Positioning method, electronic device, and computer program product

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure are a positioning method, an electronic device, and a computer program product. The method comprises: transmitting rebound indication information to a second node, wherein the rebound indication information is used for instructing the second node to perform signal rebound; transmitting signal configuration information to a third node, wherein the signal configuration information is used for performing transmission configuration or reception configuration of a reference signal; and receiving a rebounded reference signal from the second node, or, receiving from the third node a measurement result obtained by the third node on the basis of a received reference signal.

Description

Positioning methods, electronic devices and computer program products

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This disclosure is based on and claims priority to Chinese patent application CN202411219357.9, filed on August 30, 2024, entitled “Positioning Method, Electronic Device and Computer Program Product”, and incorporates the entire contents of that patent application by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a positioning method, electronic device, and computer program product. Background Technology

[0004] With the development of technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) is being used more and more widely in the field of wireless communication. The IoT connects multiple things to improve production efficiency or enhance living comfort. Because the IoT requires the deployment of a large number of devices, the requirements for these devices are typically small size, low power consumption, and low complexity. Based on these design requirements, some IoT devices do not have energy storage devices; these devices need to obtain energy from the surrounding environment and transmit signals through backscattering. Typically, the transmission power of the backscattered uplink signal or the uplink signal generated by the IoT device is relatively low, thus limiting its signal transmission distance. When the distance between the IoT device and the base station is large, it cannot achieve good two-way communication with the base station, making it impossible for the base station to obtain the location of the IoT device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a positioning method, electronic device, and computer program product that can achieve positioning between nodes.

[0006] The first technical solution disclosed herein provides a positioning method. This method is applied to a first node and includes sending bounce indication information to a second node, the bounce indication information instructing the second node to bounce a signal; sending signal configuration information to a third node, the signal configuration information being used to configure the transmission or reception of a reference signal; and receiving the bounced reference signal from the second node, or receiving a measurement result obtained by the third node based on the received reference signal from the third node.

[0007] The second technical solution disclosed herein provides a positioning method. This method is applied to a second node and includes receiving bounce indication information sent by a first node, the bounce indication information being used to instruct the second node to perform signal bounce; and sending a bounce signal, the bounce signal being a reference signal for the bounce, the reference signal being sent by either the first node or a third node.

[0008] The third technical solution disclosed herein provides a positioning method. This method is applied to a third node and includes receiving signal configuration information sent by a first node; sending a reference signal according to the signal configuration information; or receiving the reference signal according to the signal configuration information and sending a measurement result obtained based on the received reference signal to the first node.

[0009] The fourth technical solution of this disclosure provides an electronic device. This electronic device includes a memory and a processor, the memory being used to store program data, the program data being executable by the processor to implement the method as described in the first technical solution.

[0010] The fifth technical solution of this disclosure provides an electronic device. This electronic device includes a memory and a processor, the memory being used to store program data, the program data being executable by the processor to implement the method described in the second technical solution.

[0011] The sixth technical solution of this disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a memory and a processor, the memory being used to store program data, the program data being executable by the processor to implement the method described in the third technical solution.

[0012] The seventh technical solution of this disclosure provides a computer program product. This computer program product stores program data and can be executed by a processor to implement the methods described in the first to third technical solutions. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0014] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating the first embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure;

[0015] Figure 2 is a time-frequency domain schematic diagram of a reference signal transmission and bounce embodiment;

[0016] Figure 3 is yet another time-frequency domain schematic diagram of the reference signal transmission and bounce embodiment;

[0017] Figure 4 is a time-frequency domain schematic diagram of an embodiment of the on-demand synchronous broadcast signal and the associated normal synchronous broadcast signal;

[0018] Figure 5 is a time-frequency domain schematic diagram of an embodiment of a normal synchronous broadcast signal and a bounced synchronous broadcast signal;

[0019] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the second embodiment of the positioning method disclosed herein;

[0020] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the third embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure;

[0021] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the fourth embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure;

[0022] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the fifth embodiment of the positioning method disclosed herein;

[0023] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the sixth embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure;

[0024] Figure 11 is a flowchart of the seventh embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure;

[0025] Figure 12 is a flowchart of the eighth embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure;

[0026] Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating the ninth embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure;

[0027] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the electronic device disclosed herein;

[0028] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second embodiment of the electronic device disclosed herein;

[0029] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a third embodiment of the electronic device disclosed herein;

[0030] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the computer program product disclosed herein. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this disclosure, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0032] The terms “first,” “second,” etc., used in this disclosure are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a particular order. Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0033] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0034] Referring to Figure 1, which is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure, the method is applied to a first node and includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0035] S11: Send a bounce indication message to the second node. The bounce indication message is used to instruct the second node to perform a signal bounce.

[0036] The first node is a device node that wants to obtain the location information of the second node. When the first node wants to obtain the location information of the second node, it sends a bounce indication message to the second node. The bounce indication message is information that instructs the node to perform signal bounce. After receiving the bounce indication message, the second node will perform signal bounce according to the relevant parameter information in the bounce indication message.

[0037] Signal bounce is a reflection state of a device node's antenna. When a second node performs signal bounce, it reflects all the received signal.

[0038] S12: Send signal configuration information to the third node. The signal configuration information is used to configure the transmission or reception of reference signals.

[0039] Since a reliable bidirectional communication connection may not be established between the first and second nodes, a third node is used to assist the first node in locating the second node. This assistance from the third node includes either receiving reference signals bounced back from the second node or sending reference signals to the second node. Before sending or receiving the bounced reference signals, the first node sends signal configuration information to the third node, instructing it to configure the transmission or reception of the reference signals.

[0040] The signal configuration information used to instruct the third node to transmit a reference signal includes at least one of the following: a reference signal, a frequency domain configuration for transmitting the reference signal, a time domain configuration for transmitting the reference signal, and a transmission period of the reference signal.

[0041] The signal configuration information used to instruct the third node to receive the reference signal includes at least one of the following: a reference signal, a frequency domain configuration for receiving the reference signal, a time domain configuration for receiving the reference signal, and a transmission period of the reference signal.

[0042] The steps of sending the bounce indication information to the second node and sending the signal configuration information to the third node can be performed simultaneously or sequentially. The bounce indication information can be sent to the second node first, or the signal configuration information can be sent to the third node first. In this embodiment, the order of the step numbers does not limit their actual execution time.

[0043] S13: Receive the bounced reference signal from the second node, or receive the measurement result obtained by the third node based on the received reference signal from the third node.

[0044] After sending a bounce indication message to the second node and signal configuration information to the third node, the first node receives the reference signal bounced by the second node. The first node can then determine the location of the second node based on this reference signal. Alternatively, the first node receives a measurement result from the third node, which is derived by the third node based on a reference signal received by the third node, including the bounced reference signal from the second node. The first node can then determine the location of the second node based on this measurement result.

[0045] In this embodiment, the first node may include a base station, the second node is the device to be located, which may include an Ambient-IoT device, and the third node is a relay device, which may include a User Equipment (UE).

[0046] In some embodiments, the first node may include an LMF (Location Management Function).

[0047] In this embodiment, the first node sends a bounce indication message to the second node, instructing the second node to bounce the signal. The first node sends signal configuration information to the third node, which sends or receives a reference signal to assist the first node in obtaining the location information of the second node. Finally, the first node receives the bounced reference signal from the second node or receives the measurement result from the third node, and obtains the location information of the second node based on the bounced reference signal or the measurement result.

