Lifecycle management method, network device, user equipment, and communication system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a lifecycle management method, a network device, a user equipment, and a communication system. The lifecycle management method comprises: a location management function (LMF) sending first information to a user equipment (UE), the first information being used for lifecycle management (LCM) of AI-based positioning and / or ML-based positioning of the UE, thereby refining the application of AI and / or ML in the positioning process and improving positioning accuracy.

Description

Lifecycle management method, network device, user equipment and communication system TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communication, and particularly relates to a lifecycle management method, a network device, a user equipment and a communication system. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of mobile communication systems, artificial intelligence (AI) and / or machine learning (ML) will be widely applied in communication systems, for example, in the fields of image processing, speech recognition, etc. More and more application programs based on artificial intelligence models (also referred to as AI models) and / or machine learning models (also referred to as ML models) will be deployed on terminal devices.

[0003] In the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) system and / or the sixth generation mobile communication technology (6G) system, AI and / or ML can be used for user equipment (UE) positioning to improve the accuracy of positioning. Therefore, it is necessary to further improve the application of AI and / or ML in the positioning process.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a lifecycle management method, a network device, a user equipment and a communication system to provide further improvement of the application of AI and / or ML in the positioning process.

[0006] In one aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a lifecycle management method, which comprises:

[0007] A location management function (LMF) sends first information to a user equipment (UE), wherein the first information is used for lifecycle management (LCM) of AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE.

[0008] In another aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a lifecycle management method, which comprises:

[0009] The UE receives the first information sent by the LMF, wherein the first information is used for LCM of AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE.

[0010] In another aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a network device, the network device comprising an LMF, the network device comprising:

[0011] The first transmission module is configured to transmit first information to a user equipment (UE), the first information being used for lifecycle management (LCM) of AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE.

[0012] In another aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a user equipment, the user equipment comprising:

[0013] The second transmission module is configured to receive first information transmitted by the LMF, the first information being used for LCM of AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE.

[0014] In another aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a network device, the network device comprising an LMF, comprising:

[0015] one or more processors;

[0016] The network device is configured to perform the LCM method as described in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] In another aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a user equipment, comprising:

[0018] one or more processors;

[0019] The user equipment is configured to perform the LCM method as described in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a communication system, comprising a network device and a user equipment; wherein the network device is configured to perform the LCM method as described in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the user equipment is configured to perform the LCM method as described in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, when the instructions are run on a communication device, causing the communication device to perform the LCM method as described in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, for the LCM process of AI and / or ML of the UE side, the LMF transmits, through a first message, LCM of AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE to the UE, perfects application of AI and / or ML in the positioning process, and improves positioning accuracy.

[0023] Additional aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be given in part in the following description, and will become apparent from the following description, or will be learned by practice of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0025] Figure 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 2 is an exemplary interactive diagram of a method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating one of the lifecycle management methods provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 4 is a second schematic flowchart of the lifecycle management method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 5 is a third flowchart illustrating the lifecycle management method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 6 is a fourth flowchart illustrating the lifecycle management method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 7 is a fifth flowchart illustrating the lifecycle management method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 8 is a flowchart of the lifecycle management method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 9 is a flowchart of the lifecycle management method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure (the seventh one).

[0034] Figure 10 is a flowchart of the lifecycle management method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure (the eighth one).

[0035] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the network device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0036] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the user equipment proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0037] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the terminal structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0038] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0039] This disclosure presents a lifecycle management method, a network device, a user device, and a communication system.

[0040] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose a lifecycle management method, the method comprising:

[0041] The positioning management function LMF sends first information to a user equipment UE, the first information being used for lifecycle management LCM of AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE.

[0042] In the above embodiment, for the LCM procedure of UE-side AI and / or ML, the LMF transmits, through the first message, the lifecycle management LCM of AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE with the UE, perfects the application of AI and / or ML in the positioning procedure, and improves the accuracy of positioning.

[0043] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information comprises one or more of the following:

[0044] a network side additional condition;

[0045] an artificial intelligence AI configuration and / or a machine learning ML configuration;

[0046] request information used for requesting the UE to report applicable functionality;

[0047] activation or deactivation information used for activating or deactivating AI functionality and / or ML functionality.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the content included in the first information is provided.

[0049] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments,

[0050] The positioning management function LMF sends first information to a user equipment UE, comprising:

[0051] The LMF sends the network side additional condition to the UE through one or more of the following: a long term evolution positioning protocol provide assistance data LPP, a positioning system message, or a LPP request location information.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the implementation manner in which the LMF sends the network side additional condition to the UE is provided.

[0053] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments,

[0054] The Network side additional condition comprises one or more of the following:

[0055] An antenna configuration of the base station and / or the TRP;

[0056] A beam configuration of the base station and / or the TRP;

[0057] A type of the base station and / or the TRP;

[0058] A transmission bandwidth configuration of the positioning reference signal;

[0059] A periodicity configuration of the positioning reference signal.

[0060] In the above embodiments, the content included in the Network side additional condition is provided.

[0061] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments,

[0062] The LMF sends first information to a user equipment (UE), comprising:

[0063] The LMF sends the AI configuration and / or the ML configuration to the UE by LPP request location information.

[0064] In the above embodiments, the manner in which the LMF sends the AI configuration and / or the ML configuration to the UE is provided.

[0065] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments,

[0066] The AI configuration and / or the ML configuration is used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0067] An AI function and / or a ML function used by the UE;

[0068] An AI model and / or a ML model used by the UE;

[0069] An input and / or an output of the AI model and / or the ML model used by the UE;

[0070] An input and / or an output of the AI function and / or the ML function used by the UE.

[0071] In the above embodiments, the content information of the AI configuration and / or the ML configuration is provided.

[0072] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments,

[0073] The input and / or output comprises one or more of:

[0074] a time of flight of the positioning reference signal;

[0075] a received power of the positioning reference signal;

[0076] a reference signal time difference RSTD of the reference signal;

[0077] a measured angle of the positioning reference signal;

[0078] location information of the UE;

[0079] a line of sight LOS and / or non line of sight NLOS indication.

[0080] In the above embodiments, input and / or output information of the AI model and / or the ML model is provided.

[0081] In some embodiments in combination with the first aspect,

[0082] The location management function LMF sends first information to a user equipment UE, comprising:

[0083] The LMF sends one or more of LPP request location information or LPP request capability to the UE, for requesting the UE to report applicable functionality.

[0084] The LMF sends request information to a base station through a NRPPa message, so that the base station requests the UE to report applicable functionality.

[0085] In the above embodiments, an implementation manner that the LMF requests the UE to report applicable functionality is provided.

[0086] In some embodiments in combination with the first aspect,

[0087] The LMF sends activation or deactivation information to a base station through a NRPPa message, so that the base station requests the UE to activate or deactivate the AI function and / or the ML function.

[0088] In the above embodiments, an implementation manner that the LMF sends activation or deactivation of the AI function and / or the ML function to the UE is provided.

[0089] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments,

[0090] The method further includes:

[0091] The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE, which is contained in a LPP provide capability message or a newly defined LPP message.

[0092] In the above embodiments, an implementation is provided for the UE to send the applicable functionality to the LMF.

[0093] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0094] receiving one or more of the applicable functionality sent by the UE, an error cause indicating that the functionality is not applicable, or positioning method indication information;

[0095] The applicable functionality is sent through the LPP provide location information or the LPP provide capability message; and the error cause and / or the positioning method indication information are contained in the LPP provide location information.

[0096] In the above embodiments, an implementation is provided for the UE to send one or more of the applicable functionality, the error cause indicating that the functionality is not applicable, or the positioning method indication information to the LMF.

[0097] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0098] The error cause includes that the AI functionality and / or the ML functionality is not applicable; the positioning method indication information is used to indicate that the UE performs positioning through a positioning method; and the positioning method is pre-configured by the LMF, specified by the LMF, or determined by the UE.

[0099] In the above embodiments, the source of the positioning method is provided.

[0100] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes one or more of:

[0101] The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE through LPP provide capability.

[0102] The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE through LPP provide location information.

[0103] The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the base station to the LMF through a new radio positioning protocol A message NRPPa, the applicable functionality being sent by the UE to the base station.

[0104] In the above embodiments, various implementation manners of the UE reporting the applicable functionality to the LMF are provided.

[0105] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0106] receiving second information sent by the UE, the second information being used to indicate that the measurement result or the location information is obtained through a positioning method indicated in the second information; the positioning method being pre-configured by the LMF, or being specified by the LMF, or being determined by the UE.

[0107] In the above embodiments, the UE sends the LMF the indication that the measurement result or the location information is obtained through a specific positioning method.

[0108] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a lifecycle management method, and the method includes:

[0109] The UE receives first information sent by the LMF, the first information being used for lifecycle management LCM of AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE.

[0110] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0111] Network side additional condition;

[0112] AI configuration and / or ML configuration;

[0113] Request information, the request information being used to request the UE to report applicable functionality.

