Indication of sampling timing error

Abstract

A method of wireless positioning performed by a user equipment (UE) is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a first measurement of a first positioning reference signal (PRS) resource in a first PRS occasion at a first PRS reception time, obtaining a second measurement of a second PRS resource in a second PRS occasion at a second PRS reception time, and transmitting a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

Description

Qualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO1INDICATION OF SAMPLING TIMING ERRORTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to wireless technologies.BACKGROUND

[0002] Wireless communication systems have developed through various generations, including a first-generation analog wireless phone service (1G), a second-generation (2G) digital wireless phone service (including interim 2.5G and 2.75G networks), a third-generation (3G) high speed data, Internet-capable wireless service and a fourth-generation (4G) service (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax). There are presently many different types of wireless communication systems in use, including cellular and personal communications service (PCS) systems. Examples of known cellular systems include the cellular analog advanced mobile phone system (AMPS), and digital cellular systems based on code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), etc.

[0003] A fifth generation (5G) wireless standard, referred to as New Radio (NR), enables higher data transfer speeds, greater numbers of connections, and better coverage, among other improvements. The 5G standard, according to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance, is designed to provide higher data rates as compared to previous standards, more accurate positioning (e.g., based on reference signals for positioning (RS-P), such as downlink, uplink, or sidelink positioning reference signals (PRS)), RF sensing, and other technical enhancements. These enhancements, as well as the use of higher frequency bands, enable improved RF sensing and 5G-based positioning.SUMMARY

[0004] The following presents a simplified summary relating to one or more aspects disclosed herein. Thus, the following summary should not be considered an extensive overview relating to all contemplated aspects, nor should the following summary be considered to identify key or critical elements relating to all contemplated aspects or to delineate the scope associated with any particular aspect. Accordingly, the following summary has theQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO2 sole purpose to present certain concepts relating to one or more aspects relating to the mechanisms disclosed herein in a simplified form to precede the detailed description presented below.

[0005] In an aspect, a method of wireless positioning performed by a user equipment (UE) includes obtaining a first measurement of a first positioning reference signal (PRS) resource in a first PRS occasion at a first PRS reception time; obtaining a second measurement of a second PRS resource in a second PRS occasion at a second PRS reception time; and transmitting a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

[0006] In an aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes one or more memories; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, configured to: obtain a first measurement of a first positioning reference signal (PRS) resource in a first PRS occasion at a first PRS reception time; obtain a second measurement of a second PRS resource in a second PRS occasion at a second PRS reception time; and transmit a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

[0007] In an aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes means for obtaining a first measurement of a first positioning reference signal (PRS) resource in a first PRS occasion at a first PRS reception time; means for obtaining a second measurement of a second PRS resource in a second PRS occasion at a second PRS reception time; and means for transmitting a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

[0008] In an aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: obtain a first measurement of a first positioning reference signal (PRS) resource in a first PRS occasion at a first PRS reception time; obtain a second measurement of a second PRS resource in a second PRS occasion at a second PRS reception time; and transmit a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the firstQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO3PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

[0009] Other obj ects and advantages associated with the aspects disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the accompanying drawings and detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings are presented to aid in the description of various aspects of the disclosure and are provided solely for illustration of the aspects and not limitation thereof.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communications system, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0012] FIGS. 2 A, 2B, and 2C illustrate example wireless network structures, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0013] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are simplified block diagrams of several sample aspects of components that may be employed in a user equipment (UE), a base station, and a network entity, respectively, and configured to support communications as taught herein.

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates an example neural network, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of direct artificial intelligence / machine learning (AIML) positioning and / or sensing, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of AIML assisted positioning and / or sensing, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 5C illustrates various AIML positioning and / or sensing scenarios, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates examples of various positioning methods supported in New Radio (NR), according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a graph representing a radio frequency (RF) channel impulse response over time, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating example timings of roundtrip time (RTT) measurement signals exchanged between a base station and a UE, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of expected clock drifting, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO4

[0022] FIG. 10 is an illustration of several call flow diagrams relating to sampling timing error grouping.

[0023] FIG. 11 is an illustration of several tables relating to sampling timing error grouping.

[0024] FIGS. 12 to 14 illustrate example methods of wireless communication, according to aspects of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Aspects of the disclosure are provided in the following description and related drawings directed to various examples provided for illustration purposes. Alternate aspects may be devised without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, well-known elements of the disclosure will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the disclosure.

[0026] Various aspects relate generally to wireless sensing. Some aspects more specifically relate to indication of sampling timing error. In some examples, a user equipment (UE) indicates that a sampling timing error, occurring between a first positioning reference signal (PRS) reception time and a second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin. In some examples, a UE obtains a first measurement of a first PRS resource in a first PRS occasion at a first PRS reception time, obtains a second measurement of a second PRS resource in a second PRS occasion at a second PRS reception time, and transmits a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

[0027] Particular aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. In some examples, usage of the sampling timing error indication enables indication of an amount of sampling timing error associated with one or more measurements.

[0028] The words “exemplary” and / or “example” are used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” and / or “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Likewise, the term “aspects of the disclosure” does not require that all aspects of the disclosure include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO5

[0029] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the information and signals described below may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description below may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof, depending in part on the particular application, in part on the desired design, in part on the corresponding technology, etc.

[0030] Further, many aspects are described in terms of sequences of actions to be performed by, for example, elements of a computing device. It will be recognized that various actions described herein can be performed by specific circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)), by program instructions being executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of both. Additionally, the sequence(s) of actions described herein can be considered to be embodied entirely within any form of non- transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein a corresponding set of computer instructions that, upon execution, would cause or instruct an associated processor of a device to perform the functionality described herein. Thus, the various aspects of the disclosure may be embodied in a number of different forms, all of which have been contemplated to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. In addition, for each of the aspects described herein, the corresponding form of any such aspects may be described herein as, for example, “logic configured to” perform the described action.

[0031] As used herein, the terms “user equipment” (UE) and “base station” are not intended to be specific or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (RAT), unless otherwise noted. In general, a UE may be any wireless communication device (e.g., a mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, consumer asset locating device, wearable (e.g., smartwatch, glasses, augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) headset, etc.), vehicle (e.g., automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.), Internet of Things (loT) device, etc.) used by a user to communicate over a wireless communications network. A UE may be mobile or may (e.g., at certain times) be stationary, and may communicate with a radio access network (RAN). As used herein, the term “UE” may be referred to interchangeably as an “access terminal” or “AT,” a “client device,” a “wireless device,” a “subscriber device,” a “subscriber terminal,” a “subscriber station,” a “user terminal” or “UT,” a “mobile device,” a “mobile terminal,” a “mobile station,” or variations thereof. Generally,QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO6UEs can communicate with a core network via a RAN, and through the core network the UEs can be connected with external networks such as the Internet and with other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms of connecting to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible for the UEs, such as over wired access networks, wireless local area network (WLAN) networks (e.g., based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 specification, etc.) and so on.

[0032] A base station may operate according to one of several RATs in communication with UEs depending on the network in which it is deployed, and may be alternatively referred to as an access point (AP), a network node, a NodeB, an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a New Radio (NR) Node B (also referred to as a gNB or gNodeB), etc. A base station may be used primarily to support wireless access by UEs, including supporting data, voice, and / or signaling connections for the supported UEs. In some systems a base station may provide purely edge node signaling functions while in other systems it may provide additional control and / or network management functions. A communication link through which UEs can send signals to a base station is called an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., a reverse traffic channel, a reverse control channel, an access channel, etc.). A communication link through which the base station can send signals to UEs is called a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., a paging channel, a control channel, a broadcast channel, a forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein the term traffic channel (TCH) can refer to either an uplink / reverse or downlink / forward traffic channel.

[0033] The term “base station” may refer to a single physical transmission-reception point (TRP) or to multiple physical TRPs that may or may not be co-located. For example, where the term “base station” refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP may be an antenna of the base station corresponding to a cell (or several cell sectors) of the base station. Where the term “base station” refers to multiple co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRPs may be an array of antennas (e.g., as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MEMO) system or where the base station employs beamforming) of the base station. Where the term “base station” refers to multiple non-co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRPs may be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transport medium) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, the non-co-locatedQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO7 physical TRPs may be the serving base station receiving the measurement report from the UE and a neighbor base station whose reference radio frequency (RF) signals the UE is measuring. Because a TRP is the point from which a base station transmits and receives wireless signals, as used herein, references to transmission from or reception at a base station are to be understood as referring to a particular TRP of the base station.

[0034] In some implementations that support positioning of UEs, a base station may not support wireless access by UEs (e.g., may not support data, voice, and / or signaling connections for UEs), but may instead transmit reference signals to UEs to be measured by the UEs, and / or may receive and measure signals transmitted by the UEs. Such a base station may be referred to as a positioning beacon (e.g., when transmitting signals to UEs) and / or as a location measurement unit (e.g., when receiving and measuring signals from UEs).

[0035] An “RF signal” comprises an electromagnetic wave of a given frequency that transports information through the space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter may transmit a single “RF signal” or multiple “RF signals” to a receiver. However, the receiver may receive multiple “RF signals” corresponding to each transmitted RF signal due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels. The same transmitted RF signal on different paths between the transmitter and receiver may be referred to as a “multipath” RF signal. As used herein, an RF signal may also be referred to as a “wireless signal” or simply a “signal” where it is clear from the context that the term “signal” refers to a wireless signal or an RF signal.

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communications system 100, according to aspects of the disclosure. The wireless communications system 100 (which may also be referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) may include various base stations 102 (labeled “BS”) and various UEs 104. The base stations 102 may include macro cell base stations (high power cellular base stations) and / or small cell base stations (low power cellular base stations). In an aspect, the macro cell base stations may include eNBs and / or ng-eNBs where the wireless communications system 100 corresponds to an LTE network, or gNBs where the wireless communications system 100 corresponds to a NR network, or a combination of both, and the small cell base stations may include femtocells, picocells, microcells, etc.

[0037] The base stations 102 may collectively form a RAN and interface with a core network 170 (e.g., an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC)) through backhaul links 132,QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO8 and through the core network 170 to one or more location servers 172 (e.g., a location management function (LMF) or a secure user plane location (SUPL) location platform (SLP)). The location server(s) 172 may be part of core network 170 or may be external to core network 170. A location server 172 may be integrated with a base station 102. A UE 104 may communicate with a location server 172 directly or indirectly. For example, a UE 104 may communicate with a location server 172 via the base station 102 that is currently serving that UE 104. A UE 104 may also communicate with a location server 172 through another path, such as via an application server (not shown), via another network, such as via a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) (e.g., AP 150 described below), and so on. For signaling purposes, communication between a UE 104 and a location server 172 may be represented as an indirect connection (e.g., through the core network 170, etc.) or a direct connection (e.g., as shown via direct connection 138), with the intervening nodes (if any) omitted from a signaling diagram for clarity.

[0038] In addition to other functions, the base stations 102 may perform functions that relate to one or more of transferring user data, radio channel ciphering and deciphering, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setup and release, load balancing, distribution for non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment trace, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through the EPC / 5GC) over backhaul links 144, which may be wired or wireless.

[0039] The base stations 102 may wirelessly communicate with the UEs 104. Each of the base stations 102 may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area 110. In an aspect, one or more cells may be supported by a base station 102 in each geographic coverage area 110. A “cell” is a logical communication entity used for communication with a base station (e.g., over some frequency resource, referred to as a carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, band, or the like), and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCI), an enhanced cell identifier (ECI), a virtual cell identifier (VCI), a cell global identifier (CGI), etc.) for distinguishing cells operating via the same or a different carrier frequency. In some cases, different cells mayQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO9 be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine-type communication (MTC), narrowband loT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or others) that may provide access for different types of UEs. Because a cell is supported by a specific base station, the term “cell” may refer to either or both of the logical communication entity and the base station that supports it, depending on the context. In addition, because a TRP is typically the physical transmission point of a cell, the terms “cell” and “TRP” may be used interchangeably. In some cases, the term “cell” may also refer to a geographic coverage area of a base station (e.g., a sector), insofar as a carrier frequency can be detected and used for communication within some portion of geographic coverage areas 110.

[0040] While neighboring macro cell base station 102 geographic coverage areas 110 may partially overlap (e.g., in a handover region), some of the geographic coverage areas 110 may be substantially overlapped by a larger geographic coverage area 110. For example, a small cell base station 102' (labeled “SC” for “small cell”) may have a geographic coverage area 110' that substantially overlaps with the geographic coverage area 110 of one or more macro cell base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell and macro cell base stations may be known as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include home eNBs (HeNBs), which may provide service to a restricted group known as a closed subscriber group (CSG).

[0041] The communication links 130 between the base stations 102 and the UEs 104 may include uplink (also referred to as reverse link) transmissions from a UE 104 to a base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also referred to as forward link) transmissions from a base station 102 to a UE 104. The communication links 130 may use MIMO antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication links 130 may be through one or more carrier frequencies. Allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to downlink and uplink (e.g., more or less carriers may be allocated for downlink than for uplink).

[0042] The wireless communications system 100 may further include a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) 150 in communication with WLAN stations (STAs) 152 via communication links 154 in an unlicensed frequency spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz). When communicating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the WLAN STAs 152 and / or the WLAN AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) or listen before talkQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO10(LBT) procedure prior to communicating in order to determine whether the channel is available.

[0043] The small cell base station 102' may operate in a licensed and / or an unlicensed frequency spectrum. When operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the small cell base station 102' may employ LTE or NR technology and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum as used by the WLAN AP 150. The small cell base station 102', employing LTE / 5G in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, may boost coverage to and / or increase capacity of the access network. NR in unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as NR-U. LTE in an unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as LTE-U, licensed assisted access (LAA), or MULTEFIRE®.

[0044] The wireless communications system 100 may further include a millimeter wave (mmW) base station 180 that may operate in mmW frequencies and / or near mmW frequencies in communication with a UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is part of the RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters. Radio waves in this band may be referred to as a millimeter wave. Near mmW may extend down to a frequency of 3 GHz with a wavelength of 100 millimeters. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, also referred to as centimeter wave. Communications using the mmW / near mmW radio frequency band have high path loss and a relatively short range. The mmW base station 180 and the UE 182 may utilize beamforming (transmit and / or receive) over a mmW communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. Further, it will be appreciated that in alternative configurations, one or more base stations 102 may also transmit using mmW or near mmW and beamforming. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the foregoing illustrations are merely examples and should not be construed to limit the various aspects disclosed herein.

[0045] Transmit beamforming is a technique for focusing an RF signal in a specific direction. Traditionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal in all directions (omni-directionally). With transmit beamforming, the network node determines where a given target device (e.g., a UE) is located (relative to the transmitting network node) and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that specific direction, thereby providing a faster (in terms of data rate) and stronger RF signal for the receiving device(s). To change the directionality of the RF signal whenQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO11 transmitting, a network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of the one or more transmitters that are broadcasting the RF signal. For example, a network node may use an array of antennas (referred to as a “phased array” or an “antenna array”) that creates a beam of RF waves that can be “steered” to point in different directions, without actually moving the antennas. Specifically, the RF current from the transmitter is fed to the individual antennas with the correct phase relationship so that the radio waves from the separate antennas add together to increase the radiation in a desired direction, while cancelling to suppress radiation in undesired directions.

[0046] Transmit beams may be quasi-co-located, meaning that they appear to the receiver (e.g., a UE) as having the same parameters, regardless of whether or not the transmitting antennas of the network node themselves are physically co-located. In NR, there are four types of quasi-co-location (QCL) relations. Specifically, a QCL relation of a given type means that certain parameters about a second reference RF signal on a second beam can be derived from information about a source reference RF signal on a source beam. Thus, if the source reference RF signal is QCL Type A, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, and delay spread of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL Type B, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and Doppler spread of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL Type C, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and average delay of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL Type D, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the spatial receive parameter of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0047] In receive beamforming, the receiver uses a receive beam to amplify RF signals detected on a given channel. For example, the receiver can increase the gain setting and / or adjust the phase setting of an array of antennas in a particular direction to amplify (e.g., to increase the gain level of) the RF signals received from that direction. Thus, when a receiver is said to beamform in a certain direction, it means the beam gain in that direction is high relative to the beam gain along other directions, or the beam gain in that direction is the highest compared to the beam gain in that direction of all other receive beams available to the receiver. This results in a stronger received signal strength (e.g., referenceQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO12 signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal-to- interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), etc.) of the RF signals received from that direction.

[0048] Transmit and receive beams may be spatially related. A spatial relation means that parameters for a second beam (e.g., a transmit or receive beam) for a second reference signal can be derived from information about a first beam (e.g., a receive beam or a transmit beam) for a first reference signal. For example, a UE may use a particular receive beam to receive a reference downlink reference signal (e.g., synchronization signal block (SSB)) from a base station. The UE can then form a transmit beam for sending an uplink reference signal (e.g., sounding reference signal (SRS)) to that base station based on the parameters of the receive beam.

[0049] Note that a “downlink” beam may be either a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if a base station is forming the downlink beam to transmit a reference signal to a UE, the downlink beam is a transmit beam. If the UE is forming the downlink beam, however, it is a receive beam to receive the downlink reference signal. Similarly, an “uplink” beam may be either a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if a base station is forming the uplink beam, it is an uplink receive beam, and if a UE is forming the uplink beam, it is an uplink transmit beam.

[0050] The electromagnetic spectrum is often subdivided, based on frequency / wavelength, into various classes, bands, channels, etc. In 5G NR two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz - 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz - 52.6 GHz). It should be understood that although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “Sub-6 GHz” band in various documents and articles. A similar nomenclature issue sometimes occurs with regard to FR2, which is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “millimeter wave” band in documents and articles, despite being different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz - 300 GHz) which is identified by the INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION® as a “millimeter wave” band.

[0051] The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR studies have identified an operating band for these mid-band frequencies as frequency range designation FR3 (7.125 GHz - 24.25 GHz). Frequency bands falling within FR3 may inherit FR1 characteristics and / or FR2 characteristics, and thus mayQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO13 effectively extend features of FR1 and / or FR2 into mid-band frequencies. In addition, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operation beyond 52.6 GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz - 71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz - 114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz - 300 GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0052] With the above aspects in mind, unless specifically stated otherwise, it should be understood that the term “sub-6 GHz” or the like if used herein may broadly represent frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. Further, unless specifically stated otherwise, it should be understood that the term “millimeter wave” or the like if used herein may broadly represent frequencies that may include mid-band frequencies, may be within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1, and / or FR5, or may be within the EHF band.