[0048] In some embodiments, the bounce indication information includes signaling, which includes preamble information used to instruct the second node to perform signal bounce. The bounce indication information can be signaling, which refers to control commands, signals, or information within the system. When the bounce indication information is signaling, the signaling may only include the preamble information. When the second node receives this signaling that only includes the preamble information, it begins signal bounce according to a predefined time and a predefined frequency offset.

[0049] In some embodiments, when the bounce indication information is a signaling message that includes only preamble information, the preamble information is different from the preamble information of other signaling messages that carry information.

[0050] In some embodiments, when the bounce indication information is signaling that includes only preamble information, the preamble information is specific information used to trigger the signal bounce.

[0051] In some embodiments, the bounce indication information includes signaling, which includes at least one of a frequency offset value, a time offset value, a bounce duration, a bounce frequency, identification information of the second node, and a bounce indication. When the second node performs signal bounce, it may perform frequency shifting. Frequency shifting refers to a frequency offset between the bounced signal and the received signal during signal bounce. Frequency shifting is used to reduce interference between the bounced signal and the received signal. The time offset value is the time offset between the start time of the signal bounce and the time when the indicated time offset value or the bounce indication information indicating signal bounce is received. The bounce duration is the duration of the signal bounce by the second node. The bounce frequency is the frequency of the signal bounced by the second node. The identification information of the second node is device identification information used to identify the second node, including a tag number, ID, corresponding RN (Registered Identification Number), corresponding random number, etc. The bounce indication is information used to instruct the node to perform signal bounce, for example, using a 0 or 1 bit as the identifier for the bounce indication.

[0052] For frequency offset values, for example, one or more frequency offset values ​​can be predefined, and the bounce indication information can indicate one of these frequency offset values.

[0053] In some embodiments, the bounce indication information may not include a frequency offset value. When the second node receives the bounce indication information excluding the frequency offset value, it can perform signal bounce according to a predefined frequency offset value.

[0054] For time offset values, for example, one or more frequency offset values ​​can be predefined, and the bounce indication information can indicate one of these time offset values.

[0055] In some embodiments, the bounce indication information may not include a time offset value. When the second node receives the bounce indication information without a time offset value, it can bounce the signal according to a predefined time offset value.

[0056] In some embodiments, the time offset value includes the maximum and / or minimum time offset between the start time of the bounce reference signal and the time when the second node receives the bounce indication information.

[0057] The maximum time offset indicates that the second node needs to start signal bounce before the time specified by the maximum time offset after receiving the bounce indication information. The minimum time offset indicates that the second node needs to start signal bounce at least after the time specified by the minimum time offset after receiving the bounce indication information.

[0058] For duration, for example, one or more durations can be predefined, and the bounce indication information can indicate one of these durations. The unit of duration can include one of the following: milliseconds, microseconds, number of OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols, number of chips, and time units. Time units can be predefined or indicated in the bounce indication information. What is defined and indicated is the length of the time unit and / or the bounce frequency. The bounce frequency can be used to calculate the length of the time unit or the length of the chips.

[0059] In some embodiments, the bounce indication information may not include a duration. When the second node receives a bounce indication information that does not include a duration, it can bounce the signal for a predefined duration.

[0060] In some embodiments, the bounce duration includes the maximum and / or minimum duration of the signal bounce by the second node.

[0061] The maximum duration represents the longest time the second node performs a signal bounce. The minimum duration represents the shortest time the second node performs a signal bounce.

[0062] In some embodiments, the bounce indication information may not include the duration, and the second node bounces the signal until the second node has no energy.

[0063] For bounce frequencies, for example, one or more bounce frequencies can be predefined, and the bounce indication information can indicate one of the bounce frequencies.

[0064] In some embodiments, the bounce indication information may not include the bounce frequency. When the second node receives bounce indication information that does not include the bounce frequency, it can bounce the signal according to a predefined bounce frequency.

[0065] When the first node receives a reference signal bounced back by the second node, the first node needs to send signal configuration information to the third node beforehand. This signal configuration information instructs the third node to configure the transmission of the reference signal. When the first node receives a measurement result sent by the third node, the first node also needs to send signal configuration information to the third node beforehand. This signal configuration information instructs the third node to configure the reception of the reference signal.

[0066] In some embodiments, the reference signal is sent by a third node, and the reference signal includes at least one of the following: a detection reference signal, a first preset signal, and a second preset signal. When the reference signal is sent by the third node and reflected back to the first node by the second node, since the distance between the third node and the second node is closer than the distance between the first node and the second node, the power of the reference signal reflected by the second node from the third node can be greater than the power of the reference signal reflected by the second node from the first node, thus enabling the reference signal reflected by the second node to be transmitted to the first node.

[0067] In some embodiments, the third node does not transmit other signals within the corresponding time and frequency domains of the reference signal it transmits. This is to reduce interference from other signals to the reference signal. For example, when the third node is a UE and the first node is a base station, the UE does not transmit other uplink signals within the corresponding time and frequency domains of the reference signal it transmits, thus avoiding interference with the reference signal bounced back to the base station from the second node.

[0068] In some embodiments, the frequency domain corresponding to the reference signal transmitted by the third node includes at least one of the following: a predefined frequency domain, an uplink active portion bandwidth, a predefined portion bandwidth, a frequency domain configured by higher-layer signaling, the frequency domain where the reference signal transmitted by the third node is located, the frequency domain where the reference signal bounced by the second node is located, the frequency domain between the frequency domain where the reference signal transmitted by the third node is located and the frequency domain where the reference signal bounced by the second node is located, and other frequency domains within a first preset frequency domain range where the reference signal transmitted by the third node and / or the reference signal bounced by the second node are located. The first preset frequency domain range is a frequency domain range that includes the frequency domain where the reference signal transmitted by the third node is located.

[0069] In some embodiments, the time domain corresponding to the reference signal transmitted by the third node includes at least one of the following: a predefined time domain, a time domain configured by higher-layer signaling, a time domain in which the reference signal transmitted by the third node is located, a time domain between the time domains in which the reference signal transmitted by the third node is located, and other time domains within a first preset time domain range of the time domain in which the reference signal transmitted by the third node is located. The first preset time domain range is a time domain range that includes the time domain in which the reference signal transmitted by the third node is located. Wherein, the time domain between the time domains in which the reference signal transmitted by the third node is located refers to the fact that, in some embodiments, the reference signal is not continuous in time; therefore, there are some time domain symbols (such as OFDM symbols) between the time domain symbols in which the reference signal is located that do not transmit the reference signal. These time domain symbols that do not transmit the reference signal constitute the time domain between the time domains in which the reference signal is transmitted.

[0070] In some embodiments, the reference signal includes a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS). After the first node sends bounce indication information to the second node and signal configuration information to the third node, the third node sends the SRS. The second node bounces the SRS, and the first node receives the bounced SRS from the second node to locate the second node.

[0071] In some embodiments, the reference signal includes a sounding reference signal (SRS). After the first node sends bounce indication information to the second node and signal configuration information to the third node, the third node sends the SRS to the second node. The second node bounces the SRS, and the first node receives the bounced SRS from the second node to locate the second node.

[0072] Before the third node sends the SRS, the first node needs to configure the third node to send the probe reference signal or trigger the third node to send the probe reference signal. The configuration of the third node is achieved through signal configuration information. This signal configuration information includes the transmission configuration used to instruct the third node to send the reference signal.

