Location determination method and apparatus

Abstract

A location determination method and apparatus, which relate to the technical field of communications. The method comprises: when the connection between a first terminal and a network is lost, a location management server sending a request message to a second terminal having a network connection, wherein the request message is used for requesting location information of the first terminal; and the location management server receiving a response message, wherein the response message is used for responding to the request message.

Description

Positioning method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411097716.8, filed on August 9, 2024, and entitled "A Positioning Method and Apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular, to a positioning method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0004] The current communication system can realize the positioning of a terminal. In an electronic fence monitoring scenario, a server for positioning management can obtain the position information of a target terminal and a reference terminal from a core network, and can determine the position relationship of the target terminal and the reference terminal, such as whether the target terminal is within the proximity of the reference terminal, according to the position information of the target terminal and the reference terminal.

[0005] However, when a terminal (e.g., the target terminal or the reference terminal) loses network connection or has no network coverage, the server cannot obtain the position information of the terminal, and thus cannot obtain the position relationship of the target terminal and the reference terminal. SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a positioning method and apparatus, which can enable the server to obtain the position information of the terminal when the target terminal or the reference terminal loses network connection or has no network coverage, and thus can obtain the position relationship of the target terminal and the reference terminal.

[0007] In a first aspect, a positioning method is provided, which can be applied to a position management server. The position management server can be a device, or a module (such as a chip) in the device, or software (such as a control subsystem) containing the function of the position management server. The method comprises: when the connection between a first terminal and a network is lost, sending a request message to a second terminal having network connection, the request message being used to request the position information of the first terminal; and receiving a response message, the response message being used to respond to the request message.

[0008] Optionally, the first terminal is a target terminal or a reference terminal.

[0009] In the above implementation manner, when the network connection of the target terminal or the reference terminal is lost, the terminal in-network can obtain the position information of the terminal whose network connection is lost, so that the position management server can obtain the position information of the terminal whose network connection is lost from the terminal in-network. Further, the position management server can determine whether the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal based on the position information, so as to accurately perceive the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal, and improve the accuracy of the position relationship perception between the target terminal and the reference terminal.

[0010] In a possible implementation manner, the request message comprises first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the position information of the first terminal is obtained based on a ranging and / or sidelink positioning manner.

[0011] In a possible implementation manner, the first terminal is a target terminal, and the second terminal is a reference terminal, or the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the second terminal is a target terminal, or the first terminal is a target terminal, and the second terminal is a third-party terminal, or the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the second terminal is a third-party terminal. The response message comprises the position information of the first terminal, and the method further comprises: determining a position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal based on the position information of the first terminal. Alternatively, the first terminal is a first target terminal, and the second terminal is a second target terminal; the response message comprises the position information of the first terminal, and the method further comprises: determining a position relationship between the first target terminal and the reference terminal based on the position information of the first terminal.

[0012] In the above implementation manner, the position management server can determine whether the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal based on the position information, so as to accurately perceive the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal, and improve the accuracy of the position relationship perception between the target terminal and the reference terminal.

[0013] In a possible implementation manner, the position information of the first terminal comprised in the response message comprises one or more of the following:

[0014] absolute position information, used to indicate an absolute position of the first terminal;

[0015] relative position information, used to indicate a relative position of the target terminal and the reference terminal;

[0016] position relationship information, used to indicate whether the target terminal is in a preset area of the reference terminal.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the request message comprises information of a proximity range of the reference terminal, and the position information comprised in the response message is position relationship information of the first terminal, and the information of the proximity range is used to determine the preset area.

[0018] In a possible implementation, when the second terminal is a terminal other than the reference terminal, the request message comprises an identifier of the reference terminal, or comprises an identifier of the reference terminal and position information of the reference terminal; or when the second terminal is a terminal other than the target terminal, the request message comprises an identifier of the target terminal, or comprises an identifier of the target terminal and position information of the target terminal.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the first terminal is a target terminal, and the position information of the first terminal comprised in the response message is absolute position information of the target terminal; and the determining of the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal according to the position information of the first terminal comprises: if a distance between the absolute position of the target terminal indicated by the absolute position information and the reference terminal is less than or equal to a proximity range of the reference terminal, determining that the position relationship is that the target terminal is in a preset area of the reference terminal; or if the distance between the absolute position of the target terminal indicated by the absolute position information and the reference terminal is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal, determining that the position relationship is that the target terminal is outside the preset area of the reference terminal; wherein the information of the proximity range is used to determine the preset area.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the position information of the first terminal comprised in the response message is absolute position information of the reference terminal; and the determining of the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal according to the position information of the first terminal comprises: if a distance between the absolute position of the reference terminal indicated by the absolute position information and the target terminal is less than or equal to a proximity range of the reference terminal, determining that the position relationship is that the target terminal is in a preset area of the reference terminal; or if the distance between the absolute position of the reference terminal indicated by the absolute position information and the target terminal is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal, determining that the position relationship is that the target terminal is outside the preset area of the reference terminal; wherein the information of the proximity range is used to determine the preset area.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the first terminal is a target terminal or a reference terminal, and the position information of the first terminal included in the response message is relative position information of the first terminal, and the relative position indicated by the relative position information is a distance between the target terminal and the reference terminal; and the determining of the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal according to the position information of the first terminal comprises: if the distance indicated by the relative position information is less than or equal to a proximity range of the reference terminal, determining that the position relationship is that the target terminal is in a preset area of the reference terminal; or if the distance indicated by the relative position information is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal, determining that the position relationship is that the target terminal is outside the preset area of the reference terminal; wherein the information of the proximity range is used to determine the preset area.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the first terminal is a target terminal, and the second terminal is a reference terminal; or the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the second terminal is a target terminal; or the first terminal is a target terminal, and the second terminal is a terminal other than the reference terminal; or the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the second terminal is a terminal other than the target terminal; and the response message indicates that the positioning of the first terminal fails, and the method further comprises: determining that the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is unknown.

[0023] In the above implementation, in a case where the position information of the first terminal (a terminal that loses network connection) cannot be acquired through the second terminal (an in-network terminal), the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is determined to be unknown, compared with a case where the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is considered to be unknown as long as the target terminal or the reference terminal loses network connection, and the above implementation can improve the accuracy of position relationship perception.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the request message includes the identifier of the first terminal.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the request message further includes one or more of the following: a type of position information, the type of position information including one or more of an absolute position, a relative position, or a position relationship; and an identifier of at least one terminal, the at least one terminal being used to assist in sidelink positioning.

[0026] In a second aspect, a position positioning method is provided, which can be applied to a terminal. The terminal can be a terminal device, or a module (such as a chip) in the terminal device, or software (such as a control subsystem) containing terminal functions. The method comprises: obtaining position information of a first terminal based on ranging and / or sidelink positioning when it is detected that the first terminal has no network coverage; and sending the position information of the first terminal to a position management server after network coverage of the first terminal is restored.

[0027] Optionally, the first terminal is a target terminal or a reference terminal.

[0028] In the above implementation, when network connection of a target terminal or a reference terminal is lost, the terminal can obtain position information based on ranging and / or sidelink positioning in the absence of network coverage, and can send the position information to a position management server after network coverage is restored, so that the position management server can obtain position information of the terminal during the absence of network coverage. Further, the position information can be used to analyze position relationship of the target terminal and / or the reference terminal during the absence of network coverage, so as to realize complete tracking of position relationship of the target terminal and the reference terminal by an application.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the obtaining of the position information of the first terminal based on the ranging and / or the sidelink positioning when it is detected that the first terminal has no network coverage comprises: obtaining the position information of the first terminal based on the ranging and / or the sidelink positioning when it is detected that the first terminal and a second terminal have no coverage; and wherein the first terminal is a target terminal and the second terminal is a reference terminal, or the first terminal is a reference terminal and the second terminal is a target terminal.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the method further comprises: receiving configuration information, the configuration information being used to indicate that the first terminal obtains the position information of the first terminal based on the ranging and / or the sidelink positioning when it has no network coverage; and the obtaining of the position information of the first terminal based on the ranging and / or the sidelink positioning comprises: obtaining the position information of the first terminal based on the ranging and / or the sidelink positioning according to the configuration information.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the configuration information comprises one or more of the following:

[0032] Second indication information, used to indicate that ranging and / or sidelink positioning is performed in a terminal-only operation mode;

[0033] An identifier of a second terminal; wherein the first terminal is a target terminal and the second terminal is a reference terminal, or the first terminal is a reference terminal and the second terminal is a target terminal;

[0034] information about a proximity range of the reference terminal;

[0035] a type of the location information, the type of the location information comprising one or more of an absolute position, a relative position, or a position relationship;

[0036] an identity of at least one terminal, the at least one terminal being used to assist in sidelink positioning;

[0037] time information, the time information being used to indicate a time of performing ranging and / or sidelink positioning;

[0038] location information, the location information being used to indicate that, in a case where the reference terminal is located at a position indicated by the location information, location information of the first terminal is obtained based on a ranging and / or sidelink positioning manner;

[0039] period information, the period information indicating a period of performing ranging and / or sidelink positioning;

[0040] frequency information, the frequency information being used to indicate a frequency of performing ranging and / or sidelink positioning.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the type of the location information comprised in the configuration information is a relative position, and the obtaining, according to the configuration information, of the location information of the first terminal based on a ranging and / or sidelink positioning manner comprises: initiating ranging and / or sidelink positioning according to the type of the location information, and obtaining relative position information of the first terminal, the relative position information indicating a relative position of the first terminal and a second terminal; wherein the first terminal is a target terminal and the second terminal is a reference terminal, or the first terminal is a reference terminal and the second terminal is a target terminal; and the relative position information is used to indicate the relative position of the target terminal and the reference terminal.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the configuration information further comprises an identity of the second terminal, or comprises an identity of the second terminal and location information of the second terminal.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the type of the location information comprised in the configuration information is a position relationship, and the obtaining, according to the configuration information, of the location information of the first terminal based on a ranging and / or sidelink positioning manner comprises: initiating ranging and / or sidelink positioning according to the type of the location information, and obtaining position relationship information of the first terminal; wherein the first terminal is a target terminal and the second terminal is a reference terminal, or the first terminal is a reference terminal and the second terminal is a target terminal; and the position relationship information is used to indicate whether the target terminal is within a preset area of the reference terminal.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the configuration information further includes an identifier of the second terminal and proximity range information of the reference terminal, and the proximity range information is used to determine the preset area.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the sending of the position information of the first terminal to the position management server includes: if a time interval between the acquisition time of the position information of the first terminal and the network coverage recovery time of the first terminal is less than or equal to a threshold, sending the position information of the first terminal to the position management server.

[0046] In the above implementation, since the time interval between the acquisition time of the position information sent to the position management server and the network coverage recovery time of the first terminal is less than or equal to the threshold, the validity of the position information can be ensured.

[0047] In a third aspect, a position positioning method is provided, which can be applied to a position management server. The position management server can be a device, or a module (such as a chip) in the device, or software (such as a control subsystem) containing a position management server function. The method can include: sending configuration information to a first terminal, the configuration information being used to instruct the first terminal to obtain position information of the first terminal based on a ranging and / or sidelink positioning manner when there is no network coverage; and receiving the position information from the first terminal.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the configuration information includes one or more of the following:

[0049] Second indication information, used to instruct to perform ranging and / or sidelink positioning in a terminal-limited operation manner;

[0050] An identifier of a second terminal; wherein the first terminal is a target terminal, and the second terminal is a reference terminal, or the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the second terminal is a target terminal;

[0051] Proximity range information of a reference terminal;

[0052] A type of position information, the type of position information including one or more of an absolute position, a relative position, or a position relationship;

[0053] An identifier of at least one terminal, the at least one terminal being used to assist in performing sidelink positioning;

[0054] Time information, the time information being used to indicate an execution time of ranging and / or sidelink positioning;

[0055] position information, the position information being used to indicate that the position information of the first terminal is obtained based on a ranging and / or sidelink positioning manner in a case that the reference terminal is located at a position indicated by the position information;

[0056] period information, the period information being used to indicate an execution period of the ranging and / or sidelink positioning;

[0057] frequency information, the frequency information being used to indicate an execution frequency of the ranging and / or sidelink positioning.

[0058] In a fourth aspect, a position positioning method is provided, which can be applied to a location management server. The location management server can be a device, or a module (such as a chip) in the device, or software (such as a control subsystem) containing the function of the location management server. The method comprises: when a connection between a first terminal and a network is lost, sending a request message to a core network network element, the request message being used to request position information of the first terminal; and receiving a response message, the response message being used to respond to the request message.

