Positioning method and apparatus, terminal, access network, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a positioning method and apparatus, a terminal, an access network, and a storage medium. The terminal sends positioning information of the terminal to the access network; the access network sends the positioning information to a first network function. The positioning information is encapsulated in a long-term evolution (LTE) positioning protocol (LPP) layer or a radio resource control (RRC) protocol layer, and the first network function can determine a location of the terminal on the basis of the positioning information. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal can be positioned after the access network is serviced.

Description

Positioning methods, devices, terminals, access networks, and storage media

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411812750.9, filed on December 10, 2024, entitled “Positioning Method, Apparatus, Terminal, Access Network and Storage Medium”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a positioning method, apparatus, terminal, access network, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0003] With the rapid development of communication technology, in the sixth generation mobile communication technology (6G), the service-oriented approach of the radio access network (RAN) is an important development direction. By making the RAN a service, diverse application scenarios and service requirements can be supported.

[0004] However, after RAN services are implemented, how to locate the terminal is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a positioning method, apparatus, terminal, access network, and storage medium for locating terminals after RAN service-orientation.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a positioning method applied to a terminal, the method comprising:

[0007] The location information of the terminal is sent to the access network; wherein the access network is used to send the location information to the first network function; the location information is encapsulated in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) layer or the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

[0008] In some embodiments, the location information encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer is sent to the first network function through the second network function;

[0009] The next-generation NG interface between the access network and the second network function, as well as the first network function, adopts a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0010] In some embodiments, the service interface protocol is the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

[0011] In some embodiments, the LPP protocol layer carries the function of sending location information to the first network over the RRC protocol layer.

[0012] In some embodiments, sending the terminal's location information to the access network includes:

[0013] Receive a first request message sent by the access network. The first request message is used to request the location of the terminal.

[0014] The location information is sent to the access network based on the first request message.

[0015] In some embodiments, sending the terminal's location information to the access network includes:

[0016] Receive a third request message sent by the access network. The third request message is used to request the establishment of a connection with the terminal.

[0017] Based on the third request message, location information is sent to the access network.

[0018] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a positioning method applied to an access network, the method comprising:

[0019] Receive the location information from the terminal;

[0020] Send location information to the first network function; wherein the location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer or the RRC protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

[0021] In some embodiments, the location information encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer is sent to the first network function through the second network function;

[0022] The access network, the second network function, and the NG of the first network function adopt a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0023] In some embodiments, the service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

[0024] In some embodiments, the LPP protocol layer carries the function of sending location information to the first network over the RRC protocol layer.

[0025] In some embodiments, receiving the location information of the terminal includes:

[0026] Receive a second request message sent by the first network function, the second request message being used to instruct the access network to send the first request message to the terminal;

[0027] Send a first request message to the terminal, the first request message being used to request the location of the terminal;

[0028] The receiving terminal sends location information based on the first request message.

[0029] In some embodiments, receiving the location information of the terminal includes:

[0030] Send a third request message to the terminal; the third request message is used to request the establishment of a connection with the terminal.

[0031] The receiving terminal sends location information based on a third request message.

[0032] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a positioning method applied to a first network function, the method comprising:

[0033] The location information of the terminal is obtained. The location information is sent by the access network or the second network function. The location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer or the RRC protocol layer. The location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

[0034] In some embodiments, the NG interfaces of the access network, the second network function, and the first network function adopt a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0035] In some embodiments, the service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

[0036] In some embodiments, the LPP protocol layer carries the function of sending location information to the first network over the RRC protocol layer.

[0037] In some embodiments, obtaining the location information of the terminal includes:

[0038] Send a second request message to the access network. The second request message is used to instruct the access network to send a first request message to the terminal. The first request message is used to request the location of the terminal.

[0039] The terminal receives location information sent by the access network, which is sent to the access network by the terminal based on the first request message.

[0040] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a positioning method applied to a second network function, the method comprising:

[0041] Receive the terminal's location information sent by the access network;

[0042] Location information is sent to the first network function; wherein, the location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal. The access network and the second network function, as well as the NG interface of the first network function, adopt a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0043] In some embodiments, the service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

[0044] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a positioning device applied to a terminal, the device comprising:

[0045] The transmitting module is used to transmit the terminal's location information to the access network; wherein, the access network is used to transmit the location information to the first network function; the location information is encapsulated in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) layer or the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

[0046] Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a positioning device applied to an access network, the device comprising:

[0047] The receiving module is used to receive the terminal's location information;

[0048] The sending module is used to send location information to the first network function; wherein the location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer or the RRC protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

[0049] In a seventh aspect, the positioning device of this disclosure is applied to a first network function, the device comprising:

[0050] The acquisition module is used to acquire the terminal's location information, which is sent by the access network or the second network function. The location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer or the RRC protocol layer and is used by the first network function to determine the terminal's location.

[0051] Eighthly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a positioning device is applied to a second network function, the device comprising:

[0052] The receiving module is used to receive the location information of the terminal sent by the access network;

[0053] The sending module is used to send location information to the first network function; wherein, the location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal. The access network, the second network function, and the NG interface of the first network function adopt a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0054] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a terminal, including:

[0055] Memory, used to store computer programs;

[0056] A transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of a processor.

[0057] A processor is used to read computer programs from memory and perform the following operations:

[0058] The location information of the terminal is sent to the access network; wherein the access network is used to send the location information to the first network function; the location information is encapsulated in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) layer or the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

[0059] In some embodiments, the location information encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer is sent to the first network function through the second network function; the next-generation NG interface between the access network and the second network function and the first network function adopts a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0060] In some embodiments, the service interface protocol is the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

[0061] In some embodiments, the LPP protocol layer carries the function of sending location information to the first network over the RRC protocol layer.

