Measurement reporting for ai / ML uplink positioning

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for enhancing AI / ML positioning accuracy while considering reporting overhead. One method may include transmitting, by a UE, to a TRP, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the UE to perform positioning assisted by the TRP; and transmitting, to the TRP, an indication of an expected sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission quality.

Description

TITLEMEASUREMENT REPORTING FOR AI / ML UPLINK POSITIONINGTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Some example embodiments may generally relate to mobile or wireless telecommunication systems, such as 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5thgeneration (5G) radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR) access technology, 6thgeneration (6G), and / or other communications systems. For example, certain example embodiments may relate to systems and / or methods for enhancing artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) positioning accuracy while considering reporting overhead.BACKGROUND

[0002] Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunication systems may include radio frequency (RF) 5G RAT, the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), LTE Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-A Pro, NR access technology, and / or MulteFire Alliance. 5G wireless systems refer to the next generation (NG) of radio systems and network architecture. A 5G system is typically built on a 5G NR, but a 5G (or NG) network may also be built on E-UTRA radio. It is expected that NR can support service categories such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency- communication (URLLC), and massive machine-type communication (mMTC). NR is expected to deliver extreme broadband, ultra-robust, low-latency connectivity, and massive networking to support the Internet of Things (IoT). The next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) represents the radio access network (RAN) for 5G, which may provide radio access for NR, LTE, and LTE-A. It is noted that the nodes in 5G providing radio access functionality to a user equipment (e.g, similar to the Node B in UTRAN or the Evolved Node B (eNB) in LTE) may be referred to as next-generation Node B (gNB) when built on NR radio, and may be referred to as next-generation eNB (NG-eNB) when built on E-UTRA radio.SUMMARY

[0003] In accordance with some example embodiments, a method may include transmitting, by a UE, to a TRP, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the UE to perform positioning assisted by the TRP. The method may further include transmitting, by the UE, to the TRP, an indication of an expected SRS transmission quality.

[0004] In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for transmitting, to a TRP, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the UE to perform positioning assisted by the TRP. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting, to the TRP, an indication of an expected SRS transmission quality.

[0005] In accordance with various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may include program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method. The method may include transmitting, to a TRP, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the UE to perform positioning assisted by the TRP. The method may further include transmitting, to the TRP, an indication of an expected SRS transmission quality.

[0006] In accordance with some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include transmitting, to a TRP, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the UE to perform positioning assisted by the TRP. The method may further include transmitting, to the TRP, an indication of an expected SRS transmission quality.

[0007] In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to transmit, to a TRP, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the UE to perform positioning assisted by the TRP. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to transmit, to the TRP, an indication of an expected SRS transmission quality.

[0008] In accordance with various example embodiments, an apparatus may include transmitting circuitry configured to perform transmitting, to a TRP, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the UE to perform positioning assisted by the TRP. The apparatus may further include transmitting circuitry configured to perform transmitting, to the TRP, an indication of an expected SRS transmission quality.