[0114] Activation or deactivation information for activating or deactivating the AI function and / or the ML function.

[0115] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the UE receives first information sent by the LMF, comprising:

[0116] The UE receives Network side additional condition sent by the LMF through one or more of LPP provide assistance data, Positioning System Message or LPP request location information.

[0117] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the Network side additional condition comprises one or more of:

[0118] Antenna configuration of the base station and / or the transceiving point, TRP;

[0119] Beam configuration of the base station and / or the TRP;

[0120] Type of the base station and / or the TRP;

[0121] Transmission bandwidth configuration of the positioning reference signal;

[0122] Period configuration of the positioning reference signal.

[0123] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the UE receives first information sent by the LMF, comprising:

[0124] The UE receives artificial intelligence, AI, configuration and / or machine learning, ML, configuration sent by the LMF through LPP request location information.

[0125] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the artificial intelligence, AI, configuration and / or machine learning, ML, configuration is used to indicate one or more of:

[0126] AI function and / or ML function used by the UE;

[0127] AI model and / or ML model used by the UE;

[0128] Input and / or output of the AI model and / or the ML model used by the UE;

[0129] Input and / or output of the AI function and / or the ML function used by the UE.

[0130] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the input and / or output comprises one or more of:

[0131] a time of flight of the positioning reference signal;

[0132] a received power of the positioning reference signal;

[0133] a reference signal time difference RSTD of the reference signal and / or a measured angle of the positioning reference signal

[0134] location information of the UE;

[0135] a line of sight LOS and / or non line of sight NLOS indication.

[0136] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0137] activating the corresponding AI function and / or ML function after the UE receives the AI configuration and / or ML configuration;

[0138] deactivating the corresponding AI function and / or ML function after the UE receives the AI configuration and / or ML configuration; or determining that the AI function and / or ML function AI function and / or ML function is not applicable after the UE receives the AI configuration and / or ML configuration.

[0139] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the UE receives the first information sent by the LMF, comprising:

[0140] the UE receives one or more of LPP request location information or LPP request capability sent by the LMF; based on one or more of the LPP request location information or LPP request capability, sends applicable function apphcable functionality to the LMF; or,

[0141] The UE receives information requested by the base station to report applicable functionality, and sends applicable functionality to the base station, so that the base station sends the applicable functionality to the LMF; the information requested by the base station to report applicable functionality is sent to the UE after receiving the request information from the LMF.

[0142] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0143] The UE receives information requested by the base station to activate or deactivate the AI function and / or the ML function; the information requested by the base station to activate or deactivate the AI function and / or the ML function is sent to the UE after the LMF sends the activation or deactivation information to the base station through the NRPPa message.

[0144] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0145] The UE sends an LPP provide capability message or a newly defined LPP message to the LMF, and the LPP provide capability message or the newly defined LPP message includes the applicable functionality.

[0146] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises

[0147] The UE sends one or more of the applicable functionality, an error cause indicating that the functionality is not applicable, or positioning method indication information to the LMF.

[0148] The applicable functionality is sent through the LPP provide location information or the LPP provide capability message; and the error cause is contained in the LPP provide location information.

[0149] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0150] The error cause includes that the AI function and / or the ML function is not applicable; the positioning method is used to indicate that the UE is positioned by the positioning method; and the positioning method is pre-configured by the LMF, specified by the LMF, or determined by the UE.

[0151] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes one or more of the following:

[0152] The UE sends the applicable functionality to the LMF through LPP provide capability;

[0153] The UE sends the applicable functionality to the LMF through LPP provide location information;

[0154] The UE sends the applicable functionality to the base station through an RRC message, a MAC message, and / or a PHY message, and instructs the base station to send the applicable functionality to the LMF.

[0155] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes one or more of the following:

[0156] The UE sends second information to the LMF, and the second information is used to indicate that the measurement result or the location information is obtained by a positioning method indicated in the second information; and the positioning method is pre-configured by the LMF, specified by the LMF, or determined by the UE.

[0157] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a network device, which includes an LMF, and comprises a first transmission module; wherein the network device is configured to execute the optional implementation manners of the first aspect.

[0158] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a user equipment, which includes a second transmission module; wherein the user equipment is configured to execute the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0159] In a fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a network device, which includes an LMF, and comprises:

[0160] One or more processors;

[0161] The network device is configured to execute the optional implementation manners of the first aspect.

[0162] In a sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a user equipment, comprising:

[0163] one or more processors;

[0164] The user equipment is configured to perform the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0165] In a seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication system, comprising a network equipment and a user equipment; wherein the network equipment is configured to perform the optional implementation manners of the first aspect, and the user equipment is configured to perform the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0166] In an eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a storage medium, which stores instructions, when the instructions are run on a communication device, the communication device is caused to perform the optional implementation manners of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0167] In a ninth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a program product, when the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device is caused to perform the method described in the optional implementation manners of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0168] In a tenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program, when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method described in the optional implementation manners of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0169] In an eleventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or a chip system. The chip or the chip system comprises a processing circuit configured to perform the method described in the optional implementation manners of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0170] It can be understood that the network equipment, the user equipment, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip or the chip system are all used to perform the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved are referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be described here.

[0171] The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a life cycle management method, a network equipment, a user equipment and a communication system. In some embodiments, the life cycle management method and the signal sending method, the wireless frame sending method and the like can be replaced with each other, and the information processing system, the communication system and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0172] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but only illustrate some embodiments, and are not specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the scheme after removing part of the steps in an embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily, in addition, the optional implementation manners in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; in addition, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, for example, part or all steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, an embodiment can be combined with optional implementation manners of other embodiments.

[0173] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent if there is no special description and logical conflict, and can be referred to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0174] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and not as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0175] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0176] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0177] In some embodiments, the writing manner of "at least one of A, B", "A and / or B", "A in one case and B in another case", "A in response to one case and B in response to another case", and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: in some embodiments, A is executed regardless of B; in some embodiments, B is executed regardless of A; in some embodiments, A and B are selectively executed; in some embodiments, A and B are executed. When there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0178] In some embodiments, the writing manner of "A or B" and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: in some embodiments, A is executed regardless of B; in some embodiments, B is executed regardless of A; in some embodiments, A and B are selectively executed. When there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0179] The prefix words of "first", "second" and the like in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely used to distinguish different description objects, and do not constitute limitation on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. The description objects are described in the claims or embodiments, and should not be construed as redundant limitation because of the use of the prefix words. For example, the description object is "field", and the ordinal words before "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or order between "fields", and "first" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified thereby are in the same message or not, nor limit the order of "first field" and "second field". For another example, the description object is "level", and the ordinal words before "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between "levels". For another example, the quantity of the description object is not limited by the ordinal words, and can be one or more. For example, "first device", wherein the quantity of "device" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different, for example, the description object is "device", and "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and the types thereof can be the same or different. For another example, the description object is "information", and "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and the contents thereof can be the same or different.

[0180] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0181] In some embodiments, the terms of "in response to", "in response to determining", "in the case of", "when", "when", "if", "if" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0182] In some embodiments, the terms of "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", "above" and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms of "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0183] In some embodiments, the apparatuses and devices can be interpreted as physical, as well as virtual, whose names are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and in some cases can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc.

[0184] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as an apparatus contained in the network, such as an access network device, a core network device, etc.

[0185] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" can also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", and in some embodiments can also be understood as "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)", etc.

[0186] In some embodiments, a "terminal" or "terminal device" can be referred to as a "user equipment" (UE), a "user terminal," a "mobile station" (MS), a "mobile terminal" (MT), a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, and / or the like.

[0187] In some embodiments, data, information and / or the like can be obtained in compliance with laws and regulations of a country where the data, information and / or the like is obtained.

[0188] In some embodiments, data, information and / or the like can be obtained after obtaining consent of a user.

[0189] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in a table of embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and a combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0190] FIG. 1 is an architecture diagram of a communication system, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0191] As shown in FIG. 1, a communication system 100 includes a user equipment (UE) 101 and a network device 102.

[0192] In some embodiments, the UE 101 includes at least one of a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a communication-capable automobile, a smart automobile, a tablet (Pad), a wireless-transmitting computer, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, a wireless terminal device in a smart home, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0193] In some embodiments, the communication system 100 can further include a network device, which can include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0194] In some embodiments, the network device 102 can be one device including one or more network elements (or functions), core network elements or core network functions, or can be a plurality of devices or device groups each including all or part of the one or more network elements described above. The network element can be virtual or physical. The core network includes at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), a Next Generation Core (NGC), and the like.

[0195] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure. It can be known by those skilled in the art that, as the system architecture evolves and new business scenarios appear, the technical solutions proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0196] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1, or part of the subjects, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1 are illustrative, and the communication system can include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1, or other subjects other than those in FIG. 1. The number and form of each subject is arbitrary, each subject can be physical or virtual, the connection relationship between each subject is illustrative, each subject can not be connected or can be connected, and the connection can be in any manner, can be direct connection or indirect connection, can be wired connection or wireless connection.