[0062] In some embodiments, sending the terminal's location information to the access network includes:

[0063] Receive a first request message sent by the access network. The first request message is used to request the location of the terminal.

[0064] The location information is sent to the access network based on the first request message.

[0065] In some embodiments, sending the terminal's location information to the access network includes:

[0066] Receive a third request message sent by the access network. The third request message is used to request the establishment of a connection with the terminal.

[0067] Based on the third request message, location information is sent to the access network.

[0068] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide an access network, including:

[0069] Memory, used to store computer programs;

[0070] A transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of a processor.

[0071] A processor is used to read computer programs from memory and perform the following operations:

[0072] Receive the location information from the terminal;

[0073] Send location information to the first network function; wherein the location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer or the RRC protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

[0074] In some embodiments, the location information encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer is sent to the first network function through the second network function;

[0075] The access network, the second network function, and the NG of the first network function adopt a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0076] In some embodiments, the service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

[0077] In some embodiments, the LPP protocol layer carries the function of sending location information to the first network over the RRC protocol layer.

[0078] In some embodiments, receiving the location information of the terminal includes:

[0079] Receive a second request message sent by the first network function, the second request message being used to instruct the access network to send the first request message to the terminal;

[0080] Send a first request message to the terminal, the first request message being used to request the location of the terminal;

[0081] The receiving terminal sends location information based on the first request message.

[0082] In some embodiments, receiving the location information of the terminal includes:

[0083] Send a third request message to the terminal; the third request message is used to request the establishment of a connection with the terminal.

[0084] The receiving terminal sends location information based on a third request message.

[0085] In one aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a first network function, including:

[0086] Memory, used to store computer programs;

[0087] A transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of a processor.

[0088] A processor is used to read computer programs from memory and perform the following operations:

[0089] The location information of the terminal is obtained. The location information is sent by the access network or the second network function. The location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer or the RRC protocol layer. The location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

[0090] In some embodiments, the NG interface between the access network and the second network function and the first network function adopts a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0091] In some embodiments, the service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

[0092] In some embodiments, the LPP protocol layer carries the function of sending location information to the first network over the RRC protocol layer.

[0093] In some embodiments, obtaining the location information of the terminal includes:

[0094] Send a second request message to the access network. The second request message is used to instruct the access network to send a first request message to the terminal. The first request message is used to request the location of the terminal.

[0095] The terminal receives location information sent by the access network, which is sent to the access network by the terminal based on the first request message.

[0096] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a second network function, including:

[0097] Memory, used to store computer programs;

[0098] A transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of a processor.

[0099] A processor is used to read computer programs from memory and perform the following operations:

[0100] Receive the terminal's location information sent by the access network;

[0101] Location information is sent to the first network function; wherein, the location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal. The access network and the second network function, as well as the NG interface of the first network function, adopt a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0102] In some embodiments, the service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

[0103] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a non-transitory readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a processor to perform the methods of any one of the first, second, third, or fourth aspects.

[0104] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program product, including: a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the method as described in any one of the first, second, third, or fourth aspects above.

[0105] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system, including a terminal according to a ninth aspect, an access network according to a tenth aspect, a first network function according to an eleventh aspect, and a second network function according to a twelfth aspect.

[0106] This disclosure provides a positioning method, apparatus, terminal, access network, and storage medium. The terminal sends its positioning information to the access network; the access network sends the positioning information to a first network function; the positioning information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer or the RRC protocol layer, and the first network function can determine the terminal's location based on the positioning information. In this embodiment, the terminal can be located after the access network has been serviced.

[0107] It should be understood that the description in the foregoing summary section is not intended to limit the key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to restrict the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0108] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this disclosure or related technologies, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0109] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a scenario of a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0110] Figure 2a is an interactive schematic diagram of a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0111] Figure 2b is an interactive schematic diagram of a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0112] Figure 2c is an example diagram of a protocol stack provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0113] Figure 2d is an interactive schematic diagram of a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0114] Figure 2e is an example diagram of the protocol stack provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0115] Figure 2f is an interactive schematic diagram of a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0116] Figure 2g is an example diagram of a protocol stack provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0117] Figure 2h is an interactive schematic diagram of a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0118] Figure 2i is an interactive schematic diagram of a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0119] Figure 3a is a schematic diagram of a positioning device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0120] Figure 3b is a schematic diagram of a positioning device according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0121] Figure 3c is a schematic diagram of the structure of a positioning device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0122] Figure 3d is a schematic diagram of the structure of a positioning device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0123] Figure 4a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0124] Figure 4b is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0125] Figure 4c is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first network function provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0126] Figure 4d is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second network function provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0127] In this disclosure, the term "and / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship. In this disclosure, the term "multiple" refers to two or more objects, and other quantifiers are similar.