[0059] In the above implementation manners, when the network connection of a target terminal or a reference terminal is lost, the position information of the terminal whose network connection is lost can be obtained through the core network, so that the location management server can obtain the position information of the terminal whose network connection is lost from the core network. Further, the location management server can determine whether the target terminal is in a preset area of the reference terminal based on the position information, so that the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal can be exactly perceived, and the accuracy of the position relationship perception is improved.

[0060] In a possible implementation manner, the request message comprises an identifier of the first terminal.

[0061] In a possible implementation manner, the request message further comprises one or more of the following information:

[0062] third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate that the position information of the first terminal is obtained based on a ranging and / or sidelink positioning manner;

[0063] an identifier of the second terminal; wherein the first terminal is a target terminal, and the second terminal is a reference terminal, or the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the second terminal is a target terminal;

[0064] information of a proximity range of the reference terminal;

[0065] a type of the position information, the type of the position information comprising one or more of an absolute position, a relative position, or a position relationship;

[0066] The identifier of at least one terminal, which is used to assist in lateral link positioning.

[0067] In one possible implementation, the response message includes the location information of the first terminal, and the method further includes: determining the positional relationship between the first terminal and the second terminal based on the location information of the first terminal; wherein the first terminal is a target terminal and the second terminal is a reference terminal, or the first terminal is a reference terminal and the second terminal is a target terminal.

[0068] In one possible implementation, the location information of the first terminal included in the response message includes one or more of the following:

[0069] Absolute location information, used to indicate the absolute location of the first terminal;

[0070] Relative position information, used to indicate the relative position of the target terminal and the reference terminal;

[0071] Location relationship information is used to indicate whether the target terminal is within a preset area of ​​the reference terminal.

[0072] In one possible implementation, the first terminal is a target terminal, and the location information of the first terminal included in the response message is the absolute location information of the target terminal; determining the positional relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal based on the location information of the first terminal includes: if the distance between the absolute position of the target terminal indicated by the absolute location information and the reference terminal is less than or equal to the proximity range of the reference terminal, then the positional relationship is determined to be that the target terminal is within a preset area of ​​the reference terminal; or, if the distance between the absolute position of the target terminal indicated by the absolute location information and the reference terminal is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal, then the positional relationship is determined to be that the target terminal is outside the preset area of ​​the reference terminal; wherein, the proximity range information is used to determine the preset area.

[0073] In a possible implementation, the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the position information of the first terminal included in the response message is absolute position information of the reference terminal; and the determining the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal according to the position information of the first terminal comprises: if a distance between the absolute position indicated by the absolute position information of the reference terminal and the target terminal is less than or equal to a proximity range of the reference terminal, determining that the position relationship is that the target terminal is in a preset area of the reference terminal; or if the distance between the absolute position indicated by the absolute position information of the reference terminal and the target terminal is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal, determining that the position relationship is that the target terminal is outside the preset area of the reference terminal; wherein information of the proximity range is used to determine the preset area.

[0074] In a possible implementation, the first terminal is a target terminal or a reference terminal, and the position information of the first terminal included in the response message is relative position information of the first terminal, and the relative position indicated by the relative position information is a distance between the target terminal and the reference terminal; and the determining the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal according to the position information of the first terminal comprises: if the distance indicated by the relative position information is less than or equal to a proximity range of the reference terminal, determining that the target terminal is in a preset area of the reference terminal; or if the distance indicated by the relative position information is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal, determining that the target terminal is outside the preset area of the reference terminal; wherein information of the proximity range is used to determine the preset area.

[0075] In a possible implementation, the response message indicates that the first terminal fails to be positioned, and the method further comprises: determining that the position relationship between the first terminal and a second terminal is unknown; wherein the first terminal is a target terminal, and the second terminal is a reference terminal, or the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the second terminal is a target terminal.

[0076] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a unit or module configured to perform the method in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0077] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes one or more processors configured to perform the method in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0078] In a seventh aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, which stores a program or instructions, and when the program or instructions run on a communication apparatus, the program or instructions cause the communication apparatus to perform the method in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0079] In an eighth aspect, there is provided a chip or chip system comprising a processor configured to support a computer device to implement the method of any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0080] In a ninth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising a program therein; when the program is run on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method of any one of the first to fourth aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0081] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service interface, to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0082] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a point-to-point interface, to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0083] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a functional model of a SEAL in embodiments of the present application;

[0084] FIG. 4 is a functional model diagram of location management in a SEAL in embodiments of the present application;

[0085] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a location service architecture based on a 5G system, to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0086] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a location relationship between a target terminal and a reference terminal in embodiments of the present application;

[0087] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a flow of location positioning provided in embodiments of the present application;

[0088] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a flow in an electronic fence subscription scenario in embodiments of the present application;

[0089] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a LMS acquiring location information of a terminal from a core network in embodiments of the present application;

[0090] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another flow of location positioning provided in embodiments of the present application;

[0091] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of another flow of location positioning provided in embodiments of the present application;

[0092] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a flow in another electronic fence subscription scenario in embodiments of the present application;

[0093] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device provided in embodiments of the present application;

[0094] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a communication device provided in embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0095] The present application relates to a positioning system under a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) system architecture, and the following is taken as an example for description of the positioning system under the 3GPP system architecture of 5th generation mobile communication technology (5G).

[0096] Referring to FIG. 1, it is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-oriented architecture. The 5G network architecture shown in FIG. 1 can include an access network device and a core network device. A terminal accesses a data network (DN) through the access network device and the core network device. The core network device includes, but is not limited to, part or all of the following network elements: an authentication server function (AUSF), a unified data management (UDM), a unified data repository (UDR) (not shown in the figure), a network repository function (NRF), a network exposure function (NEF), a network slice selection function (NSSF), a network slice-specific authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF), a network slice admission control function (NSACF), an application function (AF), a policy control function (PCF), an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a user plane function (UPF), and a binding support function (BSF) (not shown in the figure).

[0097] The terminal can be a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal device, etc. The terminal can be widely applied 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, automatic driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal can be a subscriber unit, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wearable device, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (PDA) computer, a tablet computer, a wireless modem, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, or a wireless local loop (WLL) station, or an urban air vehicle (such as a pilotless plane, a helicopter, etc.), a ship, a robot, a mechanical arm, a smart home device, or other devices that can access a network. The terminal and the access network device communicate with each other by using a certain air interface technology.

[0098] A radio access network (RAN) device is a device with wireless transceiver function, used for communication with terminals, and is mainly responsible for radio resource management, quality of service (QoS) management, data compression and encryption and other functions on the air interface side. The access network device includes but is not limited to base station (base transceiver station (BTS), Node B, eNodeB / eNB, or gNodeB / gNB), transmission reception point (TRP), 3GPP subsequent evolution base station, access node in Wi-Fi system, wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, etc. The base station can be a macro base station, a micro base station, a pico base station, a small station, a relay station, etc. Multiple base stations can support a network of the same access technology or a network of different access technologies. The base station can contain one or more co-sited or non-co-sited transmission reception points. The access network device can also be a wireless controller, centralized unit (CU), and / or distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The access network device can also be a server, etc.

[0099] The access network device and the terminal can be fixed in position or mobile. The access network device and the terminal can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water surface; can also be deployed on aircraft, balloons and artificial satellites in the air. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the access network device and the terminal.

[0100] The AMF is responsible for the mobility management of the terminal, including the management of the mobile state, the allocation of the temporary identity of the terminal, the authentication and authorization of the terminal.

[0101] The SMF is responsible for the selection of the UPF, the reselection of the UPF, the allocation of the IP address, and is responsible for the establishment, modification and release of the bearer, and the QoS control.

[0102] The UPF is responsible for forwarding and receiving user data in the terminal device, and supports all or part of the following functions: interconnection of a protocol data unit (PDU) session and a data network; packet routing and forwarding (for example, supporting re-forwarding of traffic after uplink classification to a data network); packet detection. User data can be received from the data network and transmitted to the terminal device through the access network device; the UPF can also receive user data from the terminal device through the access network device and forward it to the data network. The transmission resources and scheduling functions provided for the terminal device in the UPF are managed and controlled by the SMF.

[0103] The UDM is responsible for managing subscription data and notifying corresponding network elements when the subscription data is modified.

[0104] The PCF mainly supports providing a unified policy framework to control network behavior, providing policy rules to control layer network functions, and being responsible for obtaining user subscription information related to policy decision.

[0105] The AUSF mainly provides authentication and authorization functions.

[0106] The NEF mainly supports the secure interaction of 3GPP networks and third-party applications. The NEF can securely expose network capabilities and events to third parties to enhance or improve application service quality, and 3GPP networks can also securely obtain relevant data from third parties to enhance network intelligent decision-making. At the same time, the network element supports the recovery of structured data from a unified database or the storage of structured data in a unified database.

[0107] The UDR is mainly responsible for storing structured data, including subscription data and policy data, externally exposed structured data, and application-related data.

[0108] The AF mainly supports interaction with the 3GPP core network to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing third-party services to the network side.

[0109] In FIG. 1, Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Npcf, Nudm, Naf, Nnssaaf, Nausf, Namf, Nsmf, and Nnsacf are service interfaces provided by the above-mentioned NSSF, NEF, NRF, PCF, UDM, AF, NSSAAF, AUSF, AMF, SMF, and NSACF, respectively, for invoking corresponding service operations. N1, N2, N3, N4, N6, and N9 are interface serial numbers.

[0110] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a point-to-point interface. The functions of the network elements in Figure 2 can refer to the functions of the corresponding network elements in Figure 1, and will not be described again. The main difference between Figure 2 and Figure 1 is that the interfaces between the control plane network elements in Figure 1 are service interfaces, and the interfaces between the control plane network elements in Figure 2 are point-to-point interfaces.

[0111] It should be understood that the above network elements or functions can be network elements in a hardware device, or software functions running on a dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). Optionally, the above network elements or functions can be implemented by one device, or by multiple devices together, or by a functional module in one device, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations.

[0112] The mobility management network element, the session management network element, the data management network element, and the network storage function network element in the present application can be AMF, SMF, and NEF in the 5G system, or network elements with the functions of the above AMF, SMF, and NEF in future communication systems (e.g., 6G networks), and the present application does not make specific limitations. In the embodiments of the present application, an example of taking AMF, SMF, and NEF as the mobility management network element, the session management network element, the data management network element, and the network storage function network element is described. Moreover, the AMF network element, the SMF network element, and the NEF network element are simply referred to as AMF, SMF, and NEF.

[0113] 3GPP SA6 defines an application enabling layer standard, called service enabler architecture layer for verticals (SEAL), which is a set of middleware functions in the application layer, deployed on a cloud platform after the UPF of a mobile communication network, and provides support components (microservices or software development kits (SDKs) integrated in the business logic of an application) for numerous applications.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 3, a functional model of the SEAL is shown. A vertical application layer (VAL) is a function of an application layer domain, and the application layer function invokes an interface or a service application programming interface (service API) provided by the SEAL layer to implement the service logic of the application layer. A VAL client is a client function of a terminal side application service, and obtains the application service from a VAL server side, and the VAL server provides the application service for one or more users of the service. The VAL client and the VAL server exchange signaling and data through a VAL-UU reference point. A SEAL client and a SEAL server interact through a SEAL-UU, and provide enabling services for the VAL through a SEAL-C and a SEAL-S, respectively.

[0115] The SEAL server and the SEAL client are abstract names, and the SEAL can have many specific functions, such as key management, group management, and location management. The location management provides functions of querying and positioning a specific terminal location, calculating a location, monitoring whether a terminal appears in a specific area, and tracking a terminal trajectory.

[0116] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary functional model diagram of the location management in the SEAL. The architecture shown in FIG. 4 can support the following features:

[0117] Supporting obtaining terminal location information and events from a location management client (LMC) and a 3GPP network;

[0118] Supporting monitoring and reporting of a "terminal whether in a specific area" event;

[0119] Supporting location subscription / notification, and request / response;

[0120] Supporting configuration of a location reporting trigger;

[0121] Supporting obtaining a terminal list in a specific area.

[0122] The functional model of the SEAL can be applicable to an evolved packet system (EPS), a 5G system (5GS), or other mobile communication network systems evolved in the future, and the present application does not limit this.

[0123] Referring to FIG. 5, it is a schematic diagram of a location service architecture based on a 5G system. Among them, the location management function (LMF) is mainly used to determine the location of the terminal, obtain the downlink location measurement or obtain the location estimate from the terminal, obtain the uplink location measurement from the NG RAN, and obtain the non-UE related assistance information from the NG RAN.