[0197] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device-to-Device (D2D) system, Machine to Machine (M2M) system, Internet of Things (IoT) system, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), system using other resource determination methods, next-generation systems expanded based thereon, and the like. In addition, a plurality of systems can be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A and 5G, and the like).

[0198] FIG. 2 is one of interaction diagrams of a lifecycle management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the above method includes:

[0199] In step 201, a location management function (LMF) sends first information to a user equipment (UE), the first information being used for lifecycle management (LCM) of AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE.

[0200] In 5G NR and / or 6G systems, AI and / or ML can be applied in 5G and / or 6G networks. For example, AI and / or ML based positioning. For AI and / or ML based positioning, there can be multiple AI and / or ML models for positioning, and different AI and / or ML models are applied to different positioning application scenarios. That is, for different positioning application scenarios, different AI and / or ML models are trained using different datasets, resulting in different AI and / or ML models for different positioning application scenarios.

[0201] In embodiments of the present disclosure, AI models for positioning can be deployed at a UE, a base station (gNB), and a location management function (LMF).

[0202] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the LMF can be a network element, function, or functional entity, which is used to manage the location of a UE; for example, to determine the location information of the UE. Specifically, the LMF can determine the location information of the UE according to the request of a core network entity (such as an access and mobility management function entity (AMF)), and provide the location information of the UE to the AMF, thereby providing location services (LCS).

[0203] As an example, in embodiments of the present disclosure, positioning based on AI and / or ML models can include the following application scenarios:

[0204] Scenario (1), Direct AI and / or ML positioning (Direct AI / ML positioning):

[0205] AI and / or ML model output (AI / ML model output): UE location (UE location);

[0206] As an example, Direct AI / ML positioning is shown in FIG. 3, in which n-1 transmit / receive points (TRPs) respectively input channel measurement related parameters to an AI and / or ML model, and the AI and / or ML model outputs a UE location.

[0207] Scenario (2), AI and / or ML assisted positioning (AI / ML assisted positioning):

[0208] AI and / or ML model output: new measurement and / or enhancement of existing measurement, e.g., Line of Sight (LOS) and / or Non Line of Sight (NLOS) identification, timing and / or angle of measurement, likelihood of measurement, etc.

[0209] As an example, Direct AI / ML positioning is shown in FIG. 4, where n-1 transceiving points input channel measurement related parameters to an AI model and / or ML model, and the AI model and / or ML model outputs intermediate positioning measurement parameters.

[0210] Further, positioning based on AI model and / or ML model can specifically include the following use cases:

[0211] Use Case 1: UE-based positioning with UE-side model, Direct AI / ML positioning.

[0212] Use Case 2a: UE-assisted / LMF-based positioning with LMF-side model, AI / ML assisted positioning.

[0213] Use Case 2b: UE-assisted / LMF-based positioning with LMF-side model, Direct AI / ML positioning.

[0214] Use Case 3a: NG-RAN node assisted positioning with gNB-side model, AI / ML assisted positioning.

[0215] Use Case 3b: NG-RAN node assisted positioning with LMF-side mode, Direct AI / ML positioning.

[0216] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, for the case that the AI model and / or ML model for positioning is deployed on the UE side, the network side needs to manage the AI model and / or ML model, such as the life cycle management (LCM) of the AI model and / or ML model. The LCM of the AI model and / or ML model can include: reporting of AI functions and / or models supported by the UE, reporting of AI functions and / or models available for the UE, input and / or output configuration of the AI model, performance monitoring of the AI model, training of the AI model, activation and / or deactivation of the AI model, and the like.

[0217] Exemplarily, the LMF performs life cycle management on the AI / ML model deployed on the UE side.

[0218] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the AI model, the AI function, the AI configuration, the AI, and the above four can be exchanged respectively; the ML model, the ML function, the ML configuration, the ML, and the above four can be exchanged respectively; all of the above belong to the protection scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0219] It can be understood that, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the supported functionalities of the UE refer to the functionalities that the UE can indicate by using the UE capability information (through RRC and / or LPP signaling); the applicable functionalities refer to the functionalities that the UE has prepared to apply for inference; and the activated functionalities refer to the functionalities that have been enabled for performing inference.

[0220] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, for the LCM process of the UE side AI and / or ML, the LMF transmits, through a first message, the life cycle management LCM of the AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE with the UE, perfects the application of the AI and / or ML in the positioning process, and improves the accuracy of positioning.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0222] Information 1: network side additional condition;

[0223] Information 2: Artificial intelligence AI configuration and / or machine learning ML configuration;

[0224] Information 3: Request UE to report applicable functionality;

[0225] Information 4: Activate or deactivate AI functionality and / or ML functionality.

[0226] It can be understood that when the LCM information includes different above-mentioned information, the first message can be the same or different; for example, when the LCM information includes Network side additional condition, the first message can be LTE positioning protocol provides assistance information (LPP provide assistance data); when the LCM information includes AI configuration and / or ML configuration, the first message can be (LPP request location information LPP request location information); and in some scenarios, LPP request location information can be used to transmit Network side additional condition and AI configuration and / or ML configuration at the same time, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit this.

[0227] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0228] The LMF sends the activate or deactivate AI / ML functionality information to the base station through an NRPPa message, so that the base station requests the UE to activate or deactivate the AI functionality and / or ML functionality.

[0229] Wherein, the LMF sends the activate or deactivate message to the base station (such as gNB) through the NRPPa message, the base station sends the request activate or deactivate message to the UE, for example, through the radio resource control (Radio Resource control, RRC) message, the media access control layer (Media Access Control, MAC) message and / or the physical layer PHY message; then the UE activates or deactivates the specified AI and / or ML functionality according to the message.

[0230] Wherein, the new radio positioning protocol A (new radio positioning protocol A, NRPPa) message NRPPa is a protocol for specifying the control plane wireless network layer signaling process between the base station and the location management function (Location Management Function, LMF) device.

[0231] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0232] receiving second information sent by the UE, the second information being used to indicate that the measurement result or the location information is obtained by a positioning method indicated in the second information; the positioning method being pre-configured by the LMF, or being specified by the LMF, or being determined by the UE.

[0233] If the UE cannot use the AI and / or ML function according to the AI and / or ML configuration, the UE can perform AI and / or ML positioning by a positioning method, and send second information to the LMF to indicate that the UE performs positioning by the positioning method.

[0234] Exemplarily, the UE sends the second information after receiving the activation message.

[0235] In some embodiments, the method further comprises one or more of the following:

[0236] The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE through LPP provide capability;

[0237] The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE through LPP provide location information;

[0238] The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the base station to the LMF through a new radio positioning protocol A message (NRPPa), the applicable functionality being sent by the UE to the base station.

[0239] The LMF can receive the applicable functionality sent by the UE through LPP provide capability and LPP provide location information respectively after the LMF requests the UE to report the applicable functionality; and the LMF can also receive the applicable functionality sent by the base station to the LMF through NRPPa.

[0240] FIG. 5 is a second interaction schematic diagram of a lifecycle management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the above method comprises:

[0241] At step 501, the LMF sends Network side additional condition to the UE.

[0242] For example, the LMF sends Network side additional condition to the UE by one or more of Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol Provide Assistance Data (LPP provide assistance data), Positioning System Message, or LPP Request Location Information (LPP request location information).

[0243] In some embodiments, the Network side additional condition comprises one or more of:

[0244] Antenna configuration of base station and / or transceiving point (TRP), which identifies antenna configuration information of the base station and / or TRP;

[0245] Beam configuration of base station and / or TRP, which identifies beam configuration information of the base station and / or TRP;

[0246] Type of base station and / or TRP, which identifies the type of base station and / or TRP;

[0247] Transmission bandwidth configuration of Positioning Reference Signal (PRS), which identifies channel bandwidth information of PRS transmission;

[0248] Period configuration of PRS, which identifies transmission period information of PRS transmission.

[0249] For example, the Network side additional condition is used by the UE to determine whether the AI / ML function is applicable, for example, to determine whether the Network side additional condition when training the AI / ML model is consistent with the Network side additional condition currently provided by the LMF.

[0250] For example, the Network side additional condition is indicated by an associated identifier, for example, the LMF provides an identifier for the Network side additional condition, and the UE determines the Network side additional condition according to the identifier.

[0251] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0252] The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE, which is included in the LPP provide capability message or a newly defined LPP message.

[0253] Wherein, when the UE receives the positioning assistance information containing the network side conditions (for example, receives the LPP provide assistance data), sends the applicable functionality to the LMF, for example, the UE sends through the LPP provide capability message or a newly defined LPP message, and the LMF receives the LPP provide capability message or the newly defined LPP message sent by the UE, and obtains the applicable functionality from the LPP provide capability message or the newly defined LPP message.