[0128] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0129] First, some abbreviations used in the embodiments of this disclosure will be explained:

[0130] 5G Core Network (5GC)

[0131] 5G System (5GS)

[0132] 5G QoS Identifier (5QI)

[0133] Application Function (AF)

[0134] Artificial Intelligence (AI)

[0135] Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)

[0136] Access Network (AN)

[0137] Allocation and Retention Priority (ARP)

[0138] Core Network (CN)

[0139] Central Unit (CU)

[0140] Data Network (DN)

[0141] Data Radio Bearer (DRB)

[0142] Data Management Function (DMF)

[0143] Distributed Unit (DU)

[0144] 5G base station (the next generation Node B (gNodeB, gNB))

[0145] Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR)

[0146] LTE Position Protocol (LPP)

[0147] Message Framework Adapter Function (MFAF)

[0148] Non-Access Stratum (NAS)

[0149] Network Exposure Function (NEF)

[0150] Network Function (NF)

[0151] 5G New Radio (NR)

[0152] Network Repository Function (NRF)

[0153] Network data analytics function (NWDAF)

[0154] Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM)

[0155] Policy Control Function (PCF)

[0156] Protocol Data Unit (PDU)

[0157] PDU Session Anchor (PSA)

[0158] Quality of Service (QoS)

[0159] (Radio Access Network, (RAN))

[0160] Radio Connection Control Function (RCCF)

[0161] Radio Access Network Central Unit Function (RCUF)

[0162] Radio Access Network Distribute Unit Function (RDUF)

[0163] Radio Access Network Function (RNF)

[0164] The Radio Access Network Network Repository Function (RNRF) reflects QoS attributes (RQA).

[0165] Radio Unit Function (RRUF) of Radio Access Network

[0166] Radio Session Management Function (RSMF)

[0167] Radio Unit (RU)

[0168] Service-Based Architecture (SBA)

[0169] Service-Based Interface (SBI)

[0170] Service Level Agreement (SLA)

[0171] Session Management Function (SMF)

[0172] Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB)

[0173] User Equipment (UE)

[0174] Unified Data Repository (UDR)

[0175] User Plane Function (UPF)

[0176] With the rapid development of communication technology, RAN service-oriented architecture is an important development direction in 6G. By making RAN service-oriented architecture, diverse application scenarios and business needs can be supported.

[0177] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of a 6G RAN service architecture provided in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0178] The inventors discovered that after RAN is service-oriented, the N2 interface between the RAN and the access point and AMF will use a service-oriented interface for transmission. Furthermore, the interaction between the RAN and CN will no longer use the AMF as the anchor point; the RAN can interact with any NF in the CN. Therefore, after RAN service-oriented architecture, the transmission mechanism used by the terminal and LMF to exchange location information will no longer be suitable. Thus, how to locate the terminal after RAN service-oriented architecture is a problem that urgently needs to be solved.

[0179] Based on the above problems, this patent proposes a positioning method, device, terminal, access network, and storage medium for positioning the terminal under a RAN service architecture.

[0180] It should be noted that the terminal involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with wireless connectivity, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. The name of the terminal device may differ in different systems; for example, in a 5G or 6G system, the terminal may be called User Equipment (UE). The wireless terminal device may be a USB storage device, other personal computer memory devices, and a dongle. It may also communicate with one or more CNs via a RAN. The wireless terminal device may be a mobile terminal device, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal device. For example, it may be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded, or vehicle-mounted mobile device that exchanges voice and / or data with the wireless access network. Examples of such devices include Personal Communication Service (PCS) telephones, cordless phones, Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), personal computers, tablets, and Machine-type Communication (MTC) terminal devices. Wireless terminal devices can also be referred to as systems, subscriber units, subscriber stations, mobile stations, mobile devices, remote stations, access points, remote terminals, access terminals, user terminals, user agents, user devices, and wireless access devices and routers / modems that meet the limitations of this definition, but are not limited to these in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0181] The technical solutions provided in this disclosure can be applied to a variety of systems. For example, applicable systems may include Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) systems, 5G New Radio (NR) systems and their evolved communication systems, and 6G (sixth generation mobile communication technology) systems. These systems may include terminal equipment and network equipment. The systems may also include a core network component, such as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) or the 5G Core Network (5GC).

[0182] It should be noted that the methods and apparatus provided in the embodiments of this disclosure are based on the same application concept. Since the methods and apparatus solve problems in similar principles, the implementation of the apparatus and methods can refer to each other, and repeated parts will not be described again.

[0183] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure and how the technical solutions of this disclosure solve the above-mentioned technical problems will be described in detail below. The following embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described again in some embodiments.

[0184] Figure 2a is an interactive schematic diagram of a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 2a, the positioning method includes the following steps:

[0185] S211. The terminal sends its location information to the access network.

[0186] S212, The access network sends location information to the first network function.

[0187] In some embodiments, the first network function is a network entity or service provider used to provide location services. For example, the first network function may be an LMF, an Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC), or the like.

[0188] In some embodiments, location information is encapsulated in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) layer or the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer, and the location information is used by a first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

[0189] In some embodiments, the access network can directly send the terminal's location information to the first network function.

[0190] In some embodiments, the access network may send the terminal's location information to the first network function through other means (e.g., a second network function). The second network function is an entity within the network that manages device access and mobility; for example, the second network function may be an AMF (Active Mobile Function), a Mobility Management Entity (MME), or the like.

[0191] S213. The first network function determines the location of the terminal based on the location information.

[0192] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the location of the terminal can be achieved in a RAN service-oriented architecture.

[0193] Furthermore, the flexibility of access between functional modules after RAN service-oriented architecture can be fully utilized. The access network can directly send the terminal's location information to the first network function, thereby shortening the communication path between the terminal and the first network function, reducing the complexity and power consumption of the positioning process, and improving positioning efficiency.

[0194] Meanwhile, after RAN is service-oriented, the information exchange between the first network function and the terminal can still use the existing protocol, enabling the access network to send the terminal's location information to the first network function through the second network function.

[0195] Figure 2b is a second interactive schematic diagram of a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 2b, the positioning method includes the following steps:

[0196] S221. The terminal sends its location information to the access network.

[0197] S222: The access network encapsulates the location information in the LPP protocol layer and sends the location information to the second network function.