[0124] 3GPP defines location positioning services (LCS) based on the control plane, and exchanges location information between terminals, network nodes and LMF through the control plane. The LMF manages and controls the positioning service request of the target terminal. The LMF issues positioning related assistance information to the terminal through the long term positioning protocol (LPP; where LTE is the English abbreviation of long term evolution), and the new wireless positioning protocol A (NRPPa) between the LMF and the RAN is used to control the positioning measurement, including the uplink measurement by the RAN or the downlink measurement by the terminal. The LMF can interact with the target terminal through the LPP protocol to issue the following positioning related assistance data. The positioning scheme selection of the network is the responsibility of the LMF, and the selection of the positioning scheme is based on the positioning client, the accuracy and the delay of the QoS requirement, and the positioning capability of the terminal and the RAN. When using multiple positioning methods for hybrid positioning service, the LMF can combine all received results and provide a location estimate.

[0125] In the 5G positioning process, the AMF receives a location information request from the terminal or the gateway mobile location center (GMLC), the AMF can send a positioning service request to the LMF, the LMF processes the request, obtains positioning data by interacting with the RAN and the terminal, the LMF is responsible for the calculation of the user's location, and the LMF returns a location service response to the AMF, and the AMF returns the location service result to the terminal or opens the external capability through the GMLC. In the process, the RAN completes the measurement and reporting of the characteristics of the wireless signal, the AMF provides transmission for the location service messages between the terminal and the LMF and between the RAN and the LMF, and the GMLC is responsible for the positioning service of the target terminal to the external LCS client (LCS Client).

[0126] Based on the architecture shown in FIG. 4 and the positioning procedure described above, in an electronic fence monitoring scenario or an area of interest (AoI) event monitoring scenario or other similar scenarios, the area around the reference terminal is referred to as an electronic fence area or an AoI, for example, an area can be determined based on the location of the reference terminal and a proximity range, referred to as the preset area of the reference terminal. Whether the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal can be determined based on the positioning technology. Specifically, the LMS can obtain the location information of the target terminal and the location information of the reference terminal from the core network (e.g., LMF), and can determine the current location state of the target terminal according to the location information of the target terminal and the location information of the reference terminal. The current location state of the target terminal can indicate the location relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal, i.e., whether the target terminal is currently in the preset area of the reference terminal. The location state of the terminal (or the location relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal) can include:

[0127] “presence” (presence): the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal, this state is also referred to as the “appearance” state;

[0128] “absence” (absence): the target terminal is outside the preset area of the reference terminal, this state is also referred to as the “non-appearance” state;

[0129] “unknown” (unknown): the location relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal cannot be determined. When the network connection of the target terminal is lost or the network connection of the reference terminal is lost, the core network can notify the LMS of the event, and the LMS determines that the location relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is “unknown” according to the event.

[0130] In the above scenarios, when a terminal (target terminal or reference terminal) loses network connection or has no network coverage, the LMS cannot obtain the location information of the terminal. This will result in that the LMS cannot accurately perceive the location relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal, or in other words, cannot be refined, which can also be understood as not accurate. For example, when the network connection of the target terminal is lost, the LMS determines that the location relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is “unknown”. However, the actual situation may have the following possibilities:

[0131] The first possibility: the target terminal moves out of the RAN coverage range, but is still in the preset area of the reference terminal. That is, although the target terminal loses the connection with the network side, its location state is actually “presence”.

[0132] The second possibility: the target terminal moves out of the RAN coverage range and is also not in the preset area of the reference terminal. That is, the target terminal loses the connection with the network side, and its location state is actually “absence”.

[0133] Similarly, in the case where the network connection of the reference terminal is lost, or in the case where both the network connection of the target terminal and the network connection of the reference terminal are lost, the LMS cannot perceive the positional relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal at all.

[0134] To improve the accuracy of the positional relationship perception (or to improve the degree of refinement of the position positioning), embodiments of the present application provide a position positioning method and related devices that can implement the method.

[0135] Embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0136] First, some technical terms related to embodiments of the present application are described.

[0137] (1) Sidelink (SL) positioning or SL positioning or sidelink positioning: using a PC5 interface to position a terminal to obtain absolute position information, relative position information or ranging information, etc. Position-related information. Among them, the PC5 interface is a proximity-based service direct communication interface, mainly used for short-distance direct communication between vehicles, people and road infrastructure.

[0138] (2) Ranging: determining the distance between two or more terminals and / or the direction of one terminal relative to another terminal through the PC5 interface.

[0139] (3) Relative position: The relative position refers to the position of the target terminal relative to the network element or other terminal (e.g. reference terminal). The relative position can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The relative position information can include distance and / or direction.

[0140] (4) Absolute position: Absolute position is a position that describes an object without being based on its relationship with other positions, which is fixed and does not depend on the change of its own position or the position of another object. Absolute position information can be geographic coordinates or local coordinates.

[0141] (5) Target terminal (target UE): The position information of the target terminal is obtained by one or more terminals ranging and / or SL positioning measurement. Among them, the position information of the target terminal can include one or more of the following: the distance between the target terminal and other terminals, the direction of the target terminal, the relative position information of the target terminal relative to other terminals or network devices, the absolute position information of the target terminal, whether the target terminal is in a specific area, etc. Position-related information.

[0142] (6) SL reference UE: An SL reference UE can support positioning of a target UE. For example, an SL reference UE can transmit and / or receive reference signals for positioning over SL, obtain location related information based on measurements on the reference signals. Wherein, the reference signals for positioning can be sidelink-positioning reference signals (SL-PRS) for example, without limitation.

[0143] It should be understood that the target UE can be range and / or SL positioned (hereinafter, range / SL positioning) by one or more SL reference UEs.

[0144] A UE in an SL reference UE whose location is known or can use Uu interface (i.e. the air interface between a terminal and a base station) based positioning is called a located UE. The located UE can use SL positioning to determine the location of the target UE.

[0145] (7) SL positioning client UE: A third party UE other than SL reference UEs and target UEs, which can initiate a range or SL positioning service request on behalf of an application residing thereon.

[0146] (8) SL positioning server UE: A UE that provides method determination, assistance data distribution, location calculation, SL-PRS configuration coordination and / or positioning UE selection function based on SL positioning and range service. If necessary, it can interact with other UEs through the PC5 interface to determine the range / SL positioning method, distribute assistance data and calculate the location of the target UE. If any function is supported, the target UE or the SL reference UE can act as the SL positioning server UE.

[0147] (9) Reference terminal: In the embodiments of the present application, the area around the reference terminal is referred to as the preset area of the reference terminal, which can be determined by the proximity range of the reference terminal, and can be mobile and variable. The proximity range can be a parameter representing length. Specifically, the area can be determined by the position of the reference terminal and the proximity range, for example, the preset area of the reference terminal can be a circular area with the position of the reference terminal as the center and the radius equal to the value of the proximity range. The preset area of the reference terminal can also be understood as a mobile (or dynamic) electronic fence area or a mobile (or dynamic) AoI. In an electronic fence monitoring or AoI monitoring scenario or similar scenario, it can be monitored whether the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal. That is, the reference terminal and the target terminal are associated with the same area, which is determined based on the position of the reference terminal and the proximity range.

[0148] One reference terminal can be associated with one or more target terminals, or in other words, one reference terminal can correspond to one or more target terminals. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the reference terminal B, the target terminal A1 and the target terminal A2 are associated with the same area (as shown by the dashed circle in the figure), which is determined based on the position of the reference terminal B and the proximity range r, for example, the area in FIG. 6 is a circular area with the position of the reference terminal B as the center and the proximity range r as the radius. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the shape of the area.

[0149] The target terminal A1 is associated with the area, which can be understood as that the positional relationship between the target terminal A1 and the reference terminal B can be described based on the area, for example, the target terminal A1 can be in the area or can be outside the area. Similarly, the target terminal A2 is associated with the area, which can be understood as that the positional relationship between the target terminal A2 and the reference terminal B can be described based on the area, for example, the target terminal A2 can be in the area or can be outside the area.

[0150] The area can also be referred to as a geographic fence, or an electronic fence, or an AoI. The target terminal A1 and the target terminal A2 can be monitored whether they are in the area by initiating electronic fence monitoring or AoI event monitoring and the like. Accordingly, the reference terminal can also be referred to as an AoI reference terminal or other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0151] The reference terminal can be used as a SL reference terminal to perform ranging / SL positioning on the target terminal.

[0152] (10) Third-party terminal, in the embodiments of the application, relative to the target terminal and the reference terminal, the third-party terminal refers to other terminals except the target terminal and the reference terminal. Taking terminal B as the reference terminal and terminal A as the target terminal corresponding to the reference terminal as an example, terminal C is the third-party terminal; taking terminal B as the reference terminal and terminal A1 and terminal A2 as the target terminals corresponding to the reference terminal as an example, terminal C is the third-party terminal. The third-party terminal can participate in the ranging / SL positioning process of the target terminal with network connection loss or the reference terminal with network connection loss.

[0153] (11) Network connection loss or loss of connectivity: when the network detects that the terminal is unreachable in signaling and user plane communication, it is considered that the connection between the terminal and the network side is lost, for example, the connection between the terminal and the core network element is disconnected, more specifically, the signaling connection between the terminal and the AMF in the core network is disconnected. Exemplarily, the reasons causing the network connection loss of the terminal include: terminal out-of-network, terminal de-attachment (or de-registration), terminal power-off, or terminal out-of-coverage, or terminal unable to obtain the service of the RAN, etc.

[0154] For a terminal with network connection, the context information of the terminal is stored in the core network element; for a terminal with network connection loss, the context information of the terminal is not stored in the core network element.

[0155] In the embodiments of the application, the meanings of “network connection loss”, “connection loss”, “lose connection”, “lose contact” are basically the same, and can be replaced with each other.

[0156] Relative to the terminal with network connection loss, the terminal with connection not lost can be called “terminal with network connection” or “terminal under coverage”, at this time, the terminal can be in IDLE state, inactive state or connected state. For the terminal with connection not lost, it is in the coverage of the RAN and can obtain the service of the RAN.

[0157] In order to improve the accuracy of the position relationship awareness, in some embodiments of the application, if the LMS detects the network connection loss of the terminal (target terminal or reference terminal), the position information of the terminal with network connection loss is requested from the terminal with network connection, and the terminal with network connection can obtain the position information of the terminal with network connection loss based on the ranging / SL positioning mode and send it to the LMS, so that the LMS can still determine the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal when the network connection of the reference terminal or the target terminal is lost.

[0158] Referring to FIG. 7, a schematic diagram of a position positioning process provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. In the process, a first terminal is a terminal whose network connection is lost, and a second terminal is a terminal having a network connection.

[0159] The process shown in FIG. 7 can be applied to the following scenarios:

[0160] Scenario one: the first terminal is a target terminal, and the second terminal is a reference terminal. For example, referring to FIG. 6, if the network connection of the target terminal Al is lost, and the reference terminal B still maintains a network connection, the first terminal is the target terminal Al, and the second terminal is the reference terminal B.

[0161] Scenario two: the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the second terminal is a target terminal. For example, referring to FIG. 6, if the network connection of the reference terminal B is lost, and the target terminal Al still maintains a network connection, the first terminal is the reference terminal B, and the second terminal is the target terminal Al.

[0162] Scenario three: the first terminal is a target terminal, and the second terminal is a third-party terminal.

[0163] Scenario four: the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the second terminal is a third-party terminal.

[0164] Scenario five: the first terminal is a target terminal, and the second terminal is another target terminal which maintains a network connection. For example, in a case where a plurality of target terminals correspond to one reference terminal, the first terminal is one of the plurality of target terminals, and the second terminal is another target terminal of the plurality of target terminals.

[0165] For example, scenarios one to five above can be a vehicle-to-vehicle application scenario, in which a vehicle fleet includes N (N is an integer greater than 1) vehicles, one vehicle or a vehicle terminal on the vehicle acts as a reference terminal, and other vehicles or vehicle terminals on the vehicles act as target terminals. By monitoring the position relationship between the target terminals and the reference terminal, it can be monitored whether the vehicles in the vehicle fleet deviate from a set area of the vehicle acting as the reference terminal. In another example, the scenarios above can be a wearable application scenario, in which a wearable device (for example, a smart watch, a smart earphone, etc.) can act as a target terminal, and a mobile phone can act as a reference terminal, and the two devices belong to the same user. By monitoring the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal, it can be monitored whether the smart watch deviates from a set area of the mobile phone, for example, to determine whether the smart device is lost. The application is not limited to the application scenarios.

