Positioning based on environmental information

Abstract

A method of wireless positioning performed by a user equipment (UE) comprises, receiving, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an environment information element indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE, and switching, based on receiving the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, an operational mode of the UE, obtaining location information based on the switching, and sending, to the network entity, the location information.

Description

Qualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO1 / 99POSITIONING BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATIONTECHNICAL 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 theQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO2 / 99sole 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) comprises: receiving, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an environment information element indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE; and switching, based on receiving the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, an operational mode of the UE; obtaining location information based on the switching; and sending, to the network entity, the location information.

[0006] In an aspect, a user equipment (UE) comprises: one or more memories; one or more transceivers; and 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: receive, via the one or more transceivers, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an environment information element indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE; and switch, based on receiving the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, an operational mode of the UE; obtain location information based on the switching; and send, via the one or more transceivers, to the network entity, the location information.

[0007] In an aspect, a user equipment (UE) comprises: means for receiving, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an environment information element indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE; and means for switching, based on receiving the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, an operational mode of the UE; means for obtaining location information based on the switching; and means for sending, to the network entity, the location information.

[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: receive, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an environment information element indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE; and switch, based on receiving the indication ofQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO3 / 99the heavy multipath andNLOS conditions, an operational mode of the UE; obtain location information based on the switching; and send, to the network entity, the location information.

[0009] In an aspect, a method of wireless positioning performed by a user equipment (UE) comprises: receiving, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; obtaining location information in response to the request, wherein based on the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions being associated with the first PT, the first frequency or band, or any combination thereof, the location information is obtained based on: a second PT different from the first PT; a second frequency or band different from the first frequency or band; or any combination thereof; and sending, to the network entity, the location information.

[0010] In an aspect, a user equipment (UE) comprises: one or more memories; one or more transceivers; and 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: receive, via the one or more transceivers, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; obtain location information in response to the request, wherein based on the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions being associated with the first PT, the first frequency or band, or any combination thereof, the location information is obtained based on: a second PT different from the first PT; a second frequency or band different from the first frequency or band; or any combination thereof; and send, via the one or more transceivers, to the network entity, the location information.

[0011] In an aspect, a user equipment (UE) comprises: means for receiving, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; means for obtaining location information in response to the request, wherein based on the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions being associated with theQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO4 / 99first PT, the first frequency or band, or any combination thereof, the location information is obtained based on: a second PT different from the first PT; a second frequency or band different from the first frequency or band; or any combination thereof; and means for sending, to the network entity, the location information.

[0012] 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: receive, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; obtain location information in response to the request, wherein based on the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions being associated with the first PT, the first frequency or band, or any combination thereof, the location information is obtained based on: a second PT different from the first PT; a second frequency or band different from the first frequency or band; or any combination thereof; and send, to the network entity, the location information.

[0013] In an aspect, a method of wireless positioning performed by a network entity comprises:sending, to a user equipment (UE), a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of- sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; and receiving, from the UE, the location information.

[0014] In an aspect, a network entity comprises: one or more memories; one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, configured to: send, to a user equipment (UE), a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; and receive, from the UE, the location information.

[0015] In an aspect, a network entity comprises: means for sending, to a user equipment (UE), a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions areQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO5 / 99associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; and means for receiving, from the UE, the location information.

[0016] In an aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a network entity, cause the network entity to: send, to a user equipment (UE), a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; and receive, from the UE, the location information.

[0017] 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

[0018] 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.

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communications system, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0020] FIGS. 2 A, 2B, and 2C illustrate example wireless network structures, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0021] 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.

[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates an example Long-Term Evolution (LTE) positioning protocol (LPP) capability transfer procedure, assistance data transfer procedure, and location information transfer procedure between a target device and a location server, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates examples of various positioning methods supported in New Radio (NR), according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a graph representing a radio frequency (RF) channel impulse response over time, according to aspects of the disclosure.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO6 / 99

[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates a UE having an arrangement of antennas, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a signal flow diagram illustrating an example of a positioning technique, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a signal flow diagram illustrating an example of a positioning technique, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0028] FIGS. 10 to 12 illustrate example methods of wireless positioning, according to aspects of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] 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.

[0030] Various aspects relate generally to wireless positioning. Some aspects more specifically relate to positioning based on environment information. In some examples, a user equipment (UE) receives a request for location information. The request may comprise an environment information element (IE) indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of- sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE, and the UE may perform a switch based on the environment IE. For example, the UE may perform a switch: from a first frequency or band to a second frequency or band; a first network type of a plurality of network types is switched to a second network type of the plurality of network types; from a first cell to a second cell; from one or more first antennas of the UE to one or more second antennas of the UE; from a first public land mobile network (PLMN) to a second PLMN; from a first subscription or subscriber identity module (SIM) of the UE to a second subscription or SIM of the UE; or any combination thereof.

[0031] 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, by performing the switch, the described techniques can be used to provide location information more quickly, effectively, and / or efficiently. For example, different positioning techniques may be available to the UE. One positioning technique (e.g.,QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO7 / 99associated with a first frequency, band, cell, antenna(s), PLMN, subscription, subscriber identity module (SIM), etc.) may be associated with low cost and / or adequate performance in many scenarios. Other positioning techniques may enable higher performance, but may not be used unless it is efficient to do so (e.g., to provide location information that is requested and / or required). The UE may use the environment IE to determine whether to switch to a particular positioning technique.

[0032] In some examples, a user equipment (UE) receives a request for location information. The request may comprise an IE indicating that heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), frequency, and / or band, or any combination thereof. Based on the heavy multipath / NLOS conditions being associated with the first PT, frequency, and / or band, the UE may determine location information based on a second PT, frequency, and / or band.

[0033] 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, by receiving the IE indicating that heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions are associated with a particular PT, frequency, and / or band, the UE may determine to use a different PT, frequency, and / or band to determine location information. The location information may therefore be determined more quickly, effectively, and / or efficiently.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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 actionsQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO8 / 99described 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.

[0037] 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, UEs 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.

[0038] 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 nextQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO9 / 99generation 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.

[0039] 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 (MIMO) 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-located 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.

[0040] 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 mayQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO10 / 99be 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).

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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 122, 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., APQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO11 / 99150 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 128), with the intervening nodes (if any) omitted from a signaling diagram for clarity.

[0044] 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 134, which may be wired or wireless.

[0045] 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 may 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 frequencyQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO12 / 99can be detected and used for communication within some portion of geographic coverage areas 110.

[0046] 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).

[0047] The communication links 120 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 120 may use MIMO antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication links 120 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).

[0048] 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 talk (LBT) procedure prior to communicating in order to determine whether the channel is available.

[0049] 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 asQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO13 / 99NR-U. LTE in an unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as LTE-U, licensed assisted access (LAA), or MULTEFIRE®.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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 when 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.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO14 / 99

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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., reference 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.

[0054] 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 uplinkQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO15 / 99reference signal (e.g., sounding reference signal (SRS)) to that base station based on the parameters of the receive beam.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-band frequencies.Recent 5GNR 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 may 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.

[0058] 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 representQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO16 / 99frequencies 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.

[0059] 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 an SCell) 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.

[0060] 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 receptionQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO17 / 99rates. 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.

[0061] 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 120 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.

[0062] 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 120 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 sidelink 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.

[0063] 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 composedQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO18 / 99of 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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 124 from one or more Earth orbiting space vehicles (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 124) 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 / orQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO19 / 99other UEs 104. A UE 104 may include one or more dedicated receivers specifically designed to receive signals 124 for deriving geo location information from the SVs 112.

[0066] In a satellite positioning system, the use of signals 124 can be augmented by various satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS) 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.

[0067] 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 124) from an SV 112 instead of, or in addition to, communication signals from a terrestrial base station 102.

[0068] 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 more 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.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO20 / 99

[0069] 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).

[0070] 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 be external to the core network (e.g., a third party server, such as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) server or service server).

[0071] 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,QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO21 / 99mobility 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.

[0072] 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, traffic 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.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO22 / 99

[0073] 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 Nil interface.

[0074] 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).

[0075] 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- 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.

[0076] 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 betweenQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO23 / 99gNB(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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO24 / 99

[0079] 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).

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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 directly 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 withQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO25 / 99respective 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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 when implemented in an 0-RAN configuration. The CU 280 can be implemented to communicate with the DU 285, as necessary, for network control and signaling.

[0084] 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)QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO26 / 99can 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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 network 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.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO27 / 99

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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).

[0089] 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 or 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 provideQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO28 / 99similar 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.

[0090] 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 for tuning, 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.

[0091] The LE 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 and 366, 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 LEs, access points, base stations, etc., via at least one designated RAT (e.g., Wi-Fi, LTE Direct, BLLETOOTH®, 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 andQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO29 / 99encoding 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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) 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 signalQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO30 / 99receiver(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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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 390 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.

[0096] 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 compriseQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO31 / 99separate 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.

[0097] 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 via 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.

[0098] 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 processorsQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO32 / 99342, 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.

[0099] 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 the 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 networkQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO33 / 99transceivers 390, the memory 396, the one or more processors 394, or any combination thereof, or may be a standalone component.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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 functionality 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 functionalityQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO34 / 99associated 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.

[0103] 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. The transmitter 354 may modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

[0104] 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,QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO35 / 99they 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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); RLC 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 transport 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.

[0107] 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)QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO36 / 99316. The transmitter 314 may modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

[0108] 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.

[0109] 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.

[0110] For convenience, the UE 302, the base station 304, and / or the network entity 306 are shown in FIGS. 3A, 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. 3A, 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 WWAN 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.

[0111] 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,QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO37 / 99respectively. 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.

[0112] 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., 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.

[0113] 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 304QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO38 / 99or independently from the base station 304 (e.g., over a non-cellular communication link, such as Wi-Fi).

[0114] Long-Term Evolution (LTE) positioning protocol (LPP) may be used point-to-point between a location server (e.g., LMF 270) and a target device (e.g., a UE) in order to position the target device using position-related measurements obtained by one or more reference sources (physical entities or parts of physical entities that provide signals that can be measured by a target device in order to obtain the location of the target device). An LPP session may be used between a location server and a target device in order to obtain location-related measurements or a location estimate or to transfer assistance data. Currently, a single LPP session may be used to support a single location request and multiple LPP sessions can be used between the same endpoints to support multiple different location requests. Each LPP session comprises one or more LPP transactions (or procedures), with each LPP transaction performing a single operation (capability exchange, assistance data transfer, or location information transfer). Each LPP transaction involves the exchange of one or more LPP messages between the location server and the target device. The general format of an LPP message consists of a set of common fields followed by a body. The body (which may be empty) contains information specific to a particular message type. Each message type contains information specific to one or more positioning methods and / or information common to all positioning methods.