[0198] S223. The second network function encapsulates the location information in the LPP protocol layer and sends the location information to the first network function.

[0199] In some embodiments, the second network function is a network entity used to manage device access and mobility; for example, the second network function may be an AMF, MME, etc.

[0200] In some embodiments, the next-generation (NG) interfaces between the access network and the second network function, and between the access network and the first network function, employ a service-oriented interface protocol. This service-oriented interface protocol can be the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). For example, the HTTP protocol may include, but is not limited to, HTTP / 2, HTTP / 3, or other evolved protocols.

[0201] Please refer to Figure 2c, which is an example diagram of a protocol stack provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 2c, taking the first network function as LMF and the second network function as AMF as an example, after RAN service-oriented architecture, the information interaction between LMF and the terminal can still adopt the existing LPP protocol structure. The original point-to-point interface has been changed to a service-oriented interface. That is, the Next Generation Application Protocol (NGAP) part of the NG interface has been changed from being carried by the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) to being carried by HTTP (in Figure 2c, HTTP / 2 is shown as an example, but it is not a limitation).

[0202] S224. The first network function determines the location of the terminal based on the location information.

[0203] In this embodiment of the disclosure, after RAN service-based implementation, the information interaction between the first network function and the terminal can still adopt the existing protocol, enabling the access network to send the terminal's location information to the first network function through the second network function, thereby achieving the location of the terminal.

[0204] Figure 2d is an interactive schematic diagram of a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 2b, the positioning method includes the following steps:

[0205] S231, The first network function sends a second request message to the access network.

[0206] The second request message is used to instruct the access network to send a first request message to the terminal, and the first request message is used to request the location of the terminal.

[0207] In some embodiments, the second request message may be a location request.

[0208] In some embodiments, the second request message carries identification information of the terminal that needs to be located.

[0209] In some embodiments, after receiving the second request message, if the terminal requesting location is in an idle state, the access network will trigger a service request process to establish a signaling connection between the access network and the terminal.

[0210] S232. The access network sends a first request message to the terminal.

[0211] In some embodiments, the first request message is a location request.

[0212] In some embodiments, the access network may send a first request message to the terminal through the RRC downlink message transmission procedure.

[0213] S233. Based on the first request message, the terminal sends its location information to the access network.

[0214] In some embodiments, after receiving a first request message, the terminal reports its location information to the access network. In some embodiments, the terminal may send an RRC uplink information transmission message to the access network, which carries the terminal's location information.

[0215] In some embodiments, the terminal's location information includes the terminal's position information.

[0216] S234. The access network encapsulates the location information in the LPP protocol layer and sends the location information to the first network function.

[0217] In some embodiments, the LPP protocol layer is carried on top of the RRC protocol layer to send location information to the first network function. Please refer to Figure 2e, which is an example diagram of the protocol stack provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 2e, in this protocol structure, the location information is directly encapsulated as LPP information and carried by the access network through RRC.

[0218] It should be noted that the LPP protocol layer is carried on top of the RRC protocol layer, and the RRC protocol layer can be enhanced to enable it to directly carry the LPP protocol layer.

[0219] S235, The first network function determines the location of the terminal based on the location information.

[0220] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the flexibility of access between functional modules after RAN service-orientation can be fully utilized. The access network can directly send the terminal's location information to the first network function, thereby shortening the communication path between the terminal and the first network function, reducing the complexity and power consumption of the positioning process, and improving positioning efficiency.

[0221] Figure 2f is an interactive schematic diagram of a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 2f, the positioning method includes the following steps:

[0222] S241. The first network function sends a second request message to the access network.

[0223] The second request message is used to instruct the access network to send a first request message to the terminal, and the first request message is used to request the location of the terminal.

[0224] S242. The access network sends a first request message to the terminal.

[0225] The first request message is used to request the location of the terminal;

[0226] S243. Based on the first request message, the terminal sends its location information to the access network.

[0227] It should be noted that the implementation of steps S241 to S243 can be referred to the relevant explanations of steps S231 to S233 in Figure 2d above, and will not be repeated here.

[0228] S244. The access network encapsulates the location information in the RRC protocol layer and sends the location information to the first network function.

[0229] Please refer to Figure 2g, which is an example diagram of a protocol stack provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 2g, in this protocol structure, the terminal's location information can be directly encapsulated in the RRC protocol layer.

[0230] It should be noted that the RRC protocol layer can be enhanced to enable it to carry location information.

[0231] S245. The first network function determines the location of the terminal based on the location information.

[0232] In this embodiment, the flexibility of access between functional modules after RAN service-based architecture can be fully utilized. The access network can directly send the terminal's location information to the first network function, thereby shortening the communication path between the terminal and the first network function, reducing the complexity and power consumption of the positioning process, and improving positioning efficiency. Furthermore, the introduction of a separate LPP protocol stack on the terminal side to carry the location information can further reduce the complexity and power consumption of the terminal functions.

[0233] Figure 2h is an interactive schematic diagram of a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 2h, the positioning method includes the following steps:

[0234] S251, The access network sends a third request message to the terminal.

[0235] The third request message is used to request the location of the terminal.

[0236] In some embodiments, when a terminal has relevant information to send, if the terminal is in an idle state, the access network will trigger a service request process to send a third request message to the terminal in order to establish a signaling connection between the access network and the terminal.

[0237] S252. The terminal sends its location information to the access network based on the third request message.

[0238] In some embodiments, the terminal may send an RRC uplink information transmission message to the access network, the RRC uplink information transmission message carrying the terminal's location information.

[0239] S253. The access network encapsulates the location information in the LPP protocol layer and sends the location information to the first network function.

