Positioning method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and in particular, to a positioning method and apparatus, which are intended to support positioning computation on an access network side while being compatible with an existing positioning service architecture. The method comprises: an access network device receiving a first positioning request from a first network element, the first positioning request comprising a first temporary identifier, and the first temporary identifier being used for identifying a terminal device to be positioned; acquiring position information of the terminal device; and sending a first positioning response to the first network element, the first positioning response comprising the position information.

Description

A positioning method and device

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410910381.0, filed on July 8, 2024, entitled "A Positioning Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a positioning method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] Currently, various positioning technologies are supported in the field of communications, such as time of arrival (TOA) positioning technology and time difference of arrival (TDOA) positioning technology. With the development of artificial intelligence (AI), positioning technologies based on channel information (such as channel matrices) have also been proposed.

[0005] However, current positioning services are deployed on the core network side. For positioning technologies involving channel information, access network devices need to report the channel information to the core network. Since channel information involves the privacy of access network devices, there are situations where positioning services deployed on the core network side cannot obtain the channel information, resulting in the unavailability of positioning services based on channel information (such as channel matrix). Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a positioning method and apparatus to support positioning calculations on the access network side while being compatible with existing positioning service architectures.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a positioning method applicable to access network devices. The method includes: receiving a first positioning request from a first network element, the first positioning request including a first temporary identifier used to identify a terminal device to be located; obtaining location information of the terminal device; and sending a first positioning response to the first network element, the first positioning response including location information. The first network element may be an access and mobility management function (AMF), a gateway mobile location center (GMLC), or a location management function (LMF), or other network elements (or devices).

[0008] The above method allows positioning calculations to be performed on the access network side, preventing channel information from entering the core network. Simultaneously, access network equipment can provide positioning services to network elements such as AMF, GMLC, or LMF, ensuring compatibility with existing positioning service architectures and expanding the applicability of the positioning method. Furthermore, using a first temporary identifier to identify the terminal device to be located prevents the leakage of the terminal device's permanent identifier (such as a subscription permanent identifier, SUPI) to the access network, thus protecting the terminal device's privacy.

[0009] The GMLC in this application can reuse an existing core network-side GMLC or be a newly introduced network element on the access network side. GMLC can be understood as an interface network element that allows a user's client or server to send location requests to the network (e.g., AMF, or access network equipment) and receive location responses.

[0010] In one possible design, the access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location service functions. It receives a first location request from a first network element, including: receiving a first location request from an AMF; the first temporary identifier includes the terminal device's temporary mobile subscriber identity (TMSI), or the terminal device's first interface identifier on a first interface, or the terminal device's second interface identifier on a second interface and the identifier of the terminal device's central unit (CU); wherein, the first interface is the interface between the service unit and the AMF, and the second interface is the interface between the CU and the AMF.

[0011] The above design solves the problem of how to identify the terminal device when the AMF sends a location request to the service unit on the access network side. In addition, using a temporary identifier to identify the terminal device also helps to avoid privacy leaks of the terminal device.

[0012] In one possible design, obtaining the location information of the terminal device includes: performing a positioning process with the CU based on a second temporary identifier to determine the location information of the terminal device; the second temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: a third interface identifier of the terminal device on a third interface, or a second interface identifier; the third interface is the interface between the service unit and the CU.

[0013] The above design solves the problem of how to identify the terminal device when the service unit interacts with the CU during the positioning process after receiving a positioning request from the AMF. In addition, using a temporary identifier to identify the terminal device also helps to avoid privacy leaks of the terminal device.

[0014] In one possible design, the access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location service functions, and receives a first location request from a first network element, including: receiving a first location request from a GMLC; the first temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: the TMSI of the terminal device, or the first interface identifier of the terminal device on the first interface; the first interface is the interface between the service unit and the AMF.

[0015] The above design solves the problem of how to identify the terminal device when the GMLC sends a location request to the service unit on the access network side. In addition, using a temporary identifier to identify the terminal device also helps to avoid privacy leakage of the terminal device.

[0016] In one possible design, obtaining the location information of the terminal device includes: performing a positioning process with the service CU of the terminal device based on a second temporary identifier to determine the location information of the terminal device; the second temporary identifier includes the third interface identifier of the terminal device on a third interface, and the third interface is the interface between the service unit and the CU.

[0017] The above design solves the problem of how to identify the terminal device when the service unit interacts with the CU during the positioning process after receiving a positioning request from the GMLC. In addition, using a temporary identifier to identify the terminal device also helps to avoid privacy leaks of the terminal device.

[0018] In one possible design, the access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location service functions, and receives a first location request from a first network element, including: receiving a first location request from an LMF; the first temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: the TMSI of the terminal device, or the third interface identifier of the terminal device on the third interface; the third interface is the interface between the service unit and the service CU of the terminal device.

[0019] The above design solves the problem of how to identify the terminal device when the LMF sends a location request to the service unit on the access network side. In addition, using a temporary identifier to identify the terminal device also helps to avoid privacy leakage of the terminal device.

[0020] In one possible design, obtaining the location information of the terminal device includes: performing a positioning process with the CU based on a second temporary identifier to determine the location information of the terminal device; wherein the second temporary identifier includes a third interface identifier.

[0021] The above design solves the problem of how to identify the terminal device when the service unit interacts with the CU during the positioning process after receiving a positioning request from the LMF. In addition, using a temporary identifier to identify the terminal device also helps to avoid privacy leakage of the terminal device.

[0022] In one possible design, the first positioning request also includes positioning measurement information of the terminal device, which includes information for locating the transmission reception point (TRP) of the terminal device and the positioning measurement results of the terminal device corresponding to the TRP; obtaining the location information of the terminal device includes: determining the location information of the terminal device based on the positioning measurement information.

[0023] The above design enables the service unit to assist the LMF in performing location calculations, offloading the LMF's load and facilitating a faster response to location tasks.

[0024] In one possible design, before receiving a first location request from the LMF, the method further includes: sending first information to the LMF, the first information including a third temporary identifier corresponding to at least one terminal device that the service unit can serve, wherein the third temporary identifier corresponding to any terminal device includes at least one of the following: the TMSI of the terminal device, or a third interface identifier.

[0025] Through the above design, LMF can determine the association between terminal devices and service units, thereby enabling it to offload location services to the correct service unit.

[0026] In one possible design, before receiving the first location request from the LMF, the method further includes sending the correspondence (or association) between the service unit and the LMF to the AMF.

[0027] Through the above design, the AMF can learn the correspondence between the service unit and the LMF, and thus can select the optimal LMF to request the location service.

[0028] In one possible design, the method further includes sending capability information to a first network element, the capability information being used to indicate the positioning algorithms supported by the access network device.

[0029] The above design helps the first network element to know the positioning algorithms supported by the access network device, thereby enabling it to select an access network device that supports the required positioning algorithm to request positioning services.

[0030] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a positioning method that can be applied to a first network element. The method includes: sending a first positioning request to an access network device, the first positioning request including a first temporary identifier, the first temporary identifier being used to identify a terminal device to be positioned; and receiving a first positioning response from the access network device, the first positioning response including the location information of the terminal device.

[0031] In one possible design, the first network element is an AMF, and the access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location services; wherein the first temporary identifier includes the TMSI of the terminal device, or the first interface identifier of the terminal device on the first interface, or the second interface identifier of the terminal device on the second interface and the identifier of the service CU of the terminal device; wherein the first interface is the interface between the service unit and the AMF, and the second interface is the interface between the CU and the AMF.

[0032] In one possible design, the first network element is a GMLC, and the access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location services; wherein the first temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: the TMSI of the terminal device, or the first interface identifier of the terminal device on the first interface; the first interface is the interface between the service unit and the AMF.

[0033] In one possible design, the first network element is an LMF, and the access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location services; wherein, the first temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: the TMSI of the terminal device, or the third interface identifier of the terminal device on the third interface; the third interface is the interface between the service unit and the service CU of the terminal device.

[0034] In one possible design, the first positioning request also includes positioning measurement information of the terminal device, which includes information about the TRP used to locate the terminal device and the positioning measurement results of the terminal device corresponding to the TRP.

[0035] In one possible design, the method further includes: receiving first information from the service unit, the first information including a third temporary identifier corresponding to at least one terminal device that the service unit can serve, wherein the third temporary identifier corresponding to any terminal device includes at least one of the following: the TMSI of the terminal device, or the third interface identifier.

[0036] In one possible design, the method further includes sending the correspondence between the service unit and the LMF to the AMF.

[0037] In one possible design, before sending the first location request to the access network device, the method further includes: receiving a second location request from the AMF, the second location request including the TMSI of the terminal device; after receiving the first location response from the access network device, the method further includes: sending a second location response to the AMF, the second location response including the TMSI and location information.

[0038] In one possible design, the method also includes:

[0039] Receive capability information from the access network device, which indicates the positioning algorithms supported by the access network device.