[0115] An LPP session generally includes at least a capability transfer or indication procedure, an assistance data transfer or delivery procedure, and a location information transfer or delivery procedure. FIG. 4 illustrates an example LPP capability transfer procedure 410, LPP assistance data transfer procedure 430, and LPP location information transfer procedure 450 between a target device (labeled “Target”) and a location server (labeled “Server”), according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0116] The purpose of an LPP capability transfer procedure 410 may be to enable the transfer of capabilities from the target device (e.g., a UE 204) to the location server (e.g., an LMF 270). Capabilities in this context refer to positioning and protocol capabilities related to LPP and the positioning methods supported by LPP. In the LPP capability transfer procedure 410, the location server (e.g., an LMF 270) indicates the types of capabilities needed from the target device (e.g., UE 204) in an LPP Request Capabilities message. The target device responds with an LPP Provide Capabilities message. The capabilitiesQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO39 / 99included in the LPP Provide Capabilities message should correspond to any capability types specified in the LPP Request Capabilities message. Specifically, for each positioning method for which a request for capabilities may be included in the LPP Request Capabilities message, if the target device supports this positioning method, the target device includes the capabilities of the target device for that supported positioning method in the LPP Provide Capabilities message. For an LPP capability indication procedure, the target device provides unsolicited (i.e., without receiving an LPP Request Capabilities message) capabilities to the location server in an LPP Provide Capabilities message.

[0117] The purpose of an LPP assistance data transfer procedure 430 may be to enable the target device to request assistance data from the location server to assist in positioning, and to enable the location server to transfer assistance data to the target device in the absence of a request. In the LPP assistance data transfer procedure 430, the target device sends an LPP Request Assistance Data message to the location server. The location server responds to the target device with an LPP Provide Assistance Data message containing assistance data. The transferred assistance data should match or be a subset of the assistance data requested in the LPP Request Assistance Data. The location server may also provide any not requested information that it considers useful to the target device. The location server may also transmit one or more additional LPP Provide Assistance Data messages to the target device containing further assistance data. For an LPP assistance data delivery procedure, the location server provides unsolicited assistance data necessary for positioning. The assistance data may be provided periodically or non-periodically.

[0118] The purpose of an LPP location information transfer procedure 450 may be to enable the location server to request location measurement data and / or a location estimate from the target device, and to enable the target device to transfer location measurement data and / or a location estimate to a location server in the absence of a request. In an LPP location information transfer procedure 450, the location server sends an LPP Request Location Information message to the target device to request location information, indicating the type of location information needed and potentially the associated QoS. The target device responds with an LPP Provide Location Information message to the location server to transfer location information. The location information transferred should match or be a subset of the location information requested by the LPP Request Location InformationQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO40 / 99unless the location server explicitly allows additional location information. For example, more specifically, if the requested information is compatible with the target device’s capabilities and configuration, the target device includes the requested information in an LPP Provide Location Information message. Otherwise, if the target device does not support one or more of the requested positioning methods, the target device continues to process the message as if it contained only information for the supported positioning methods and handles the signaling content of the unsupported positioning methods by LPP error detection. If requested by the LPP Request Location Information message, the target device sends additional LPP Provide Location Information messages to the location server to transfer additional location information. An LPP location information delivery procedure supports the delivery of positioning estimations based on unsolicited service.

[0119] LPP also defines procedures related to error indication for when a receiving endpoint (target device or location server) receives erroneous or unexpected data or detects that certain data are missing. Specifically, when a receiving endpoint determines that a received LPP message contains an error, it can return an Error message to the transmitting endpoint indicating the error or errors and discard the received / erroneous message. For example, if the receiving endpoint is able to determine that the erroneous LPP message is an LPP Error or Abort Message, then the receiving endpoint discards the received message without returning an Error message to the transmitting endpoint.

[0120] LPP also defines procedures related to abort indication to allow a target device or location server to abort an ongoing procedure due to some unexpected event (e.g., cancellation of a location request by an LCS client). An Abort procedure can also be used to stop an ongoing procedure (e.g., periodic location reporting from the target device). In an Abort procedure, a first endpoint determines that procedure P must be aborted and sends an Abort message to a second endpoint carrying the transaction ID for procedure P. The second endpoint then aborts procedure P.

[0121] 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. 5 illustrates examples of various positioning methods, according to aspects of the disclosure. In an OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioningQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO41 / 99procedure, illustrated by scenario 510, 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.

[0122] For DL-AoD positioning, illustrated by scenario 520, 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).

[0123] 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 the 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.

[0124] 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 baseQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO42 / 99station(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.

[0125] 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 may be 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 530, 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 540.

[0126] The E-CID positioning method may be 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 may be estimated based on this information and the known locations of the base station(s).

[0127] 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 mayQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO43 / 99include 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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).

[0130] 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.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO44 / 99

[0131] 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.

[0132] 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}.

[0133] 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 of 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.

[0134] 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,QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO45 / 99each 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.

[0135] 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.”

[0136] 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.

[0137] 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) base 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.

[0138] 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 usedQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO46 / 99herein, 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.”

[0139] FIG. 6 is a graph 600 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.).

[0140] In the example of FIG. 6, 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 a 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),QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO47 / 99or both. Note that although FIG. 6 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.

[0141] In the example of FIG. 6, 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.

[0142] 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.

[0143] 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.

[0144] 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.

[0145] 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 to plurality of time info that are derived from CIR / PDP. The UE may apply truncation to the DP and report a truncated DP.

[0146] FIG. 7 illustrates a UE 701 having an arrangement of antennas, according to aspects of the disclosure. The figure illustrates the UE 701 in a front view 70 IF and a rear viewQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO48 / 99701R. The UE 701 further comprises a plurality of antennas, illustrated as an antenna 711 and an antenna 712.

[0147] The plurality of antennas may support directional transmission and reception (e.g., beamforming). The plurality of antennas may be displaced from one another, as shown in FIG. 7. Moreover, the plurality of antennas may be at different edges of the UE, as in the figure, where from the rear view 701R of the UE 701, antenna 711 is at an upper-right edge and antenna 712 is at a lower-left edge. At least one of the plurality of antennas may be displaced from the device center of UE 701.

[0148] The example of FIG. 7 is not the only possible arrangement of the plurality of antennas.For example, there may be more than two antennas. Moreover, the antennas may be at the top, bottom, or front of the UE 701.

[0149] In some implementations, the plurality of antennas support handling of multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) issues. For example, the different locations of the plurality of antennas increases the possibility that at least one of the plurality of antennas will strongly receive a reference signal, to better perform positioning. Moreover, the plurality of antennas can coordinate to determine a direction of the reference signal, a receive direction of a reflection of the reference signal, etc. The plurality of antennas can form a reception beam that better separates the received reference signal from surrounding interference.

[0150] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a device (e.g., target device such as user equipment (UE)) may adapt one or more processing techniques based on characteristics of an environment of the device (e.g., characteristics of reference signal propagation). For example, the device may receive environment information (e.g., coarse environment information) regarding the presence of multipath and / or non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the device. Based on the environment information, the device may take one or more actions to improve a positioning procedure. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, concepts such as antenna selection, dual -sub scriber identity module (SIM) positioning, radio access network (RAN) sharing, etc., may be used to overcome multipath and NLOS conditions associated with a bad area (e.g., an area with unfavorable reference signal propagation characteristics). For example, if the device receives environment information indicating a good area (e.g., an area with favorable reference signal propagation characteristics), then the device may perform positioningQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO49 / 99using first processing techniques (e.g., associated with low resource cost and / or adequate positioning results), whereas if the environment indicates a bad area, or does not indicate a good area, then the device may perform positioning using second processing techniques (e.g., associated with high performance, resulting in faster and / or more accurate positioning results).

[0151] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the device may have sensing capabilities (e.g., radio frequency sensing associated with a sensing session). For example, the device may assess the environment in the area of the device in an accurate, standardized way. This may enable the device to assist with the enhancement of other wireless network features (e.g., positioning). For example, a sensing server (e.g., sensing management function) and a location server (e.g., location management function) may interact, and the location server may obtain data from the sensing server or a device associated with the sensing server in order to improve (e.g., correct) data associated with positioning.

[0152] FIG. 8 is a signal flow diagram illustrating an example of a positioning technique, according to aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 8 illustrates a device (e.g., a target device of a location and / or positioning procedure), represented as a user equipment (UE 801), and a location server, represented by a network entity, in particular, a location management function (LMF 809). The UE 801 and LMF 809 may communicate via a radio access network (RAN) of a communications network. The UE 801 and LMF 809 may communicate using a long term evolution (LTE) positioning protocol (LPP), and the messaging in FIG. 8 may adopt LPP naming conventions. However, it will be understood that the following techniques may be implemented in any positioning protocol, including LPP, new radio positioning protocol (NRPP), new radio positioning protocol a (NRPPa), etc., and that the names of the messages and / or information elements (IES) are provided as non-limiting examples.

[0153] LMF 809 sends an LPP request capabilities message 811 to UE 801. UE 801 sends an LPP provide capabilities message 812 to LMF 809. The LPP request capabilities message 811 and LPP provide capabilities message 812 may have similar content and / or purpose as the messages illustrated in FIG. 4, specifically LPP capability transfer procedure 410.

[0154] UE 801 sends an LPP request assistance data message 821 to UE 801. UE 801 sends an LPP provide assistance data message 822 to LMF 809. The LPP request assistance data message 821 and LPP provide assistance data message 822 may have similar contentQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO50 / 99and / or purpose as the messages illustrated in FIG. 4, specifically LPP assistance data transfer procedure 430.

[0155] At 830, LMF 809 determines one or more information elements (IES) of a request location information (RLI). As will be discussed in greater detail below, the IEs and / or the RLI may be included in an LPP request location information message 840 that is sent by LMF 809 to UE 801. The LPP request location information message 840 may trigger UE 801 to send an LPP provide location information message 870 to LMF 809. The LPP request location information message 840 and LPP provide location information message 870 may be analogous in many respects to the messages illustrated in FIG. 4, specifically LPP location information transfer procedure 450.

[0156] The RLI in an LPP message may be used by the location server (e.g., LMF 809) to request positioning measurements or a position estimate from the target device (e.g., UE 801).

[0157] The RLI may indicate one or more positioning techniques (e.g., one or more LPP positioning methods). The positioning techniques (PTs) may include, for example, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning, observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) positioning, enhanced cell identity (ECID) positioning, external protocol data unit (EPDU) positioning, sensor positioning, terrestrial beacon system (TBS) positioning, wireless local area network (WLAN) positioning, Bluetooth (BT) positioning, multiroundtrip time (multi-RTT) positioning, downlink angle of departure (DL-AoD) positioning, downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) positioning, etc.

[0158] The RLI may indicate a type of location information (e.g., locationlnformationType IE).The type of location information may indicate whether a location estimate is being requested or whether location measurements are being requested. The type of location information may indicate a requirement or a preference for the indicated type of location information.

[0159] The RLI may indicate that reporting of the location information is triggered (e.g., triggeredReporting IE), periodical (e.g., periodicalReporting IE), or any combination thereof.

[0160] The RLI may indicate a quality of service (QoS) associated with the location information (e.g., qos IE). For example, the QoS may indicate a maximum horizontal error in the location estimate at an indicated confidence level (e.g., horizontalAccuracy IE), whether a vertical coordinate is required (e.g., verticalCoordinateRequest IE), a maximum verticalQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO51 / 99error in the location estimate at an indicated confidence level (e.g., verticalAccuracy IE), whether a velocity is requested (e.g., velocityRequest IE), etc. The RLI may indicate a maximum response time for providing location information as measured between receipt of the RLI and transmission of a provide location information (PLI) message (e.g., responseTime IE). As an example, the maximum response time may range from ten milliseconds to one thousand, two-hundred and eighty seconds.