[0073] The uses of SRS can be categorized into five types: beam management, codebook, non-codebook, antenna switching, and positioning. The time-domain behavior of SRS can be classified into three types: periodic, aperiodic, and semi-persistent. The frequency domain bandwidth of SRS can be configured to range from 4 to 272 PRBs (Physical Resource Blocks). Except for SRS used for positioning, which requires LMF signaling triggering, other SRS can be controlled by the base station.

[0074] In some embodiments, the SRS can be configured such that the first node can configure the same aperiodic SRS resource for one or more third nodes. The same SRS resource refers to an SRS resource that has the same time domain location, frequency domain location, sequence, and CDM (code division multiplexing).

[0075] In some embodiments, one or more third nodes are located within the same region.

[0076] In some embodiments, aperiodic SRS can be triggered by a group command DCI (Downlink Control Information). A group command DCI is a DCI sent to multiple third nodes. It includes information indicating relevant commands to one or more third nodes. Sending a DCI by a first node can trigger aperiodic SRS transmissions by one or more third nodes.

[0077] In some embodiments, the DCI that triggers aperiodic SRS includes a group ID, which corresponds to one or more third nodes. The signaling that triggers aperiodic SRS can trigger one or more third nodes to send an indication of aperiodic SRS.

[0078] In some embodiments, the signal configuration information of the SRS includes the SRS ID in the cell. Typically, the SRS ID is configured based on the SRS configured by the third node. For example, if the third node has four SRS resource sets configured, then the IDs of the SRS resource sets are 0, 1, 2, and 3. The SRS ID in the cell refers to the ID of all corresponding SRSs within the cell for that SRS.

[0079] In some embodiments, for the same third node, the signal configuration information includes an SRS with a cell SRS ID, and the corresponding cell SRS ID does not necessarily have to start from 0.

[0080] In some embodiments, the signaling that triggers SRS indicates the cell SRS ID.

[0081] In some embodiments, a third node configured with a cell SRS ID within a cell can trigger the SRS corresponding to that cell SRS ID. For example, if the DCI indicates that a certain cell SRS ID should be triggered, all UEs within the cell that have configured that cell SRS ID will have their corresponding SRS sent triggered.

[0082] In some embodiments, the SRS can be configured by setting up a specific SRS for assisting in the positioning of the second node.

[0083] In some embodiments, the SRS used to assist the second node in positioning is aperiodic. This is to save energy for the third node, as it consumes fewer resources compared to periodically sending SRS.

[0084] In some embodiments, the SRS used to assist in the positioning of the second node is a Pos-SRS (positioning sounding reference signals). Pos-SRS is an SRS used for UE positioning. Through this SRS, the second node can be located simultaneously with the third node.

[0085] In some embodiments, the SRS used to assist in the positioning of the second node has 2 comb teeth.

[0086] In some embodiments, the SRS used to assist in the positioning of the second node has 4 comb teeth.

[0087] In some embodiments, the number of Resource Blocks (RBs) occupied by the SRS used to assist in the location of the second node is less than or equal to a first threshold. The first threshold is a positive integer within the range of (0, 32). For example, if the first threshold is 24, the SRS used to assist in the location of the second node occupies 4 RBs.

[0088] In some embodiments, the frequency domain resources of the SRS used to assist in the localization of the second node are configured as frequency domain resources with an index less than or equal to a second threshold. The second threshold is an integer within the range of [0, 9]. Each index corresponds to a bandwidth configuration. For example, index 0 corresponds to 4 PRB, index 1 corresponds to 8 PRB, index 2 corresponds to 12 PRB, and so on, i.e., index X corresponds to 4*(X+1) PRB.

[0089] In some embodiments, the SRS used to assist in the positioning of the second node does not perform frequency hopping during transmission.

[0090] When the reference signal sent by the third node includes SRS, the third node does not send other signals in the corresponding time domain and frequency domain of the signal.

[0091] The corresponding frequency domain includes at least one of the following: a predefined frequency domain, the uplink active portion bandwidth, a predefined portion bandwidth, the frequency domain configured by higher-layer signaling, the frequency domain where the SRS transmitted by the third node is located, the frequency domain where the SRS bounced back by the second node is located, the frequency domain between the frequency domains where the SRS transmitted by the third node and the SRS bounced back by the second node are located, and other frequency domains within the first preset frequency domain range where the SRS transmitted by the third node and / or the SRS bounced back by the second node are located. The first preset frequency domain range is a frequency domain range that includes the frequency domains where the SRS transmitted by the third node and / or the SRS bounced back by the second node are located.

[0092] The corresponding time domain includes at least one of the following: a predefined time domain, a time domain configured by higher-layer signaling, a time domain in which the SRS transmitted by the third node is located, a time domain between time domains in which the SRS transmitted by the third node is located, and other time domains within a first preset time domain range of the time domain in which the SRS transmitted by the third node is located. The first preset time domain range is a time domain range that includes the time domain in which the SRS transmitted by the third node is located. For example, other time domains within the first preset time domain range of the time domain in which the SRS transmitted by the third node is located may include at least one of the following: at least one time domain symbol or time slot before the SRS transmitted by the third node, at least one time domain symbol or time slot after the SRS transmitted by the third node, at least one time domain symbol before the SRS transmitted by the third node and at least one time domain symbol after the SRS transmitted by the third node, at least one time slot before the SRS transmitted by the third node and at least one time slot after the SRS transmitted by the third node.

[0093] In some embodiments, the duration of the time domain in which the third node transmits the probe reference signal is the same as the bounce duration of the second node. The corresponding time domain in which no other signals are transmitted can be considered a guard time domain. The duration of this guard time domain is equal to the duration of the second node's bounce signal.

[0094] In some embodiments, the corresponding time domain for the third node to transmit the probe reference signal begins from the time / symbol at which the third node transmits the first probe reference signal. For example, the start time of this protection time domain is the same as the start time of SRS transmission, which is the position of the first SRS OFDM symbol.

[0095] In some embodiments, the first node locates the second node by measuring at least one of the following bounced SRS: RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication), RSRP (Reference Signal Receiving Power), RSRQ (Reference Signal Receiving Quality), and SINR (Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio).

[0096] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, Figure 2 is a time-frequency domain schematic diagram of an embodiment of reference signal transmission and bounce, and Figure 3 is another time-frequency domain schematic diagram of an embodiment of reference signal transmission and bounce. In this embodiment, the first node is a base station, the second node is an A-IoT device, the third node is a UE, and the reference signal is SRS. In Figure 2, after the base station sends a signal triggering bounce (equivalent to the bounce indication information mentioned above) to the A-IoT device, after a certain time offset, the A-IoT device begins to perform signal bounce for a continuous period of time. The received SRS sent by the UE is frequency-shifted and then transmitted. In Figure 3, the guard frequency domain is the frequency domain corresponding to the transmitted SRS mentioned above. The guard time is the time domain corresponding to the transmitted SRS mentioned above. The guard frequency domain includes the frequency domain where the SRS transmitted by the third node and / or the SRS bounced by the second node are located, the frequency domain between the frequency domains where the SRS transmitted by the third node and the SRS bounced by the second node are located, and the frequency domain adjacent to the frequency domains where the SRS transmitted by the third node and the SRS bounced by the second node are located. In Figure 3, the frequency domain adjacent to the frequency domain of the SRS transmitted by the third node and the SRS bounced by the second node is the other frequency domains within the first preset frequency domain range of the frequency domain of the SRS transmitted by the third node and / or the SRS bounced by the second node. The guard time includes the time domain (OFDM symbol) between the time domains (OFDM symbols) where the SRS is transmitted by the third node, the time domain (OFDM symbol) where the SRS is transmitted by the third node, and the one adjacent OFDM symbol before and after the time domain (OFDM symbol) where the SRS is transmitted by the third node. The one adjacent OFDM symbol before and after the time domain (OFDM symbol) where the SRS is transmitted by the third node is the other time domains within the first preset time domain range of the time domain of the SRS transmitted by the third node. The other frequency domains within the first preset frequency domain range and / or the other time domains within the first preset time domain are predefined or indicated by higher layers.