[0040] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the function of implementing the methods described in the first or second aspect above. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions, such as an interface unit and a processing unit.

[0041] In one possible design, the device can be a chip or an integrated circuit.

[0042] In one possible design, the device includes a memory and a processor, the memory for storing instructions executed by the processor, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the device can perform the method of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0043] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes an interface circuit and a processor, with the processor and the interface circuit coupled to each other. The interface circuit is used for inputting and / or outputting signals, and the processor uses logic circuits or executing instructions to implement the methods of the first or second aspect described above. It is understood that the interface circuit can be a transceiver, a transceiver device, or an input / output interface.

[0044] Optionally, the communication device may also include a memory for storing instructions executed by the processor, or storing input data required by the processor to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor executes instructions. The memory may be a physically independent unit, or it may be coupled to the processor, or the processor may include the memory (i.e., the processor and the memory are integrated together).

[0045] In one possible implementation, the communication device is a chip.

[0046] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes an access network device and a first network element. The access network device is used to implement the method described in the first aspect; the first network element is used to implement the method described in the second aspect.

[0047] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a processor, can implement the methods described in the first or second aspect.

[0048] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product, including a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a processor, can implement the methods described in the first or second aspect.

[0049] Eighthly, embodiments of this application also provide a chip system including a processor, the processor being coupled to a memory, the memory being used to store programs or instructions, and when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the methods of the first or second aspect described above can be implemented.

[0050] The technical effects achievable by aspects two through eight above are similar to those achievable by aspect one above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the positioning architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the positioning process provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of multi-station positioning provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figures 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, 6B, and 6C are schematic diagrams of application scenarios provided by embodiments of this application;

[0056] Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 are schematic diagrams of the positioning method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0057] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the positioning process provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figures 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0059] This application provides a positioning method and apparatus. The method and apparatus are based on the same inventive concept. Since the principles by which the method and apparatus solve the problem are similar, their implementations can be mutually referenced, and repeated details will not be repeated.

[0060] Figure 1 illustrates a possible, non-limiting, communication network diagram. As shown in Figure 1, the communication network 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (as shown in Figure 1, 110a and 110b, collectively referred to as RAN node 110) and at least one terminal device (as shown in Figure 1, 120a-120j, collectively referred to as terminal device 120). RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). Terminal device 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wired connected to core network 200. The core network equipment (or network element) in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0061] RAN 100 can be a cellular network related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as a 4G, 5G mobile communication network, or a future-oriented communication network. RAN 100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) network. RAN 100 can also be a communication network that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0062] It is understood that Figure 1 only shows one possible communication network that can be applied to the embodiments of this application, and other devices may be included in the communication network in other possible scenarios.

[0063] RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as access network equipment, RAN entity, access node, network equipment, etc., constitutes part of the communication network and is used to help terminal devices achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in the communication network 10 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal device 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminal devices 120j accessing RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal device. RAN node 110 and terminal device 120 are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal device functions.

[0064] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication network, or an access node in a WiFi network. A RAN node can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, a RAN node can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The RAN node in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the RAN node functions.

[0065] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0066] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0067] Terminal devices, also known as terminals, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminals, etc., are devices used to provide voice or data connectivity to users, and can also be Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. Terminal devices can be: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices (such as smartwatches, smart bracelets, pedometers, smart glasses, etc.), in-vehicle equipment (such as cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed trains, etc.), satellite terminals, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, smart point of sale (POS) machines, customer-premises equipment (CPE), light user equipment (UE), reduced capability user equipment (REDCAP UE), wireless terminals in industrial control, smart home devices (such as refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), smart robots, robotic arms, workshop equipment, wireless terminals in autonomous driving, wireless terminals in telemedicine, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, or wireless terminals in smart homes, and flying equipment (such as smart robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes), etc. The terminal device can also be a vehicle device, such as a complete vehicle device, an in-vehicle module, an in-vehicle chip, an on-board unit (OBU), or a telematics box (T-BOX). The terminal device can also be other devices with terminal functions; for example, it can be a device that performs terminal functions in D2D communication. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal device.

[0068] A CN can include multiple Network Function (NF) entities, such as at least one of the following: Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Application Function (AF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Location Management Function (LMF), Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Network Slice Specific Authentication and Authorization Function (NSSAAF), and Network Repository Function (NRF).

[0069] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, some terms used in this application are explained below.

[0070] 1) TOA (Time of Arrival) positioning technology: TOA positioning technology determines the location of a terminal device by measuring the distances between the terminal device and multiple access network devices (such as the TRP of the access network device, which can be understood as the signal transmission and reception part of the access network device). Once the terminal device obtains the distances to the multiple access network devices, its location can be estimated through trigonometric calculations. The principle of trigonometric calculation is that three non-collinear points a, b, and c in space can define a plane. Once the distances of a fourth point d to points a, b, and c are determined, a possible point d can be determined both above and below the plane defined by points a, b, and c, or within the plane defined by points a, b, and c. This principle is commonly used in satellite positioning. Three satellites operate in space, and the Earth is always located below the plane defined by these three satellites. The target on Earth to be located is also located below this plane. Based on the distances of the target to the three satellites, the location of the target can be determined.

[0071] 2) TDOA positioning technology: TDOA positioning technology determines the location of a terminal device by measuring the transmission delay difference between the terminal device and multiple access network devices (such as the TRP of the access network devices, where TRP can be understood as the signal transmission and reception part of the access network devices). Taking three access network devices as an example, based on the arrival time difference between the terminal device and access network devices 1 and 2, the distance difference R21 between the distance R1 from the terminal device to access network device 1 and the distance R2 between the terminal device and access network device 2 can be calculated as R21 = R2 - R1. Similarly, based on the arrival time difference between the terminal device and access network devices 1 and 3, the distance difference R31 between the distance R1 from the terminal device to access network device 1 and the distance R3 between the terminal device and access network device 3 can be calculated as R31 = R3 - R1. Therefore, the terminal device is located on both hyperbola 1, which has access network devices 1 and 2 as its foci and a constant distance difference of R21 from the two foci, and hyperbola 2, which has access network devices 1 and 3 as its foci and a constant distance difference of R31 from the two foci. That is, the terminal device is located at the intersection of hyperbola 1 and hyperbola 2.

[0072] 3) 5G positioning architecture.

[0073] Currently, 5G positioning has wide applications in warehousing and logistics, manufacturing, transportation, civil defense and fire protection, campuses, shopping malls, and other fields (or industries). Table 1 shows the applications of 5G positioning in civil defense and fire protection, campuses, medical and elderly care, manufacturing, transportation, exhibitions, shopping malls, museums, and other fields.

[0074] Table 1

[0075] As shown in Table 1, when 5G positioning is used for single-location positioning, it can be used for fire inspections in the civil defense and fire protection field, attendance and sign-in in the campus field, etc., and personnel positioning in the military training field; when 5G positioning is used for electronic fences, it can be used for dormitory monitoring in the campus field, patient monitoring and infant theft prevention in the medical and elderly care field, etc., and collection security in the museum field; when 5G positioning is used for location interaction, it can be used for fire command in the civil defense and fire protection field and exercise guidance in the military training field; when 5G positioning is used for location trajectory, it can be used for exercise evaluation in the military training field; when 5G positioning is used for location navigation, it can be used for evacuation navigation in the civil defense and fire protection field, medical guidance in the medical and elderly care field, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in the manufacturing field, etc., and navigation in the museum field; when 5G positioning is used for location push, it can be used for disaster alarms in the civil defense and fire protection field, information push in the transportation field, etc., and location explanation in the museum field.

[0076] Referring to the 5G positioning network architecture shown in Figure 2, 5G positioning can be achieved through the cooperation of network elements such as terminal equipment (UE in Figure 2), access network equipment (gNB (gNodeB in Figure 2)), AMF, LMF, UDM, GMLC, and location service client (LCS client). The functions of each network element in Figure 2 are shown in Table 2.

[0077] Table 2

[0078] The 5G positioning protocol is NRPPa, which terminates the positioning protocol between the gNB and LMF. The gNB and LMF exchange positioning information based on NRPPa. NRPPa is transmitted transparently through the AMF. Positioning service requests can be initiated by different network element modules, such as by the UE or the AMF itself, or indirectly by the GMLC (e.g., handling location service requests initiated by LCS clients). The positioning process can be seen in Figure 3.

[0079] Step 1. Initiate a location service request.

[0080] The initiator of a location service request can be a UE, GMLC, or AMF, etc. The 3GPP protocol defines the following three types of location procedures:

[0081] 1a. Mobile-originated location request (MO-LR): The UE can send a location service request to the serving AMF through non-access stratum (NAS) messages, such as requesting its own location information or requesting auxiliary data for a certain positioning method.

[0082] 1b. Mobile terminated location request (MT-LR): GMLC can send a location service request to AMF to request relevant location services for a specific UE, such as the UE's location information.

