Communication method, device, system, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communications. Disclosed in the embodiments are a communication method and apparatus and a computer readable storage medium. The communication method comprises: determining at least one first terminal, a first capability of each first terminal among the at least one first terminal matching a first capability of a second terminal, and the at least one first terminal being used for a first service. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, by means of determination of the at least one first terminal the first capability of which matches the first capability of the second terminal, a terminal which is not capable of communication can be avoided during the process of performing the first service.

Description

Communication methods, devices, systems and storage media Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a communication method, device, system, and storage medium. Background Technology

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

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides a communication method, device, system, and storage medium.

[0005] A first aspect of this disclosure provides a communication method, the method being executed by a first network function, the method comprising:

[0006] Identify at least one first terminal;

[0007] Wherein, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for the first service.

[0008] A second aspect of this disclosure provides a communication method, the method being performed by a second network function (e.g., a second network function), the method comprising:

[0009] Send first information to a first network function, the first information being used to indicate a first capability of a second terminal, for identifying at least one first terminal;

[0010] Wherein, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for the first service.

[0011] A third aspect of this disclosure provides a communication method, the method being performed by a third network function (e.g., a third network function), the method comprising:

[0012] Send first information and second information to the first network function to identify at least one first terminal;

[0013] Wherein, the first information is used to indicate the first capability of the second terminal, and the second information includes information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal;

[0014] The first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

[0015] A fourth aspect of this disclosure provides a communication method, the method being executed by a second terminal, the method comprising:

[0016] Receive third information sent by a first network function, the third information including at least one first terminal;

[0017] Wherein, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for the first service.

[0018] A fifth aspect of this disclosure provides a first network function, including:

[0019] A first processing module is used to determine at least one first terminal;

[0020] Wherein, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for the first service.

[0021] A sixth aspect of this disclosure provides a second network function, including:

[0022] The second transceiver module is used to send first information to the first network function, the first information being used to indicate the first capability of the second terminal and to identify at least one first terminal.

[0023] Wherein, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for the first service.

[0024] A seventh aspect of this disclosure provides a third network function, including:

[0025] The third transceiver module is used to send first information and second information to the first network function, and is used to identify at least one first terminal.

[0026] Wherein, the first information is used to indicate the first capability of the second terminal, and the second information includes information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal;

[0027] The first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

[0028] An eighth aspect of this disclosure provides a second terminal, comprising:

[0029] The fourth transceiver module is used to receive third information sent by the first network function, the third information including at least one first terminal;

[0030] Wherein, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for the first service.

[0031] A ninth aspect of this disclosure provides a communication device, comprising:

[0032] One or more processors;

[0033] The processor is used to execute an optional implementation of the first aspect described above.

[0034] A tenth aspect of this disclosure provides a communication device, comprising:

[0035] One or more processors;

[0036] The processor is used to execute an optional implementation of the second aspect described above.

[0037] An eleventh aspect of this disclosure provides a communication device, including:

[0038] One or more processors;

[0039] The processor is used to execute an optional implementation of the third aspect described above.

[0040] A twelfth aspect of this disclosure provides a communication device, comprising:

[0041] One or more processors;

[0042] The processor is used to execute an optional implementation of the fourth aspect described above.

[0043] According to a thirteenth aspect of this disclosure, a communication system is provided, including: a first network function and a second network function, wherein the first network function is used to implement the method described in an optional embodiment of the first aspect, and the second network function is used to implement the method described in an optional embodiment of the second aspect.

[0044] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores executable instructions which are loaded and executed by a processor to implement the methods described in the optional embodiments of the first, second, third, or fourth aspects.

[0045] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0046] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0047] Figure 1a is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0048] Figure 1b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a wireless communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0049] Figure 2a is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0050] Figure 2b is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0051] Figure 2c is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0052] Figure 2d is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0053] Figure 2e is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0054] Figure 3a is a flowchart illustrating the communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0055] Figure 3b is a flowchart illustrating the communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0056] Figure 3c is a flowchart illustrating the communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0057] Figure 3d is a flowchart illustrating the communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0058] Figure 3e is a flowchart illustrating the communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0059] Figure 3f is a flowchart illustrating the communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0060] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0061] Figure 5a is a flowchart illustrating the communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0062] Figure 5b is a flowchart illustrating the communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0063] Figure 6a is a flowchart illustrating the communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0064] Figure 6b is a flowchart illustrating the communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0065] Figure 7a is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0066] Figure 7b is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0067] Figure 8a is a schematic diagram of the first network functional structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0068] Figure 8b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second network function proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0069] Figure 8c is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third network function proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0070] Figure 8d is a schematic diagram of the second terminal structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0071] Figure 9a is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0072] Figure 9b is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0073] This disclosure provides communication methods, devices, communication systems, and storage media.

[0074] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, the method being executed by a first network function, the method comprising:

[0075] Identify at least one first terminal;

[0076] Wherein, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for the first service.

[0077] In the above embodiments, by determining at least one first terminal that matches the first capability of the second terminal, it is possible to avoid involving terminals that cannot communicate during the first service, such as being unable to discover the corresponding terminal or communicate with the corresponding terminal.

[0078] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: acquiring first information, the first information being used to indicate a first capability of the second terminal.

[0079] In the above embodiments, when determining the first terminal, the first capabilities of the acquired second terminal are considered, so that the first capabilities of each first terminal match the first capabilities of the second terminal, thereby avoiding the involvement of terminals that cannot communicate during the first service, such as the inability to discover the corresponding terminal or communicate with the corresponding terminal.

[0080] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, obtaining the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0081] The first information is obtained through the second network function;

[0082] The first information is obtained through a third network function.

[0083] In the above embodiments, the first capabilities of the second terminal can be obtained from different network functions, thereby making the acquisition of the first capabilities of the second terminal more flexible.

[0084] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0085] Obtain second information, which includes information related to a first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0086] In the above embodiments, by obtaining information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal, a basis can be provided for determining the first terminal.

[0087] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second information is obtained in the following manner:

[0088] Pre-configured;

[0089] Obtained from each of the at least one candidate terminal;

[0090] Obtained from third-party network functions;

[0091] Obtained from the fourth network function.

[0092] In the above embodiments, information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal can be obtained in a variety of ways, thereby making it applicable to different application scenarios.

[0093] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, obtaining the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0094] The second information is obtained through pre-configuration;

[0095] The second information is obtained from each of the at least one candidate terminal;

[0096] The second information is obtained through a third network function;

[0097] The second information is obtained through the fourth network function.

[0098] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second network function is used for access and mobility management, and the third network function is used for user data management.

[0099] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the first network function is LMF, the fourth network function is HLMF; when the first network function is GMLC, the fourth network function is HGMLC.

[0100] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes: the first capability of the at least one candidate terminal.

[0101] In the above embodiments, the first capabilities of at least one candidate terminal can be obtained directly through various methods to provide a basis for determining the first terminal.

[0102] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining at least one first terminal includes:

[0103] Based on the first information and the second information, at least one first terminal is determined from the at least one candidate terminal;

[0104] Wherein, the at least one first terminal is a terminal among the at least one candidate terminals whose first capability matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0105] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining at least one first terminal includes:

[0106] Based on the first information and the second information, at least one first terminal whose capabilities match the first capability of the second terminal is determined from the at least one candidate terminal.

[0107] In the above embodiments, based on the first capability of the second terminal and the first capability of at least one candidate terminal, a terminal whose capability matches the first capability of the second terminal is selected from at least one candidate terminal as the first terminal, thereby ensuring that the first terminal can communicate with the second terminal.

[0108] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, some embodiments further include:

[0109] Send a fourth message to the third network function, the fourth message being used to request a first capability of the second terminal or the at least one candidate terminal.

[0110] In the above embodiments, a third network function may be requested to provide the first capability of a second terminal or at least one candidate terminal in order to obtain the first capability of the corresponding terminal and prepare for the subsequent operation of determining the first terminal.

[0111] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes: a first matching result, which is used to indicate whether the first capability of the at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0112] In the above embodiments, the capability matching result provided by the third network function can be obtained, that is, the third network function can provide a matching result of whether the first capability of at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal, so that the first network function can use it.

[0113] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, if the current service network of the first service is different from the service network of the third terminal, wherein the third terminal is at least one of the second terminal and the at least one candidate terminal, the method further includes:

[0114] Send fifth information to the fourth network function corresponding to the third terminal, the fifth information being used to request the first capability or second matching result of the third terminal.

[0115] In the above embodiments, if the current service network of the first service is different from the service network of the third terminal, it is necessary to request the capability information of the fourth network function corresponding to the third terminal, so as to ensure that the first capability of the terminal in different networks can be obtained.

[0116] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second matching result indicates whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0117] In the above embodiments, the fourth network function can directly provide the first capability of the third terminal, or it can provide capability matching results for the first network function to use.

[0118] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, some embodiments further include:

[0119] Send third information to the second terminal, the third information including information of the at least one first terminal.

[0120] In the above embodiments, the information of the first terminal can be provided to the second terminal to ensure that the second terminal can discover the corresponding terminal or communicate with the corresponding terminal during the first service.

[0121] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the third information further includes: first indication information for indicating that the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0122] In the above embodiments, while providing the first terminal to the second terminal, it can also inform the first terminal that the first capability of the first terminal provided by the first terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal, so that the second terminal knows that it can communicate with the first terminal.

[0123] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0124] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0125] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0126] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0127] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0128] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0129] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second terminal includes a target terminal.

[0130] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0131] Candidate positioning terminals;

[0132] Candidate reference terminal;

[0133] Candidate sidechain positioning server terminal.

[0134] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first service includes: ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0135] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, which is executed by a second network function, the method comprising:

[0136] Send first information to a first network function, the first information being used to indicate a first capability of a second terminal, for identifying at least one first terminal;

[0137] Wherein, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for the first service.

[0138] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0139] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0140] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0141] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0142] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0143] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0144] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second terminal includes a target terminal.

[0145] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0146] Candidate positioning terminals;

[0147] Candidate reference terminal;

[0148] Candidate sidechain positioning server terminal.

[0149] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first service includes: ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0150] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, which is executed by a third network function, the method comprising:

[0151] Send first information and second information to the first network function to identify at least one first terminal;

[0152] Wherein, the first information is used to indicate the first capability of the second terminal, and the second information includes information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal;

[0153] The first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

[0154] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes: the first capability of the at least one candidate terminal.

[0155] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the at least one first terminal is a terminal among the at least one candidate terminals whose first capability matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0156] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0157] The system receives a fourth message sent by the first network function, the fourth message being used to request a first capability from the second terminal or the at least one candidate terminal.

[0158] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes: a first matching result, which is used to indicate whether the first capability of the at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0159] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0160] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0161] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0162] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0163] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0164] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0165] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the second terminal includes a target terminal.

[0166] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0167] Candidate positioning terminals;

[0168] Candidate reference terminal;

[0169] Candidate sidechain positioning server terminal.

[0170] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first service includes: ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0171] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, the method being executed by a second terminal, the method comprising:

[0172] Receive third information sent by the first network function, the third information including information of at least one first terminal;

[0173] Wherein, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for the first service.

[0174] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the third information further includes: first indication information for indicating that the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0175] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0176] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0177] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0178] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0179] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0180] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0181] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the second terminal includes a target terminal.

[0182] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0183] Candidate positioning terminals;

[0184] Candidate reference terminal;

[0185] Candidate sidechain positioning server terminal.

[0186] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first service includes: ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0187] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a first network function, including:

[0188] A first processing module is used to determine at least one first terminal;

[0189] Wherein, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for the first service.

[0190] Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a second network function, including:

[0191] The second transceiver module is used to send first information to the first network function, the first information being used to indicate the first capability of the second terminal and to identify at least one first terminal.

[0192] Wherein, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for the first service.

[0193] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a third network function, including:

[0194] The third transceiver module is used to send first information and second information to the first network function, and is used to identify at least one first terminal.

[0195] Wherein, the first information is used to indicate the first capability of the second terminal, and the second information includes information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal;

[0196] The first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

[0197] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a second terminal, including:

[0198] The fourth transceiver module is used to receive third information sent by the first network function, the third information including at least one first terminal;

[0199] Wherein, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for the first service.

[0200] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, including:

[0201] One or more processors;

[0202] The processor is used to execute an optional implementation of the first aspect described above.

[0203] A tenth aspect of this disclosure provides a communication device, comprising:

[0204] One or more processors;

[0205] The processor is used to execute an optional implementation of the second aspect described above.

[0206] Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, including:

[0207] One or more processors;

[0208] The processor is used to execute an optional implementation of the third aspect described above.

[0209] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, including:

[0210] One or more processors;

[0211] The processor is used to execute an optional implementation of the fourth aspect described above.

[0212] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system including: a first network function and a second network function, wherein the first network function is used to implement the method described in the optional embodiments of the first aspect, and the second network function is used to implement the method described in the optional embodiments of the fourth aspect.

[0213] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer-readable storage medium storing executable instructions that are loaded and executed by a processor to implement the methods described in the optional embodiments of the first, second, third, or fourth aspects.

[0214] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in an optional implementation of the first, second, third, or fourth aspect.

[0215] In a sixteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in an optional implementation of the first, second, third, or fourth aspect.

[0216] In a seventeenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system including processing circuitry for performing the method described in an optional implementation of the first, second, third, or fourth aspect above.

[0217] Understandably, the aforementioned devices, communication equipment, communication systems, storage media, program products, and computer programs for random access are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here. The communication equipment can be a terminal or a network device.

[0218] Understandably, the aforementioned devices, communication equipment, communication systems, storage media, program products, and computer programs for random access are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here. The communication equipment can be a terminal or a network function.