[0009] In accordance with some example embodiments, a method may include receiving, by a TRP, from a UE, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the UE to perform positioning assisted by the TRP. The method may further include transmitting, to a LMF, the report. The method may further include receiving, from the UE, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality. The method may further include transmitting, to the LMF, the indication on the expected SRS transmission quality. The method may further include receiving, from the LMF, a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting. The method may further include transmitting, to the LMF, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0010] In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for receiving, from a UE, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the UE to perform positioning assisted by the apparatus. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting, to a LMF, the report. The apparatus may further include means for receiving, from the UE, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting, to the LMF, the indication on the expected SRS transmission quality. The apparatus may further include means for receiving, from the LMF, a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting, to the LMF, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0011] In accordance with various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may include program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method. The method may includereceiving, from a UE, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the UE to perform positioning assisted by the apparatus. The method may further include transmitting, to a LMF, the report. The method may further include receiving, from the UE, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality. The method may further include transmitting, to the LMF, the indication on the expected SRS transmission quality. The method may further include receiving, from the LMF, a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting. The method may further include transmitting, to the LMF, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0012] In accordance with some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include receiving, from a UE, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the UE to perform positioning assisted by the apparatus. The method may further include transmitting, to a LMF, the report. The method may further include receiving, from the UE, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality. The method may further include transmitting, to the LMF, the indication on the expected SRS transmission quality. The method may further include receiving, from the LMF, a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting. The method may further include transmitting, to the LMF, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0013] In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive, from a UE, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the UE to perform positioning assisted by the apparatus. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to transmit, to a LMF, the report. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to receive, from the UE, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality. The at least one memory and instructions, whenexecuted by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to transmit, to the LMF, the indication on the expected SRS transmission quality. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to receive, from the LMF, a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to transmit, to the LMF, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0014] In accordance with various example embodiments, an apparatus may include receiving circuitry configured to perform receiving, from a UE, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the UE to perform positioning assisted by the apparatus. The apparatus may further include transmitting circuitry configured to perform transmitting, to a LMF, the report. The apparatus may further include receiving circuitry configured to perform receiving, from the UE, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality. The apparatus may further include transmitting circuitry configured to perform transmitting, to the LMF, the indication on the expected SRS transmission quality. The apparatus may further include receiving circuitry configured to perform receiving, from the LMF, a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting. The apparatus may further include transmitting circuitry configured to perform transmitting, to the LMF, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0015] In accordance with some example embodiments, a method may include receiving, by a LMF, from a TRP, a report comprising an indication of an availability of a UE to perform positioning assisted by the TRP. The method may further include receiving, by the LMF, from the TRP, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality. The method may further include determining, by the LMF, a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting based on at least one AI / ML positioning functionality. The method may further include transmitting, by the LMF, to the TRP,the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting. The method may further include receiving, by the LMF, from the TRP, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0016] In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for receiving, from a TRP, a report comprising an indication of an availability of a UE to perform positioning assisted by the TRP. The apparatus may further include means for receiving, from the TRP, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality. The apparatus may further include means for determining a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting based on at least one AI / ML positioning functionality. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting, to the TRP, the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting. The apparatus may further include means for receiving, from the TRP, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0017] In accordance with various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may include program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method. The method may include receiving, from a TRP, a report comprising an indication of an availability of a UE to perform positioning assisted by the TRP. The method may further include receiving, from the TRP, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality. The method may further include determining a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting based on at least one AI / ML positioning functionality. The method may further include transmitting, to the TRP, the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting. The method may further include receiving, from the TRP, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0018] In accordance with some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include receiving, from a TRP, a report comprising an indication of an availability of a UE to perform positioning assisted bythe TRP. The method may further include receiving, from the TRP, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality. The method may further include determining a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting based on at least one AI / ML positioning functionality. The method may further include transmitting, to the TRP, the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting. The method may further include receiving, from the TRP, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0019] In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive, from a TRP, a report comprising an indication of an availability of a UE to perform positioning assisted by the TRP. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to receive, from the TRP, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to determine a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting based on at least one AI / ML positioning functionality. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to transmit, to the TRP, the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to receive, from the TRP, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0020] In accordance with various example embodiments, an apparatus may include receiving circuitry configured to perform receiving, from a TRP, a report comprising an indication of an availability of a UE to perform positioning assisted by the TRP. The apparatus may further include receiving circuitry configured to perform receive, from the TRP, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality. The apparatus may further include determining circuitry configured to perform determine a configurationassociated with SRS measurement reporting based on at least one AI / ML positioning functionality. The apparatus may further include transmitting circuitry configured to perform transmit, to the TRP, the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting. The apparatus may further include receiving circuitry configured to perform receiving, from the TRP, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0021] In accordance with some example embodiments, a method may include determining, by a TRP, whether an SRS received from a UE does not satisfy at least one quality threshold. The method may further include transmitting, by the TRP, to a LMF, a request for a SRS configuration update. The method may further include receiving, by the TRP, from the LMF, the requested SRS configuration update. The method may further include receiving, by the TRP, from the LMF, an SRS reconfiguration. The method may further include transmitting, to the UE, the SRS reconfiguration. The method may further include transmitting, to the LMF, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0022] In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for determining whether an SRS received from a UE does not satisfy at least one quality threshold. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting, to a LMF, a request for a SRS configuration update. The apparatus may further include means for receiving, from the LMF, the requested SRS configuration update. The apparatus may further include means for receiving, from the LMF, an SRS reconfiguration. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting, to the UE, the SRS reconfiguration. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting, to the LMF, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0023] In accordance with various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may include program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method. The method may include determining whether an SRS received from a UE does not satisfy at least one quality threshold. The method may further include transmitting, to a LMF, a request for a SRSconfiguration update. The method may further include receiving, from the LMF, the requested SRS configuration update. The method may further include receiving, by the TRP, from the LMF, an SRS reconfiguration. The method may further include transmitting, to the UE, the SRS reconfiguration. The method may further include transmitting, to the LMF, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0024] In accordance with some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include determining whether an SRS received from a UE does not satisfy at least one quality threshold. The method may further include transmitting, to a LMF, a request for a SRS configuration update. The method may further include receiving, from the LMF, the requested SRS configuration update. The method may further include receiving, by the TRP, from the LMF, an SRS reconfiguration. The method may further include transmitting, to the UE, the SRS reconfiguration. The method may further include transmitting, to the LMF, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0025] In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to determine whether an SRS received from a UE does not satisfy at least one quality threshold. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to transmit, to a LMF, a request for a SRS configuration update. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to receive, from the LMF, the requested SRS configuration update. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to receive, by the TRP, from the LMF, an SRS reconfiguration. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to transmit, to the UE, the SRS reconfiguration. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may furthercause the apparatus at least to transmit, to the LMF, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0026] In accordance with various example embodiments, an apparatus may include determining circuitry configured to perform determining whether an SRS received from a UE does not satisfy at least one quality threshold. The apparatus may further include transmitting circuitry configured to perform transmitting, to a LMF, a request for a SRS configuration update. The apparatus may further include receiving circuitry configured to perform receiving, from the LMF, the requested SRS configuration update. The apparatus may further include receiving circuitry configured to perform receiving, by the TRP, from the LMF, an SRS reconfiguration. The apparatus may further include transmitting circuitry configured to perform transmitting, to the UE, the SRS reconfiguration. The apparatus may further include transmitting circuitry configured to perform transmitting, to the LMF, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0027] In accordance with some example embodiments, a method may include receiving, by a LMF, from a TRP, a request for a SRS configuration update. The method may further include updating, by the LMF, an SRS configuration according to the request. The method may further include transmitting, by the LMF, the updated SRS configuration. The method may further include transmitting, to the TRP, an SRS reconfiguration. The method may further include receiving, from the TRP, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0028] In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for receiving, from a TRP, a request for a SRS configuration update. The apparatus may further include means for updating an SRS configuration according to the request. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting the updated SRS configuration. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting an SRS reconfiguration. The apparatus may further include means for receiving, from the TRP, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0029] In accordance with various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may include program instructions that, when executed by anapparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method. The method may include receiving, from a TRP, a request for a SRS configuration update. The method may further include updating an SRS configuration according to the request. The method may further include transmitting the updated SRS configuration. The method may further include transmitting an SRS reconfiguration. The method may further include receiving, from the TRP, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0030] In accordance with some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include receiving, from a TRP, a request for a SRS configuration update. The method may further include updating an SRS configuration according to the request. The method may further include transmitting the updated SRS configuration. The method may further include transmitting an SRS reconfiguration. The method may further include receiving, from the TRP, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0031] In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive, from a TRP, a request for a SRS configuration update. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to update an SRS configuration according to the request. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to transmit the updated SRS configuration. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to transmit an SRS reconfiguration. The at least one memory and instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the apparatus at least to receive, from the TRP, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0032] In accordance with various example embodiments, an apparatus may include receiving circuitry configured to perform receiving, from a TRP, a request for a SRS configuration update. The apparatus may further include updating circuitry configuredto perform updating an SRS configuration according to the request. The apparatus may further include transmitting circuitry configured to perform transmitting the updated SRS configuration. The apparatus may further include transmitting circuitry configured to perform transmitting an SRS reconfiguration. The apparatus may further include receiving circuitry configured to perform receiving, from the TRP, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] For a proper understanding of example embodiments, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a signaling diagram according to certain example embodiments;