[0083] 1c. Network-induced location request (NI-LR): A location service request is issued from within the PLMN that is providing services to the mobile terminal, for example, when the AMF needs to initiate an emergency call service for one of its UEs.

[0084] Step 2. The AMF sends the location service request to the LMF.

[0085] Step 3. (Optional) The UE reports its positioning capability information to the LMF (such as reporting the supported positioning algorithms to the LMF, i.e., the UE and the LMF perform capability transfer).

[0086] Step 4. LMF position method selection.

[0087] When selecting a positioning method, the LMF can choose from one or more of the following factors: Quality of Service (QoS) (such as horizontal accuracy, positioning latency requirements, etc.); positioning methods configured (or supported) by the LMF; positioning function activation flag of the cell where the UE is located, which can be used to determine the positioning algorithms currently supported by the cell; and the UE's positioning capabilities (such as the positioning methods supported by the UE).

[0088] Step 5. The LMF interacts with the gNB (or CU) during the positioning process (e.g., to perform assistance data transfer and location information transfer).

[0089] If the LMF determines that the gNB needs to participate in this positioning process, it will interact with the serving gNB where the target UE is located to obtain positioning measurements or auxiliary data. If the LMF determines that the UE needs to participate in this positioning process, it can send and receive NAS messages through the gNB to interact with the UE to obtain location information, positioning measurements or auxiliary data, etc.

[0090] Step 6. The LMF sends a location service response to the AMF.

[0091] The location service response may include the location result, such as location success, location failure, location information, and error information.

[0092] Step 7. AMF sends a location service response.

[0093] 7a. If 1a occurs, the AMF transmits the location service response to the UE; 7b. If 1b occurs, the AMF transmits the location service response to the GMLC; 7c. If 1c occurs, the AMF transmits the location service response to the relevant interface service.

[0094] It should be understood that this application does not limit the positioning process in step 5 above. Taking multi-gNB positioning as an example, it may include: 1) The LMF requests a measurement configuration from the UE's serving gNB; 2) The UE's serving gNB determines the measurement configuration and sends it to the UE; 3) The UE's serving gNB reports to the LMF that the measurement configuration is complete, carrying the measurement configuration; 4) The LMF sends a measurement request to the gNBs near the UE, carrying the measurement configuration information received in the previous step; 5) The gNBs near the UE measure the UE's uplink reference signal on the resources indicated by the above measurement configuration information and return the measurement results to the LMF.

[0095] The specific signal characteristics measured vary depending on the positioning algorithm chosen by the LMF. For example, the E-CID positioning algorithm requires distance and angle information between the UE and the TRP (TRP can be understood as the signal transmission and reception part of the gNB). The uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) positioning algorithm requires propagation delay information between the TRPs of the UE and three gNBs. UL-TDOA is a multi-site positioning method, as shown in Figure 4. It can calculate the arrival time differences b(t2-t1) and a(t3-t1) of the UE's signal to the three different gNBs based on the times t1, t2, and t3 when the signal sent by the UE arrives at the three different gNBs, and thus determine the UE's location. For a detailed explanation of the principle, please refer to the introduction of TDOA above. The 3GPP R19 standard will study AI-based positioning technology, which requires accurate channel parameter information of the UE, such as the H-channel matrix including UE multipath information, which can support AI-based positioning based on the H-channel matrix.

[0096] 4) Sending / receiving information. In this application, "sending information" can be understood as one device sending information to another device, or it can also be understood as one logic module within a device sending information to another logic module. For example, "device A sending information" can be understood as device A sending information to another device (device B), or it can be understood as logic module 1 in device A sending information to logic module 2 in device A.

[0097] In this application, "receiving information" can be understood as one device receiving information from another device, or it can also be understood as a logical module within a device receiving information from another logical module. For example, "device A receives information" can be understood as device A receiving information from another device (such as device B), or it can be understood as logical module 1 in device A receiving information from logical module 2 in device A.

[0098] In this application, the phrase "sending information to... (e.g., device B)" or the related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the destination of the information being device B. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to device B. Similarly, the phrase "receiving information from... (e.g., device A)," "receiving information from... (e.g., device A)," or "receiving information sent by (e.g., device A)," or the related illustrations in the accompanying drawings, can be understood as the source of the information being device A. This can include receiving information directly or indirectly from device A. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be interpreted similarly, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0099] As can be seen from the above, current network service functions (including location services) are deployed on the core network side. For location services, if they are based on AI algorithms, channel information (such as the H-channel matrix) may be required as input parameters. However, channel information involves the privacy of access network devices, and there are situations where location service functions deployed on the core network side cannot obtain channel information, resulting in the location service becoming unavailable.

[0100] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a positioning method and apparatus to support positioning calculations on the access network side while maintaining compatibility with existing positioning service architectures. The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0101] The application scenarios of this application embodiment can be shown in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C. The location service function can be supported or carried by the service unit (SU) on the access network side.

[0102] In the scenario shown in Figure 5A, the SU can be directly connected to the CN bus, and the GMLC can request services from the SU through the AMF. In one possible implementation, an Nsu interface is established between the SU and the AMF.

[0103] In the scenario shown in Figure 5B, the SU can expose a local application programming interface (API), the GMLC can be deployed on the RAN side, and the SU can directly connect to the RAN-side GMLC. Service generation and execution are both performed locally within a closed loop. This application does not limit the connection method between the SU and CN. In one possible implementation, an Nsu interface is established between the SU and AMF.

[0104] In the scenario shown in Figure 5C, the SU can directly connect to the LMF and accept location services offloaded by the LMF.

[0105] Of course, in the scenarios shown in Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C, the SU can connect to the CU, and a Si interface can be established between the SU and the CU. The SU and CU can be deployed in the same device (e.g., xNB) or deployed separately (similar to a CU-DU separation architecture), where the xNB can be an eNB, gNB, etc.

[0106] In some implementations, the RAN can also adopt an open architecture, namely the O-RAN architecture. The application scenarios used in the embodiments of this application can also be shown in Figures 6A, 6B, and 6C. The O-RAN architecture introduces a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) network element, specifically composed of the following:

[0107] RIC: O-RAN Intelligent Controller, which can be used to collect network information and perform necessary optimization tasks. It can communicate with xNBs (such as eNB, gNB, etc.) through the E2 interface. RIC can interface with xNB-CU and xNB-DU. In addition, RIC can also communicate with SU through the Nz interface.

[0108] xNB (e.g. gNB): an xNB that supports O-RAN functionality and CU-DU separation.

[0109] SU: SU that supports O-RAN functionality.

[0110] Additionally, it should be understood that the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. For example, "first interface" and "second interface" do not indicate a difference in priority or importance between the two credentials.

[0111] In this application embodiment, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0112] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of one of the positioning methods provided in the embodiments of this application. The method includes:

[0113] S701: The first network element sends a first location request to the access network device, and the access network device receives the first location request accordingly.

[0114] The first location request includes a first temporary identifier of the terminal device, which is used to identify the terminal device to be located.

[0115] In this embodiment, the location service function can be provided by the access network side. When there is a need for location of the terminal device, the first network element (such as AMF, LMF, or GMLC) can send a first location request (which can also be called a first location service request) to the access network device on the access network side, including the first temporary identifier of the terminal device. The access network device receiving the first location request can be an existing device (or functional unit) in the access network, such as a base station (e.g., gNB), CU / DU (the access network adopts a CU-DU separation architecture), etc. The software and / or hardware of the existing base station, CU / DU, etc. in the access network can be modified to support the location service, such as supporting functions such as receiving location requests (wherein the location request can also be called a location service request), calculating / solving the location of the terminal device, and providing location response (wherein the location response can also be called a location service response or location result) feedback.

[0116] In some implementations, new devices (or functional units) can be introduced into the access network, such as service units (SUs) that support location services on the access network side. The SU receives the first location request from the first network element and provides the location service. Examples of the connection relationship between the SU and the first network element (such as AMF, LMF, or GMLC) can be found in Figures 5A-5C and 6A-6C, and will not be described in detail here.

[0117] As an example: the first temporary identifier can be TMSI, the second interface identifier of the terminal device on the second interface, etc., where the second interface can be the interface between the base station (or CU / DU) and AMF (such as the NG interface), and the second interface identifier can be the identifier of the terminal device on the second interface (NG) (such as the NG application identifier (NGAP ID)).

[0118] S702: Access network equipment obtains the location information of terminal equipment.

[0119] After receiving the first location request, the access network device can execute the location process to obtain the location information of the terminal device.

[0120] For example, taking the acquisition of terminal device location information by the access network device based on the E-CID positioning algorithm as an example, the access network device can determine the distance between the access network device and the terminal device based on the timing advance (TA) of the terminal device or the round trip time (RTT) of the reference signal between the terminal device and the access network device; and combine this with the angle at which the access network device receives information sent by the terminal device (such as the angle of arrival (AOA)) to determine the relative position of the terminal device relative to the access network device (such as the angle and distance relative to the access network device). Finally, based on the location information of the access network device (such as latitude and longitude) and the relative position of the terminal device relative to the access network device, the location information of the terminal device (such as latitude and longitude) is determined.