[0053] In a multi-carrier system, such as 5G, one of the carrier frequencies is referred to as the “primary carrier” or “anchor carrier” or “primary serving cell” or “PCell,” and the remaining carrier frequencies are referred to as “secondary carriers” or “secondary serving cells” or “SCells.” In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is the carrier operating on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) utilized by a UE 104 / 182 and the cell in which the UE 104 / 182 either performs the initial radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiates the RRC connection re-establishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common and UE-specific control channels, and may be a carrier in a licensed frequency (however, this is not always the case). A secondary carrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2) that may be configured once the RRC connection is established between the UE 104 and the anchor carrier and that may be used to provide additional radio resources. In some cases, the secondary carrier may be a carrier in an unlicensed frequency. The secondary carrier may contain only necessary signaling information and signals, for example, those that are UE-specific may not be present in the secondary carrier, since both primary uplink and downlink carriers are typically UE- specific. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 in a cell may have different downlink primary carriers. The same is true for the uplink primary carriers. The network is able to change the primary carrier of any UE 104 / 182 at any time. This is done, for example, to balance the load on different carriers. Because a “serving cell” (whether a PCell or anQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO14SCell) corresponds to a carrier frequency / component carrier over which some base station is communicating, the term “cell,” “serving cell,” “component carrier,” “carrier frequency,” and the like can be used interchangeably.

[0054] For example, still referring to FIG. 1, one of the frequencies utilized by the macro cell base stations 102 may be an anchor carrier (or “PCell”) and other frequencies utilized by the macro cell base stations 102 and / or the mmW base station 180 may be secondary carriers (“SCells”). The simultaneous transmission and / or reception of multiple carriers enables the UE 104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rates. For example, two 20 MHz aggregated carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically lead to a two-fold increase in data rate (i.e., 40 MHz), compared to that attained by a single 20 MHz carrier.

[0055] The wireless communications system 100 may further include a UE 164 that may communicate with a macro cell base station 102 over a communication link 130 and / or the mmW base station 180 over a mmW communication link 184. For example, the macro cell base station 102 may support a PCell and one or more SCells for the UE 164 and the mmW base station 180 may support one or more SCells for the UE 164.

[0056] In some cases, the UE 164 and the UE 182 may be capable of sidelink communication. Sidelink-capable UEs (SL-UEs) may communicate with base stations 102 over communication links 130 using the Uu interface (i.e., the air interface between a UE and a base station). SL-UEs (e.g., UE 164, UE 182) may also communicate directly with each other over a wireless sidelink 160 using the PC5 interface (i.e., the air interface between sidelink-capable UEs). A wireless sidelink (or just “sidelink”) is an adaptation of the core cellular (e.g., LTE, NR) standard that allows direct communication between two or more UEs without the communication needing to go through a base station. Sidelink communication may be unicast or multicast, and may be used for device-to-device (D2D) media-sharing, vehi cl e-to- vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication (e.g., cellular V2X (cV2X) communication, enhanced V2X (eV2X) communication, etc.), emergency rescue applications, etc. One or more of a group of SL- UEs utilizing sidelink communications may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of a base station 102. Other SL-UEs in such a group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of a base station 102 or be otherwise unable to receive transmissions from a base station 102. In some cases, groups of SL-UEs communicating via sidelinkQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO15 communications may utilize a one-to-many (1 :M) system in which each SL-UE transmits to every other SL-UE in the group. In some cases, a base station 102 facilitates the scheduling of resources for sidelink communications. In other cases, sidelink communications are carried out between SL-UEs without the involvement of a base station 102.

[0057] In an aspect, the sidelink 160 may operate over a wireless communication medium of interest, which may be shared with other wireless communications between other vehicles and / or infrastructure access points, as well as other RATs. A “medium” may be composed of one or more time, frequency, and / or space communication resources (e.g., encompassing one or more channels across one or more carriers) associated with wireless communication between one or more transmitter / receiver pairs. In an aspect, the medium of interest may correspond to at least a portion of an unlicensed frequency band shared among various RATs. Although different licensed frequency bands have been reserved for certain communication systems (e.g., by a government entity such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States), these systems, in particular those employing small cell access points, have recently extended operation into unlicensed frequency bands such as the Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) band used by wireless local area network (WLAN) technologies, most notably IEEE 802.1 lx WLAN technologies generally referred to as “Wi-Fi.” Example systems of this type include different variants of CDMA systems, TDMA systems, FDMA systems, orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) systems, and so on.

[0058] Note that although FIG. 1 only illustrates two of the UEs as SL-UEs (i.e., UEs 164 and 182), any of the illustrated UEs may be SL-UEs. Further, although only UE 182 was described as being capable of beamforming, any of the illustrated UEs, including UE 164, may be capable of beamforming. Where SL-UEs are capable of beamforming, they may beamform towards each other (i.e., towards other SL-UEs), towards other UEs (e.g., UEs 104), towards base stations (e.g., base stations 102, 180, small cell 102’, access point 150), etc. Thus, in some cases, UEs 164 and 182 may utilize beamforming over sidelink 160.

[0059] In the example of FIG. 1, any of the illustrated UEs (shown in FIG. 1 as a single UE 104 for simplicity) may receive signals 134 from one or more Earth orbiting space vehiclesQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO16(SVs) 112 (e.g., satellites). In an aspect, the SVs 112 may be part of a satellite positioning system that a UE 104 can use as an independent source of location information. A satellite positioning system typically includes a system of transmitters (e.g., SVs 112) positioned to enable receivers (e.g., UEs 104) to determine their location on or above the Earth based, at least in part, on positioning signals (e.g., signals 134) received from the transmitters. Such a transmitter typically transmits a signal marked with a repeating pseudo-random noise (PN) code of a set number of chips. While typically located in SVs 112, transmitters may sometimes be located on ground-based control stations, base stations 102, and / or other UEs 104. A UE 104 may include one or more dedicated receivers specifically designed to receive signals 134 for deriving geo location information from the SVs 112.

[0060] In a satellite positioning system, the use of signals 134 can be augmented by various satellite-based augmentation systems (SB AS) that may be associated with or otherwise enabled for use with one or more global and / or regional navigation satellite systems. For example an SBAS may include an augmentation system(s) that provides integrity information, differential corrections, etc., such as the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), the Multifunctional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), the Global Positioning System (GPS) Aided Geo Augmented Navigation or GPS and Geo Augmented Navigation system (GAGAN), and / or the like. Thus, as used herein, a satellite positioning system may include any combination of one or more global and / or regional navigation satellites associated with such one or more satellite positioning systems.

[0061] In an aspect, SVs 112 may additionally or alternatively be part of one or more nonterrestrial networks (NTNs). In an NTN, an SV 112 is connected to an earth station (also referred to as a ground station, NTN gateway, or gateway), which in turn is connected to an element in a 5G network, such as a modified base station 102 (without a terrestrial antenna) or a network node in a 5GC. This element would in turn provide access to other elements in the 5G network and ultimately to entities external to the 5G network, such as Internet web servers and other user devices. In that way, a UE 104 may receive communication signals (e.g., signals 134) from an SV 112 instead of, or in addition to, communication signals from a terrestrial base station 102.

[0062] The wireless communications system 100 may further include one or more UEs, such as UE 190, that connects indirectly to one or more communication networks via one or moreQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO17 device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links (referred to as “sidelinks”). In the example of FIG. 1, UE 190 has a D2D P2P link 192 with one of the UEs 104 connected to one of the base stations 102 (e.g., through which UE 190 may indirectly obtain cellular connectivity) and a D2D P2P link 194 with WLAN STA 152 connected to the WLAN AP 150 (through which UE 190 may indirectly obtain WLAN-based Internet connectivity). In an example, the D2D P2P links 192 and 194 may be supported with any well-known D2D RAT, such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WI-FI DIRECT®, BLUETOOTH®, and so on.

[0063] FIG. 2A illustrates an example wireless network structure 200. For example, a 5GC 210 (also referred to as a Next Generation Core (NGC)) can be viewed functionally as control plane (C-plane) functions 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and user plane (U-plane) functions 212, (e.g., UE gateway function, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.) which operate cooperatively to form the core network. User plane interface (NG-U) 213 and control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect the gNB 222 to the 5GC 210 and specifically to the user plane functions 212 and control plane functions 214, respectively. In an additional configuration, an ng-eNB 224 may also be connected to the 5GC 210 via NG-C 215 to the control plane functions 214 and NG-U 213 to user plane functions 212. Further, ng-eNB 224 may directly communicate with gNB 222 via a backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, a Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN) 220 may have one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of both ng-eNBs 224 and gNBs 222. Either (or both) gNB 222 or ng-eNB 224 may communicate with one or more UEs 204 (e.g., any of the UEs described herein).

[0064] Another optional aspect may include a location server 230, which may be in communication with the 5GC 210 to provide location assistance for UE(s) 204. The location server 230 can be implemented as a plurality of separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternately may each correspond to a single server. The location server 230 can be configured to support one or more location services for UEs 204 that can connect to the location server 230 via the core network, 5GC 210, and / or via the Internet (not illustrated). Further, the location server 230 may be integrated into a component of the core network, or alternatively may beQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO18 external to the core network (e.g., a third party server, such as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) server or service server).

[0065] FIG. 2B illustrates another example wireless network structure 240. A 5GC 260 (which may correspond to 5GC 210 in FIG. 2A) can be viewed functionally as control plane functions, provided by an access and mobility management function (AMF) 264, and user plane functions, provided by a user plane function (UPF) 262, which operate cooperatively to form the core network (i.e., 5GC 260). The functions of the AMF 264 include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transport for session management (SM) messages between one or more UEs 204 (e.g., any of the UEs described herein) and a session management function (SMF) 266, transparent proxy services for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transport for short message service (SMS) messages between the UE 204 and the short message service function (SMSF) (not shown), and security anchor functionality (SEAF). The AMF 264 also interacts with an authentication server function (AUSF) (not shown) and the UE 204, and receives the intermediate key that was established as a result of the UE 204 authentication process. In the case of authentication based on a UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system) subscriber identity module (USIM), the AMF 264 retrieves the security material from the AUSF. The functions of the AMF 264 also include security context management (SCM). The SCM receives a key from the SEAF that it uses to derive access-network specific keys. The functionality of the AMF 264 also includes location services management for regulatory services, transport for location services messages between the UE 204 and a location management function (LMF) 270 (which acts as a location server 230), transport for location services messages between the NG-RAN 220 and the LMF 270, evolved packet system (EPS) bearer identifier allocation for interworking with the EPS, and UE 204 mobility event notification. In addition, the AMF 264 also supports functionalities for non-3GPP® (Third Generation Partnership Project) access networks.

[0066] Functions of the UPF 262 include acting as an anchor point for intra / inter-RAT mobility (when applicable), acting as an external protocol data unit (PDU) session point of interconnect to a data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., gating, redirection, trafficQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO19 steering), lawful interception (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, quality of service (QoS) handling for the user plane (e.g., uplink / downlink rate enforcement, reflective QoS marking in the downlink), uplink traffic verification (service data flow (SDF) to QoS flow mapping), transport level packet marking in the uplink and downlink, downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification triggering, and sending and forwarding of one or more “end markers” to the source RAN node. The UPF 262 may also support transfer of location services messages over a user plane between the UE 204 and a location server, such as an SLP 272.

[0067] The functions of the SMF 266 include session management, UE Internet protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of user plane functions, configuration of traffic steering at the UPF 262 to route traffic to the proper destination, control of part of policy enforcement and QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface over which the SMF 266 communicates with the AMF 264 is referred to as the Ni l interface.

[0068] Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270, which may be in communication with the 5GC 260 to provide location assistance for UEs 204. The LMF 270 can be implemented as a plurality of separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternately may each correspond to a single server. The LMF 270 can be configured to support one or more location services for UEs 204 that can connect to the LMF 270 via the core network, 5GC 260, and / or via the Internet (not illustrated). The SLP 272 may support similar functions to the LMF 270, but whereas the LMF 270 may communicate with the AMF 264, NG-RAN 220, and UEs 204 over a control plane (e.g., using interfaces and protocols intended to convey signaling messages and not voice or data), the SLP 272 may communicate with UEs 204 and external clients (e.g., third-party server 274) over a user plane (e.g., using protocols intended to carry voice and / or data like the transmission control protocol (TCP) and / or IP).

[0069] Yet another optional aspect may include a third-party server 274, which may be in communication with the LMF 270, the SLP 272, the 5GC 260 (e.g., via the AMF 264 and / or the UPF 262), the NG-RAN 220, and / or the UE 204 to obtain location information (e.g., a location estimate) for the UE 204. As such, in some cases, the third-party server 274 may be referred to as a location services (LCS) client or an external client. The third-QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO20 party server 274 can be implemented as a plurality of separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternately may each correspond to a single server.

[0070] User plane interface 263 and control plane interface 265 connect the 5GC 260, and specifically the UPF 262 and AMF 264, respectively, to one or more gNBs 222 and / or ng-eNBs 224 in the NG-RAN 220. The interface between gNB(s) 222 and / or ng-eNB(s) 224 and the AMF 264 is referred to as the “N2” interface, and the interface between gNB(s) 222 and / or ng-eNB(s) 224 and the UPF 262 is referred to as the “N3” interface. The gNB(s) 222 and / or ng-eNB(s) 224 of the NG-RAN 220 may communicate directly with each other via backhaul connections 223, referred to as the “Xn-C” interface. One or more of gNBs 222 and / or ng-eNBs 224 may communicate with one or more UEs 204 over a wireless interface, referred to as the “Uu” interface.

[0071] The functionality of a gNB 222 may be divided between a gNB central unit (gNB-CU) 226, one or more gNB distributed units (gNB-DUs) 228, and one or more gNB radio units (gNB-RUs) 229. A gNB-CU 226 is a logical node that includes the base station functions of transferring user data, mobility control, radio access network sharing, positioning, session management, and the like, except for those functions allocated exclusively to the gNB-DU(s) 228. More specifically, the gNB-CU 226 generally host the radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocols of the gNB 222. A gNB-DU 228 is a logical node that generally hosts the radio link control (RLC) and medium access control (MAC) layer of the gNB 222. Its operation is controlled by the gNB-CU 226. One gNB-DU 228 can support one or more cells, and one cell is supported by only one gNB-DU 228. The interface 232 between the gNB-CU 226 and the one or more gNB-DUs 228 is referred to as the “Fl” interface. The physical (PHY) layer functionality of a gNB 222 is generally hosted by one or more standalone gNB-RUs 229 that perform functions such as power amplification and signal transmission / reception. The interface between a gNB-DU 228 and a gNB-RU 229 is referred to as the “Fx” interface. Thus, a UE 204 communicates with the gNB-CU 226 via the RRC, SDAP, and PDCP layers, with a gNB-DU 228 via the RLC and MAC layers, and with a gNB-RU 229 via the PHY layer.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO21

[0072] Deployment of communication systems, such as 5G NR systems, may be arranged in multiple manners with various components or constituent parts. In a 5G NR system, or network, a network node, a network entity, a mobility element of a network, a RAN node, a core network node, a network element, or a network equipment, such as a base station, or one or more units (or one or more components) performing base station functionality, may be implemented in an aggregated or disaggregated architecture. For example, a base station (such as a Node B (NB), evolved NB (eNB), NR base station, 5G NB, AP, TRP, cell, etc.) may be implemented as an aggregated base station (also known as a standalone base station or a monolithic base station) or a disaggregated base station.

[0073] An aggregated base station may be configured to utilize a radio protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single RAN node. A disaggregated base station may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed among two or more units (such as one or more central or centralized units (CUs), one or more distributed units (DUs), or one or more radio units (RUs)). In some aspects, a CU may be implemented within a RAN node, and one or more DUs may be co-located with the CU, or alternatively, may be geographically or virtually distributed throughout one or multiple other RAN nodes. The DUs may be implemented to communicate with one or more RUs. Each of the CU, DU and RU also can be implemented as virtual units, i.e., a virtual central unit (VCU), a virtual distributed unit (VDU), or a virtual radio unit (VRU).

[0074] Base station-type operation or network design may consider aggregation characteristics of base station functionality. For example, disaggregated base stations may be utilized in an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open radio access network (0-RAN (such as the network configuration sponsored by the 0-RAN ALLIANCE®)), or a virtualized radio access network (vRAN, also known as a cloud radio access network (C- RAN)). Disaggregation may include distributing functionality across two or more units at various physical locations, as well as distributing functionality for at least one unit virtually, which can enable flexibility in network design. The various units of the disaggregated base station, or disaggregated RAN architecture, can be configured for wired or wireless communication with at least one other unit.

[0075] FIG. 2C illustrates an example disaggregated base station architecture 250, according to aspects of the disclosure. The disaggregated base station architecture 250 may include one or more central units (CUs) 280 (e.g., gNB-CU 226) that can communicate directlyQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO 1 with a core network 267 (e.g., 5GC 210, 5GC 260) via a backhaul link, or indirectly with the core network 267 through one or more disaggregated base station units (such as a Near-Real Time (Near-RT) RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) 259 via an E2 link, or a Non-Real Time (Non-RT) RIC 257 associated with a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) Framework 255, or both). A CU 280 may communicate with one or more DUs 285 (e.g., gNB-DUs 228) via respective midhaul links, such as an Fl interface. The DUs 285 may communicate with one or more radio units (RUs) 287 (e.g., gNB-RUs 229) via respective fronthaul links. The RUs 287 may communicate with respective UEs 204 via one or more radio frequency (RF) access links. In some implementations, the UE 204 may be simultaneously served by multiple RUs 287.

[0076] Each of the units, i.e., the CUs 280, the DUs 285, the RUs 287, as well as the Near-RT RICs 259, the Non-RT RICs 257 and the SMO Framework 255, may include one or more interfaces or be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or transmit signals, data, or information (collectively, signals) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each of the units, or an associated processor or controller providing instructions to the communication interfaces of the units, can be configured to communicate with one or more of the other units via the transmission medium. For example, the units can include a wired interface configured to receive or transmit signals over a wired transmission medium to one or more of the other units. Additionally, the units can include a wireless interface, which may include a receiver, a transmitter or transceiver (such as a RF transceiver), configured to receive or transmit signals, or both, over a wireless transmission medium to one or more of the other units.

[0077] In some aspects, the CU 280 may host one or more higher layer control functions. Such control functions can include RRC, PDCP, service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), or the like. Each control function can be implemented with an interface configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by the CU 280. The CU 280 may be configured to handle user plane functionality (i.e., Central Unit - User Plane (CU- UP)), control plane functionality (i.e., Central Unit - Control Plane (CU-CP)), or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the CU 280 can be logically split into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. The CU-UP unit can communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP unit via an interface, such as the El interface whenQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO23 implemented in an O-RAN configuration. The CU 280 can be implemented to communicate with the DU 285, as necessary, for network control and signaling.