[0097] In some embodiments, the reference signal includes a first preset signal, which includes a predefined sequence. The predefined sequence can be an LP-WUS sequence or other defined sequences. When the reference signal includes a predefined sequence, the first node configures the transmission of the predefined sequence by sending signal configuration information to the third node. The first node can trigger the third node to transmit the first preset signal by sending signaling to the third node.

[0098] When the first preset signal includes a predefined sequence, the signal configuration information includes at least one of the following: the predefined sequence, the frequency domain configuration of the predefined sequence sent by the third node, the time domain configuration of the predefined sequence sent by the third node, the transmission period of the predefined sequence, the frequency offset value of the predefined sequence, and the time offset value of the predefined sequence.

[0099] In some embodiments, the predefined sequence can be 10101010.

[0100] In some embodiments, the predefined sequence can be 110011001100.

[0101] In some embodiments, the frequency domain configuration of the predefined sequence includes at least one of the following: the frequency domain of the predefined sequence, the comb size, and the frequency domain start position.

[0102] In some embodiments, the time-domain configuration of the predefined sequence includes at least one of the following: the time-domain location of the predefined sequence, the time-domain resource size corresponding to each bit of the predefined sequence, an indication of the time offset between the first symbol or time slot of the predefined sequence and the trigger signaling, an indication of the time offset between the first symbol or time slot of the predefined sequence and the start of the SFN (System frame number) where the trigger signaling is located, and an indication of the time offset between the first symbol or time slot of the predefined sequence and a specific SFN. The trigger signaling can be a bounce indication message or other signaling.

[0103] When the first preset signal includes a predefined sequence, the third node responds to the trigger signaling sent by the first node and begins to transmit the predefined sequence.

[0104] In some embodiments, the time-domain position of the transmission predefined sequence is determined based on the period and time offset values ​​in the signal configuration information.

[0105] In some embodiments, the time-domain position of the transmission of a predefined sequence is determined based on the time of triggering the signaling and the time offset value.

[0106] In some embodiments, the triggering signaling may include at least one of the following: UE specific DCI, UE group DCI.

[0107] In some embodiments, the first node locates the second node by measuring at least one of the following first preset signals that bounce off: RSSI, RSRP, RSRQ, SINR.

[0108] When the reference signal transmitted by the third node includes the first preset signal, the third node does not transmit other signals in the corresponding time domain and / or corresponding frequency domain of transmitting the reference signal. Specifically, the corresponding time domain and / or corresponding frequency domain can be referred to the description in the above SRS embodiment.

[0109] In some embodiments, the reference signal includes a second preset signal, which includes an uplink signal. After the first node sends a bounce indication message to the second node and signal configuration information to the third node, the third node sends an uplink signal. The second node bounces the uplink signal, and the first node receives the bounced uplink signal from the second node to locate the second node.

[0110] In some embodiments, the uplink signal includes PUCCH and / or PUSCH.

[0111] In some embodiments, the signal configuration information sent by the first node to the third node may include at least one of the following: PUCCH configuration information and UL grant information.

[0112] In some embodiments, the first node locates the second node by measuring at least one of the following bounced uplink signals: RSSI, RSRP, RSRQ, SINR.

[0113] In some embodiments, the reference signal is sent by the first node and includes at least one of the following: a synchronization broadcast signal, a position reference signal, and a third preset signal. When the reference signal is sent by the first node, because the distance between the first node and the second node is relatively large, the reference signal reflected by the second node may not be sufficient to reach the first node. Therefore, the reflected reference signal is received by a third node that is closer to the second node, and the measurement result is generated. Moreover, the third node is usually an active device, and its signal transmission distance is generally greater than the transmission distance of the reflected signal from the second node, thus enabling the position information of the second node to be transmitted to the first node.

[0114] In some embodiments, the first node does not transmit other signals within at least one of the corresponding time domain, corresponding frequency domain, and corresponding spatial domain when transmitting the reference signal. This is to reduce interference from other signals to the reference signal. For example, when the third node is a UE and the first node is a base station, the base station does not transmit other downlink signals within at least one of the corresponding time domain, corresponding frequency domain, and corresponding spatial domain when transmitting the reference signal, to avoid interference with the transmitted reference signal.

[0115] In some embodiments, the frequency domain corresponding to the reference signal transmitted by the first node includes at least one of the following: a predefined frequency domain, a downlink active portion bandwidth, a predefined portion bandwidth, a frequency domain configured by higher-layer signaling, the frequency domain where the reference signal transmitted by the first node is located, the frequency domain where the reference signal bounced by the second node is located, the frequency domain between the frequency domain where the reference signal transmitted by the first node is located and the frequency domain where the reference signal bounced by the second node is located, and other frequency domains within a second preset frequency domain range of the frequency domain where the reference signal bounced by the second node is located. The second preset frequency domain range is a time-domain range that includes the frequency domain where the reference signal transmitted by the first node is located. The second preset frequency domain range may be predefined or configured by higher layers.

[0116] In some embodiments, the time domain corresponding to the reference signal transmitted by the first node includes at least one of the following: a predefined time domain, a time domain configured by higher-layer signaling, the time domain in which the reference signal transmitted by the first node is located, a time domain between the time domains in which the reference signal transmitted by the first node is located, and other time domains within a second preset time domain range of the time domain in which the reference signal transmitted by the first node is located. The second preset time domain range is a time domain range that includes the time domain in which the reference signal transmitted by the first node is located. The second preset time domain range may be predefined or configured by higher layers.

[0117] The time domain between the time domains of the reference signal transmitted by the first node refers to the fact that, in some embodiments, the reference signal is not continuous in time. Therefore, there are some time domain symbols (such as OFDM symbols) that do not transmit reference signals between the time domain symbols of the reference signal. These time domain symbols that do not transmit reference signals are the time domain between the time domains of the transmitted reference signal.

[0118] In some embodiments, the corresponding spatial domain for the first node to transmit the reference signal includes at least one of the following: the beam direction used by the first node to transmit the reference signal, and a signal having a QCL (Quasi-Colocation) associated with the reference signal transmitted by the first node.

[0119] In some embodiments, the reference signal includes a synchronization broadcast signal. This synchronization broadcast signal may include an SSB (Synchronization Signal and PBCH block). The synchronization broadcast signal may represent an SS / PBCH block, or only an SSS (Secondary Synchronization Signals), or only a PSS (Primary Synchronization Signals), or both a PSS and an SSS. After the first node sends bounce indication information to the second node and signal configuration information to the third node, the first node sends a synchronization broadcast signal to the second node. The second node bounces the synchronization broadcast signal, and the third node receives the bounced synchronization broadcast signal from the second node to obtain the measurement result. The third node then sends the obtained measurement result to the first node to achieve the first node's positioning of the second node. To enable the third node to receive the bounced synchronization broadcast signal, the first node sends signal configuration information to the third node to configure the third node to receive the bounced synchronization broadcast signal.