[0219] This disclosure provides communication methods, apparatus, devices, systems, and storage media. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "information processing method" and "for random access" can be used interchangeably; the terms "apparatus for random access" and "information processing apparatus" and "communication apparatus" can be used interchangeably; and the terms "information processing system" and "communication system" can be used interchangeably.

[0220] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments disclosed. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0221] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0222] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0223] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0224] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0225] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “at least one of”, “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0226] The descriptions in this disclosure, such as "at least one of A, B, C..." or "A and / or B and / or C...", include the case where any one of A, B, C... exists alone, as well as the case where any combination of any of A, B, C... exists alone. Each case can exist alone. For example, "at least one of A, B, C" includes the cases of A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B combination, A and C combination, B and C combination, and A and B and C combination. For example, A and / or B includes the cases of A alone, B alone, and A and B combination.

[0227] In some embodiments, the notation "in one case A, in another case B" or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: A is executed regardless of B, i.e., A is executed in some embodiments; B is executed regardless of A, i.e., B is executed in some embodiments; A and B are selectively executed, i.e., A and B are selected for execution in some embodiments; A and B are both executed, i.e., A and B are executed in some embodiments. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0228] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. As another example, if the object being described is "information", then "first configuration" and "second configuration" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0229] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0230] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0231] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0232] In some embodiments, devices, etc., can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as “device”, “equipment”, “circuit”, “network function”, “network element”, “node”, “function”, “unit”, “section”, “system”, “network”, “chip”, “chip system”, “entity”, and “subject” can be used interchangeably.

[0233] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0234] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0235] In some embodiments, the access network device, core network device, or network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, various embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures that replace communication between the access network device, core network device, or network device and the terminal with communication between multiple terminals (e.g., also referred to as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the terminal can also be configured to have all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "side").

[0236] For example, uplink channels and downlink channels can be replaced with side channels, and uplink links and downlink links can be replaced with side links.

[0237] In some embodiments, the terms "uplink", "uplink", and "physical uplink" can be used interchangeably, as can the terms "downlink", "downlink", and "physical downlink", as well as the terms "sidelink", "sidelink", "sidelink communication", "sidelink communication", "direct connection", "direct link", "direct communication", and "direct link communication".

[0238] In some embodiments, the terms “downlink control information (DCI),” “downlink (DL) assignment,” “DL DCI,” “uplink (UL) grant,” and “UL DCI” can be used interchangeably.

[0239] In some embodiments, terms such as "physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)" and "DL data" can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as "physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)" and "UL data".

[0240] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (boolean), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0241] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0242] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0243] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0244] Figure 1a is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0245] As shown in Figure 1a, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102.

[0246] In some embodiments, terminal 101 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home.

[0247] In some embodiments, network device 102 may include at least one of access network device and core network device.

[0248] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), wireless backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in a 6G communication system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system.

[0249] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0250] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0251] In some embodiments, the access network device may be a single device, multiple devices, or a group of devices, each including all or part of a first network function, a second network function, etc. Network functions may be virtual or physical. Network devices may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0252] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a single device including one or more network functions, or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each including all or part of the aforementioned one or more network functions. Network functions may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0253] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0254] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1a, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1a are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1a, or it may include other main bodies outside of FIG1a. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0255] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, utilizing other systems for random access, and next-generation systems built upon them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0256] For ease of understanding, the terminology of this disclosure is explained below.

[0257] 1. Ranging-based service and sidechain positioning

[0258] Ranging refers to determining the distance between two or more UEs and / or the direction between one UE (target UE) and another UE (reference UE) via the PC5 interface. Sidelink positioning refers to locating a UE using PC5. Ranging-based service and sidelink positioning include distance measurement, direction measurement, or both.

[0259] Positioning: A feature that can detect geographical location and speed (e.g., on a mobile device).

[0260] Network-based Operation: Ranging / sidelink localization operations involving 5GC NF, used for service request processing and result calculation.

[0261] Ranging / SL Positioning Application Identifier: A globally unique identifier used to identify a specific ranging or SL positioning application. This identifier can be mapped to a V2X service type or a ProSe identifier based on proximity services.

[0262] Relative position: The estimated position of the UE relative to other network functions or other UEs.

[0263] Relative velocity: The estimated velocity of a UE relative to another UE.

[0264] Sidelink Positioning: Uses PC5 to position the UE to obtain absolute position, relative position, or ranging information.

[0265] 2. Ranging Role

[0266] Locationd UE: A SL reference UE whose location is known or can be obtained using Uu-based positioning. The locationd UE can be used to determine the location of a target UE using sidelink positioning.

[0267] SL Reference UE: A UE that supports the positioning of a target UE, for example, by transmitting and / or receiving reference signals for positioning through a side link, or providing positioning-related information. For example, an SL Reference UE can also be referred to as an "Anchor UE".

[0268] SL Positioning Client UE: A third-party UE other than the SL Reference UE and Target UE, which initiates ranging / sidelink positioning service requests on behalf of the applications residing on it.

[0269] SL Positioning Server UE: This UE provides method determination, auxiliary data distribution, and / or location calculation functions for sidechain-based positioning and ranging services. It interacts with other UEs via PC5 as needed to determine the ranging or SL positioning method, distribute auxiliary data, and calculate the location of the target UE. If any of these functions are supported, the target UE or SL reference UE can act as the SL Positioning Server UE.

[0270] Target UE: A UE that uses Sidelink to measure its distance, orientation, and / or location with the support of one or more SL reference UEs in ranging-based services and Sidelink positioning.

[0271] Ranging or SL positioning results may include absolute position, relative position, or distance and direction, depending on the service request. If the target UE decides to initiate an SL-MO-LR procedure, the service request includes one or more SL reference UEs, or one or more positioning UEs.

[0272] Optionally, the LMF can pre-configure a list of candidate UEs for location, which includes, for example, the ability to locate UEs (e.g., RSUs or operator-deployed location UEs), stationary information, and location information.

[0273] Optionally, the LMF can provide the target UE with a list of candidate positioning UEs. The target UE can discover and select one or more positioning UEs to use during ranging or SL positioning.

[0274] Optionally, if multiple candidate UEs are found, the UE to be located can be selected from the list of candidate UEs.

[0275] Optionally, the UE can be selected based on the following:

[0276] Candidate list for locating the UE (if available);

[0277] The ability to locate candidate UEs, such as supported sidechain location methods;

[0278] Required Quality of Service (QoS) for location services;

[0279] Does the serving Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) of the candidate UE match the serving PLMN of the target UE?

[0280] Information about the UE, including whether the UE is within the coverage area and the UE's location.

[0281] Optionally, when the LMF determines the SL location of the target UE and triggers the discovery of the located UE, the LMF may decide whether to select the located UE ("LMF or Target UE"). If the decision is that the target UE should select the located UE, the target UE discovers and selects the located UE and sends the selected located UE to the LMF.

[0282] Optionally, during the Sindlink-MobileOriginated-LocationRequest (SL-MO-LR) or Sindlink-MobileTerminated-LocationRequest (SL-MT-LR) processes involving the Location Management Function (LMF), or during the 5GC-MT-LR or 5GC-MO-LR processes using SL positioning, the LMF can provide the target UE with an indication of UE selection. For example, in UE selection, the LMF can provide the target UE with a list of candidate UEs configured in the LMF, and the target UE can obtain UE capabilities via the SideLink Positioning Protocol (SLPP) message during capability exchange on the PC5 link established between the target UE and the candidate UEs.

[0283] UE discovery for 5G Proximity-based Services (ProSe) supports both Model A and Model B discovery (including commercial and public safety use cases). It also supports V2X communication procedures at the PC5 reference point for the discovery of V2X-capable UEs.

[0284] Depending on the type of UE (e.g., supporting V2X or supporting 5G ProSe), the protocol defines the RSPP transmission between UEs during V2X communication via PC5 or direct communication via 5G ProSe.

[0285] Therefore, the target UE can support:

[0286] Ranging and sidechain positioning are performed via V2X communication using PC5;

[0287] Ranging and sidechain positioning are performed using 5G ProSe;

[0288] Or either of the two mentioned above.

[0289] In some embodiments, Figure 1b illustrates the process of obtaining sidechain positioning / distance measurement / sidechain positioning results.

[0290] In some embodiments, Figure 1b illustrates the process of obtaining sidechain positioning / distance measurement / sidechain positioning results.

[0291] 1. The process and signaling for providing ranging and / or sidechain positioning service authorization and policy and / or parameter provision to UE1 to UEn.

[0292] 2. Based on the triggering of a service request (e.g., a service request received from the application layer), which includes UE1 to UEn, perform the UE discovery process for ranging and / or sidechain positioning.

[0293] 3. Establish secure multicast and / or unicast links between UE1 and UEn so that UE1 can exchange ranging and sidechain positioning protocol (RSPP) messages with each of UE2 to UEn at the PC5-U reference point.

[0294] 4. UE1 and UE2 can communicate with UEn via PC5 to authorize ranging / SL positioning.

[0295] 5. The exchange of ranging / sidelink positioning capabilities between UE1 and UE2 to UEn is performed using SLPP via the multicast and / or unicast links established in step 3.

[0296] 6. Based on the ranging and / or sidechain positioning capabilities from UE1 to UEn, the target UE will determine to perform SL-MO-LR.

[0297] 7. If UE1 is in CM-IDLE state, UE1 initiates a UE-triggered service request in order to establish a signaling connection with UE1's service AMF.

[0298] 8. In the uplink non-access stratum transport (UL NAS TRANSPORT) message, UE1 sends a supplementary service SL-MO-LR request message to the LMF via the serving AMF.

[0299] The SL-MO-LR request includes other UEs 2 to UE n (using application layer IDs).

[0300] 9. The serving AMF selects the LMF serving UE1 (e.g., an LMF that supports ranging / sidechain positioning) and sends an LMF_LocationDetermineLocation service operation to the LMF using information from the SL-MO-LR request. The service operation includes LCS-related identifiers.

[0301] 10. The LMF can use supplementary service messages with embedded SLPP containers to send a request to UE1 about UE1's ability to communicate with UEn.

[0302] If an absolute location is requested in step 8, the LMF can also provide UE1 with a list of candidate UEs identified by application layer IDs via supplementary service messages. When instructing the target UE to select a UE, the LMF also includes the capability (if available) for each candidate UE in the request.

[0303] 11. If the LMF requests UE capabilities in step 10, then UE1 returns its capabilities to the LMF using an SLPP message.

[0304] 12. If the absolute location information of the target UE is required in step 8, the LMF can retrieve the location of the UE locally (if available) or trigger the 5GC-MT-LR procedure of the GMLC to obtain the absolute location of the UE.

[0305] 13. If not requested in step 8, UE1 may send a request for specific auxiliary data to LMF.

[0306] 14. The LMF uses an SLPP message for UE1 auxiliary data and a supplementary service message with embedded SLPP messages for UE2 to UEn and related application layer IDs to send the requested auxiliary data, along with a list of UEs and their corresponding auxiliary data, to UE1. Optionally, the list of UEs may be a list of UEs selected downwards from UE2 to UEn.

[0307] 15. If the SL-MO-LR request in step 8 indicates the need for location calculation assistance and / or indicates the transmission of ranging and / or sidechain positioning results to the LCS client or AF, then the LMF sends a request for the location information of UE1 via an SLPP message and a request for the location information UEn of UE2 via a supplementary service message.

[0308] 16. UE1 performs a ranging / sidechain positioning process between UE1 and UEn, wherein the UE obtains a sidechain position measurement, and UE2 to UEn (or the UE after its downselection) transmits its sidechain position measurement to UE1.

[0309] 17. Additional steps for obtaining UE location and transmitting location results.

[0310] 18. The AMF returns a supplemental service SL-MO-LR response to UE1 in a downlink non-access stratum transport (DL NAS TRANSPORT) message, including any ranging and / or sidechain positioning results.

[0311] In the SL-MO-LR process described above, when providing candidate positioning UEs in step 10, the capabilities supported by the target UE and the positioning UE (the ability to communicate between UEs, such as supporting 5G Prose based Ranging and sidelink positioning or supporting V2X based Ranging and sidelink positioning) are not considered, because these capabilities are not available in LMF.

[0312] Additionally, during the 5GC-MO-LR process using SL positioning, the SL-MT-LR process involving LMF is used for periodic, triggered positioning events. When using SL positioning, LMF also supports providing candidate positioning UEs to the target UE. However, it does not consider the capabilities (inter-UE communication capabilities) supported by the target UE and the positioning UE, because this capability information is not available in LMF.

[0313] In the SL-MO-LR process described above, when providing candidate positioning UEs in step 10, the capabilities supported by the target UE and the positioning UE (the ability to communicate between UEs, such as supporting 5G Prose based Ranging and sidelink positioning or supporting V2X based Ranging and sidelink positioning) are not considered, because these capabilities are not available in LMF.

[0314] Additionally, during the 5GC-MO-LR process using SL positioning, the SL-MT-LR process involving LMF is used for periodic, triggered positioning events. When using SL positioning, LMF also supports providing candidate positioning UEs to the target UE. However, it does not consider the capabilities (inter-UE communication capabilities) supported by the target UE and the positioning UE, because this capability information is not available in LMF.

[0315] Therefore, if there is a capability mismatch between the target UE and a UE in the candidate UE list provided by the LMF, the target UE will not be able to discover or communicate with such a UE. For example, if the target UE only supports ranging and sidechain positioning via PC5 V2X communication, the LMF needs to avoid including UEs that only support ranging and sidechain positioning via 5G ProSe in the candidate UE list, because the target UE will not be able to communicate with such a UE.