[0078] The DU 285 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions to control the operation of one or more RUs 287. In some aspects, the DU 285 may host one or more of a RLC layer, a MAC layer, and one or more high PHY layers (such as modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, or the like) depending, at least in part, on a functional split, such as those defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®). In some aspects, the DU 285 may further host one or more low PHY layers. Each layer (or module) can be implemented with an interface configured to communicate signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by the DU 285, or with the control functions hosted by the CU 280.

[0079] Lower-layer functionality can be implemented by one or more RUs 287. In some deployments, an RU 287, controlled by a DU 285, may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions, or low-PHY layer functions (such as performing fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, or the like), or both, based at least in part on the functional split, such as a lower layer functional split. In such an architecture, the RU(s) 287 can be implemented to handle over the air (OTA) communication with one or more UEs 204. In some implementations, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control and user plane communication with the RU(s) 287 can be controlled by the corresponding DU 285. In some scenarios, this configuration can enable the DU(s) 285 and the CU 280 to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture, such as a vRAN architecture.

[0080] The SMO Framework 255 may be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of non-virtualized and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO Framework 255 may be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements which may be managed via an operations and maintenance interface (such as an 01 interface). For virtualized network elements, the SMO Framework 255 may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (such as an open cloud (O-Cloud) 269) to perform network element life cycle management (such as to instantiate virtualized networkQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO24 elements) via a cloud computing platform interface (such as an 02 interface). Such virtualized network elements can include, but are not limited to, CUs 280, DUs 285, RUs 287 and Near-RT RICs 259. In some implementations, the SMO Framework 255 can communicate with a hardware aspect of a 4G RAN, such as an open eNB (O-eNB) 261, via an 01 interface. Additionally, in some implementations, the SMO Framework 255 can communicate directly with one or more RUs 287 via an 01 interface. The SMO Framework 255 also may include a Non-RT RIC 257 configured to support functionality of the SMO Framework 255.

[0081] The Non-RT RIC 257 may be configured to include a logical function that enables non- real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) workflows including model training and updates, or policy-based guidance of applications / features in the Near-RT RIC 259. The Non-RT RIC 257 may be coupled to or communicate with (such as via an Al interface) the Near- RT RIC 259. The Near-RT RIC 259 may be configured to include a logical function that enables near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions over an interface (such as via an E2 interface) connecting one or more CUs 280, one or more DUs 285, or both, as well as an O-eNB, with the Near-RT RIC 259.

[0082] In some implementations, to generate AI / ML models to be deployed in the Near-RT RIC 259, the Non-RT RIC 257 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from external servers. Such information may be utilized by the Near-RT RIC 259 and may be received at the SMO Framework 255 or the Non-RT RIC 257 from non-network data sources or from network functions. In some examples, the Non-RT RIC 257 or the Near-RT RIC 259 may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the Non-RT RIC 257 may monitor long-term trends and patterns for performance and employ AI / ML models to perform corrective actions through the SMO Framework 255 (such as reconfiguration via 01) or via creation of RAN management policies (such as Al policies).

[0083] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate several example components (represented by corresponding blocks) that may be incorporated into a UE 302 (which may correspond to any of the UEs described herein), a base station 304 (which may correspond to any of the base stations described herein), and a network entity 306 (which may correspond to orQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO25 embody any of the network functions described herein, including the location server 230 and the LMF 270, or alternatively may be independent from the NG-RAN 220 and / or 5GC 210 / 260 infrastructure depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, such as a private network) to support the operations described herein. It will be appreciated that these components may be implemented in different types of apparatuses in different implementations (e.g., in an ASIC, in a system-on-chip (SoC), etc.). The illustrated components may also be incorporated into other apparatuses in a communication system. For example, other apparatuses in a system may include components similar to those described to provide similar functionality. Also, a given apparatus may contain one or more of the components. For example, an apparatus may include multiple transceiver components that enable the apparatus to operate on multiple carriers and / or communicate via different technologies.

[0084] The UE 302 and the base station 304 each include one or more wireless wide area network (WWAN) transceivers 310 and 350, respectively, providing means for communicating (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, means for measuring, means fortuning, means for refraining from transmitting, etc.) via one or more wireless communication networks (not shown), such as an NR network, an LTE network, a GSM network, and / or the like. The WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may each be connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356, respectively, for communicating with other network nodes, such as other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., eNBs, gNBs), etc., via at least one designated RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.) over a wireless communication medium of interest (e.g., some set of time / frequency resources in a particular frequency spectrum). The WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may be variously configured for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, and so on), respectively, and, conversely, for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, and so on), respectively, in accordance with the designated RAT. Specifically, the WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 include one or more transmitters 314 and 354, respectively, for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358, respectively, and one or more receivers 312 and 352, respectively, for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358, respectively.

[0085] The UE 302 and the base station 304 each also include, at least in some cases, one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360, respectively. The short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 may be connected to one or more antennas 326 andQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO26366, respectively, and provide means for communicating (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, means for measuring, means for tuning, means for refraining from transmitting, etc.) with other network nodes, such as other UEs, access points, base stations, etc., via at least one designated RAT (e.g., Wi-Fi, LTE Direct, BLUETOOTH®, ZIGBEE®, Z-WAVE®, PC5, dedicated short-range communications (DSRC), wireless access for vehicular environments (WAVE), near-field communication (NFC), ultra- wideband (UWB), etc.) over a wireless communication medium of interest. The short- range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 may be variously configured for transmitting and encoding signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, and so on), respectively, and, conversely, for receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, and so on), respectively, in accordance with the designated RAT. Specifically, the short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 include one or more transmitters 324 and 364, respectively, for transmitting and encoding signals 328 and 368, respectively, and one or more receivers 322 and 362, respectively, for receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368, respectively. As specific examples, the short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 may be Wi-Fi transceivers, BLUETOOTH® transceivers, ZIGBEE® and / or Z-WAVE® transceivers, NFC transceivers, UWB transceivers, or vehi cl e-to- vehicle (V2V) and / or vehicle-to- everything (V2X) transceivers.

[0086] The UE 302 and the base station 304 also include, at least in some cases, satellite signal interfaces 330 and 370, which each include one or more satellite signal receivers 332 and 372, respectively, and may optionally include one or more satellite signal transmitters 334 and 374, respectively. In some cases, the base station 304 may be a terrestrial base station that may communicate with space vehicles (e.g., space vehicles 112) via the satellite signal interface 370. In other cases, the base station 304 may be a space vehicle (or other non-terrestrial entity) that uses the satellite signal interface 370 to communicate with terrestrial networks and / or other space vehicles.

[0087] The satellite signal receivers 332 and 372 may be connected to one or more antennas 336 and 376, respectively, and may provide means for receiving and / or measuring satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378, respectively. Where the satellite signal receiver(s) 332 and 372 are satellite positioning system receivers, the satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 may be global positioning system (GPS)QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO27 signals, global navigation satellite system (GLONASS) signals, Galileo signals, Beidou signals, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC), Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) signals, etc. Where the satellite signal receiver(s) 332 and 372 are nonterrestrial network (NTN) receivers, the satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 may be communication signals (e.g., carrying control and / or user data) originating from a 5G network. The satellite signal receiver(s) 332 and 372 may comprise any suitable hardware and / or software for receiving and processing satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378, respectively. The satellite signal receiver(s) 332 and 372 may request information and operations as appropriate from the other systems, and, at least in some cases, perform calculations to determine locations of the UE 302 and the base station 304, respectively, using measurements obtained by any suitable satellite positioning system algorithm.

[0088] The optional satellite signal transmitter(s) 334 and 374, when present, may be connected to the one or more antennas 336 and 376, respectively, and may provide means for transmitting satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378, respectively. Where the satellite signal transmitter(s) 374 are satellite positioning system transmitters, the satellite positioning / communication signals 378 may be GPS signals, GLONASS® signals, Galileo signals, Beidou signals, NAVIC, QZSS signals, etc. Where the satellite signal transmitter(s) 334 and 374 are NTN transmitters, the satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 may be communication signals (e.g., carrying control and / or user data) originating from a 5G network. The satellite signal transmitter(s) 334 and 374 may comprise any suitable hardware and / or software for transmitting satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378, respectively. The satellite signal transmitter(s) 334 and 374 may request information and operations as appropriate from the other systems.

[0089] The base station 304 and the network entity 306 each include one or more network transceivers 380 and 390, respectively, providing means for communicating (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, etc.) with other network entities (e.g., other base stations 304, other network entities 306). For example, the base station 304 may employ the one or more network transceivers 380 to communicate with other base stations 304 or network entities 306 over one or more wired or wireless backhaul links. As another example, the network entity 306 may employ the one or more network transceivers 390QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO28 to communicate with one or more base station 304 over one or more wired or wireless backhaul links, or with other network entities 306 over one or more wired or wireless core network interfaces.

[0090] A transceiver may be configured to communicate over a wired or wireless link. A transceiver (whether a wired transceiver or a wireless transceiver) includes transmitter circuitry (e.g., transmitters 314, 324, 354, 364) and receiver circuitry (e.g., receivers 312, 322, 352, 362). A transceiver may be an integrated device (e.g., embodying transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry in a single device) in some implementations, may comprise separate transmitter circuitry and separate receiver circuitry in some implementations, or may be embodied in other ways in other implementations. The transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry of a wired transceiver (e.g., network transceivers 380 and 390 in some implementations) may be coupled to one or more wired network interface ports. Wireless transmitter circuitry (e.g., transmitters 314, 324, 354, 364) may include or be coupled to a plurality of antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such as an antenna array, that permits the respective apparatus (e.g., UE 302, base station 304) to perform transmit “beamforming,” as described herein. Similarly, wireless receiver circuitry (e.g., receivers 312, 322, 352, 362) may include or be coupled to a plurality of antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such as an antenna array, that permits the respective apparatus (e.g., UE 302, base station 304) to perform receive beamforming, as described herein. In an aspect, the transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry may share the same plurality of antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such that the respective apparatus can only receive or transmit at a given time, not both at the same time. A wireless transceiver (e.g., WWAN transceivers 310 and 350, short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360) may also include a network listen module (NUM) or the like for performing various measurements.

[0091] As used herein, the various wireless transceivers (e.g., transceivers 310, 320, 350, and 360, and network transceivers 380 and 390 in some implementations) and wired transceivers (e.g., network transceivers 380 and 390 in some implementations) may generally be characterized as “a transceiver,” “at least one transceiver,” or “one or more transceivers.” As such, whether a particular transceiver is a wired or wireless transceiver may be inferred from the type of communication performed. For example, backhaul communication between network devices or servers will generally relate to signaling viaQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO29 a wired transceiver, whereas wireless communication between a UE (e.g., UE 302) and a base station (e.g., base station 304) will generally relate to signaling via a wireless transceiver.

[0092] The UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 also include other components that may be used in conjunction with the operations as disclosed herein. The UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 include one or more processors 342, 384, and 394, respectively, for providing functionality relating to, for example, wireless communication, and for providing other processing functionality. The processors 342, 384, and 394 may therefore provide means for processing, such as means for determining, means for calculating, means for receiving, means for transmitting, means for indicating, etc. In an aspect, the processors 342, 384, and 394 may include, for example, one or more general purpose processors, multi-core processors, central processing units (CPUs), ASICs, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), other programmable logic devices or processing circuitry, or various combinations thereof.

[0093] The UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 include memory circuitry implementing memories 340, 386, and 396 (e.g., each including a memory device), respectively, for maintaining information (e.g., information indicative of reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, and so on). The memories 340, 386, and 396 may therefore provide means for storing, means for retrieving, means for maintaining, etc. In some cases, the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 may include positioning component 348, 388, and 398, respectively. The positioning component 348, 388, and 398 may be hardware circuits that are part of or coupled to the processors 342, 384, and 394, respectively, that, when executed, cause the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 to perform the functionality described herein. In other aspects, the positioning component 348, 388, and 398 may be external to the processors 342, 384, and 394 (e.g., part of a modem processing system, integrated with another processing system, etc.). Alternatively, the positioning component 348, 388, and 398 may be memory modules stored in the memories 340, 386, and 396, respectively, that, when executed by the processors 342, 384, and 394 (or a modem processing system, another processing system, etc.), cause the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 to perform the functionality described herein. FIG. 3A illustrates possible locations of theQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO30 positioning component 348, which may be, for example, part of the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, the memory 340, the one or more processors 342, or any combination thereof, or may be a standalone component. FIG. 3B illustrates possible locations of the positioning component 388, which may be, for example, part of the one or more WWAN transceivers 350, the memory 386, the one or more processors 384, or any combination thereof, or may be a standalone component. FIG. 3C illustrates possible locations of the positioning component 398, which may be, for example, part of the one or more network transceivers 390, the memory 396, the one or more processors 394, or any combination thereof, or may be a standalone component.

[0094] The UE 302 may include one or more sensors 344 coupled to the one or more processors 342 to provide means for sensing or detecting movement and / or orientation information that is independent of motion data derived from signals received by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, the one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, and / or the satellite signal interface 330. By way of example, the sensor(s) 344 may include an accelerometer (e.g., a micro-electrical mechanical systems (MEMS) device), a gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor (e.g., a compass), an altimeter (e.g., a barometric pressure altimeter), and / or any other type of movement detection sensor. Moreover, the sensor(s) 344 may include a plurality of different types of devices and combine their outputs in order to provide motion information. For example, the sensor(s) 344 may use a combination of a multi-axis accelerometer and orientation sensors to provide the ability to compute positions in two-dimensional (2D) and / or three-dimensional (3D) coordinate systems.

[0095] In addition, the UE 302 includes a user interface 346 providing means for providing indications (e.g., audible and / or visual indications) to a user and / or for receiving user input (e.g., upon user actuation of a sensing device such a keypad, a touch screen, a microphone, and so on). Although not shown, the base station 304 and the network entity 306 may also include user interfaces.

[0096] Referring to the one or more processors 384 in more detail, in the downlink, IP packets from the network entity 306 may be provided to the processor 384. The one or more processors 384 may implement functionality for an RRC layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a medium access control (MAC) layer. The one or more processors 384 may provide RRC layer functionalityQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO31 associated with broadcasting of system information (e.g., master information block (MIB), system information blocks (SIBs)), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-RAT mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with the transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction through automatic repeat request (ARQ), concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0097] The transmitter 354 and the receiver 352 may implement Layer- 1 (LI) functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer- 1, which includes a physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channels, forward error correction (FEC) coding / decoding of the transport channels, interleaving, rate matching, mapping onto physical channels, modulation / demodulation of physical channels, and MIMO antenna processing. The transmitter 354 handles mapping to signal constellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols may then be split into parallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then combined together using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM symbol stream is spatially precoded to produce multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator may be used to determine the coding and modulation scheme, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimate may be derived from a reference signal and / or channel condition feedback transmitted by the UE 302. Each spatial stream may then be provided to one or more different antennas 356. TheQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO32 transmitter 354 may modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

[0098] At the UE 302, the receiver 312 receives a signal through its respective antenna(s) 316. The receiver 312 recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to the one or more processors 342. The transmitter 314 and the receiver 312 implement Layer-1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. The receiver 312 may perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the UE 302. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 302, they may be combined by the receiver 312 into a single OFDM symbol stream. The receiver 312 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time-domain to the frequency domain using a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal comprises a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier, and the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted by the base station 304. These soft decisions may be based on channel estimates computed by a channel estimator. The soft decisions are then decoded and de-interleaved to recover the data and control signals that were originally transmitted by the base station 304 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to the one or more processors 342, which implements Layer-3 (L3) and Layer-2 (L2) functionality.

[0099] In the downlink, the one or more processors 342 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the core network. The one or more processors 342 are also responsible for error detection.

[0100] Similar to the functionality described in connection with the downlink transmission by the base station 304, the one or more processors 342 provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIBs) acquisition, RRC connections, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, and security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification); REC layer functionality associated with the transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transportQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO33 channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0101] Channel estimates derived by the channel estimator from a reference signal or feedback transmitted by the base station 304 may be used by the transmitter 314 to select the appropriate coding and modulation schemes, and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the transmitter 314 may be provided to different antenna(s) 316. The transmitter 314 may modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

[0102] The uplink transmission is processed at the base station 304 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the receiver function at the UE 302. The receiver 352 receives a signal through its respective antenna(s) 356. The receiver 352 recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to the one or more processors 384.

[0103] In the uplink, the one or more processors 384 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 302. IP packets from the one or more processors 384 may be provided to the core network. The one or more processors 384 are also responsible for error detection.

[0104] For convenience, the UE 302, the base station 304, and / or the network entity 306 are shown in FIGS. 3 A, 3B, and 3C as including various components that may be configured according to the various examples described herein. It will be appreciated, however, that the illustrated components may have different functionality in different designs. In particular, various components in FIGS. 3A to 3C are optional in alternative configurations and the various aspects include configurations that may vary due to design choice, costs, use of the device, or other considerations. For example, in case of FIG. 3 A, a particular implementation of UE 302 may omit the WWAN transceiver(s) 310 (e.g., a wearable device or tablet computer or personal computer (PC) or laptop may have Wi-Fi and / or BLUETOOTH® capability without cellular capability), or may omit the short- range wireless transceiver(s) 320 (e.g., cellular-only, etc.), or may omit the satellite signal interface 330, or may omit the sensor(s) 344, and so on. In another example, in case of FIG. 3B, a particular implementation of the base station 304 may omit the WWANQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO34 transceiver(s) 350 (e.g., a Wi-Fi “hotspot” access point without cellular capability), or may omit the short-range wireless transceiver s) 360 (e.g., cellular-only, etc.), or may omit the satellite signal interface 370, and so on. For brevity, illustration of the various alternative configurations is not provided herein, but would be readily understandable to one skilled in the art.

[0105] The various components of the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 may be communicatively coupled to each other over data buses 308, 382, and 392, respectively. In an aspect, the data buses 308, 382, and 392 may form, or be part of, a communication interface of the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306, respectively. For example, where different logical entities are embodied in the same device (e.g., gNB and location server functionality incorporated into the same base station 304), the data buses 308, 382, and 392 may provide communication between them.

[0106] The components of FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C may be implemented in various ways. In some implementations, the components of FIGS. 3 A, 3B, and 3C may be implemented in one or more circuits such as, for example, one or more processors and / or one or more ASICs (which may include one or more processors). Here, each circuit may use and / or incorporate at least one memory component for storing information or executable code used by the circuit to provide this functionality. For example, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 310 to 346 may be implemented by processor and memory component(s) of the UE 302 (e.g., by execution of appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of processor components). Similarly, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 350 to 388 may be implemented by processor and memory component(s) of the base station 304 (e.g., by execution of appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of processor components). Also, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 390 to 398 may be implemented by processor and memory component(s) of the network entity 306 (e.g., by execution of appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of processor components). For simplicity, various operations, acts, and / or functions are described herein as being performed “by a UE,” “by a base station,” “by a network entity,” etc. However, as will be appreciated, such operations, acts, and / or functions may actually be performed by specific components or combinations of components of the UE 302, base station 304, network entity 306, etc.,QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO35 such as the processors 342, 384, 394, the transceivers 310, 320, 350, and 360, the memories 340, 386, and 396, the positioning component 348, 388, and 398, etc.