[0240] Among them, the next-generation NG interface between the access network and the second network function, as well as the first network function, adopts a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0241] In some embodiments, the LPP protocol layer is carried on top of the RRC protocol layer to send location information to the first network function. Please continue to refer to Figure 2e. As shown in Figure 2e, in this protocol structure, the location information is directly encapsulated as LPP information and carried by the access network through RRC.

[0242] It should be noted that the LPP protocol layer is carried on top of the RRC protocol layer, and the RRC protocol layer can be enhanced to enable it to directly carry the LPP protocol layer.

[0243] S254. The first network function determines the location of the terminal based on the location information.

[0244] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the flexibility of access between functional modules after RAN service-orientation can be fully utilized. The access network can directly send the terminal's location information to the first network function, thereby shortening the communication path between the terminal and the first network function, reducing the complexity and power consumption of the positioning process, and improving positioning efficiency.

[0245] Figure 2i is an interactive schematic diagram of a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 2i, the positioning method includes the following steps:

[0246] S261. The access network sends a third request message to the terminal.

[0247] The first request message is used to request the location of the terminal.

[0248] S262. The terminal sends its location information to the access network based on the third request message.

[0249] It should be noted that the implementation of steps S261 to S262 can be referred to the relevant descriptions of steps S251 to S252 in Figure 2g above, and will not be repeated here.

[0250] S263. The access network encapsulates the location information in the RRC protocol layer and sends the location information to the first network function.

[0251] S264. The first network function determines the location of the terminal based on the location information.

[0252] Please continue to refer to Figure 2f. As shown in Figure 2f, in this protocol structure, the terminal's location information can be directly encapsulated in the RRC protocol layer.

[0253] It should be noted that the RRC protocol layer can be enhanced to enable it to carry location information.

[0254] In this embodiment, the flexibility of access between functional modules after RAN service-based architecture can be fully utilized. The access network can directly send the terminal's location information to the first network function, thereby shortening the communication path between the terminal and the first network function, reducing the complexity and power consumption of the positioning process, and improving positioning efficiency. Furthermore, the introduction of a separate LPP protocol stack on the terminal side to carry the location information can further reduce the complexity and power consumption of the terminal functions.

[0255] Figure 3a is a schematic diagram of a positioning device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The positioning device is used in a terminal. As shown in Figure 3a, the positioning device 310 includes:

[0256] The transmitting module 311 is used to transmit the terminal's location information to the access network;

[0257] The access network is used to send location information to the first network function. The location information is encapsulated in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) layer or the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

[0258] In some embodiments, the location information encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer is sent to the first network function through the second network function;

[0259] The next-generation NG interface between the access network and the second network function, as well as the first network function, adopts a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0260] In some embodiments, the service interface protocol is the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

[0261] In some embodiments, the LPP protocol layer carries the function of sending location information to the first network over the RRC protocol layer.

[0262] In some embodiments, the positioning device 310 further includes: a receiving module 312, configured to receive a first request message sent by the access network, the first request message being used to request the location of the terminal;

[0263] The sending module 311 is used to send location information to the access network based on the first request message.

[0264] In some embodiments, the receiving module 312 is further configured to: receive a third request message sent by the access network, the third request message being used to request the establishment of a connection with the terminal;

[0265] The sending module 311 is used to send location information to the access network based on a third request message.

[0266] It should be noted that the apparatus provided in this embodiment can implement all the method steps implemented in the above method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. Therefore, the parts and beneficial effects that are the same as those in the method embodiment will not be described again here.

[0267] Figure 3b is a schematic diagram of a positioning device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. This positioning device is used in an access network. As shown in Figure 3b, the positioning device 320 includes:

[0268] The receiving module 321 is used to receive the positioning information of the terminal;

[0269] The sending module 322 is used to send location information to the first network function;

[0270] The location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer or the RRC protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

[0271] In some embodiments, the location information encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer is sent to the first network function through the second network function;

[0272] The access network, the second network function, and the NG of the first network function adopt a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0273] In some embodiments, the service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

[0274] In some embodiments, the LPP protocol layer carries the function of sending location information to the first network over the RRC protocol layer.

[0275] In some embodiments, the receiving module 321 is further configured to: receive a second request message sent by a first network function, wherein the second request message is used to instruct the access network to send a first request message to the terminal;

[0276] The sending module 322 is also configured to: send a first request message to the terminal, the first request message being used to request the location of the terminal;

[0277] The receiving module 321 is used to: receive location information sent by the terminal based on the first request message.

[0278] In some embodiments, the sending module 322 is further configured to: send a third request message to the terminal, the third request message being used to request the establishment of a connection with the terminal;

[0279] The receiving module 321 is also used to: receive location information sent by the terminal based on a third request message.

[0280] It should be noted that the apparatus provided in this embodiment can implement all the method steps implemented in the above method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. Therefore, the parts and beneficial effects that are the same as those in the method embodiment will not be described again here.

[0281] Figure 3c is a schematic diagram of a positioning device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The positioning device is used in a first network function. As shown in Figure 3c, the positioning device 330 includes:

[0282] The acquisition module 331 is used to acquire the terminal's location information, which is sent by the access network or the second network function.

[0283] The location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer or the RRC protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

[0284] In some embodiments, the NG interface between the access network and the second network function and the first network function adopts a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0285] In some embodiments, the service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

[0286] In some embodiments, the LPP protocol layer carries the function of sending location information to the first network over the RRC protocol layer.