[0120] In another embodiment, after the first node sends a bounce indication message to the second node and a signal configuration message to the third node, the first node sends a synchronization broadcast signal to the second node. The second node bounces the synchronization broadcast signal, and the third node receives the synchronization broadcast signal to obtain the measurement result. The third node then sends the obtained measurement result back to the first node to achieve the first node's positioning of the second node.

[0121] In some embodiments, the synchronization broadcast signal is configured as an on-demand synchronization broadcast signal. That is, the synchronization broadcast signal is an on-demand synchronization broadcast signal. An on-demand synchronization broadcast signal refers to a synchronization broadcast signal that is sent only once or multiple times after being triggered. This is to take into account that periodic signals may not be needed when assisting in the positioning of the second node.

[0122] In some embodiments, the configuration of the on-demand synchronous broadcast signal, or the signal configuration information, may include at least one of the following: the frequency domain position of the synchronous broadcast signal sent by the first node, the frequency domain position of the synchronous broadcast signal bounced by the second node, and the frequency offset value when the synchronous broadcast signal bounced by the second node.

[0123] In some embodiments, the third node is able to receive both the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node and the synchronization broadcast signal bounced back by the second node.

[0124] In some embodiments, the third node reports the measurement results based on the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node and the measurement results based on the synchronization broadcast signal bounced back by the second node in the measurement results.

[0125] In some embodiments, the third node reports the measurement results based on the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node, and the difference between the measurement results based on the synchronization broadcast signal reflected by the second node and the measurement results based on the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node. This difference can be obtained by subtracting the measurement results based on the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node from the measurement results based on the synchronization broadcast signal reflected by the second node, or by subtracting the measurement results based on the synchronization broadcast signal reflected by the second node from the measurement results based on the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node.

[0126] When the third node cannot determine the existence of the first and / or second nodes, it receives signals only according to the configuration of the received signals.

[0127] In some embodiments, the measurement result based on the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node can be represented as the measurement result based on the synchronization broadcast signal of the first configuration, and the measurement result based on the synchronization broadcast signal bounced back by the second node can be represented as the measurement result based on the synchronization broadcast signal of the second configuration. For example, the third node reports the measurement result based on the synchronization broadcast signal sent based on the first configuration and the measurement result based on the synchronization broadcast signal of the second configuration in the measurement result.

[0128] In some embodiments, the third node reports the measurement results of the synchronous broadcast signal sent based on the first configuration, as well as the difference between the measurement results of the synchronous broadcast signal sent based on the second configuration and the measurement results of the synchronous broadcast signal sent based on the first configuration. This difference can be obtained by subtracting the measurement results of the synchronous broadcast signal sent based on the first configuration from the measurement results of the synchronous broadcast signal sent based on the second configuration, or by subtracting the measurement results of the synchronous broadcast signal sent based on the second configuration from the measurement results of the synchronous broadcast signal sent based on the first configuration.

[0129] In some embodiments, the third node reports the measurement results of the synchronous broadcast signal sent based on the first configuration and the measurement results of the synchronous broadcast signal based on the first configuration in the same measurement report.

[0130] In some embodiments, the measurement result may be L1-RSRP or L1-SINR.

[0131] In some embodiments, the configuration of the on-demand synchronous broadcast signal, or the signal configuration information, may include at least one of the following: Normal synchronous broadcast signal ID, frequency offset value, frequency position, and frequency start position.

[0132] Referring to Figure 4, which is a time-frequency domain diagram of an embodiment of the on-demand synchronous broadcast signal and its associated normal synchronous broadcast signal, the first node is a base station, the second node is an A-IoT device, the third node is a UE, the reference signal is the synchronous broadcast signal, and the on-demand synchronous broadcast signal is configured for the UE. The frequency of the synchronous broadcast signal reflected by the A-IoT device in Figure 4 is the frequency configured by the base station for the UE to receive the on-demand synchronous broadcast signal. The on-demand synchronous broadcast signal and the associated normal synchronous broadcast signal differ only in their frequency positions. In some embodiments, the frequency position of the on-demand synchronous broadcast signal is determined based on the frequency position of the associated normal synchronous broadcast signal and a frequency offset value. In some embodiments, the frequency position of the on-demand synchronous broadcast signal is determined based on a configured frequency position or a frequency start position.

[0133] In some embodiments, the synchronization broadcast signal is configured as a normal synchronization broadcast signal. That is, the synchronization broadcast signal is a synchronization broadcast signal in normal mode. The synchronization broadcast signal is a normal synchronization broadcast signal. The normal synchronization broadcast signal is a periodically transmitted signal and can be used for initial access, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the impact on legacy UEs during the design phase.

[0134] In some embodiments, the frequency domain position of the first synchronous broadcast signal after the first node sends the bounce indication information is related to the frequency domain position configured for the synchronous broadcast signal and the frequency offset value of the second node.

[0135] Referring to Figure 5, which is a time-frequency domain schematic diagram of an embodiment of the normal synchronous broadcast signal and the bounced synchronous broadcast signal, the first node is the base station, the second node is the A-IoT device, the third node is the UE, the reference signal is the synchronous broadcast signal, and the normal synchronous broadcast signal is configured for the UE. In Figure 5, the frequency of the synchronous broadcast signal bounced by the A-IoT device is the frequency configured by the base station for the UE to receive the normal synchronous broadcast signal. In this embodiment, when the synchronous broadcast signal is not needed for A-IoT device positioning, the synchronous broadcast signal should be sent normally, i.e., sent at the frequency domain position configured for the UE. However, if the A-IoT device triggers signal bounce, causing the bounced synchronous broadcast signal to be at the configured frequency domain position, the frequency domain position of the synchronous broadcast signal sent by the base station is the frequency position before the frequency domain position configured by the base station for the UE is shifted, i.e., the frequency position of the bounced synchronous broadcast signal before being bounced by the A-IoT device.

[0136] When the reference signal sent by the first node includes a synchronization broadcast signal, the first node does not send other signals in at least one of the corresponding time domain, corresponding frequency domain, and corresponding spatial domain.

[0137] The corresponding frequency domain includes at least one of the following: a predefined frequency domain, the frequency domain of the synchronous broadcast signal transmitted by the first node, the downlink active bandwidth, the frequency domain of the synchronous broadcast signal bounced back by the second node, the frequency domain between the frequency domains of the synchronous broadcast signal transmitted by the first node and the synchronous broadcast signal bounced back by the second node, and other frequency domains within a second preset frequency domain range of the frequency domain of the synchronous broadcast signal bounced back by the second node. The second preset frequency domain range is a frequency domain range that includes the frequency domain of the synchronous broadcast signal bounced back by the second node.

[0138] In some embodiments, other frequency domains within the second preset frequency domain range of the frequency domain where the synchronous broadcast signal bounced by the second node is located may include frequency domain locations adjacent to or near the frequency domain where the synchronous broadcast signal bounced by the second node is located. For example, it may include RBs adjacent to or near the frequency domain where the synchronous broadcast signal bounced by the second node is located, PRBs adjacent to or near the frequency domain where the synchronous broadcast signal bounced by the second node is located, REs (Resource Elements) adjacent to or near the frequency domain where the synchronous broadcast signal bounced by the second node is located, etc.