[0107] In some designs, the network entity 306 may be implemented as a core network component. In other designs, the network entity 306 may be distinct from a network operator or operation of the cellular network infrastructure (e.g., NG RAN 220 and / or 5GC 210 / 260). For example, the network entity 306 may be a component of a private network that may be configured to communicate with the UE 302 via the base station 304 or independently from the base station 304 (e.g., over a non-cellular communication link, such as Wi-Fi).

[0108] Machine learning may be used to generate models that may be used to facilitate various aspects associated with processing of data. One specific application of machine learning relates to generation of measurement models for processing of reference signals for positioning (e.g., positioning reference signal (PRS)), such as feature extraction, reporting of reference signal measurements (e.g., selecting which extracted features to report), and so on.

[0109] Machine learning models are generally categorized as either supervised or unsupervised. A supervised model may further be sub-categorized as either a regression or classification model. Supervised learning involves learning a function that maps an input to an output based on example input-output pairs. For example, given a training dataset with two variables of age (input) and height (output), a supervised learning model could be generated to predict the height of a person based on their age. In regression models, the output is continuous. One example of a regression model is a linear regression, which simply attempts to find a line that best fits the data. Extensions of linear regression include multiple linear regression (e.g., finding a plane of best fit) and polynomial regression (e.g., finding a curve of best fit).

[0110] Another example of a machine learning model is a decision tree model. In a decision tree model, a tree structure is defined with a plurality of nodes. Decisions are used to move from a root node at the top of the decision tree to a leaf node at the bottom of the decision tree (i.e., a node with no further child nodes). Generally, a higher number of nodes in the decision tree model is correlated with higher decision accuracy.

[0111] Another example of a machine learning model is a decision forest. Random forests are an ensemble learning technique that builds off of decision trees. Random forests involveQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO36 creating multiple decision trees using bootstrapped datasets of the original data and randomly selecting a subset of variables at each step of the decision tree. The model then selects the mode of all of the predictions of each decision tree. By relying on a “majority wins” model, the risk of error from an individual tree is reduced.

[0112] Another example of a machine learning model is a neural network (NN)- A neural network is essentially a network of mathematical equations. Neural networks accept one or more input variables, and by going through a network of equations, result in one or more output variables. Put another way, a neural network takes in a vector of inputs and returns a vector of outputs.

[0113] FIG. 4 illustrates an example neural network 400, according to aspects of the disclosure. The neural network 400 includes an input layer ‘i’ that receives ‘n’ (one or more) inputs (illustrated as “Input 1,” “Input 2,” and “Input n”), one or more hidden layers (illustrated as hidden layers ‘hl,’ ‘h2,’ and ‘h3 ’) for processing the inputs from the input layer, and an output layer ‘o’ that provides ‘m’ (one or more) outputs (labeled “Output 1” and “Output m”). The number of inputs ‘n,’ hidden layers ‘h,’ and outputs ‘m’ may be the same or different. In some designs, the hidden layers ‘h’ may include linear function(s) and / or activation function(s) that the nodes (illustrated as circles) of each successive hidden layer process from the nodes of the previous hidden layer.

[0114] In classification models, the output is discrete. One example of a classification model is logistic regression. Logistic regression is similar to linear regression but is used to model the probability of a finite number of outcomes, typically two. In essence, a logistic equation is created in such a way that the output values can only be between ‘0’ and ‘ 1.’ Another example of a classification model is a support vector machine. For example, for two classes of data, a support vector machine will find a hyperplane or a boundary between the two classes of data that maximizes the margin between the two classes. There are many planes that can separate the two classes, but only one plane can maximize the margin or distance between the classes. Another example of a classification model is Naive Bayes, which is based on Bayes Theorem. Other examples of classification models include decision tree, random forest, and neural network, similar to the examples described above except that the output is discrete rather than continuous.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO37

[0115] Unlike supervised learning, unsupervised learning is used to draw inferences and find patterns from input data without references to labeled outcomes. Two examples of unsupervised learning models include clustering and dimensionality reduction.

[0116] Clustering is an unsupervised technique that involves the grouping, or clustering, of data points. Clustering is frequently used for customer segmentation, fraud detection, and document classification. Common clustering techniques include k-means clustering, hierarchical clustering, mean shift clustering, and density-based clustering. Dimensionality reduction is the process of reducing the number of random variables under consideration by obtaining a set of principal variables. In simpler terms, dimensionality reduction is the process of reducing the dimension of a feature set (in even simpler terms, reducing the number of features). Most dimensionality reduction techniques can be categorized as either feature elimination or feature extraction. One example of dimensionality reduction is called principal component analysis (PCA). In the simplest sense, PCA involves project higher dimensional data (e.g., three dimensions) to a smaller space (e.g., two dimensions). This results in a lower dimension of data (e.g., two dimensions instead of three dimensions) while keeping all original variables in the model.

[0117] Regardless of which machine learning model is used, at a high-level, a machine learning module (e.g., implemented by a processing system) may be configured to iteratively analyze training input data (e.g., measurements of reference signals to / from various target UEs) and to associate this training input data with an output data set (e.g., a set of possible or likely candidate locations of the various target UEs), thereby enabling later determination of the same output data set when presented with similar input data (e.g., from other target UEs at the same or similar location).

[0118] The artificial intelligence / machine learning (AIML) positioning and / or sensing provided by an AIML model may be “direct” AIML (denoted “D-AIML”) positioning and / or sensing or AIML “assisted” (denoted “A-AIML”) positioning and / or sensing. Note that, as used herein, an AIML model (whether an A-AIML model or a D-AIML model) may alternatively be referred to as an “ML model,” an “Al model,” an “ML-based model,” an “Al-based model,” and the like.

[0119] FIG. 5A is a diagram 510 illustrating an example of direct AIML positioning and / or sensing, according to aspects of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5A, direct AIMLQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO38 positioning and / or sensing is where the AIML model is trained to accept input features (e.g., downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) measurements, sounding reference signal (SRS) measurements, sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) measurements, sensing signal measurements, beam measurements (e.g., synchronization signal block (SSB) measurements), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) measurements, etc.) and output a final result (referred to as a “direct label”), such as a target location (e.g., a UE location for positioning or a target object location for sensing). The measurements of the reference signal (s) may include the channel energy response (CER), channel impulse response (CIR), power delay profile (PDP), delay profile (DP), channel frequency response (CFR), received signal strength indicator (RS SI), reference signal received power (RSRP), path RSRP (RSRPP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), time of arrival (ToA), relative ToA (RTOA), reference signal time difference (RSTD), angle of departure (AoD), angle of arrival (AoA), and / or the like of the reference signal(s).

[0120] FIG. 5B is a diagram 530 illustrating an example of AIML assisted positioning and / or sensing, according to aspects of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5B, AIML assisted positioning and / or sensing is where an AIML model is trained to accept input features (e.g., DL-PRS measurements, SRS measurements, SL-PRS measurements, sensing signal measurements, beam measurements, CSI-RS measurements, etc.) and output one or more intermediate results (also referred to as “intermediate label(s)”). In a positioning context, generating the intermediate result may be referred to as “positioning feature extraction,” which may include determining timing / angle information, line of sight (LOS) identification, etc. The intermediate results may include the ToA, RTOA, RSTD, AoD, AoA, LOS indication, and / or the like. The intermediate result(s) may in turn be provided as an input to another AIML model or non-AIML model positioning and / or sensing technique (e.g., Chan’s algorithm, Kalman filtering, etc.) to determine a target location (e.g., a UE location for positioning or a target object location for sensing).

[0121] Note that as shown in FIG. 5B, the A-AIML model and the other model / technique may be implemented at the same entity (e.g., UE, base station, location server, sensing server, etc.) or at different entities. For example, for network-assisted positioning, the UE may apply the A-AIML model to compress the measurement data and then report the compressed data to the location server, which may then apply the other positionQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO39 estimation model / technique. As another example, for UE-based positioning, a network component (e.g., a base station, location server, or another UE for sidelink positioning) may apply the A-AIML model to compress the measurement data and report the compressed data to the UE, which then applies the other position estimation model / technique.

[0122] FIG. 5C illustrates various AIML positioning and / or sensing scenarios, according to aspects of the disclosure. As shown in diagram 550, there are three AIML positioning and / or sensing deployment scenarios based on downlink reference signals (e.g., DL-PRS, CSI-RS, etc.). The first deployment scenario (labeled “Case 1”) is a UE-based positioning and / or sensing case with a UE-side D-AIML positioning and / or sensing model (labeled “D-AIML”). In this case, the UE applies the D-AIML positioning and / or sensing model (or simply “D-AIML model”) to the downlink reference signal measurements to determine a location of the UE or a target object and reports the target location to the network (e.g., LMF 270).

[0123] The second deployment scenario (labeled “Case 2a”) is UE-assisted / network-based positioning and / or sensing with a UE-side A-AIML positioning and / or sensing model that provides AIML-assisted positioning and / or sensing. That is, the UE inputs measurements of downlink reference signals (e.g., DL-PRS, CSI-RS) received from one or more TRPs into the A-AIML positioning and / or sensing model to obtain intermediate measurements (or quantities) of the downlink reference signals. The UE then reports the intermediate measurements to the network (e.g., LMF 270). The network entity may then apply an AIML model or a non-AIML model technique to the intermediate measurements to determine a target location (e.g., of the UE for positioning scenarios or a target object for sensing scenarios).

[0124] The third deployment scenario (labeled “Case 2b”) is UE-assisted / network-based positioning and / or sensing scenario with a network-side D-AIML positioning and / or sensing model. That is, the UE reports the measurements of the downlink reference signals received from one or more TRPs to the network (e.g., LMF 270). The network then applies the D-AIML positioning and / or sensing model to the measurements to determine the location of the UE or a target object.

[0125] As shown in diagram 570, there are two AIML positioning and / or sensing deployment scenarios based on uplink reference signals (e.g., SRS). The first deployment scenarioQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO40(labeled “Case 3a”) is RAN node-assisted positioning and / or sensing with a RAN-side AIML model that provides AIML assisted positioning and / or sensing. In this case, the RAN node (e.g., a base station, TRP, or other base station component) applies an A- AIML positioning and / or sensing model to TRP measurements of one or more uplink reference signals (e.g., SRS) transmitted by a UE to obtain intermediate measurements of the received uplink reference signal(s). The RAN node then reports the intermediate measurements to the core network (e.g., LMF 270), which can use them to locate the UE (for positioning) or a target object (for sensing).

[0126] The second deployment scenario (labeled “Case 3b”) is RAN node-assisted positioning and / or sensing with a network-side AIML positioning and / or sensing model that provides direct AIML positioning and / or sensing. In this case, the RAN node reports measurements of one or more uplink reference signals received from a UE to the core network (e.g., LMF 270). The core network then applies a D-AIML positioning and / or sensing model to the measurements of the uplink reference signal(s) to obtain a target location of the UE (for positioning) or a target object (for sensing).

[0127] Note that there may be other deployment scenarios in which the UE, RAN, or the core network use an AIML positioning and / or sensing model to compute or report a positioning and / or sensing estimate (target location), but these cases are implementationspecific and do not necessarily involve signaling between the UE, RAN, and / or the core network.

[0128] Further note that an AIML model may execute in a training mode or an inferencing mode. In the training mode, the AIML model is provided with pre-validated input data along with pre-validated output data to derive or modify weights of the AIML to increase the reliability of the AIML model to provide new (unvalidated) output data that is similar to the pre-validated output data in response to new (unvalidated) input data that is similar to the pre-validated input data. In the inferencing mode, the AIML model utilizes the weights determined during the training mode to process new (unvalidated) input data so as to generate new (unvalidated) output data (typically, without further adjusting the weights until / unless the AIML model returns to the training mode). The (unvalidated) output data may be characterized as an “inference.” Thus, the “final” positioning or sensing results described above with respect to FIGS. 5A to 5C may correspond to AIMLQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO41 model weights or inferences depending on whether the respective AIML model is executing in the training mode or the inferencing mode.

[0129] NR supports a number of cellular network-based positioning technologies, including downlink-based, uplink-based, and downlink-and-uplink-based positioning methods. Downlink-based positioning methods include observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) in LTE, downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) in NR, and downlink angle-of-departure (DL-AoD) in NR. FIG. 6 illustrates examples of various positioning methods, according to aspects of the disclosure. In an OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning procedure, illustrated by scenario 610, a UE measures the differences between the times of arrival (ToAs) of reference signals (e.g., positioning reference signals (PRS)) received from pairs of base stations, referred to as reference signal time difference (RSTD) or time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements, and reports them to a positioning entity. More specifically, the UE receives the identifiers (IDs) of a reference base station (e.g., a serving base station) and multiple non-reference base stations in assistance data. The UE then measures the RSTD between the reference base station and each of the non-reference base stations. Based on the known locations of the involved base stations and the RSTD measurements, the positioning entity (e.g., the UE for UE-based positioning or a location server for UE-assisted positioning) can estimate the UE’s location.

[0130] For DL-AoD positioning, illustrated by scenario 620, the positioning entity uses a measurement report from the UE of received signal strength measurements of multiple downlink transmit beams to determine the angle(s) between the UE and the transmitting base station(s). The positioning entity can then estimate the location of the UE based on the determined angle(s) and the known location(s) of the transmitting base station(s).

[0131] Uplink-based positioning methods include uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) and uplink angle-of-arrival (UL-AoA). UL-TDOA is similar to DL-TDOA, but is based on uplink reference signals (e.g., sounding reference signals (SRS)) transmitted by the UE to multiple base stations. Specifically, a UE transmits one or more uplink reference signals that are measured by a reference base station and a plurality of non-reference base stations. Each base station then reports the reception time (referred to as the relative time of arrival (RTOA)) of the reference signal(s) to a positioning entity (e.g., a location server) that knows the locations and relative timing of the involved base stations. Based on the reception-to-reception (Rx-Rx) time difference between the reported RTOA of theQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO42 reference base station and the reported RTOA of each non-reference base station, the known locations of the base stations, and their known timing offsets, the positioning entity can estimate the location of the UE using TDOA.

[0132] For UL-AoA positioning, one or more base stations measure the received signal strength of one or more uplink reference signals (e.g., SRS) received from a UE on one or more uplink receive beams. The positioning entity uses the signal strength measurements and the angle(s) of the receive beam(s) to determine the angle(s) between the UE and the base station(s). Based on the determined angle(s) and the known location(s) of the base station(s), the positioning entity can then estimate the location of the UE.

[0133] Downlink-and-uplink-based positioning methods include enhanced cell-ID (E-CID) positioning and multi-round-trip-time (RTT) positioning (also referred to as “multi-cell RTT” and “multi-RTT”). In an RTT procedure, a first entity (e.g., a base station or a UE) transmits a first RTT-related signal (e.g., a PRS or SRS) to a second entity (e.g., a UE or base station), which transmits a second RTT-related signal (e.g., an SRS or PRS) back to the first entity. Each entity measures the time difference between the time of arrival (ToA) of the received RTT-related signal and the transmission time of the transmitted RTT- related signal. This time difference is referred to as a reception-to-transmission (Rx-Tx) time difference. The Rx-Tx time difference measurement may be made, or may be adjusted, to include only a time difference between nearest slot boundaries for the received and transmitted signals. Both entities may then send their Rx-Tx time difference measurement to a location server (e.g., an LMF 270), which calculates the round trip propagation time (i.e., RTT) between the two entities from the two Rx-Tx time difference measurements (e.g., as the sum of the two Rx-Tx time difference measurements). Alternatively, one entity may send its Rx-Tx time difference measurement to the other entity, which then calculates the RTT. The distance between the two entities can be determined from the RTT and the known signal speed (e.g., the speed of light). For multi- RTT positioning, illustrated by scenario 630, a first entity (e.g., a UE or base station) performs an RTT positioning procedure with multiple second entities (e.g., multiple base stations or UEs) to enable the location of the first entity to be determined (e.g., using multilateration) based on distances to, and the known locations of, the second entities. RTT and multi-RTT methods can be combined with other positioning techniques, such as UL-AoA and DL-AoD, to improve location accuracy, as illustrated by scenario 640.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO43

[0134] The E-CID positioning method is based on radio resource management (RRM) measurements. In E-CID, the UE reports the serving cell ID, the timing advance (TA), and the identifiers, estimated timing, and signal strength of detected neighbor base stations. The location of the UE is then estimated based on this information and the known locations of the base station(s).

[0135] To assist positioning operations, a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) may provide assistance data to the UE. For example, the assistance data may include identifiers of the base stations (or the cells / TRPs of the base stations) from which to measure reference signals, the reference signal configuration parameters (e.g., the number of consecutive slots including PRS, periodicity of the consecutive slots including PRS, muting sequence, frequency hopping sequence, reference signal identifier, reference signal bandwidth, etc.), and / or other parameters applicable to the particular positioning method. Alternatively, the assistance data may originate directly from the base stations themselves (e.g., in periodically broadcasted overhead messages, etc.). In some cases, the UE may be able to detect neighbor network nodes itself without the use of assistance data.

[0136] In the case of an OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning procedure, the assistance data may further include an expected RSTD value and an associated uncertainty, or search window, around the expected RSTD. In some cases, the value range of the expected RSTD may be + / - 500 microseconds (ps). In some cases, when any of the resources used for the positioning measurement are in FR1, the value range for the uncertainty of the expected RSTD may be + / - 32 ps. In other cases, when all of the resources used for the positioning measurement(s) are in FR2, the value range for the uncertainty of the expected RSTD may be + / - 8 ps.

[0137] A location estimate may be referred to by other names, such as a position estimate, location, position, position fix, fix, or the like. A location estimate may be geodetic and comprise coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude) or may be civic and comprise a street address, postal address, or some other verbal description of a location. A location estimate may further be defined relative to some other known location or defined in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude). A location estimate may include an expected error or uncertainty (e.g., by including an area or volume within which the location is expected to be included with some specified or default level of confidence).QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO44

[0138] A collection of resource elements (REs) that are used for transmission of PRS is referred to as a “PRS resource.” An RE may comprise a block of one symbol in the time domain and one subcarrier in the frequency domain. The collection of resource elements can span multiple physical resource blocks (PRBs) in the frequency domain and ‘N’ (such as 1 or more) consecutive symbol(s) within a slot in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol in the time domain, a PRS resource occupies consecutive PRBs in the frequency domain.