[0287] In some embodiments, the positioning device 330 further includes a sending module 332, configured to send a second request message to the access network, the second request message being configured to instruct the access network to send a first request message to the terminal, the first request message being configured to request the location of the terminal;

[0288] The acquisition module 331 is used to: receive location information sent by the access network, the location information being sent by the terminal to the access network based on the first request message.

[0289] It should be noted that the apparatus provided in this embodiment can implement all the method steps implemented in the above method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. Therefore, the parts and beneficial effects that are the same as those in the method embodiment will not be described again here.

[0290] Figure 3d is a schematic diagram of a positioning device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The positioning device is used in a first network function. As shown in Figure 3d, the positioning device 340 includes:

[0291] The receiving module 341 is used to receive the location information of the terminal sent by the access network;

[0292] The sending module 342 is used to send location information to the first network function;

[0293] The location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer. The location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal. The access network, the second network function, and the NG interface of the first network function adopt a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0294] In some embodiments, the service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

[0295] It should be noted that the apparatus provided in this embodiment can implement all the method steps implemented in the above method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. Therefore, the parts and beneficial effects that are the same as those in the method embodiment will not be described again here.

[0296] Figure 4a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 4a, the terminal provided in this embodiment includes:

[0297] Transceiver 411 is used to send and receive data under the control of processor 412;

[0298] Memory 413 is used to store computer programs;

[0299] In Figure 4a, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, linking various circuits of one or more processors represented by processor 412 and memory represented by memory 413. The bus architecture may also link various other circuits, such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. Transceiver 411 may be multiple elements, including transmitters and receivers, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over transmission media, including wireless channels, wired channels, optical fibers, etc. Processor 412 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and memory 413 may store data used by processor 412 during operation.

[0300] The processor 412 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, while the memory 413 can store the data used by the processor 412 when performing operations.

[0301] In some embodiments, the processor 412 may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and the processor may also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0302] The processor 412 executes any of the methods related to the UPF provided in this disclosure embodiment according to the obtained executable instructions by calling a computer program stored in the memory 413. The processor and the memory may also be physically separated.

[0303] In some embodiments, the processor 412 is configured to read a computer program from memory and perform the following operations:

[0304] Send the terminal's location information to the access network;

[0305] The access network is used to send location information to the first network function. The location information is encapsulated in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) layer or the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

[0306] In some embodiments, the location information encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer is sent to the first network function through the second network function;

[0307] The next-generation NG interface between the access network and the second network function, as well as the first network function, adopts a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0308] In some embodiments, the service interface protocol is the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

[0309] In some embodiments, the LPP protocol layer carries the function of sending location information to the first network over the RRC protocol layer.

[0310] In some embodiments, sending the terminal's location information to the access network includes:

[0311] Receive a first request message sent by the access network. The first request message is used to request the location of the terminal.

[0312] The location information is sent to the access network based on the first request message.

[0313] In some embodiments, sending the terminal's location information to the access network includes:

[0314] Receive a third request message sent by the access network. The third request message is used to request the establishment of a connection with the terminal.

[0315] Based on the third request message, location information is sent to the access network.

[0316] It should be noted that the terminal provided in this disclosure can implement all the method steps implemented by the terminal in the above method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effect. Therefore, the parts and beneficial effects that are the same as those in the method embodiments will not be described again here.

[0317] Figure 4b is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 4b, the access network provided in this embodiment includes:

[0318] Transceiver 421 is used to send and receive data under the control of processor 422;

[0319] Memory 423 is used to store computer programs;

[0320] In Figure 4b, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, linking various circuits of one or more processors represented by processor 422 and memory represented by memory 423. The bus architecture may also link various other circuits, such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. Transceiver 421 may be multiple elements, including transmitters and receivers, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over transmission media, including wireless channels, wired channels, optical fibers, etc. Processor 422 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and memory 423 may store data used by processor 422 during operation.

[0321] The processor 422 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, while the memory 423 can store the data used by the processor 422 when performing operations.

[0322] In some embodiments, the processor 422 may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and the processor may also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0323] The processor 422 executes any of the methods related to the UPF provided in this disclosure embodiment according to the obtained executable instructions by calling a computer program stored in the memory 423. The processor and the memory may also be physically separated.

[0324] In some embodiments, processor 422 is configured to read a computer program from memory and perform the following operations:

[0325] Receive the location information from the terminal;

[0326] Send location information to the first network function; wherein the location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer or the RRC protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

[0327] In some embodiments, the location information encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer is sent to the first network function through the second network function;

[0328] The access network, the second network function, and the NG of the first network function adopt a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0329] In some embodiments, the service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

[0330] In some embodiments, the LPP protocol layer carries the function of sending location information to the first network over the RRC protocol layer.

[0331] In some embodiments, receiving the location information of the terminal includes:

[0332] Receive a second request message sent by the first network function, the second request message being used to instruct the access network to send the first request message to the terminal;

[0333] Send a first request message to the terminal, the first request message being used to request the location of the terminal;

[0334] The receiving terminal sends location information based on the first request message.

[0335] In some embodiments, receiving the location information of the terminal includes:

[0336] Send a third request message to the terminal; the third request message is used to request the establishment of a connection with the terminal.

[0337] The receiving terminal sends location information based on a third request message.

[0338] It should be noted that the access network provided in this disclosure can implement all the method steps implemented by the access network in the above method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effect. Therefore, the parts that are the same as those in the method embodiments and the beneficial effects will not be described again here.