[0316] Optionally, the 5GC Network Function (NF), AF, or external client can also trigger a location service using SL positioning (SL-MT-LR) by requesting the relative position results between the target UE and one or more SL reference UEs. Specifically, the 5GCNF, AF, or external client triggers SL positioning by interacting with the GMLC. The GMLC performs a privacy check on the participating terminals and then selects either the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) or the Service LMF to implement the relevant steps of the SL-MT-LR process to complete the location service using SL positioning. If the capabilities of the target UE and the SL reference UE provided in the location service request are mismatched, the target UE will not be able to discover such SL reference UEs or communicate with such positioned UEs. For example, if the target UE only supports ranging and sidechain positioning via PC5 V2X communication, then the SL reference UEs include those that only support ranging and sidechain positioning via 5G ProSe, because the target UE will not be able to communicate with such SL reference UEs.

[0317] Based on the aforementioned wireless communication system, various embodiments of the communication method proposed in this disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0318] It should be understood that the network functions in the embodiments of this disclosure are taken as examples of network functions in the 5G network architecture, but the specific names of the network functions in the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited.

[0319] It should also be understood that each terminal in the embodiments of this disclosure may be named based on its corresponding function, but the specific name of each terminal is not limited in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0320] Figure 2a is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2a, the communication method is used in a communication system 100, and the method includes:

[0321] S201, First network function obtains first information.

[0322] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a first capability of the second terminal.

[0323] In some embodiments, the second terminal may be the target terminal (Target UE) in the positioning process, but the terminal name is not limited to this.

[0324] In some embodiments, the first capability may include at least one of the following:

[0325] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0326] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0327] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0328] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0329] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business via 5G proximity services?

[0330] In some embodiments, the first service may be ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0331] In some embodiments, the first network function is, for example, a Location Management Function (LMF).

[0332] In some embodiments, the first network function is used to "provide core network functions for positioning in 5GC, complete the calculation and feedback of location information in the 5G network, and provide functions such as positioning process management, terminal capability acquisition, auxiliary data provision, and terminal location estimation", and the name is not limited to this.

[0333] In some embodiments, the first network function may obtain first information from the second network function.

[0334] In some embodiments, the first network function acquiring the first information means receiving the first information.

[0335] In some embodiments, the first network function may receive first information sent by the second network function.

[0336] In some embodiments, the second network function is, for example, the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0337] In some embodiments, the second network function is used to "be responsible for functions such as terminal authentication, authorization, registration, mobility management and connection management", and the name is not limited thereto.

[0338] In some embodiments, the first network function may receive an LMF location_determine location request (Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation Request) message sent by the AMF, which includes first information.

[0339] In some embodiments, the first network function may obtain first information from the third network function.

[0340] In some embodiments, the first network function may receive first information sent by the third network function.

[0341] In some embodiments, the third network function is, for example, the Unified Data Management Function (UDM).

[0342] In some embodiments, the third network function is used for "management of user identifiers, subscription data, authentication data, user service network function registration management, etc.", and the name is not limited thereto.

[0343] In some embodiments, the first network function may receive first information sent by the UDM.

[0344] In some embodiments, the first network function may request the UDM to provide the first capability of the second terminal.

[0345] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned network functions can also be described as network elements, network nodes, network function entities, etc. The network function can be a flexibly deployed logical function or physical function, or a specific logical function entity or physical function entity, but is not limited thereto.

[0346] S202, First network function obtains second information.

[0347] In some embodiments, the second information includes information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0348] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal may include the located UE and / or the reference terminal (e.g., SL Reference UE) during the positioning process, but the terminal name is not limited thereto.

[0349] In some embodiments, the second information may include a first capability with at least one candidate terminal.

[0350] In some embodiments, the first network function can obtain locally pre-configured second information. It should be noted that in this embodiment, step S201 is optional and may not be executed.

[0351] In some embodiments, the first network function can obtain second information from each of the at least one candidate terminal. It should be noted that in this embodiment, step S201 is optional and may not be performed.

[0352] In some embodiments, the first network function may acquire the second information by receiving the second information from other devices.

[0353] In some embodiments, the first network function may request each of the at least one candidate terminal to provide its respective first capability. Optionally, the first network function may send either a Capabilities Request for UEs 1 to n or a newly added request to request the UE to provide the first capability to each candidate terminal.

[0354] In some embodiments, the first network function may receive a first capability sent by each of at least one candidate terminal. Optionally, the first network function may receive either a UE capability response (Capabilities Response for UEs 1 to n) or a newly added response sent by each candidate terminal to request the UE to provide the first capability.

[0355] S203, The first network function determines at least one first terminal.

[0356] In some embodiments, the first network function determines at least one first terminal based on first information and second information.

[0357] In some embodiments, based on first information and second information, at least one first terminal is determined from at least one candidate terminal whose capabilities match the first capability of the second terminal.

[0358] Optionally, "the capability of the candidate terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal" means that the capability of the candidate terminal is consistent with the first capability of the second terminal, or that the candidate terminal has the same capability as the first capability of the second terminal. It should be noted that "has" here can be understood as "includes". That is, the candidate terminal includes the capability identical to the first capability of the second terminal, and may also include other capabilities; or, the candidate terminal has the capability identical to the first capability of the second terminal, and other capabilities.

[0359] For example, if the first capability of the second terminal is the ability to support the first service via V2X communication through PC5, then a terminal with the capability to support the first service via V2X communication through PC5 is selected from at least one candidate terminal, or a terminal with the capability to support both V2X communication through PC5 and the first service via 5G proximity service is selected to obtain the first terminal.

[0360] In some embodiments, the first terminal is used for ranging or sidechain positioning services.

[0361] S204. The first network function sends third information to the second terminal.

[0362] In some embodiments, the third information includes information about at least one first terminal. Optionally, it may include the identifier of at least one first terminal, but is not limited thereto.

[0363] In some embodiments, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of a second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

[0364] In some embodiments, the first service may include ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0365] In some embodiments, the first terminal may be a candidate positioning terminal.

[0366] In some embodiments, the third information includes a list of first candidate positioning terminals, which includes at least one candidate positioning terminal.

[0367] In some embodiments, the third information further includes: first indication information, used to indicate that the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0368] In some embodiments, if the first network function determines that the second terminal will perform the location terminal selection, then the third information may carry second indication information to instruct the second terminal to perform the location terminal selection.

[0369] In some embodiments, the third information may further include: second indication information for indicating the selection of a positioning terminal.

[0370] In some embodiments, the first network function may provide a determined first candidate positioning terminal to the second terminal so that the second terminal can select a positioning terminal from the candidates for positioning.

[0371] In some embodiments, if the second terminal is currently unable to interact with the network, then in step S202 above, the first network function can also obtain the first information from the third network function.

[0372] In some embodiments, the first network function may request the third network function to provide the first capability of the second terminal, which is consistent with the network to which the fourth terminal belongs. Optionally, it may also request the third network function to provide the first capability of acquiring other terminals, which is consistent with the network to which the fourth terminal belongs. For requests for the first capability of terminals that are inconsistent with the network to which the fourth terminal belongs, the first network function may request the HPLMN of the corresponding terminal to provide it. Here, the fourth terminal is currently interacting with the network, replacing the target terminal interacting with the network during the positioning process.

[0373] In some embodiments, if the second terminal is currently unable to interact with the network, then in step S203 above, the first network function selects at least one first terminal whose capabilities match the first capabilities of the second terminal from among the other terminals acquired. Optionally, the first network function may further select at least one first terminal whose capabilities match the first capabilities of the fourth terminal from among the first terminals that match the first capabilities of the second terminal.

[0374] It should be noted that the scheme in this embodiment is applicable to the SL-MT-LR process involving LMF, or the SL-MT-L process used to periodically trigger positioning events, or the 5GC-MT-LR process using SL positioning, or the 5GC-MO-LR process using SL positioning, in the scenario where the candidate positioning UE is sent from the LMF to the target UE.

[0375] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", and "data" can be used interchangeably.

[0376] In some embodiments, terms such as “send,” “transmit,” “report,” “distribute,” “transfer,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0377] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain," "preset," "default," "set," "indicated," "a certain," "any," and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A," "preset A," "default A," "set A," "indicated A," "a certain A," "any A," and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0378] In some embodiments, terms such as “in the case of,” “when,” “when,” “if,” “if,” etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0379] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S201 to S204. For example, step S203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S202 and S203 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S202, S203 and S204 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0380] In some embodiments, step S201 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0381] In some embodiments, step S202 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0382] In some embodiments, step S204 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0383] Figure 2b is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2b, the communication method is used in a communication system 100, and the method includes:

[0384] S211, The first network function sends the fourth information to the third network function.

[0385] In some embodiments, the fourth information is used to request the first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0386] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal may be a reference terminal in the relative position positioning process (e.g., SL Reference UE), and the name of the terminal is not limited thereto.

[0387] In some embodiments, the first capability may include at least one of the following:

[0388] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0389] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0390] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0391] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0392] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0393] In some embodiments, the first service may be ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0394] In some embodiments, the first network function is, for example, a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC).

[0395] In some embodiments, the first network function is “an external location program accesses the first node of the PLMN, which performs registration authorization retrieval and requests routing information from the UDM”, and the name is not limited thereto.

[0396] In some embodiments, the third network function is, for example, the Unified Data Management Function (UDM).

[0397] In some embodiments, the third network function is used for "management of user identifiers, subscription data, authentication data, user service network function registration management, etc.", and the name is not limited thereto.

[0398] In some embodiments, a first network function may request a third network function to provide information related to a first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0399] In some embodiments, information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal includes: the first capability of at least one candidate terminal, or a matching result of whether the first capability of at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of a second terminal.

[0400] In some embodiments, the second terminal may be the target terminal in the positioning process.

[0401] In some embodiments, a first network function may request a third network function to provide a first capability of at least one candidate terminal that is consistent with the network to which the second terminal belongs, or indicate a first matching result as to whether the first capability of the at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0402] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned network functions can also be described as network elements, network nodes, network function entities, etc. The network function can be a flexibly deployed logical function or physical function, or a specific logical function entity or physical function entity, but is not limited thereto.

[0403] S212, The first network function obtains the second information.

[0404] In some embodiments, the first network function may obtain second information from the third network function.

[0405] In some embodiments, the first network function acquiring first information refers to receiving second information.

[0406] In some embodiments, the first network function may receive second information sent by the third network function.

[0407] In some embodiments, the first network function may receive second information sent by the UDM.

[0408] In some embodiments, the second information includes information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0409] In some embodiments, the second information may include a first capability with at least one candidate terminal.

[0410] In some embodiments, the second information may include: a matching result of whether the first capability of at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0411] S213, The first network function determines at least one first terminal.

[0412] In some embodiments, the first network function identifies at least one first terminal based on second information.

[0413] In some embodiments, based on second information, at least one first terminal is determined from at least one candidate terminal whose capabilities match the first capability of the second terminal.

[0414] Optionally, matching the capabilities of the candidate terminal with the first capabilities of the second terminal means that the capabilities of the candidate terminal are consistent with the first capabilities of the second terminal, or that the candidate terminal has the same capabilities as the first capabilities of the second terminal.

[0415] For example, if the first capability of the second terminal is the ability to support the first service via V2X communication through PC5, then a terminal with the capability to support the first service via V2X communication through PC5 is selected from at least one candidate terminal, or a terminal with the capability to support both V2X communication through PC5 and the first service via 5G proximity service is selected to obtain the first terminal.

[0416] In some embodiments, the first terminal is used for ranging or sidechain positioning services.

[0417] In some embodiments, the first terminal is a candidate reference terminal.

[0418] In some embodiments, if the second information includes a matching result of whether the first capability of at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of a second terminal, then the first network function selects the candidate terminal with a positive matching result as the first terminal.

[0419] In some embodiments, 1 bit can be used to indicate whether the matching result is positive or negative, and other methods can also be used; this embodiment is not limited to these.

[0420] Optionally, if a bit value "0" is used to indicate a negative matching result, then a bit value "1" is used to indicate a positive matching result. For example, if the second information includes the matching results shown in Table 1 below, then the first network function selects UE-a2 and UE-a3 as the first terminals.

[0421] Table 1

[0422] Optionally, if a bit value "0" is used to indicate a positive matching result, then a bit value "1" is used to indicate a negative matching result. For example, if the second information includes the matching results shown in Table 1 above, then the first network function selects UE-a1 and UE-an as the first terminal.

[0423] It should be noted that the solution in this embodiment is applicable to the SL-MT-LR process involving LMF, or the relative positioning scenario in the SL-MT-L process used to periodically trigger positioning events.

[0424] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S211 to S213. For example, step S213 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and steps S212 and S213 may be implemented as separate embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0425] In some embodiments, step S211 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0426] In some embodiments, step S212 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0427] Figure 2c is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2c, the communication method is used in a communication system 100, and the method includes:

[0428] S221, The first network function sends the fifth information to the fourth network function.

[0429] In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to request the first capability or capability matching result of the third terminal.

[0430] In some embodiments, if the current service network of the first service is different from the service network of the third terminal, the first network function sends fifth information to the fourth network function corresponding to the third terminal.

[0431] In some embodiments, the third terminal is at least one of the second terminal and at least one candidate terminal.

[0432] In some embodiments, the second terminal may be the target terminal in the positioning process.

[0433] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal may be a reference terminal in the relative position positioning process.

[0434] In some embodiments, the first capability may include at least one of the following:

[0435] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0436] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0437] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0438] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0439] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0440] In some embodiments, the first service may be ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0441] In some embodiments, the first network function is, for example, a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC).

