sight indicator and also reporting whether the line of sight / non-line of sight indicator is from aggregated downlink positioning reference signal resources across multiple positioning frequency layers when the line of sight / non-line of sight indicator is for the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator or from a single downlink positioning reference signal from one positioning frequency layer when a line of sight / non-line of sight indicator is used for reporting one or more other positioning measurements.

[0264] Example 4. The method according to any of examples 1 to 3, wherein the multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths are contained in multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal positioning frequency layers.

[0265] Example 5. The method according to any of examples 1 to 3, wherein the multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths are contained in multiple individual frequency hops.

[0266] Example 6. A method, comprising: receiving, by a base station from a location management function, a request message requesting that the base station provides a joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; performing, by the base station, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; estimating, by the base station, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; reporting, by the base station, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements to the location management function; and reporting, by the base station to the location management function, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0267] Example 7. The method according to example 6, wherein the one or more aggregated positioning measurements comprise one or more of the following: uplink-reference signal time difference; base station Rx-Tx time difference; or carrier phase measurement.

[0268] Example 8. The method according to example 6 or 7, wherein reporting the joint line of sight / non- line of sight indicator comprises reporting a line of sight / non-line of sight indicator and also reportingwhether the line of sight / non-li ne of sight indicator is from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers when the line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator is for the joint line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator or from a single uplink sounding reference signal from a single component carrier when a line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator is used for reporting one or more other positioning measurements.

[0269] Example 9. The method according to any of examples 6 to 8, wherein the multiple uplink sounding reference signals are contained in multiple uplink component carriers.

[0270] Example 10. The method according to any of examples 6 to 8, wherein the multiple uplink sounding reference signals are contained in multiple frequency hops.

[0271] Example 11 . A method, comprising: sending, by a location management function to a user equipment, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report a joint line of sig ht / no n-li ne of sight indicator derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, reporting of the one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; and receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, the joint line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0272] Example 12. The method according to example 11 , wherein the multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths are contained in multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal positioning frequency layers.

[0273] Example 13. The method according to example 11 , wherein the multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths are contained in multiple individual frequency hops.

[0274] Example 14. A method, comprising: sending, by a location management function to a base station, a request message requesting that the base station provide a joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0275] Example 15. The method according to example 14, wherein the multiple uplink sounding reference signals are contained in multiple component carriers.

[0276] Example 16. The method according to example 14, wherein the multiple uplink sounding reference signals are contained in multiple frequency hops.

[0277] Example 17. A method, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment from a location management function, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; performing, by the user equipment, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; estimating, by the user equipment, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; reporting, by the user equipment, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and reporting, by the user equipment to the location management function, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0278] Example 18. The method according to example 17, wherein the one or more aggregated positioning measurements comprise one or more of the following: reference signal time difference; user equipment Rx-Tx time difference; or carrier phase measurement.

[0279] Example 19. The method according to example 17 or 18, wherein: the reporting the joint received power metric measurements further comprises reporting received power metric measurements and also reporting whether the received power metric measurements are from aggregated downlink positioning reference signal resources across multiple positioning frequency layers when the received power metric measurements are for the joint received power metric measurements or from a single downlink positioning reference signal from one positioning frequency layer when received power metric measurements are used for reporting one or more other positioning measurements.

[0280] Example 20. The method according to any of examples 17 to 19, wherein the multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths are contained in multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal positioning frequency layers.

[0281] Example 21. The method according to any of examples 17 to 19, wherein the multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths are contained in multiple individual frequency hops.

[0282] Example 22. A method, comprising: receiving, by a base station from a location management function, a request message requesting that the base station provides joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; performing, by the base station, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; estimating, by the base station, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; reporting, by thebase station, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements to the location management function; and reporting, by the base station to the location management function, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

[0283] Example 23. The method according to example 22, wherein the one or more aggregated positioning measurements comprise one or more of the following: uplink-reference signal time difference; base station Rx-Tx time difference; or carrier phase measurement.

[0284] Example 24. The method according to example 22 or 23, wherein reporting the joint received power metric measurements comprises reporting received power metric measurements and also reporting whether the received power metric measurements are from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers when the received power metric measurements are for the joint received power metric measurements or from a single uplink sounding reference signal from a single component carrier when received power metric measurements are used for reporting one or more other positioning measurements.

[0285] Example 25. The method according to any of examples 22 to 24, wherein the multiple uplink sounding reference signals are contained in multiple uplink component carriers.

[0286] Example 26. The method according to any of examples 22 to 24, wherein the multiple uplink sounding reference signals are contained in multiple frequency hops.