[0161] The RLI may indicate a list of one or more identifiers of one or more cells and / or transmission-reception points (TRPs) belonging to a particular network area where data is valid (e.g., ArealD-CellList IE). The data may be, for example, LPP -related data, data in the RLI, data associated with assistance information, etc. As an example, each cell used for positioning is included in only one area. The one or more cell identifiers may include, for example, one or more new radio cell global identifiers (NCGIs), one or more physical cell identifiers, one or more absolute radio frequency channel numbers (ARFCNs), etc.

[0162] The RLI may indicate an environment associated with the particular network area (e.g., environment IE). The area may be a current area of the target device (e.g., UE 801). The area may be indicated by the ArealD-CellList IE described above.

[0163] The environment IE may include a value that indicates expected multipath and / or non- line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in the area. The value may indicate possibly heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions (e.g., badArea value). Alternatively, the value may indicate no or light multipath and / or usually LOS conditions (e.g., notBadArea value). Alternatively, the value may indicate environment that is mixed or not defined (e.g., mixed Area value). If the environment IE is absent, then a default value (mixed Area) may be assumed. In an example, the value badArea may be expected in urban areas, where there are many obstructions to reference signals and many opportunities for the target device (e.g., 801) to receive reflections, whereas the value notBadArea may be expected in suburban or rural areas, where reference signals are likely to be received directly and without obstruction.

[0164] One or more of the IES described above (e.g., locationlnformationType IE, qos IE, environment IE) may be included in CommonlEsRequestLocationlnformation, which may include one or more IEs that are common IEs for the LPP request location information message 840.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO52 / 99

[0165] In an example, the environment IE indicates any surrounding information that impacts positioning. For example, the value badArea may indicate (e.g., coarsely indicate) that multipath and / or NLOS conditions occur in the area, but may not indicate whether the multipath and / or NLOS conditions are related to (e.g.) global navigation satellite system (GNSS), wireless wide area network (WWAN), or some other particular positioning technology. UE 801 may be requested and / or required to provide a location estimate and / or a measurement within a certain response time. If UE 801 fails to provide the requested and / or required information within the response time, the failure may cause an error. The environment IE may be used by UE 801 to determine whether a first positioning technique will be adequate to provide the requested / required location information (e.g., a low-cost and / or low-performance positioning technique), or whether a second positioning technique should be used to avoid the error (e.g., a high-performance and / or high-cost positioning technique).

[0166] In an example, UE 801 may start a positioning procedure and / or a sensing procedure (e.g., GNSS and / or cell-based measurement) and determine, based on one or more results of the positioning procedure and / or sensing procedure, an accuracy of the environment IE indication. For example, UE 801 may determine based on the positioning procedure and / or the sensing procedure that heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions occur, and may confirm that the value in the environment IE (e.g., badArea) matches the one or more results of the positioning procedure and / or sensing procedure. Alternatively, UE 801 may determine based on the positioning procedure and / or the sensing procedure that no or light multipath and / or usually LOS conditions occur, and may determine that the value in the environment IE (e.g., badArea) does not match the one or more results of the positioning procedure and / or sensing procedure. In an example, based on the one or more results not matching the environment IE indication, UE 801 may follow the results of the one or more results rather than the environment IE (e.g., apply the second positioning technique based on the one or more results indicating a heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions, even if the environment IE indicates the value notBadArea). In an example, based on the one or more results not matching the environment IE indication, UE 801 may notify the location server that the one or more results of the positioning procedure and / or sensing procedure do not match the value in the environment IE.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO53 / 99

[0167] LMF 809 may determine, at 830, any of the IES described above, any other IES that may be suitable, or any combination thereof. The determining at 830 may be based on the LPP provide capabilities message 812 and / or the LPP request assistance data message 821 received from the UE 801. The determining at 830 may select IEs and / or the values included in the IEs based on the information obtained from LPP request assistance data message 821, LPP request assistance data message 821, previous communications with UE 801, or any combination thereof.

[0168] LMF 809 sends LPP request location information message 840 to UE 801. The LPP request location information message 840 includes the RLI and / or IEs determined at 830. UE 801 may decode the RLI and / or IEs in the LPP request location information message 840. UE 801 may perform one or more actions based on the decoded RLI and / or IEs.

[0169] At 850, UE 801 performs a switch. The switch may be from a first positioning technique (e.g., a low-cost and / or low-performance positioning technique) to a second positioning technique (e.g., a higher-cost and / or higher-performance positioning technique).

[0170] The switching at 850 may be based on receiving the RLI (e.g., the RLI in the LPP request location information message 840 and / or one or more IEs therein). For example, the switching at 850 may be based on the RLI indicating heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions in an area of UE 801 (e.g., an environment IE of the RLI comprising the value badArea). Additionally or alternatively, the switching at 850 may be based on the RLI indicating that the environment in the area of UE 801 is mixed or not defined (e.g., an environment IE of the RLI comprising the value mixedArea).

[0171] Additionally or alternatively, the switching at 850 may be based on one or more results of a sensing procedure (e.g., a radio frequency sensing procedure). Based on the one or more results of the sensing procedure, UE 801 may determine environment information relating multipath and / or NLOS conditions. For example, UE 801 may use an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model to determine the environmental information (e.g., updated, verified, and / or corrected environmental information) based on the one or more results of the sensing procedure. In some implementations, the determination of environmental information by UE 801 may supersede the indication of environmental information received from LMF 809. For example, the environment IE may include a value notBadArea (e.g., indicating no or light multipath and / or usually LOS conditions). By contrast, the one or more results of the sensing procedure may indicate heavyQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO54 / 99multipath and / or NLOS conditions. UE 801 may perform the switching at 850 based on the one or more results of the sensing procedure (indicating heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions) even if the one or more results of the sensing procedure contradict the indication of the environment IE (indicating no or light multipath and / or usually LOS conditions).

[0172] The switching at 850 may be based on a QoS and / or response time indicated by the LPP request location information message 840. For example, if the response time for providing the requested and / or required location information is relatively long (e.g., a first response time Ti), then the first positioning technique may be adequate. Alternatively, if the response time is relatively short (e.g., a second response time T2 shorter than the first response time), then UE 801 may switch to the second positioning technique. UE 801 may determine, based on the response time, whether the first positioning technique can be used to provide the requested and / or required location information within the response time. UE 801 may switch to the second positioning technique based on a determination that the first positioning technique can not be used to provide the requested and / or required location information within the response time.

[0173] In the figure, the switching at 850 comprises a switch from a first frequency or band (e.g., FR1) to a second frequency or band (e.g., FR2). However, as will be discussed in greater detail below, the option illustrated in the figure is one possible option for performing the switching at 850, and several other non-illustrated options are hereby disclosed. Accordingly, UE 801 may perform the switching at 850 based on the illustrated option (switching from FR1 to FR2), one or more of the other options as will be discussed in greater detail below, or any combination thereof.

[0174] In the illustrated example, the switching at 850 comprises switching from a first frequency or band to a second frequency or band. The first frequency or band may be, for example, FR1 (e.g., frequencies and / or bands below 6 GHz; additionally or alternatively, frequencies and / or bands below 8 GHz; additionally or alternatively, frequencies and / or bands between 410 MHz to 7125 MHz). The second frequency or band may be, for example, millimeter-wave (mmW) frequencies (e.g., 30 GHz to 300 GHz), FR2 (e.g., frequencies and / or bands above 24 GHz; additionally or alternatively, frequencies and / or bands between 24.25 GHz and 71.0 GHz), or any combination thereof.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO55 / 99

[0175] The switching at 850 from FR1 to mmW and / or FR2 may facilitate improved positioning.For example, beam adjustment features may be available at mmW / FR2 frequencies and / or not available in FR1 frequencies. Additionally or alternatively, antenna lobes and / or cell coverage may be shifted based on NLOS conditions. For example, reference signals received in a direct LOS may be isolated from reflected reference signals impacted by multipath and / or NLOS conditions.

[0176] Additionally or alternatively, the switching at 850 may comprise switch from a first cell to a second cell. The first cell may be a serving cell of the UE before the switching at 850. Additionally or alternatively, the second cell may be the serving cell of the UE after the switching at 850. In an example, one or more signal metrics (e.g., received signal strength indicator, reference signal received power, reference signal received quality, etc.) associated with the second cell may be better than (e.g., higher than) one or more corresponding signal metrics associated with the first cell. In an example, the first cell and the second cell may belong to a same area (e.g., network area where positioning- related data is valid, etc.) or be on a same list (e.g., ArealD-CellList as indicated by the corresponding IE in the LPP request location information message 840).

[0177] Additionally or alternatively, the switching at 850 may comprise switching from one or more first antennas to one or more second antennas. For example, the one or more second antennas may be a plurality of antennas (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7). The plurality of antennas may be configured to transmit and / or receive a directional beam. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more second antennas may be configured to operate in millimeter-wave (mmW), at more than 24 GHz, in frequency range two (FR2), or any combination thereof.

[0178] The switching at 850 from the one or more first antennas to the one or more second antennas may facilitate improved positioning. For example, if the one or more second antennas are present and / or enabled, then functionality of the one or more second antennas may be used to determine the requested and required location information. The one or more second antennas may be, for example, specially designed to handle multipath and / or NLOS issues.

[0179] In an example, in case of FR1 (e.g., sub-6 GHZ) and FR2 (e.g., mmW) camped devices, one or more second antennas associated with mmW may give more a precise location using beam management and antenna lobe adjustment.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO56 / 99

[0180] Additionally or alternatively, the switching at 850 may comprise switching from a first network type of a plurality of network types to a second network type of the plurality of network types. The plurality of network types may include, for example, a terrestrial network (TN) network type and a non-terrestrial network (NTN) network type. In an example, if the TN network type is associated with heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions, the UE 801 may switch to the NTN network type. As another example, if the NTN network type is associated with heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions, the UE 801 may switch to the TN network type.

[0181] Additionally or alternatively, the switching at 850 may comprise switching from a first public land mobile network (PLMN), carrier, and / or operator to a second PLMN, carrier, and / or operator. For example, in some implementations, UE 801 may operate in a multioperator radio access network (MORAN) and / or RAN-sharing environment. For example, in some implementations, UE 801 may operate in a multi-operator core network (MOCN) and / or core network-sharing environment. Accordingly, UE 801 may switch from a cell of a first PLMN, carrier, and / or operator to a cell (e.g., WWAN cell) of a different PLMN, carrier, and / or operator. In an example, the first PLMN, carrier, and / or operator may be a home PLMN (HPLMN).

[0182] The switching at 850 from the first PLMN, carrier, and / or operator to the second PLMN, carrier, and / or operator may facilitate improved positioning. For example, an environment IE of the RLI (e.g., received from LMF 809 in LPP request location information message 840) may indicate that heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions, but the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions may impact one PLMN more than another. Accordingly, by switching PLMN, carrier, and / or operator at 850, UE 801 may improve location information determination.