[0442] In some embodiments, the first network function is “an external location program accesses the first node of the PLMN, which performs registration authorization retrieval and requests routing information from the UDM”, and the name is not limited thereto.

[0443] In some embodiments, the fourth network function is, for example, the Home Gateway Mobile Location Center (HGMLC) corresponding to the third terminal.

[0444] In some embodiments, the third terminal is at least one terminal. Optionally, if there are multiple third terminals, there are multiple corresponding fourth network functions, wherein each third terminal corresponds to one fourth network function.

[0445] In some embodiments, a first network function may request a fourth network function to provide information related to a first capability of a third terminal. Based on the request from the first network function, the fourth network function (HGMLC) may request the corresponding UDM to provide information related to the first capability of the third terminal.

[0446] In some embodiments, the information related to the first capability of the third terminal includes: the first capability of the third terminal, or a matching result indicating whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0447] In some embodiments, the first network function may request the fourth network function to provide a first capability of a third terminal that is inconsistent with the current service network of the first service, or a matching result of whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0448] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned network functions can also be described as network elements, network nodes, network function entities, etc. The network function can be a flexibly deployed logical function or physical function, or a specific logical function entity or physical function entity, but is not limited thereto.

[0449] S222, The first network function obtains the second information.

[0450] In some embodiments, the first network function acquiring the second information means that the first network function receives the second information.

[0451] In some embodiments, the first network function may obtain the second information from the fourth network function.

[0452] In some embodiments, the first network function may receive second information sent by the fourth network function.

[0453] In some embodiments, the second information includes information related to the first capability of the third terminal.

[0454] In some embodiments, the second information may include the first capability of the third terminal.

[0455] In some embodiments, the second information may include a matching result indicating whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0456] S223, The first network function determines at least one first terminal.

[0457] In some embodiments, the first network function identifies at least one first terminal based on second information.

[0458] In some embodiments, based on second information, at least one first terminal is determined from the third terminal whose capabilities match the first capability of the second terminal.

[0459] Optionally, matching the capabilities of the third terminal with the first capabilities of the second terminal means that the capabilities of the third terminal are consistent with the first capabilities of the second terminal, or that the third terminal has the same capabilities as the first capabilities of the second terminal.

[0460] For example, if the first capability of the second terminal is the ability to support the first service via V2X communication through PC5, then a terminal with the capability to support the first service via V2X communication through PC5 is selected from the third terminal, or a terminal with the capability to support both V2X communication through PC5 and the first service via 5G proximity service is selected to obtain the first terminal.

[0461] In some embodiments, the first terminal is used for ranging or sidechain positioning services.

[0462] In some embodiments, the first terminal is a candidate reference terminal.

[0463] In some embodiments, if the second information includes a matching result of whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal, then the first network function selects the third terminal with a positive matching result as the first terminal.

[0464] In some embodiments, 1 bit can be used to indicate whether the matching result is positive or negative, and other methods can also be used; this embodiment is not limited to these.

[0465] Optionally, if a bit value "0" is used to indicate a negative matching result, then a bit value "1" is used to indicate a positive matching result. For example, if the second information includes the matching results shown in Table 2 below, then the first network function selects UE-b1 and UE-b3 as the first terminal.

[0466] Table 2

[0467] Optionally, if a bit value "0" is used to indicate a positive matching result, then a bit value "1" is used to indicate a negative matching result. For example, if the second information includes the matching results shown in Table 1 above, then the first network function selects UE-b2 and UE-bn as the first terminal.

[0468] It should be noted that the solution in this embodiment is applicable to the SL-MT-LR process involving LMF, or the relative positioning scenario in the SL-MT-L process used to periodically trigger positioning events.

[0469] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S221 to S223. For example, step S223 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and steps S222 and S223 may be implemented as separate embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0470] In some embodiments, step S221 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0471] In some embodiments, step S222 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0472] Figure 2d is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2d, the communication method is used in a communication system 100, and the method includes:

[0473] S231, The first network function sends the fourth information to the third network function.

[0474] In some embodiments, the fourth information is used to request the first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0475] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal may include at least one of the following: a target terminal, a reference terminal, a positioning terminal, or other terminals during the positioning process. Optionally, at least one candidate terminal may include the second terminal described above.

[0476] In some embodiments, the first capability may include at least one of the following:

[0477] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0478] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0479] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0480] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0481] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0482] In some embodiments, the first service may be ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0483] In some embodiments, the first network function is, for example, a Location Management Function (LMF).

[0484] In some embodiments, the first network function is used to "provide core network functions for positioning in 5GC, complete the calculation and feedback of location information in the 5G network, and provide functions such as positioning process management, terminal capability acquisition, auxiliary data provision, and terminal location estimation", and the name is not limited to this.

[0485] In some embodiments, the third network function is, for example, the Unified Data Management Function (UDM).

[0486] In some embodiments, the third network function is used for "management of user identifiers, subscription data, authentication data, user service network function registration management, etc.", and the name is not limited thereto.

[0487] In some embodiments, a first network function may request a third network function to provide information related to a first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0488] In some embodiments, information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal includes: the first capability of at least one candidate terminal, or a matching result of whether the first capability of at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of a second terminal.

[0489] In some embodiments, a first network function may request a third network function to provide a first capability of at least one candidate terminal that is consistent with the network to which the second terminal belongs, or a matching result of whether the first capability of the at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0490] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned network functions can also be described as network elements, network nodes, network function entities, etc. The network function can be a flexibly deployed logical function or physical function, or a specific logical function entity or physical function entity, but is not limited thereto.

[0491] S232, First network function obtains second information.

[0492] In some embodiments, the first network function can obtain locally pre-configured second information. It should be noted that in this embodiment, step S231 is optional and may not be executed.

[0493] In some embodiments, the first network function obtaining the second information means receiving the second information.

[0494] In some embodiments, the first network function can obtain second information from each of the at least one candidate terminal. It should be noted that in this embodiment, step S231 is optional and may not be executed. Furthermore, the specific implementation process for obtaining the second information from each of the at least one candidate terminal can be referred to the relevant content in step S202 of Figure 2a, and will not be repeated here.

[0495] In some embodiments, the first network function may obtain second information from the third network function.

[0496] In some embodiments, the first network function may receive second information sent by the third network function.

[0497] In some embodiments, the first network function may receive second information sent by the UDM.

[0498] In some embodiments, the second information includes information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0499] In some embodiments, the second information may include a first capability with at least one candidate terminal.

[0500] In some embodiments, the second information may include: a matching result indicating whether the first capability of at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of a fifth terminal currently used for the first service. Optionally, the fifth terminal may be the second terminal described above.

[0501] In some embodiments, the first network function may acquire the first capability of at least one candidate terminal in order to determine a first terminal that can perform D2D communication with the terminal currently used for the first service.

[0502] S233, The first network function determines at least one first terminal.

[0503] In some embodiments, the first network function identifies at least one first terminal based on second information.

[0504] In some embodiments, based on the second information, at least one first terminal whose capabilities match the first capabilities of the fifth terminal is determined from at least one candidate terminal. Optionally, the fifth terminal may be a terminal used for the current first service, and the fifth terminal may be a target terminal, or a positioning terminal or reference terminal selected for network interaction.

[0505] Optionally, matching the candidate terminal's capabilities with the fifth terminal's first capabilities means that the candidate terminal's capabilities are consistent with the fifth terminal's first capabilities, or that the candidate terminal has the same capabilities as the fifth terminal's first capabilities.

[0506] For example, if the first capability of the fifth terminal is the ability to support the first service via V2X communication through PC5, then a terminal with the capability to support the first service via V2X communication through PC5 is selected from at least one candidate terminal, or a terminal with the capability to support both V2X communication through PC5 and the first service via 5G proximity service is selected to obtain the first terminal.

[0507] In some embodiments, the first terminal is used for ranging or sidechain positioning services.

[0508] In some embodiments, the first terminal is a first candidate server terminal (e.g., SL Positioning Server UE). Optionally, the candidate server terminal can be used to implement processes such as positioning result calculation, positioning method determination, auxiliary data distribution, and reference terminal selection, but the name of the terminal is not limited thereto.

[0509] In some embodiments, if the second information includes a matching result of whether the first capability of at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of a fifth terminal, then the first network function selects the candidate terminal with a positive matching result as the first terminal.

[0510] S234. The first network function sends third information to the second terminal.

[0511] In some embodiments, the third information includes information from at least one first terminal.

[0512] In some embodiments, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of a fifth terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

[0513] In some embodiments, the first service may include ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0514] In some embodiments, the first terminal may be a candidate server terminal.

[0515] In some embodiments, the third information includes a list of first candidate server terminals, which includes at least one candidate server terminal.

[0516] In some embodiments, the third information further includes: first indication information, for indicating that the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches the first capability of the fifth terminal.

[0517] It should be noted that the solution in this embodiment is applicable to the SL-MT-LR process involving LMF, or the SL-MT-L process used to periodically trigger positioning events, or the 5GC-MT-LR process using SL positioning, or the 5GC-MO-LR process using SL positioning, in scenarios involving relative and absolute positioning.

[0518] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S231 to S234. For example, step S233 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S232 and S233 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S232, S233 and S234 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0519] In some embodiments, step S231 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0520] In some embodiments, step S232 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0521] In some embodiments, step S234 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0522] Figure 2e is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2e, the communication method is used in a communication system 100, and the method includes:

[0523] S241, The first network function sends the fifth information to the fourth network function.

[0524] In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to request the first capability or capability matching result of the third terminal.

[0525] In some embodiments, if the current service network of the first service is different from the service network of the third terminal, the first network function sends fifth information to the fourth network function corresponding to the third terminal.

[0526] In some embodiments, the third terminal is at least one of at least one candidate terminal.

[0527] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal may include at least one of the following: a target terminal, a reference terminal, a positioning terminal, or other terminals during the positioning process. Optionally, at least one candidate terminal may include the second terminal described above.

[0528] In some embodiments, the first capability may include at least one of the following:

[0529] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0530] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0531] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0532] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0533] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0534] In some embodiments, the first service may be ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0535] In some embodiments, the first network function is, for example, a Location Management Function (LMF).

[0536] In some embodiments, the first network function is used to "provide core network functions for positioning in 5GC, complete the calculation and feedback of location information in the 5G network, and provide functions such as positioning process management, terminal capability acquisition, auxiliary data provision, and terminal location estimation", and the name is not limited to this.

[0537] In some embodiments, the fourth network function is, for example, the Home Location Management Function (HLMF) corresponding to the third terminal.

[0538] In some embodiments, the third terminal is at least one terminal. Optionally, if there are multiple third terminals, there are multiple corresponding fourth network functions, wherein each third terminal corresponds to one fourth network function or multiple third terminals belonging to the same network correspond to the same fourth network function.

[0539] In some embodiments, a first network function may request a fourth network function to provide information related to a first capability of the third terminal. Based on the request from the first network function, the fourth network function requests the corresponding UDM to provide information related to the first capability of the third terminal.

[0540] In some embodiments, the information related to the first capability of the third terminal includes: the first capability of the third terminal, or a matching result of whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of the fifth terminal currently used for the first service.

[0541] In some embodiments, the first network function may request the fourth network function to provide a first capability of a third terminal that is inconsistent with the current service network of the first service, or a matching result of whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of a fifth terminal. Optionally, the fifth terminal may be the second terminal described above.

[0542] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned network functions can also be described as network elements, network nodes, network function entities, etc. The network function can be a flexibly deployed logical function or physical function, or a specific logical function entity or physical function entity, but is not limited thereto.

[0543] In some embodiments, the first network function can send the fifth information to the fourth network function through the GMLC corresponding to this network. Optionally, the fourth network function is, for example, the HGLMC corresponding to the third terminal.

[0544] S242, First network function obtains second information.

[0545] In some embodiments, the first network function can obtain locally pre-configured second information. It should be noted that in this embodiment, step S241 is optional and may not be executed.

[0546] In some embodiments, the first network function acquiring first information refers to receiving second information.

[0547] In some embodiments, the first network function can obtain second information from each of the at least one candidate terminal. It should be noted that in this embodiment, step S241 is optional and may not be executed. Furthermore, the specific implementation process for obtaining the second information from each of the at least one candidate terminal can be found in step S202 of Figure 2a, and will not be repeated here.

[0548] In some embodiments, the first network function may obtain the second information from the fourth network function.

[0549] In some embodiments, the first network function may receive second information sent by the fourth network function.

[0550] In some embodiments, the second information includes information related to the first capability of the third terminal.

[0551] In some embodiments, the second information may include the first capability of the third terminal.

[0552] In some embodiments, the second information may include: a matching result of whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of the fifth terminal currently used for the first service.

[0553] S243, The first network function determines at least one first terminal.

[0554] In some embodiments, the first network function identifies at least one first terminal based on second information.

[0555] In some embodiments, the first terminal is a candidate server terminal.

[0556] For optional implementations of step S243, please refer to the optional implementations of step S233 in Figure 2d and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2d, which will not be repeated here.

[0557] S244, The first network function sends third information to the second terminal.

[0558] In some embodiments, the third information includes information from at least one first terminal.

[0559] In some embodiments, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of a fifth terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

[0560] In some embodiments, the first service may include ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0561] In some embodiments, the first terminal may be a first candidate server terminal.

[0562] For optional implementations of step S244, please refer to the optional implementations of step S234 in Figure 2d and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2d, which will not be repeated here.

[0563] It should be noted that the solution in this embodiment is applicable to the SL-MT-LR process involving LMF, or the SL-MT-L process used to periodically trigger positioning events, or the 5GC-MT-LR process using SL positioning, or the 5GC-MO-LR process using SL positioning, in scenarios involving relative and absolute positioning.