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a flow diagram of a method according to various example embodiments;

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a flow diagram of a method according to various example embodiments;

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a flow diagram of a method according to various example embodiments;

[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a flow diagram of a method according to various example embodiments;

[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a flow diagram of a method according to various example embodiments;

[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of various network devices according to some example embodiments; and

[0041] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a 5G network and system architecture according to certain example embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] It will be readily understood that the components of certain example embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may bearranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of some example embodiments of systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for enhancing AI / ML positioning accuracy while considering reporting overhead is not intended to limit the scope of certain example embodiments, but is instead representative of selected example embodiments.

[0043] There are a variety of cases of AI / ML for positioning accuracy enhancements that require reporting measurement results to a location management function (LMF). For example, when a base station transmits positioning reference signals (PRS), the user equipment (UE) may perform and send measurements to the LMF; the LMF would use an AI / ML model to determine the location coordinates. In another example, when the UE transmits sounding reference signals (SRS), the base station may perform and send measurement results to the LMF. The LMF may then use the AI / ML model to determine the location coordinates. For example, a reporting range of UL SRS reference signal received path power (RSRPP) may be defined from - 156dBm to -31dBm with resolution IdB, while the mapping of measured quantity may be defined as shown in the mapping table below.

[0044] In using downlink (DL) PRS-RSRPP for downlink power measurements and uplink (UL) SRS-RSRPP for uplink power measurements, reporting mapping requirements on both PRS- and SRS-RSRPP may be defined. In the requirements for legacy positioning, the report mapping table is specified with 1 dB reporting resolution in the reporting range from -156 dBm to -31 dBm. To define a reporting mapping table for AI / ML positioning, the requirements of the legacy positioning can be similarly reused by including the information fields such as ‘reported value,’ ‘measured quantity value,’ and ‘unit’ defined in a measurement reporting table. However, there is still a need to define a mapping between a reported value andmeasured quantity value. It is also needed to define report resolutions for the measured quantity value.

[0045] When defining report mapping in the legacy positioning, the measured quantity value (e.g, RSRPP) may be an input of a positioning algorithm (e.g, triangulation) to calculate the distance between the UE and base station. Therefore, the impact of the reporting resolution on the positioning accuracy outcome may be analyzed and estimated within the used legacy positioning algorithm. Unlike legacy positioning, AI / ML-based positioning needs to use a dataset generated based on the reported measurements. The measurement dataset is then used as input to the AI / ML model. When using an AI / ML model to estimate the position coordinate of a terminal device, it can be difficult to analyze the causality between the composition of the input dataset and the outcome quality of positioning coordinate. Thus, it may be challenging to explicitly estimate the impact of reporting resolution on the positioning accuracy. Furthermore, the composition of input data, such as granularity and quality, may have a significant impact on the performance of the AI / ML models. To improve the accuracy of AI / ML positioning, a larger and more diverse dataset may be generated for training and testing purposes, while simultaneously using a higher reporting resolution of these measurements.

[0046] Certain example embodiments described herein may have various benefits and / or advantages to overcome the disadvantages described above. For example, according to certain example embodiments, AI / ML positioning may adopt flexible / adaptive reporting techniques with a possible modification of the SRS- measurement report mapping used in some legacy positioning. Certain example embodiments described herein relate to situations where SRS measurement results are sent to an AI / ML model located in the LMF by configuring the SRS transmission and report mapping of SRS measurements. Thus, certain example embodiments discussed below are directed to improvements in computer-related technology.

[0047] Various example embodiments may relate to AI / ML positioning, specifically NG-RAN node assisted positioning with LMF-side model, direct AI / ML positioning. Specifically, when the UE transmits an SRS, the base station (e.g. , TRP) may performSRS measurements, and transmit a measurement report to the LMF, which uses an AI / ML model to determine the location of the UE. When performing the SRS measurements and preparing a measurement report, an improved report mapping configuration may enhance the accuracy of the AI / ML positioning.