[0183] In an example, UE 801 may have a home PLMN that is different and from a serving PLMN. UE 801 may use different carrier services when MORAN and / or MOCN is available. For example, changes may be implemented wherein the other carrier doesn’t have LOS and / or multipath issues.

[0184] Additionally or alternatively, the switching at 850 may comprise switching from a first subscription and / or subscriber identity module (SIM) to a second subscription and / or SIM. For example, in some implementations, UE 801 may have multiple subscriptions (e.g., corresponding to multiple network services and / or associated with differentQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO57 / 99carriers). Each subscription may be associated with a different SIM. Accordingly, UE 801 may switch from a network service associated with a first SIM (and / or first subscription) to a network service associated with a second SIM (and / or second subscription).

[0185] The switching at 850 from the first subscription and / or SIM to the second subscription and / or SIM may facilitate improved positioning. For example, an environment IE of the RLI (e.g., received from LMF 809 in LPP request location information message 840) may indicate that heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions, but the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions may impact one subscription and / or SIM more than another. Accordingly, by switching subscription and / or SIM at 850, UE 801 may improve location information determination.

[0186] In an example, one subscription may support all 5G / 6G based positioning techniques and other another subscription may only support legacy positioning techniques.

[0187] In an example, a power-constrained device (e.g., internet of things (loT) device or wearable device with battery playing a crucial role) may implement these techniques to avoid wasting device power where environment IE indicates badArea. For example, in emergency and / or 911 operations, a location server may manage power efficient operations.

[0188] At 860, UE 801 determines location information based on the switching at 850. For example, if UE 801 switches from a first positioning technique to a second positioning technique at 850, then UE 801 determines location based on the second positioning technique at 860. In an example, UE 801 may not determine location information based on the first positioning technique, and may switch to the second positioning technique before the determining at 860. In an example, UE 801 may not determine location information based on the first positioning technique between the time that LPP request location information message 840 is received at the time that the location information is determined at 860.

[0189] UE 801 sends an LPP provide location information message 870 to LMF 809. The LPP provide location information message 870 may include the location information determined at 860. The sending of LPP provide location information message 870 may be based on the determining at 860 being complete. Additionally or alternatively, the sending of LPP provide location information message 870 may be based on an event being triggered or a period having elapsed.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO58 / 99

[0190] FIG. 9 is a signal flow diagram illustrating an example of a positioning technique, according to aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 9 illustrates a device, represented as a user equipment (UE 901), and a network entity, represented as a location management function (LMF 909). The UE 901 and LMF 909 may communicate via a radio access network (RAN) of a communications network. The UE 901 and LMF 909 may communicate using LPP, and the messaging in FIG. 9 may adopt LPP naming conventions. However, it will be understood that the following techniques may be implemented in any positioning protocol, including LPP, NRPP, NRPPa, etc., and that the names of the messages and / or information elements (IES) are provided as non-limiting examples.

[0191] LMF 909 sends an LPP request capabilities message 911 to UE 901. UE 901 sends an LPP provide capabilities message 912 to LMF 909. The LPP request capabilities message 911 and LPP provide capabilities message 912 may have similar content and / or purpose as the messages illustrated in FIG. 4, specifically LPP capability transfer procedure 410.

[0192] UE 901 sends an LPP request assistance data message 921 to UE 901. UE 901 sends an LPP provide assistance data message 922 to LMF 909. The LPP request assistance data message 921 and LPP provide assistance data message 922 may have similar content and / or purpose as the messages illustrated in FIG. 4, specifically LPP assistance data transfer procedure 430.

[0193] At 930, LMF 909 determines one or more information elements (IEs) of a request location information (RLI). As will be discussed in greater detail below, the IEs and / or the RLI may be included in an LPP request location information message 940 that is sent by LMF 909 to UE 901. The LPP request location information message 940 may trigger UE 901 to send an LPP provide location information message 970 to LMF 909. The LPP request location information message 940 and LPP provide location information message 970 may be analogous in many respects to the messages illustrated in FIG. 4, specifically LPP location information transfer procedure 450.

[0194] The IEs determined at 930 may include any combination of the IEs described previously in the context of FIG. 8. The RLI determined by LMF 909 and / or the LPP request location information message 940 sent by LMF 909 may include any combination of the IEs described previously in the context of FIG. 8. For brevity, the descriptions thereof will not be reiterated here.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO59 / 99

[0195] Additionally or alternatively, LMF 909 may determine other IES at 930, as will be discussed in greater detail below. The RLI determined by LMF 909 and / or the LPP request location information message 940 sent by LMF 909 may include any combination of the IEs described previously and the IEs described below. The other IEs may include, for example, any combination of one or more positioning technique (PT)-specific environment IEs, one or more frequency and / or band (FB)-specific environment IEs, one or more environmental information source IEs, and one or more environmental information status IEs.

[0196] As noted above, the IEs determined at 930 may include one or more PT-specific environment IEs. The environment IE determined at, for example, determining at 830 may be a coarse indication of multipath and / or NLOS conditions (e.g., in an area of UE 901). The coarse indication may facilitate some suitable actions to improve positioning outcomes, as described above with respect to FIG. 8. However, by adding more detail (e.g., a finer indication than the coarse environment IE described above), other improvement to positioning outcomes may be realized. In particular, the IEs determined at 930 may include the coarse environment IE (similar to the determining at 830), but may include finer environmental indications as an addition or as an alternative.

[0197] As noted above, the IEs determined at 930 may include one or more PT-specific environment IEs. The one or more PT-specific environment IE may replace or augment the environment IE described above with respect to FIG. 8.

[0198] For example, if GNSS signals in the area associated with UE 901 are associated with heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions, the environment IE determined at 830 or 930 may include the value badArea (indicating heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions). However, if WWAN signals in the area associated with UE 901 are associated with no or light multipath and / or usually LOS conditions, then the coarse indication ‘badArea’ may not enable UE 901 to take suitable actions. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the RLI (e.g., included in the LPP request location information message 940) may notify UE 901 of multipath and / or NLOS conditions on a PT-specific basis. The notification may be implemented in various ways.

[0199] For example, RLI may include a separate IE for each PT. For example, RLI may include a first PT-specific environment IE corresponding to GNSS (e.g., GNSS Environment lnfo), a second PT-specific environment IE corresponding toQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO60 / 99WWAN, a third PT-specific environment IE corresponding to another PT, etc. Each of the PT-specific environment IES may be populated with a respective value. The value may be selected from the range of values including badArea, notBadArea, mixedArea (as described above). Alternatively, a different range of values that includes or excludes one or more of these value may be implemented. For PT-specific environment IEs, the value may indicate multipath and / or NLOS conditions that are specific to the PT associated with the PT-specific environment IE. It will be understood that the one or more PT- specific environment IEs may replace or accompany the environment IE described above with respect to FIG. 8.

[0200] As another example, the RLI may include the environment IE described above with respect to FIG. 8, and may further include one or more PT-specific environment IEs indicating one or more PTs. The indicated one or more PTs may have expected multipath and / or NLOS conditions that correspond to the value in the environment IE. For example, if the environment IE indicates ‘notBadArea’, then the one or more PT-specific environment IEs may be absent from the RLI and / or omitted by LMF 909. If the environment IE indicates ‘badArea’, then the one or more PT-specific environment IEs may indicate which PT(s) are associated with heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions. For example, each PT in a group of PTs may correspond to an index value (e.g., ‘0’ for GNSS, ‘1’ for WWAN, etc.). If, in the present example, LMF 909 determines that heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions are expected for GNSS positioning, then the environment IE may include the value badArea, and the RLI may further include a PT- specific environment IE having the value ‘0’ (corresponding to GNSS in the present example).

[0201] In this manner, the one or more PT-specific environment IEs enable the RLI to encode expected multipath and / or NLOS conditions for each PT, rather than in general (i.e., for any PT).

[0202] As noted above, the IEs determined at 930 may include one or more FB-specific environment IEs.

[0203] In an example, GNSS signals may be associated with a particular band such as LI (e.g., approximately 1575 MHz), L2 (e.g., approximately 1227 MHz), or L5 (e.g., approximately 1176 MHz). If GNSS-L1 signals in the area associated with UE 901 are associated with heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions, the environment IE determinedQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO61 / 99at 830 or 930 may include the value badArea (indicating heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions). However, if GNSS signals in L2 and / or L5 are associated with no or light multipath and / or usually LOS conditions, then the coarse indication ‘badArea’ may not enable UE 901 to take suitable actions. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the RLI (e.g., included in the LPP request location information message 940) may notify UE 901 of multipath and / or NLOS conditions on a FB-specific basis. The notification may be implemented in various ways.

[0204] For example, RLI may include a separate IE for each FB. For example, RLI may include a first FB-specific environment IE corresponding to LI of GNSS, a second FB-specific environment IE corresponding to L2 of GNSS, a third FB-specific environment IE corresponding to L3 of GNSS, a fourth FB-specific environment IE corresponding to FR1 of WWAN, a fifth FB-specific environment IE corresponding to FR2 of WWAN, etc. Each of the FB-specific environment IES may be populated with a respective value. The value may be selected from the range of values including badArea, notBadArea, mixedArea (as described above). Alternatively, a different range of values that includes or excludes one or more of these value may be implemented. For FB-specific environment IEs, the value may indicate multipath and / or NLOS conditions that are specific to the FB associated with the FB-specific environment IE. It will be understood that the one or more FB-specific environment IEs may replace or accompany the environment IE described above with respect to FIG. 8.

[0205] As another example, the RLI may include the environment IE described above with respect to FIG. 8, and one or more FB-specific environment IEs. The indicated one or more FBs may have expected multipath and / or NLOS conditions that correspond to the value in the environment IE. For example, if the environment IE indicates ‘notBadArea’, then the one or more FB-specific environment IEs may be absent from the RLI and / or omitted by LMF 909. If the environment IE indicates ‘badArea’, then the one or more FB-specific environment IEs may indicate which FB(s) are associated with heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions. For example, each FB in a group of FBs may correspond to an index value (e.g., ‘0’ for LI of GNSS, ‘1’ forL2 of GNSS, ‘2’ forL5 of GNSS, ‘3’ for FR1 of WWAN, ‘4’ for FR2 of WWAN, etc.). If, in the present example, LMF 909 determines that heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions are expected for FR1 of WWAN, then the environment IE may include the value badArea, and the RLI mayQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO62 / 99further include a FB-specific environment IE having the value ‘3’ (corresponding to FR1 of WWAN in the present example).

[0206] As noted above, the IES determined at 930 may include one or more environmental information source IEs. The one or more environmental information source IEs may indicate an information source that LMF 909 used and / or relied on to determine one or more multipath and / or NLOS conditions indicated in the RLI. For example, one or more information sources may be indicated by one or more corresponding indexes. The one or more information sources may include one or more positioning nodes different from the UE, a SnMF, an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model, a core network, an access and mobility management function (AMF), a wireless local area network (WLAN) network, a crowd-sourced information source, or any combination thereof.