[0564] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S241 to S244. For example, step S243 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S242 and S243 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S242, S243 and S244 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0565] In some embodiments, step S241 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0566] In some embodiments, step S242 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0567] In some embodiments, step S244 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0568] Figure 3a is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3a, the communication method can be executed by a first network function, and the method includes:

[0569] S301, Obtain first information.

[0570] The optional implementation of step S301 can be found in the optional implementation of step S201 in Figure 2a and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0571] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a first capability of the second terminal.

[0572] In some embodiments, the first capability may include at least one of the following:

[0573] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0574] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0575] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0576] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0577] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0578] In some embodiments, the first service may be ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0579] In some embodiments, the first network function is, for example, LMF.

[0580] In some embodiments, the first network function obtains first information from a second network function or a third network function.

[0581] In some embodiments, the second network function is, for example, AMF, and the third network function is, for example, UDM.

[0582] In some embodiments, obtaining the first information can be understood as receiving the first information. Optionally, the first network function receives the first information sent by a second network function or a third network function.

[0583] S302, Obtain the second information.

[0584] The optional implementation of step S302 can be found in the optional implementation of step S202 in Figure 2a and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0585] In some embodiments, the second information includes information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0586] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal may include the located UE and / or the reference terminal during the positioning process.

[0587] In some embodiments, the second information may include the first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0588] In some embodiments, the first network function may obtain locally pre-configured second information.

[0589] In some embodiments, the first network function may obtain second information from each of at least one candidate terminal.

[0590] In some embodiments, if the second terminal is currently unable to interact with the network, the first network function can also obtain the second information from the third network function.

[0591] In some embodiments, the first network function may request the third network function to provide a first capability of other terminals that are consistent with the network to which the fourth terminal belongs. The fourth terminal is currently interacting with the network and can serve as the target terminal in the location process.

[0592] S303, Identify at least one first terminal.

[0593] The optional implementation of step S303 can be found in the optional implementation of step S203 in Figure 2a and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0594] In some embodiments, the first network function determines at least one first terminal based on first information and second information.

[0595] In some embodiments, based on first information and second information, at least one first terminal is determined from at least one candidate terminal whose capabilities match the first capability of the second terminal.

[0596] Optionally, matching the capabilities of the candidate terminal with the first capabilities of the second terminal means that the capabilities of the candidate terminal are consistent with the first capabilities of the second terminal, or that the candidate terminal includes capabilities that are the same as the first capabilities of the second terminal.

[0597] In some embodiments, if the second terminal is currently unable to interact with the network, the first network function selects at least one first terminal from other acquired terminals whose capabilities match the first capabilities of the fourth terminal, based on the first capabilities of the fourth terminal.

[0598] S304. Send the third information to the second terminal.

[0599] The optional implementation of step S304 can be found in the optional implementation of step S204 in Figure 2a and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0600] In some embodiments, the third information includes information from at least one first terminal.

[0601] In some embodiments, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of a second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

[0602] In some embodiments, the first terminal may be a first candidate positioning terminal.

[0603] In some embodiments, the third information includes a list of first candidate positioning terminals, which includes at least one first candidate positioning terminal.

[0604] In some embodiments, the third information further includes: first indication information, used to indicate that the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0605] The scheme in this embodiment is applicable to the SL-MT-LR process involving LMF, or the SL-MT-L process used to periodically trigger positioning events, or the 5GC-MT-LR process using SL positioning, or the 5GC-MO-LR process using SL positioning, in the scenario where the candidate positioning UE is sent from the LMF to the target UE.

[0606] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S301 to S304. For example, step S303 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S302 and S303 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S302, S303 and S304 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0607] In some embodiments, step S301 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0608] In some embodiments, step S302 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0609] In some embodiments, step S304 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0610] Figure 3b is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3b, the communication method can be executed by a first network function, and the method includes:

[0611] S311, Send the fourth message to the third network function.

[0612] The optional implementation of step S311 can be found in the optional implementation of step S211 in Figure 2b and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2b, which will not be repeated here.

[0613] In some embodiments, the fourth information is used to request the first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0614] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal may be a reference terminal (UE) in the relative position positioning process.

[0615] In some embodiments, the first capability may include at least one of the following:

[0616] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0617] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0618] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0619] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0620] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0621] In some embodiments, the first service may be ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0622] In some embodiments, the first network function is, for example, GMLC.

[0623] In some embodiments, the third network function is, for example, UDM.

[0624] In some embodiments, a first network function may request a third network function to provide information related to a first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0625] In some embodiments, the information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal includes: the first capability of at least one candidate terminal, or a first matching result indicating whether the first capability of at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of a second terminal.

[0626] In some embodiments, the second terminal may be the target terminal in the positioning process.

[0627] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal may be a reference terminal during the positioning process.

[0628] S312, Receive the second information sent by the third network function.

[0629] The optional implementation of step S312 can be found in the optional implementation of step S212 in Figure 2b and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2b, which will not be repeated here.

[0630] In some embodiments, the first network function may obtain second information from the third network function.

[0631] In some embodiments, the first network function acquiring the first information means receiving the second information. Optionally, the first network function receives the second information sent by a third network function.

[0632] In some embodiments, the second information includes information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0633] In some embodiments, the second information may include the first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0634] In some embodiments, the second information may include: a matching result of whether the first capability of at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0635] S313. Identify at least one first terminal.

[0636] The optional implementation of step S313 can be found in the optional implementation of step S213 in Figure 2b and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2b, which will not be repeated here.

[0637] In some embodiments, the first network function identifies at least one first terminal based on second information.

[0638] In some embodiments, based on second information, at least one first terminal is determined from at least one candidate terminal whose capabilities match the first capability of the second terminal.

[0639] Optionally, matching the capabilities of the candidate terminal with the first capabilities of the second terminal means that the capabilities of the candidate terminal are consistent with the first capabilities of the second terminal, or that the candidate terminal includes capabilities that are the same as the first capabilities of the second terminal.

[0640] The solution in this embodiment is applicable to the SL-MT-LR process involving LMF, or the relative positioning scenario in the SL-MT-L process used to periodically trigger positioning events.

[0641] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S311 to S313. For example, step S313 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and steps S312 and S313 may be implemented as separate embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0642] In some embodiments, step S311 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0643] In some embodiments, step S312 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0644] Figure 3c is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3c, the communication method can be executed by a first network function, and the method includes:

[0645] S321. Send the fifth message to the fourth network function.

[0646] The optional implementation of step S321 can be found in the optional implementation of step S221 in Figure 2c, and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2c, which will not be repeated here.

[0647] In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to request the first capability or capability matching result of the third terminal.

[0648] In some embodiments, if the current service network of the first service is different from the service network of the third terminal, the first network function sends fifth information to the fourth network function corresponding to the third terminal.

[0649] In some embodiments, the third terminal is at least one of the second terminal and at least one candidate terminal.

[0650] In some embodiments, the first capability may include at least one of the following:

[0651] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0652] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0653] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0654] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0655] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0656] In some embodiments, the first service may be ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0657] In some embodiments, the first network function is, for example, GMLC.

[0658] In some embodiments, the fourth network function is, for example, HGMLC corresponding to the third terminal.

[0659] In some embodiments, the third terminal is at least one terminal. Optionally, if there are multiple third terminals, there are multiple corresponding fourth network functions, wherein each third terminal corresponds to one fourth network function.

[0660] In some embodiments, a first network function may request a fourth network function to provide information related to a first capability of a third terminal.

[0661] In some embodiments, the information related to the first capability of the third terminal includes: the first capability of the third terminal, or a matching result indicating whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0662] S322, Receive the second information sent by the fourth network function.

[0663] The optional implementation of step S322 can be found in the optional implementation of step S222 in Figure 2c, and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2c, which will not be repeated here.

[0664] In some embodiments, the first network function may obtain the second information from the fourth network function.

[0665] In some embodiments, the first network function may receive second information sent by the fourth network function.

[0666] In some embodiments, the second information includes information related to the first capability of the third terminal.

[0667] In some embodiments, the second information may include the first capability of the third terminal.

[0668] In some embodiments, the second information may include a matching result indicating whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0669] S323. Identify at least one first terminal.

[0670] The optional implementation of step S323 can be found in the optional implementation of step S223 in Figure 2c, and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2c, which will not be repeated here.

[0671] In some embodiments, the first network function identifies at least one first terminal based on second information.

[0672] In some embodiments, based on second information, at least one first terminal is determined from the third terminal whose capabilities match the first capability of the second terminal.

[0673] Optionally, matching the capabilities of the third terminal with the first capabilities of the second terminal means that the capabilities of the third terminal are consistent with the first capabilities of the second terminal, or that the third terminal includes capabilities that are the same as the first capabilities of the second terminal.

[0674] In some embodiments, the first terminal is a first candidate reference terminal.

[0675] In some embodiments, if the second information includes a matching result of whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal, then the first network function selects the third terminal with a positive matching result as the first terminal.

[0676] The solution in this embodiment is applicable to the SL-MT-LR process involving LMF, or the relative positioning scenario in the SL-MT-L process used to periodically trigger positioning events.

[0677] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S321 to S323. For example, step S323 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and steps S322 and S323 may be implemented as separate embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0678] In some embodiments, step S321 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0679] In some embodiments, step S322 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0680] Figure 3d is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3d, the communication method can be executed by a first network function, and the method includes:

[0681] S331, Send the fourth message to the third network function.

[0682] The optional implementation of step S331 can be found in the optional implementation of step S231 in Figure 2d and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2d, which will not be repeated here.

[0683] In some embodiments, the fourth information is used to request the first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0684] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal may include at least one of the following: a target terminal, a reference terminal, a positioning terminal, or other terminals during the positioning process. Optionally, at least one candidate terminal may include the second terminal described above.

[0685] In some embodiments, the first capability may include at least one of the following:

[0686] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0687] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0688] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0689] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0690] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0691] In some embodiments, the first service may be ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0692] In some embodiments, the first network function is, for example, LMF.

[0693] In some embodiments, the third network function is, for example, UDM.

[0694] In some embodiments, a first network function may request a third network function to provide information related to a first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0695] In some embodiments, information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal includes: the first capability of at least one candidate terminal, or a matching result of whether the first capability of at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of a second terminal.

[0696] S332, Receive the second information sent by the third network function.

[0697] The optional implementation of step S332 can be found in the optional implementation of step S232 in Figure 2d and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2d, which will not be repeated here.

[0698] In some embodiments, the first network function may obtain second information from the third network function.

[0699] In some embodiments, the first network function acquiring the first information refers to receiving the second information. Optionally, the first network function receives the second information sent by a third network function.

[0700] In some embodiments, the second information includes information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0701] In some embodiments, the second information may include the first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0702] In some embodiments, the second information may include: a matching result indicating whether the first capability of at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of a fifth terminal currently used for the first service. Optionally, the fifth terminal may be the second terminal described above, or may be different from the second terminal described above. In this case, the second terminal may not be able to interact with the network or may not be used for the first service.

[0703] S333, Identify at least one first terminal.

[0704] The optional implementation of step S333 can be found in the optional implementation of step S233 in Figure 2d and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2d, which will not be repeated here.

[0705] In some embodiments, the first network function identifies at least one first terminal based on second information.

[0706] In some embodiments, based on second information, at least one first terminal whose capabilities match the first capability of the fifth terminal is determined from at least one candidate terminal. Optionally, the fifth terminal may be a terminal used for the current first service.

[0707] Optionally, matching the first capability of the candidate terminal with the first capability of the fifth terminal means that the first capability of the candidate terminal is consistent with the first capability of the fifth terminal, or that the candidate terminal includes capabilities that are the same as the first capability of the fifth terminal.

[0708] S334, The first network function sends third information to the second terminal.

[0709] The optional implementation of step S334 can be found in the optional implementation of step S234 in Figure 2d and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2d, which will not be repeated here.

[0710] In some embodiments, the third information includes information from at least one first terminal.

[0711] In some embodiments, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of a fifth terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

[0712] In some embodiments, the first terminal may be a first candidate server terminal.

[0713] In some embodiments, the third information includes a list of candidate server terminals, which includes at least one candidate server terminal.

[0714] In some embodiments, the third information further includes: first indication information, for indicating that the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches the first capability of the fifth terminal.

[0715] The solution in this embodiment is applicable to SL-MT-LR processes involving LMF, or SL-MT-L processes used to periodically trigger positioning events, or 5GC-MT-LR processes using SL positioning, or 5GC-MO-LR processes using SL positioning, in scenarios involving relative and absolute positioning.

[0716] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S331 to S334. For example, step S333 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S332 and S333 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S332, S333 and S334 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0717] In some embodiments, step S331 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0718] In some embodiments, step S332 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0719] In some embodiments, step S334 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0720] Figure 3e is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3e, the communication method can be executed by a first network function, and the method includes:

[0721] S341. Send the fifth message to the fourth network function.

[0722] The optional implementation of step S341 can be found in the optional implementation of step S241 in Figure 2e and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2e, which will not be repeated here.

[0723] In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to request the first capability or capability matching result of the third terminal.

[0724] In some embodiments, if the current service network of the first service is different from the service network of the third terminal, the first network function sends fifth information to the fourth network function corresponding to the third terminal.

[0725] In some embodiments, the third terminal is at least one of at least one candidate terminal.

[0726] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal may include at least one of the following: a target terminal, a reference terminal, a positioning terminal, or other terminals during the positioning process. Optionally, at least one candidate terminal may include the second terminal described above.