[0254] For example, after the UE receives the positioning assistance information sent by the LMF, the UE sends the applicable functionality to the LMF. For example, the UE sends through the LPP provide capability message.

[0255] For example, after the UE receives the LPP request location information message containing the network side conditions sent by the LMF, the UE sends the applicable functionality to the LMF. For example, the UE sends through the LPP provide location information message.

[0256] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the applicable functionality includes at least one of the following functions, for example:

[0257] 1. LOS / NLOS indication;

[0258] 2. UE position;

[0259] 3. TOA.

[0260] For example, the UE-reported applicaplbe functionality indicates that a function of calculating UE position by AI / ML is available; the UE-reported applicaplbe functionality indicates that a function of determining LOS / NLOS by AI / ML is available. The UE-reported applicaplbe functionality indicates that a function of determining TOA by AI / ML is available.

[0261] FIG. 6 is a third interaction diagram of a lifecycle management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the above method includes:

[0262] At step 601, the LMF sends an AI configuration and / or an ML configuration to the UE.

[0263] For example, the LMF sends the AI configuration and / or the ML configuration to the UE by LPP request location information.

[0264] In some embodiments, the AI configuration and / or the ML configuration is used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0265] AI function and / or ML function used by the UE, for example, AI function and / or ML function used by the UE for AI / ML-based positioning;

[0266] AI model and / or ML model used by the UE, for example, AI model and / or ML model used by the UE for AI / ML-based positioning;

[0267] Input and / or output of the AI model and / or the ML model used by the UE, for example, specific parameters input and / or output by the AI model and / or the ML model used by the UE for AI / ML-based positioning, respectively;

[0268] Input and / or output of the AI function and / or the ML function used by the UE, for example, specific parameters input and / or output by the AI function and / or the ML function used by the UE for AI / ML-based positioning, respectively.

[0269] In some embodiments, the input and / or output of the AI model and / or the ML model includes one or more of the following:

[0270] For example, the input can include:

[0271] Time of flight of a positioning reference signal, indicating the time from network transmission to UE reception of PRS, etc.

[0272] Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD) of the reference signal and / or a measured angle of the positioning reference signal;

[0273] a received power of the positioning reference signal, e.g. Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP), indicating power information of receiving the PRS;

[0274] a Channel Impulse Response (CIR).

[0275] Exemplarily, the output can include:

[0276] a time of flight of the positioning reference signal, representing a time of the PRS from being sent by the network to being received by the UE, e.g. AI / ML assisted positioning scenario.

[0277] positioning information of the UE, e.g. Direct AI / ML positioning scenario;

[0278] a Line Of Sight (LOS) and / or Non Line Of Sight (NLOS) indication, e.g. AI / ML assisted positioning scenario.

[0279] In some embodiments, the LMF sends to the UE a positioning method for indicating a positioning method used by the UE when the AI functionality and / or the ML functionality is not applicable.

[0280] In some embodiments, when the UE receives the AI and / or ML configuration, e.g. the UE receives a LPP request location information message, if the UE is not able to use the AI and / or ML functionality according to the AI and / or ML configuration, the UE performs positioning according to the positioning method sent by the LMF to the UE, and then sends to the LMF the positioning measurement results or the position information, and the positioning method used for this positioning.

[0281] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0282] receiving one or more of the applicable functionality, an error cause indicating the functionality is not applicable, or the positioning method indication information sent by the UE;

[0283] The applicable functionality is sent via the LPP provide location information or the LPP provide capability message; and the error cause and / or the positioning method are included in the LPP provide location information.

[0284] For example, when the UE receives the AI / ML configuration and / or the network-side additional condition, for example, the UE receives the LPP request location information message, and the UE cannot use the AI and / or ML function according to the AI configuration, the ML configuration and / or the network-side additional condition, the UE sends one or more of the applicable functionality, the error cause indicating that the function is not applicable, or the positioning method indication information.

[0285] For example, the UE sends the applicable functionality via the LPP provide location information or the LPP provide capability message.

[0286] For example, the UE sends the error cause, and the error cause indicates that the functionality is not applicable, for example, the error cause is included in the LPP provide location information message.

[0287] For example, the UE sends the positioning method, and the positioning method indicates that the AI / ML is not applicable is the positioning method for obtaining the positioning measurement result or the location information.

[0288] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0289] The error cause includes that the AI function and / or the ML function is not applicable; the positioning method indication information is used to indicate that the UE performs positioning by the indicated positioning method; the positioning method is pre-configured by the LMF, or specified by the LMF, or determined by the UE,

[0290] When the UE receives the AI and / or ML configuration and / or network side additional conditions, for example, the UE receives the LPP request location information message, if the UE cannot use the AI and / or ML function according to the AI and / or ML configuration, and / or network side conditions, the UE sends the LPP provide location information message to indicate that the UE is positioned by the indicated positioning method indicated by the LPP provide location information message; the positioning method includes the LM pre-configured, or the LM specified, or the UE determined.

[0291] In some embodiments, the AI / ML configuration is provided by the LPP provide assistance information message.

[0292] In some embodiments, the UE performs AI / ML positioning according to the AI / ML configuration after receiving the AI / ML configuration.

[0293] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0294] The LMF sends the activation or deactivation information to the base station through the NRPPa message, so that the base station requests the UE to activate or deactivate the AI function and / or ML function, or activates the AI configuration and / or ML configuration.

[0295] Wherein, the LMF sends the activation or deactivation message to the base station through the NRPPa message, the base station sends the request activation or deactivation message to the UE, for example, through the radio resource control (Radio Resource control, RRC) message, the media access control layer (Media Access Control, MAC) message and / or the physical layer PHY message; then the UE activates or deactivates the specified AI and / or ML function and / or AI configuration and / or ML configuration according to the message.

[0296] In some embodiments, the LMF sends the activation or deactivation indication after sending the AI configuration and / or ML configuration.

[0297] In some embodiments, the UE performs AI / ML positioning according to the activation information after receiving the AI / ML configuration and receiving the activation information.

[0298] In some embodiments, the UE sends, to the LMF, second information after receiving the activation information, the second information being used to indicate that the measurement result or the position information is obtained by a positioning method indicated in the information; the positioning method being pre-configured by the LMF, specified by the LMF, or determined by the UE.

[0299] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0300] The LMF receives the second information sent by the UE, the second information being used to indicate that the measurement result or the position information is obtained by a positioning method indicated in the second information; the positioning method being pre-configured by the LMF, specified by the LMF, or determined by the UE. One or more of the applicable functionality, the error cause indicating that the functionality is not applicable, or the positioning method indication information sent by the UE is received;

[0301] In some embodiments, the UE, after receiving the activation information, can obtain the positioning measurement result (or the position information) using a specific positioning method if the AL functionality is not applicable, and send, to the LMF, second information (such as an LPP provide location information message) indicating that the measurement result (or the position information) is obtained by the specific positioning method; the specific positioning method being pre-configured by the LMF, specified by the LMF, or determined by the UE.

[0302] FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively the fourth and fifth interaction schematic diagrams of the life cycle management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0303] As shown in FIG. 7, the above method comprises:

[0304] Step 701, the LMF sends one or more of an LPP request location information or an LPP request capability to the UE, for requesting the UE to report the applicable functionality.

[0305] For example, the LMF requests the UE to report the applicable functionality through an LPP request location information message;

[0306] The LMF requests the UE to report the applicable functionality through an LPP request capability message;

[0307] or

[0308] The LMF requests the UE to report the applicable functionality by an LPP provide assistance information message.

[0309] The LMF requests the UE to report the applicable functionality, and can send an LPP request location information message to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE can send the applicable functionality to the LMF by an LPP provide location information message.

[0310] The LMF can also send an LPP request capability message to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE can send the applicable functionality to the LMF by an LPP provide capability message.

[0311] In addition, the LMF can also send an LPP provide assistance information message to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE can send the applicable functionality to the LMF by a newly defined LPP message or an LPP provide capability message.

[0312] As shown in FIG. 8, the above method comprises the following steps:

[0313] In step 801, the LMF sends a request message (for example, a first request message) to a base station by an NRPPa message, to request the base station to send a request message (for example, a second sending request message) to a UE, to request the UE to report applicable functionality.

[0314] In step 802, the gNB sends the request message to the UE.

[0315] For example, the LMF sends a first request message to a base station by an NRPPa message, the base station sends a second request message (for example, an RRC message) to a UE, and the UE subsequently sends applicable functionality (for example, by an RRC message) to the base station. The gNB sends the applicable functionality to the LMF (for example, by an NRPPa message).

[0316] The new radio positioning protocol A (NRPPa) message is a protocol used to specify control plane radio network layer signaling procedures between base stations and a location management function (LMF) device.

[0317] In some embodiments, the method further comprises one or more of:

[0318] The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE through LPP provide capability;

[0319] The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE through LPP provide location information;

[0320] The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the base station to the LMF through a new radio positioning protocol A (NRPPa) message, which is sent by the UE to the base station.