[0339] Figure 4c is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first network function provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 4c, the first network function provided in this embodiment includes:

[0340] Transceiver 431 is used to send and receive data under the control of processor 432;

[0341] Memory 433 is used to store computer programs;

[0342] In Figure 4c, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, linking various circuits of one or more processors represented by processor 432 and memory represented by memory 433. The bus architecture may also link various other circuits, such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. Transceiver 431 may be multiple elements, including transmitters and receivers, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over transmission media, including wireless channels, wired channels, optical fibers, etc. Processor 432 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and memory 433 may store data used by processor 432 during operation.

[0343] The processor 432 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, while the memory 433 can store the data used by the processor 432 when performing operations.

[0344] In some embodiments, the processor 432 may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and the processor may also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0345] The processor 432 executes any of the methods related to the UPF provided in this disclosure embodiment according to the obtained executable instructions by calling a computer program stored in the memory 433. The processor and the memory may also be physically separated.

[0346] In some embodiments, processor 432 is configured to read a computer program from memory and perform the following operations:

[0347] The location information of the terminal is obtained. The location information is sent by the access network or the second network function. The location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer or the RRC protocol layer. The location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

[0348] In some embodiments, the NG interface between the access network and the second network function and the first network function adopts a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0349] In some embodiments, the service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

[0350] In some embodiments, the LPP protocol layer carries the function of sending location information to the first network over the RRC protocol layer.

[0351] In some embodiments, obtaining the location information of the terminal includes:

[0352] Send a second request message to the access network. The second request message is used to instruct the access network to send a first request message to the terminal. The first request message is used to request the location of the terminal.

[0353] The terminal receives location information sent by the access network, which is sent to the access network by the terminal based on the first request message.

[0354] It should be noted that the first network function provided in this disclosure can implement all the method steps implemented by the first network function in the above method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. Therefore, the parts and beneficial effects that are the same as those in the method embodiment will not be described again here.

[0355] Figure 4d is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second network function provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 4d, the second network function provided in this embodiment includes:

[0356] Transceiver 441 is used to send and receive data under the control of processor 442;

[0357] Memory 443 is used to store computer programs;

[0358] In Figure 4d, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, linking various circuits of one or more processors represented by processor 442 and memory represented by memory 443. The bus architecture may also link various other circuits, such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. Transceiver 441 may be multiple elements, including transmitters and receivers, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over transmission media, including wireless channels, wired channels, optical fibers, etc. Processor 442 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and memory 443 may store data used by processor 442 during operation.

[0359] Processor 442 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, while memory 443 can store the data used by processor 442 when performing operations.

[0360] In some embodiments, the processor 442 may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and the processor may also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0361] The processor 442 executes any of the methods related to the UPF provided in this disclosure embodiment according to the obtained executable instructions by calling a computer program stored in the memory 443. The processor and the memory may also be physically separated.

[0362] In some embodiments, processor 442 is configured to read a computer program from memory and perform the following operations:

[0363] Receive the terminal's location information sent by the access network;

[0364] Location information is sent to the first network function; wherein, the location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal. The access network and the second network function, as well as the NG interface of the first network function, adopt a service-oriented interface protocol.

[0365] In some embodiments, the service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

[0366] It should be noted that the second network function provided in this disclosure can implement all the method steps implemented by the second network function in the above method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. Therefore, the parts and beneficial effects that are the same as those in the method embodiment will not be described again here.

[0367] It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiments of this disclosure is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this disclosure can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated units described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional units.

[0368] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a processor-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this disclosure, in essence, or the part that contributes to the related technology, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods of the various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0369] This disclosure also provides a non-transient readable storage medium storing a computer program. The computer program is used to cause a processor to execute any of the methods provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, enabling the processor to implement all the method steps implemented by any of the terminal, access network, first network function, and second network function in the above method implementation, and to achieve the same technical effect. Here, the parts that are the same as those in the method embodiments and the beneficial effects will not be described again.

[0370] Among them, non-transiently readable storage media can be any available medium or data storage that the processor can access, including but not limited to magnetic memory (such as floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, magneto-optical disks (MO), etc.), optical memory (such as CDs, DVDs, BDs, HVDs, etc.), and semiconductor memory (such as ROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, non-volatile memory (NAND FLASH), solid-state drives (SSDs)).

[0371] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this disclosure can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this disclosure can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this disclosure can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage and optical storage) containing computer-usable program code.

[0372] This disclosure is described with reference to signaling interaction diagrams and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus, and computer program products according to embodiments of this disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the signaling interaction diagrams and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the signaling interaction diagrams and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer-executable instructions. These computer-executable instructions can be provided to a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing processor to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the computer or other programmable data processing processor, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the signaling interaction diagram and / or one or more blocks of the block diagram.

[0373] These processor-executable instructions may also be stored in a processor-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing to operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the processor-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flow diagrams and / or one or more blocks in a block diagram.

[0374] These processor-executable instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable device, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flow diagrams and / or one or more blocks in a block diagram.

[0375] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this disclosure without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this disclosure and their equivalents, this disclosure is also intended to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A positioning method, wherein, Applied to a terminal, the method includes: Send the terminal's location information to the access network; The access network is used to send the location information to the first network function; the location information is encapsulated in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) layer or the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The location information encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer is sent to the first network function through the second network function; The next-generation NG interface between the access network and the second network function, and between the access network and the first network function, adopts a service-oriented interface protocol.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The service interface protocol is the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The LPP protocol layer carries the location information to the first network function on top of the RRC protocol layer.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, Sending the terminal's location information to the access network includes: Receive a first request message sent by the access network, the first request message being used to request the location of the terminal; Based on the first request message, the location information is sent to the access network.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, Sending the terminal's location information to the access network includes: Receive a third request message sent by the access network, the third request message being used to request the establishment of a connection with the terminal; Based on the third request message, the location information is sent to the access network.