[0121] Taking the acquisition of terminal device location information by an access network device based on the UL-TDOA positioning algorithm as an example, the access network device can determine the measurement configuration and send the measurement configuration to the terminal device. This measurement configuration may include resource information (such as time-frequency resource location) for the terminal device to send a sounding reference signal (SRS). After sending the measurement configuration to the terminal device, the access network device can also send measurement requests to other access network devices near the terminal device. These measurement requests may carry the aforementioned measurement configuration. The access network device and other access network devices can measure the uplink reference signal (such as the SRS) of the terminal device on the resources indicated by the measurement configuration and obtain measurement results (such as the time of receiving the uplink reference signal). After measurement, other access network devices can send their measurement results to the access network device. The access network device can determine the location information of the terminal device based on the time it receives the uplink reference signal, the times at least two other access network devices receive the uplink reference signal, and the location information of the access network device and the aforementioned at least two other access network devices.

[0122] Taking the acquisition of terminal device location information by an access network device based on AI as an example, the access network device can obtain the terminal device's channel information (such as the H-channel matrix) by receiving information (such as reference signals) from the terminal device. Based on the AI ​​model, it processes the channel information (such as the H-channel matrix) to obtain the relative position of the terminal device relative to the access network device. Then, based on the location information of the access network device (such as latitude and longitude) and the relative position of the terminal device relative to the access network device, it determines the terminal device's location information (such as latitude and longitude). The AI ​​model can be trained on a training set that includes channel information from multiple terminal devices and samples of the relative positions of the terminal devices relative to the access network device.

[0123] It should be noted that the above-mentioned access network devices perform positioning processes based on E-CID positioning algorithms or UL-TDOA positioning algorithms to obtain the location information of terminal devices. This is only an example of obtaining the location information of terminal devices. This application does not limit the positioning algorithms used by the access network devices when obtaining the location information of terminal devices, or the number of positioning algorithms used.

[0124] S703: The access network device sends a first positioning response to the first network element, and the first network element receives the first positioning response accordingly.

[0125] The first positioning response includes location information.

[0126] After obtaining the location information of the terminal device, the access network device can send a first positioning response (which can also be called a first positioning service response) to the first network element. The first positioning response may include the location information of the terminal device (such as latitude and longitude), and may also include one or more of the following information: the positioning accuracy of the terminal device, the positioning algorithm used, etc.

[0127] In some implementations, in order to facilitate the first network element receiving the first positioning response to know the terminal device corresponding to the location information, the first positioning response may also include a first temporary identifier of the terminal device.

[0128] The following description uses the access network device SU as an example, with the first network elements being AMF, GMLC, and LMF respectively. The specific embodiments in Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 will be used to illustrate the embodiment in Figure 7.

[0129] Figure 8 is a second schematic diagram of the positioning method provided in the embodiments of this application. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, taking the access network device as SU and the first network element as AMF as an example, the method includes the following steps:

[0130] S801: The AMF sends a first location request to the SU, and the SU receives the first location request accordingly.

[0131] The first location request includes the first temporary identifier of the terminal device.

[0132] In scenarios where the SU is directly connected to the CN bus (such as the scenarios shown in Figure 5A or Figure 6A), the GMLC can access the SU through the AMF. For example, the GMLC can send a third positioning request (e.g., a location information provision request (Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo Request)) to the AMF. This third positioning request can carry the identification information of the terminal device to be located (e.g., SUPI). After receiving this third positioning request, the AMF can determine the SU performing the positioning service and send a first positioning request (e.g., a location determination request (Nsu_Location_DetermineLocation Request)) to the SU. This first positioning request can carry the first temporary identifier of the terminal device. The first temporary identifier may include the terminal device's TMSI, or the terminal device's first interface identifier on the first interface, or the terminal device's second interface identifier on the second interface, and the identifier of the terminal device's serving CU, etc. The first interface is the interface between the SU and the AMF (e.g., the Nsu interface shown in Figure 5A or Figure 6A), and the second interface is the interface between the CU and the AMF (e.g., the NG interface).

[0133] As an example: the first temporary identifier included in the first location request may be the TMSI, or the first interface identifier (e.g., NsuAP ID) of the terminal device on the first interface (e.g., Nsu interface), or the second interface identifier (e.g., NGAP ID) of the terminal device on the second interface (e.g., NG interface) and the identifier of the serving CU (or serving base station) of the terminal device (e.g., gNB ID).

[0134] Additionally, the access network may include one or more Substations (SUs). In one possible implementation, the SU may also send its own capability information to the AMF. The capability information may be used to indicate the positioning algorithms supported by the SU and may be used by the AMF to refer to when sending a positioning request (such as a first positioning request) to the SU, for example, for the AMF to select the SU that supports the required positioning algorithm.

[0135] S802: SU and CU perform a positioning process based on the second temporary identifier to determine the location information of the terminal device.

[0136] The interactions between the SU and CU during the positioning process can refer to the NRPPa protocol between the LMF and CU. Unlike the NRPPa interactions between the LMF and CU which require forwarding by the AMF, the NRPPa messages between the LMF and AMF use the SUPI to identify the terminal device, while those between the AMF and CU use the NGAP ID to identify the terminal device. In this embodiment, the SU can be directly connected to the CU, and a third interface (such as the Si interface) exists between the SU and CU. Therefore, the terminal device can be identified using its third interface identifier (such as the SiAP ID). Alternatively, if step S801 uses the third interface identifier and the identifier of the serving CU of the terminal device (such as {NGAP ID + gNB ID}) to identify the terminal device, then the terminal device's third interface identifier (such as the NGAP ID) can also be used here to identify the terminal device.

[0137] As an example: Taking multi-CU positioning with the second temporary identifier as SiAP ID as an example, the positioning process performed by the SU and CU based on the second temporary identifier may include: 1) The SU sends a measurement configuration request to the serving CU of the terminal device, which may carry the SiAP ID of the terminal device; 2) The serving CU of the terminal device receives the measurement configuration request, determines the measurement configuration, and sends the measurement configuration (which may indicate the resources for the terminal device to send uplink reference signals) to the terminal device identified by the SiAP ID; 3) The serving CU of the terminal device sends a measurement configuration response to the SU, which may carry the SiAP ID of the terminal device and the measurement configuration; 4) The SU sends a measurement request to the CUs near the terminal device, carrying the measurement configuration received in the previous step and the SiAP ID of the terminal device; 5) The CUs near the terminal device measure the uplink reference signal of the terminal device on the resources indicated by the above measurement configuration information, and return the measurement result to the SU, which may carry the SiAP ID of the terminal device; 6) The SU determines the location information of the terminal device. For example, the SU can determine the location information of the terminal device based on the measurement results of at least three CUs (such as the arrival times t1, t2, and t3 of the uplink reference signal of the terminal device to at least three CUs).

[0138] As another example: taking the second temporary identifier as SiAP ID and using AI to obtain the location information of a terminal device as an example, the SU can send a measurement request to the serving CU of the terminal device. The measurement request can carry the SiAP ID of the terminal device and request to measure the channel information corresponding to the terminal device. The serving CU of the terminal device can obtain the channel information (such as the H-channel matrix) of the terminal device by receiving information (such as a reference signal) from the terminal device, and feed back the channel information (such as the H-channel matrix) to the SU. When feeding back the channel information to the SU, the SiAP ID of the terminal device can be carried. The SU can process the channel information (such as the H-channel matrix) based on the AI ​​model to obtain the relative position of the terminal device relative to the CU (or the TRP corresponding to the CU, where the TRP can be understood as the signal transmission and reception part corresponding to the CU). Based on the position information of the CU (or the TRP corresponding to the CU) and the relative position of the terminal device relative to the CU (or the TRP corresponding to the CU), the SU determines the location information (such as latitude and longitude) of the terminal device.

[0139] S803: SU sends the first positioning response to AMF, and AMF receives the first positioning response accordingly.

[0140] The first positioning response includes the location information of the terminal device.

[0141] After obtaining the location information of the terminal device, SU can send a first positioning response (such as a location determination response (Nsu_Location_DetermineLocation Response)) to AMF. The first positioning response may include the location information of the terminal device (such as latitude and longitude), and may also include one or more of the following information: the accuracy of the positioning of the terminal device, the positioning algorithm used, etc.

[0142] In some implementations, in order to facilitate the AMF receiving the first positioning response to know the terminal device corresponding to the location information, the first positioning response may also include a first temporary identifier of the terminal device.

[0143] If the location service is initiated by GMLC, after AMF receives the first location response, it can also send a third location response to GLMC (such as a location information provision response (Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo response)). This third location response can carry the location information of the terminal device.