[0321] The LMF can receive the applicable functionality sent by the UE through LPP provide capability and LPP provide location information, respectively, after requesting the UE to report the applicable functionality. The LMF can also receive the applicable functionality sent by the base station to the LMF through NRPPa.

[0322] The present disclosure also provides a lifecycle management method, comprising the following steps:

[0323] (1) LPP Request Capability (Request Capability):

[0324] Initiated by a server (such as a location management function LMF), it requests the user equipment UE to report its positioning method capabilities.

[0325] It is the beginning stage of the positioning process, which is used to determine which positioning technologies and methods are supported by the target device;

[0326] For example, the LMF requests the UE supported functionality, applicable functionality through LPP Request Capability.

[0327] Optionally, the LMF can also request the UE to report applicable functionality through SLPP Request Capability.

[0328] (2) LPP Provide Capability (Provide Capability):

[0329] After receiving the LPP Request Capability message, the UE sends the LPP Provide Capability message to the positioning server to inform its positioning method capability.

[0330] This step is the UE's response to the LMF's request, providing the necessary information for the subsequent positioning process.

[0331] Optionally, the UE can send the applicable functionality to the LMF through LPP Provide Capability.

[0332] Optionally, the UE can send the supported functionality to the LMF through LPP Provide Capability.

[0333] Optionally, the UE can also actively (i.e., not based on the LPP Request Capability message) send the supported functionality and / or supported functionality to the LMF through LPP Provide Capability.

[0334] (3) Positioning System Information (Positioning System Information):

[0335] Optionally, the positioning system message can include the broadcast of assistance data necessary for the UE to perform positioning measurements.

[0336] These messages can be sent by base stations or other network devices to ensure that the UE can obtain the required positioning assistance information.

[0337] It should be noted that positioning system messages are not always transmitted directly as part of the LPP protocol, but can be transmitted through other mechanisms such as broadcast. However, in the LPP protocol, the positioning server can request or utilize these assistance data.

[0338] Optionally, the LMF can also send Network side additional condition to the UE through the positioning system message.

[0339] Wherein the Network side additional condition includes one or more of the following:

[0340] Antenna configuration of base station and / or transceiving point TRP;

[0341] Beam configuration of base station and / or TRP;

[0342] Type of base station and / or TRP;

[0343] Transmission bandwidth configuration of positioning reference signal;

[0344] Period configuration of positioning reference signal.

[0345] (4) LPP Provide Assistance Data:

[0346] After the LMF learns the positioning capability of the user equipment UE, the LMF can send assistance data to the UE to help the target device make more accurate positioning measurement.

[0347] These assistance data can include satellite orbit parameters, base station location information, time synchronization information, positioning reference signal configuration, etc.

[0348] The LMF can choose to send positioning assistance information through (3) positioning system message and / or (4) LPP Provide Assistance Data.

[0349] After receiving these assistance data, the target device can use them to optimize its positioning measurement process.

[0350] Optionally, the LMF can also send Network side additional condition to the UE through LPP Provide Assistance Data.

[0351] (5) LPP Request Location Information:

[0352] This step typically includes a request for the target device to make specific positioning measurements (e.g., satellite signal reception, base station signal reception, etc.), and possibly to specify a required response time.

[0353] Optionally, if the LMF does not send Network side additional condition to the UE via LPP Provide Assistance Data or positioning system message, the LMF can also send Network side additional condition to the UE via LPP Request Location Information.

[0354] Optionally, the LMF can also send AI configuration and / or ML configuration to the UE via LPP Request Location Information for requesting the UE to perform positioning according to the indicated AI / ML configuration;

[0355] wherein the artificial intelligence AI configuration and / or machine learning ML configuration is / are used to indicate one or more of:

[0356] AI function and / or ML function used by the UE;

[0357] AI model and / or ML model used by the UE;

[0358] input and / or output of the AI model and / or ML model used by the UE;

[0359] input and / or output of the AI function and / or ML function used by the UE.

[0360] Further, the input and / or output comprises one or more of:

[0361] time of flight of a positioning reference signal;

[0362] received power of a positioning reference signal;

[0363] reference signal time difference RSTD of a reference signal;

[0364] measured angle of a positioning reference signal;

[0365] position information of the UE;

[0366] line of sight LOS and / or non-line of sight NLOS indication.

[0367] The LMF can also request the UE to report applicable functionality via LPP Request Location Information;

[0368] (6) LPP Provide Location Information:

[0369] After receiving a message requesting location information, the UE will perform the corresponding positioning measurement and send the measurement result or location estimate to the server via LPP Provide Location Information.

[0370] This is the final stage of the positioning process. After receiving this information, the server can use it to determine the UE's exact location.

[0371] The UE performs location based on the AI / ML configuration of LPP Request Location Information and sends the location results to the LMF.

[0372] Optionally, the UE can send applicable functionality to the LMF via LPP Provide Location Information.

[0373] Optionally, if the UE does not support the AI / ML function indicated in step (5), the UE can provide Location Information to the LMF to indicate whether the AI / ML function is supported.

[0374] This disclosure also provides a lifecycle management method, including the following steps:

[0375] S101, the LMF sends a Network side additional condition to the UE via one or more of the LPP provide assistance data and the positioning system message.

[0376] The Network side additional condition includes one or more of the following:

[0377] Antenna configuration of base stations and / or transceiver points (TRPs);

[0378] Beam configuration of the base station and / or TRP;

[0379] Type of base station and / or TRP;

[0380] Configuration of the transmission bandwidth for the positioning reference signal;

[0381] Periodic configuration of the positioning reference signal.

[0382] S102, the LMF sends an LPP request capability to the UE for requesting UE to report applicable functionality; or the LMF sends a request information to a base station through a new radio positioning protocol A (NRPPa) message, so that the base station requests the UE to report applicable functionality.

[0383] S103, the LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE;

[0384] The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE through LPP provide capability, including:

[0385] The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the base station to the LMF through NRPPa, and the applicable functionality is sent by the UE to the base station.

[0386] S104, the LMF sends AI configuration and / or ML configuration to the UE through LPP request location information.

[0387] The artificial intelligence (AI) configuration and / or machine learning (ML) configuration are used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0388] The AI function and / or ML function used by the UE;

[0389] The AI model and / or ML model used by the UE;

[0390] The input and / or output of the AI model and / or ML model used by the UE;

[0391] The input and / or output of the AI function and / or ML function used by the UE.

[0392] Further, the input and / or output includes one or more of the following:

[0393] The time of flight of the positioning reference signal;

[0394] The received power of the positioning reference signal;

[0395] The reference signal time difference (RSTD) of the reference signal;

[0396] Measurement angle of the positioning reference signal;

[0397] Position information of the UE;

[0398] Line of sight, LOS, and / or non-line of sight, NLOS, indication.

[0399] S105, the LMF receives one or more of error cause indicating inapplicable functionality or positioning method indication information sent by the UE;

[0400] The error cause and / or positioning method are included in the LPP provide location information.

[0401] The error cause includes inapplicable AI functionality and / or ML functionality; the positioning method indication information is used to indicate that the UE is positioned by a positioning method; and the positioning method is pre-configured by the LMF, specified by the LMF, or determined by the UE.

[0402] S106, the LMF sends activation information to the UE, and the activation information is used to activate AI / ML functionality or configuration.

[0403] S107, the LMF receives second information sent by the UE, and the second information is used to indicate that the measurement result or the position information is obtained by a positioning method indicated in the second information; and the positioning method is pre-configured by the LMF, specified by the LMF, or determined by the UE.

[0404] It should be noted that the implementation timing of S101 to S107 is not limited by the above arrangement order, but is determined based on the transmission order of information in each stage of the LPP protocol, and some steps can be combined and executed.

[0405] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a lifecycle management method, comprising the following steps:

[0406] S201, the LMF sends Network side additional condition, AI configuration and / or ML configuration, and requests one or more of applicable functionality to the UE through LPP request location information.

[0407] The Network side additional condition includes one or more of the following:

[0408] Antenna configuration of a base station and / or a transmission and reception point, TRP.

[0409] Beam configuration of the base station and / or TRP;

[0410] Type of the base station and / or TRP;

[0411] Transmission bandwidth configuration of the positioning reference signal;

[0412] Period configuration of the positioning reference signal.

[0413] wherein the artificial intelligence, AI, configuration and / or machine learning, ML, configuration is used to indicate one or more of:

[0414] AI function and / or ML function used by the UE;

[0415] AI model and / or ML model used by the UE;

[0416] input and / or output of the AI model and / or ML model used by the UE;

[0417] input and / or output of the AI function and / or ML function used by the UE.

[0418] S202, the LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE, the applicable functionality is contained in the LPP provide capability message or the newly defined LPP message.

[0419] wherein the applicable functionality is sent through the LPP provide location information or LPP provide capability message.