[0139] The corresponding time domain includes at least one of the following: a predefined time domain, the time domain in which the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node is located, the time domain between the time domains in which the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node is located, and other time domains within a first preset time domain range of the time domain in which the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node is located. The first preset time domain range is a time domain range that includes the time domain in which the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node is located. Specifically, the time domain between the time domains in which the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node is located refers to the time domain between the time domains in which the reference signal is located, where, in some embodiments, the reference signal is not continuous in time. Therefore, there are some time domain symbols (such as OFDM symbols) that do not send reference signals between the time domain symbols in which the reference signal is located. These time domain symbols that do not send reference signals constitute the time domain between the time domains in which the reference signal is sent.

[0140] In some embodiments, other time domains within the first preset time domain range of the time domain in which the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node is located may include at least one of the following: at least one time domain symbol or time slot before the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node, at least one time domain symbol or time slot after the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node, at least one time domain symbol before the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node and at least one time domain symbol after the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node, at least one time slot before the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node and at least one time slot after the synchronization broadcast signal sent by the first node.

[0141] In some embodiments, the reference signal includes a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS). After the first node sends bounce indication information to the second node and signal configuration information to the third node, the first node sends the PRS to the second node. The second node bounces the PRS, and the third node receives the bounced PRS to obtain a measurement result. The third node then sends the measurement result back to the first node to achieve the first node's positioning of the second node. To enable the third node to receive the bounced PRS, the first node sends signal configuration information to the third node to configure the third node to receive the bounced PRS. The receiving configuration corresponds to the signal configuration of the bounced PRS from the second node. Since the second node performs a frequency shift when bouncing the PRS, the frequency domain position of the received PRS configured in the receiving configuration is different from the frequency domain position of the PRS sent by the first node.

[0142] In some embodiments, the reference signal includes a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS). After the first node sends bounce indication information to the second node and signal configuration information to the third node, the first node sends the PRS to the second node. The second node bounces the PRS, and the third node receives the PRS to obtain the measurement result. The third node then sends the obtained measurement result back to the first node to achieve the positioning of the second node by the first node.

[0143] In this embodiment, when the first node is a base station, the first node does not decode the measurement result when it receives the measurement result, but forwards it to the LMF.

[0144] In some embodiments, the base station serving as the first node may include an LMF.

[0145] In some embodiments, the third node sends the obtained measurement results directly to the fourth node, which is an LMF.

[0146] In some embodiments, the reference signal is an on-demand position reference signal, PRS.

[0147] In some embodiments, within the time range of the first K PRS resource locations after the first node sends the bounce indication information, or the time from the time of sending the bounce indication information to the time plus the time offset, the frequency domain of the PRS sent by the first node is the frequency domain of the PRS frequency domain configured for the third node after the frequency offset value; the frequency domain of the PRS sent at other times is the PRS frequency domain configured for the third node. K is an integer greater than 0. That is, when the second node needs to bounce, the frequency domain position of the PRS sent by the first node is the frequency domain position before the bounce, and the frequency domain position after the bounce is the frequency domain position configured by the first node for the third node to receive the PRS. When the second node does not need to bounce, the first node directly sends the PRS according to the frequency domain position configured for the third node to receive the PRS.

[0148] In some embodiments, the PRS has 2 comb teeth.

[0149] In some embodiments, the PRS has 4 comb teeth.

[0150] Smaller comb teeth are more suitable for bandwidth-constrained systems like IoT.

[0151] In some embodiments, the number of OFDM symbols in the PRS is one of the following: 2, 4, or 6. If the number of OFDM symbols in the bounced PRS is too long, it will consume too many resources and affect data transmission.

[0152] In some embodiments, the sequence ID of the PRS is one of the predefined parameters.

[0153] In some embodiments, the value range of the predefined parameter is an integer in [0, X], where X is an integer less than or equal to 1024.

[0154] In some embodiments, the bandwidth of the PRS is equal to 24 PRB.

[0155] In some embodiments, the bandwidth of the PRS is less than or equal to a predefined threshold. The predefined threshold ranges from less than or equal to 64 PRS.

[0156] In some embodiments, the first node triggers the transmission of PRS by sending a bounce indication message.

[0157] In some embodiments, the first node triggers the transmission of the PRS by sending a signaling message. This signaling message does not include bounce indication information.

[0158] In some embodiments, PRS transmits only one cycle.

[0159] In some embodiments, the transmission period of the PRS is infinite.

[0160] In some embodiments, only one PRS resource is configured or associated in the resource set of the PRS.

[0161] In some embodiments, the PRS configuration includes a PRS silent configuration, which indicates that the silent PRS resources are not transmitted. A bounce indication message triggers the cancellation of the PRS silent configuration operation. This indicates that the transmission of the silent PRS resources has begun.

[0162] In some embodiments, the PRS silent configuration is restored after the bounce duration (the second node bounce ends).

[0163] In some embodiments, the PRS configuration is used to measure PSRP or RSRPP.

[0164] When the reference signal transmitted by the first node includes PRS, the first node does not transmit other signals in the corresponding time domain, frequency domain, and spatial domain of transmitting that signal. Specifically, the corresponding time domain and frequency domain can be referred to the description in the above-described embodiments related to synchronous broadcast signals.

[0165] In some embodiments, the reference signal includes a third preset signal, which includes a downlink signal. The downlink signal may include a predefined sequence, such as an LP-WUS sequence or other defined sequences. After the first node sends bounce indication information to the second node and signal configuration information to the third node, the first node sends the downlink signal. The second node bounces the downlink signal, and the third node receives the bounced downlink signal from the second node to obtain the measurement result, which is then sent back to the first node to achieve the first node's positioning of the second node.

[0166] In some embodiments, after the first node sends a bounce indication message to the second node and a signal configuration message to the third node, the first node sends a downlink signal. The second node bounces the downlink signal, and the third node receives the downlink signal to obtain the measurement result, which is then sent back to the first node to achieve the first node's positioning of the second node.

[0167] In some embodiments, the signal configuration information includes at least one of the following: downlink signal, configuration of the frequency domain in which the downlink signal is located, configuration of the time domain in which the downlink signal is located, and transmission period of the downlink signal.

[0168] In some embodiments, when the downlink signal includes a predefined sequence, the downlink signal in the signal configuration information includes a downlink signal sequence.

[0169] When the downlink signal includes a predefined sequence, for example, the predefined sequence can be 10101010. For example, the predefined sequence can be 110011001100.

[0170] In some embodiments, the configuration of the frequency domain in which the downlink signal is located includes at least one of the following: the bandwidth occupied by the downlink signal, the comb size, and the frequency domain start position.

[0171] When the downlink signal includes a predefined sequence, for example, the time domain configuration of the downlink signal includes at least one of the following: the time domain position of the predefined sequence, the time domain resource size corresponding to each bit of the predefined sequence, an indication of the time offset between the first symbol or time slot of the predefined sequence and the trigger signaling, an indication of the time offset between the first symbol or time slot of the predefined sequence and the start of the SFN (System frame number) where the trigger signaling is located, and an indication of the time offset between the first symbol or time slot of the predefined sequence and a specific SFN. The trigger signaling can be a bounce indication message or other signaling.

[0172] In some embodiments, the third node locates the second node by measuring at least one of the following bounced downlink signals: RSRP, RSRQ, RSSI, SINR.

[0173] In some embodiments, the third node locates the second node by measuring at least one of the following downlink signals: RSRP, RSRQ, RSSI, SINR.