[0727] In some embodiments, the first capability may include at least one of the following:

[0728] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0729] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0730] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0731] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0732] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0733] In some embodiments, the first service may be ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0734] In some embodiments, the first network function is, for example, LMF.

[0735] In some embodiments, the fourth network function is, for example, the HLMF corresponding to the third terminal.

[0736] In some embodiments, the third terminal is at least one terminal. Optionally, if there are multiple third terminals, there are multiple corresponding fourth network functions, wherein each third terminal corresponds to one fourth network function.

[0737] In some embodiments, a first network function may request a fourth network function to provide information related to a first capability of a third terminal.

[0738] In some embodiments, the information related to the first capability of the third terminal includes: the first capability of the third terminal, or a matching result of whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of the fifth terminal currently used for the first service.

[0739] S342, Receive the second information sent by the fourth network function.

[0740] The optional implementation of step S342 can be found in the optional implementation of step S242 in Figure 2e and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2e, which will not be repeated here.

[0741] In some embodiments, the first network function may obtain the second information from the fourth network function.

[0742] In some embodiments, the first network function may receive second information sent by the fourth network function.

[0743] In some embodiments, the second information includes information related to the first capability of the third terminal.

[0744] In some embodiments, the second information may include the first capability of the third terminal.

[0745] In some embodiments, the second information may include: a matching result of whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of the fifth terminal currently used for the first service.

[0746] S343. Identify at least one first terminal.

[0747] The optional implementation of step S343 can be found in the optional implementation of step S243 in Figure 2e and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2e, which will not be repeated here.

[0748] In some embodiments, the first network function identifies at least one first terminal based on second information.

[0749] In some embodiments, the first terminal is a candidate server terminal.

[0750] S344, The first network function sends third information to the second terminal.

[0751] The optional implementation of step S344 can be found in the optional implementation of step S244 in Figure 2e and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2e, which will not be repeated here.

[0752] In some embodiments, the third information includes information from at least one first terminal.

[0753] In some embodiments, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of a fifth terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

[0754] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S341 to S344. For example, step S343 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S342 and S343 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S342, S343 and S344 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0755] In some embodiments, step S341 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0756] In some embodiments, step S342 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0757] In some embodiments, step S344 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0758] Figure 3f is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3f, the communication method can be executed by a first network function, and the method includes:

[0759] S351. Identify at least one first terminal.

[0760] The optional implementations of step S351 can be found in the optional implementations of step S203 in Figure 2a, step S213 in Figure 2b, step S223 in Figure 2c, step S233 in Figure 2d, step S243 in Figure 2e, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2a to 2e, which will not be repeated here.

[0761] In some embodiments, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of a second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

[0762] In some embodiments, the first service may include ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0763] In some embodiments, the first terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0764] Candidate positioning terminals;

[0765] Candidate reference terminal;

[0766] Candidate sidechain positioning server terminal.

[0767] In some embodiments, the second terminal includes the target terminal.

[0768] In some embodiments, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0769] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0770] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0771] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0772] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0773] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0774] In some embodiments, the method further includes: obtaining first information, the first information being used to indicate a first capability of the second terminal.

[0775] The optional implementations of the above embodiments can be found in the optional implementations of step S201 in FIG2a and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0776] In some embodiments, the first information is obtained in the following manner:

[0777] Obtain from the second network function;

[0778] Obtained from third-party network functions.

[0779] The optional implementations of the above embodiments can be found in the optional implementations of step S201 in FIG2a and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0780] In some embodiments, the method further includes: obtaining second information, the second information including information related to a first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0781] In some embodiments, the second information is obtained in the following manner:

[0782] Pre-configured;

[0783] Obtained from each of the at least one candidate terminal;

[0784] Obtained from third-party network functions;

[0785] Obtained from the fourth network function.

[0786] The optional implementations of the above embodiments can be found in the optional implementations of step S202 in FIG2a, step S212 in FIG2b, step S222 in FIG2c, step S232 in FIG2d, step S242 in FIG2e, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2a to FIG2e, which will not be repeated here.

[0787] In some embodiments, the second information includes: the first capability of the at least one candidate terminal.

[0788] In some embodiments, determining at least one first terminal includes: based on the first information and the second information, determining at least one first terminal from the at least one candidate terminal whose capabilities match the first capability of the second terminal.

[0789] In some embodiments, the method further includes sending fourth information to the third network function, the fourth information being used to request a first capability of the second terminal or the at least one candidate terminal.

[0790] The optional implementations of the above embodiments can be found in the optional implementations of step S211 in FIG2b and step S231 in FIG2d, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2b and FIG2d, which will not be repeated here.

[0791] In some embodiments, the second information includes: a matching result indicating whether the first capability of the at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0792] In some embodiments, if the current service network of the first service is different from the service network of the third terminal, wherein the third terminal is at least one of the second terminal and the at least one candidate terminal, the method further includes: sending fifth information to the fourth network function corresponding to the third terminal to request the first capability or capability matching result of the third terminal.

[0793] The optional implementations of the above embodiments can be found in the optional implementations of step S221 in FIG2c and step S241 in FIG2e, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2c and FIG2e, which will not be repeated here.

[0794] In some embodiments, the capability matching result of the third terminal is the matching result of whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0795] In some embodiments, it also includes:

[0796] Send third information to the second terminal, the third information including information of the at least one first terminal.

[0797] The optional implementations of the above embodiments can be found in the optional implementations of step S204 in FIG2a, step S234 in FIG2d, step S244 in FIG2e, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2a, FIG2d, and FIG2e, which will not be repeated here.

[0798] In some embodiments, the third information further includes: first indication information, used to indicate that the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0799] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, the method involved in this embodiment is executed by a second network function, and the method includes:

[0800] S401, Send the first message.

[0801] In some embodiments, the second network function sends first information to the first network function.

[0802] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a first capability of the second terminal.

[0803] In some embodiments, the first information is used to determine at least one first terminal. Optionally, the first information is used by a first network function to determine at least one first terminal.

[0804] In some embodiments, the first capability of each of the at least one first candidate positioning terminals matches the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

[0805] In some embodiments, the first network function is, for example, LMF, and the second network function is, for example, AMF.

[0806] The optional implementation of step S401 can be found in the optional implementation of step S201 in Figure 2a and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0807] In some embodiments, the first service may include ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0808] In some embodiments, the first terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0809] Candidate positioning terminals;

[0810] Candidate reference terminal;

[0811] Candidate sidechain positioning server terminal.

[0812] In some embodiments, the second terminal includes the target terminal.

[0813] In some embodiments, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0814] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0815] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0816] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0817] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0818] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0819] Figure 5a is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5a, the method involved in this embodiment is executed by a third network function, and the method includes:

[0820] S501, Receive the fourth information sent by the first network function.

[0821] In some embodiments, the first network function is, for example, GMLC.

[0822] The optional implementation of step S501 can be found in the optional implementation of step S211 in Figure 2b, and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2b, which will not be repeated here.

[0823] In some embodiments, the first network function is, for example, LMF.

[0824] The optional implementation of step S501 can be found in the optional implementation of step S231 in Figure 2d, and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2d, which will not be repeated here.

[0825] In some embodiments, the fourth information is used to request the first capability of the second terminal or at least one candidate terminal.

[0826] In some embodiments, the first terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0827] Candidate positioning terminals;

[0828] Candidate reference terminal;

[0829] Candidate sidechain positioning server terminal.

[0830] In some embodiments, the second terminal includes the target terminal.

[0831] In some embodiments, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0832] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0833] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0834] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0835] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0836] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0837] S502, Send the first information and the second information to the first network function.

[0838] In some embodiments, the first information and the second information are used to determine at least one first terminal. Optionally, the first information and the second information are used by a first network function to determine at least one first terminal.

[0839] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a first capability of the second terminal.

[0840] In some embodiments, the second information includes information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0841] In some embodiments, the first capability of each of the at least one first candidate positioning terminals is matched with the first capability of a second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

[0842] In some embodiments, the first service may include ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0843] The optional implementations of step S502 can be found in the optional implementations of step S201 in Figure 2a, step S212 in Figure 2b, and step S232 in Figure 2d, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2a, 2b, and 2d, which will not be repeated here.

[0844] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S501 to S502. For example, step S502 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0845] In some embodiments, step S501 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0846] Figure 5b is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5b, the method involved in this embodiment is executed by a third network function, and the method includes:

[0847] S511, Send the first information and the second information to the first network function.

[0848] In some embodiments, the first information and the second information are used to determine at least one first terminal. Optionally, the first information and the second information are used by a first network function to determine at least one first terminal.

[0849] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a first capability of the second terminal.

[0850] In some embodiments, the second information includes information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0851] In some embodiments, the first capability of each of the at least one first candidate positioning terminals is matched with the first capability of a second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

[0852] In some embodiments, the first service may include ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0853] In some embodiments, the first terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0854] Candidate positioning terminals;

[0855] Candidate reference terminal;

[0856] Candidate sidechain positioning server terminal.

[0857] In some embodiments, the second terminal includes the target terminal.

[0858] In some embodiments, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0859] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0860] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0861] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0862] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0863] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0864] The optional implementations of step S511 can be found in the optional implementations of step S201 in Figure 2a, step S212 in Figure 2b, and step S232 in Figure 2d, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2a, 2b, and 2d, which will not be repeated here.

[0865] In some embodiments, the second information includes: the first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

[0866] In some embodiments, at least one first candidate positioning terminal is a candidate terminal whose capabilities match the first capabilities of the second terminal.

[0867] In some embodiments, the above method may further include: receiving fourth information sent by a first network function.

[0868] In some embodiments, the fourth information is used to request the first capability of the second terminal or at least one candidate terminal.

[0869] In some embodiments, the second information includes: a matching result indicating whether the first capability of at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0870] The optional implementations of the above embodiments can be found in the optional implementations of step S211 in FIG2b and step S231 in FIG2d, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2b and FIG2d, which will not be repeated here.

[0871] Figure 6a is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6a, the method involved in this embodiment is executed by a second terminal, and the method includes:

[0872] S601, Receive the third information sent by the first network function.

[0873] The optional implementations of step S601 can be found in the optional implementations of step S204 in Figure 2a, step S234 in Figure 2d, and step S244 in Figure 2e, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2a, 2d, and 2e, which will not be repeated here.

[0874] In some embodiments, the third information includes information from at least one first terminal;

[0875] In some embodiments, the first capability of each of the at least one first candidate positioning terminals is matched with the first capability of a second terminal, wherein the at least one first terminal is used for a first service. Optionally, the first terminal may be a first candidate positioning terminal.

[0876] In some embodiments, the third information further includes: first indication information, used to indicate that the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0877] In some embodiments, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of a fifth terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service. Optionally, the first terminal may be a first candidate server terminal.

[0878] In some embodiments, the third information further includes: first indication information, for indicating that the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches the first capability of the fifth terminal.

[0879] In some embodiments, the first service may include ranging and / or sidechain positioning services.

[0880] In some embodiments, the first capability may include at least one of the following:

[0881] Does it support ranging and sidechain positioning capabilities?

[0882] Does it support V2X communication capabilities?

[0883] Does it support the ability to provide 5G proximity services?

[0884] Does it support the ability to conduct primary services via PC5 V2X communication?

[0885] Does it support the ability to conduct primary business through 5G proximity services?

[0886] In some embodiments, the second terminal may be the target terminal in the positioning process.

[0887] Figure 6b is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6b, the method involved in this embodiment is executed by a fourth network function, and the method includes:

[0888] S611, Receive the fifth message sent by the first network function.

[0889] In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to request the first capability or capability matching result of the third terminal.

[0890] In some embodiments, if the current service network of the first service is different from the service network of the third terminal, the first network function sends fifth information to the fourth network function corresponding to the third terminal.

[0891] In some embodiments, if the first network function is, for example, GMLC, then the fourth network function can be HGMLC corresponding to the third terminal.

[0892] The optional implementation of step S611 can be found in the optional implementation of step S221 in Figure 2c, and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2c, which will not be repeated here.

[0893] In some embodiments, if the first network function is, for example, LMF, then the fourth network function can be HLMF corresponding to the third terminal.

[0894] The optional implementation of step S611 can be found in the optional implementation of step S241 in Figure 2e, and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2e, which will not be repeated here.

[0895] In some embodiments, the third terminal is at least one of at least one candidate terminal.

[0896] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal may include at least one of the following: a target terminal, a reference terminal, a positioning terminal, or other terminals during the positioning process. Optionally, at least one candidate terminal may include the second terminal described above.

[0897] S612, Send the second information to the first network function.

[0898] In some embodiments, the second information includes information related to the first capability of the third terminal.

[0899] In some embodiments, the second information may include the first capability of the third terminal.

[0900] In some embodiments, if the first network function is, for example, GMLC, then the second information may include: a matching result indicating whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

[0901] The optional implementation of step S612 can be found in the optional implementation of step S222 in Figure 2c, and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2c, which will not be repeated here.

[0902] In some embodiments, if the first network function is, for example, LMF, then the second information may include: a matching result of whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of the fifth terminal currently used for the first service.

[0903] The optional implementation of step S612 can be found in the optional implementation of step S242 in Figure 2e, and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2e, which will not be repeated here.

[0904] This disclosure also provides an alternative implementation, providing a communication method that improves the method for determining candidate UEs in the ranging and / or sidechain positioning process by considering the UE's ability to communicate between UEs during ranging and / or sidechain positioning.

[0905] In some embodiments, the LMF / GMLC acquires the UE's ability to support ranging and sidechain positioning via PC5 or V2X communication via 5G ProSe.