[0420] S203, the LMF receives one or more of the error cause indicating that the function is not applicable or the positioning method indication information sent by the UE;

[0421] wherein the error cause and / or positioning method are contained in the LPP provide location information.

[0422] the error cause includes that the AI function and / or ML function is not applicable; the positioning method indication information is used to indicate that the UE performs positioning through the indicated positioning method when the AI / ML function is not applicable; the positioning method is pre-configured by the LMF, or specified by the LMF, or determined by the UE.

[0423] It should be noted that the implementation timing of S201 to S204 is not limited by the above arrangement order, but is determined based on the transmission order of information of each stage of the LPP protocol, and some steps can be combined for execution.

[0424] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a lifecycle management method, comprising the following steps:

[0425] S301, the LMF sends a Network side additional condition to the UE through one or more of LPP provide assistance data, positioning system message or LPP request location information.

[0426] The Network side additional condition comprises one or more of the following:

[0427] Antenna configuration of the base station and / or the transceiving point TRP;

[0428] Beam configuration of the base station and / or the TRP;

[0429] Type of the base station and / or the TRP;

[0430] Transmission bandwidth configuration of the positioning reference signal;

[0431] Period configuration of the positioning reference signal.

[0432] S302, the LMF sends AI configuration and / or ML configuration to the UE through LPP request location information.

[0433] It can be understood that if the Network side additional condition is sent through LPP request location information in S301, S302 can be combined with S301 for execution, that is, the LMF sends the Network side additional condition, AI configuration and / or ML configuration to the UE through LPP request location information.

[0434] The artificial intelligence AI configuration and / or machine learning ML configuration are used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0435] AI function and / or ML function used by the UE;

[0436] an AI model and / or an ML model used by the UE;

[0437] an input and / or an output of an AI model and / or an ML model used by the UE;

[0438] an input and / or an output of an AI function and / or an ML function used by the UE.

[0439] Further, the input and / or the output comprises one or more of:

[0440] a time of flight of a positioning reference signal;

[0441] a received power of a positioning reference signal;

[0442] a reference signal time difference RSTD of a reference signal;

[0443] a measured angle of a positioning reference signal;

[0444] position information of the UE;

[0445] a line of sight LOS and / or a non-line of sight NLOS indication.

[0446] S303, the LMF sends one or more of an LPP request location information or an LPP request capability to the UE for requesting the UE to report applicable functionality; or the LMF sends a request information to a base station through a new radio positioning protocol A message NRPPa message, so as to make the base station request the UE to report applicable functionality.

[0447] S304, the LMF receives an LPP provide location information sent by the UE, and the LPP provide location information comprises one or more of the applicable functionality, an error cause indicating that the function is not applicable, or positioning method indication information.

[0448] The error cause comprises that the AI function and / or the ML function is not applicable; the positioning method indication information is used for indicating that the UE performs positioning through a positioning method; and the positioning method is pre-configured by the LMF, specified by the LMF, or determined by the UE.

[0449] S305, the LMF receives second information sent by the UE, the second information being used to indicate a measurement result or position information obtained through a positioning method indicated in the second information; the positioning method being pre-configured by the LMF, or being specified by the LMF, or being determined by the UE.

[0450] It should be noted that the implementation timing of S301 to S305 is not limited by the above arrangement order, but is determined based on the transmission order of information in each stage of the LPP protocol, and some steps can be combined for implementation.

[0451] In some embodiments, the names of information and the like are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and the terms of "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "code point", "bit", "data", "program", "chip", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0452] In some embodiments, the terms of "moment", "time point", "time", "time position", and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms of "duration", "period", "time window", "window", "time", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0453] In some embodiments, the terms of "wireless access scheme", "waveform", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0454] In some embodiments, the terms of "certain", "preseted", "preset", "set", "indicated", "certain", "arbitrary", "first", and the like can be replaced with each other, and "certain A", "preset A", "preset A", "set A", "indicated A", "certain A", "arbitrary A", "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol and the like, or A obtained through setting, configuration, or indication, or A of certain, arbitrary, or first, but are not limited thereto.

[0455] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values (for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0456] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on the time domain resource and / or the frequency domain resource, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data, etc. after receiving the data, etc.; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the receiver to respond to the content of the sending.

[0457] The lifecycle management method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 501 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 601 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 701 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 801 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 801 and step 802 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0458] In some embodiments, reference can be made to the other optional implementation modes described before or after the description corresponding to FIGS. 2 to 8.

[0459] FIG. 9 is a seventh flow diagram of a lifecycle management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0460] As shown in FIG. 9, the above method can be applied to the network device 101, and the above method includes:

[0461] In step 901, the location management function LMF sends first information to the user equipment UE, and the first information is used for lifecycle management LCM of AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE.

[0462] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0463] Network side additional condition;

[0464] Artificial intelligence AI configuration and / or machine learning ML configuration;

[0465] Request information, the request information is used for requesting the UE to report applicable functionality;

[0466] Activation or deactivation information, the activation or deactivation information is used for activating.

[0467] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the location management function LMF sends first information to a user equipment UE, including:

[0468] The LMF sends a Network side additional condition to the UE through one or more of a long term evolution positioning protocol provide assistance data LPP, a positioning system message, or a LPP request location information.

[0469] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the Network side additional condition includes one or more of:

[0470] The Network side additional condition includes one or more of:

[0471] An antenna configuration of a base station and / or a transmission and reception point TRP;

[0472] A beam configuration of the base station and / or the TRP;

[0473] A type of the base station and / or the TRP;

[0474] A transmission bandwidth configuration of a positioning reference signal;

[0475] A periodic configuration of the positioning reference signal.

[0476] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the location management function LMF sends first information to a user equipment UE, including:

[0477] The LMF sends the artificial intelligence AI configuration and / or the machine learning ML configuration to the UE through a LPP request location information.

[0478] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the artificial intelligence AI configuration and / or the machine learning ML configuration is used to indicate one or more of:

[0479] An AI function and / or an ML function used by the UE;

[0480] An AI model and / or an ML model used by the UE;

[0481] An input and / or an output of the AI model and / or the ML model used by the UE;

[0482] inputs and / or outputs of an AI function and / or an ML function used by the UE.

[0483] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the inputs and / or outputs comprise one or more of:

[0484] a time of flight of a positioning reference signal;

[0485] a received power of a positioning reference signal;

[0486] a reference signal time difference RSTD of a reference signal;

[0487] a measured angle of a positioning reference signal;

[0488] location information of the UE;

[0489] a line of sight LOS and / or non-line of sight NLOS indication.

[0490] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the location management function LMF sends first information to a user equipment UE, comprising:

[0491] the LMF sends one or more of LPP request location information or LPP request capability to the UE, for requesting the UE to report applicable functionality.

[0492] the LMF sends request information to a base station through an NRPPa message, so that the base station requests the UE to report applicable functionality.

[0493] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the LMF sends activation or deactivation information to a base station through an NRPPa message, so that the base station requests the UE to activate or deactivate the AI function and / or the ML function.

[0494] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE, and the applicable functionality is contained in an LPP provide capability message or a newly defined LPP message.

[0495] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises:

[0496] receiving one or more of the applicable functionality, an error cause indicating that the functionality is not applicable, or positioning method indication information from the UE;

[0497] wherein the applicable functionality is sent via the LPP provide location information or the LPP provide capability message; and the error cause and / or the positioning method is included in the LPP provide location information.

[0498] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises:

[0499] The error cause comprises that the AI function and / or the ML function is not applicable; and the positioning method indication information is used to indicate that the UE performs positioning by a positioning method; and the positioning method is pre-configured by the LMF, specified by the LMF, or determined by the UE.

[0500] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the LMF transmits, to the UE via a first message, at least one of the following LCM information for AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE, comprising:

[0501] The LMF sends, to the gNB via a NRPPa message, information of activating or deactivating the AI function and / or the ML function, and instructs the gNB to send the information of activating or deactivating the AI function and / or the ML function to the UE.

[0502] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises one or more of the following:

[0503] The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE via the LPP provide capability;

[0504] The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE via the LPP provide location information;

[0505] The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE to the base station via a new radio access positioning protocol A message (NRPPa) to the LMF, wherein the applicable functionality is sent by the UE to the base station.

[0506] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises:

[0507] receiving second information sent by the UE, the second information being used to indicate that the measurement result or the location information is obtained through a positioning method indicated in the second information; the positioning method being pre-configured by the LMF, or being specified by the LMF, or being determined by the UE.

[0508] FIG. 10 is a seventh flow diagram of a lifecycle management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0509] As shown in FIG. 10, the above method can be applied to the user equipment 102, and the above method comprises:

[0510] In step 1001, the UE receives first information sent by the LMF, the first information being used for lifecycle management LCM of AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE.

[0511] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the first information comprises one or more of the following:

[0512] Network side additional condition;

[0513] AI configuration and / or ML configuration;

[0514] Request information, the request information being used to request the UE to report applicable functionality;

[0515] Activation or deactivation information, the activation or deactivation information being used to activate or deactivate AI function and / or ML function.