[0048] For example, a UE may evaluate and transmit information on feasibility and priority of the current operation of NG-RAN node assisted positioning, as well as information on the expected SRS quality indication. Based on this information, the LMF may determine a proper report mapping configuration. The TRP may then perform the SRS measurements, and transmit a measurement report for AI / ML positioning to the LMF. Furthermore, the TRP may verify the fitness of the currently configurated report mapping, and request an update of the configuration. Consequently, the network (e.g, TRP or LMF) can update the report mapping and is also able to reconfigure the SRS transmission of the UE to enable the TRP to measure a better quality of SRS signals and prepare an optimized SRS measurement report.

[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a signaling diagram 100 for enhancing AI / ML positioning accuracy while considering reporting overhead. UE 120 may be similar to UE 720, and TRP 130 and LMF 140 may be similar to NE 710, as illustrated in FIG. 7, according to certain example embodiments.

[0050] At operation 101, LMF 140 may transmit a configuration for SRS transmission to TRP 130, which may then forward to UE 120.

[0051] At operation 102, UE 120 may transmit to TRP 130 a report on capabilities of UE 120. For example, the importance / priority of currently performing NG-RAN node assisted positioning can be reported by UE 120. TRP 130 may then forward this report to LMF 140. For example, if UE 120 temporarily does not have an acceptable reception of PRS signal, and / or UE 120 temporarily has a limited processing capability for positioning, UE-based / UE-assisted positioning may not achieve a high accuracy. In this case, LMF 140 may rely on the SRS measurement, and NG-RAN node assisted positioning may be used for a higher accuracy than UE-based / UE-assisted positioning. Since only UE 120 may know the current capability status, UE 120 may be required to send a report on the capabilities of UE 120 related to AI / ML positioning.

[0052] At operation 103, UE 120 may transmit an indication on the expected SRS transmission quality to TRP 130, which may forward the indication to LMF 140. The indication may indicate whether the quality of the SRS transmission is satisfactory for a high accuracy measurement with a fine granularity of measurement reporting. For instance, this indication may include a binary value (e.g, 1 and 0 indicate acceptable and unacceptable SRS quality, respectively). Alternatively, a fractional value may indicate a degree of expected channel quality. The SRS transmission quality may be affected by multiple factors. For example, if UE 120 is observing more TRPs through line of sight (LOS) channels, UE 120 may determine that the SRS transmission quality is acceptable. Also, if UE 120 has a low mobility and / or is static, then can expect a good SRS transmission quality. Moreover, UE 120 may determine the distance to nearby TRPs (e.g, TRP 130). If UE 120 has more TRPs nearby, UE 120 may determine that the transmitted SRS is successfully received by the TRPs.

[0053] At operation 104, LMF 140 may receive information transmitted by UE 120, and determine a proper report mapping. LMF 140 may determine a measurement reporting mapping configuration based on at least one of reports by UE 120, a currently configured AI / ML functionality at LMF 140, potentially configurable AI / ML functionality at LMF 140, existing / reported channel measurements, AI / ML model types, AI / ML model dimensions, required data set size, required positioning accuracy, and / or targeting positioning accuracy. Based on these factors, LMF 140 may select at least one of the reporting configurations. As an example, each potential reporting configuration may have a different format.

[0054] As an example, configurable AIML functionalities may refer to all AI / ML functionalities that are equipped with a network device product e.g., LMF 140). For example, those functionalities may be hardcoded during manufacturing. The multiple AI / ML functionalities may be defined in a specification (z. e. , standards). For example, in the specification on AI / ML positioning, potential inputs and outputs of an AI / ML model for positioning may be specified. When implementing AI / ML positioning, it is possible that multiple AI / ML functionalities may be defined for the different combination of the input and output of a certain AI / ML model. Furthermore, channelmeasurements may refer to a wireless channel configured to transmit and receive an SRS signal, or alternatively, another channel correlated to the channel used for SRS signal (e.g. , a channel QCLed with the channel used for SRS). In addition, any dataset may be used for AI / ML positioning. For example, the dataset may include at least ground truth information (e.g., a UE device’s actual location or closely approximated location) and the measurements of the SRS from UE 120.

[0055] Moreover, a required accuracy may be defined in and / or given by a specification. For example, a specification may define that AI / ML positioning should achieve the positioning accuracy with a maximum error (e.g., 1 m or 10 cm). Targeting accuracy may be the accuracy that a network device wants to achieve. For example, when a certain application / service is running on the network, while using a cellular-based positioning service, the application / service may have a certain ‘targeting’ accuracy (e.g., 10 cm positioning accuracy), which could be the same or different from the required accuracy.

[0056] In certain example embodiments, the measurement report mapping (e.g., a mapping table) may include the reported values, where each reported value represents an identical range of the measured quantity value (e.g., the same table format as defined in legacy positioning measurement reporting). As an example, a default report resolution may be 1 dB. If UE 120 has reported that SRS transmission quality is good or UE has indicated that the current NG-RAN node assisted positioning is required to achieve a high accuracy, then the reporting resolution can be enhanced by using a report mapping table defined with fine granularity (e.g., using 0.5 dB of resolution). As another example, if it is unlikely to achieve a high accuracy in positioning due to a low expected quality of SRS transmission / reception and / or may be unnecessary to achieve a high fidelity in AI / ML positioning processing, the report mapping table may be defined with 3 dB of report resolution. A coarse report mapping may reduce signaling overhead since the requirement number of bits can be reduced when reporting the same range of measured quality value.