[0166] As shown in the figure, the process includes the following steps:

[0167] Step 701: The LMS determines that the network connection of the first terminal is lost.

[0168] The network connection of the first terminal is lost, for example, a signaling connection between the first terminal and a core network network element (for example, an AMF) serving the first terminal is disconnected.

[0169] In a possible implementation, when the core network network element detects that the network connection of the first terminal is lost, the core network network element sends a notification message to the LMS, and the LMS can determine that the network connection of the first terminal is lost according to the notification message. For example, the serving AMF of the first terminal detects that the signaling connection between the AMF and the first terminal is disconnected, and then notifies the LMS of the event.

[0170] Optionally, when the core network network element detects that the mobility reachability timer has expired, or when the first terminal carries an unavailability period duration in a registration procedure but does not provide a start of unavailability period, or when the unavailability period of the first terminal starts (based on the start of unavailability period stored in the UE context of the AMF), or when a deregistration procedure starts, the core network network element can send a notification message to the LMS to notify that the network connection of the first terminal is lost.

[0171] The reason for the network connection of the first terminal being lost can be that the terminal enters an energy saving state, or that the terminal has no network or signal coverage, or that the terminal is powered off, and the like. The specific implementation of how to detect whether the network connection of the terminal is lost is not limited in the present application.

[0172] In a possible implementation, after receiving a subscription request message for subscribing to a location relationship between a target terminal and a reference terminal, the LMS subscribes to network connection states of the target terminal and the reference terminal from the core network network element, so that the core network network element notifies the LMS of an event when detecting that the network connection of the target terminal and / or the reference terminal is lost. For example, the subscription request message can be an electronic fence monitoring request message or an AoI event monitoring request message, which is used to request to monitor the location relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal.

[0173] In a possible implementation, the target terminal, the reference terminal and the third-party terminal can report terminal capability information to the LMS, and the terminal capability information can include one or more of the following: positioning capability of an interface (Uu interface) between the terminal and the base station, ranging / SL positioning capability of the terminal, type of measurement result supported by the terminal (such as absolute position, relative position or ranging information, etc.), accuracy supported by the Uu interface positioning capability, accuracy supported by the ranging / SL positioning capability, QoS requirement (such as information including accuracy, delay, QoS level, etc.), and the like. The QoS level can include, for example, best effort and assured. The LMS can determine the positioning mode of the reference terminal and / or the target terminal according to the terminal capability information of the reference terminal and the target terminal, and the positioning mode can include, for example, LCS positioning, terminal positioning and third-party-based positioning. The LMS can also select a terminal for performing a ranging / SL positioning procedure in a subsequent step according to the terminal capability information reported by the terminal.

[0174] Step 702: The LMS sends a request message to the second terminal having a network connection.

[0175] The request message can be used to request the location information of the first terminal, or the request message can trigger a ranging / SL positioning procedure for the first terminal. Further, the location information of the first terminal is obtained based on the ranging / SL positioning procedure. It should be noted that the request message can also be understood as an instruction to obtain the location information of the first terminal based on the ranging / SL positioning mode.

[0176] Optionally, the request message (for example, location request) sent by the LMS to the second terminal can include first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the location information of the first terminal is obtained based on the ranging / SL positioning mode, so that the message can trigger the location information of the first terminal to be obtained based on the ranging / SL positioning procedure. It should be noted that the request message can be implemented by using an existing message, or can be implemented by defining a new type. For example, the newly defined message is SL / ranging request.

[0177] In a possible implementation, the request message includes the identity of the first terminal, so that the ranging / SL positioning can be initiated for the first terminal that loses the network connection. Optionally, the identity of the first terminal can include an application layer identity or other identity of the first terminal, which is not limited in the present application.

[0178] In a possible implementation, the type of the location information included in the request message can include one or more of an absolute position, a relative position, or a position relationship.

[0179] If the type of the location information is an absolute position, it indicates that the requested location information is absolute position information of the first terminal. If the type of the location information is a relative position (for example, a distance between the target terminal and a reference terminal), it indicates that the requested location information is relative position information (for example, including a distance and / or a direction) of the target terminal and the reference terminal. If the type of the location information is a position relationship, it indicates that the requested location information is whether the target terminal is in a preset area of the reference terminal, which can be understood as requesting a result or an event, for example, the result or the event can be "in" or "not in". Correspondingly, in a subsequent step, the second terminal returns the location information to the LMS, and the type of the location information matches the type of the location information included in the request message.

[0180] In a possible implementation, the request message includes an identifier of at least one terminal that can be used to assist in SL positioning of the first terminal.

[0181] In a possible implementation, the LMS can select the second terminal according to terminal capability information. For example, there are multiple in-network terminals that can obtain the location information of the first terminal based on the SL positioning manner, and the LMS can select a terminal with the highest positioning accuracy from the multiple in-network terminals. For another example, the LMS can select an in-network terminal that is closest to the out-of-network terminal according to historical location information. In the case that the network connection of the target terminal is lost, the terminal selected by the LMS can be a reference terminal, or another target terminal, or a third-party terminal. In the case that the network connection of the reference terminal is lost, the terminal selected by the LMS can be a target terminal, or a third-party terminal.

[0182] According to different scenarios and types of location information, the request message sent by the LMS to the second terminal can include different information. The following describes the above scenarios one to five as examples.

[0183] Taking scenario one as an example, in the case that the network connection of the target terminal is lost, the LMS can send a request message to the reference terminal, for requesting to obtain the position information of the target terminal. If the requested position information is the absolute position information of the target terminal, the identity of the target terminal is included in the request message. Optionally, the identity of at least one other terminal which can be used to assist in SL positioning is also included in the request message. Optionally, the type of the position information, which is the absolute position, is also included in the request message. If the requested position information is the relative position information of the target terminal, the identity of the target terminal is included in the request message. Optionally, the identity of at least one other terminal which can be used to assist in SL positioning is also included in the request message, further including the role of the terminal in positioning, for example, the reference terminal as SL reference UE or located UE. Optionally, the type of the position information, which is the relative position, is also included in the request message. Optionally, the role of the reference terminal in positioning, for example, the reference terminal as SL reference UE or located UE, is also included in the request message. If the requested position information is the position relationship information of the target terminal, the identity of the target terminal and the proximity information of the reference terminal are included in the request message. Optionally, the identity of at least one other terminal which can be used to assist in SL positioning is also included in the request message, further including the role of the terminal in positioning, for example, the reference terminal as SL reference UE or located UE. Optionally, the type of the position information, which is the position relationship, is also included in the request message. Optionally, the role of the reference terminal in positioning, for example, the reference terminal as SL reference UE or located UE, is also included in the request message.

[0184] Taking scenario two as an example, in the case that the network connection of the reference terminal is lost, the LMS can send a request message to the target terminal, for requesting to obtain the position information of the reference terminal. The specific implementation manner in this scenario can refer to the implementation manner of scenario one described above, and the target terminal and the reference terminal in the implementation manner of scenario one described above are interchanged, so as to obtain the implementation manner in scenario two.

[0185] Taking scenario three as an example, in the case that the network connection of the target terminal is lost, the LMS can send a request message to the third-party terminal, for requesting to obtain the location information of the target terminal. If the requested location information is the absolute location information of the target terminal, the identity of the target terminal is included in the request message. Optionally, the identity of at least one other terminal which can be used to assist in SL positioning is also included in the request message. Optionally, the type of the location information, which is the absolute location, is also included in the request message. If the requested location information is the relative location information of the target terminal, the identity of the target terminal and the identity of the reference terminal are included in the request message. Optionally, the roles of the reference terminal and the target terminal in positioning, such as the reference terminal as SL reference UE (if not specified, the reference terminal is considered as SL reference UE by default) or located UE, and the target terminal as targeted UE are also included. Optionally, the identity of at least one other terminal which can be used to assist in SL positioning, and the roles of the terminal in positioning, such as the reference terminal as SL reference UE or located UE are also included in the request message. Optionally, the type of the location information, which is the relative location, is also included in the request message. If the requested location information is the location relationship information of the target terminal, the identity of the target terminal, the identity of the reference terminal, and the proximity information of the reference terminal are included in the request message. Optionally, the roles of the reference terminal and the target terminal in positioning, such as the reference terminal as SL reference UE or located UE, and the target terminal as targeted UE are also included. Optionally, the identity of at least one other terminal which can be used to assist in SL positioning, and the roles of the terminal in positioning, such as the reference terminal as SL reference UE or located UE are also included in the request message. Optionally, the type of the location information, which is the location relationship, is also included in the request message. Optionally, the role of the third-party terminal in positioning, such as SL reference UE or located UE, is also included, and the third-party terminal is considered as located UE by default.

[0186] Taking scenario four as an example, in the case that the network connection of the reference terminal is lost, the LMS can send a request message to the third-party terminal, for requesting to obtain the location information of the reference terminal. The specific implementation manner in this scenario can refer to the implementation manner in scenario three.

[0187] Taking scenario five as an example, in the case that the network connection of the first target terminal is lost, the LMS can send a request message to the second target terminal to request to obtain the location information of the first target terminal. The specific implementation manner in this scenario can refer to the implementation manner in scenario three.

[0188] Step 703: The second terminal obtains the location information of the first terminal.

[0189] The location information can be obtained based on a ranging / SL positioning manner.

[0190] Taking scenario one as an example, in the case that the first terminal is a target terminal and the second terminal is a reference terminal, after receiving the request message from the LMS, the reference terminal can initiate a ranging / SL positioning procedure for the target terminal. Through the ranging / SL positioning procedure, the reference terminal can obtain absolute location information or relative location information of the target terminal.

[0191] If the requested location relationship information is requested, after obtaining the absolute location information or the relative location information of the target terminal, the reference terminal can obtain the location relationship information of the target terminal according to the position of the reference terminal and the proximity range of the reference terminal. In FIG. 7, steps in which the first terminal (target terminal) and the second terminal (reference terminal) perform the ranging / SL positioning procedure are shown (see steps shown in the dashed box in FIG. 7).

[0192] The reference terminal can obtain the position of the reference terminal through a Uu positioning manner or a ranging / SL positioning manner. The reference terminal can also obtain the position of the reference terminal from the LMS.

[0193] Taking scenario two as an example, in the case that the first terminal is a reference terminal and the second terminal is a target terminal, after receiving the request message from the LMS, the target terminal can initiate a ranging / SL positioning procedure for the reference terminal. Through the ranging / SL positioning procedure, the target terminal can obtain absolute location information or relative location information of the reference terminal.

[0194] If the requested location relationship information is requested, after obtaining the absolute location information or the relative location information of the reference terminal, the target terminal can obtain the location relationship information of the reference terminal according to the position of the target terminal and the proximity range of the reference terminal. In FIG. 7, steps in which the first terminal (reference terminal) and the second terminal (target terminal) perform the ranging / SL positioning procedure are shown (see steps shown in the dashed box in FIG. 7).

[0195] The target terminal can obtain the position of the target terminal through a Uu positioning manner or a ranging / SL positioning manner. The target terminal can also obtain the position of the reference terminal from the LMS.

[0196] Taking scenario three as an example, in the case that the first terminal is the target terminal and the second terminal is the third-party terminal, after receiving the request message from the LMS, the third-party terminal can initiate a ranging / SL positioning process for the target terminal, through which the third-party terminal can obtain the absolute position information of the target terminal; or, after receiving the request message from the LMS, the third-party terminal can initiate a ranging / SL positioning process for the target terminal or the reference terminal to obtain the relative position between the target terminal and the reference terminal; or, after receiving the request message from the LMS, the third-party terminal can initiate a ranging / SL positioning process for the target terminal to obtain the absolute position of the target terminal or the relative position of the target terminal, and initiate a ranging / SL positioning process for the reference terminal to obtain the absolute position of the reference terminal or the relative position of the reference terminal, and then can perform the following operation 1 or operation 2:

[0197] Operation 1: determining the relative position information between the target terminal and the reference terminal according to the measured absolute position of the target terminal or the relative position of the target terminal, and the measured absolute position of the reference terminal or the relative position of the reference terminal.

[0198] Operation 2: determining whether the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal according to the measured absolute position of the target terminal or the relative position of the target terminal, the measured absolute position of the reference terminal or the relative position of the reference terminal, and the proximity range of the reference terminal.

[0199] Taking scenario four as an example, in the case that the first terminal is the reference terminal and the second terminal is the third-party terminal, the implementation process is similar to that of scenario three described above. It will not be repeated.

[0200] Taking scenario five as an example, in the case that the first terminal is the first target terminal and the second terminal is the second target terminal, the implementation process is similar to that of scenario three described above. It will not be repeated.