[0174] When the reference signal transmitted by the first node includes a downlink signal, and the downlink signal includes a predefined sequence, the first node does not transmit other signals in at least one of the corresponding time domain, corresponding frequency domain, and corresponding spatial domain when transmitting the signal. Specifically, the corresponding time domain and corresponding frequency domain can be referred to the description in the above-described embodiments related to the synchronous broadcast signal.

[0175] Referring to Figure 6, which is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure, the method is applied to a second node and includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0176] S21: Receive the bounce indication information sent by the first node. The bounce indication information is used to instruct the second node to perform signal bounce.

[0177] S22: Send a bounce signal. The bounce signal is a reference signal for the bounce, and the reference signal is sent by the first node or the third node.

[0178] After the first node sends a bounce instruction to the second node, either the first node or the third node sends a reference signal. The second node then bounces the received reference signal according to the bounce instruction.

[0179] In some embodiments, the bounce indication information includes signaling, which includes preamble information used to instruct the second node to perform a signal bounce.

[0180] In some embodiments, the bounce indication information includes signaling, which includes at least one of frequency offset value, time offset value, bounce duration, bounce frequency, identification information of the second node, and bounce indication.

[0181] The description of the rebound indication information in this embodiment can also refer to the description in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0182] Referring to Figure 7, which is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure, the method is applied to a third node and includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0183] S31: Receive signal configuration information sent by the first node.

[0184] S32: Send a reference signal according to the signal configuration information.

[0185] S33: Receive the reference signal according to the signal configuration information, and send the measurement results obtained based on the received reference signal to the first node.

[0186] In some embodiments, the reference signal sent by the third node includes at least one of the following: a detection reference signal, a first preset signal, and a second preset signal.

[0187] In some embodiments, the reference signal received by the third node includes at least one of the following: a synchronization broadcast signal, a position reference signal, and a third preset signal.

[0188] In some embodiments, when transmitting a reference signal, the third node does not transmit other signals in the corresponding time domain and / or corresponding frequency domain of the reference signal.

[0189] In some embodiments, the reference signal received by the third node is bounced back by the second node. When the third node can determine the existence of the second node, when sending the reference signal to the second node, the third node does not send other signals in the corresponding time domain and / or corresponding frequency domain of the reference signal.

[0190] The signal configuration information and related descriptions of the reference signals in this embodiment can also refer to the descriptions in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0191] Referring to Figure 8, which is a flowchart illustrating the fourth embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure, it includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0192] S41: The first node sends a bounce instruction message to the second node.

[0193] S42: The first node sends signal configuration information to the third node.

[0194] In this embodiment, S41 and S42 are only illustrative and do not limit the execution order of these two steps.

[0195] S43: The third node sends an SRS to the second node.

[0196] S44: Second node bounce SRS.

[0197] The SRS bounced back by the second node is received by the first node.

[0198] The relevant descriptions in this embodiment can be referred to those in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0199] Referring to Figure 9, which is a flowchart of the fifth embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure.

[0200] S51: The first node sends a bounce instruction message to the second node.

[0201] S52: The first node sends signal configuration information to the third node.

[0202] In this embodiment, S51 and S52 are only illustrative and do not limit the execution order of these two steps.

[0203] S53: The third node sends an uplink signal.

[0204] S54: Second node rebound upward signal.

[0205] When the third node is a UE and the first node is a base station, the third node sends an uplink signal to the first node. At this time, the second node also receives the uplink signal, thus performing signal reflection. The uplink signal reflected by the second node is received by the first node.

[0206] The relevant descriptions in this embodiment can be referred to those in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0207] Referring to Figure 10, which is a flowchart of the sixth embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure.

[0208] S61: The first node sends a bounce instruction message to the second node.

[0209] S62: The first node sends signal configuration information to the third node.

[0210] In this embodiment, S61 and S62 are only illustrative and do not limit the execution order of these two steps.

[0211] S63: The third node sends a predefined sequence to the second node.

[0212] S64: Predefined sequence for second node bounce.

[0213] The predefined sequence of the second node's bounce is received by the first node.

[0214] The relevant descriptions in this embodiment can be referred to those in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0215] Referring to Figure 11, which is a flowchart of the seventh embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure.

[0216] S71: The first node sends a bounce instruction message to the second node.

[0217] S72: The first node sends signal configuration information to the third node.

[0218] In this embodiment, S71 and S72 are only illustrative and do not limit the execution order of these two steps.

[0219] S73: The first node sends a synchronization broadcast signal to the second node.

[0220] S74: Second node bounces synchronous broadcast signal.

[0221] S75: The third node sends the measurement results to the first node.

[0222] The third node receives the synchronization broadcast signal according to the signal configuration information and obtains the measurement result based on the received synchronization broadcast signal. This synchronization broadcast signal can be the synchronization broadcast signal reflected by the second node.

[0223] The relevant descriptions in this embodiment can be referred to those in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0224] Referring to Figure 12, which is a flowchart of the eighth embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure.

[0225] S81: The first node sends a bounce instruction message to the second node.

[0226] S82: The first node sends signal configuration information to the third node.

[0227] In this embodiment, S81 and S82 are only illustrative and do not limit the execution order of these two steps.

[0228] S83: The first node sends a PRS to the second node.

[0229] S84: Second node bounces PRS.

[0230] S85: The third node sends the measurement results to the first node.

[0231] The third node receives the PRS based on the signal configuration information and obtains the measurement result based on the received PRS. This PRS can be the inverse PRS of the second node.

[0232] The relevant descriptions in this embodiment can be referred to those in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0233] Referring to Figure 13, which is a flowchart of the ninth embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure.

[0234] S91: The first node sends a bounce instruction message to the second node.

[0235] S92: The first node sends signal configuration information to the third node.

[0236] In this embodiment, S81 and S82 are only illustrative and do not limit the execution order of these two steps.

[0237] S93: The first node sends a downlink signal.

[0238] S94: Second node rebound downward signal.

[0239] When the third node is a UE and the first node is a base station, the first node will send a downlink signal to the third node. At this time, the second node will also receive the downlink signal, thus performing signal bounce.

[0240] S95: The third node sends the measurement results to the first node.

[0241] The third node receives the downlink signal according to the signal configuration information and obtains the measurement result based on the received downlink signal. The received downlink signal may be the downlink signal reflected by the second node.

[0242] The relevant descriptions in this embodiment can be referred to those in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0243] As shown in Figure 14, Figure 14 is a structural schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the electronic device disclosed herein.

[0244] The electronic device includes a processor 110 and a memory 120.

[0245] Processor 110 controls the operation of electronic devices. Processor 110 can also be referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Processor 110 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal sequence processing capabilities. Processor 110 can also be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal sequence processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0246] The memory 120 stores the instructions and program data required for the processor 110 to operate.

[0247] The processor 110 is used to execute instructions to implement the method provided in the first embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure.

[0248] As shown in Figure 15, Figure 15 is a structural schematic diagram of the second embodiment of the electronic device disclosed herein.

[0249] The electronic device includes a processor 210 and a memory 220.

[0250] Processor 210 controls the operation of electronic devices. Processor 210 can also be called a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Processor 210 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal sequence processing capabilities. Processor 210 can also be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal sequence processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0251] The memory 220 stores the instructions and program data required for the processor 210 to operate.

[0252] The processor 210 is used to execute instructions to implement the method provided in the second embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure.

[0253] As shown in Figure 16, Figure 16 is a structural schematic diagram of the third embodiment of the electronic device disclosed herein.