7. A positioning method, wherein, Applied to an access network, the method includes: Receive the location information from the terminal; Send the location information to the first network function; The location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer or the RRC protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The location information encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer is sent to the first network function through the second network function; The access network and the second network function, as well as the access network and the first network function, adopt a service-oriented interface protocol.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The LPP protocol layer carries the location information to the first network function on top of the RRC protocol layer.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7-10, wherein, The location information of the receiving terminal includes: Receive a second request message sent by the first network function, wherein the second request message is used to instruct the access network to send a first request message to the terminal; Send a first request message to the terminal, the first request message being used to request the location of the terminal; Receive the location information sent by the terminal based on the first request message.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7-10, wherein, The location information of the receiving terminal includes: Send a third request message to the terminal, the third request message being used to request the establishment of a connection with the terminal; Receive the location information sent by the terminal based on the third request message.

13. A positioning method, wherein, Applied to a first network function, the method includes: Obtain the location information of the terminal, wherein the location information is sent by the access network or a second network function; The location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer or the RRC protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The NG interfaces between the access network and the second network function, and between the access network and the first network function, adopt a service-oriented interface protocol.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The LPP protocol layer carries the location information to the first network function on top of the RRC protocol layer.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13-16, wherein, The acquisition of the terminal's location information includes: Send a second request message to the access network, the second request message being used to instruct the access network to send a first request message to the terminal, the first request message being used to request to obtain the location of the terminal; The terminal receives the location information sent by the access network, the location information being sent to the access network by the terminal based on the first request message.

18. A positioning method, wherein, Applied to a second network function, the method includes: Receive the terminal's location information sent by the access network; Send the location information to the first network function; The location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer and is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal. The NG interface between the access network and the second network function, and between the access network and the first network function, adopts a service-oriented interface protocol.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

20. A terminal, wherein, include: Memory, used to store computer programs; A transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of a processor. Processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Send the terminal's location information to the access network; The access network is used to send the location information to the first network function; the location information is encapsulated in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) layer or the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

21. The terminal according to claim 20, wherein, The location information encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer is sent to the first network function through the second network function; The next-generation NG interface between the access network and the second network function, and between the access network and the first network function, adopts a service-oriented interface protocol.

22. The terminal according to claim 21, wherein, The service interface protocol is the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

23. The terminal according to claim 20, wherein, The LPP protocol layer carries the location information to the first network function on top of the RRC protocol layer.

24. The terminal according to any one of claims 20-23, wherein, Sending the terminal's location information to the access network includes: Receive a first request message sent by the access network, the first request message being used to request the location of the terminal; The location information is sent to the access network based on the first request message.

25. The terminal according to any one of claims 20-23, wherein, Sending the terminal's location information to the access network includes: Receive a third request message sent by the access network, the third request message being used to request the establishment of a connection with the terminal; Based on the third request message, the location information is sent to the access network.

26. An access network, wherein, include: Memory, used to store computer programs; A transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of a processor. Processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Receive the location information from the terminal; Send the location information to the first network function; The location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer or the RRC protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

27. The access network according to claim 26, wherein, The location information encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer is sent to the first network function through the second network function; The access network and the second network function, as well as the access network and the first network function, adopt a service-oriented interface protocol.

28. The access network according to claim 27, wherein, The service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

29. The access network according to claim 26, wherein, The LPP protocol layer carries the location information to the first network function on top of the RRC protocol layer.

30. The access network according to any one of claims 26-29, wherein, The location information of the receiving terminal includes: Receive a second request message sent by the first network function, wherein the second request message is used to instruct the access network to send a first request message to the terminal; Send a first request message to the terminal, the first request message being used to request the location of the terminal; Receive the location information sent by the terminal based on the first request message.

31. The access network according to any one of claims 26-29, wherein, The location information of the receiving terminal includes: Send a third request message to the terminal, the third request message being used to request the establishment of a connection with the terminal; Receive the location information sent by the terminal based on the third request message.

32. A first network function, wherein, include: Memory, used to store computer programs; A transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of a processor. Processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Obtain the location information of the terminal, wherein the location information is sent by the access network or a second network function; The location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer or the RRC protocol layer, and the location information is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal.

33. The first network function according to claim 32, wherein, The NG interfaces between the access network and the second network function, and between the access network and the first network function, adopt a service-oriented interface protocol.

34. The first network function according to claim 33, wherein, The service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

35. The first network function according to claim 32, wherein, The LPP protocol layer carries the location information to the first network function on top of the RRC protocol layer.

36. The first network function according to any one of claims 32-35, wherein, The acquisition of the terminal's location information includes: Send a second request message to the access network, the second request message being used to instruct the access network to send a first request message to the terminal, the first request message being used to request to obtain the location of the terminal; The terminal receives the location information sent by the access network, the location information being sent to the access network by the terminal based on the first request message.

37. A second network function, wherein, include: Memory, used to store computer programs; A transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of a processor. Processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Receive the terminal's location information sent by the access network; Send the location information to the first network function; The location information is encapsulated in the LPP protocol layer and is used by the first network function to determine the location of the terminal. The NG interface between the access network and the second network function, and between the access network and the first network function, adopts a service-oriented interface protocol.

38. The second network function according to claim 37, wherein, The service interface protocol is the HTTP protocol.

39. A non-transitory readable storage medium, wherein, The non-transiently readable storage medium stores a computer program that causes a processor to perform the method of any one of claims 1-6, or the method of any one of claims 7-12, or the method of any one of claims 13-17, or the method of any one of claims 18-19.

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