[0207] In an example, the RLI may include a single environmental information source IE indicating the information sources generally used by LMF 909 to perform the determining at 930. In another example, if the RLI indicates heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions, then the RLI includes an environmental information source IE indicating the information source(s) used by LMF 909 to determine the heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions. In another example, if the RLI comprises one or more finer environment IEs (e.g., PT- specific environment IEs, one or more FB-specific environment IEs, or any combination thereof), then the RLI comprises a corresponding environmental information source IE indicating the information source(s) used by LMF 909 to determine the one or more finer environment IEs.

[0208] As noted above, the IEs determined at 930 may include one or more environmental information status IEs.

[0209] The one or more environmental information status IEs may indicate an information status associated with the determination at 930 of one or more multipath and / or NLOS conditions. For example, one or more information statuses may be indicated by one or more corresponding indexes. The one or more information statuses may include a new or fresh status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, an old or stale status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, a timestamp associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, or any combination thereof.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO63 / 99

[0210] In an example, the RLI may include a single environmental information status IE indicating the information status associated with the determination at 930 of one or more multipath and / or NLOS conditions. In another example, if the RLI indicates heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions, then the RLI includes an environmental information status IE indicating the information status associated with the determination at 930 of one or more multipath and / or NLOS conditions. In another example, if the RLI comprises one or more finer environment IES (e.g., PT-specific environment IES, one or more FB- specific environment IEs, or any combination thereof), then the RLI comprises a corresponding environmental information status IE indicating the information status associated with the determination at 930 of each particular multipath and / or NLOS condition.

[0211] LMF 909 sends LPP request location information message 940 to UE 901. The LPP request location information message 940 includes the RLI and / or IEs determined at 930. UE 901 may decode the RLI and / or IEs in the LPP request location information message 940. UE 901 may perform one or more actions based on the decoded RLI and / or IEs.

[0212] At 950, UE 901 determines a PT, frequency, and / or band based on the RLI and / or the one or more IEs in the RLI. The PT, frequency, and / or band determined at 950 may be associated with better performance in consideration of the environmental conditions indicated by the RLI (e.g., received in the LPP request location information message 940).

[0213] The determining at 950 may be based on an environment IE, one or more PT-specific environment IEs, one or more FB-specific environment IEs, or any combination thereof. In an example, the RLI indicate that a first PT, frequency, and / or band is associated with heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions. Based on the first PT, frequency, and / or band being associated with heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions, UE 901 may determine to use a second PT, frequency, and / or band to determine location information. In an example, the first PT, frequency, and / or band may be associated with low cost and / or low performance. UE 901 may prefer the first PT, frequency, and / or band as a default PT, frequency, and / or band based on the low cost. However, if the RLI indicates that the first PT, frequency, and / or band is associated with heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions, then UE 901 may determine to use a second PT, frequency, and / or band. For example, the second PT, frequency, and / or band may be associated with better performance and / or not associated with heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions. The improved performanceQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO64 / 99may enable UE 901 to provide the location information that is requested and / or required by LMF 909.

[0214] The determining at 950 may be based on one or more environmental information source IES, the one or more environmental information status IES, or any combination thereof.

[0215] The one or more environmental information source IEs may indicate a particular information source. For example, based on the indicated information source, UE 901 may determine to ignore the indicated multipath and / or NLOS conditions. Additionally or alternatively, based on the indicated information source, UE 901 may determine to authenticate, validate, and / or verify the indicated multipath and / or NLOS conditions. For example, some information sources may be considered to be more trusted and / or authentic than others. If an untrusted and / or inauthentic information source is indicated by the NLI, then UE 901 may ignore the indicated multipath and / or NLOS conditions, or perform one or more operations to authenticate, validate, and / or verify the indicated multipath and / or NLOS conditions (e.g., perform a sensing procedure, obtain updated, verified, and / or corrected environmental information from an AIML model, etc.).

[0216] The one or more environmental information source IEs may indicate a particular information status. For example, based on the indicated information status indicating that a determination regarding the indicated multipath and / or NLOS conditions is stale or old, UE 901 may determine to ignore the indicated multipath and / or NLOS conditions. Additionally or alternatively, based on the indicated information status indicating that a determination regarding the indicated multipath and / or NLOS conditions is stale or old, UE 901 may determine to authenticate, validate, and / or verify the indicated multipath and / or NLOS conditions. For example, UE 901 may ignore the indicated multipath and / or NLOS conditions when performing the determining at 950, or perform one or more operations to authenticate, validate, and / or verify the indicated multipath and / or NLOS conditions before using the performing the determining at 950 (e.g., perform a sensing procedure, obtain updated, verified, and / or corrected environmental information from an AIML model, etc.).

[0217] The determining at 950 may be based on a QoS and / or response time indicated by the LPP request location information message 940. For example, if the response time for providing the requested and / or required location information is relatively long (e.g., a first response time Ti), then UE 901 may determine a first PT, frequency, and / or band.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO65 / 99Alternatively, if the response time is relatively short (e.g., a second response time T2 shorter than the first response time), then UE 901 may determine a second PT, frequency, and / or band. For example, the first PT, frequency, and / or band may be associated with low performance and / or low cost, and the second determine a first PT, frequency, and / or band may be associated with higher performance and / or higher cost.

[0218] UE 901 may determine, based on the response time, whether the first determine a first PT, frequency, and / or band can be used to provide the requested and / or required location information within the response time. UE 901 may determine to use the second PT, frequency, and / or band based on a determination that the first determine a first PT, frequency, and / or band can not be used to provide the requested and / or required location information within the response time.

[0219] At 960, UE 901 determines location information using the PT, frequency, and / or band determined at 950.

[0220] UE 901 sends an LPP provide location information message 970 to LMF 909. The LPP provide location information message 970 may include the location information determined at 960. The sending of LPP provide location information message 970 may be based on the determining at 960 being complete. Additionally or alternatively, the sending of LPP provide location information message 970 may be based on an event being triggered or a period having elapsed.

[0221] FIG. 10 illustrates an example method 1000 of wireless positioning, according to aspects of the disclosure. In an aspect, method 1000 may be performed by a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein).

[0222] At operation 1010, the UE receives, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an environment information element indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE.

[0223] In an aspect, operation 1010 may be performed by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, the one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, the memory 340, the one or more processors 342, and / or the positioning component 348, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0224] At operation 1020, the UE switches, based on receiving the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, an operational mode of the UE.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO66 / 99

[0225] In an aspect, operation 1020 may be performed by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, the one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, the memory 340, the one or more processors 342, and / or the positioning component 348, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0226] At operation 1030, the UE obtains location information based on the switching.

[0227] In an aspect, operation 1030 may be performed by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, the one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, the memory 340, the one or more processors 342, and / or the positioning component 348, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0228] At operation 1040, the UE sends, to the network entity, the location information.

[0229] In an aspect, operation 1040 may be performed by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, the one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, the memory 340, the one or more processors 342, and / or the positioning component 348, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0230] In some aspects, based on the switching, a first frequency or band is switched to a second frequency or band, a first cell is switched to a second cell, one or more first antennas of the UE are switched to one or more second antennas of the UE, a first network type of a plurality of network types is switched to a second network type of the plurality of network types, a first public land mobile network (PLMN) is switched to a second PLMN, a first subscription or subscriber identity module (SIM) of the UE is switched to a second subscription or SIM of the UE, or any combination thereof. As noted above, the switching may be performed by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, the one or more short- range wireless transceivers 320, the memory 340, the one or more processors 342, and / or the positioning component 348, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0231] In some aspects, the first frequency or band is in frequency range one (FR1), and the second frequency or band is millimeter-wave (mmW), in frequency range two (FR2), or any combination thereof.

[0232] In some aspects, the plurality of network types comprise a terrestrial network type and a non-terrestrial network type.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO67 / 99

[0233] In some aspects, the request for location information comprises an area cell list comprising the first cell and the second cell, the first cell is a serving cell of the UE before the switching, and the second cell is the serving cell of the UE after the switching.

[0234] In some aspects, the one or more second antennas of the UE comprise a plurality of antennas, and the plurality of antennas are configured to operate in millimeter-wave (mmW), in frequency range two (FR2), or any combination thereof, configured to transmit and receive a directional beam, displaced from one another, displaced from a center of the UE, at different edges of the UE, or any combination thereof.

[0235] In some aspects, the UE performs a radio frequency (RF) sensing procedure, and using an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model to determine multipath and NLOS conditions, wherein the location information is obtained based on the determined multipath and NLOS conditions. The using operation may be performed by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, the one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, the memory 340, the one or more processors 342, and / or the positioning component 348, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0236] In some aspects, the location information is obtained based on one or more reference signals (RSs) that are received by the UE, transmitted by the UE, or both, and the one or more RSs are in the second frequency or band, associated with the second cell, received, transmitted, or both via the one or more second antennas, associated with a radio access network (RAN) associated with the second PLMN, the second subscription or SIM, or any combination thereof, or any combination thereof.

[0237] In some aspects, the environment information element comprises a badArea value indicating the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions or a mixedArea value indicating a mix of heavy and light multipath conditions, a mix of NLOS and line-of-sight (LOS) conditions, undefined conditions, or any combination thereof.

[0238] In some aspects, the request for location information is included in a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) request location information message, the location information is included in an LPP provide location information message, and the network entity is a location management function (LMF).

[0239] As will be appreciated, a technical advantage of the method 1000 is that by performing the switch at 1020, the described techniques can be used to provide location information more quickly, effectively, and / or efficiently. For example, different positioningQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO68 / 99techniques may be available to the UE. A default positioning technique (e.g., associated with a first frequency, band, cell, antenna(s), PLMN, subscription, subscriber identity module (SIM), etc.) may be associated with low cost and / or adequate performance in many scenarios. Other positioning techniques may enable higher performance, but may not be used unless it is efficient to do so (e.g., to provide location information that is requested and / or required). The UE may use the environment IE to determine whether to switch to a particular positioning technique.

[0240] FIG. 11 illustrates an example method 1100 of wireless positioning, according to aspects of the disclosure. In an aspect, method 1100 may be performed by a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein).

[0241] At operation 1110, the UE receives, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof.

[0242] In an aspect, operation 1110 may be performed by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, the one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, the memory 340, the one or more processors 342, and / or the positioning component 348, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0243] At operation 1120, the UE obtains location information in response to the request, wherein based on the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions being associated with the first PT, the first frequency or band, or any combination thereof, the location information is obtained based on: a second PT different from the first PT; a second frequency or band different from the first frequency or band; or any combination thereof.

[0244] In an aspect, operation 1120 may be performed by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, the one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, the memory 340, the one or more processors 342, and / or the positioning component 348, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0245] At operation 1130, the UE sends, to the network entity, the location information.

[0246] In an aspect, operation 1130 may be performed by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, the one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, the memory 340, the one or more processors 342, and / or the positioning component 348, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO69 / 99

[0247] In some aspects, the first PT is global navigation satellite system (GNSS), or the first PT is wireless wide area network (WWAN).

[0248] In some aspects, the first frequency or band and the second frequency or band are selected from a group of GNSS frequencies or bands comprising LI, L2, and L5, or the first frequency or band and the second frequency or band are selected from a group of WWAN frequencies or bands comprising frequency range one (FR1) and frequency range two (FR2).