[0057] In some example embodiments, the measurement report mapping table may include the reported values where each reported value represents the uneven / variableintervals / range of the measured quantity value. For example, when a measured quantity value is lower than XI dBm, a reporting resolution of Y1 dB may define the reported values. Furthermore, when a measured quantity value is between Xi dBm and X2 dBm (Xi < X2), a reporting resolution of Y2 dB may define the reported values. In addition, when measured quantity value is between X2 dBm and X3 dBm (X2 < X3), a reporting resolution of Y3 dB may define the reported values. When measured quantity value is greater than or equals to X4dBm (X3 < X4), a reporting resolution of Y4 dB is used to define the reported values. As a result, Xi=-156 dBm, X2=- HOdBm, X3=-64dBm, and X4=-31dBm, and Yi=3dB, Y2=2dB, Y3=ldB, and Y4=0.5dB. However, any real number may be used as the configured reporting resolution. In addition, any numerical order for the values of Yi, Y2, Y3, and Y4may be used, and Yi, Y2, Y3, and Y4may have any real number.

[0058] In various example embodiments, a reported value may represent either an absolute value or differential value (e.g, the difference between the current and previous measurements).

[0059] In certain example embodiments, the determination of the reporting configuration may depend on the periodicity of SRS or the bandwidth of SRS. For example, when the current periodicity of SRS is 40 ms for certain UEs that transmit SRS, TRP 130 may configure UE 120 with a smaller SRS period (e.g, 5 ms) if such a reconfiguration of SRS is requested by LMF 140. Also, TRP 130 may configure UE 120 to transmit the SRS signals across the full band at once or to transmit the SRS for a certain segment of the frequency band. In this case, as the current SRS is transmitted with a high frequency or by using a wide frequency band, a precise reporting may be used.

[0060] At operation 105, LMF 140 may transmit to TRP an SRS measurement reporting configuration.

[0061] At operation 106, UE 120 may transmit to an SRS based upon the SRS measurement reporting configuration received from TRP 130.

[0062] At operation 107, TRP 130 may measure the SRS received from UE 120, prepare an SRS measurement report according to the indicated reporting configuration, transmit the prepared report to LMF 140.

[0063] Operations 108-114 may relate to an optional procedure for verifying the adaptability / fitness of the indicated report mapping and updating the report mapping. For example, at operation 108, while measuring SRS signals, TRP 130 may determine the whether the currently indicated report configuration is suitable to achieve a high accuracy in AI / ML positioning. For instance, the quality of SRS measurements may differ from the initial report of UE 120. Such a difference detected during the SRS signal reception may indicate that the current report mapping is not optimal to prepare a measurement report.

[0064] At operation 109, TRP 130 may transmit a request to LMF 140 to update report mapping configuration.

[0065] At operation 110, LMF 140 may update the report mapping configuration based on the request from TRP 130.

[0066] At operation 111, LMF 140 may transmit to TRP 130 an indication of an updated report mapping configuration. While TRP 130 may receive a single report configuration, if TRP 130 is configured for plural reporting mapping configurations to prepare an SRS measurement report, TRP 130 may select one of the configurations and transmit the information on the selected configuration with the SRS measurement report. Multiple configurations may be provided to TRP 130 from LMF 140, and then TRP 130 may select one of the provided configurations; the information on the selected configuration may be transmitted to LMF 140 since LMF 140 needs to know which configuration is used to prepare a report by TRP 130.

[0067] At operation 112, LMF 140 can also transmit a newly requested SRS configuration to TRP 130, and TRP 130 may configure UE 120 to use the requested SRS configuration. The reconfiguration of SRS can have the different parameters for the SRS resource allocation in time and frequency domains, frequency hopping usage, and / or periodicity.

[0068] At operation 113, UE 120 may transmit an SRS to TRP 130.

[0069] At operation 114, TRP 130 may measure the SRS, prepare an SRS measurement report according to the updated reporting configuration, and transmit the prepared report to LMF 140.

[0070] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a flow diagram of a method 200 that may be performed by a UE, such as UE 720 illustrated in FIG. 7, according to various example embodiments.

[0071] At step 201, the method may include transmitting, to a TRP such as NE 710 illustrated in FIG. 7, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the first apparatus to perform positioning assisted by the second apparatus.

[0072] At step 202, the method may further include transmitting, to the TRP, an indication of an expected SRS transmission quality.

[0073] In certain example embodiments, the method may further include transmitting, to the TRP, at least one SRS based on a configuration of a third apparatus.

[0074] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a flow diagram of a method 300 that may be performed by a TRP, such as NE 710 illustrated in FIG. 7, according to various example embodiments.

[0075] At step 301, the method may include receiving, from a UE such as UE 720 illustrated in FIG. 7, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the second apparatus to perform positioning assisted by the first apparatus.

[0076] At step 302, the method may further include transmitting, to a LMF such as NE 710 illustrated in FIG. 7, the report.

[0077] At step 303, the method may further include receiving, from the UE, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality.

[0078] At step 304, the method may further include transmitting, to the LMF, the indication on the expected SRS transmission quality.

[0079] At step 305, the method may further include receiving, from the LMF, a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0080] At step 306, the method may further include transmit, to the LMF, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0081] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a flow diagram of a method 400 that may be performed by a TRP, such as NE 710 illustrated in FIG. 7, according to various example embodiments.

[0082] At step 401, the method may include receiving, from the TRP such as NE 710 illustrated in FIG. 7, a report comprising an indication of an availability of a UE, such as UE 720 illustrated in FIG. 7, to perform positioning assisted by the second apparatus.

[0083] At step 402, the method may further include receiving, from the TRP, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality.