[0254] The electronic device includes a processor 310 and a memory 320.

[0255] Processor 310 controls the operation of electronic devices. Processor 310 can also be referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Processor 310 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal sequence processing capabilities. Processor 310 can also be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal sequence processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0256] The memory 320 stores the instructions and program data required for the processor 310 to operate.

[0257] The processor 310 is used to execute instructions to implement the method provided in the third embodiment of the positioning method of this disclosure.

[0258] As shown in Figure 17, Figure 17 is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the computer program product disclosed herein.

[0259] One embodiment of the computer program product disclosed herein includes a memory 410 that stores program data, which, when executed, implements the method provided by any of the first to third embodiments of the positioning method disclosed herein, and possible combinations thereof.

[0260] The memory 410 may include a USB flash drive, a portable hard drive, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, or other media that can store program instructions. Alternatively, it may be a server that stores the program instructions, which can send the stored program instructions to other devices for execution or execute the stored program instructions itself.

[0261] In summary, this disclosure involves a first node sending a bounce instruction to a second node, instructing the second node to bounce the signal. The first node then sends signal configuration information to a third node, using the third node to send or receive a reference signal to assist the first node in acquiring the location information of the second node. Finally, the first node receives the bounced reference signal from the second node or the measurement result from the third node, and acquires the location information of the second node based on the bounced reference signal or the measurement result.

[0262] In the several embodiments provided in this disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed methods and devices can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of modules or units is merely a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed.

[0263] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment, depending on actual needs.

[0264] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this disclosure can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0265] If the integrated units in the other embodiments described above are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this disclosure, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this disclosure. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0266] The above description is merely an embodiment of this disclosure and does not limit the patent scope of this disclosure. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this disclosure and its drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A positioning method applied to a first node, the method comprising: Send a bounce indication message to the second node, the bounce indication message being used to instruct the second node to perform a signal bounce; Send signal configuration information to the third node, the signal configuration information being used to configure the transmission or reception of the reference signal; The reference signal bounced from the second node is received, or the measurement result obtained by the third node based on the received reference signal is received from the third node.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The bounce indication information includes signaling, which includes preamble information, and the preamble information is used to instruct the second node to perform a signal bounce.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The bounce indication information includes signaling, which includes at least one of the following: frequency offset value, time offset value, bounce duration, bounce frequency, identification information of the second node, and bounce indication.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The time offset value includes the maximum and / or minimum time offset between the start time of the bounce of the reference signal and the time when the second node receives the bounce indication information.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The bounce duration includes the maximum and / or minimum duration of the signal bounce by the second node.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The reference signal is sent by the third node, and the reference signal includes at least one of the following: a detection reference signal, a first preset signal, and a second preset signal.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, Within the corresponding time domain and / or corresponding frequency domain of the reference signal transmitted by the third node, the third node does not transmit other signals.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The frequency domain corresponding to the reference signal transmitted by the third node includes at least one of the following: a predefined frequency domain, an uplink active portion bandwidth, a predefined portion bandwidth, a frequency domain configured by higher-layer signaling, the frequency domain in which the reference signal transmitted by the third node is located, the frequency domain in which the reference signal bounced by the second node is located, the frequency domain between the frequency domain in which the reference signal transmitted by the third node is located and the frequency domain in which the reference signal bounced by the second node is located, and other frequency domains within a first preset frequency domain range in which the reference signal transmitted by the third node and / or the reference signal bounced by the second node are located.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The time domain corresponding to the reference signal transmitted by the third node includes at least one of the following: a predefined time domain, a time domain configured by higher-layer signaling, a time domain in which the reference signal transmitted by the third node is located, a time domain of the time in which the reference signal transmitted by the third node is located, and other time domains within a first preset time domain range of the time domain in which the reference signal transmitted by the third node is located.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The detection reference signal is not frequency-hopping.

11. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The time length of the corresponding time domain for the third node to send the probe reference signal is the same as the bounce duration of the second node.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The corresponding time domain for the third node to send the probe reference signal starts from the time when the third node sends the first probe reference signal.

13. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The first preset signal includes a predefined sequence.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The second preset signal includes an uplink signal.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The uplink signals include PUCCH and / or PUSCH.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The reference signal is sent by the first node, and the reference signal includes at least one of the following: a synchronization broadcast signal, a position reference signal, and a third preset signal.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, Within at least one of the corresponding time domain, corresponding frequency domain, and corresponding spatial domain in which the first node transmits the reference signal, the first node does not transmit other signals.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, The frequency domain corresponding to the reference signal transmitted by the first node includes at least one of the following: a predefined frequency domain, downlink active portion bandwidth, a predefined portion bandwidth, a frequency domain configured by higher-layer signaling, the frequency domain in which the reference signal transmitted by the first node is located, the frequency domain in which the reference signal bounced by the second node is located, the frequency domain between the frequency domain in which the reference signal transmitted by the first node is located and the frequency domain in which the reference signal bounced by the second node is located, and other frequency domains within a second preset frequency domain range of the frequency domain in which the reference signal bounced by the second node is located.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein, The time domain corresponding to the reference signal transmitted by the first node includes at least one of the following: a predefined time domain, a time domain configured by higher-layer signaling, a time domain in which the reference signal transmitted by the first node is located, a time domain between the time domains in which the reference signal transmitted by the first node is located, and other time domains within a second preset time domain range of the time domain in which the reference signal transmitted by the first node is located.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein, The synchronous broadcast signal is a synchronous broadcast signal in on-demand mode.

21. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The third preset signal includes a downlink signal.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein, The signal configuration information includes at least one of the following: the downlink signal, the configuration of the frequency domain in which the downlink signal is located, the configuration of the time domain in which the downlink signal is located, and the transmission period of the downlink signal.

23. A positioning method applied to a second node, the method comprising: Receive bounce indication information sent by the first node, the bounce indication information being used to instruct the second node to perform signal bounce; A bounce signal is sent, which is a reference signal for the bounce, and the reference signal is sent by the first node or the third node.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein, The bounce indication information includes signaling, which includes preamble information, and the preamble information is used to instruct the second node to perform a signal bounce.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein, The bounce indication information includes signaling, which includes at least one of the following: frequency offset value, time offset value, bounce duration, bounce frequency, identification information of the second node, and bounce indication.

26. A positioning method applied to a third node, the method comprising: Receive signal configuration information sent by the first node; A reference signal is sent according to the signal configuration information; or The reference signal is received according to the signal configuration information, and the measurement result obtained based on the received reference signal is sent to the first node.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein, The reference signal sent by the third node includes at least one of the following: a detection reference signal, a first preset signal, and a second preset signal.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein, The reference signal received by the third node includes at least one of the following: a synchronization broadcast signal, a position reference signal, and a third preset signal.

29. The method according to claim 26, wherein, When transmitting the reference signal, the third node does not transmit any other signals in the corresponding time domain and frequency domain of transmitting the reference signal.

30. An electronic device comprising a memory and a processor, the memory being configured to store program data, the program data being executable by the processor to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-22.

31. An electronic device, a memory, and a processor, the memory being used to store program data, the program data being executable by the processor to implement the method as claimed in any one of claims 23-25.

32. An electronic device, a memory, and a processor, the memory being used to store program data, the program data being executable by the processor to implement the method as claimed in any one of claims 26-29.

33. A computer program product storing program data and executable by a processor to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-29.

Images