[0201] Step 704: The second terminal sends a response message to the LMS.

[0202] The response message is used to respond to the request message, and further, the response message can include the position information of the first terminal.

[0203] The position information of the first terminal can include one or more of absolute position information, relative position information, and position relationship information.

[0204] In a possible alternative, the message used to carry the position information of the first terminal is a notification message. The type of the message is not limited in the present application.

[0205] Step 705: The LMS determines the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal according to the position information of the first terminal.

[0206] In a case where the first terminal is the target terminal and the position information included in the response message is absolute position information of the target terminal, if the LMS determines that the distance between the absolute position indicated by the absolute position information of the target terminal and the reference terminal is less than or equal to the proximity range of the reference terminal, the LMS determines that the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is that the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal; if the LMS determines that the distance between the absolute position indicated by the absolute position information of the target terminal and the reference terminal is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal, the LMS determines that the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is that the target terminal is out of the preset area of the reference terminal.

[0207] In a case where the first terminal is the reference terminal and the position information included in the response message is absolute position information of the reference terminal, if the LMS determines that the distance between the absolute position indicated by the absolute position information of the reference terminal and the target terminal is less than or equal to the proximity range of the reference terminal, the LMS determines that the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is that the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal; if the LMS determines that the distance between the absolute position indicated by the absolute position information of the reference terminal and the target terminal is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal, the LMS determines that the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is that the target terminal is out of the preset area of the reference terminal.

[0208] In a case where the first terminal is the target terminal and the response message includes relative position information of the target terminal (for example, the relative position information indicates the distance between the target terminal and the reference terminal), if the LMS determines that the distance indicated by the relative position information is less than or equal to the proximity range of the reference terminal, the LMS determines that the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is that the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal; if the LMS determines that the distance indicated by the relative position information is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal, the LMS determines that the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is that the target terminal is out of the preset area of the reference terminal.

[0209] In a case where the first terminal is the reference terminal and the response message includes relative position information of the reference terminal (for example, the relative position information indicates the distance between the target terminal and the reference terminal), if the LMS determines that the distance indicated by the relative position information is less than or equal to the proximity range of the reference terminal, the LMS determines that the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is that the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal; if the LMS determines that the distance indicated by the relative position information is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal, the LMS determines that the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is that the target terminal is out of the preset area of the reference terminal.

[0210] Based on the process shown in Figure 7, in another possible implementation, if in step 704 the response message sent by the second terminal to the LMS indicates that the first terminal has failed to locate (or no response message is received within a specific time), then the LMS determines the positional relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal to be "unknown". The reason for the failure to locate the first terminal may be that the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is too large, exceeding the effective distance of the SL-PRS, and the second terminal cannot perceive the existence of the first terminal.

[0211] In one possible alternative, the message used to notify the first terminal of the positioning failure is a notification message, and this application does not limit the type of such message.

[0212] Based on the process shown in Figure 7, in another possible implementation, before executing step 702, that is, before the LMS sends a request message to the second terminal device, the following steps can also be performed: The LMS determines whether the ranging accuracy of the second terminal is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal. If the ranging accuracy of the second terminal is less than or equal to the proximity range of the reference terminal, the positional relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal can be determined based on the ranging result. Therefore, the LMS executes step 702, that is, the LMS sends a request message to the second terminal. If the ranging accuracy of the second terminal is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal, the positional relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal cannot be determined based on the ranging result. Therefore, the LMS does not execute step 702, that is, the LMS does not send a request message to the second terminal.

[0213] Based on the process shown in Figure 7, in another possible implementation, before executing step 702, i.e., before the LMS sends a request message to the second terminal, the following steps can also be performed: The LMS predicts the distance between the target terminal and the reference terminal based on the historical location information (e.g., the distance between the target terminal and the reference terminal) and / or historical motion information (e.g., the direction of motion and / or the speed of motion of the target terminal and the reference terminal); if the predicted distance is greater than the vicinity of the reference terminal, the LMS does not execute step 702, i.e., the LMS does not send a request message to the second terminal, and the LMS can directly determine that the positional relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is "unknown". Optionally, the LMS can also determine the probability that the positional relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is "unknown", such as the probability that the positional relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is "unknown"; if the predicted distance is less than or equal to the vicinity of the reference terminal, the LMS executes step 702, i.e., the LMS sends a request message to the second terminal.

[0214] It should be understood that the flow shown in FIG. 7 is described by taking the LMS as an example of sending a request message to the second terminal with network connection, and in another embodiment, the request message can also be sent to the second terminal with network connection by other network devices to obtain the location information of the first terminal, and the type of the network device is not limited by the present application.

[0215] According to the flow shown in FIG. 7, when the network connection of the target terminal or the reference terminal is lost, the location information of the terminal with lost network connection can be obtained by performing ranging / SL positioning on the terminal in the network, so that the location management server can obtain the location information of the terminal with lost network connection from the terminal in the network. Further, the location management server can determine whether the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal based on the location information, so as to accurately perceive the location relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal and improve the accuracy of the location relationship perception.

[0216] The flow shown in FIG. 7 can be applied to an electronic fence subscription scenario or an AoI event monitoring scenario or the like, and whether the target terminal is in a specific area can be monitored. FIG. 8 exemplarily shows a flow in an electronic fence subscription scenario implemented based on the flow shown in FIG. 7. The flow is described by taking the target terminal as an example of including a first target terminal and a second target terminal. It should be understood that the number of target terminals can be more or less, for example, the target terminal can be a group of terminals or a terminal included in a terminal list, and the number of target terminals is not limited by the present application.

[0217] As shown in FIG. 8, the flow can include the following steps:

[0218] Step 801: The reference terminal, the first target terminal and the second target terminal respectively send terminal capability information of themselves to the LMS.

[0219] The related description of the terminal capability information can be referred to step 701 in FIG. 7.

[0220] Step 802: The VAL server sends a subscription request message to the LMS, and the request message is used to request to subscribe to an AoI related event.

[0221] The AoI related event refers to a state event of the position of the target terminal relative to the position of the reference terminal, that is, whether the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal, and the preset area can be determined based on the position of the reference terminal and the proximity ranging. Exemplarily, the state event can include “presence”, “absence” and “unknown”. That is, the request message is used to monitor whether the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal.

[0222] Optionally, the subscription request message can include the identity of the first target terminal, the identity of the second target terminal, the identity of the reference terminal, information of the proximity range (e.g., the value of the size of the proximity range), etc.

[0223] Optionally, the first request message can further include a related condition for performing the monitoring of the AoI event, and the monitoring of the AoI event is performed only when the related condition is met. Exemplarily, the related condition can include one or more of a time condition, a connection condition, and a spatial condition of the reference terminal.

[0224] The time condition indicates a valid time of the subscription, which can include a valid time period (e.g., in days or in weeks), or a valid start time and a valid time length, etc. The valid time of the subscription can be a continuous time or a set of discrete time periods. The monitoring of the AoI event is performed only within the valid time of the subscription. The related information of the connection condition can include one or more of operator information, roaming state, and access type, and the monitoring of the AoI event is performed only when the operator, the roaming state, and the connection type of the reference terminal meet the connection condition. The related information of the spatial condition of the reference terminal can include a location area (e.g., an area corresponding to a public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier), and the monitoring of the AoI event is performed only when the location of the reference terminal meets the spatial condition.

[0225] It should be understood that the subscription request message can be replaced by a request message for requesting the connection state of the reference terminal and the target terminal. The type of the message is not limited in the present application.

[0226] Step 803: The LMS subscribes to the connection state event of the reference terminal and the target terminal (including the first target terminal and the second target terminal) from the core network. The LMS can be notified by the core network when the core network detects a loss of connectivity of the reference terminal or the target terminal.

[0227] Optionally, the LMS can further subscribe to the location change event, the access type change event, and the roaming state change event of the reference terminal from the core network, and the LMS can be notified by the core network when the core network detects that the location of the reference terminal is changed, the access type of the reference terminal is changed, or the roaming state of the reference terminal is changed, so that the LMS determines whether the spatial condition of the reference terminal in the related condition for performing the monitoring of the AoI event is still met.

[0228] Step 804a: The LMS obtains the location information of the reference terminal and / or the target terminal from the core network. The specific implementation can refer to the flow shown in FIG. 9.

[0229] Step 804b: The LMS acquires the location information of the reference terminal and / or the target terminal from the LMC on the reference terminal and / or the target terminal.

[0230] Specifically, the LMS acquires the location information of the reference terminal from the reference terminal, acquires the location information of the first target terminal from the first target terminal, and acquires the location information of the second target terminal from the second target terminal. The present application does not limit the implementation manner of determining the location of the reference terminal or the target terminal. For example, the reference terminal and the target terminal can acquire the location information based on satellite positioning.

[0231] Step 804c: The LMS acquires the location information of the reference terminal and / or the target terminal from a third-party server.

[0232] The three ways of acquiring the location information of the terminal provided in the above steps 804a, 804b and 804c can be used in one or more of them. For each target terminal, the location information of the target terminal can be obtained through one or more of the above steps 804a, 804b and 804c.

[0233] Optionally, the LMS can also return a subscription response message to the VAL server, indicating that the subscription is successful.

[0234] Step 805: The core network sends a notification to the LMS that the reference terminal or the target terminal (e.g., the first target terminal and / or the second target terminal) loses network connection.

[0235] In this step, the core network element can detect the network connection state of the reference terminal and the target terminal (including the first target terminal and the second target terminal) based on the subscription request received in step 803, and when detecting that the reference terminal or the target terminal (including the first target terminal and / or the second target terminal) loses network connection, send a notification message to the LMS to notify the terminal of the loss of network connection.

[0236] In the case where the first target terminal loses network connection (case 1 in FIG. 8), the following steps 806a, 806b and 806c are performed:

[0237] Step 806a: If the first target terminal loses network connection and the reference terminal is still under coverage, the LMS sends a location request message to the reference terminal, which is used to request the location information of the first target terminal.

[0238] Optionally, the location request message can include first indication information, which is used to instruct the reference terminal to acquire the location information of the first target terminal based on the ranging / SL positioning manner. For example, the location request message is a location request.

[0239] Optionally, the location request message can also be a newly defined request message in the embodiments of the present application, which is used to trigger the reference terminal to obtain the location information of the first target terminal based on the ranging / SL positioning mode. For example, the location request message is SL / ranging request.

[0240] The location request message includes the identity of the first target terminal. Optionally, the location information of the reference terminal is also included.

[0241] It should be understood that the location request message used to request the location information of the first target terminal can be replaced by other names or types of messages, and the type of the message is not limited in the present application.

[0242] Step 806b: The reference terminal initiates the ranging / SL positioning procedure to obtain the location information of the first target terminal.

[0243] Step 806c: The reference terminal sends a location response message to the LMS, which includes the location information of the first target terminal.

[0244] It should be understood that the response message used to carry the location information of the first target terminal can be replaced by other messages, such as a notification message, and the type of the message is not limited in the present application.

[0245] In the case where the reference terminal loses the network connection (case 2 in FIG. 8), the following steps 807a, 807b and 807c are performed:

[0246] Step 807a: If the reference terminal loses the network connection and the first target terminal is still under coverage, the LMS sends a location request message to the first target terminal, which is used to request the location information of the reference terminal.

[0247] Optionally, the location request message can include first indication information, which is used to indicate that the first target terminal obtains the location information of the reference terminal based on the ranging / SL positioning mode. For example, the location request message is location request.

[0248] Optionally, the location request message can also be a newly defined request message in the embodiments of the present application, which is used to trigger the first target terminal to obtain the location information of the reference terminal based on the ranging / SL positioning mode. For example, the location request message is SL / ranging request.

[0249] The location request message includes the identity of the reference terminal. Optionally, the location information of the first target terminal is also included.

[0250] It should be understood that the location request message used to request the location information of the reference terminal can be replaced by other names or types of messages, and the type of the message is not limited in the present application.

[0251] Step 807b: The first target terminal initiates a ranging / SL positioning procedure to obtain the location information of the reference terminal.

[0252] Step 807c: The reference terminal sends a location response message to the LMS, wherein the location information of the reference terminal is included in the location response message.

[0253] It should be understood that the response message used to carry the location information of the reference terminal can be replaced by other messages, such as a notification message, and the type of the message is not limited in the present application.

[0254] Step 808: The LMS determines the location relationship between the reference terminal and the target terminal according to the location information of the reference terminal and the target terminal.

[0255] Step 809: The LMS sends the location relationship between the reference terminal and the target terminal to the VAL server.