[0249] In some aspects, the IE in the request is a PT-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular positioning technology.

[0250] In some aspects, the IE in the request is a frequency-or-band-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular frequency or band.

[0251] In some aspects, the request further comprises an environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE, an environment information source IE indicating an information source associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, or any combination thereof.

[0252] In some aspects, the information source is a sensing management function (SnMF), an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model, a core network, an access and mobility management function (AMF), a wireless local area network (WLAN) network, a crowd-sourced information source, or any combination thereof.

[0253] In some aspects, the request further comprises an environment information status IE indicating an information status associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions.

[0254] In some aspects, the information status is a new or fresh status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, an old or stale status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, a timestamp associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, or any combination thereof.

[0255] In some aspects, the request for location information is included in a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) request location information message, and the location information is included in an LPP provide location information message.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO70 / 99

[0256] 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 network entity (e.g., any of the network entities described herein).

[0257] At 1210, the network entity sends, to a user equipment (UE), a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof.

[0258] In an aspect, operation 1210 may be performed by the one or more network transceivers 390, the memory 396, the one or more processors 394, and / or the positioning component 398, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0259] At 1220, the network entity receives, from the UE, the location information.

[0260] In an aspect, operation 1220 may be performed by the one or more network transceivers 390, the memory 396, the one or more processors 394, and / or the positioning component 398, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0261] In some aspects, the IE in the request is a PT-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular positioning technology.

[0262] In some aspects, the IE in the request is a frequency-or-band-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular frequency or band.

[0263] In some aspects, the network entity determines an information source associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, wherein the request further comprises an environment information source IE indicating the information source. The determining operation may be performed by the one or more network transceivers 390, the memory 396, the one or more processors 394, and / or the positioning component 398, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0264] In some aspects, the information source is one or more positioning nodes different from the UE, a sensing management function (SnMF), an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model, a core network, an access and mobility management function (AMF), a wireless local area network (WLAN) network, a crowd-sourced information source, or any combination thereof.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO71 / 99

[0265] In some aspects, the network entity determines an information status associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, wherein the request further comprises an environment information status IE indicating the information status. The determining operation may be performed by the one or more network transceivers 390, the memory 396, the one or more processors 394, and / or the positioning component 398, any or all of which may be considered means for performing this operation.

[0266] In some aspects, the information status is a new or fresh status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, an old or stale status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, a timestamp associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, or any combination thereof.

[0267] In some aspects, the network entity is a location management function (LMF).

[0268] As will be appreciated, a technical advantage of the methods 1100, 1200 is that by receiving the IE indicating that heavy multipath and / or NLOS conditions are associated with a particular PT, frequency, and / or band, the UE may determine to use a different PT, frequency, and / or band to determine location information. The location information may therefore be determined more quickly, effectively, and / or efficiently.

[0269] 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 specific 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 alsoQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO72 / 99intended 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.

[0270] Implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0271] Clause 1. A method of wireless positioning performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an environment information element indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE; and switching, based on receiving the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, an operational mode of the UE; obtaining location information based on the switching; and sending, to the network entity, the location information.

[0272] Clause 2. The method of clause 1, wherein based on the switching: a first frequency or band is switched to a second frequency or band; a first cell is switched to a second cell; one or more first antennas of the UE are switched to one or more second antennas of the UE; a first network type of a plurality of network types is switched to a second network type of the plurality of network types; a first public land mobile network (PLMN) is switched to a second PLMN; a first subscription or subscriber identity module (SIM) of the UE is switched to a second subscription or SIM of the UE; or any combination thereof.

[0273] Clause 3. The method of clause 2, wherein: the first frequency or band is in frequency range one (FR1); and the second frequency or band is millimeter-wave (mmW), in frequency range two (FR2), or any combination thereof.

[0274] Clause 4. The method of any of clauses 2 to 3, wherein the plurality of network types comprise a terrestrial network type and a non-terrestrial network type.

[0275] Clause 5. The method of any of clauses 2 to 4, wherein: the request for location information comprises an area cell list comprising the first cell and the second cell; the first cell is a serving cell of the UE before the switching; and the second cell is the serving cell of the UE after the switching.

[0276] Clause 6. The method of any of clauses 2 to 5, wherein the one or more second antennas of the UE comprise a plurality of antennas, and the plurality of antennas are: configured to operate in millimeter-wave (mmW), in frequency range two (FR2), or any combination thereof; configured to transmit and receive a directional beam; displaced from one another; displaced from a center of the UE; at different edges of the UE; or any combination thereof.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO73 / 99

[0277] Clause 7. The method of any of clauses 2 to 6, further comprising: performing a radio frequency (RF) sensing procedure; and using an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model to determine multipath and NLOS conditions; wherein the location information is obtained based on the determined multipath and NLOS conditions.

[0278] Clause 8. The method of any of clauses 2 to 7, wherein: the location information is obtained based on one or more reference signals (RSs) that are received by the UE, transmitted by the UE, or both; and the one or more RSs are: in the second frequency or band; associated with the second cell; received, transmitted, or both via the one or more second antennas; associated with a radio access network (RAN) associated with the second PLMN, the second subscription or SIM, or any combination thereof; or any combination thereof.

[0279] Clause 9. The method of any of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the environment information element comprises: a badArea value indicating the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or a mixedArea value indicating a mix of heavy and light multipath conditions, a mix of NLOS and line-of-sight (LOS) conditions, undefined conditions, or any combination thereof.

[0280] Clause 10. The method of any of clauses 1 to 9, wherein: the request for location information is included in a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) request location information message; and the location information is included in an LPP provide location information message; and the network entity is a location management function (LMF).

[0281] Clause IL A user equipment (UE) comprising: one or more memories; one or more transceivers; and 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: receive, via the one or more transceivers, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an environment information element indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE; and switch, based on receiving the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, an operational mode of the UE; obtain location information based on the switching; and send, via the one or more transceivers, to the network entity, the location information.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO74 / 99

[0282] Clause 12. The UE of clause 11, wherein based on the switching: a first frequency or band is switched to a second frequency or band; a first cell is switched to a second cell; one or more first antennas of the UE are switched to one or more second antennas of the UE; a first network type of a plurality of network types is switched to a second network type of the plurality of network types; a first public land mobile network (PLMN) is switched to a second PLMN; a first subscription or subscriber identity module (SIM) of the UE is switched to a second subscription or SIM of the UE; or any combination thereof.

[0283] Clause 13. The UE of clause 12, wherein: the first frequency or band is in frequency range one (FR1); and the second frequency or band is millimeter-wave (mmW), in frequency range two (FR2), or any combination thereof.

[0284] Clause 14. The UE of any of clauses 12 to 13, wherein the plurality of network types comprise a terrestrial network type and a non-terrestrial network type.

[0285] Clause 15. The UE of any of clauses 12 to 14, wherein: the request for location information comprises an area cell list comprising the first cell and the second cell; the first cell is a serving cell of the UE before the switching; and the second cell is the serving cell of the UE after the switching.

[0286] Clause 16. The UE of any of clauses 12 to 15, wherein the one or more second antennas of the UE comprise a plurality of antennas, and the plurality of antennas are: configured to operate in millimeter-wave (mmW), in frequency range two (FR2), or any combination thereof; configured to transmit and receive a directional beam; displaced from one another; displaced from a center of the UE; at different edges of the UE; or any combination thereof.

[0287] Clause 17. The UE of any of clauses 12 to 16, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to: perform a radio frequency (RF) sensing procedure; and use an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model to determine multipath and NLOS conditions; wherein the location information is obtained based on the determined multipath and NLOS conditions.

[0288] Clause 18. The UE of any of clauses 12 to 17, wherein: the location information is obtained based on one or more reference signals (RSs) that are received by the UE, transmitted by the UE, or both; and the one or more RSs are: in the second frequency or band; associated with the second cell; received, transmitted, or both via the one or more second antennas; associated with a radio access network (RAN) associated with theQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO75 / 99second PLMN, the second subscription or SIM, or any combination thereof; or any combination thereof.

[0289] Clause 19. The UE of any of clauses 11 to 18, wherein the environment information element comprises: a badArea value indicating the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or a mixedArea value indicating a mix of heavy and light multipath conditions, a mix of NLOS and line-of-sight (LOS) conditions, undefined conditions, or any combination thereof.

[0290] Clause 20. The UE of any of clauses 11 to 19, wherein: the request for location information is included in a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) request location information message; and the location information is included in an LPP provide location information message; and the network entity is a location management function (LMF).

[0291] Clause 21. A user equipment (UE) comprising: means for receiving, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an environment information element indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE; and means for switching, based on receiving the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, an operational mode of the UE; means for obtaining location information based on the switching; and means for sending, to the network entity, the location information.

[0292] Clause 22. The UE of clause 21, wherein based on the switching: a first frequency or band is switched to a second frequency or band; a first cell is switched to a second cell; one or more first antennas of the UE are switched to one or more second antennas of the UE; a first network type of a plurality of network types is switched to a second network type of the plurality of network types; a first public land mobile network (PLMN) is switched to a second PLMN; a first subscription or subscriber identity module (SIM) of the UE is switched to a second subscription or SIM of the UE; or any combination thereof.

[0293] Clause 23. The UE of clause 22, wherein: the first frequency or band is in frequency range one (FR1); and the second frequency or band is millimeter-wave (mmW), in frequency range two (FR2), or any combination thereof.

[0294] Clause 24. The UE of any of clauses 22 to 23, wherein the plurality of network types comprise a terrestrial network type and a non-terrestrial network type.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO76 / 99

[0295] Clause 25. The UE of any of clauses 22 to 24, wherein: the request for location information comprises an area cell list comprising the first cell and the second cell; the first cell is a serving cell of the UE before the switching; and the second cell is the serving cell of the UE after the switching.

[0296] Clause 26. The UE of any of clauses 22 to 25, wherein the one or more second antennas of the UE comprise a plurality of antennas, and the plurality of antennas are: configured to operate in millimeter-wave (mmW), in frequency range two (FR2), or any combination thereof; configured to transmit and receive a directional beam; displaced from one another; displaced from a center of the UE; at different edges of the UE; or any combination thereof.

[0297] Clause 27. The UE of any of clauses 22 to 26, further comprising: means for performing a radio frequency (RF) sensing procedure; and means for using an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model to determine multipath and NLOS conditions; wherein the location information is obtained based on the determined multipath and NLOS conditions.

[0298] Clause 28. The UE of any of clauses 22 to 27, wherein: the location information is obtained based on one or more reference signals (RSs) that are received by the UE, transmitted by the UE, or both; and the one or more RSs are: in the second frequency or band; associated with the second cell; received, transmitted, or both via the one or more second antennas; associated with a radio access network (RAN) associated with the second PLMN, the second subscription or SIM, or any combination thereof; or any combination thereof.

[0299] Clause 29. The UE of any of clauses 21 to 28, wherein the environment information element comprises: a badArea value indicating the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or a mixedArea value indicating a mix of heavy and light multipath conditions, a mix of NLOS and line-of-sight (LOS) conditions, undefined conditions, or any combination thereof.