[0906] In some embodiments, the candidate UEs sent by the LMF take into account the capabilities described above supported by the target UE and the UE in question;

[0907] In some embodiments, GMLC considers the UE's ability to perform ranging and sidechain positioning via PC5 V2X communication or 5G ProSe to determine further procedures with the relevant UE.

[0908] In some embodiments, when the LMF determines the SL positioning server UE, it considers the UE's ability to perform ranging and sidechain positioning via PC5 V2X communication or 5G ProSe.

[0909] The solutions proposed in this disclosure are described in detail below for different application scenarios.

[0910] Example 1

[0911] In this embodiment, considering the capabilities supported by the target UE and the located UE, the method improves the candidate located UE sent by the LMF during ranging and sidechain positioning. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7a, the method may include:

[0912] S701-S704, the location request is sent to the Location Management Function (LMF). The LMF determines and executes the location request using ranging and sidechain positioning. For example, in step S704, the AMF sends the first information mentioned above to the LMF via the LMF Location_DetermineLocation Request (Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation Request) message.

[0913] S701a. During the 5GC-MO-LR process of using SL positioning, an MO-LR request is sent from UE1, and the LMF that receives the positioning service request in step S703 can trigger the use of SL positioning.

[0914] S701b. During the 5GC-MT-LR process of using SL positioning, the LMF that receives the location service request in step S703 can trigger the use of SL positioning by sending a mobile terminal termination positioning request from the GMLC.

[0915] S701c. In the process of using the Sindlink-Mobile-Originated-Location Request (SL-MO-LR), in step S703, the LMF receives a location service request for ranging and sidelink positioning based on the SL-MO-LR request from UE1.

[0916] S701d. In the process of using the Sindlink-MobileTerminated-LocationRequest (SL-MT-LR), in step S703, the LMF receives the ranging and sidelink positioning service request based on the ranging and sidelink positioning location request from the Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC).

[0917] S702. UE1 selects the LMF that serves UE1 (e.g., an LMF that supports ranging / sidechain positioning).

[0918] S703.AMF sends an LMF Location Determine Location Request (Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation Request) to the selected LMF (which can correspond to the first information above).

[0919] Optionally, the AMF can use the information from the SL-MO-LR request to send an Nlmf_LocationDetermineLocation service operation to the LMF. The service operation includes the LCS's correlation ID.

[0920] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to indicate the UE1 (which may correspond to the second terminal mentioned above)’s UE capability (which may correspond to the first capability mentioned above) to support ranging and sidechain positioning via PC5’s V2X communication and / or 5G ProSe.

[0921] In some embodiments, the first capability of UE1 described above can be implemented through one of the following:

[0922] The first information includes information indicating UE1's ability to perform ranging and sidelink positioning via PC5 V2X communication or via 5G ProSe.

[0923] The first piece of information includes whether UE1 supports ranging and sidechain positioning and / or V2X communication and / or UE capabilities of 5G ProSe (e.g., including support for 5G ProSe direct discovery and 5G ProSe direct communication).

[0924] S704.LMF considers the capabilities of UE1 and determines candidate UEs for location.

[0925] In some embodiments, if the LMF decides to provide a list of candidate positioning UEs, it considers the UE capability of UE1 received in step S703 to support ranging and sidechain positioning via PC5 V2X communication and / or 5G ProSe, as well as relevant information in the LMF that can be used for candidate positioning UEs (one or more), to determine the positioning UEs included in the candidate positioning UE list.

[0926] In some embodiments, if there is a capability mismatch between the target UE (which may be UE1) and the positioning UE, the LMF will not include the positioning UE in the candidate positioning UE list.

[0927] In some embodiments, the LMF only includes the positioning UE that is capable of communicating with the target UE in the candidate positioning UE list. For example, if the target UE only supports ranging and sidelink positioning via V2X communication over PC5, the LMF only includes the positioning UE in the candidate positioning UE list that supports ranging and sidelink positioning via V2X communication over PC5; or, the positioning UE supports ranging and sidelink positioning via both V2X communication on PC and 5G Prose.

[0928] S705.LMF can use supplementary service messages with embedded SLPP containers to send a request to UE1 for the capability of UE1 to UE n.

[0929] In some embodiments, if the absolute location of the target UE is requested in step S701c, the LMF can also provide UE1 with a list of candidate UEs identified by the application layer ID through supplementary service messages.

[0930] In some embodiments, when the LMF instructs the target UE to select a location UE, the list of candidate location UEs may also include the capabilities (if available) of each requested candidate location UE.

[0931] S706. If the LMF requests UE capabilities in step S705, then UE1 returns its capabilities to the LMF using an SLPP message.

[0932] S707. If the absolute location of the target UE is required in step S701c, the LMF can retrieve the location of the UE locally (if available) or trigger the 5GC-MT-LR procedure of the GMLC to obtain the absolute location of the UE.

[0933] S708. If the absolute position of the target UE is not requested in step S701c, then UE1 may send a request for specific auxiliary data to LMF.

[0934] S709.LMF uses an SLPP message for UE1 auxiliary data and a supplementary service message with an embedded SLPP message for UE2 to UEn and the associated application layer ID to send the requested auxiliary data, along with the associated UE list and its corresponding auxiliary data, to UE1. Optionally, the UE list may be a list of UEs selected downwards from UE2 to UEn.

[0935] S710. If the SL-MO-LR request in step S701c indicates the need for location calculation assistance and / or indicates the transmission of ranging / sidechain positioning results to the LCS client or AF, then the LMF sends a request for the location information of UE1 via an SLPP message and a request for the location information of UE2 (UE n) via a supplementary service message.

[0936] S711.UE1 performs a ranging / sidechain positioning process between UE1 and UEn, wherein the UE obtains a sidechain position measurement, and UE2 to UEn (or the UEs following the downward selection indicated by them, and the UEs selected from UE2 to UEn that meet the requirements) transmit their sidechain position measurements to UE1.

[0937] S712. The positioning results are sent to the AMF.

[0938] For example, LMF sends the location result to AMF via the LMF Location Determine Location Response (Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation Response) message.

[0939] Example 2

[0940] In this embodiment, UE downselection is performed in other processes, taking into account the capabilities supported by the target UE and the reference UE.

[0941] In the SL-MT-LR process involving LMF, or in the SL-MT-L process for periodic, triggered positioning events, if relative positioning is requested, the UE's ability to support ranging and sidechain positioning via PC5 V2X communication and / or 5G ProSe is considered. A reference UE can be selected in GMLC, and the capabilities of the target UE and the reference UE can be considered. That is, the reference UEs with mismatched capabilities that cannot perform inter-UE communication are filtered out, and the reference UEs that can perform inter-UE communication are retained.

[0942] In some embodiments, if the target UE and all reference UEs belong to the same PLMN, capability-related information for all UEs can be retrieved from the UDM (Unified Data Management).

[0943] In some embodiments, if any reference UE belongs to a different PLMN, it is necessary to retrieve from the corresponding PLMN the UE's capability to support V2X communication via PC5 and / or ranging and sidelink positioning via 5G ProSe; alternatively, the capability matching result is provided via the corresponding UE's H-GMLC, which is obtained by the anchor GMLC (i.e., the GMLC of the serving network of the current service request) invoking the corresponding service operation to perform a matching of the UE's capability to support V2X communication via PC5 and / or ranging and sidelink positioning via 5G ProSe. This service operation can reuse existing service operations or be a newly added service operation.

[0944] In some embodiments, if any mismatch is detected, the process can be stopped or continued even if no mismatching UE is detected. Optionally, whether to stop or continue in the event of any mismatching UE is determined based on local policies or specific implementation requirements.

[0945] The following, with reference to Figure 7b, details a UE selection implementation scheme that considers the capabilities supported by the target UE and the reference UE to estimate the relative position or distance and / or orientation between UEs during the SL-MT-LR process involving LMF. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7b, the method may include:

[0946] S721. The LCS client or AF (via NEF) sends an LCS service request to (H)GMLC for ranging / sidechain location results for n UEs, each UE may be identified by an application layer ID and / or GPSI and / or SUPI.

[0947] In some embodiments, the application layer ID is applied to each of the n UEs to enable the terminal to discover the corresponding UE. If any UE belongs to another PLMN, the (H)GMLC requests the home GMLC of each of these UEs to retrieve the mapping information between the application layer ID and the GPSI. The home GMLC of each of these UEs queries the NEF in its own PLMN to map the application layer ID.

[0948] S722.(H)GMLC calls the Nudm_SDM_Get service operation to the UDM of each of the n UEs to obtain the privacy settings of the UE identified by its GPSI or SUPI.

[0949] In some embodiments, the UDM returns the UE's privacy settings. The (H)GMLC retrieves the UE's privacy profile. If only the UE's SUPI is provided to the (H)GMLC, the (H)GMLC can obtain the UE's GPSI and privacy settings. If the UE's application layer ID is not provided to the (H)GMLC, the (H)GMLC can query the NEF to map the application layer ID.

[0950] In some embodiments, if any UE belongs to another PLMN, the (H)GMLC sends a request to the home GMLC of each of these UEs to retrieve ranging / SL positioning privacy information for those UEs identified by GPSI or SUPI. The home GMLC of each of these UEs queries the UDM in its own PLMN via the Nudm_SDM_Get service operation to obtain the UE's privacy settings and sends the privacy retrieval results to the (H)GMLC.

[0951] S723.(H)GMLC uses the GPSI or SUPI of each UE to call the Nudm_UECM_Get service operation to the UDM of each of the n UEs one at a time.

[0952] In some embodiments, (H)GMLC selects the UE (e.g., considered UE1 in the following steps) to initiate ranging / SL positioning based on UE subscription and UE reachability, and selects the appropriate serving AMF. If the UE is unreachable, (H)GMLC does not select such a UE to initiate ranging / SL positioning.

[0953] In some embodiments, the ability to perform ranging and sidechain positioning for each of n UEs via PC5 V2X communication and / or 5G ProSe can be retrieved from the UDM by calling the Nudm_UECM_Get service operation.

[0954] In some embodiments, if any UE belongs to another PLMN, the (H)GMLC sends a request to the home GMLC of each of these UEs to retrieve the UE's capability to support ranging and sidechain positioning via PC5 V2X communication and / or via 5G ProSe of those UEs identified by GPSI or SUPI. The home GMLC of each of these UEs queries the UDM in its own PLMN via the Nudm_UECM_Get service operation to obtain the UE's UE capabilities and sends the capability retrieval result (which may correspond to the first matching result above) or the UE's capability to support ranging and sidechain positioning via PC5 V2X communication and / or via 5G ProSe of those UEs to the (H)GMLC.

[0955] Optionally, the capability retrieval result can refer to whether the capabilities of the retrieved UE match the capabilities of UE1 or the target terminal.

[0956] In some embodiments, if any mismatch is detected, the process can be stopped or continued. If the process does not stop, a UE selection is performed considering the supported capabilities of the target UE and the reference UE, and in subsequent processes, only matching UEs are included, excluding mismatched UEs.

[0957] S724-S728.GMLC sends service requests to the serving AMF, enabling privacy searches with the UE.

[0958] S729. The serving AMF selects the LMF serving UE1 (e.g., an LMF that supports ranging / sidechain positioning) and sends the information received in step S725 (e.g., the desired location result (e.g., relative location or range and direction between UE pairs), and the application layer ID corresponding to the SL reference UE in the case of relative location (if received in step S725)) to the LMF via the Nlmf_LocationDetermineLocation service operation. The service operation includes the LCS association identifier.

[0959] S730.LMF uses the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer service operation to send an SL-MT-LR request message to the service AMF.

[0960] S731-S735. Utilize UE discovery and capability exchange to perform SL-MT-LR requests / responses.

[0961] S736. Perform sidechain localization / ranging from UE1 to UEn to obtain the result of the requested localization. Optionally, the sidechain localization / ranging from UE1 to UEn can be performed using steps 10-19 of the SL-MO-LR procedure in section 6.20.1 of TS23.273.

[0962] S737-S740. The result of the location request is sent from LMF to AMF, then from AMF to GMLC, and further back to the initiating NF, such as LMF.

[0963] Example 3

[0964] In this embodiment, the server UE is selected considering the capabilities supported by UE1 and the server UE.

[0965] The SL positioning server UE can be discovered and selected for result calculation, method determination, auxiliary data distribution, and SL reference UE selection in cases outside coverage; or, if the serving network does not support ranging / SL positioning, the SL positioning server UE is selected by UE1.

[0966] In some embodiments, if the target UE and / or the SL reference UE can access an LMF that supports ranging / SL positioning, the LMF can still determine whether the SL positioning server UE, the target UE, or the SL reference UE performs the result calculation. The SL positioning server UE can be located in the same location as the target UE or the SL reference UE.

[0967] In some embodiments, when the LMF determines the SL positioning server UE, it considers the ability of the candidate SL positioning server UE to support ranging and sidechain positioning via PC5 V2X communication and / or 5G ProSe, as well as the SL positioning server UE that communicates with UE1 in any of the processes described in Embodiments 1 to 2 above.

[0968] In some embodiments, only SL positioning server UEs with capabilities matching UE1 can be identified as SL positioning server UEs. UE1's capabilities include supporting ranging and sidechain positioning via V2X communication over PC5 and / or via 5G ProSe.

[0969] Optionally, the UE supports the ability to perform ranging and sidechain positioning via V2X communication on PC5 and / or via 5G ProSe, which can be obtained through the retrieval process described in Embodiment 3 above.

[0970] In some embodiments, the ability of the candidate SL positioning server UE to perform ranging and sidechain positioning via PC5 V2X communication and / or 5G ProSe can be obtained through at least one of the following methods:

[0971] Configured on LMF;

[0972] The LMF retrieves the data from the UDM by calling the Nudm_UECM_Get service operation. For example, it is similar to the description in Implementation 2, except that GMLC is executed in Implementation 2, while LMF is executed in this embodiment.