[0256] The specific implementation of some steps in the flow shown in FIG. 8 can refer to the related content in FIG. 7.

[0257] In the case where the reference terminal loses the network connection, another alternative of the above flow is that the LMS sends a location request message to a third-party terminal, so as to obtain the location information of the reference terminal through the third-party terminal.

[0258] In the case where the first target terminal loses the network connection, an alternative of the above flow is that the LMS sends a location message to the second target terminal, so as to obtain the location information of the first target terminal through the second target terminal.

[0259] In the case where the first target terminal loses the network connection, another alternative of the above flow is that the LMS sends a location request message to a third-party terminal, so as to obtain the location information of the first target terminal through the third-party terminal.

[0260] In a possible implementation, if the location response message in step 806 or 807c does not include the requested location information, or the location response message indicates that the positioning fails, or the response message indicates that the location request is rejected, or the location relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal cannot be determined according to the accuracy of the location information included in the location response message, the LMS determines that the location relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is “unknown”.

[0261] In a possible implementation, before step 806a or step 807a, the LMS can determine whether to send the location request message, and if it is determined to send the location request message, step 806a or 807a is performed, otherwise the flow can end. For example, the LMS can determine whether to send the location request message based on the following factors: if the ranging accuracy is greater than the value of the proximity range, resulting in the inability to determine the positional relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal according to the ranging result, it is determined not to send the location request message. For another example, the LMS can determine whether to send the location request message according to the distance, moving speed and moving direction of the target terminal and the reference terminal detected last time, such as, if the moving directions of the target terminal and the reference terminal are opposite, and according to the moving speed of the target terminal and the reference terminal and the time interval between the last detection time and the current time, it is predicted that the distance between the target terminal and the reference terminal is greater than the proximity range, it is determined not to send the location request message.

[0262] In an alternative of the flow shown in FIG. 8, the LMS can send a location request message to the core network, for requesting the location information of the terminal losing network connection. The core network can send the location request message to the terminal in network, to trigger the terminal in network to obtain the location information of the terminal losing network connection based on the ranging / SL positioning mode, and send the location information to the core network, and the core network sends the location information to the LMS.

[0263] Referring to FIG. 9, a flow of obtaining the location information of a terminal by the LMS from the core network is shown, the terminal can be a target terminal or a reference terminal. As shown in FIG. 9, the flow can include the following steps:

[0264] Step 901: The LMS sends a LCS service request message to a gateway mobile location center (GMLC) as a LCS client, the request message is used to request to obtain the location information of the terminal, and the request message includes the identity of the terminal, required QoS and the like. Optionally, the identity of the terminal can be a generic public subscription identifier (GPSI) or a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI).

[0265] Step 902: The GMLC sends an obtaining request message to a UDM, for requesting to obtain the address of the AMF currently serving the terminal.

[0266] Step 903: The UDM sends a response message to the GMLC, wherein the response message includes the address of the AMF currently serving the terminal.

[0267] Optionally, the GMLC also acquires a LCS privacy profile from the UDM, and confirms LCS client authorization to acquire the location of the terminal according to the LCS privacy profile.

[0268] Step 904: The GMLC sends a location request message to the AMF to request the location of the terminal, and the request message includes the identity (such as SUPI) of the terminal and the required QoS.

[0269] Step 905: The AMF selects an LMF.

[0270] Optionally, if the terminal is in an idle state, the AMF initiates a service request process before selecting the LMF, and completes the signaling connection between the terminal and the AMF.

[0271] Step 906: The AMF sends a location request message to the LMF to request the current location of the terminal, and the request message includes the serving cell identity of the terminal.

[0272] Step 907: The LMF initiates positioning of the terminal, acquires positioning data by interacting with the RAN and the terminal, and calculates the location information of the terminal.

[0273] Step 908: The LMF sends a response message to the AMF, and the response message includes the location information of the terminal.

[0274] Step 909: The AMF sends a response message to the GMLC, and the response message includes the location information of the terminal.

[0275] Step 910: The GMLC sends a response message to the LMS as a LCS client, and the response message includes the location information of the terminal.

[0276] In order to improve the accuracy of the position relationship awareness, in some embodiments of the present application, if the LMS detects that the network connection of the terminal (target terminal or reference terminal) is lost, the LMS requests the location information of the terminal whose network connection is lost from the core network. The core network can request the terminal in the network to acquire the location information of the terminal whose network connection is lost based on the ranging / SL positioning method, and the core network can send the location information of the terminal whose network connection is lost to the LMS, so that the LMS can still determine the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal when the network connection of the reference terminal or the target terminal is lost.

[0277] Referring to FIG. 10, a schematic diagram of a position location procedure is provided according to an embodiment of the present application. In the procedure, a first terminal is a terminal whose network connection is lost, and a second terminal is a terminal having network connection. For example, the first terminal is a target terminal, and the second terminal is a reference terminal; or the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the second terminal is a target terminal.

[0278] As shown in FIG. 10, the procedure can include the following steps:

[0279] Step 1001: The LMS determines that the network connection of the first terminal is lost.

[0280] The implementation of the step can refer to step 701 in the procedure shown in FIG. 7.

[0281] Step 1002: The LMS sends a request message to a core network element.

[0282] The request message is used to request the position information of the first terminal, or the request message can trigger a ranging / SL position location procedure for the first terminal. Further, the position information of the first terminal is obtained based on the ranging / SL position location procedure. It should be noted that the request message can also be understood as an instruction to obtain the position information of the first terminal based on the ranging / SL position location method.

[0283] In a possible implementation, the request message includes third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the position information of the first terminal is obtained based on the ranging / SL position location method. In another possible implementation, a new type of request message can be defined, and the new type of request message is used to indicate that the position information of the first terminal is obtained based on the ranging / SL position location method.

[0284] The identity of the first terminal in the position request message sent by the LMS to the core network element is used to request the position information of the first terminal. Optionally, the identity of the first terminal can include the application layer identity of the first terminal.

[0285] Optionally, the request message further includes the identity of the second terminal, so that the core network element can send a position request message to the second terminal to request the second terminal to obtain the position information (e.g., absolute position information) of the first terminal based on the ranging / SL position location method. In another implementation, the core network element can select another terminal in network to send a position request message to the terminal to request the terminal to obtain the position information (e.g., absolute position information) of the first terminal based on the ranging / SL position location method. Optionally, the request message can further include the role of the second terminal in the position location (e.g., SL reference UE or target UE), and if the role is not specified, the second terminal is by default an SL reference UE.

[0286] Optionally, the request message may also include information about the vicinity of the reference terminal. In one possible implementation, if the location information requested by the LMS is location relationship information, the LMS can send the vicinity information of the reference terminal to a core network element, which then sends this vicinity information to a second terminal, allowing the second terminal to determine the location relationship between the first and second terminals based on the vicinity information. In another possible implementation, after receiving the absolute or relative location information of the first terminal from the second terminal, the core network element can determine the location relationship information between the first and second terminals based on the vicinity information and send this relationship information to the LMS.

[0287] Optionally, the request message may also include a type of location information, which may include one or more of the following: absolute location, relative location, or location relationship.

[0288] Optionally, the request message may also include the identifier of at least one terminal used to assist in lateral link positioning.

[0289] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned core network element can be an AMF.

[0290] Step 1003: Core network elements trigger ranging / SL positioning process.

[0291] Optionally, the location information of the first terminal can be obtained by triggering the SL-MO-LR or SL-MT-LR process.

[0292] In one optional implementation, the core network element sends a request message to the second terminal, which requests the location information of the first terminal.

[0293] Step 1004: After obtaining the location information of the first terminal, the second terminal sends a response message to the core network element, which includes the location information of the first terminal.

[0294] Optionally, the location information of the first terminal in the response message may include one or more of the following:

[0295] Absolute location information, used to indicate the absolute location of the first terminal;

[0296] Relative position information, used to indicate the relative positions of the first terminal and the second terminal;

[0297] Location relationship information is used to indicate whether the target terminal is within the preset area of ​​the reference terminal.

[0298] Step 1005: Core network elements send a response message to the LMS.

[0299] The response message is used to respond to the request message, and the response message further includes the location information of the first terminal.

[0300] Step 1006: The LMS determines the location relationship between the first terminal and the second terminal according to the location information of the first terminal.

[0301] The implementation of this step can refer to step 705 in the flow shown in FIG. 7.

[0302] Based on the flow shown in FIG. 10, in another possible implementation, if the response message sent by the core network element to the LMS in step 1004 indicates that the positioning of the first terminal fails, the LMS determines that the location relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is “unknown”. The reason for the positioning of the first terminal failing can be that the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is too large, which has exceeded the effective distance of the SL-PRS, and the second terminal cannot perceive the existence of the first terminal.

[0303] Based on the flow shown in FIG. 10, in another possible implementation, before step 1002 is performed, that is, before the LMS sends the request message to the core network element, the following step can be further performed: The LMS determines whether the ranging accuracy of the second terminal is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal. If the ranging accuracy of the second terminal is less than or equal to the proximity range of the reference terminal, the location relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal can be determined according to the ranging result, and therefore the LMS performs step 1002, that is, the LMS sends the request message to the core network element. If the ranging accuracy of the second terminal is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal, the location relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal cannot be determined according to the ranging result, and therefore the LMS does not perform step 1002, that is, the LMS does not send the request message to the core network element.

[0304] Based on the flow shown in FIG. 10, in another possible implementation, before step 1002 is performed, that is, before the LMS sends the request message to the core network element, the following step can be further performed: The LMS predicts the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal according to historical location information (for example, the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal) and / or historical motion information (for example, the motion direction and / or motion speed of the target terminal and the reference terminal) of the first terminal and the second terminal. If the predicted distance is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal, the LMS does not perform step 1002, that is, the LMS does not send the request message to the core network element. If the predicted distance is less than or equal to the proximity range of the reference terminal, the LMS performs step 1002, that is, the LMS sends the request message to the core network element.

[0305] It should be understood that the messages involved in the flow shown in FIG. 10 above can also be replaced by other types or other named messages, and the present application does not limit this. For example, the response message in step 1004 and / or step 1005 can be replaced by a notification message.

[0306] It should be understood that the flow shown in FIG. 10 above is described by taking the LMS sending a request message to the core network element as an example, and in another embodiment, the request message can also be sent by other network devices to the core network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal, and the present application does not limit the type of the network device.

[0307] According to the flow shown in FIG. 10 above, when the network connection of the target terminal or the reference terminal is lost, the core network can be requested to obtain the location information of the terminal whose network connection is lost, and the core network can instruct the terminal in the network to perform ranging / SL positioning to obtain the location information of the terminal whose network connection is lost. Based on the location information, it can be determined whether the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal, so that the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal can be accurately perceived, and the accuracy of the position relationship perception is improved.

[0308] In order to improve the accuracy of the position relationship perception, in another embodiment of the present application, when the network connection of the target terminal or the reference terminal is lost, the terminal whose network connection is lost can initiate ranging and / or SL positioning to obtain the location information of the terminal, and can send the obtained location information during the network connection loss to the LMS after the network connection is restored. In this way, in the case that the network connection of both the target terminal and the reference terminal is lost, causing the LMS to be unable to obtain the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal, the LMS can determine the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal during the network connection loss according to the location information obtained by the target terminal and the reference terminal during the network connection loss.

[0309] Referring to FIG. 11, a position positioning flow diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. The first terminal involved in the flow is a terminal whose network connection is lost. The first terminal can be a target terminal, or can be a reference terminal. In the case that the first terminal is a target terminal, the second terminal is a reference terminal corresponding to the target terminal; in the case that the first terminal is a reference terminal, the second terminal is a target terminal corresponding to the reference terminal.

[0310] As shown in FIG. 11, the flow can include the following steps:

[0311] Step 1101: The first terminal receives configuration information.

[0312] The configuration information is used to instruct obtaining the location information of the terminal based on the ranging / SL positioning mode when there is no network coverage.

[0313] Optionally, the configuration information can comprise an identity of the second terminal. In this way, the first terminal can obtain relative position information between the first terminal and the second terminal, or position relationship information of the first terminal and the second terminal based on the ranging / SL positioning manner.

[0314] Optionally, the configuration information can comprise information of a proximity range of the reference terminal. In this way, the first terminal can obtain position relationship information between the first terminal and the second terminal based on absolute position information or relative position information obtained by the ranging / SL positioning manner and the information of the proximity range.

[0315] Optionally, the configuration information can comprise second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that the ranging / SL positioning is performed in a UE-only operation manner. The UE-only operation manner refers to that, in the ranging / SL positioning, the target terminal can be a SL positioning server terminal, or the target terminal can not be a SL positioning server terminal.