[0516] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE receives the first information sent by the LMF, comprising:

[0517] The UE receives Network side additional condition sent by the LMF through one or more of the following: LPP provide assistance data, positioning system message, or LPP request location information.

[0518] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the Network side additional condition comprises one or more of the following:

[0519] Antenna configuration of a base station and / or a transceiving point TRP;

[0520] Beam configuration of the base station and / or the TRP;

[0521] Type of base station and / or TRP;

[0522] Transmission bandwidth configuration of the positioning reference signal;

[0523] Period configuration of the positioning reference signal.

[0524] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE receives first information sent by an LMF, including:

[0525] The UE receives an artificial intelligence (AI) configuration and / or a machine learning (ML) configuration sent by the LMF through LPP request location information.

[0526] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the AI configuration and / or the ML configuration are used to indicate one or more of:

[0527] AI function and / or ML function used by the UE;

[0528] AI model and / or ML model used by the UE;

[0529] Input and / or output of the AI model and / or the ML model used by the UE;

[0530] Input and / or output of the AI function and / or the ML function used by the UE.

[0531] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the input and / or the output include one or more of:

[0532] Time of flight of the positioning reference signal;

[0533] Received power of the positioning reference signal;

[0534] Reference signal time difference (RSTD) and / or measured angle of the positioning reference signal

[0535] Position information of the UE;

[0536] Line of sight (LOS) and / or non-line of sight (NLOS) indication.

[0537] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further includes:

[0538] After the UE receives the AI configuration and / or the ML configuration, the corresponding AI function and / or the ML function is activated;

[0539] The UE deactivates the corresponding AI function and / or ML function after receiving the AI configuration and / or ML configuration; or the UE determines that the AI function and / or ML function AI function and / or ML function is not applicable after receiving the AI configuration and / or ML configuration.

[0540] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE receives the first information sent by the LMF, including:

[0541] The UE receives one or more of LPP request location information or LPP request capability sent by the LMF; based on one or more of the LPP request location information or LPP request capability, the UE sends applicable functionality to the LMF; or,

[0542] The UE receives information from the base station requesting to report applicable functionality, and sends applicable functionality to the base station, so that the base station sends the applicable functionality to the LMF; the information from the base station requesting to report applicable functionality is sent to the UE after receiving the request information from the LMF.

[0543] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises:

[0544] The UE receives information from the base station requesting to activate or deactivate the AI function and / or ML function; the information from the base station is sent to the UE after the base station receives the activation or deactivation information sent by the LMF to the base station through the NRPPa message.

[0545] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises:

[0546] The UE sends an LPP provide capability message or a newly defined LPP message to the LMF, and the LPP provide capability message or the newly defined LPP message includes the applicable functionality.

[0547] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises

[0548] the UE sends, to the LMF, one or more of the applicable functionality, an error cause indicating that the functionality is not applicable, or positioning method indication information;

[0549] wherein the applicable functionality is sent via the LPP provide location information or the LPP provide capability message; and the error cause is included in the LPP provide location information.

[0550] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises:

[0551] the error cause comprises that the AI function and / or the ML function is not applicable; the positioning method is used to indicate that the UE performs positioning by the positioning method; and the positioning method comprises a positioning method pre-configured by the LMF, a positioning method specified by the LMF, or a positioning method determined by the UE.

[0552] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises one or more of the following:

[0553] the UE sends, to the LMF, the applicable functionality via LPP provide capability;

[0554] the UE sends, to the LMF, the applicable functionality via LPP provide location information;

[0555] the UE sends, to a base station, the applicable functionality via an RRC message, a MAC message, and / or a PHY message, and instructs the base station to send the applicable functionality to the LMF.

[0556] Optionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises one or more of the following:

[0557] the UE sends, to the LMF, second information used to indicate that measurement results or location information are obtained by a positioning method indicated in the second information; and the positioning method comprises a positioning method pre-configured by the LMF, a positioning method specified by the LMF, or a positioning method determined by the UE.

[0558] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a device for implementing any of the above methods, for example, a device comprising units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another device is further provided, comprising units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the network equipment (such as an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0559] It should be understood that the division of each unit or module in the above device is only a logical function division, and all or part of the units or modules can be integrated into one physical entity or physically separated in actual implementation. In addition, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of processor invoking software: for example, the device comprises a processor connected with a memory, the memory stores instructions, and the processor invokes the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of each unit or module of the device, wherein the processor is a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory in the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units or modules can be implemented by the design of the hardware circuit, and the hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the units or modules are implemented by the design of the logical relationship between the elements in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the hardware circuit is a programmable logic device (PLD), and taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, so as to implement the functions of part or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented in the form of processor invoking software, or all units or modules can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, or part of the units or modules are implemented in the form of processor invoking software, and the remaining part is implemented in the form of hardware circuit.

[0560] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like. In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through a logical relationship of a hardware circuit, and the logical relationship of the hardware circuit is fixed or can be reconfigured. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the configuration of the hardware circuit. It can be understood that the processor loads instructions to implement the functions of the above part or all units or modules. In addition, the hardware circuit can also be designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), or the like.

[0561] FIG. 11 is a structural schematic diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 11, the network device 1100 can include a first transmission module 1101.

[0562] In some embodiments, the first transmission module 1101 described above is configured to send first information to a user equipment (UE), where the first information is used for lifecycle management (LCM) of AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE.

[0563] Optionally, the first transmission module 1101 described above is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (for example, steps 201, 501, 601, 701, 801, and 901, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device 101 in any of the above methods. Details are not described herein again.

[0564] FIG. 12 is a structural schematic diagram of a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 12, the user equipment 1200 can include a second transmission module 1201.

[0565] In some embodiments, the second transmission module 1201 described above is used to receive first information sent by the LMF, the first information being used for lifecycle management (LCM) of the UE's AI positioning and / or ML positioning.

[0566] Optionally, the second transmission module 1201 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (such as step 1001, but not limited thereto) performed by the user equipment 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0567] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal 1300 (e.g., a user equipment) proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The terminal 1300 may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports network devices in implementing any of the above methods, or it may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports a terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The terminal 1300 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0568] As shown in Figure 13, terminal 1300 includes one or more processors 1301. Processor 1301 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Terminal 1300 is used to execute any of the above methods.

[0569] In some embodiments, terminal 1300 further includes one or more memories 1302 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 1302 may also be located outside of terminal 1300.

[0570] In some embodiments, terminal 1300 further includes one or more transceivers 1304. When terminal 1300 includes one or more transceivers 1304, transceivers 1304 perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps 201, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, 1001, but not limited thereto), and processor 1301 performs other steps.

[0571] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0572] In some embodiments, the terminal 1300 can include one or more interface circuits 1303. Optionally, the interface circuits 1303 are connected to the memory 1302, and are configured to receive and transmit signals from and to the memory 1302 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 1303 can read instructions stored in the memory 1302 and transmit the instructions to the processor 1301.

[0573] The terminal 1300 described in the above embodiments can be a communication device such as a user equipment, but the scope of the terminal 1300 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the terminal 1300 can not be limited by FIG. 13. The communication device can be a stand-alone device or can be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device can be: (1) a stand-alone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, which can optionally also include storage means for storing data, programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, a smart terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handset, a mobile unit, a car-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, and the like; (6) other devices, and the like.

[0574] FIG. 14 is a structural schematic diagram of a chip 1400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case where the terminal 1300 is a chip or a chip system, the structural schematic diagram of the chip 1400 shown in FIG. 14 can be referred to, but is not limited thereto.

[0575] The chip 1400 includes one or more processors 1401, and the chip 1400 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0576] In some embodiments, the chip 1400 further includes one or more interface circuits 1403. Optionally, the interface circuits 1403 are connected to the memory 1402, and the interface circuits 1403 can be configured to receive and transmit signals from and to the memory 1402 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 1403 can read instructions stored in the memory 1402 and transmit the instructions to the processor 1401.

[0577] In some embodiments, the interface circuits 1403 perform at least one of the communication steps (such as steps 201, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, 1001, but are not limited thereto) in the above methods, and the processor 1401 performs other steps.

[0578] In some embodiments, the terms interface circuitry, interface, transceiving pin, transceiver, and the like can be substituted for one another.

[0579] In some embodiments, the chip 1400 also includes one or more memories 1402 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 1402 can be outside of the chip 1400.

[0580] The disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the terminal 1300, cause the terminal 1300 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0581] The disclosure also proposes a program product, which, when executed by the terminal 1300, causes the terminal 1300 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0582] The disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A lifecycle management method, characterized by, The method comprises: A location management function, LMF, sends first information to a user equipment, UE, the first information being used for lifecycle management, LCM, of AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE.

2. The lifecycle management method of claim 1, wherein, The first information comprises one or more of: A network side additional condition; An artificial intelligence, AI, configuration and / or a machine learning, ML, configuration; Request information for requesting the UE to report applicable functionality; Activation or deactivation information for activating or deactivating an AI function and / or an ML function.