[0139] The transmission of a PRS resource within a given PRB has a particular comb size (also referred to as the “comb density”). A comb size ‘N’ represents the subcarrier spacing (or frequency / tone spacing) within each symbol of a PRS resource configuration. Specifically, for a comb size ‘N,’ PRS are transmitted in every Nth subcarrier of a symbol of a PRB. For example, for comb-4, for each symbol of the PRS resource configuration, REs corresponding to every fourth subcarrier (such as subcarriers 0, 4, 8) are used to transmit PRS of the PRS resource. Currently, comb sizes of comb-2, comb-4, comb-6, and comb-12 are supported for DL-PRS.

[0140] Currently, a DL-PRS resource may span 2, 4, 6, or 13 consecutive symbols within a slot with a fully frequency-domain staggered pattern. A DL-PRS resource can be configured in any higher layer configured downlink or flexible (FL) symbol of a slot. There may be a constant energy per resource element (EPRE) for all REs of a given DL-PRS resource. The following are the frequency offsets from symbol to symbol for comb sizes 2, 4, 6, and 13 over 2, 4, 6, and 13 symbols. 2-symbol comb-2: {0, 1 }; 4-symbol comb-2: {0, 1, 0, 1 }; 6-symbol comb-2: {0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1 }; 13-symbol comb-2: {0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1 }; 4-symbol comb-4: {0, 2, 1, 3}; 13-symbol comb-4: {0, 2, 1, 3, 0, 2, 1, 3, 0, 2, 1, 3}; 6-symbol comb-6: {0, 3, 1, 4, 2, 5}; 13-symbol comb-6: {0, 3, 1, 4, 2, 5, 0, 3, 1, 4, 2, 5}; and 13-symbol comb-12: {0, 6, 3, 9, 1, 7, 4, 10, 2, 8, 5, 11 }.

[0141] A “PRS resource set” is a set of PRS resources used for the transmission of PRS signals, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource ID. In addition, the PRS resources in a PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP. A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and is associated with a particular TRP (identified by a TRP ID). In addition, the PRS resources in a PRS resource set have the same periodicity, a common muting pattern configuration, and the same repetition factor (such as “PRS- ResourceRepetitionFactor”) across slots. The periodicity is the time from the first repetition of the first PRS resource of a first PRS instance to the same first repetition ofQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO45 the same first PRS resource of the next PRS instance. The periodicity may have a length selected from 2Ap*{4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 32, 40, 64, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1380, 2560, 5120, 10240} slots, with p = 0, 1, 2, 3. The repetition factor may have a length selected from { 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32} slots.

[0142] A PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set is associated with a single beam (or beam ID) transmitted from a single TRP (where a TRP may transmit one or more beams). That is, each PRS resource of a PRS resource set may be transmitted on a different beam, and as such, a “PRS resource,” or simply “resource,” also can be referred to as a “beam.” Note that this does not have any implications on whether the TRPs and the beams on which PRS are transmitted are known to the UE.

[0143] A “PRS instance” or “PRS occasion” is one instance of a periodically repeated time window (such as a group of one or more consecutive slots) where PRS are expected to be transmitted. A PRS occasion also may be referred to as a “PRS positioning occasion,” a “PRS positioning instance," a “positioning occasion,” “a positioning instance,” a “positioning repetition,” or simply an “occasion,” an “instance,” or a “repetition.”

[0144] A “positioning frequency layer” (also referred to simply as a “frequency layer”) is a collection of one or more PRS resource sets across one or more TRPs that have the same values for certain parameters. Specifically, the collection of PRS resource sets has the same subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix (CP) type (meaning all numerologies supported for the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) are also supported for PRS), the same Point A, the same value of the downlink PRS bandwidth, the same start PRB (and center frequency), and the same comb-size. The Point A parameter takes the value of the parameter “ARFCN-ValueNR” (where “ARFCN” stands for “absolute radio-frequency channel number”) and is an identifier / code that specifies a pair of physical radio channel used for transmission and reception. The downlink PRS bandwidth may have a granularity of four PRBs, with a minimum of 24 PRBs and a maximum of 272 PRBs. Currently, up to four frequency layers have been defined, and up to two PRS resource sets may be configured per TRP per frequency layer.

[0145] The concept of a frequency layer is somewhat like the concept of component carriers and bandwidth parts (BWPs), but different in that component carriers and BWPs are used by one base station (or a macro cell base station and a small cell base station) to transmit data channels, while frequency layers are used by several (usually three or more) baseQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO46 stations to transmit PRS. A UE may indicate the number of frequency layers it can support when it sends the network its positioning capabilities, such as during an LTE positioning protocol (LPP) session. For example, a UE may indicate whether it can support one or four positioning frequency layers.

[0146] Note that the terms “positioning reference signal” and “PRS” generally refer to specific reference signals that are used for positioning in NR and LTE systems. However, as used herein, the terms “positioning reference signal” and “PRS” may also refer to any type of reference signal that can be used for positioning, such as but not limited to, PRS as defined in LTE and NR, TRS, PTRS, CRS, CSI-RS, DMRS, PSS, SSS, SSB, SRS, UL-PRS, etc. In addition, the terms “positioning reference signal” and “PRS” may refer to downlink, uplink, or sidelink positioning reference signals, unless otherwise indicated by the context. If needed to further distinguish the type of PRS, a downlink positioning reference signal may be referred to as a “DL-PRS,” an uplink positioning reference signal (e.g., an SRS-for-positioning, PTRS) may be referred to as an “UL-PRS,” and a sidelink positioning reference signal may be referred to as an “SL-PRS .” In addition, for signals that may be transmitted in the downlink, uplink, and / or sidelink (e.g., DMRS), the signals may be prepended with “DL,” “UL,” or “SL” to distinguish the direction. For example, “UL-DMRS” is different from “DL-DMRS .”

[0147] FIG. 7 is a graph 700 representing an example channel estimate of a multipath channel between a receiver device (e.g., any of the UEs or base stations described herein) and a transmitter device (e.g., any other of the UEs or base stations described herein), according to aspects of the disclosure. The channel estimate represents the intensity of a radio frequency (RF) signal (e.g., a positioning reference signal (PRS)) received through a multipath channel as a function of time delay, and may be referred to as the channel energy response (CER), channel impulse response (CIR), or power delay profile (PDP) of the channel. Thus, the horizontal axis represents time (e.g., milliseconds) and the vertical axis represents signal strength (e.g., decibels). Note that a multipath channel is a channel between a transmitter and a receiver over which an RF signal follows multiple paths, or multipaths, due to transmission of the RF signal on multiple beams and / or to the propagation characteristics of the RF signal (e.g., reflection, refraction, etc.).

[0148] In the example of FIG. 7, the receiver detects / measures multiple (four) channel taps of the RF signal. Each channel tap is a cluster of one or more rays and corresponds to aQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO47 multipath that the RF signal followed between the transmitter and the receiver. Thus, a channel tap represents the time of arrival and signal strength of an RF signal over a multipath. There may be multiple channel taps due to the RF signal being transmitted on different transmit beams (and therefore at different angles), or because of the propagation characteristics of RF signals (e.g., potentially following different paths due to reflections), or both. Note that although FIG. 7 illustrates channel taps of two to five rays, as will be appreciated, the channel taps may have more or fewer than the illustrated number of rays.

[0149] In the example of FIG. 7, the channel tap detected at time T3 is composed of stronger rays than the channel tap detected at time Tl. This may be due to an obstruction on the LOS path between the transmitter and the receiver. Alternatively or additionally, there may be a strong reflector along the NLOS path corresponding to the channel tap detected at time T3.

[0150] In an example, the UE measures, determines, and / or reports a channel frequency response (CFR) based on one or more received PRSs. A CFR may be obtained by applying a channel estimation in a frequency domain based on a PRS sequence. The PRS sequence may be mapped to one or more orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) signals.

[0151] In an example, the UE measures, determines, and / or reports a channel impulse response (CIR) based on one or more received PRSs. The CIR may be composed of a list of measurements, where each measurement contains delay, power, and phase information. The CIR may be obtained by applying an inverse fast Fourier transform to a CFR. Delay, power, and / or phase information may be derived from the inverse fast Fourier transform. The UE may apply truncation to the CIR and report a truncated CIR.

[0152] In an example, the UE measures, determines, and / or reports a power delay profile (PDP) based on one or more received PRSs. The PDP may be composed of a list of measurements, where each measurement contains delay and power information. The PDP may be equal to an absolute value of a CIR. The UE may apply truncation to the PDP and report a truncated PDP.

[0153] In an example, the UE measures, determines, and / or reports a delay profile (DP) based on one or more received PRSs. The DP may be composed of a list of measurements, where each measurement contains delay information. DP can correspond to timing info of CIR / PDP measurements with significant power / peak info or can correspond toQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO48 plurality of time info that are derived from CIR / PDP. The UE may apply truncation to the DP and report a truncated DP.

[0154] FIG. 8 is a diagram 800 showing example timings of RTT measurement signals exchanged between a network node 802 and a UE 804, according to aspects of the disclosure. The network node 802 may be a base station (e.g., any of the base stations described herein), another UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein), or other network node capable of performing an RTT positioning procedure.

[0155] Referring now to potential processing delays, at the network node 802, there is a transmission delay 814 between the time T_1 that the network node’s 802 baseband (labeled “BB”) generates the RTT measurement signal 810 (e.g., a PRS) and the time T_2 that the network node’s 802 antenna(s) (labeled “Ant”) transmit the RTT measurement signal 810. At the UE 804, there is a reception delay 816 between the time T_3 that the UE’s 804 antenna(s) (labeled “Ant”) receive the RTT measurement signal 810 and the time T_4 that the UE’s 804 baseband (labeled “BB”) processes the RTT measurement signal 810.

[0156] Similarly, for the RTT response signal 820 (e.g., an SRS), there is a transmission delay 826 between the time T_5 that the UE’s 804 baseband generates the RTT response signal 820 and the time T_6 that the UE’s 804 antenna(s) transmit the RTT response signal 820. At the network node 802, there is a reception delay 824 between the time T_7 that the network node’s 802 antenna(s) receive the RTT response signal 820 and the time T_8 that the network node’s 802 baseband processes the RTT response signal 820.

[0157] The difference between times T_2 and T_1 (i.e., transmission delay 814) and times T_8 and T_7 (i.e., reception delay 824) is referred to as the network node’s 802 “group delay.” The difference between times T_4 and T_3 (i.e., reception delay 816) and times T_6 and T_5 (i.e., transmission delay 826) is referred to as the UE’s 804 “group delay.” The group delay includes a hardware group delay, a group delay attributable to software / firmware, or both. More specifically, although software and / or firmware may contribute to group delay, the group delay is primarily due to internal hardware delays between the baseband and the antenna(s) of the network node 802 and the UE 804.

[0158] As shown in FIG. 8, because of the reception delay 816 and the transmission delay 826, the UE’s 804 Rx-Tx time difference measurement 812 does not represent the difference between the actual reception time at time T_3 and the actual transmission time at timeQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO49T_6. Similarly, because of the transmission delay 814 and the reception delay 824, the network node’s 802 Rx-Tx time difference measurement 822 does not represent the difference between the actual transmission time at time T_2 and the actual reception time at time T_7. Thus, as shown, group delays, such as reception delays 816 and 824 and transmission delays 814 and 826, can contribute to timing errors and / or calibration errors that can impact RTT measurements, as well as other measurements, such as TDOA, RSTD, etc. This can in turn can impact positioning performance. For example, in some designs, a 11 ns error will introduce three meters of error in the final location estimate.

[0159] In some cases, the UE 804 can calibrate its group delay and compensate for it so that the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement 812 reflects the actual reception and transmission times from its antenna(s). Alternatively, the UE 804 can report its group delay to the positioning entity (if not the UE 804), which can then subtract the group delay from the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement 812 when determining the final distance between the network node 802 and the UE 804. Similarly, the network node 802 may be able to compensate for its group delay in the network node Rx-Tx time difference measurement 822, or simply report the group delay to the positioning entity.

[0160] The following definitions are used for the purpose of describing internal timing errors:

[0161] Transmit (Tx) timing error: From a signal transmission perspective, there is a time delay from the time when the digital signal is generated at the baseband to the time when the RF signal is transmitted from the transmit antenna. For supporting positioning, the UE / TRP may implement an internal calibration / compensation of the transmit time delay for the transmission of the DL-PRS / UL-SRS, which may also include the calibration / compensation of the relative time delay between different RF chains in the same UE / TRP. The compensation may also consider the offset of the transmit antenna phase center to the physical antenna center. However, the calibration may not be perfect. The remaining transmit time delay after the calibration, or the uncalibrated transmit time delay is defined as the “transmit timing error” or “Tx timing error.”

[0162] Receive (Rx) timing error: From a signal reception perspective, there is a time delay from the time when the RF signal arrives at the Rx antenna to the time when the signal is digitized and time-stamped at the baseband. For supporting positioning, the UE / TRP may implement an internal calibration / compensation of the Rx time delay before it reports the measurements that are obtained from the DL-PRS / SRS, which may also include theQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO50 calibration / compensation of the relative time delay between different RF chains in the same UE / TRP. The compensation may also consider the offset of the Rx antenna phase center to the physical antenna center. However, the calibration may not be perfect. The remaining Rx time delay after the calibration, or the uncalibrated Rx time delay, is defined as the “Rx timing error.”

[0163] UE Tx timing error group (TEG): A UE Tx TEG (or TxTEG) is associated with the transmissions of one or more SRS resources for the positioning purpose, which have the Tx timing errors within a certain margin (e.g., within a threshold of each other).

[0164] TRP Tx TEG: A TRP Tx TEG (or TxTEG) is associated with the transmissions of one or more DL-PRS resources, which have the Tx timing errors within a certain margin.

[0165] UE Rx TEG: A UE Rx TEG (or RxTEG) is associated with one or more downlink measurements, which have the Rx timing errors within a certain margin.

[0166] TRP Rx TEG: A TRP Rx TEG (or RxTEG) is associated with one or more uplink measurements, which have the Rx timing errors within a margin.

[0167] UE Rx-Tx TEG: A UE Rx-Tx TEG (or RxTxTEG) is associated with one or more UE Rx-Tx time difference measurements, and one or more SRS resources for the positioning purpose, which have the Rx timing errors plus Tx timing errors within a certain margin.

[0168] TRP Rx-Tx TEG: A TRP Rx-Tx TEG (or RxTxTEG) is associated with one or more TRP Rx-Tx time difference measurements and one or more DL-PRS resources, which have the Rx timing errors plus Tx timing errors within a certain margin.

[0169] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of expected clock drifting in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. In the illustrated example, channel impulse responses (CIRs) correspond to measurements of a reference signal (e.g., PRS). In an example, the peak of each CIR corresponds to a timing of the measurement. For example, a first CIR has a peak at Ti, a second CIR has a peak at T2, a third CIR has a peak at T3, and a fourth CIR has a peak at T4.

[0170] In an example, a UE is at a fixed location and the peaks occur at different timings Ti, T2, T3, T4due to clock drift. For example, a sampling grid may change at the UE side due to time variations, frequency variations, receive antenna variations, etc.

[0171] The error described above may be referred to as, for example, sampling timing error. For example, a sampling grid may correspond to a span of time during which a positioning signal might be received. A signal’s reception time (e.g., a peak of a channel impulseQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO51 response of a PRS) may occur early in the sampling grid, indicating a short propagation time; or late in the sampling grid, indicating a long propagation time. If the propagation time does not change across measurements, then the UE can determine that the distance between the UE and the transmitter of the signal has not changed. But the greater the time between measurements, the greater is the possibility that clock drift, or some other error source, has caused a misalignment of the sampling grid.

[0172] Clock drift, illustrated in FIG. 9, is one possible source of sampling timing error (e.g., an error caused by misalignment of sampling grids of a UE). As discussed above, clock drift can affect different measurements of a signal from a single transmission source. But it will be understood that clock drift would also affect signal measurements from different transmission sources, for example, in cases where positioning is performed (reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements, etc.). Other sources of sampling timing error (not illustrated) include frequency variations, antenna variations, misalignment of a fast Fourier transform window, misdetection of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, etc.

[0173] In sample-based measurement, a measurement may be composed of Nt' samples of an estimated channel response in the time domain. The timing information for the Nt' samples may be reported with a timing granularity equal to 2kxTc, where k represents the timing reporting granularity factor, and Tcis a basic time unit (e.g., a basic time unit for new radio). A corresponding sample-based measurement (e.g., power if reported) may correspond to the measurement for the reported Nt' samples. Nt' and k may be signaled by the UE to the network (e.g., location server). Timing information of the sample-based measurement may be defined relative to a reference time. For example, a sampling grid may have an origin at a reference time. The Nt' samples may be samples with strongest power.

[0174] In the present disclosure, time duration T indicates a time duration between measurements (e.g., PRS measurements by the UE). The time duration T may be referred to with the following interchangeable phrases: time between measurements; maximum time between measurements; threshold time between measurements; timing offset; maximum timing offset; threshold timing offset; timing offset margin. Different values of time duration T may be designated as Ti, T2, etc.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO52

[0175] In the present disclosure, sampling timing error Y indicates a sampling timing error associated with one or more measurements (e.g., PRS measurements by the UE). The sampling timing error Y may be referred to with the following interchangeable phrases: maximum sampling timing error; sampling timing error threshold; sampling timing error margin. Different values of sampling timing error Y may be designated as Yi, Y2, etc.

[0176] In an example, when a UE measures a reference signal time difference (RSTD) on PRS resources belonging to a same positioning frequency layer (PFL), Y may be equal to 32*Tc, where Tc is a basic unit of time (e.g., for new radio), provided that the time offset between the two PRS resource instances from the reference cell and the neighbor cell, which are used for a single RSTD estimate, is no greater than T = 160ms.

[0177] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the UE may report RSTDs that meet different criteria for Y and / or T. For example, an RSTD #1 may meet criteria corresponding to Yi and / or Ti; an RSTD #2 may meet criteria corresponding to Y2 and / or T2; etc. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the UE may report an RSTD (e.g., RSTD #1), and may indicate, in the report, that one or more particular criteria is / are met by the RSTD. For example, in addition to RSTD #1, the report may include any combination of: a Y-value corresponding to RSTD #1 (e.g., Yi); a T-value corresponding to RSTD #1 (e.g., Ti); a sampling timing error group indication corresponding to RSTD #1 (e.g., STEG-ID #1, wherein STEG-ID #1 indicates Yi, Ti, or both).