[0084] At step 403, the method may further include determining a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting based on at least one AI / ML positioning functionality.

[0085] At step 404, the method may further include transmitting, to the TRP, the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0086] At step 405, the method may further include receiving, from the TRP, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0087] In certain example embodiments, the determination of a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting is further based upon one or more of at least one report of the UE; at least one activated AI / ML functionality at the LMF; at least one configurable AI / ML functionality at the LMF; at least one existing / reported channel measurement; at least one AI / ML model type; at least one AI / ML model dimension; at least one required training, testing, or inference data set size; at least one required positioning accuracy; or at least one targeting positioning accuracy.

[0088] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a flow diagram of a method 500 that may be performed by a NE, such as NE 710 illustrated in FIG. 7, according to various example embodiments.

[0089] At step 501, the method may include determining whether an SRS received from a UE, such as UE 720 illustrated in FIG. 7, does not satisfy at least one quality threshold.

[0090] At step 502, the method may further include transmitting, to a LMF such as NE 710 illustrated in FIG. 7, a request for a SRS configuration update.

[0091] At step 503, the method may further include receiving, from the LMF, the requested SRS configuration update.

[0092] At step 504, the method may further include receiving, from the LMF, an SRS reconfiguration.

[0093] At step 505, the method may further include transmitting, to the UE, the SRS reconfiguration.

[0094] At step 506, the method may further include transmitting, to the LMF, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0095] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a flow diagram of a method 600 that may be performed by a LMF, such as NE 710 illustrated in FIG. 7, according to various example embodiments.

[0096] At step 601, the method may include receiving, from a TRP such as NE 710 illustrated in FIG. 7, a request for a SRS configuration update.

[0097] At step 602, the method may further include updating an SRS configuration according to the request.

[0098] At step 603, the method may further include transmitting, to the TRP, the updated SRS configuration.

[0099] At step 604, the method may further include transmitting, to the TRP, an SRS reconfiguration.

[0100] At step 605, the method may further include receiving, from the TRP, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0101] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a system according to certain example embodiments. In one example embodiment, a system may include multiple devices, such as, for example, NE 710 and / or UE 720.[0102JNE 710 may be one or more of a base station (e.g, 3G UMTS NodeB, 4G LTE Evolved NodeB, or 5G NR Next Generation NodeB), a serving gateway, a server, and / or any other access node or combination thereof.

[0103] NE 710 may further include at least one gNB-centralized unit (CU), which may be associated with at least one gNB-distributed unit (DU). The at least one gNB-CU and the at least one gNB-DU may be in communication via at least one Fl interface, at least one Xn-C interface, and / or at least one NG interface via a 5thgeneration core (5GC).

[0104] UE 720 may include one or more of a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet, or portable media player, digital camera, pocket video camera, video game console, navigation unit, such as a global positioning system (GPS) device, desktop or laptop computer, single-location device, such as a sensor or smart meter, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, NE 710 and / or UE 720 may be one or more of a citizens broadband radio service device (CBSD).

[0105] NE 710 and / or UE 720 may include at least one processor, respectively indicated as 711 and 721. Processors 711 and 721 may be embodied by any computational or data processing device, such as a central processing unit (CPU), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or comparable device. The processors may be implemented as a single controller, or a plurality of controllers or processors.

[0106] At least one memory may be provided in one or more of the devices, as indicated at 712 and 722. The memory may be fixed or removable. The memory may include computer program instructions or computer code contained therein. Memories 712 and 722 may independently be any suitable storage device, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, may correspond to a limitation of the medium itself (z. e. , tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g, random access memory (RAM) vs. read-only memory (ROM)). A hard disk drive (HDD), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, or other suitable memory may be used. The memories may be combined on a single integrated circuit as the processor, or may be separate from the one or more processors. Furthermore, the computer program instructions stored in the memory, and which may be processed by the processors, may be any suitable form of computer program code, for example, a compiled or interpreted computer program written in any suitable programming language.

[0107] Processors 711 and 721, memories 712 and 722, and any subset thereof, may be configured to provide means corresponding to the various blocks of FIGs. 1-6. Although not shown, the devices may also include positioning hardware, such as GPS or micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) hardware, which may be used to determine a location of the device. Other sensors are also permitted, and may be configured to determine location, elevation, velocity, orientation, and so forth, such as barometers, compasses, and the like.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 7, transceivers 713 and 723 may be provided, and one or more devices may also include at least one antenna, respectively illustrated as 714 and 724. The device may have many antennas, such as an array of antennas configured for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communications, or multiple antennas for multiple RATs. Other configurations of these devices, for example, may be provided. Transceivers 713 and 723 may be a transmitter, a receiver, both a transmitter and a receiver, or a unit or device that may be configured both for transmission and reception.

[0109] The memory and the computer program instructions may be configured, with the processor for the particular device, to cause a hardware apparatus, such as UE, to perform any of the processes described above (z.e., FIGs. 1-6). Therefore, in certain example embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may be encoded with computer instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a process such as one of the processes described herein. Alternatively, certain example embodiments may be performed entirely in hardware.

[0110] In certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include circuitry configured to perform any of the processes or functions illustrated in FIGs. 1-6. As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry), (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform variousfunctions), and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g, firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0111] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a 5G network and system architecture according to certain example embodiments. Shown are multiple network functions that may be implemented as software operating as part of a network device or dedicated hardware, as a network device itself or dedicated hardware, or as a virtual function operating as a network device or dedicated hardware. The NE and UE illustrated in FIG. 8 may be similar to NE 710 andUE 720, respectively. The user plane function (UPF) may provide services such as intra-RAT and inter-RAT mobility, routing and forwarding of data packets, inspection of packets, user plane quality of service (QoS) processing, buffering of downlink packets, and / or triggering of downlink data notifications. The application function (AF) may primarily interface with the core network to facilitate application usage of traffic routing and interact with the policy framework.