[0144] It should be noted that the positioning method shown in Figure 8 above takes the GMLC-initiated positioning service as an example. It can be understood that the positioning service can also be initiated by the terminal device or the network. For example, the terminal device can send a positioning request to the AMF through a NAS message, triggering the AMF to send the first positioning service request to the SU; or, the AMF can send the first positioning service request to the SU when the network needs to initiate an emergency call service to the terminal device, etc. This application does not limit the network element that initiates the positioning service.

[0145] The positioning method shown in Figure 8 enables the SU to perform positioning services in place of the existing LMF, avoiding the need for positioning parameters (measurement results) to enter the core network or third-party LMF.

[0146] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the third positioning method provided in the embodiments of this application. In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, taking the access network device as SU and the first network element as GMLC as an example, the method includes the following steps:

[0147] S901: The GMLC sends a first location request to the SU, and the SU receives the first location request accordingly.

[0148] The first location request includes the first temporary identifier of the terminal device.

[0149] In scenarios where the SU opens its local API to directly connect to the GMLC (such as the scenarios shown in Figure 5B or Figure 6B), the GMLC can directly access the SU. For example, the GMLC can send a first location request (such as a location determination request (Nsu_Location_DetermineLocation Request)) to the AMF. This first location request can carry the first temporary identifier of the terminal device. The first temporary identifier can include at least one of the following: the terminal device's TMSI, or the terminal device's first interface identifier (such as the NsuAP ID) on a first interface (such as the Nsu interface). The first interface is the interface between the SU and the AMF (such as the Nsu interface shown in Figure 5B or Figure 6B).

[0150] Additionally, the access network may include one or more Substations (SUs). In one possible implementation, the SU may also send its own capability information to the GMLC. The capability information may be used to indicate the positioning algorithms supported by the SU, and may be used as a reference when the GMLC sends a positioning request (such as a first positioning request) to the SU, for example, for the GMLC to select the SU that supports the required positioning algorithm.

[0151] S902: SU and CU perform a positioning process based on the second temporary identifier to determine the location information of the terminal device.

[0152] The interactions between the SU and CU regarding the positioning process can refer to the NRPPa protocol between the LMF and CU. Unlike the NRPPa interactions between the LMF and CU, which require forwarding by the AMF, the NRPPa messages between the LMF and AMF use SUPI to identify the terminal device, while those between the AMF and CU use NGAP ID. In this embodiment, the SU can be directly connected to the CU, and a third interface (such as the Si interface) exists between the SU and CU. Therefore, the terminal device can be identified using its third interface identifier (such as the SiAP ID).

[0153] The implementation of step S902 can be referred to the implementation of step S802, and will not be described in detail here.

[0154] S903: SU sends a first positioning response to GMLC, and GMLC receives the first positioning response accordingly.

[0155] The first positioning response includes location information.

[0156] After obtaining the location information of the terminal device, SU can send a first positioning response (such as a location determination response (Nsu_Location_DetermineLocation Response)) to GMLC. The first positioning response may include the location information of the terminal device (such as latitude and longitude), and may also include one or more of the following information: the positioning accuracy of the terminal device, the positioning algorithm used, etc.

[0157] In some implementations, in order to facilitate the GMLC receiving the first positioning response to know the terminal device corresponding to the location information, the first positioning response may also include a first temporary identifier of the terminal device.

[0158] The positioning method shown in Figure 9 enables the SU to perform positioning services in place of the existing LMF, avoiding the need for positioning parameters (measurement results) to enter the core network or third-party LMF.

[0159] Figure 10 is a fourth schematic diagram of the positioning method provided in the embodiments of this application. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, taking the access network device as SU and the first network element as LMF as an example, the method includes the following steps:

[0160] S1001: The LMF sends a first location request to the SU, and the SU receives the first location request accordingly.

[0161] The first location request includes the first temporary identifier of the terminal device.

[0162] In scenarios where the SU directly connects to the LMF (such as those shown in Figure 5C or Figure 6C), the LMF can offload the location service to the SU. For example, the GMLC can send a third location request (e.g., a Location Information Request (Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo Request)) to the AMF. This third location request can carry the identification information (e.g., SUPI) of the terminal device to be located. After receiving the location request from the GMLC, the AMF can send a second location request (e.g., a Location Determine Location Request 2 (Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation Request2)) to the LMF. This second location request can carry the TMSI of the terminal device to identify it.

[0163] Unlike the AMF, which still uses SUPI to identify the terminal device when initiating a location service request to the LMF, the SU, as a service node on the access network side, cannot know the correspondence between the terminal device's SUPI and its location due to privacy protection requirements, since SUPI is a permanent identifier for the terminal device. The SU can only process various temporary identifiers (IDs) of the terminal device. Therefore, in this application, the LMF also needs to use the terminal device's temporary ID (such as TMSI) to identify the terminal device when unloading the location service to the SU. Thus, the AMF needs to carry the TMSI in the second location request when initiating a location service request to the LMF, and cannot carry the SUPI.

[0164] Additionally, the access network may include one or more Substations (SUs). In one possible implementation, the SU may also send its own capability information to the Localization Management Array (LMF). The capability information may be used to indicate the positioning algorithms supported by the SU, and may be used as a reference when the LMF sends a positioning request (such as a first positioning request) to the SU, for example, for the LMF to select the SU that supports the required positioning algorithm.

[0165] In one possible implementation, the SU can also send the mapping (or association) between SUs and LMFs to the AMF (e.g., via the CU), or the LMF can send the mapping (or association) between SUs and LMFs to the AMF, for the AMF to determine which LMF to send the location service request to. For example, the AMF can, based on information such as the number of SUs corresponding to an LMF, try to select an LMF with a larger number of corresponding SUs, because this means that the LMF can provide stronger location service capabilities.

[0166] In one possible implementation, the SU may also send first information to the LMF. This first information may include a third temporary identifier corresponding to at least one terminal device that the SU can serve. The third temporary identifier corresponding to any terminal device may be one or more of the terminal device's TMSI, or a third interface identifier (such as SiAP ID) on a third interface (e.g., Si) for the terminal device to identify an SU capable of providing positioning services to the terminal device, and then send a first positioning request to that SU.

[0167] After receiving the second location request from the AMF, the LMF can send a first location request (e.g., Nsu_Location_DetermineLocation Request 1) to the SU. This first location request can carry the first temporary identifier of the terminal device. The first temporary identifier may include the terminal device's TMSI. If the first information reported by the SU to the AMF includes the third interface identifier (e.g., SiAP ID) corresponding to the terminal device, the first temporary identifier can also be the third interface identifier (e.g., SiAP ID).

[0168] S1002: SU and CU perform a positioning process based on the second temporary identifier to determine the location information of the terminal device.

[0169] The interactions between the SU and CU regarding the positioning process can refer to the NRPPa protocol between the LMF and CU. Unlike the NRPPa interactions between the LMF and CU, which require forwarding by the AMF, the transmission of NRPPa messages between the LMF and AMF uses the SUPI to identify the UE, while the transmission between the AMF and CU uses the NGAP ID to identify the terminal device. In this embodiment, the SU can be directly connected to the CU, and there is a third interface (such as the Si interface) between the SU and CU. Therefore, the terminal device can be identified using the third interface identifier of the terminal device (such as the SiAP ID).

[0170] S1003: SU sends the first positioning response to LMF, and LMF receives the first positioning response accordingly.

[0171] The first positioning response includes the location information of the terminal device.

[0172] After obtaining the location information of the terminal device, SU can send a first positioning response (e.g., Nsu_Location_DetermineLocation Response1) to LMF. The first positioning response may include the location information of the terminal device (e.g., latitude and longitude), and may also include one or more of the following information: the positioning accuracy of the terminal device, the positioning algorithm used, etc.

[0173] In some implementations, in order to facilitate the AMF receiving the first positioning response to know the terminal device corresponding to the location information, the first positioning response may also include a first temporary identifier of the terminal device.

[0174] If the location service is initiated by GMLC, after receiving the first location response, LMF can also send a second location response (e.g., Nsu_Location_DetermineLocation Response2) to AMF. This second location response can carry the location information and TMSI of the terminal device. After receiving the second location response, AMF can send a third location response (e.g., Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo response) to GLMC. This third location response can also carry the location information of the terminal device.

[0175] The positioning method shown in Figure 10 enables the SU to perform positioning services in place of the existing LMF, avoiding the need for positioning parameters (measurement results) to enter the core network or third-party LMF.

[0176] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the fifth positioning method provided in the embodiments of this application. In the embodiment shown in Figure 11, taking the access network device as SU and the first network element as LMF as an example, the method includes the following steps:

[0177] S1101: The LMF sends a first location request to the SU, and the SU receives the first location request accordingly.

[0178] The first positioning request includes positioning measurement information of the terminal device, which may include information about the TRP used to locate the terminal device and the positioning measurement results of the terminal device corresponding to the TRP.