[0178] A device (e.g., a UE, next generation node b (gNB), transmission-reception point (TRP), etc.) can indicate to a location server (e.g., location management function (LMF)) whether two or more measurements have a sampling grid placement, sampling time difference, or any combination thereof, within a specific bound, threshold, margin, or any combination thereof.

[0179] A sampling timing error indication may include an upper bound / margin on the sampling time uncertainty. The sampling timing error indication may indicate how long (e.g., a duration) of how long the upper bound / margin can be maintained. The indication may be referred to as a sampling timing error group ID. For example, if two measurements are associated with the same STEG-ID, this may indicate that the sampling time difference between the two measurements is within the upper bound / margin. For example, instead of a default value for Y and a default value for T (e.g., 32 nanoseconds for two measurements less than 160 milliseconds apart), a device may indicate different valueQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO53(Yi, Ti, or both) and provide measurements less than Ti apart that have sampling time differences within Yi.

[0180] In an example, Rx TEG-IDs may still be applicable, because Rx TEG is related to a total timing error (e.g., from sampling timing differences, group delay differences, etc., across PFL measurements).

[0181] A sampling timing error indication may have a granularity. The sampling timing error indication (e.g., a bound, duration, or both) may be defined and / or indicated at a measurement level. For example, when samples of a PRS resource are reported, it is indicated which other PRS resource(s) is / are reported with samples that are taken with sampling time within an error.

[0182] A sampling timing error indication may report how long a sampling time may be considered to not have changed by a given bound. Additionally or alternatively, a location server may determine the sampling timing error through implicit or specific approaches.

[0183] A sampling timing error indication may be defined and / or indicated on an antenna port level. For example, a sampling timing error indication may indicate that two measurements associated with a same antenna port have a sampling timing error less than a sampling timing error margin Y so long as a time offset between the two measurements is below a maximum timing offset T.

[0184] A sampling timing error indication may be defined and / or indicated on a positioning frequency layer (PFL) level. For example, a sampling timing error indication may indicate that two measurements associated with a PFL have a sampling timing error less than a sampling timing error margin Y so long as a time offset between the two measurements is below a maximum timing offset T.

[0185] A sampling timing error indication may be defined and / or indicated on a level associated with area validity. For example, a sampling timing error indication may indicate that two measurements associated with a same list of cells (e.g., cell IDs) and / or a same geographic area have a sampling timing error less than a sampling timing error margin Y so long as a time offset between the two measurements is below a maximum timing offset T.

[0186] A sampling timing error indication may be defined and / or indicated on a level associated with temperature validity. For example, a sampling timing error indication may indicate that two measurements associated with a same temperature (e.g., within a same temperature range such as 1°C to 40°C) have a sampling timing error less than a samplingQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO54 timing error margin Y so long as a time offset between the two measurements is below a maximum timing offset T.

[0187] A sampling timing error indication may be defined and / or indicated on a level associated with coverage validity. For example, a sampling timing error indication may indicate that two measurements associated with a same coverage and / or a same signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) (e.g., less than 200m from a cell center and / or SNR above a threshold) have a sampling timing error less than a sampling timing error margin Y so long as a time offset between the two measurements is below a maximum timing offset T.

[0188] A sampling timing error indication may be associated with a class and / or category of a device (e.g., the UE). A different class and / or category may correspond to different implementation complexities (e.g., cost) associated with the device. Different classes and / or categories may correspond to different positioning service levels (e.g., depending on required accuracy and / or quality of positioning service). Different classes and / or categories may correspond to different implementation complexities (e.g., depending on device memory, power, and / or processing).

[0189] FIG. 10 illustrates a procedure 1010 for capability transfer in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. The procedure 1010 may be analogous to, for example, a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) capability transfer, a new ratio positioning protocol (NRPP) capability transfer, or any combination thereof. In procedure 1010, a UE receives a capability information request 1011 from a location server (e.g., one or more locations servers and / or an LMF such as LMF 270). Capability information request 1011 may be analogous to, for example, an LPP / NRPP Request Capabilities message. Capability information request 1011 may prompt the UE to indicate one or more capabilities. The capabilities may include one or more positioning capabilities, one or more measurement capabilities, one or more reporting capabilities, or any combination thereof.

[0190] In procedure 1010, the UE sends capability information 1012 to the location server. The sending of the capability information 1012 may be responsive to the receiving the capability information request 1011. Alternatively, the UE may send the capability information 1012 without prompting. The capability information 1012 may be analogous to, for example, an LPP / NRPP Provide Capabilities message. Additionally or alternatively, the capability information 1012 may be analogous to new radio positioning protocol (e.g., NRPPa) transmission and reception point (TRP) information.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO55

[0191] The capability information 1012 may comprise one or more indications that the UE supports one or more positioning capabilities, one or more measurement capabilities, one or more reporting capabilities, or any combination thereof.

[0192] Additionally or alternatively, the capability information 1012 may indicate that the UE supports timing error group (TEG) reporting (e.g., UE Tx TEG reporting, wherein one or more transmissions of one or more uplink signals having the same UE Tx TEG-ID have UE Tx timing errors within a certain margin and / or threshold of each other).

[0193] Additionally or alternatively, the capability information 1012 comprises an indication that the UE supports reporting of sampling timing error criteria (e.g., T and / or Y) and / or reporting of sampling timing error groups (STEGs) (e.g., UE Rx sampling timing error group (STEG) reporting, wherein one or more measurements of one or more downlink signals having the same UE Rx STEG-ID have a timing offset less than T and / or sampling timing errors within a margin Y).

[0194] Additionally or alternatively, the capability information 1012 comprises an indication that the UE supports a particular granularity, class, and / or category of sampling timing error indication.

[0195] In an example, the UE may be configured by the LMF with a subset of the supported sampling timing error criteria (e.g., T and / or Y) and / or STEGs (e.g., STEG-IDs). For example, the configured may be received via broadcast (e.g., positioning system information block (posSIB)), via an LPP Location Request, medium access control control element (MAC CE), downlink control information (DCI), etc.

[0196] Additionally or alternatively, the capability information 1012 indicates a maximum number of sampling timing error indications (e.g., UE Rx STEGs) supported by the UE, a maximum number of sampling timing error indications (e.g., UE Rx STEGs) that a UE can support to measure the same resource (e.g., same DL PRS resource), a maximum number of sampling timing error indications (e.g., UE Rx STEGs) for measurement a same resource (e.g., same DL PRS resource) simultaneously. In an example, the maximum number(s) may be selected from { 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8}.

[0197] Additionally or alternatively, the capability information 1012 may indicate a band. For example, any of the capabilities presently discussed may be reported on a per-band basis.

[0198] Additionally or alternatively, the capability information 1012 comprises UE clock drift information. The UE clock drift information may be signaled from the UE to a networkQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO56 entity (e.g., LMF, data collection entity, or training entity). The UE clock drift info may include median value of UE clock drift, mean value of UE clock drift, mean and standard deviation values for clock drift, clock drift at a given percentile, range of UE clock drift, probability distribution that describes clock drift (e.g., truncated gaussian, uniform, etc.), expected clock drift value on an instance basis (i.e., instantaneous clock drift estimations) (e.g., sent as part of positioning measurement reporting). The UE clock drift info may indicate supported temperatures (e.g., ranges of temperature for which the UE clock drift information is valid). The UE clock drift info may be provided on a finer granularity in which it tells the UE clock drift information for a list of operating temperatures. Operating temperature may facilitate robust and accurate positioning during different seasons (e.g., summer vs. winter) or times during the day (e.g., air conditioning on vs. off). The UE may send the expected UE clock drift based on network entity request. The UE may indicate whether the signaled UE clock drift information applies to a group and / or type of UE. For example, UEs of a particular category, group, and / or type and / or UEs of a particular vendor may have common UE clock drift information. There may be signaling overhead savings if there is no need for the network entity to probe other UEs of the same category, group, type, and / or vendor.

[0199] FIG. 10 illustrates a procedure 1020 for assistance data transfer in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. The procedure 1020 may be analogous to, for example, an LPP assistance data transfer, an NRPP assistance data transfer, or any combination thereof. In procedure 1020, a UE sends an assistance information request 1021 to a location server (e.g., one or more locations servers and / or an LMF such as LMF 270). Assistance information request 1021 may be analogous to, for example, an LPP / NRPP Request Assistance Data message. Assistance information request 1021 may prompt the location server to provide assistance information. The assistance information may relate to one or more positioning procedures, one or more measurement procedures, one or more reporting procedures, or any combination thereof.

[0200] In procedure 1020, the location server sends assistance information 1022 to the UE. The sending of the assistance information 1022 may be responsive to receiving the assistance information request 1021. Alternatively, the location server may send assistance information 1022 without prompting. Assistance information 1022 may be analogous to, for example, an LPP / NRPP Provide Assistance Data message.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO57

[0201] Assistance information 1022 may comprise information that supports UE performance of one or more positioning procedures, one or more measurement procedures, one or more reporting procedures, or any combination thereof.

[0202] Additionally or alternatively, assistance information 1022 comprises information that supports UE performance of sampling timing error criteria reporting and / or STEG reporting. For example, assistance information 1022 may indicate one or more STEG-IDs corresponding to one or more STEGs and / or one or more sampling timing error criteria (T and / or Y) corresponding to the one or more STEGs.

[0203] Assistance information 1022 may indicate one or more definitions and / or characteristics of the one or more STEG-IDs. For example, each STEG-ID may be associated with a value T, wherein T is a time duration between measurements. Additionally or alternatively, each STEG-ID may be associated with a value Y, wherein Y is a sampling timing error.

[0204] Assistance information 1022 may indicate a value T, wherein T indicates a time duration between measurements. The UE may perform one or more reporting procedures in accordance with the time duration. The time duration may be a maximum, margin, and / or threshold time duration (e.g., time offset). The value T may represent the time duration (e.g., a number of milliseconds (ms)). Additionally or alternatively, the value T may represent a multiplier for deriving the time duration (e.g., a coefficient to be multiplied with a basic time unit Tcto arrive at the time duration).

[0205] Assistance information 1022 may indicate a value Y, wherein Y indicates a sampling timing error. The UE may perform one or more reporting procedures in accordance with the sampling timing error. The sampling timing error may be a maximum, margin, and / or threshold sampling timing error. The value Y may represent the sampling timing error (e.g., a number of nanoseconds (ns)). Additionally or alternatively, the value Y may represent a multiplier for deriving the sampling timing error (e.g., a coefficient to be multiplied with a basic time unit Tcto arrive at the sampling timing error).

[0206] Although definitions of one or more STEGs, STEG-IDs, etc., may be provided in the assistance information 1022, it will be understood that the definitions may be provided in any other signal described in the present disclosure. Additionally or alternatively, the definitions may be preconfigured to the UE and / or then network (e.g., provided in hardware, software, or firmware of the UE and / or network component).QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO58

[0207] FIG. 10 illustrates a procedure 1030 for location information transfer in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. The procedure 1030 may be analogous to, for example, a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) location information transfer, a new ratio positioning protocol (NRPP) location information transfer, or any combination thereof. In procedure 1030, a location server (e.g., one or more locations servers and / or an LMF such as LMF 270) sends a measurement request 1040 to a UE. Measurement request 1040 may be analogous to, for example, an LPP / NRPP Request Location Information message. Measurement request 1040 may prompt the UE to perform one or more measurements and / or report one or more measurement results (e.g., send a measurement report). Measurement request 1040 may relate to one or more positioning procedures, one or more measurement procedures, one or more reporting procedures, or any combination thereof.

[0208] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, measurement request 1040 may indicate one or more granularities, classes, and / or categories of sampling timing error indication (e.g., a subset of one or more granularities, classes, and / or categories indicated in the capability information 1012).

[0209] Additionally or alternatively, measurement request 1040 may include a request for a STEG indication. For example, the request for the STEG indication may indicate that a measurement result (or a value based on one or more measurement results, such as an RSTD value) be accompanied by a STEG indication (e.g., a STEG-ID). For example, the request for the STEG indication may indicate one or more conditions for sending the measurement report and / or one or more conditions for including a measurement result (or a value based on one or more measurement results, such as an RSTD value) in the measurement report.

[0210] Additionally or alternatively, measurement request 1040 may include any of the assistance information in the assistance information 1022 described above.

[0211] In procedure 1030, one or more nodes (illustrated as Node 1, Node 2, and Node 3) transmit one or more positioning reference signals (PRSs). In the illustrated example, Node 1 transmits PRS 1051, Node 2 transmits PRS 1052, Node 3 transmits PRS 1053, Node 1 transmits PRS 1054, Node 2 transmits PRS 1055, and Node 3 transmits PRS 1056.

[0212] The UE may obtain one or more measurements of the one or more PRSs. Each measurement may have one or more measurement results per measurement, for example, a reception timing value of the PRS, a received power of the PRS, etc. The one or moreQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO59 measurement results may be associated with a channel frequency response (CFR), channel impulse response (CIR), power delay profile (PDP), delay profile (DP), or any combination thereof.

[0213] The UE may include the one or more measurement results in a measurement report 1060. Measurement report 1060 may be analogous to, for example, an LPP / NRPP Provide Location Information message.

[0214] Additionally or alternatively, the UE may determine one or more values based on one or more measurement results, and include the one or more values in the measurement report 1060. The one or more values may include, for example, a reference signal time difference (RSTD) value. For example, in the illustrated example of FIG. 10, a first RSTD value (RSTD #1) may indicate a difference between the reception time of PRS 1051 and the reception time of PRS 1052; a second RSTD value (RSTD #2) may indicate a difference between the reception time of PRS 1051 and the reception time of PRS 1053; a third RSTD value (RSTD #3) may indicate a difference between the reception time of PRS 1051 and the reception time of PRS 1054.

[0215] As noted above, the measurement report 1060 may include one or more components. For example, a first component of the measurement report 1060 may be a first field and / or information element that indicates a measurement result and / or a value based on one or more measurement results. A second component of the measurement report 1060 may be a second field and / or information element that indicates a sampling timing error and / or one or more criteria associated with sampling timing error (e.g., Y, T, and / or a STEG-ID indicating Y and / or T). The measurement report 1060 may indicate that the first field and / or information element is linked to and / or associated with the second field and / or information element. The inclusion and / or population of the second field and / or information element in the measurement report 1060 may be based on the inclusion of the request for the STEG indication in the measurement request 1040.

[0216] The components of measurement report 1060 (e.g., one or more measurement results, one or more values based on the one or more measurement results, one or more indicators of sampling timing error) may be provided to the location server as a model input for one or more positioning models (e.g., artificial intelligence (Al) and / or machine learning (ML) positioning models). During data collection for positioning based on the positioning model, the UE may indicate a supported granularity, class, and / or category of samplingQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO60 timing error indication. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may indicate a granularity, class, and / or category of sampling timing error indication used using data collection for the positioning model. The UE may consider one or more parameters of the sampling timing error indication when performing data collection for the positioning model. Data may be associated with meta information related to the sampling timing error indication (e.g., including supported granularity, class, and / or category). The sampling timing error indications may be used in such a manner to ensure consistency between training and inference regarding sampling grid time alignment and / or coherency.

[0217] Sampling timing error indications may be involved in model development and training. For example, model development and training may include mixed dataset training with data involving measurements with different sampling grid coherent timing. For example, model development and training may include input indexing. For example, sampling timing error indicators may be used as additional model inputs to enhance positioning accuracy. For example, model development and training may include multiple models and / or layers. For example, multiple models can be trained for different sampling grid coherent timing (or ranges of coherent timing).

[0218] In an example, the UE selects for reporting one or more samples based on the one or more measurements. The samples may be samples with strongest power (e.g., samples with higher power than one or more other samples, samples with power above a threshold, etc.).

[0219] In an example, a component of the measurement report 1060 may be based on two or more measurements from PRS resources belonging to a same positioning frequency layer (PFL). The inclusion of the component, the sampling timing error criteria, and / or the STEG indication may be based on the one or more measurements being associated with the same PFL.

[0220] In an example, a component of the measurement report 1060 may be based on two or more measurements associated with different receive timing error groups (Rx TEGs). The inclusion of the component, the sampling timing error criteria, and / or the STEG indication may be based on the two or more measurements being associated with different Rx TEGs.

[0221] In an example, a component of the measurement report 1060 may be associated with a total error and / or total timing error, wherein the sampling timing error Y is a componentQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO61 of the total error and / or total timing error. The total error and / or total timing error may include additional components Z and / or A, wherein Z is a group delay error and A is an error due to processing of multiple PFLs. The inclusion of the component, the sampling timing error criteria, and / or the STEG indication may be based on sampling timing error Y being less than a threshold, group delay error Z being less than a threshold, multi-PFL processing error A being less than a threshold, and / or total error (e.g., Y+Z+A) being less than a total error threshold.

[0222] In procedure 1030, the UE sends measurement report 1060 to the location server. The sending of the measurement report 1060 may be responsive to receiving the measurement request 1040, and / or receiving the PRSs 1051, 1052, 1053, 1054, 1055, 1056. Additionally or alternatively, the sending of the measurement report 1060 may be responsive to one or more results of one or more measurements of the PRSs 1051, 1052, 1053, 1054, 1055, 1056.

[0223] The UE may send the measurement report 1060 via a base station. The base station may correspond to Node 1, Node 2, Node 3, and / or some other node (not illustrated). The base station may receive the measurement report 1060 from the UE. The base station may send measurement report 1060 to the location server. The base station may send the sampling timing error criteria and / or the STEG indication to the location server.

[0224] The following example relates to the generation of a measurement report in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

[0225] The UE may determine that STEG-ID #1 corresponds to a timing offset T i and a sampling timing error margin Yi. The UE may determine that the measurement of PRS 1051 and the measurement of PRS 1052 occur within a time offset that is less-than or less-than-or- equal-to Ti. The UE may determine that a sampling timing error, occurring between the reception of PRS 1051 and the reception of PRS 1052, is less-than or less-than-or-equal- to Yi. Based on these determinations, the UE may designate, select, and / or assign one or more of the following to the sampling timing error group (STEG) having the identifier STEG-ID #1 : one or more measurement results associated with the measurement of PRS 1051 (e.g., reception time and / or received power); one or more measurement results associated with the measurement of PRS 1052 (e.g., reception time and / or received power); one or more values associated with the measurements of PRS 1051 and PRS 1052 (e.g., RSTD #1).QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO62

[0226] The UE may determine that STEG-ID #2 corresponds to a timing offset T2 and a sampling timing error margin Y2. The UE may determine that the measurement of PRS 1051 and the measurement of PRS 1053 occur within a time offset that is less-than or less-than-or- equal-to T2. The UE may determine that a sampling timing error, occurring between the reception of PRS 1051 and the reception of PRS 1053, is less-than or less-than-or-equal- to Y2. Based on these determinations, the UE may designate, select, and / or assign one or more of the following to the sampling timing error group (STEG) having the identifier STEG-ID #2: one or more measurement results associated with the measurement of PRS 1051 (e.g., reception time and / or received power); one or more measurement results associated with the measurement of PRS 1053 (e.g., reception time and / or received power); one or more values associated with the measurements of PRS 1051 and PRS 1053 (e.g., RSTD #2).