[0316] Optionally, the configuration information can comprise a type of position information, the type of position information comprising one or more of absolute position, relative position, or position relationship.

[0317] Optionally, the configuration information can comprise an identity of at least one terminal used to assist in the SL positioning. Optionally, the identity can be an application layer identity.

[0318] Optionally, the configuration information can comprise time information, the time information being used to indicate a time of performing the ranging / SL positioning. That is, the configuration information can indicate a time condition of triggering the first terminal to obtain the position information based on the ranging / SL positioning manner. The time indicated by the time information can be a continuous time period or a discrete time period, which is not limited in the present application.

[0319] Optionally, the configuration information can comprise position information, the position information being used to indicate that the first terminal obtains the position information based on the ranging / SL positioning manner in a case that the reference terminal is located at a position indicated by the position information. That is, the configuration information can indicate a space condition of triggering the first terminal to obtain the position information based on the ranging / SL positioning manner.

[0320] Optionally, the configuration information can comprise period information, the period information indicating a period of performing the ranging / SL positioning.

[0321] Optionally, the configuration information can comprise frequency information, the frequency information being used to indicate a frequency of performing the ranging / SL positioning.

[0322] Similarly, the LMS can also send the configuration information to the second terminal.

[0323] Step 1101 is an optional step. In another implementation, the first terminal device can also obtain the configuration information in a pre-configuration manner or in another manner.

[0324] Step 1102: When the first terminal detects no network coverage, the first terminal obtains the position information of the first terminal based on the ranging / SL positioning manner.

[0325] In another possible implementation, the condition for triggering the first terminal to obtain the position information based on the ranging / SL positioning can also be that the first terminal detects no network coverage and detects that the second terminal also has no network coverage.

[0326] For example, the first terminal can determine no network coverage when the first terminal cannot search for a network after being started, or finds that the network is lost after searching for the network, or determines no network coverage after several failures or after a specific time of failure.

[0327] In a possible implementation, the first terminal can obtain the position information of the first terminal based on the ranging / SL positioning manner according to the configuration information. For example, the first terminal can initiate a ranging / SL positioning process and obtain the position information of the first terminal based on the process.

[0328] Optionally, when the configuration information indicates a time condition, the first terminal obtains the position information of the first terminal based on the ranging / SL positioning manner within the time indicated by the time information included in the configuration information.

[0329] Optionally, when the configuration information indicates a space condition, the first terminal obtains the position information of the first terminal based on the ranging / SL positioning manner when it is determined that the position of the reference terminal is at the position indicated by the position information included in the configuration information.

[0330] Optionally, when the configuration information includes period information or frequency information, the first terminal can perform ranging / SL positioning according to the period indicated by the period information or according to the frequency indicated by the frequency information.

[0331] Optionally, the first terminal can obtain absolute position information of the first terminal based on the ranging / SL positioning manner. For example, when the type of the position information in the configuration information is absolute position, the first terminal can obtain the absolute position information by initiating a ranging / SL positioning process according to the configuration information.

[0332] Optionally, the first terminal can obtain the relative position information of the first terminal based on the ranging / SL positioning manner. For example, in the case that the type of the position information in the configuration information is relative position, the first terminal can obtain the relative position information according to the configuration information by initiating the ranging / SL positioning procedure. Optionally, the first terminal can obtain the relative position information of the first terminal and the second terminal according to the identity of the second terminal contained in the configuration information.

[0333] Optionally, the first terminal can obtain the relative position information of the first terminal based on the ranging / SL positioning manner. For example, in the case that the type of the position information in the configuration information is relative position, the first terminal can obtain the relative position information according to the configuration information by initiating the ranging / SL positioning procedure. Optionally, the first terminal can obtain the relative position information of the first terminal and the second terminal according to the identity of the second terminal contained in the configuration information.

[0334] Optionally, in the case that the configuration information contains the second indication information, the first terminal can initiate the ranging / SL positioning procedure of the UE-only operation.

[0335] In a possible implementation, the first terminal sets a time for obtaining the position information or timestamps the position information after obtaining the position information.

[0336] Step 1103: After the network coverage is restored, the first terminal sends the position information of the first terminal to the LMS.

[0337] In a possible implementation, after the network coverage is restored, the first terminal can send the position information obtained during the network connection loss to the LMS.

[0338] In another possible implementation, after the network coverage is restored, the first terminal can determine whether the time interval between the time of obtaining the position information during the network connection loss and the time when the network coverage of the first terminal is restored is less than or equal to a threshold value. If yes, the first terminal sends the position information obtained during the network connection loss to the LMS. Otherwise, the first terminal does not send the position information obtained during the network connection loss, and optionally, the first terminal can discard the position information. In this way, the validity of the information can be ensured.

[0339] In another possible implementation, after receiving the position information of the first terminal, the LMS can determine whether the time interval between the time of obtaining the position information and the current time (for example, the time when the network coverage of the first terminal is restored) is less than or equal to a threshold value. If no, the LMS discards the position information. Otherwise, the LMS can send the position information to the LCS server or other server for subsequent analysis.

[0340] According to the flow shown in FIG. 11, when the network connection of the target terminal and / or the reference terminal is lost, the target terminal and / or the reference terminal can obtain the position information based on the ranging / SL positioning in the off-network state, and send the position information to the LMS after the network coverage is restored, for analyzing the position relationship of the target terminal and / or the reference terminal during the off-network state, so as to realize the complete tracking of the position relationship of the target terminal and the reference terminal by the application.

[0341] Applying the flow shown in FIG. 11 to an electronic fence subscription scenario or an AoI event monitoring scenario or the like, it can be monitored whether the target terminal is in a specific area. FIG. 12 exemplarily shows a flow in an electronic fence subscription scenario implemented based on the flow shown in FIG. 11. The flow is described with the number of target terminals being one. It should be understood that the number of target terminals can be more or less, for example, the target terminal can be a group of terminals or a terminal included in a terminal list, and the number of target terminals is not limited in the present application.

[0342] As shown in FIG. 12, the flow can include the following steps:

[0343] Step 1201: The reference terminal and the target terminal respectively send the terminal capability information of themselves to the LMS.

[0344] The implementation of this step can refer to step 801 in the flow shown in FIG. 8.

[0345] Step 1202: The VAL server sends a subscription request message to the LMS, and the request message is used to request to subscribe to the AoI related event.

[0346] The implementation of this step can refer to step 802 in the flow shown in FIG. 8.

[0347] Step 1203: The LMS subscribes to the connection state event of the reference terminal and the target terminal to the core network. The LMS can be notified by the core network when the core network detects that the reference terminal or the target terminal loses the connection.

[0348] The implementation of this step can refer to step 803 in the flow shown in FIG. 8.

[0349] Step 1204: The LMS obtains the position information of the reference terminal and / or the target terminal from the core network.

[0350] The implementation of this step can refer to step 804a in the flow shown in FIG. 8.

[0351] Step 1205: The LMS obtains the position information of the target terminal and / or the reference terminal from the third party server.

[0352] Step 1206: If the LMS determines that the relative relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal changes according to the location information of the target terminal and / or the reference terminal, the LMS sends a notification message to the VAL server.

[0353] For example, the LMS determines that the target terminal moves out of the preset area of the reference terminal according to the location information of the terminals obtained in steps 1204 and 1205, and then sends a notification message to the VAL server. If the target terminal moves back into the preset area of the reference terminal again, the LMS can also send a notification message to the VAL server.

[0354] Step 1207: The LMS sends configuration information to the reference terminal and the target terminal respectively.

[0355] The related description of the configuration information can refer to the related content in the flow shown in FIG. 11.

[0356] If there are multiple target terminals, the LMS sends the configuration information to each target terminal respectively.

[0357] Step 1208: The core network detects that the reference terminal and / or the target terminal has a loss of connectivity event, and sends a notification to the LMS to inform the network connection loss of the target terminal and / or the reference terminal.

[0358] Step 1209: The LMS sends the location relationship information of the target terminal and the reference terminal to the VAL server, and the location relationship information is “unknown”.

[0359] Optionally, the LMS can also send a reason value to the VAL server, and the reason value indicates that the reason for the location relationship being “unknown” is the network connection loss of the target terminal and / or the reference terminal.

[0360] Steps 1210a and 1210b: The reference terminal detects that there is no network coverage, and then initiates ranging / SL positioning according to the configuration information to obtain the location information of the reference terminal. Similarly, the target terminal detects that there is no network coverage, and then initiates ranging / SL positioning according to the configuration information to obtain the location information of the target terminal.

[0361] Optionally, the reference terminal initiates ranging / SL positioning only when it is determined that both the reference terminal and the target terminal are in the network coverage. Similarly, the target terminal initiates ranging / SL positioning only when it is determined that both the target terminal and the reference terminal are in the network coverage.

[0362] The implementation manner of this step can refer to the related content in the flow shown in FIG. 11.

[0363] Steps 1211a and 1211b: When the network coverage of the reference terminal is restored, the reference terminal sends the location information obtained during the network coverage loss to the LMS. Similarly, when the network coverage of the target terminal is restored, the target terminal sends the location information obtained during the network coverage loss to the LMS.

[0364] The implementation of this step can refer to the related content in the flow shown in FIG. 11.

[0365] Step 1212: After receiving the location information sent by the reference terminal and / or the target terminal, the LMS processes the location information.

[0366] For example, the LMS can sort the location information of the target terminal and the reference terminal at the same time or in the same time period according to the acquisition time of the location information, so as to subsequently determine the location relationship of the target terminal and the reference terminal at the same time or in the same time period.

[0367] Step 1213: The LMS sends the location information of the target terminal and the reference terminal during the network coverage loss to the VAL server.

[0368] The specific implementation of this step can refer to the related content in the flow shown in FIG. 11.

[0369] In another possible implementation, the LMS can obtain the location relationship information of the target terminal and the reference terminal during the network coverage loss according to the received location information, and send the location relationship information to the VAL server.

[0370] Step 1214: The VAL server can obtain the location relationship of the target terminal and the reference terminal during the network coverage loss according to the received location information.

[0371] It should be understood that the messages involved in the flow shown in FIG. 12 can also be replaced by other types or other names of messages, which are not limited in the present application.

[0372] It should be understood that the flow shown in FIG. 7 (or FIG. 8) can be executed independently; the flow shown in FIG. 10 can be executed independently; and the flow shown in FIG. 11 (or FIG. 12) can be executed independently.

[0373] In some possible scenarios, the flow shown in FIG. 7 (or FIG. 8) can also be combined with the flow shown in FIG. 11 (or FIG. 12). For example, when the LMS determines that the target terminal (or the reference terminal) loses the network connection, the reference terminal (or the target terminal) can be requested to obtain the location information of the target terminal (or the reference terminal). When the target terminal (or the reference terminal) has no network coverage, the location information of the target terminal (or the reference terminal) can be obtained based on the ranging / SL positioning, and reported to the LMS.

[0374] In some other possible scenarios, the flow shown in FIG. 10 can also be combined with the flow shown in FIG. 11 (or FIG. 12). For example, when the LMS determines that the target terminal (or the reference terminal) loses the network connection, the LMS can request the core network to obtain the location information of the target terminal (or the reference terminal). When the target terminal (or the reference terminal) is out of network coverage, the target terminal (or the reference terminal) can obtain its own location information based on the ranging / SL positioning, and report the location information to the LMS.

[0375] It can be understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the network device and the terminal device include the hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and method steps of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be realized in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is implemented in hardware or computer software driven hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0376] FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are structural schematic diagrams of possible communication apparatuses provided by the embodiments of the present application. The communication apparatuses can be used to implement the functions of the related devices (for example, the performance analysis function entity, or the optimization function entity, or the service management consumer) in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus can be the above device or a module (such as a chip) in the above device.

[0377] As shown in FIG. 13, the communication apparatus 1300 includes a processing unit 1310 and a transceiver unit 1320. The communication apparatus 1300 is used to implement the functions of the related devices in the method embodiments shown in any one of FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, or FIG. 7.

[0378] When the communication apparatus 1300 is used to implement the functions of the LMS in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, the processing unit 1310 is configured to, when a connection between a first terminal and a network is lost, send, through the transceiver unit 1320, a request message to a second terminal having a network connection, the request message being used to request location information of the first terminal; and the transceiver unit 1320 is configured to receive a response message, the response message being used to respond to the request message.

[0379] When the communication apparatus 1300 is used to implement the functions of the LMS in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 10, the processing unit 1310 is configured to, when a connection between a first terminal and a network is lost, send, through the transceiver unit 1320, a request message to a core network network element, the request message being used to request location information of the first terminal; and the transceiver unit 1320 is configured to receive a response message, the response message being used to respond to the request message.