[0179] In scenarios where the SU is directly connected to the LMF (such as those shown in Figure 5C or Figure 6C), the LMF can send the positioning measurement information of the terminal device to the SU, which will then calculate and determine the location information of the terminal device.

[0180] For example, the GMLC can send a third location request (e.g., a Location Information Request (Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo Request)) to the AMF, which may carry the identification information (e.g., SUPI) of the terminal device to be located. After receiving the location request from the GMLC, the AMF can send a second location request (e.g., a Location Determine Location Request 2 (Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation Request2)) to the LMF, which may carry the TMSI of the terminal device to identify it.

[0181] After receiving the second positioning request, the LMF can interact with the CU to obtain positioning measurement information of the terminal device fed back by the CU or UE. This positioning measurement information may include information about the TRP used to locate the terminal device (such as location information) and the positioning measurement results of the terminal device corresponding to the TRP. The positioning measurement results of the terminal device corresponding to the TRP may include one or more of the following information: the time when the TRP receives the reference signal from the terminal device, the round-trip time of the reference signal between the terminal device and the TRP, and the AOA of the terminal device's reference signal arriving at the TRP.

[0182] After LMF obtains the location measurement information, it can send a first location request (e.g., Nsu_Location_DetermineLocation Request 1) to SU, which can carry the location measurement information.

[0183] Furthermore, unlike the AMF which still uses SUPI to identify the terminal device when initiating a location service request to the LMF, since SUPI is a permanent identifier for the terminal device, for privacy protection purposes, the SU, as a service node on the access network side, cannot know the correspondence between the terminal device's SUPI and the terminal device's location. The SU can only process various temporary IDs of the terminal device. Therefore, in this application, the LMF also needs to use the terminal device's temporary ID (such as TMSI) to identify the terminal device when unloading the location service to the SU. Thus, the AMF needs to carry the TMSI in the second location request when initiating a location service request to the LMF, and cannot carry the SUPI.

[0184] Additionally, the access network may include one or more Substations (SUs). In one possible implementation, the SU may also send its own capability information to the Localization Management Array (LMF). The capability information may be used to indicate the positioning algorithms supported by the SU, and may be used as a reference when the LMF sends a positioning request (such as a first positioning request) to the SU, for example, for the LMF to select the SU that supports the required positioning algorithm.

[0185] In one possible implementation, the SU can also send the mapping (or association) between SUs and LMFs to the AMF (e.g., via the CU), or the LMF can send the mapping (or association) between SUs and LMFs to the AMF, for the AMF to determine which LMF to send the location service request to. For example, the AMF can, based on information such as the number of SUs corresponding to an LMF, try to select an LMF with a larger number of corresponding SUs, because this means that the LMF can provide stronger location service capabilities.

[0186] In one possible implementation, the SU may also send first information to the LMF. This first information may include a third temporary identifier corresponding to at least one terminal device that the SU can serve. The third temporary identifier corresponding to any of the terminal devices may be one or more of the terminal device's TMSI or a third interface identifier (such as SiAP ID) on a third interface (e.g., Si). The LMF then uses this information to determine which SU can provide location services to the terminal device and sends a first location request to that SU.

[0187] S1102: SU determines the location information of the terminal device based on the positioning measurement information of the terminal device.

[0188] After receiving the first positioning request from the LMF, which includes positioning measurement information of the terminal device, the SU can determine the location information of the terminal device based on the positioning measurement information.

[0189] In one possible implementation, the terminal device's identifier may not be carried in the first location request, thereby protecting the terminal device's privacy.

[0190] In another possible implementation, the first location request may carry a first temporary identifier of the terminal device. This first temporary identifier may be the terminal device's TMSI. If the first information reported by the SU to the AMF includes a third interface identifier (e.g., SiAP ID) corresponding to the terminal device, the first temporary identifier may also be the third interface identifier (e.g., SiAP ID).

[0191] S1103: SU sends the first positioning response to LMF, and LMF receives the first positioning response accordingly.

[0192] The first positioning response includes the location information of the terminal device.

[0193] After obtaining the location information of the terminal device, SU can send a first positioning response (e.g., Nsu_Location_DetermineLocation Response1) to LMF. The first positioning response may include the location information of the terminal device (e.g., latitude and longitude), and may also include one or more of the following information: the positioning accuracy of the terminal device, the positioning algorithm used, etc.

[0194] In some implementations, if the first location request carries the first temporary identifier of the terminal device, the first location response sent by the SU to the LMF may also carry the first temporary identifier.

[0195] If the location service is initiated by GMLC, after receiving the first location response, LMF can also send a second location response (e.g., Nsu_Location_DetermineLocation Response2) to AMF. This second location response can carry the location information and TMSI of the terminal device. After receiving the second location response, AMF can send a third location response (e.g., Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo response) to GLMC. This third location response can also carry the location information of the terminal device.

[0196] The positioning method shown in Figure 11 enables the SU to assist the LMF in performing UE location calculations, offloading the LMF's load and facilitating a faster response to the positioning task.

[0197] In some implementations, if the access network side adopts an O-RAN architecture, the transmission between the SU and CU can be carried out through the RIC (for example, the positioning process between the SU and CU can be performed through the RIC). That is to say, the messages on the Si interface can be extended to the E2 interface (between the CU / DU and the RIC) and the Nz interface (between the RIC and the SU). When the SU and CU perform the positioning process based on the second temporary identifier, the second temporary identifier can also be the E2AP ID of the terminal device on the E2 interface between the RIC and the CU / DU, and / or the NzAP ID of the terminal device on the Nz interface between the SU and the RIC.

[0198] Referring to the positioning process diagram shown in Figure 12, the process includes:

[0199] S1201: The SU sends a measurement configuration request message to the serving CU / DU of the terminal device via the RIC. Correspondingly, the serving CU / DU of the terminal device receives the measurement configuration request message. The measurement configuration request message is used to request measurement configuration and carries the second temporary identifier of the terminal device.

[0200] In one possible implementation, on the Nz interface between the SU and RIC, the NzAP ID of the terminal device on the Nz interface is used as the second temporary identifier of the terminal device, and on the E2 interface between the RIC and CU / DU, the E2AP ID of the terminal device on the E2 interface is used as the second temporary identifier of the terminal device.

[0201] S1202: The service CU / DU of the terminal device sends a measurement configuration to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the measurement configuration accordingly.

[0202] As an example: If the serving CU of the terminal device receives a measurement configuration request message, the CU can send the measurement configuration to the terminal device through the DU; if the serving DU of the terminal device receives a measurement configuration request message, the DU can send the measurement configuration to the terminal device. This measurement configuration can instruct the terminal device to send SRS resources for SRS.

[0203] S1203: The serving CU / DU of the terminal device sends a measurement configuration response message to the SU via the RIC. The SU receives the measurement configuration response accordingly. The measurement configuration response message may carry measurement configuration information, indicating that measurement configuration is complete, and may also carry the terminal device's second temporary identification information.

[0204] In one possible implementation, on the Nz interface between the SU and RIC, the NzAP ID of the terminal device on the Nz interface is used as the second temporary identifier of the terminal device, and on the E2 interface between the RIC and CU / DU, the E2AP ID of the terminal device on the E2 interface is used as the second temporary identifier of the terminal device.

[0205] S1204: The SU sends the measurement configuration to the CU / DU near the terminal device via the RIC, and the CU / DU near the terminal device receives the measurement configuration accordingly.

[0206] The measurement configuration can instruct the terminal device to send SRS resources for SRS, which is used to instruct the CU / DU that receives the measurement configuration to perform measurements on the SRS resources.

[0207] S1205: Measurements are performed on the CU / DU near the terminal equipment.

[0208] For example, a CU / DU near the terminal device can measure the SRS sent by the terminal device according to the SRS resources indicated by the measurement configuration, such as measuring the arrival time of the SRS to the CU / DU.

[0209] S1206: The CU or DU near the terminal equipment reports the measurement results to the SU via the RIC, and the SU receives the measurement results accordingly.

[0210] S1207: SU determines the location information of the terminal device based on the measurement results.

[0211] Using the positioning process shown in Figure 12, the CU and SU can interact with relevant information under the control of the RIC through the instructions on the E2 and Nz interfaces, enabling the localization of positioning services based on the RAN function split.

[0212] The communication device provided in the embodiments of this application is described below. Please refer to FIG13, which is a structural schematic diagram of the communication device in the embodiments of this application. The communication device may include units or modules corresponding to all or part of the steps in the above method embodiments, and may be used to execute the steps executed by the access network device or the first network element in the above embodiments. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0213] As shown in Figure 13, the communication device 1300 includes a processing unit 1310 and an interface unit 1320. The processing unit 1310 can be a processor or a processing circuit, and the interface unit 1320 can be a transceiver unit or an input / output interface. The communication device 1300 can be used to implement the steps executed by the access network device or the first network element in the above embodiments.