[0227] In an example, if the UE does not provide a sampling timing error indication (e.g., STEG- ID), then the network (e.g., location server) may make not assumption regarding sampling timing error and / or timing offset. In an example, if the UE does not provide a sampling timing error indication (e.g., STEG-ID), then the network (e.g., location server) may assume that sampling timing error is less than 32*TCand / or that timing offset is less than 160ms.

[0228] In an example, up to eight STEG-IDs per band may be defined, configured, and / or included in measurement report 1060. In an example, up to thirty -two STEG-IDs across four bands may be defined, configured, and / or included in measurement report 1060. In an example, measurement report 1060 may have multiple measurements of the same resource with different Rx STEGs and / or possibly different timestamps. In an example, the UE may make up to N measurements on a same PRS resource. In an example, the location server can request (e.g., in measurement request 1040) the N measurement on the same PRS resource. In an example, N may be selected from {2, 3, 4, 6, 8}.

[0229] FIG. 11 illustrates a table 1110. Table 1110 comprises a plurality of sampling timing error group IDs (STEG-IDs #1, #2... #n), wherein each STEG-ID corresponds to a time between measurements (Ti, T2... Tn). The table 1110 may be configured to the UE. A timing sampling error margin Y (e.g., a default timing sampling error margin) may be configured to the UE. Either or both may be pre-configured to the UE and / or sent to the UE by the location server and / or a base station (e.g., in a positioning system informationQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO63 block (posSIB), a medium access control control element (MAC-CE), a downlink control information (DCI), an LPP Provide Assistance Data message, and / or an LPP Request Location Information message).

[0230] The UE may determine that a sampling timing error associated with a component of a measurement report is less than timing sampling error margin Y. The component of the measurement report may be based on two measurements with two measurement timings. Using the table 1110, the UE determines the appropriate STEG-ID based on a difference between the two measurement timings being less than one or more of the values (Ti, T2.. . Tn). For example, if the difference is less than Ti, then the UE may designate, select, and / or assign STEG-ID #1 to the component and / or include STEG-ID #1 in the report. If the difference is more than Ti, and less than T2, then the UE may designate, select, and / or assign STEG-ID #2 to the component and / or include STEG-ID #2 in the report. Etc.

[0231] FIG. 11 illustrates a table 1120. Table 1120 comprises a plurality of sampling timing error group IDs (STEG-IDs #1, #2... #n), wherein each STEG-ID corresponds to a sampling timing error margin (Yi, Y2.. . Yn). The table 1120 may be configured to the UE. A time between measurements T (e.g., a default time between measurements) may be configured to the UE. Either or both may be pre-configured to the UE and / or sent to the UE by the location server and / or a base station (e.g., in a positioning system information block (posSIB), a MAC-CE, a DCI, an LPP Provide Assistance Data message, and / or an LPP Request Location Information message).

[0232] The UE may determine that a difference between the two measurement timings associated with a component of a measurement report is less than time between measurements T. Using the table 1120, the UE determines the appropriate STEG-ID based on a sampling timing error being less than one or more of the values (Yi, Y2.. . Yn). For example, if the difference is less than Yi, then the UE may designate, select, and / or assign STEG-ID #1 to the component and / or include STEG-ID #1 in the report. If the difference is more than Yi, and less than Y2, then the UE may designate, select, and / or assign STEG-ID #2 to the component and / or include STEG-ID #2 in the report. Etc.

[0233] FIG. 11 illustrates a table 1130. Table 1130 comprises a plurality of sampling timing error group IDs (STEG-IDs #1, #2... #n), wherein each STEG-ID corresponds to a particular combination of time between measurements (Ti, T2... Tn) and sampling timing error margin (Yi, Y2.. . Yn). The table 1130 may be pre-configured to the UE and / or sent to theQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO64UE by the location server and / or a base station (e.g., in a positioning system information block (posSIB), a MAC-CE, a DCI, an LPP Provide Assistance Data message, and / or an LPP Request Location Information message).

[0234] The UE may determine that a difference between the two measurement timings associated with a component of a measurement report is greater than time between measurements Ti and less than time between measurements T2. The UE may determine that a sampling timing error associated with a component of a measurement report is greater than sampling timing error margin Yi and less than sampling timing error margin Y2. Using the table 1130, the UE determines the appropriate STEG-ID.

[0235] In an example, when a UE measures samples on X PRS resources belonging to a same positioning frequency layer (PFL): Y=Yi nsec, provided that the time offset between the X PRS resources is no greater than T=Ti ms; Y=Y2 nsec, provided that the time offset between the X PRS resources is no greater than T=T2 ms; Y=Ynnsec, provided that the time offset between the X PRS resources is no greater than T=Tnms; etc.; wherein Ti<T2<Tnand Yi<Y2<Yn.

[0236] In an example, a device may be expected to achieve Y=0 nsec for samples measured on PRS resources that are on a same band or same bandwidth, with a time offset smaller than a threshold (e.g. or even simultaneously received PRS resources), when measured from the same Rx antenna. This may be a separate capability (i.e. to have Y=0 nsec under some conditions).

[0237] A UE and / or network may operate in accordance with FIGS. 10 - 11 in order to determine, provide, and / or use a sampling error group indication (e.g., STEG-ID) relating to UE reception of a reference signal (e.g., PRS). In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, the UE may, additionally or alternatively, provide a sampling error group indication may relate to UE transmission of a reference signal (e.g., SRS), as will be discussed in greater detail below. For brevity, analogous details are omitted.

[0238] In an example, a base station (e.g., serving gNB) may request a UE to provide association information of reference signal resources (e.g., UL SRS resources). The reference signal resources may be used for positioning. The assistance information may indicate support for and / or information of sampling error group indication relating to uplink transmission (e.g., UE Tx STEG-IDs). The base station may, for example, forward the association information provided by the UE to the location server. UE capabilities of the UE may beQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO65 reported per band. For example, a maximum number of UE Tx STEGs for an SRS resource for positioning, which is supported and reported by UE for uplink time difference of arrival (UL TDOA). Candidate values may include { 1,2, 3, 4, 6, 8}. A location server may request a base station (e.g., TRP) to measure a same SRS resource of a UE with M different Rx STEGs and report the corresponding multiple relative time of arrival (RTOA) measurements. The value M may be selected from {2, 3, 4, 6, 8}. The Rx STEGs may correspond to TRPs. Timestamps of the multiple RTOA measurements in the same measurement report can be the same or different.

[0239] FIG. 12 illustrates an example method 1200 of wireless positioning, according to aspects of the disclosure. In an aspect, method 1200 may be performed by a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein).

[0240] At 1210, the UE obtains a first measurement of a first positioning reference signal (PRS) resource in a first PRS occasion at a first PRS reception time. In an aspect, operation 1210 may be performed by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, 350, the one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, 360, the one or more network transceivers 390, the memory 340, 386, 396 the one or more processors 342, 384, 394 and / or the positioning component 348, 388, 398, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0241] At 1220, the UE obtains a second measurement of a second PRS resource in a second PRS occasion at a second PRS reception time. In an aspect, operation 1220 may be performed by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, 350, the one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, 360, the one or more network transceivers 390, the memory 340, 386, 396 the one or more processors 342, 384, 394 and / or the positioning component 348, 388, 398, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0242] At 1230, the UE transmits a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin. In an aspect, operation 1230 may be performed by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, 350, the one or more short- range wireless transceivers 320, 360, the one or more network transceivers 390, the memory 340, 386, 396 the one or more processors 342, 384, 394 and / or the positioning component 348, 388, 398, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO66

[0243] FIG. 13 illustrates an example method 1300 of wireless positioning, according to aspects of the disclosure. In an aspect, method 1300 may be performed by a BS (e.g., any of the BSs described herein).

[0244] At 1310, the BS receives a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin. In an aspect, operation 1330 may be performed by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, 350, the one or more short- range wireless transceivers 320, 360, the one or more network transceivers 390, the memory 340, 386, 396 the one or more processors 342, 384, 394 and / or the positioning component 348, 388, 398, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0245] FIG. 14 illustrates an example method 1400 of positioning, according to aspects of the disclosure. In an aspect, method 1400 may be performed by a location server (e.g., any of the location servers described herein).

[0246] At 1410, the location server receives a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin. In an aspect, operation 1430 may be performed by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, 350, the one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, 360, the one or more network transceivers 390, the memory 340, 386, 396 the one or more processors 342, 384, 394 and / or the positioning component 348, 388, 398, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0247] As will be appreciated, a technical advantage of the methods 1100, 1200, 1300 is that a measurement report may indicate an amount of sampling timing error associated with one or more measurements.

[0248] In the detailed description above it can be seen that different features are grouped together in examples. This manner of disclosure should not be understood as an intention that the example clauses have more features than are explicitly mentioned in each clause. Rather, the various aspects of the disclosure may include fewer than all features of an individual example clause disclosed. Therefore, the following clauses should hereby be deemed to be incorporated in the description, wherein each clause by itself can stand as a separate example. Although each dependent clause can refer in the clauses to a specificQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO67 combination with one of the other clauses, the aspect(s) of that dependent clause are not limited to the specific combination. It will be appreciated that other example clauses can also include a combination of the dependent clause aspect(s) with the subject matter of any other dependent clause or independent clause or a combination of any feature with other dependent and independent clauses. The various aspects disclosed herein expressly include these combinations, unless it is explicitly expressed or can be readily inferred that a specific combination is not intended (e.g., contradictory aspects, such as defining an element as both an electrical insulator and an electrical conductor). Furthermore, it is also intended that aspects of a clause can be included in any other independent clause, even if the clause is not directly dependent on the independent clause.

[0249] Implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0250] Clause 1. A method of wireless positioning performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: obtaining a first measurement of a first positioning reference signal (PRS) resource in a first PRS occasion at a first PRS reception time; obtaining a second measurement of a second PRS resource in a second PRS occasion at a second PRS reception time; and transmitting a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

[0251] Clause 2. The method of clause 1, wherein the measurement report comprises a downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD) measurement based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time.

[0252] Clause 3. The method of any of clauses 1 to 2, wherein the indication comprises a receive sampling timing error group identifier (Rx STEG-ID), the Rx STEG-ID indicating one or more of: a time offset indicating a maximum difference between two PRS resource instances; and the sampling timing error margin.

[0253] Clause 4. The method of clause 3, further comprising selecting the Rx STEG-ID based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time being less than the time offset value associated with the Rx STEG-ID.

[0254] Clause 5. The method of any of clauses 3 to 4, further comprising receiving, from a location server, a configuration of a plurality of Rx STEG-IDs, wherein the configuration indicates: a first Rx STEG-ID and a first time offset and / or a first sampling timing error margin corresponding to the first Rx STEG-ID; and a second Rx STEG-ID and a secondQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO68 time offset and / or a second sampling timing error margin corresponding to the second Rx STEG-ID.

[0255] Clause 6. The method of any of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the transmitting of the measurement report is based on the sampling timing error being below the sampling timing error margin.

[0256] Clause 7. The method of any of clauses 1 to 6, further comprising transmitting, to a location server, capability information indicating a capability of providing the indication that the sampling timing error is below the sampling timing error margin.

[0257] Clause 8. The method of any of clauses 1 to 7, further comprising receiving, from a location server, a request indicating: to measure and report one or more DL RSTD measurements; and to report association information of the one or more DL RSTD measurements, wherein the association information indicates that the sampling timing error is less than the sampling timing error margin.

[0258] Clause 9. The method of any of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the first PRS resource is associated with a first transmission point (TP) and the second PRS resource is associated with a second TP.

[0259] Clause 10. The method of any of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the first PRS resource and the second PRS resource belong to a same positioning frequency layer (PFL).

[0260] Clause 11. A user equipment (UE), comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, configured to: obtain a first measurement of a first positioning reference signal (PRS) resource in a first PRS occasion at a first PRS reception time; obtain a second measurement of a second PRS resource in a second PRS occasion at a second PRS reception time; and transmit a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

[0261] Clause 12. The UE of clause 11, wherein the measurement report comprises a downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD) measurement based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time.

[0262] Clause 13. The UE of one of clauses 11 to 12, wherein the indication comprises a receive sampling timing error group identifier (Rx STEG-ID), the Rx STEG-ID indicating one orQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO69 more of: a time offset indicating a maximum difference between two PRS resource instances; and the sampling timing error margin.

[0263] Clause 14. The UE of clause 13, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to select the Rx STEG-ID based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time being less than the time offset value associated with the Rx STEG-ID.

[0264] Clause 15. The UE of one of clauses 13 to 14, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to receive, from a location server, a configuration of a plurality of Rx STEG-IDs, wherein the configuration indicates: a first Rx STEG-ID and a first time offset and / or a first sampling timing error margin corresponding to the first Rx STEG-ID; and a second Rx STEG-ID and a second time offset and / or a second sampling timing error margin corresponding to the second Rx STEG-ID.

[0265] Clause 16. The UE of one of clauses 11 to 15, wherein the transmitting of the measurement report is based on the sampling timing error being below the sampling timing error margin.

[0266] Clause 17. The UE of one of clauses 11 to 16, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to transmit, to a location server, capability information indicating a capability of providing the indication that the sampling timing error is below the sampling timing error margin.

[0267] Clause 18. The UE of one of clauses 11 to 17, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to receive, from a location server, a request indicating: to measure and report one or more DL RSTD measurements; and to report association information of the one or more DL RSTD measurements, wherein the association information indicates that the sampling timing error is less than the sampling timing error margin.

[0268] Clause 19. The UE of one of clauses 11 to 18, wherein the first PRS resource is associated with a first transmission point (TP) and the second PRS resource is associated with a second TP.

[0269] Clause 20. The UE of one of clauses 11 to 19, wherein the first PRS resource and the second PRS resource belong to a same positioning frequency layer (PFL).QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO70

[0270] Clause 21. A user equipment (UE), comprising: means for obtaining a first measurement of a first positioning reference signal (PRS) resource in a first PRS occasion at a first PRS reception time; means for obtaining a second measurement of a second PRS resource in a second PRS occasion at a second PRS reception time; and means for transmitting a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

[0271] Clause 22. The UE of clause 21, wherein the measurement report comprises a downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD) measurement based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time.

[0272] Clause 23. The UE of any of clauses 21 to 22, wherein the indication comprises a receive sampling timing error group identifier (Rx STEG-ID), the Rx STEG-ID indicating one or more of: a time offset indicating a maximum difference between two PRS resource instances; and the sampling timing error margin.

[0273] Clause 24. The UE of clause 23, further comprising selecting the Rx STEG-ID based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time being less than the time offset value associated with the Rx STEG-ID.

[0274] Clause 25. The UE of any of clauses 23 to 24, further comprising receiving, from a location server, a configuration of a plurality of Rx STEG-IDs, wherein the configuration indicates: a first Rx STEG-ID and a first time offset and / or a first sampling timing error margin corresponding to the first Rx STEG-ID; and a second Rx STEG-ID and a second time offset and / or a second sampling timing error margin corresponding to the second Rx STEG-ID.

[0275] Clause 26. The UE of any of clauses 21 to 25, wherein the transmitting of the measurement report is based on the sampling timing error being below the sampling timing error margin.

[0276] Clause 27. The UE of any of clauses 21 to 26, further comprising transmitting, to a location server, capability information indicating a capability of providing the indication that the sampling timing error is below the sampling timing error margin.

[0277] Clause 28. The UE of any of clauses 21 to 27, further comprising receiving, from a location server, a request indicating: to measure and report one or more DL RSTD measurements; and to report association information of the one or more DL RSTDQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO71 measurements, wherein the association information indicates that the sampling timing error is less than the sampling timing error margin.

[0278] Clause 29. The UE of any of clauses 21 to 28, wherein the first PRS resource is associated with a first transmission point (TP) and the second PRS resource is associated with a second TP.

[0279] Clause 30. The UE of any of clauses 21 to 29, wherein the first PRS resource and the second PRS resource belong to a same positioning frequency layer (PFL).

[0280] Clause 31. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: obtain a first measurement of a first positioning reference signal (PRS) resource in a first PRS occasion at a first PRS reception time; obtain a second measurement of a second PRS resource in a second PRS occasion at a second PRS reception time; and transmit a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

[0281] Clause 32. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 31, wherein the measurement report comprises a downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD) measurement based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time.

[0282] Clause 33. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim clause 31, wherein the indication comprises a receive sampling timing error group identifier (Rx STEG-ID), the Rx STEG-ID indicating one or more of: a time offset indicating a maximum difference between two PRS resource instances; and the sampling timing error margin.

[0283] Clause 34. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 33, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to select the Rx STEG-ID based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time being less than the time offset value associated with the Rx STEG-ID.

[0284] Clause 35. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim clause 33, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to receive, from a location server, a configuration of a plurality of Rx STEG-IDs, wherein the configuration indicates: a first Rx STEG-ID and a first time offset and / or aQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO72 first sampling timing error margin corresponding to the first Rx STEG-ID; and a second Rx STEG-ID and a second time offset and / or a second sampling timing error margin corresponding to the second Rx STEG-ID.

[0285] Clause 36. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 31, wherein the transmitting of the measurement report is based on the sampling timing error being below the sampling timing error margin.

[0286] Clause 37. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 31, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to transmit, to a location server, capability information indicating a capability of providing the indication that the sampling timing error is below the sampling timing error margin.

[0287] Clause 38. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim clause 31, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to receive, from a location server, a request indicating: to measure and report one or more DL RSTD measurements; and to report association information of the one or more DL RSTD measurements, wherein the association information indicates that the sampling timing error is less than the sampling timing error margin.

[0288] Clause 39. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 31, wherein the first PRS resource is associated with a first transmission point (TP) and the second PRS resource is associated with a second TP.

[0289] Clause 40. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 31, wherein the first PRS resource and the second PRS resource belong to a same positioning frequency layer (PFL).

[0290] Clause 41. A method of wireless positioning performed by a base station (BS), comprising: receiving a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between a first positioning reference signal (PRS) reception time and a second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

[0291] Clause 42. The method of clause 41, wherein the measurement report comprises a downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD) measurement based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time.

[0292] Clause 43. The method of any of clauses 41 to 42, wherein the indication comprises a receive sampling timing error group identifier (Rx STEG-ID), the Rx STEG-ID indicatingQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO73 one or more of: a time offset indicating a maximum difference between two PRS resource instances; and the sampling timing error margin.