[0287] Example 27. A method, comprising: sending, by a location management function to a user equipment, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, reporting of the one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; and receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint received power metric measurements associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0288] Example 28. The method according to example 27, wherein the multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths are contained in multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal positioning frequency layers.

[0289] Example 29. The method according to example 27, wherein the multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths are contained in multiple individual frequency hops.

[0290] Example 30. A method, comprising: sending, by a location management function to a base station, a request message requesting that the base station provide joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint received power metric measurements associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

[0291] Example 31. The method according to example 30, wherein the multiple uplink sounding reference signals are contained in multiple component carriers.

[0292] Example 32. The method according to example 30, wherein the multiple uplink sounding reference signals are contained in multiple frequency hops.

[0293] Example 33. The method according to any of examples 17 to 32, wherein the received power metric measurements comprise one or more RSRP / RSRPP measurements.

[0294] Example 100. A computer program, comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out the methods of any of examples 1 to 33.

[0295] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0296] (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and

[0297] (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) (including digital signal processor(s)) with software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and

[0298] (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0299] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0300] Embodiments herein may be implemented in software (executed by one or more processors), hardware (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit), or a combination of software and hardware. In an example embodiment, the software (e.g., application logic, an instruction set) is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” may be any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer, with one example of a computer described and depicted, e.g., in FIG. 9. A computer-readable medium may comprise a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., memories 15, 75, and 95 or other device) that may be any media or means that can contain, store, and / or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. A computer-readable storage medium does not comprise propagating signals, and therefore may be considered to be non-transitory. The term “non-transitory”, as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM, random access memory, versus ROM, read-only memory).

[0301] If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and / or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional or may be combined.

[0302] Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and / or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

[0303] It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0304] The following abbreviations that may be found in the specification and / or the drawing figures are defined as follows:

[0305] 5G fifth generation

[0306] AMF access and mobility management function

[0307] BW bandwidth

[0308] component carrier component carrier

[0309] CP carrier phase

[0310] DL downlink, from network to UE

[0311] E-SMLC evolved serving mobile location center

[0312] eNB (or eNodeB) evolved Node B (e.g., an LTE base station)

[0313] FH frequency hopping

[0314] gNB (or gNodeB) base station for 5G / NR

[0315] ID identification

[0316] l / F interface

[0317] LMF location management function

[0318] LoS line of sight

[0319] LTE long term evolution

[0320] MME mobility management entity

[0321] NF network function

[0322] ng or NG next generation

[0323] NLoS non-line of sight

[0324] NR new radio

[0325] N / W or NW network

[0326] PFL positioning frequency layer

[0327] PSD power per subcarrier

[0328] PRS positioning reference signal

[0329] RAN radio access network

[0330] RE resource element

[0331] Rel release

[0332] RRM radio resource management

[0333] RS reference signal

[0334] RSRP reference signal received power

[0335] RSRPP reference signal received path power

[0336] RSTD reference signal time difference

[0337] RTOA Relative time of arrival

[0338] Rx receiver or receive

[0339] SCS sub-carrier spacing

[0340] SRS sounding reference signal

[0341] TRP transmission-reception point

[0342] Tx transmitter or transmit

[0343] UE user equipment (e.g., a wireless, typically mobile device)

[0344] UL uplink (from UE to network)

[0345] UPF user plane function

[0346] viz abbreviation for Videlicet

[0347] WID Working item description

Claims

What is claimed is:1 . An apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, by a user equipment from a location management function, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report a joint line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; performing, by the user equipment, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; estimating, by the user equipment, the joint line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; reporting, by the user equipment, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and reporting, by the user equipment to the location management function, the joint line of sight / non- line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more aggregated positioning measurements comprise one or more of the following: reference signal time difference; user equipment Rx-Tx time difference; or carrier phase measurement.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the reporting the joint line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator further comprises reporting a line of sight / non-line of sight indicator and also reporting whether the line of sight / non-line of sight indicator is from aggregated downlink positioning reference signal resources across multiple positioning frequency layers when the line of sight / non-line of sight indicator is for the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator or from a single downlink positioning reference signal from one positioning frequency layer when a line of sight / non-line of sight indicator is used for reporting one or more other positioning measurements.

4. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths are contained in multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal positioning frequency layers.

5. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths are contained in multiple individual frequency hops.