[0214] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the steps performed by the access network device in the above embodiments:

[0215] Interface unit 1320 is used to receive a first positioning request from a first network element, the first positioning request including a first temporary identifier of the terminal device, the first temporary identifier being used to identify the terminal device to be positioned; processing unit 1310 is used to obtain the location information of the terminal device; interface unit 1320 is also used to send a first positioning response to the first network element, the first positioning response including location information.

[0216] In one possible design, the access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location service functions. When the interface unit 1320 receives a first location request from the first network element, it is specifically used to: receive a first location request from the AMF; the first temporary identifier includes the TMSI of the terminal device, or the first interface identifier of the terminal device on the first interface, or the second interface identifier of the terminal device on the second interface and the identifier of the service CU of the terminal device; wherein the first interface is the interface between the service unit and the AMF, and the second interface is the interface between the CU and the AMF.

[0217] In one possible design, when the processing unit 1310 obtains the location information of the terminal device, it is specifically used to perform a positioning process with the CU based on the second temporary identifier through the interface unit 1320 to determine the location information of the terminal device; the second temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: the third interface identifier of the terminal device on the third interface, or the second interface identifier; the third interface is the interface between the service unit and the CU.

[0218] In one possible design, the access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location service functions. When the interface unit 1320 receives the first location request from the first network element, it is specifically used to receive the first location request from the GMLC. The first temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: the TMSI of the terminal device, or the first interface identifier of the terminal device on the first interface. The first interface is the interface between the service unit and the AMF.

[0219] In one possible design, when the processing unit 1310 obtains the location information of the terminal device, it is specifically used to perform a positioning process with the CU based on the second temporary identifier through the interface unit 1320 to determine the location information of the terminal device; the second temporary identifier includes the third interface identifier of the terminal device on the third interface, and the third interface is the interface between the service unit and the service CU of the terminal device.

[0220] In one possible design, the access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location service functions. When the interface unit 1320 receives a first location request from the first network element, it is specifically used to receive the first location request from the LMF. The first temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: the TMSI of the terminal device, or the third interface identifier of the terminal device on the third interface. The third interface is the interface between the service unit and the service CU of the terminal device.

[0221] In one possible design, when the processing unit 1310 obtains the location information of the terminal device, it is specifically used to perform a positioning process with the CU based on the second temporary identifier through the interface unit 1320 to determine the location information of the terminal device; wherein the second temporary identifier includes the third interface identifier.

[0222] In one possible design, the first positioning request also includes positioning measurement information of the terminal device, which includes information on the TRP used to locate the terminal device and the positioning measurement result of the terminal device corresponding to the TRP; when the processing unit 1310 obtains the location information of the terminal device, it is specifically used to determine the location information of the terminal device based on the positioning measurement information.

[0223] In one possible design, before receiving the first positioning request from the LMF, the interface unit 1320 is also used to send first information to the LMF. The first information includes a third temporary identifier corresponding to at least one terminal device that the service unit can serve. The third temporary identifier corresponding to any terminal device includes at least one of the following: the TMSI of the terminal device, or the third interface identifier of the terminal device on the third interface. The third interface is the interface between the service unit and the CU.

[0224] In one possible design, before receiving the first positioning request from the LMF, the interface unit 1320 is also used to send the correspondence between the service unit and the LMF to the AMF.

[0225] In one possible design, the interface unit 1320 is also used to send capability information to the first network element, the capability information being used to indicate the positioning algorithms supported by the access network device.

[0226] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the steps performed by the first network element in the above embodiments:

[0227] Processing unit 1310 is configured to determine a first positioning request, the first positioning request including a first temporary identifier of the terminal device, the first temporary identifier being used to identify the terminal device to be positioned; interface unit 1320 is configured to send the first positioning request to the access network device; and receive a first positioning response from the access network device, the first positioning response including the location information of the terminal device.

[0228] In one possible design, the first network element is an AMF, and the access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location services; wherein the first temporary identifier includes the TMSI of the terminal device, or the first interface identifier of the terminal device on the first interface, or the second interface identifier of the terminal device on the second interface and the identifier of the service CU of the terminal device; the first interface is the interface between the service unit and the AMF, and the second interface is the interface between the CU and the AMF.

[0229] In one possible design, the first network element is a GMLC, and the access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location services; wherein the first temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: the TMSI of the terminal device, or the first interface identifier of the terminal device on the first interface; the first interface is the interface between the service unit and the AMF.

[0230] In one possible design, the first network element is an LMF, and the access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location services; wherein, the first temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: the TMSI of the terminal device, or the third interface identifier of the terminal device on the third interface; the third interface is the interface between the service unit and the service CU of the terminal device.

[0231] In one possible design, the first positioning request also includes positioning measurement information of the terminal device, which includes information about the TRP used to locate the terminal device and the positioning measurement results of the terminal device corresponding to the TRP.

[0232] In one possible design, the interface unit 1320 is further configured to receive first information from the service unit, the first information including a third temporary identifier corresponding to at least one terminal device that the service unit can serve, wherein the third temporary identifier corresponding to any terminal device includes at least one of the following: the TMSI of the terminal device, or the third interface identifier of the terminal device on the third interface; the third interface is the interface between the service unit and the CU.

[0233] In one possible design, interface unit 1320 is also used to send the correspondence between service units and LMFs to the AMF.

[0234] In one possible design, before sending the first positioning request to the access network device, the interface unit 1320 is further configured to receive a second positioning request from the AMF, the second positioning request including the TMSI of the terminal device; after receiving the first positioning response from the access network device, the interface unit 1320 is further configured to send a second positioning response to the AMF, the second positioning response including the TMSI and location information.

[0235] In one possible design, the interface unit 1320 is also used to receive capability information from the access network device, the capability information being used to indicate the positioning algorithms supported by the access network device.

[0236] As shown in Figure 14, this application also provides a communication device 1400, including a processor 1410 and a communication interface 1420. The processor 1410 and the communication interface 1420 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the communication interface 1420 can be a transceiver, an input / output interface, an input interface, an output interface, an interface circuit, etc. Optionally, the communication device 1400 may further include a memory 1430 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1410, or storing input data required by the processor 1410 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1410 executes instructions. The memory 1430 can be a physically independent unit, or it can be coupled to the processor 1410, or the processor 1410 may include the memory 1430.

[0237] When the communication device 1400 is used to implement the steps executed by the access network device or the first network element in the above embodiments, the processor 1410 can be used to implement the function of the processing unit 1310, and the communication interface 1420 can be used to implement the function of the interface unit 1320.

[0238] In this application embodiment, the processor (e.g., processor 1410) can be one or more central processing units (CPUs). If the processor is a CPU, it can be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU. The processor can also be one or a combination of several of the following: CPU, general-purpose processor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), microprocessor unit (MPU), microcontroller unit (MCU), graphics processing unit (GPU), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, artificial intelligence processor (AI processor), or neural processing unit (NPU). The processor can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in this application embodiment. The steps of the methods disclosed in this application embodiment can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0239] In this embodiment, the memory (e.g., memory 1430) may include, but is not limited to, cache, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code having an instruction or data structure form and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in this embodiment may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions for storing computer programs or instructions, and / or data.

[0240] It is understood that the method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC can reside in a network device or a terminal device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can exist as discrete components in the network device or terminal device.

[0241] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one network device, terminal, computer, server, or data center to another network device, terminal, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both types of storage media.

[0242] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0243] In the embodiments of this application, the term "exemplary" is used to indicate that it is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the term "exemplary" is intended to present the concept in a specific manner.

[0244] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A positioning method, characterized in that, Applied to access network equipment, including: Receive a first location request from a first network element, the first location request including a first temporary identifier, the first temporary identifier being used to identify the terminal device to be located; Obtain the location information of the terminal device; A first positioning response is sent to the first network element, the first positioning response including the location information.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location service functions. Receiving the first location request from the first network element includes: Receive a first location request from the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF); the first temporary identifier includes the Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) of the terminal device, or the first interface identifier of the terminal device on the first interface, or the second interface identifier of the terminal device on the second interface and the identifier of the Service Centralization Unit (CU) of the terminal device; Wherein, the first interface is the interface between the service unit and the AMF, and the second interface is the interface between the CU and the AMF.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The step of obtaining the location information of the terminal device includes: The CU performs a positioning process based on the second temporary identifier to determine the location information of the terminal device; The second temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: The terminal device's third interface identifier on the third interface, or the second interface identifier; The third interface is the interface between the service unit and the CU.

4. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location service functions. Receiving the first location request from the first network element includes: Receive the first location request from the Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC); The first temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: The TMSI of the terminal device, or the first interface identifier of the terminal device on the first interface. The first interface is the interface between the service unit and the AMF.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The step of obtaining the location information of the terminal device includes: The service CU of the terminal device performs a positioning process based on the second temporary identifier to determine the location information of the terminal device; The second temporary identifier includes the third interface identifier of the terminal device on the third interface, wherein the third interface is the interface between the service unit and the CU.

6. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location service functions. Receiving the first location request from the first network element includes: Receive the first location request from the location management function (LMF); The first temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: The TMSI of the terminal device, or the third interface identifier of the terminal device on the third interface; The third interface is the interface between the service unit and the service CU of the terminal device.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The step of obtaining the location information of the terminal device includes: The CU performs a positioning process based on a second temporary identifier to determine the location information of the terminal device; wherein the second temporary identifier includes the third interface identifier.

8. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The first positioning request also includes positioning measurement information of the terminal device, which includes information for locating the Transmission Receiving Point (TRP) of the terminal device and the positioning measurement result of the terminal device corresponding to the TRP; The step of obtaining the location information of the terminal device includes: The location information of the terminal device is determined based on the positioning measurement information.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that, Before receiving the first location request from the LMF, the method further includes: Send first information to the LMF, the first information including a third temporary identifier corresponding to at least one terminal device that the service unit can serve, wherein the third temporary identifier corresponding to any of the terminal devices includes at least one of the following: The TMSI of the terminal device, or the third interface identifier.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that, Before receiving the first location request from the LMF, the method further includes: Send the correspondence between the service unit and the LMF to the AMF.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network element is sent capability information, which is used to indicate the positioning algorithms supported by the access network device.

12. A positioning method, characterized in that, Applied to the first network element, including: Send a first location request to the access network device. The first location request includes a first temporary identifier, which is used to identify the terminal device to be located. The terminal device receives a first positioning response from the access network device, the first positioning response including the location information of the terminal device.

13. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The first network element is the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), and the access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location services; The first temporary identifier includes the Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) of the terminal device, or the first interface identifier of the terminal device on the first interface, or the second interface identifier of the terminal device on the second interface, and the identifier of the Service Centralization Unit (CU) of the terminal device. The first interface is the interface between the service unit and the AMF, and the second interface is the interface between the CU and the AMF.

14. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The first network element is a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC), and the access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location services. The first temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: The TMSI of the terminal device, or the first interface identifier of the terminal device on the first interface; The first interface is the interface between the service unit and the AMF.

15. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The first network element is a Location Management Function (LMF), and the access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location services; The first temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: The TMSI of the terminal device, or the third interface identifier of the terminal device on the third interface; The third interface is the interface between the service unit and the service CU of the terminal device.

16. The method as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The first positioning request also includes positioning measurement information of the terminal device, which includes information for locating the Transmission Receiving Point (TRP) of the terminal device and the positioning measurement result of the terminal device corresponding to the TRP.

17. The method as described in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: The service unit receives first information, which includes a third temporary identifier corresponding to at least one terminal device that the service unit can serve, wherein the third temporary identifier corresponding to any terminal device includes at least one of the following: The TMSI of the terminal device, or the third interface identifier.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15-17, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the correspondence between the service unit and the LMF to the AMF.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15-18, characterized in that, Before sending the first location request to the access network device, the method further includes: Receive a second location request from AMF, the second location request including the TMSI of the terminal device; After receiving the first location response from the access network device, the method further includes: A second positioning response is sent to the AMF, the second positioning response including the TMSI and the location information.

20. The method according to any one of claims 12-19, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives capability information from the access network device, which indicates the positioning algorithms supported by the access network device.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes interface units and processing units; The interface unit is configured to receive a first positioning request from a first network element, the first positioning request including a first temporary identifier, the first temporary identifier being used to identify the terminal device to be located; The processing unit is used to obtain the location information of the terminal device; The interface unit is further configured to send a first positioning response to the first network element, the first positioning response including the location information.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that, The device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location service functions. When the interface unit receives a first location request from the first network element, it is specifically used to receive a first location request from the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF). The first temporary identifier includes the Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) of the terminal device, or the first interface identifier of the terminal device on the first interface, or the second interface identifier of the terminal device on the second interface and the identifier of the Service Centralization Unit (CU) of the terminal device; Wherein, the first interface is the interface between the service unit and the AMF, and the second interface is the interface between the CU and the AMF.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that, When the processing unit obtains the location information of the terminal device, it is specifically used to perform a positioning process with the CU based on the second temporary identifier through the interface unit to determine the location information of the terminal device; The second temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: The terminal device's third interface identifier on the third interface, or the second interface identifier; The third interface is the interface between the service unit and the CU.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that, The device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location service functions. When the interface unit receives a first location request from the first network element, it is specifically used to receive a first location request from the Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC). The first temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: The TMSI of the terminal device, or the first interface identifier of the terminal device on the first interface. The first interface is the interface between the service unit and the AMF.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 24, characterized in that, When the processing unit obtains the location information of the terminal device, it is specifically used to perform a positioning process with the service CU of the terminal device based on the second temporary identifier through the interface unit to determine the location information of the terminal device. The second temporary identifier includes the third interface identifier of the terminal device on the third interface, wherein the third interface is the interface between the service unit and the CU.

26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that, The device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location service functions. When the interface unit receives a first location request from the first network element, it is specifically used to receive a first location request from the location management function (LMF). The first temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: The TMSI of the terminal device, or the third interface identifier of the terminal device on the third interface; The third interface is the interface between the service unit and the service CU of the terminal device.

27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that, When the processing unit obtains the location information of the terminal device, it is specifically used to perform a positioning process with the CU based on the second temporary identifier through the interface unit to determine the location information of the terminal device; wherein the second temporary identifier includes the third interface identifier.

28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that, The first positioning request also includes positioning measurement information of the terminal device, which includes information for locating the Transmission Receiving Point (TRP) of the terminal device and the positioning measurement result of the terminal device corresponding to the TRP; When the processing unit obtains the location information of the terminal device, it is specifically used to determine the location information of the terminal device based on the positioning measurement information.

29. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 26-28, characterized in that, Before receiving the first location request from the LMF, the interface unit is further configured to send first information to the LMF, the first information including a third temporary identifier corresponding to at least one terminal device that the service unit can serve, wherein the third temporary identifier corresponding to any of the terminal devices includes at least one of the following: The TMSI of the terminal device, or the third interface identifier.

30. The apparatus according to any one of claims 26-28, characterized in that, Before receiving the first location request from the LMF, the interface unit is also used to send the correspondence between the service unit and the LMF to the AMF.

31. The apparatus according to any one of claims 21-30, characterized in that, The interface unit is further configured to send capability information to the first network element, the capability information being used to indicate the positioning algorithm supported by the device.

32. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes interface units and processing units; A processing unit is configured to determine a first location request, the first location request including a first temporary identifier, the first temporary identifier being used to identify the terminal device to be located; An interface unit is configured to send the first positioning request to the access network device and receive a first positioning response from the access network device, the first positioning response including the location information of the terminal device.

33. The apparatus as claimed in claim 32, characterized in that, The device is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), and the access network equipment is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location services. The first temporary identifier includes the Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) of the terminal device, or the first interface identifier of the terminal device on the first interface, or the second interface identifier of the terminal device on the second interface, and the identifier of the Service Centralization Unit (CU) of the terminal device. The first interface is the interface between the service unit and the AMF, and the second interface is the interface between the CU and the AMF.

34. The apparatus as claimed in claim 32, characterized in that, The device is a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC), and the access network device is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location services. The first temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: The TMSI of the terminal device, or the first interface identifier of the terminal device on the first interface; The first interface is the interface between the service unit and the AMF.

35. The apparatus as claimed in claim 32, characterized in that, The device is a Location Management Function (LMF), and the access network equipment is a service unit deployed in the access network that supports location services. The first temporary identifier includes at least one of the following: The TMSI of the terminal device, or the third interface identifier of the terminal device on the third interface; The third interface is the interface between the service unit and the service CU of the terminal device.

36. The apparatus as claimed in claim 35, characterized in that, The first positioning request also includes positioning measurement information of the terminal device, which includes information for locating the Transmission Receiving Point (TRP) of the terminal device and the positioning measurement result of the terminal device corresponding to the TRP.

37. The apparatus as claimed in claim 35 or 36, characterized in that, The interface unit is further configured to receive first information from the service unit, the first information including a third temporary identifier corresponding to at least one terminal device that the service unit can serve, wherein the third temporary identifier corresponding to any of the terminal devices includes at least one of the following: The TMSI of the terminal device, or the third interface identifier.

38. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 35-37, characterized in that, The interface unit is also used to send the correspondence between the service unit and the LMF to the AMF.

39. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 35-38, characterized in that, Before sending the first positioning request to the access network device, the interface unit is also used to receive a second positioning request from the AMF, the second positioning request including the TMSI of the terminal device; After receiving the first positioning response from the access network device, the interface unit is further configured to send a second positioning response to the AMF, the second positioning response including the TMSI and the location information.

40. The apparatus according to any one of claims 32-39, characterized in that, The interface unit is further configured to receive capability information from the access network device, the capability information being used to indicate the positioning algorithms supported by the access network device.

41. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-20.

42. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-20 to be implemented.

43. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-20 to be implemented.

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