[0293] Clause 44. The method of clause 43, wherein the Rx STEG-ID is selected based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time being less than the time offset value associated with the Rx STEG-ID.

[0294] Clause 45. The method of any of clauses 43 to 44, further comprising receiving, from a location server, and / or transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), a configuration of a plurality of Rx STEG-IDs, wherein the configuration indicates: a first Rx STEG-ID and a first time offset and / or a first sampling timing error margin corresponding to the first Rx STEG-ID; and a second Rx STEG-ID and a second time offset and / or a second sampling timing error margin corresponding to the second Rx STEG-ID.

[0295] Clause 46. The method of any of clauses 41 to 45, wherein the receiving of the measurement report is based on the sampling timing error being below the sampling timing error margin.

[0296] Clause 47. The method of any of clauses 41 to 46, further comprising transmitting, to a location server, and / or receiving, from a user equipment (UE), capability information indicating a capability of providing the indication that the sampling timing error is below the sampling timing error margin.

[0297] Clause 48. The method of any of clauses 41 to 47, further comprising receiving, from a location server, and / or transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), a request indicating: to measure and report one or more DL RSTD measurements; and to report association information of the one or more DL RSTD measurements, wherein the association information indicates that the sampling timing error is less than the sampling timing error margin.

[0298] Clause 49. The method of any of clauses 41 to 48, wherein the first PRS resource is associated with a first transmission point (TP) and the second PRS resource is associated with a second TP.

[0299] Clause 50. The method of any of clauses 41 to 49, wherein the first PRS resource and the second PRS resource belong to a same positioning frequency layer (PFL).

[0300] Clause 51. A base station (BS), comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, configured to: receive a measurement reportQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO74 comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between a first positioning reference signal (PRS) reception time and a second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

[0301] Clause 52. The BS of clause 51, wherein the measurement report comprises a downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD) measurement based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time.

[0302] Clause 53. The BS of one of clauses 51 to 52, wherein the indication comprises a receive sampling timing error group identifier (Rx STEG-ID), the Rx STEG-ID indicating one or more of a time offset indicating a maximum difference between two PRS resource instances; and the sampling timing error margin.

[0303] Clause 54. The BS of clause 53, wherein the Rx STEG-ID is selected based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time being less than the time offset value associated with the Rx STEG-ID.

[0304] Clause 55. The BS of one of clauses 53 to 54, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to receive, from a location server, and / or transmit, to a user equipment (UE), a configuration of a plurality of Rx STEG-IDs, wherein the configuration indicates: a first Rx STEG-ID and a first time offset and / or a first sampling timing error margin corresponding to the first Rx STEG-ID; and a second Rx STEG-ID and a second time offset and / or a second sampling timing error margin corresponding to the second Rx STEG-ID.

[0305] Clause 56. The BS of one of clauses 51 to 55, wherein the receiving of the measurement report is based on the sampling timing error being below the sampling timing error margin.

[0306] Clause 57. The BS of one of clauses 51 to 56, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to transmit, to a location server, and / or receive, from a user equipment (UE), capability information indicating a capability of providing the indication that the sampling timing error is below the sampling timing error margin.

[0307] Clause 58. The BS of one of clauses 51 to 57, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to receive, from a location server, and / or transmit, to a user equipment (UE), a request indicating: to measure and report one or more DL RSTD measurements; and to report association information of the one or moreQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO75DL RSTD measurements, wherein the association information indicates that the sampling timing error is less than the sampling timing error margin.

[0308] Clause 59. The BS of one of clauses 51 to 58, wherein the first PRS resource is associated with a first transmission point (TP) and the second PRS resource is associated with a second TP.

[0309] Clause 60. The BS of one of clauses 51 to 59, wherein the first PRS resource and the second PRS resource belong to a same positioning frequency layer (PFL).

[0310] Clause 61. A base station (BS), comprising: means for receiving a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between a first positioning reference signal (PRS) reception time and a second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

[0311] Clause 62. The BS of clause 61, wherein the measurement report comprises a downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD) measurement based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time.

[0312] Clause 63. The BS of one of clauses 61 to 62, wherein the indication comprises a receive sampling timing error group identifier (Rx STEG-ID), the Rx STEG-ID indicating one or more of: a time offset indicating a maximum difference between two PRS resource instances; and the sampling timing error margin.

[0313] Clause 64. The BS of clause 63, wherein the Rx STEG-ID is selected based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time being less than the time offset value associated with the Rx STEG-ID.

[0314] Clause 65. The BS of one of clauses 63 to 64, further comprising means for receiving, from a location server, and / or transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), a configuration of a plurality of Rx STEG-IDs, wherein the configuration indicates: a first Rx STEG-ID and a first time offset and / or a first sampling timing error margin corresponding to the first Rx STEG-ID; and a second Rx STEG-ID and a second time offset and / or a second sampling timing error margin corresponding to the second Rx STEG-ID.

[0315] Clause 66. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a base station (BS), cause the BS to: receive a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between a first positioning reference signal (PRS) reception time and a second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO76

[0316] Clause 67. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 66, wherein the measurement report comprises a downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD) measurement based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time.

[0317] Clause 68. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of one of clauses 66 to 67, wherein the indication comprises a receive sampling timing error group identifier (Rx STEG-ID), the Rx STEG-ID indicating one or more of: a time offset indicating a maximum difference between two PRS resource instances; and the sampling timing error margin.

[0318] Clause 69. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 68, wherein the Rx STEG-ID is selected based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time being less than the time offset value associated with the Rx STEG-ID.

[0319] Clause 70. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of one of clauses 68 to 69, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the BS, cause the BS to receive, from a location server, and / or transmit, to a user equipment (UE), a configuration of a plurality of Rx STEG-IDs, wherein the configuration indicates: a first Rx STEG-ID and a first time offset and / or a first sampling timing error margin corresponding to the first Rx STEG-ID; and a second Rx STEG-ID and a second time offset and / or a second sampling timing error margin corresponding to the second Rx STEG-ID.

[0320] Clause 71. A method of wireless positioning performed by a location server, comprising: receiving a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between a first positioning reference signal (PRS) reception time and a second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

[0321] Clause 72. The method of clause 71, wherein the measurement report comprises a downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD) measurement based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time.

[0322] Clause 73. The method of any of clauses 71 to 72, wherein the indication comprises a receive sampling timing error group identifier (Rx STEG-ID), the Rx STEG-ID indicating one or more of: a time offset indicating a maximum difference between two PRS resource instances; and the sampling timing error margin.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO77

[0323] Clause 74. The method of clause 73, wherein the Rx STEG-ID is selected based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time being less than the time offset value associated with the Rx STEG-ID.

[0324] Clause 75. The method of any of clauses 73 to 74, further comprising transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), a configuration of a plurality of Rx STEG-IDs, wherein the configuration indicates: a first Rx STEG-ID and a first time offset and / or a first sampling timing error margin corresponding to the first Rx STEG-ID; and a second Rx STEG-ID and a second time offset and / or a second sampling timing error margin corresponding to the second Rx STEG-ID.

[0325] Clause 76. The method of any of clauses 71 to 75, wherein the receiving of the measurement report is based on the sampling timing error being below the sampling timing error margin.

[0326] Clause 77. The method of any of clauses 71 to 76, further comprising receiving, from a user equipment (UE), capability information indicating a capability of providing the indication that the sampling timing error is below the sampling timing error margin.

[0327] Clause 78. The method of any of clauses 71 to 77, further comprising transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), a request indicating: to measure and report one or more DL RSTD measurements; to report association information of the one or more DL RSTD measurements, wherein the association information indicates that the sampling timing error is less than the sampling timing error margin.

[0328] Clause 79. The method of any of clauses 71 to 78, wherein the first PRS resource is associated with a first transmission point (TP) and the second PRS resource is associated with a second TP.

[0329] Clause 80. The method of any of clauses 71 to 79, wherein the first PRS resource and the second PRS resource belong to a same positioning frequency layer (PFL).

[0330] Clause 81. A location server, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, configured to: receive a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between a first positioning reference signal (PRS) reception time and a second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO78

[0331] Clause 82. The location server of clause 81, wherein the measurement report comprises a downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD) measurement based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time.

[0332] Clause 83. The location server of one of clauses 81 to 82, wherein the indication comprises a receive sampling timing error group identifier (Rx STEG-ID), the Rx STEG- ID indicating one or more of: a time offset indicating a maximum difference between two PRS resource instances; and the sampling timing error margin.

[0333] Clause 84. The location server of clause 83, wherein the Rx STEG-ID is selected based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time being less than the time offset value associated with the Rx STEG-ID.

[0334] Clause 85. The location server of one of clauses 83 to 84, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to transmit, to a user equipment (UE), a configuration of a plurality of Rx STEG-IDs, wherein the configuration indicates: a first Rx STEG-ID and a first time offset and / or a first sampling timing error margin corresponding to the first Rx STEG-ID; and a second Rx STEG-ID and a second time offset and / or a second sampling timing error margin corresponding to the second Rx STEG-ID.

[0335] Clause 86. The location server of one of clauses 81 to 85, wherein the receiving of the measurement report is based on the sampling timing error being below the sampling timing error margin.

[0336] Clause 87. The location server of one of clauses 81 to 86, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to receive, from a user equipment (UE), capability information indicating a capability of providing the indication that the sampling timing error is below the sampling timing error margin.

[0337] Clause 88. The location server of one of clauses 81 to 87, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to transmit, to a user equipment (UE), a request indicating: to measure and report one or more DL RSTD measurements; and to report association information of the one or more DL RSTD measurements, wherein the association information indicates that the sampling timing error is less than the sampling timing error margin.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO79

[0338] Clause 89. The location server of one of clauses 81 to 88, wherein the first PRS resource is associated with a first transmission point (TP) and the second PRS resource is associated with a second TP.

[0339] Clause 90. The location server of one of clauses 81 to 89, wherein the first PRS resource and the second PRS resource belong to a same positioning frequency layer (PFL).

[0340] Clause 91. A location server, comprising: means for receiving a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between a first positioning reference signal (PRS) reception time and a second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

[0341] Clause 92. The location server of clause 91, wherein the measurement report comprises a downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD) measurement based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time.

[0342] Clause 93. The location server of one of clauses 91 to 92, wherein the indication comprises a receive sampling timing error group identifier (Rx STEG-ID), the Rx STEG- ID indicating one or more of: a time offset indicating a maximum difference between two PRS resource instances; and the sampling timing error margin.

[0343] Clause 94. The location server of clause 93, wherein the Rx STEG-ID is selected based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time being less than the time offset value associated with the Rx STEG-ID.

[0344] Clause 95. The location server of one of clauses 93 to 94, further comprising means for transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), a configuration of a plurality of Rx STEG-IDs, wherein the configuration indicates: a first Rx STEG-ID and a first time offset and / or a first sampling timing error margin corresponding to the first Rx STEG-ID; and a second Rx STEG-ID and a second time offset and / or a second sampling timing error margin corresponding to the second Rx STEG-ID.

[0345] Clause 96. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a location server, cause the location server to: receive a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between a first positioning reference signal (PRS) reception time and a second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

[0346] Clause 97. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 96, wherein the measurement report comprises a downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD)QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO80 measurement based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time.

[0347] Clause 98. The non -transitory computer-readable medium of one of clauses 96 to 97, wherein the indication comprises a receive sampling timing error group identifier (Rx STEG-ID), the Rx STEG-ID indicating one or more of: a time offset indicating a maximum difference between two PRS resource instances; and the sampling timing error margin.

[0348] Clause 99. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 98, wherein the Rx STEG-ID is selected based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time being less than the time offset value associated with the Rx STEG-ID.

[0349] Clause 100. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of one of clauses 98 to 99, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the location server, cause the location server to transmit, to a user equipment (UE), a configuration of a plurality of Rx STEG-IDs, wherein the configuration indicates: a first Rx STEG-ID and a first time offset and / or a first sampling timing error margin corresponding to the first Rx STEG-ID; and a second Rx STEG-ID and a second time offset and / or a second sampling timing error margin corresponding to the second Rx STEG-ID.

[0350] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0351] Further, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the describedQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO81 functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0352] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a field-programable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0353] The methods, sequences and / or algorithms described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An example storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal (e.g., UE). In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

[0354] In one or more example aspects, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any availableQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO82 media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0355] While the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative aspects of the disclosure, it should be noted that various changes and modifications could be made herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. For example, the functions, steps and / or actions of the method claims in accordance with the aspects of the disclosure described herein need not be performed in any particular order. Further, no component, function, action, or instruction described or claimed herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “set,” “group,” and the like are intended to include one or more of the stated elements. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” and the like does not preclude the presence of one or more additional elements (e.g., an element “having” A may also have B). Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with “and / or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in combination with “either” or “only one of’) or the alternatives are mutually exclusive (e.g., “one or more” should not be interpreted as “one and more”). Furthermore, although components, functions, actions, and instructions may be describedQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO83 or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. Accordingly, as used herein, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to include one or more of the stated elements. Additionally, as used herein, the terms “at least one” and “one or more” encompass “one” component, function, action, or instruction performing or capable of performing a described or claimed functionality and also “two or more” components, functions, actions, or instructions performing or capable of performing a described or claimed functionality in combination.QC2405345WO

Claims

Qualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO84CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method of wireless positioning performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: obtaining a first measurement of a first positioning reference signal (PRS) resource in a first PRS occasion at a first PRS reception time; obtaining a second measurement of a second PRS resource in a second PRS occasion at a second PRS reception time; and transmitting a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the measurement report comprises a downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD) measurement based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises a receive sampling timing error group identifier (Rx STEG-ID), the Rx STEG-ID indicating one or more of: a time offset indicating a maximum difference between two PRS resource instances; and the sampling timing error margin.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising selecting the Rx STEG-ID based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time being less than the time offset value associated with the Rx STEG-ID.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising receiving, from a location server, a configuration of a plurality of Rx STEG-IDs, wherein the configuration indicates: a first Rx STEG-ID and a first time offset and / or a first sampling timing error margin corresponding to the first Rx STEG-ID; and a second Rx STEG-ID and a second time offset and / or a second sampling timing error margin corresponding to the second Rx STEG-ID.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting of the measurement report is based on the sampling timing error being below the sampling timing error margin.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO857. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting, to a location server, capability information indicating a capability of providing the indication that the sampling timing error is below the sampling timing error margin.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, from a location server, a request indicating: to measure and report one or more DL RSTD measurements; and to report association information of the one or more DL RSTD measurements, wherein the association information indicates that the sampling timing error is less than the sampling timing error margin.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first PRS resource is associated with a first transmission point (TP) and the second PRS resource is associated with a second TP.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first PRS resource and the second PRS resource belong to a same positioning frequency layer (PFL).

11. A user equipment (UE) comprising: one or more memories; one or more transceivers; one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories and the one or more transceivers, the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, configured to: obtain a first measurement of a first positioning reference signal (PRS) resource in a first PRS occasion at a first PRS reception time; obtain a second measurement of a second PRS resource in a second PRS occasion at a second PRS reception time; and transmit a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

12. The UE of claim 11, wherein the measurement report comprises a downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD) measurement based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO8613. The UE of claim 11, wherein the indication comprises a receive sampling timing error group identifier (Rx STEG-ID), the Rx STEG-ID indicating one or more of: a time offset indicating a maximum difference between two PRS resource instances; the sampling timing error margin.

14. The UE of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to select the Rx STEG-ID based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time being less than the time offset value associated with the Rx STEG-ID.

15. The UE of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to receive, from a location server, a configuration of a plurality of Rx STEG-IDs, wherein the configuration indicates: a first Rx STEG-ID and a first time offset and / or a first sampling timing error margin corresponding to the first Rx STEG-ID; and a second Rx STEG-ID and a second time offset and / or a second sampling timing error margin corresponding to the second Rx STEG-ID.

16. The UE of claim 11, wherein the transmitting of the measurement report is based on the sampling timing error being below the sampling timing error margin.

17. The UE of claim 11, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to transmit, to a location server, capability information indicating a capability of providing the indication that the sampling timing error is below the sampling timing error margin.

18. The UE of claim 11, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to receive, from a location server, a request indicating: to measure and report one or more DL RSTD measurements; and to report association information of the one or more DL RSTD measurements, wherein the association information indicates that the sampling timing error is less than the sampling timing error margin.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO8719. The UE of claim 11, wherein the first PRS resource is associated with a first transmission point (TP) and the second PRS resource is associated with a second TP.

20. The UE of claim 11, wherein the first PRS resource and the second PRS resource belong to a same positioning frequency layer (PFL).

21. A user equipment (UE), compri sing : means for obtaining a first measurement of a first positioning reference signal (PRS) resource in a first PRS occasion at a first PRS reception time; means for obtaining a second measurement of a second PRS resource in a second PRS occasion at a second PRS reception time; and means for transmitting a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

22. The UE of claim 21, wherein the measurement report comprises a downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD) measurement based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time.

23. The UE of claim 21, wherein the indication comprises a receive sampling timing error group identifier (Rx STEG-ID), the Rx STEG-ID indicating one or more of: a time offset indicating a maximum difference between two PRS resource instances; and the sampling timing error margin.

24. The UE of claim 23, further comprising means for selecting the Rx STEG-ID based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time being less than the time offset value associated with the Rx STEG-ID.

25. The UE of claim 23, further comprising means for receiving, from a location server, a configuration of a plurality of Rx STEG-IDs, wherein the configuration indicates: a first Rx STEG-ID and a first time offset and / or a first sampling timing error margin corresponding to the first Rx STEG-ID; and a second Rx STEG-ID and a second time offset and / or a second sampling timing error margin corresponding to the second Rx STEG-ID.QC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO8826. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: obtain a first measurement of a first positioning reference signal (PRS) resource in a first PRS occasion at a first PRS reception time; obtain a second measurement of a second PRS resource in a second PRS occasion at a second PRS reception time; and transmit a measurement report comprising an indication that a sampling timing error, occurring between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time, is below a sampling timing error margin.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the measurement report comprises a downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD) measurement based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the indication comprises a receive sampling timing error group identifier (Rx STEG-ID), the Rx STEG- ID indicating one or more of a time offset indicating a maximum difference between two PRS resource instances; and the sampling timing error margin.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to select the Rx STEG-ID based on a difference between the first PRS reception time and the second PRS reception time being less than the time offset value associated with the Rx STEG-ID.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to receive, from a location server, a configuration of a plurality of Rx STEG-IDs, wherein the configuration indicates: a first Rx STEG-ID and a first time offset and / or a first sampling timing error margin corresponding to the first Rx STEG-ID; andQC2405345WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2405345WO89 a second Rx STEG-ID and a second time offset and / or a second sampling timing error margin corresponding to the second Rx STEG-ID.QC2405345WO

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