[0973] Retrieved by LMF from each UE, for example, using SLPP messages.

[0974] In a Service-Based Architecture (SBA), interaction between network functions can be achieved by calling services, rather than sending request and response messages. In non-SBA architectures, this is achieved by sending corresponding messages. For example, in SBA, sending an `Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation` request corresponds to calling the `Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation` service, and the `Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation` response corresponds to the output of the `Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation` service. Of course, for other requests, the corresponding service implementation can also be called, and the response to that request corresponds to the output of the corresponding service; there are no specific restrictions on the requests and / or responses.

[0975] This disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Furthermore, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by network functions (e.g., access network equipment, core network function nodes, core network equipment, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0976] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functions of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of the hardware circuits. The aforementioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the aforementioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functions of some or all of the aforementioned units or modules are achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. As another example, in another implementation, the aforementioned hardware circuit can be implemented through a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functions of some or all of the aforementioned units or modules.

[0977] All units or modules of the above devices can be implemented entirely through processor-invoked software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-invoked software with the remainder implemented through hardware circuits. In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. These logical relationships are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor may be a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be hardware circuits designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as ASICs, such as Neural Network Processing Units (NPUs), Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), and Deep Learning Processing Units (DPUs).

[0978] Figure 8a is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first network function proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 8a, the first network function may include at least one of a first transceiver module 811, a first processing module 812, etc.

[0979] In some embodiments, the first processing module 812 is used to determine at least one first terminal;

[0980] Wherein, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for the first service.

[0981] Optionally, the first transceiver module 811 is used to execute the steps related to sending and receiving signaling in the first network function of any of the above methods, such as at least one of the steps S201, S202, and S204 shown in FIG2a, steps S211 and S212 shown in FIG2b, steps S221 and S222 shown in FIG2c, steps S231, S232, and S234 shown in FIG2d, and steps S241, S242, and S244 shown in FIG2e, which will not be described in detail here.

[0982] Figure 8b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second network function proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 8b, the second network function includes at least one of a second transceiver module 821, a second processing module 822, etc.

[0983] In some embodiments, the second transceiver module 821 is used to send first information to the first network function, the first information being used to indicate the first capability of the second terminal, and to identify at least one first terminal.

[0984] Wherein, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for the first service.

[0985] Figure 8c is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third network function proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 8c, the third network function includes at least one of a third transceiver module 831, a third processing module 832, etc.

[0986] In some embodiments, the third transceiver module 831 is used to send first information and second information to the first network function to determine at least one first terminal;

[0987] Wherein, the first information is used to indicate the first capability of the second terminal, and the second information includes information related to the first capability of at least one candidate terminal;

[0988] The first capability of each of the at least one first terminal is matched with the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

[0989] Optionally, the third transceiver module 831 is also used to perform the steps related to sending and receiving signaling in any of the above methods performed by the third network function, such as at least one of the steps S201 and S202 shown in FIG2a, steps S211 and S212 shown in FIG2b, and steps S231 and S232 shown in FIG2d, which will not be described in detail here.

[0990] Figure 8d is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second terminal proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 8d, the second terminal may include at least one of a fourth transceiver module 841, a fourth processing module 842, etc.

[0991] In some embodiments, the fourth transceiver module 841 is used to receive third information sent by the first network function, the third information including information of at least one first terminal; wherein, the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

[0992] Optionally, the fourth transceiver module 841 is used to execute the steps related to sending and receiving signaling executed by the second terminal in any of the above methods, such as at least one of step S204 shown in FIG2a, step S234 shown in FIG2d, and step S244 shown in FIG2e, which will not be described in detail here.

[0993] Figure 9a is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 9100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 9100 can be a network function (e.g., access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of any of the above methods by the network function, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of any of the above methods by the terminal. The communication device 9100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0994] As shown in Figure 9a, the communication device 9100 includes one or more processors 9101. The processor 9101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The processor 9101 is used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 9100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0995] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more transceivers 9103. When the communication device 9100 includes one or more transceivers 9103, the transceivers 9103 perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., at least one of steps S201, S202, S204 shown in FIG. 2a, steps S211, S212 shown in FIG. 2b, steps S221, S222 shown in FIG. 2c, steps S231, S232, S234 shown in FIG. 2d, steps S241, S242, S244 shown in FIG. 2e, but not limited thereto), and the processor 9101 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., at least one of steps S203 shown in FIG. 2a, step S213 shown in FIG. 2b, step S223 shown in FIG. 2c, step S233 shown in FIG. 2d, step S243 shown in FIG. 2e, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, and interface can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit can be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit can be used interchangeably.

[0996] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more memories 9102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 9102 may be located outside the communication device 9100.

[0997] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more transceivers 9103. When the communication device 9100 includes one or more transceivers 9103, the communication steps such as sending and receiving in the above method are performed by the transceivers 9103, and other steps are performed by the processor 9101.

[0998] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0999] Optionally, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more interface circuits 9104, which are connected to the memory 9102. The interface circuits 9104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 9102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 9102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 9104 can read instructions stored in the memory 9102 and send the instructions to the processor 9101.

[1000] The communication device 9100 described in the above embodiments may be a network function or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 9100 described in the embodiments of this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 9100 may not be limited by FIG. 9a. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include storage components for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network function, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[1001] Figure 9b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 9200 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 9100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the chip 9200 shown in Figure 9b, but it is not limited thereto.

[1002] Chip 9200 includes one or more processors 9201. Chip 9200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[1003] In some embodiments, chip 9200 further includes one or more interface circuits 9202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 9200 further includes one or more memories 9203 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 9203 may be located outside of chip 9200. Optionally, interface circuit 9202 is connected to memory 9203, and interface circuit 9202 can be used to receive data from memory 9203 or other devices, and interface circuit 9202 can be used to send data to memory 9203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 9202 can read data stored in memory 9203 and send the data to processor 9201.

[1004] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 9202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method (e.g., at least one of steps S201, S202, S204 shown in FIG. 2a, steps S211, S212 shown in FIG. 2b, steps S221, S222 shown in FIG. 2c, steps S231, S232, S234 shown in FIG. 2d, and steps S241, S242, S244 shown in FIG. 2e, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 9202 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method refers, for example, to the interface circuit 9202 performing data interaction between the processor 9201, the chip 9200, the memory 9203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 9201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., step S203 shown in FIG. 2, step S213 shown in FIG. 2b, step S223 shown in FIG. 2c, step S233 shown in FIG. 2d, step S243 shown in FIG. 2e, but not limited thereto).

[1005] This disclosure also provides a program product that, when executed by the communication device 9100, causes the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[1006] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[1007] The technical solutions described in the embodiments of this disclosure can be combined arbitrarily without conflict.

[1008] Other embodiments of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the following claims.

[1009] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a first network function, and the method comprises: determining at least one first terminal; wherein a first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches a first capability of a second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising: obtaining first information, the first information being used to indicate the first capability of the first terminal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, Obtaining the first information comprises at least one of: obtaining the first information through a second network function; obtaining the first information through a third network function.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, Further comprising: obtaining second information, the second information comprising information related to a first capability of at least one candidate terminal.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, Obtaining the second information comprises at least one of: obtaining the second information through pre-configuration; obtaining the second information from each of the at least one candidate terminal; obtaining the second information through a third network function; obtaining the second information through a fourth network function.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The second network function is used for access and mobility management, and the third network function is used for user data management.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein, The determining at least one first terminal comprises: determining at least one first terminal from the at least one candidate terminal based on the first information and the second information; wherein the at least one first terminal is a terminal in the at least one candidate terminal whose first capability matches the first capability of the second terminal.

8. The method according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that, Further comprising: sending fourth information to the third network function, the fourth information being used to request the first capability of the second terminal or the at least one candidate terminal.

9. The method of claim 4 or 5, wherein, The second information comprises: a first matching result, the first matching result being used to indicate whether the first capability of the at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal; or the first capability of the at least one candidate terminal.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein, In a case where a service network of the first service is different from a service network of at least one third terminal, the third terminal being a terminal in the second terminal and the at least one candidate terminal, the method further comprises: sending fifth information to a fourth network function corresponding to the third terminal, the fifth information being used to request the first capability of the third terminal or a second matching result; wherein the second matching result indicates whether the first capability of the third terminal matches the first capability of the first terminal.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized by, Further comprising: sending third information to the first terminal, the third information comprising information of the at least one first terminal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The third information further comprises first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first capability of each of the at least one first candidate terminal matches the first capability of the first terminal.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The first capability comprises at least one of: a capability of whether to support ranging and sidelink positioning; a capability of whether to support V2X communication; a capability of whether to support 5G proximity service; a capability of whether to support the first service through V2X communication over PC5; a capability of whether to support the first service through 5G proximity service.

14. The method of any one of claims 1-13, wherein, The first terminal comprises at least one of: a candidate positioning terminal; a candidate reference terminal; a candidate sidelink positioning server terminal.

15. The method of any one of claims 1-14, wherein, The first service includes a ranging and / or sidelink positioning service.

16. A method of communication, comprising: The method is performed by a second network function, and the method includes: sending first information to a first network function, the first information being used to indicate a first capability of a second terminal, for determining at least one first terminal; wherein the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The first capability includes at least one of: a capability of whether a UE supports ranging and sidelink positioning; a capability of whether a UE supports V2X communication; a capability of whether a UE supports 5G proximity service; a capability of whether a UE supports the first service through V2X communication over PC5; a capability of whether a UE supports the first service through 5G proximity service.

18. The method of any one of claims 16 or 17, wherein, The first terminal includes at least one of: a candidate terminal; a candidate reference terminal; a candidate sidelink positioning server terminal.

19. The method of any one of claims 16-18, wherein, The first service includes a ranging and / or sidelink positioning service.

20. A method of communication, comprising: The method is performed by a third network function, and the method includes: sending first information and second information to a first network function, for determining at least one first terminal; wherein the first information is used to indicate a first capability of a second terminal, and the second information includes information related to a first capability of at least one candidate terminal; the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal, for serving a first service.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The at least one first terminal is a terminal in the at least one candidate terminal whose first capability matches the first capability of the second terminal.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein, Further comprising: receiving fourth information sent by the first network function, the fourth information being used to request the first capability of the second terminal or the at least one candidate terminal.

23. The method according to at least one of claims 20-22, characterized by, The second information includes a first matching result, the first matching result being used to indicate whether the first capability of the at least one candidate terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal; or the first capability of the at least one candidate terminal.

24. The method of any one of claims 20-23, wherein, The first capability includes at least one of: a capability of whether a UE supports ranging and sidelink positioning; a capability of whether a UE supports V2X communication; a capability of whether a UE supports 5G proximity service; a capability of whether a UE supports the first service through V2X communication over PC5; a capability of whether a UE supports the first service through 5G proximity service.

25. The method of any one of claims 20-24, wherein, The first terminal includes at least one of: a candidate terminal; a candidate reference terminal; a candidate sidelink positioning server terminal.

26. The method of any one of claims 20-25, wherein, The first service includes a ranging and / or sidelink positioning service.

27. A method of communication, comprising: The method is performed by a second terminal, and the method includes: receiving third information sent by a first network function, the third information including information of at least one first terminal; wherein the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for a first service.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein, The third information further includes first indication information, used to indicate that the first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches the first capability of the second terminal.

29. The method of claim 27 or 28, wherein, The first capability comprises at least one of: a capability of whether the base station supports ranging and sidelink positioning; a capability of whether the base station supports V2X communication; a capability of whether the base station supports 5G proximity service; a capability of whether the base station supports first service through V2X communication over PC5; a capability of whether the base station supports first service through 5G proximity service.

30. The method of any one of claims 27-29, wherein, The first terminal comprises at least one of: a candidate terminal; a candidate reference terminal; a candidate sidelink positioning server terminal.

31. The method of any one of claims 27-30, wherein, The first service comprises ranging and / or sidelink positioning service.

32. A first network function, the first network function comprising: Comprise: a first processing module, configured to determine at least one first terminal; wherein a first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches a first capability of a second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for first service.

33. A second network function, wherein the second network function is configured to: Comprise: a second transceiver module, configured to send first information to a first network function, the first information being used to indicate the first capability of the second terminal, and determine at least one first terminal; wherein a first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches a first capability of a second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for first service.

34. A third network function, characterized by, Comprise: a third transceiver module, configured to send first information and second information to a first network function, and determine at least one first terminal; wherein the first information is used to indicate the first capability of the second terminal, and the second information comprises information related to a first capability of at least one candidate terminal; a first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches a first capability of the second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for first service.

35. A second terminal, comprising: Comprise: a fourth transceiver module, configured to receive third information sent by a first network function, the third information comprising at least one first terminal; wherein a first capability of each of the at least one first terminal matches a first capability of a second terminal, and the at least one first terminal is used for first service.

36. A communications device, characterized by Comprise: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to perform the communication method of any one of claims 1-15.

37. A communications device, characterized by Comprise: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to perform the communication method of any one of claims 16-19.

38. A communications device, characterized by Comprise: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to perform the communication method of any one of claims 20-26.

39. A communications device, characterized by Comprise: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to perform the communication method of any one of claims 27-31.

40. A communication system, characterized by Comprise: a first network function and a second network function, wherein the first network function is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1-15, and the second network function is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 16-19.

41. [Amended according to Rule 26 13.06.2024] A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium stores executable instructions, which are loaded and executed by the processor to implement the method of any one of claims 1-15, or 16-19, or 20-26, or 27-31.

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