[0300] Clause 30. The UE of any of clauses 21 to 29, wherein: the request for location information is included in a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) request location information message; and the location information is included in an LPP provide location information message; and the network entity is a location management function (LMF).QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO77 / 99

[0301] Clause 31. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (ue), cause the UE to: receive, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an environment information element indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE; and switch, based on receiving the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, an operational mode of the UE; obtain location information based on the switching; and send, to the network entity, the location information.

[0302] Clause 32. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 31, wherein based on the switching: a first frequency or band is switched to a second frequency or band; a first cell is switched to a second cell; one or more first antennas of the UE are switched to one or more second antennas of the UE; a first network type of a plurality of network types is switched to a second network type of the plurality of network types; a first public land mobile network (PLMN) is switched to a second PLMN; a first subscription or subscriber identity module (SIM) of the UE is switched to a second subscription or SIM of the UE; or any combination thereof.

[0303] Clause 33. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 32, wherein: the first frequency or band is in frequency range one (FR1); and the second frequency or band is millimeter-wave (mmW), in frequency range two (FR2), or any combination thereof.

[0304] Clause 34. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 32 to 33, wherein the plurality of network types comprise a terrestrial network type and a nonterrestrial network type.

[0305] Clause 35. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 32 to 34, wherein: the request for location information comprises an area cell list comprising the first cell and the second cell; the first cell is a serving cell of the UE before the switching; and the second cell is the serving cell of the UE after the switching.

[0306] Clause 36. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 32 to 35, wherein the one or more second antennas of the UE comprise a plurality of antennas, and the plurality of antennas are: configured to operate in millimeter- wave (mmW), in frequency range two (FR2), or any combination thereof; configured to transmit and receive a directional beam; displaced from one another; displaced from a center of the UE; at different edges of the UE; or any combination thereof.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO78 / 99

[0307] Clause 37. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 32 to 36, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: perform a radio frequency (RF) sensing procedure; and use an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model to determine multipath and NLOS conditions; wherein the location information is obtained based on the determined multipath and NLOS conditions.

[0308] Clause 38. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 32 to 37, wherein: the location information is obtained based on one or more reference signals (RSs) that are received by the UE, transmitted by the UE, or both; and the one or more RSs are: in the second frequency or band; associated with the second cell; received, transmitted, or both via the one or more second antennas; associated with a radio access network (RAN) associated with the second PLMN, the second subscription or SIM, or any combination thereof; or any combination thereof.

[0309] Clause 39. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 31 to 38, wherein the environment information element comprises: a badArea value indicating the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or a mixedArea value indicating a mix of heavy and light multipath conditions, a mix of NLOS and line-of-sight (LOS) conditions, undefined conditions, or any combination thereof.

[0310] Clause 40. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 31 to 39, wherein: the request for location information is included in a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) request location information message; and the location information is included in an LPP provide location information message; and the network entity is a location management function (LMF).

[0311] Clause 41. A method of wireless positioning performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; obtaining location information in response to the request, wherein based on the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions being associated with the first PT, the first frequency or band, or any combination thereof, the location information is obtained based on: a second PT differentQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO79 / 99from the first PT; a second frequency or band different from the first frequency or band; or any combination thereof; and sending, to the network entity, the location information.

[0312] Clause 42. The method of clause 41, wherein: the first PT is global navigation satellite system (GNSS); or the first PT is wireless wide area network (WWAN).

[0313] Clause 43. The method of any of clauses 41 to 42, wherein: the first frequency or band and the second frequency or band are selected from a group of GNSS frequencies or bands comprising LI, L2, and L5; or the first frequency or band and the second frequency or band are selected from a group of WWAN frequencies or bands comprising frequency range one (FR1) and frequency range two (FR2).

[0314] Clause 44. The method of any of clauses 41 to 43, wherein the IE in the request is a PT- specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular positioning technology.

[0315] Clause 45. The method of any of clauses 41 to 44, wherein the IE in the request is a frequency-or-band-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of- sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular frequency or band.

[0316] Clause 46. The method of any of clauses 41 to 45, wherein the request further comprises:an environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE; an environment information source IE indicating an information source associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or any combination thereof.

[0317] Clause 47. The method of clause 46, wherein the information source is: a sensing management function (SnMF); an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model; a core network; an access and mobility management function (AMF); a wireless local area network (WLAN) network; a crowd-sourced information source; or any combination thereof.

[0318] Clause 48. The method of any of clauses 41 to 47, wherein the request further comprises an environment information status IE indicating an information status associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions.

[0319] Clause 49. The method of clause 48, wherein the information status is: a new or fresh status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; an old or stale status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; a timestamp associatedQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO80 / 99with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or any combination thereof.

[0320] Clause 50. The method of any of clauses 41 to 49, wherein: the request for location information is included in a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) request location information message; and the location information is included in an LPP provide location information message.

[0321] Clause 51. A user equipment (UE) comprising: one or more memories; one or more transceivers; and 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: receive, via the one or more transceivers, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; obtain location information in response to the request, wherein based on the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions being associated with the first PT, the first frequency or band, or any combination thereof, the location information is obtained based on: a second PT different from the first PT; a second frequency or band different from the first frequency or band; or any combination thereof; and send, via the one or more transceivers, to the network entity, the location information.

[0322] Clause 52. The UE of clause 51, wherein: the first PT is global navigation satellite system (GNSS); or the first PT is wireless wide area network (WWAN).

[0323] Clause 53. The UE of any of clauses 51 to 52, wherein: the first frequency or band and the second frequency or band are selected from a group of GNSS frequencies or bands comprising LI, L2, and L5; or the first frequency or band and the second frequency or band are selected from a group of WWAN frequencies or bands comprising frequency range one (FR1) and frequency range two (FR2).

[0324] Clause 54. The UE of any of clauses 51 to 53, wherein the IE in the request is a PT- specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular positioning technology.

[0325] Clause 55. The UE of any of clauses 51 to 54, wherein the IE in the request is a frequency- or-band-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular frequency or band.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO81 / 99

[0326] Clause 56. The UE of any of clauses 51 to 55, wherein the request further comprises: an environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE; an environment information source IE indicating an information source associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or any combination thereof.

[0327] Clause 57. The UE of clause 56, wherein the information source is: a sensing management function (SnMF); an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model; a core network; an access and mobility management function (AMF); a wireless local area network (WLAN) network; a crowd-sourced information source; or any combination thereof.

[0328] Clause 58. The UE of any of clauses 51 to 57, wherein the request further comprises an environment information status IE indicating an information status associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions.

[0329] Clause 59. The UE of clause 58, wherein the information status is: a new or fresh status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; an old or stale status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; a timestamp associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or any combination thereof.

[0330] Clause 60. The UE of any of clauses 51 to 59, wherein: the request for location information is included in a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) request location information message; and the location information is included in an LPP provide location information message.

[0331] Clause 61. A user equipment (UE) comprising: means for receiving, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; means for obtaining location information in response to the request, wherein based on the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions being associated with the first PT, the first frequency or band, or any combination thereof, the location information is obtained based on: a second PT different from the first PT; a second frequency or band different from the first frequency or band; or any combination thereof; and means for sending, to the network entity, the location information.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO82 / 99

[0332] Clause 62. The UE of clause 61, wherein: the first PT is global navigation satellite system (GNSS); or the first PT is wireless wide area network (WWAN).

[0333] Clause 63. The UE of any of clauses 61 to 62, wherein: the first frequency or band and the second frequency or band are selected from a group of GNSS frequencies or bands comprising LI, L2, and L5; or the first frequency or band and the second frequency or band are selected from a group of WWAN frequencies or bands comprising frequency range one (FR1) and frequency range two (FR2).

[0334] Clause 64. The UE of any of clauses 61 to 63, wherein the IE in the request is a PT- specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular positioning technology.

[0335] Clause 65. The UE of any of clauses 61 to 64, wherein the IE in the request is a frequency - or-band-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular frequency or band.

[0336] Clause 66. The UE of any of clauses 61 to 65, wherein the request further comprises: an environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE; an environment information source IE indicating an information source associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or any combination thereof.

[0337] Clause 67. The UE of clause 66, wherein the information source is: a sensing management function (SnMF); an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model; a core network; an access and mobility management function (AMF); a wireless local area network (WLAN) network; a crowd-sourced information source; or any combination thereof.

[0338] Clause 68. The UE of any of clauses 61 to 67, wherein the request further comprises an environment information status IE indicating an information status associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions.

[0339] Clause 69. The UE of clause 68, wherein the information status is: a new or fresh status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; an old or stale status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; a timestamp associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or any combination thereof.

[0340] Clause 70. The UE of any of clauses 61 to 69, wherein: the request for location information is included in a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) requestQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO83 / 99location information message; and the location information is included in an LPP provide location information message.

[0341] Clause 71. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (ue), cause the UE to: receive, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; obtain location information in response to the request, wherein based on the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions being associated with the first PT, the first frequency or band, or any combination thereof, the location information is obtained based on: a second PT different from the first PT; a second frequency or band different from the first frequency or band; or any combination thereof; and send, to the network entity, the location information.

[0342] Clause 72. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 71, wherein: the first PT is global navigation satellite system (GNSS); or the first PT is wireless wide area network (WWAN).

[0343] Clause 73. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 71 to 72, wherein: the first frequency or band and the second frequency or band are selected from a group of GNSS frequencies or bands comprising LI, L2, and L5; or the first frequency or band and the second frequency or band are selected from a group of WWAN frequencies or bands comprising frequency range one (FR1) and frequency range two (FR2).

[0344] Clause 74. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 71 to 73, wherein the IE in the request is a PT-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular positioning technology.

[0345] Clause 75. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 71 to 74, wherein the IE in the request is a frequency-or-band-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular frequency or band.

[0346] Clause 76. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 71 to 75, wherein the request further comprises: an environment IE indicating heavy multipath andQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO84 / 99non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE; an environment information source IE indicating an information source associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or any combination thereof.

[0347] Clause 77. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 76, wherein the information source is: a sensing management function (SnMF); an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model; a core network; an access and mobility management function (AMF); a wireless local area network (WLAN) network; a crowd-sourced information source; or any combination thereof.

[0348] Clause 78. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 71 to 77, wherein the request further comprises an environment information status IE indicating an information status associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions.

[0349] Clause 79. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 78, wherein the information status is: a new or fresh status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; an old or stale status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; a timestamp associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or any combination thereof.

[0350] Clause 80. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 71 to 79, wherein: the request for location information is included in a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) request location information message; and the location information is included in an LPP provide location information message.

[0351] Clause 81. A method of wireless positioning performed by a network entity, comprising:sending, to a user equipment (UE), a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of- sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; and receiving, from the UE, the location information.

[0352] Clause 82. The method of clause 81, wherein the IE in the request is a PT-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular positioning technology.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO85 / 99

[0353] Clause 83. The method of any of clauses 81 to 82, wherein the IE in the request is a frequency-or-band-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of- sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular frequency or band.

[0354] Clause 84. The method of any of clauses 81 to 83, further comprising determining an information source associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, wherein the request further comprises an environment information source IE indicating the information source.