6. An apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, by a base station from a location management function, a request message requesting that the base station provides a joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; performing, by the base station, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; estimating, by the base station, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; reporting, by the base station, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements to the location management function; and reporting, by the base station to the location management function, the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the one or more aggregated positioning measurements comprise one or more of the following: uplink-reference signal time difference; base station Rx-Tx time difference; or carrier phase measurement.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein reporting the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator comprises reporting a line of sight / non-line of sight indicator and also reporting whether the line of sight / non-line of sight indicator is from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers when the line of sight / non-line of sight indicator is for the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator or from a single uplink sounding reference signal from asingle component carrier when a line of sight / non-li ne of sight indicator is used for reporting one or more other positioning measurements.

9. The apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the multiple uplink sounding reference signals are contained in multiple uplink component carriers.

10. The apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the multiple uplink sounding reference signals are contained in multiple frequency hops.

11. An apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: sending, by a location management function to a user equipment, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report a joint line of sig ht / non-li ne of sight indicator derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, reporting of the one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; and receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, the joint line of sig ht / non- line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths are contained in multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal positioning frequency layers.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths are contained in multiple individual frequency hops.

14. An apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: sending, by a location management function to a base station, a request message requesting that the base station provide a joint line of sig ht / no n-li ne of sight indicator derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint line of sight / non-line of sight indicator associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the multiple uplink sounding reference signals are contained in multiple component carriers.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the multiple uplink sounding reference signals are contained in multiple frequency hops.

17. An apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, by a user equipment from a location management function, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths; performing, by the user equipment, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; estimating, by the user equipment, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals;reporting, by the user equipment, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and reporting, by the user equipment to the location management function, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the one or more aggregated positioning measurements comprise one or more of the following: reference signal time difference; user equipment Rx-Tx time difference; or carrier phase measurement.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, wherein: the reporting the joint received power metric measurements further comprises reporting received power metric measurements and also reporting whether the received power metric measurements are from aggregated downlink positioning reference signal resources across multiple positioning frequency layers when the received power metric measurements are for the joint received power metric measurements or from a single downlink positioning reference signal from one positioning frequency layer when received power metric measurements are used for reporting one or more other positioning measurements.

20. The apparatus according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths are contained in multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal positioning frequency layers.21 . The apparatus according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths are contained in multiple individual frequency hops.

22. An apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, by a base station from a location management function, a request message requesting that the base station provides joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; performing, by the base station, one or more aggregated positioning measurements on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals;estimating, by the base station, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; reporting, by the base station, the one or more aggregated positioning measurements to the location management function; and reporting, by the base station to the location management function, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the one or more aggregated positioning measurements comprise one or more of the following: uplink-reference signal time difference; base station Rx-Tx time difference; or carrier phase measurement.

24. The apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, wherein reporting the joint received power metric measurements comprises reporting received power metric measurements and also reporting whether the received power metric measurements are from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers when the received power metric measurements are for the joint received power metric measurements or from a single uplink sounding reference signal from a single component carrier when received power metric measurements are used for reporting one or more other positioning measurements.

25. The apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 24, wherein the multiple uplink sounding reference signals are contained in multiple uplink component carriers.

26. The apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 24, wherein the multiple uplink sounding reference signals are contained in multiple frequency hops.

27. An apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: sending, by a location management function to a user equipment, a request message indicating that the user equipment should report joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated downlink positioning reference signals across multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths;receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, reporting of the one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals; and receiving, by the location management function from the user equipment, the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated downlink positioning reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint received power metric measurements associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths are contained in multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal positioning frequency layers.

29. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the multiple individual downlink positioning reference signal bandwidths are contained in multiple individual frequency hops.

30. An apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: sending, by a location management function to a base station, a request message requesting that the base station provide joint received power metric measurements derived from aggregated uplink sounding reference signals across multiple component carriers; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of one or more aggregated positioning measurements based on the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals; receiving, by the location management function from the base station, reporting of the joint received power metric measurements derived from the aggregated uplink sounding reference signals and corresponding to one or more aggregated positioning measurements; and performing, by the location management function, position estimation by utilizing at least the joint received power metric measurements associated with corresponding one or more joint positioning measurements.31 . The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the multiple uplink sounding reference signals are contained in multiple component carriers.

32. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the multiple uplink sounding reference signals are contained in multiple frequency hops.

33. The apparatus according to any of claims 17 to 32, wherein the received power metric measurements comprise one or more RSRP / RSRPP measurements.

34. A computer program, comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out the methods of any of claims 1 to 33.

35. The computer program according to claim 34, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing the instructions embodied therein for use with the apparatus.

36. The computer program according to claim 34, wherein the computer program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the apparatus.

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