[0112] According to certain example embodiments, processors 711 and 721, and memories 712 and 722, may be included in or may form a part of processing circuitry or control circuitry. In addition, in some example embodiments, transceivers 713 and 723 may be included in or may form a part of transceiving circuitry.

[0113] In some example embodiments, an apparatus (e.g, NE 710 and / or UE 720) may include means for performing a method, a process, or any of the variants discussed herein. Examples of the means may include one or more processors,memory, controllers, transmitters, receivers, and / or computer program code for causing the performance of the operations.

[0114] In various example embodiments, first apparatus 720 may be controlled by memory 722 and processor 721 to transmit, to a second apparatus, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the first apparatus to perform positioning assisted by the second apparatus; and transmit, to the second apparatus, an indication of an expected sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission quality.

[0115] Certain example embodiments may be directed to a first apparatus that includes means for performing any of the methods described herein including, for example, means for transmitting, to a second apparatus, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the first apparatus to perform positioning assisted by the second apparatus; and means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, an indication of an expected SRS transmission quality.

[0116] In various example embodiments, first apparatus 710 may be controlled by memory 712 and processor 711 to receive, from a second apparatus, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the second apparatus to perform positioning assisted by the first apparatus; transmit, to a third apparatus, the report; receive, from the second apparatus, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality; transmit, to the third apparatus, the indication on the expected SRS transmission quality; receive, from the third apparatus, a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting; and transmit, to the third apparatus, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0117] Certain example embodiments may be directed to a first apparatus that includes means for performing any of the methods described herein including, for example, means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the second apparatus to perform positioning assisted by the first apparatus; transmit, to a third apparatus, the report; means for receiving, from the second apparatus, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality; means for transmitting, to the third apparatus, the indication on the expected SRS1 transmission quality; means for receiving, from the third apparatus, a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting; and means for transmitting, to the third apparatus, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0118] In various example embodiments, first apparatus 710 may be controlled by memory 712 and processor 711 to receive, from a second apparatus, a report comprising an indication of an availability of a third apparatus to perform positioning assisted by the second apparatus; receive, from the second apparatus, an indication on an expected SRS transmission quality; determine a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting based on at least one AI / ML positioning functionality; transmit, to the second apparatus, the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting; and receive, from the second apparatus, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0119] Certain example embodiments may be directed to a first apparatus that includes means for performing any of the methods described herein including, for example, means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a report comprising an indication of an availability of a third apparatus to perform positioning assisted by the second apparatus; means for receiving, from the second apparatus, an indication on an expected sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission quality; means for determining a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting based on at least one AI / ML positioning functionality; means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting; and means for receiving, from the second apparatus, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

[0120] In various example embodiments, first apparatus 710 may be controlled by memory 712 and processor 711 to determine whether an SRS received from a second apparatus does not satisfy at least one quality threshold; transmit, to a third apparatus, a request for a SRS configuration update; receive, from the third apparatus, the requestedSRS configuration update; receive, from the third apparatus, an SRS reconfiguration; transmit, to the second apparatus, the SRS reconfiguration; and transmit, to the third apparatus, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0121] Certain example embodiments may be directed to a first apparatus that includes means for performing any of the methods described herein including, for example, means for determining whether an SRS received from a second apparatus does not satisfy at least one quality threshold; means for transmitting, to a third apparatus, a request for a SRS configuration update; means for receiving, from the third apparatus, the requested SRS configuration update; means for receiving, from the third apparatus, an SRS reconfiguration; means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, the SRS reconfiguration; and means for transmitting, to the third apparatus, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0122] In various example embodiments, first apparatus 710 may be controlled by memory 712 and processor 711 to receive, from a second apparatus, a request for a SRS configuration update; update an SRS configuration according to the request; transmit, to the second apparatus, the updated SRS configuration; transmit, to the second apparatus, an SRS reconfiguration; and receive, from the second apparatus, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0123] Certain example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that includes means for performing any of the methods described herein including, for example, means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a request for a SRS configuration update; means for updating an SRS configuration according to the request; means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, the updated SRS configuration; means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, an SRS reconfiguration; and means for receiving, from the second apparatus, an SRS measurement according to the SRS configuration update.

[0124] The features, structures, or characteristics of example embodiments described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable maimer in one or more example embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases “various embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “some embodiments,” or other similar language throughout thisspecification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an example embodiment may be included in at least one example embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in certain embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” or other similar language throughout this specification does not necessarily all refer to the same group of example embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments.

[0125] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or,” mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0126] Additionally, if desired, the different functions or procedures discussed above may be performed in a different order and / or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the described functions or procedures may be optional or may be combined. As such, the description above should be considered as illustrative of the principles and teachings of certain example embodiments, and not in limitation thereof.

[0127] One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the example embodiments discussed above may be practiced with procedures in a different order, and / or with hardware elements in configurations which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although some embodiments have been described based upon these example embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the example embodiments.