[0355] Clause 85. The method of clause 84, wherein the information source is: one or more positioning nodes different from the UE; a sensing management function (SnMF); an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model; a core network; an access and mobility management function (AMF); a wireless local area network (WLAN) network; a crowd-sourced information source; or any combination thereof.

[0356] Clause 86. The method of any of clauses 81 to 85, further comprising determining an information status associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, wherein the request further comprises an environment information status IE indicating the information status.

[0357] Clause 87. The method of clause 86, wherein the information status is: a new or fresh status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; an old or stale status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; a timestamp associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or any combination thereof.

[0358] Clause 88. The method of any of clauses 81 to 87, wherein the network entity is a location management function (LMF).

[0359] Clause 89. A network entity comprising: one or more memories; one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, configured to: send, to a user equipment (UE), a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; and receive, from the UE, the location information.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO86 / 99

[0360] Clause 90. The network entity of clause 89, wherein the IE in the request is a PT-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular positioning technology.

[0361] Clause 91. The network entity of any of clauses 89 to 90, wherein the IE in the request is a frequency-or-band-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of- sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular frequency or band.

[0362] Clause 92. The network entity of any of clauses 89 to 91, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to determine an information source associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, wherein the request further comprises an environment information source IE indicating the information source.

[0363] Clause 93. The network entity of clause 92, wherein the information source is: one or more positioning nodes different from the UE; a sensing management function (SnMF); an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model; a core network; an access and mobility management function (AMF); a wireless local area network (WLAN) network; a crowd-sourced information source; or any combination thereof.

[0364] Clause 94. The network entity of any of clauses 89 to 93, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to determine an information status associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, wherein the request further comprises an environment information status IE indicating the information status.

[0365] Clause 95. The network entity of clause 94, wherein the information status is: a new or fresh status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; an old or stale status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; a timestamp associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or any combination thereof.

[0366] Clause 96. The network entity of any of clauses 89 to 95, wherein the network entity is a location management function (LMF).

[0367] Clause 97. A network entity comprising: means for sending, to a user equipment (UE), a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions areQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO87 / 99associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; and means for receiving, from the UE, the location information.

[0368] Clause 98. The network entity of clause 97, wherein the IE in the request is a PT-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular positioning technology.

[0369] Clause 99. The network entity of any of clauses 97 to 98, wherein the IE in the request is a frequency-or-band-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of- sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular frequency or band.

[0370] Clause 100. The network entity of any of clauses 97 to 99, further comprising means for determining an information source associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, wherein the request further comprises an environment information source IE indicating the information source.

[0371] Clause 101. The network entity of clause 100, wherein the information source is: one or more positioning nodes different from the UE; a sensing management function (SnMF); an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model; a core network; an access and mobility management function (AMF); a wireless local area network (WLAN) network; a crowd-sourced information source; or any combination thereof.

[0372] Clause 102. The network entity of any of clauses 97 to 101, further comprising means for determining an information status associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, wherein the request further comprises an environment information status IE indicating the information status.

[0373] Clause 103. The network entity of clause 102, wherein the information status is: a new or fresh status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; an old or stale status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; a timestamp associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or any combination thereof.

[0374] Clause 104. The network entity of any of clauses 97 to 103, wherein the network entity is a location management function (LMF).

[0375] Clause 105. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a network entity, cause the network entity to: send, to a user equipment (UE), a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sightQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO88 / 99(NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; and receive, from the UE, the location information.

[0376] Clause 106. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 105, wherein the IE in the request is a PT-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line- of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular positioning technology.

[0377] Clause 107. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 105 to 106, wherein the IE in the request is a frequency-or-band-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular frequency or band.

[0378] Clause 108. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 105 to 107, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the network entity, cause the network entity to determine an information source associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, wherein the request further comprises an environment information source IE indicating the information source.

[0379] Clause 109. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 108, wherein the information source is: one or more positioning nodes different from the UE; a sensing management function (SnMF); an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model; a core network; an access and mobility management function (AMF); a wireless local area network (WLAN) network; a crowd-sourced information source; or any combination thereof.

[0380] Clause 110. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 105 to 109, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the network entity, cause the network entity to determine an information status associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, wherein the request further comprises an environment information status IE indicating the information status.

[0381] Clause 111. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 110, wherein the information status is: a new or fresh status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; an old or stale status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; a timestamp associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or any combination thereof.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO89 / 99

[0382] Clause 112. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 105 to 111, wherein the network entity is a location management function (LMF).

[0383] 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.

[0384] 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 described 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.

[0385] 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.

[0386] The methods, sequences and / or algorithms described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executedQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO90 / 99by 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.

[0387] 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 available 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.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO91 / 99

[0388] 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 described 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.QC2500764WO

Claims

Qualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO92 / 99CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A user equipment (UE) comprising:one or more memories;one or more transceivers; andone 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:receive, via the one or more transceivers, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an environment information element indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE; andswitch, based on receiving the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, an operational mode of the UE;obtain location information based on the switching; andsend, via the one or more transceivers, to the network entity, the location information.

2. The UE of claim 1, wherein based on the switching:a first frequency or band is switched to a second frequency or band; a first cell is switched to a second cell;one or more first antennas of the UE are switched to one or more second antennas of the UE;a first network type of a plurality of network types is switched to a second network type of the plurality of network types;a first public land mobile network (PLMN) is switched to a second PLMN; a first subscription or subscriber identity module (SIM) of the UE is switched to a second subscription or SIM of the UE; orany combination thereof.

3. The UE of claim 2, wherein:the first frequency or band is in frequency range one (FR1); andQC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO93 / 99the second frequency or band is millimeter-wave (mmW), in frequency range two (FR2), or any combination thereof.

4. The UE of claim 2, wherein the plurality of network types comprise a terrestrial network type and a non-terrestrial network type.

5. The UE of claim 2, wherein:the request for location information comprises an area cell list comprising the first cell and the second cell;the first cell is a serving cell of the UE before the switching; and the second cell is the serving cell of the UE after the switching.

6. The UE of claim 2, wherein the one or more second antennas of the UE comprise a plurality of antennas, and the plurality of antennas are:configured to operate in millimeter-wave (mmW), in frequency range two (FR2), or any combination thereof;configured to transmit and receive a directional beam;displaced from one another;displaced from a center of the UE;at different edges of the UE; orany combination thereof.

7. The UE of claim 2, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to:perform a radio frequency (RF) sensing procedure; anduse an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model to determine multipath and NLOS conditions;wherein the location information is obtained based on the determined multipath and NLOS conditions.

8. The UE of claim 2, wherein:the location information is obtained based on one or more reference signals (RSs) that are received by the UE, transmitted by the UE, or both; andthe one or more RSs are:in the second frequency or band;QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO94 / 99associated with the second cell;received, transmitted, or both via the one or more second antennas; associated with a radio access network (RAN) associated with the second PLMN, the second subscription or SIM, or any combination thereof; orany combination thereof.

9. The UE of claim 1, wherein the environment information element comprises:a badArea value indicating the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or a mixedArea value indicating a mix of heavy and light multipath conditions, a mix of NLOS and line-of-sight (LOS) conditions, undefined conditions, or any combination thereof.

10. The UE of claim 1, wherein:the request for location information is included in a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) request location information message;the location information is included in an LPP provide location information message; andthe network entity is a location management function (LMF).IL A method of wireless positioning performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising:receiving, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an environment information element indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE; and switching, based on receiving the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, an operational mode of the UE;obtaining location information based on the switching; andsending, to the network entity, the location information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein based on the switching:a first frequency or band is switched to a second frequency or band; a first cell is switched to a second cell;one or more first antennas of the UE are switched to one or more second antennas of the UE;QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO95 / 99a first network type of a plurality of network types is switched to a second network type of the plurality of network types;a first public land mobile network (PLMN) is switched to a second PLMN; a first subscription or subscriber identity module (SIM) of the UE is switched to a second subscription or SIM of the UE; orany combination thereof.

13. A user equipment (UE) comprising:one or more memories;one or more transceivers; andone 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:receive, via the one or more transceivers, from a network entity, a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof;obtain location information in response to the request, wherein based on the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions being associated with the first PT, the first frequency or band, or any combination thereof, the location information is obtained based on:a second PT different from the first PT;a second frequency or band different from the first frequency or band; orany combination thereof; andsend, via the one or more transceivers, to the network entity, the location information.

14. The UE of claim 13, wherein:the first PT is global navigation satellite system (GNSS); orthe first PT is wireless wide area network (WWAN).

15. The UE of claim 13, wherein:QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO96 / 99the first frequency or band and the second frequency or band are selected from a group of GNSS frequencies or bands comprising LI, L2, and L5; or the first frequency or band and the second frequency or band are selected from a group of WWAN frequencies or bands comprising frequency range one (FR1) and frequency range two (FR2).

16. The UE of claim 13, wherein the IE in the request is a PT-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular positioning technology.

17. The UE of claim 13, wherein the IE in the request is a frequency-or-band-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular frequency or band.

18. The UE of claim 13, wherein the request further comprises:an environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions in an area of the UE;an environment information source IE indicating an information source associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; or any combination thereof.

19. The UE of claim 18, wherein the information source is:a sensing management function (SnMF);an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model;a core network;an access and mobility management function (AMF);a wireless local area network (WLAN) network;a crowd-sourced information source; orany combination thereof.

20. The UE of claim 13, wherein the request further comprises an environment information status IE indicating an information status associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions.

21. The UE of claim 20, wherein the information status is:QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO97 / 99a new or fresh status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions;an old or stale status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions;a timestamp associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; orany combination thereof.

22. The UE of claim 13, wherein:the request for location information is included in a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) request location information message; andthe location information is included in an LPP provide location information message.

23. A network entity comprising:one or more memories;one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, configured to:send, to a user equipment (UE), a request for location information, wherein the request comprises an information element (IE) indicating that heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions are associated with a first positioning technology (PT), a first frequency or band, or any combination thereof; andreceive, from the UE, the location information.

24. The network entity of claim 23, wherein the IE in the request is a PT-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular positioning technology.

25. The network entity of claim 23, wherein the IE in the request is a frequency-or-band-specific environment IE indicating heavy multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions associated with a particular frequency or band.QC2500764WOQualcomm Ref. No. 2500764WO98 / 9926. The network entity of claim 23, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to determine an information source associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, wherein the request further comprises an environment information source IE indicating the information source.

27. The network entity of claim 26, wherein the information source is:one or more positioning nodes different from the UE;a sensing management function (SnMF);an artificial intelligence machine learning (AIML) model;a core network;an access and mobility management function (AMF);a wireless local area network (WLAN) network;a crowd-sourced information source; orany combination thereof.

28. The network entity of claim 23, wherein the one or more processors, either alone or in combination, are further configured to determine an information status associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions, wherein the request further comprises an environment information status IE indicating the information status.

29. The network entity of claim 28, wherein the information status is:a new or fresh status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions;an old or stale status of the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions;a timestamp associated with the indication of the heavy multipath and NLOS conditions; orany combination thereof.

30. The network entity of claim 23, wherein the network entity is a location management function (LMF).QC2500764WO

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