3. The lifecycle management method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, The location management function, LMF, sends first information to a user equipment, UE, comprising: The LMF sends one or more of a long term evolution positioning protocol provide assistance data, LPP, a positioning system message, or a LPP request location information to the UE, the Network side additional condition.

4. The lifecycle management method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by, The Network side additional condition comprises one or more of: An antenna configuration of a base station and / or a transmission and reception point, TRP; A beam configuration of the base station and / or the TRP; A type of the base station and / or the TRP; A transmission bandwidth configuration of a positioning reference signal; A periodicity configuration of the positioning reference signal.

5. The lifecycle management method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, The location management function, LMF, sends first information to a user equipment, UE, comprising: The LMF sends an artificial intelligence, AI, configuration and / or a machine learning, ML, configuration to the UE via a LPP request location information.

6. The lifecycle management method according to claim 2 or 5, characterized by, The AI configuration and / or the ML configuration is used to indicate one or more of: An AI function and / or an ML function used by the UE; An AI model and / or an ML model used by the UE; An input and / or an output of the AI model and / or the ML model used by the UE; An input and / or an output of the AI function and / or the ML function used by the UE.

7. The lifecycle management method of claim 6, wherein, The input and / or the output comprises one or more of: A time of flight of a positioning reference signal; A received power of the positioning reference signal; A reference signal time difference, RSTD; A measured angle of the positioning reference signal; Position information of the UE; A line of sight, LOS, and / or a non line of sight, NLOS, indication.

8. The lifecycle management method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, The location management function, LMF, sends first information to a user equipment, UE, comprising: The LMF sends one or more of a LPP request location information or a LPP request capability to the UE for requesting the UE to report applicable functionality; or, The LMF sends a request information to a base station through a new radio positioning protocol A message (NRPPa message) to make the base station request the UE to report the applicable functionality. The LMF sends activation or deactivation information to the base station through an NRPPa message to make the base station request the UE to activate or deactivate the AI functionality and / or ML functionality.

9. The lifecycle management method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The method further comprises:

10. The lifecycle management method of claim 3 or 4, wherein, The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE, which is contained in an LPP provide capability message or a newly defined LPP message. The method further comprises:

11. The lifecycle management method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized by, Receiving one or more of the applicable functionality sent by the UE, an error cause indicating that the functionality is not applicable, or positioning method indication information; The applicable functionality is sent through an LPP provide location information or LPP provide capability message; and the error cause and / or positioning method are contained in the LPP provide location information.

12. The lifecycle management method according to claim 11, characterized in that: The error cause comprises that the AI functionality and / or ML functionality is not applicable; and the positioning method indication information is used to indicate that the UE performs positioning through a positioning method, which is pre-configured by the LMF, specified by the LMF, or determined by the UE. The method further comprises one or more of the following:

13. The lifecycle management method of claim 2 or 8, wherein, The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE through an LPP provide capability; The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the UE through an LPP provide location information; The LMF receives the applicable functionality sent by the base station to the LMF through an NRPPa, which is sent by the UE to the base station. The method further comprises:

14. The lifecycle management method of claim 2 or 9 or 12, wherein, Receiving second information sent by the UE, which is used to indicate that the measurement result or the position information is obtained through a positioning method indicated in the second information; and the positioning method is pre-configured by the LMF, specified by the LMF, or determined by the UE. The method comprises:

15. A lifecycle management method, characterized by, The UE receives first information sent by the LMF, which is used for lifecycle management (LCM) of AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE. The first information comprises one or more of the following:

16. The lifecycle management method of claim 15, wherein, ​ Network side additional condition; AI configuration and / or ML configuration; Request information for requesting the UE to report applicable functionality; Activation or deactivation information for activating or deactivating AI functionality and / or ML functionality.

17. The lifecycle management method of claim 15, wherein, The UE receives first information sent by the LMF, including: The UE receives Network side additional condition sent by the LMF through one or more of LPP provide assistance data, positioning system message or LPP request location information.

18. The lifecycle management method of claim 16 or 17, wherein, The Network side additional condition includes one or more of: Antenna configuration of base station and / or transceiving point TRP; Beam configuration of base station and / or TRP; Type of base station and / or TRP; Transmission bandwidth configuration of positioning reference signal; Period configuration of positioning reference signal.

19. The lifecycle management method of claim 15 or 16, wherein, The UE receives first information sent by the LMF, including: The UE receives AI configuration and / or ML configuration sent by the LMF through LPP request location information.

20. The lifecycle management method of claim 16 or 19, wherein, The AI configuration and / or ML configuration is used to indicate one or more of: AI functionality and / or ML functionality used by the UE; AI model and / or ML model used by the UE; Input and / or output of AI model and / or ML model used by the UE; Input and / or output of AI functionality and / or ML functionality used by the UE.

21. The lifecycle management method of claim 20, wherein, The input and / or output includes one or more of: Time of flight of positioning reference signal; Received power of positioning reference signal; Reference signal time difference RSTD and / or measured angle of positioning reference signal Position information of the UE; Line of sight LOS and / or non line of sight NLOS indication.

22. The lifecycle management method of claim 15 or 16, wherein, The method further includes: After the UE receives the AI configuration and / or ML configuration, activating the corresponding AI functionality and / or ML functionality; After the UE receives the AI configuration and / or ML configuration, deactivating the corresponding AI functionality and / or ML functionality; Or after the UE receives the AI configuration and / or ML configuration, determining that the AI functionality and / or ML functionality is not applicable.

23. The lifecycle management method of claim 15 or 16, wherein, The UE receives first information sent by the LMF, including: The UE receives one or more of the LPP request location information or LPP request capability sent by the LMF; based on the one or more of the LPP request location information or LPP request capability, sends applicable functionality to the LMF; or, The UE receives information of the base station requesting to report applicable functionality, and sends applicable functionality to the base station, so that the base station sends the applicable functionality to the LMF; the information of the base station requesting to report applicable functionality is sent to the UE after receiving the request information from the LMF.

24. The lifecycle management method of claim 15 or 16, wherein, The method further comprises: The UE receives information of the base station requesting to activate or deactivate the AI function and / or ML function; the base station sends the information to the UE after receiving the activation or deactivation information sent by the LMF to the base station through the NRPPa message.

25. The lifecycle management method of any one of claims 17 or 18, wherein, The method further comprises: The UE sends an LPP provide capability message or a newly defined LPP message to the LMF, and the LPP provide capability message or the newly defined LPP message includes the applicable functionality.

26. The lifecycle management method of any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein, The method further comprises The UE sends one or more of the applicable functionality, an error cause indicating that the functionality is not applicable, and / or positioning method indication information to the LMF; The applicable functionality is sent through an LPP provide location information or the LPP provide capability message; and the error cause and / or the positioning method are contained in the LPP provide location information.

27. The lifecycle management method of claim 26, wherein, The method further comprises: The error cause includes that the AI function and / or ML function is not applicable; the positioning method indication information is used to indicate that the UE performs positioning through a positioning method; and the positioning method includes a positioning method pre-configured by the LMF, a positioning method specified by the LMF, or a positioning method determined by the UE.

28. The lifecycle management method of claim 16 or 21, wherein, The method further comprises one or more of the following: The UE sends the applicable functionality to the LMF through an LPP provide capability; The UE sends the applicable functionality to the LMF through an LPP provide location information; The UE sends the applicable functionality to a base station through an RRC message, a MAC message, and / or a PHY message, instructing the base station to send the applicable functionality to the LMF.

29. The lifecycle management method of claim 16 or 22 or 24 or 27, wherein, The method further comprises one or more of the following: The UE sends second information to the LMF, the second information being used to indicate that the measurement result or the location information is obtained through a positioning method indicated in the second information; the positioning method being pre-configured by the LMF, being specified by the LMF, or being determined by the UE.

30. A network device comprising an LMF, the network device characterized by, The network device comprises: A first transmission module, configured to send first information to a user equipment (UE), the first information being used for lifecycle management (LCM) of AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE.

31. A user equipment, comprising: The user equipment comprises: A second transmission module, configured to receive first information sent by an LMF, the first information being used for LCM of AI positioning and / or ML positioning of the UE.

32. A network device comprising an LMF, the LMF being characterized by, Comprise: One or more processors; The network device is configured to perform the LCM method in any one of claims 1 to 14.

33. A user equipment, comprising: Comprise: One or more processors; The user equipment is configured to perform the LCM method in any one of claims 15 to 29.

34. A communication system, characterized by Comprise a network device and a user equipment; the network device is configured to implement the LCM method in any one of claims 1 to 14, and the user equipment is configured to implement the LCM method in any one of claims 15 to 29.

35. A storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, wherein, When the instructions run on a communication device, the communication device is caused to perform the LCM method in any one of claims 1 to 14, or perform the LCM method in any one of claims 15 to 29.

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