[0380] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the LMS in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. 12, the processing unit 1310 is configured to obtain the location information of the first terminal based on the ranging and / or sidelink positioning manner when detecting that the first terminal is out of network coverage, and send the location information of the first terminal to the location management server through the transceiver 1320 after the network coverage of the first terminal is restored.

[0381] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the function of the location management server in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. 12, the processing unit 1310 is configured to send configuration information to the first terminal through the transceiver 1320, the configuration information being used to instruct the first terminal to obtain the location information of the first terminal based on the ranging and / or sidelink positioning manner when out of network coverage, and the transceiver 1320 is configured to receive the location information from the first terminal.

[0382] The above processing unit 1310 and transceiver 1320 can be directly described in more detail by referring to the above-mentioned method embodiments shown in the above-mentioned figures, and will not be described here.

[0383] Some embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus 1400, which comprises a processor 1410. The processor 1410 can include one or more processors, or all or part of the circuit for controlling or processing functions of one or more processors.

[0384] The communication apparatus 1400 can further comprise an interface circuit 1420.

[0385] The interface circuit 1420 can be a transceiver or a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. When the communication apparatus 1400 is a chip for a device, the interface circuit 1420 can be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. Alternatively, the communication circuit can be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit.

[0386] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1400 can further comprise a memory 1430. The memory 1430 is used to store instructions executed by the processor or to store input data required by the processor to run instructions or to store data generated after the processor runs instructions.

[0387] When the communication apparatus 1400 is configured to implement the above-mentioned method, the processor is configured to implement the function of the above-mentioned processing unit, and the communication circuit is configured to implement the function of the above-mentioned transceiver.

[0388] When the communication apparatus 1400 is a chip applied to the device, the chip implements the functions of the corresponding device in the method embodiments. The chip receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the device, and the information is sent by other devices to the device; or the chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the device.

[0389] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0390] In the present application, another example of a communication apparatus is provided, which includes at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one processor and the at least one memory are coupled, the at least one memory is used to store instructions, when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the communication apparatus executes the method in the above embodiments. Taking the communication apparatus including one processor and one memory as an example, as shown in FIG. 14, the communication apparatus 1400 includes one processor 1410 and one memory 1430. The processor 1410 and the memory 1430 are coupled, and the memory 1430 stores instructions, when the instructions stored in the memory 1430 are executed by the processor 1410, the communication apparatus 1400 executes the method executed by the related device in the above embodiments.

[0391] It should be understood that the processor 1410 and the memory 1430 can also be integrated together, such as integrated in one chip.

[0392] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a network-side device or a terminal-side device. The processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the network-side device or the terminal-side device.

[0393] In the above embodiments, the implementation can be entirely or partially achieved by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, the implementation can be 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 programs or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are entirely or partially performed. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a server, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable devices. The computer programs 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 programs or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another by wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. integrated with one or more available media. The available media can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disc; and a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state disk. The computer-readable storage medium can be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile storage media.

[0394] In various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced if there is no special description and no logical conflict. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0395] In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more. The "and / or" describes the relationship between the associated objects, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist together, B exists alone, where A, B can be singular or plural. In the text description of the present application, the character " / ", generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship; in the formula of the present application, the character " / ", indicates that the associated objects before and after are in a "division" relationship. "Including at least one of A, B and C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B and C.

[0396] It can be understood that various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only distinguished for convenience of description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the serial number of the above processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to its function and inherent logic.

Claims

A method of position location, characterized in that Comprising: When the connection between the first terminal and the network is lost, a request message is sent to a second terminal with network connection, the request message being used to request the location information of the first terminal; A response message is received, the response message being used to respond to the request message. The method of claim 1, wherein The first indication information in the request message is used to indicate that the location information of the first terminal is obtained based on ranging and / or sidelink positioning mode. The method of any one of claims 1-2, wherein The first terminal is a target terminal, the second terminal is a reference terminal, or the first terminal is a reference terminal, the second terminal is a target terminal, or the first terminal is a target terminal, the second terminal is a third-party terminal, or the first terminal is a reference terminal, the second terminal is a third-party terminal; The location information of the first terminal is included in the response message, and the method further comprises: According to the location information of the first terminal, the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is determined; Or, the first terminal is a first target terminal, and the second terminal is a second target terminal; the location information of the first terminal is included in the response message, and the method further comprises: According to the location information of the first terminal, the position relationship between the first target terminal and the reference terminal is determined. The method of claim 3, wherein The location information of the first terminal included in the response message includes one or more of the following: Absolute position information, used to indicate the absolute position of the first terminal; Relative position information, used to indicate the relative position of the target terminal and the reference terminal; Position relationship information, used to indicate whether the target terminal is in a preset area of the reference terminal. The method of claim 4, wherein The information of the proximity range of the reference terminal is included in the request message, and the location information included in the response message is the position relationship information of the first terminal, and the information of the proximity range is used to determine the preset area. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that In the case where the second terminal is a terminal other than a reference terminal, the request message includes the identifier of the reference terminal, or includes the identifier of the reference terminal and the location information of the reference terminal; or, In the case where the second terminal is a terminal other than a target terminal, the request message includes the identifier of the target terminal, or includes the identifier of the target terminal and the location information of the target terminal. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that The first terminal is a target terminal, and the location information of the first terminal included in the response message is the absolute position information of the target terminal; The determination of the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal according to the location information of the first terminal comprises: If the distance between the absolute position of the target terminal indicated by the absolute position information and the reference terminal is less than or equal to the proximity range of the reference terminal, it is determined that the position relationship is that the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal; or If the distance between the absolute position of the target terminal indicated by the absolute position information and the reference terminal is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal, it is determined that the position relationship is that the target terminal is outside the preset area of the reference terminal; The information of the proximity range is used for determining the preset area. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that The first terminal is a reference terminal, and the position information of the first terminal included in the response message is absolute position information of the reference terminal. The position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is determined according to the position information of the first terminal, including: If the distance between the absolute position indicated by the absolute position information of the reference terminal and the target terminal is less than or equal to the proximity range of the reference terminal, it is determined that the position relationship is that the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal; or If the distance between the absolute position indicated by the absolute position information of the reference terminal and the target terminal is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal, it is determined that the position relationship is that the target terminal is outside the preset area of the reference terminal. The information of the proximity range is used for determining the preset area. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that The first terminal is a target terminal or a reference terminal, and the position information of the first terminal included in the response message is relative position information of the first terminal, the relative position indicated by the relative position information being a distance between the target terminal and the reference terminal. The position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is determined according to the position information of the first terminal, including: If the distance indicated by the relative position information is less than or equal to the proximity range of the reference terminal, it is determined that the position relationship is that the target terminal is in the preset area of the reference terminal; or If the distance indicated by the relative position information is greater than the proximity range of the reference terminal, it is determined that the position relationship is that the target terminal is outside the preset area of the reference terminal. The information of the proximity range is used for determining the preset area. The method of any one of claims 1-2, wherein The first terminal is a target terminal, and the second terminal is a reference terminal; or, the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the second terminal is a target terminal; or, the first terminal is a target terminal, and the second terminal is a terminal other than the reference terminal; or, the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the second terminal is a terminal other than the target terminal. The response message indicates that the first terminal fails to be positioned, and the method further includes: Determining that the position relationship between the target terminal and the reference terminal is unknown. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The request message includes an identifier of the first terminal. The method of claim 11, wherein The request message further includes one or more of the following: Type of position information, the type of position information including one or more of absolute position, relative position, or position relationship; An identifier of at least one terminal used to assist in sidelink positioning. A method of position location, characterized in that Including: When it is detected that the first terminal has no network coverage, obtaining position information of the first terminal based on a ranging and / or sidelink positioning manner; After network coverage of the first terminal is restored, sending the position information of the first terminal to a positioning management server. The method of claim 13, wherein Further including: Receiving configuration information, the configuration information being used to indicate that the first terminal obtains position information of the first terminal based on a ranging and / or sidelink positioning manner when there is no network coverage; The position information of the first terminal is obtained based on the ranging and / or sidelink positioning manner according to the configuration information. The position information of the first terminal is obtained based on the ranging and / or sidelink positioning manner according to the configuration information. The method of claim 14, wherein The configuration information comprises one or more of the following: Second indication information, used for indicating that the ranging and / or sidelink positioning is performed in a terminal-limited operation manner; An identifier of a second terminal; wherein the first terminal is a target terminal, and the second terminal is a reference terminal, or the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the second terminal is a target terminal; Information of a proximity range of the reference terminal; A type of position information, the type of position information comprising one or more of an absolute position, a relative position, or a position relationship; An identifier of at least one terminal, the at least one terminal being used for assisting in the sidelink positioning; Time information, used for indicating a time of performing the ranging and / or sidelink positioning; Position information, used for indicating that the position information of the first terminal is obtained based on the ranging and / or sidelink positioning manner in a case that the reference terminal is located at a position indicated by the position information; Period information, used for indicating a period of performing the ranging and / or sidelink positioning; Frequency information, used for indicating a frequency of performing the ranging and / or sidelink positioning. The method of claim 15, wherein The type of position information comprised in the configuration information is a relative position, and the position information of the first terminal is obtained based on the ranging and / or sidelink positioning manner according to the configuration information, comprising: According to the type of position information, the ranging and / or sidelink positioning is initiated to obtain relative position information of the first terminal, the relative position information indicating a relative position between the first terminal and a second terminal; Wherein, the first terminal is a target terminal, and the second terminal is a reference terminal, or the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the second terminal is a target terminal; the relative position information is used for indicating a relative position between the target terminal and the reference terminal. The method of claim 16, wherein The configuration information further comprises an identifier of the second terminal, or comprises the identifier of the second terminal and position information of the second terminal. The method of claim 15, wherein The type of position information comprised in the configuration information is a position relationship, and the position information of the first terminal is obtained based on the ranging and / or sidelink positioning manner according to the configuration information, comprising: According to the type of position information, the ranging and / or sidelink positioning is initiated to obtain position relationship information of the first terminal; Wherein, the first terminal is a target terminal, and the second terminal is a reference terminal, or the first terminal is a reference terminal, and the second terminal is a target terminal; the position relationship information is used for indicating whether the target terminal is in a preset area of the reference terminal. The method of claim 18, wherein The configuration information further comprises an identifier of the second terminal and proximity range information of the reference terminal, the proximity range information being used for determining the preset area. The method according to any one of claims 13-19, characterized in that The sending of the position information of the first terminal to the positioning management server comprises: If a time interval between a time of obtaining the location information of the first terminal and a time of network coverage recovery of the first terminal is less than or equal to a threshold, the location information of the first terminal is sent to the positioning server. A method of position location, characterized in that Comprising: Configuration information is sent to a first terminal, the configuration information being used to instruct the first terminal to obtain location information of the first terminal based on ranging and / or sidelink positioning when there is no network coverage; Receiving location information from the first terminal. The method of claim 21, wherein The configuration information comprises one or more of the following: Second indication information is used to instruct ranging and / or sidelink positioning in a terminal-only operation mode; An identity of a second terminal; wherein the first terminal is a target terminal and the second terminal is a reference terminal, or the first terminal is a reference terminal and the second terminal is a target terminal; Information of a proximity range of a reference terminal; A type of location information, the type of location information comprising one or more of an absolute position, a relative position, or a position relationship; An identity of at least one terminal used to assist in sidelink positioning; Time information is used to indicate a time of execution of ranging and / or sidelink positioning; Location information is used to indicate that the location information of the first terminal is obtained based on ranging and / or sidelink positioning when the reference terminal is located at a position indicated by the location information; Period information is used to indicate a period of execution of ranging and / or sidelink positioning; Frequency information is used to indicate a frequency of execution of ranging and / or sidelink positioning. A communication device, characterized by Comprising units or modules for performing the method of any one of claims 1-12, or units or modules for performing the method of any one of claims 13-20, or units or modules for performing the method of any one of claims 21-22. A communication device characterized by comprising: Comprising: One or more processors configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-12, or the method of any one of claims 13-20, or the method of any one of claims 21-22. A readable storage medium characterized by, The readable storage medium stores a program or instructions, when the program or instructions run on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-12, or the method of any one of claims 13-20, or the method of any one of claims 21-22. A chip or chip system, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a program; when the program runs on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-12, or the method of any one of claims 13-20, or the method of any one of claims 21-22. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a program; when the program runs on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-12, or the method of any one of claims 13-20, or the method of any one of claims 21-22.

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