[0128] Partial Glossary

[0129] 3GPP 3rdGeneration Partnership Project

[0130] 5G 5thGeneration

[0131] 5GC 5thGeneration Core

[0132] 6G 6thGeneration

[0133] AF Application Function[0134JAI / ML Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning

[0135] ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit

[0136] CBSD Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device

[0137] CPU Central Processing Unit

[0138] CU Centralized Unit

[0139] DL Downlink

[0140] DU Distributed Unit

[0141] eMBB Enhanced Mobile Broadband

[0142] eNB Evolved Node B

[0143] gNB Next Generation Node B

[0144] GPS Global Positioning System

[0145] HDD Hard Disk Drive

[0146] loT Internet of Things

[0147] LMF Location Management Function

[0148] LOS Line of Sight

[0149] LTE Long-Term Evolution

[0150] LTE-A Long-Term Evolution Advanced

[0151] MEMS Micro Electrical Mechanical System

[0152] MIMO Multiple Input Multiple Output

[0153] mMTC Massive Machine Type Communication

[0154] NE Network Entity

[0155] NG Next Generation

[0156] NG-eNB Next Generation Evolved Node B

[0157] NG-RAN Next Generation Radio Access Network

[0158] NR New Radio

[0159] PDA Personal Digital Assistance

[0160] PFL Positioning Frequency Layer

[0161] PRS Positioning Reference Signal

[0162] QoS Quality of Service

[0163] RAM Random Access Memory

[0164] RAN Radio Access Network

[0165] RAT Radio Access Technology

[0166] RF Radio Frequency

[0167] ROM Read-Only Memory

[0168] RSRP Reference Signal Received Power

[0169] RSRPP Reference Signal Received Path Power

[0170] SRS Sounding Reference Signal

[0171] TRP Transmission Reception Point

[0172] UE User Equipment

[0173] UL Uplink

[0174] UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

[0175] UPF User Plane Function

[0176] URLLC Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communication

[0177] UTRAN Universal Mobile Telecommunications System TerrestrialRadio Access Network

[0178] WLAN Wireless Local Area Network

Claims

32WE CLAIM:

1. A first apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: transmit, to a second apparatus, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the first apparatus to perform positioning assisted by the second apparatus; and transmit, to the second apparatus, an indication of an expected sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission quality.

2. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first apparatus comprises a user equipment (UE), and the second apparatus comprises a network entity.

3. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus at least to: transmit, to the second apparatus, at least one sounding reference signal based on a configuration of a third apparatus.

4. A first apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: receive, from a second apparatus, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the second apparatus to perform positioning assisted by the first apparatus; transmit, to a third apparatus, the report;33 receive, from the second apparatus, an indication on an expected sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission quality; transmit, to the third apparatus, the indication on the expected sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission quality; receive, from the third apparatus, a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting; and transmit, to the third apparatus, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

5. The first apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first apparatus comprises a transmission-reception point (TRP), the second apparatus comprises a UE, and the third apparatus comprises a location management function (LMF).

6. A first apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: receive, from a second apparatus, a report comprising an indication of an availability of a third apparatus to perform positioning assisted by the second apparatus; receive, from the second apparatus, an indication on an expected sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission quality; determine a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting based on at least one AI / ML positioning functionality; transmit, to the second apparatus, the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting; and receive, from the second apparatus, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

7. The first apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first apparatus comprises a location management function (LMF), the second apparatus comprises a transmission-reception point (TRP), and the third apparatus comprises a UE.

8. The first apparatus of claim 6, wherein the determination of a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting is further based upon one or more of: at least one report of the third apparatus; at least one activated AI / ML functionality at the first apparatus; at least one configurable AI / ML functionality at the first apparatus; at least one existing / reported channel measurement; at least one AI / ML model type; at least one AI / ML model dimension; at least one required training, testing, or inference data set size; at least one required positioning accuracy; or at least one targeting positioning accuracy.

9. A method comprising: transmitting, by a UE, to a TRP, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the UE to perform positioning assisted by the TRP; and transmitting, to the TRP, an indication of an expected sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission quality.

10. A method comprising : receiving, by a TRP, from a UE, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the UE to perform positioning assisted by the TRP; transmitting, to a LMF, the report; receiving, from the UE, an indication on an expected sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission quality;transmitting, to the LMF, the indication on the expected sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission quality; receiving, from the LMF, a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting; and transmitting, to the LMF, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

11. A method comprising : receiving, by the LMF, from a TRP, a report comprising an indication of an availability of a UE to perform positioning assisted by the TRP; receiving, from the TRP, an indication on an expected sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission quality; determining a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting based on at least one AI / ML positioning functionality; transmitting, to the TRP, the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting; and receiving, from the TRP, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

12. A first apparatus comprising: means for transmitting, to a second apparatus, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the first apparatus to perform positioning assisted by the second apparatus; and means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, an indication of an expected sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission quality.3613. A first apparatus comprising : means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a report comprising an indication of an availability of the second apparatus to perform positioning assisted by the first apparatus; means for transmitting, to a third apparatus, the report; means for receiving, from the second apparatus, an indication on an expected sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission quality; means for transmitting, to the third apparatus, the indication on the expected sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission quality; means for receiving, from the third apparatus, a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting; and means for transmitting, to the third apparatus, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

14. A first apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a report comprising an indication of an availability of a third apparatus to perform positioning assisted by the second apparatus; means for receiving, from the second apparatus, an indication on an expected sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission quality; means for determining a configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting based on at least one AI / ML positioning functionality; means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting; and means for receiving, from the second apparatus, an SRS measurement report comprising at least one SRS measurement according to the configuration associated with SRS measurement reporting.

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