TECHNICAL FIELD:

[0001] The teachings in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invention relate generally to solving an ambiguity problem in device positioning and, more specifically, relate to solving an ambiguity problem in device positioning using a signalling framework to determine and report independent channel taps that correspond to different propagation paths.

BACKGROUND:

[0002] This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention that is recited in the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0003] Certain abbreviations that may be found in the description and/or in the Figures are herewith defined as follows:

AOA Angle of Arrival

CMD Cluster Mean Delay

CMP Cluster Mean Power

CRMS cluster RMS delay spread

CRMS A cluster RMS AOA spread

CS Cluster Sparsity gNB 5G Base Station

LOS Line of Sight

LPP LTE Positioning Protocol

LMC Local Location Management Component LMF Location Management Function

N-CRMS Cluster Normalized Delay Spread

N-CS Cluster Normalized Sparsity

NLOS Non-line of sight

NR New Radio (5G)

NRPPa New Radio Positioning Protocol A

PRS Positioning Reference Signal

RMS Root Mean Square

RTT Round Trip Time

TRP Transmission Reception Point

UE User Equipment

[0004] Wireless communication systems have developed through various generations. A fifth generation (5G) wireless standard, referred to as New Radio (NR), calls for at least higher data transfer speeds, higher numbers of connections, and improved coverage. The 5G standard, according to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance, is designed to provide data rates of several tens of megabits per second to each of tens of thousands of users, and hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections could be supported. As a result, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communications should be significantly enhanced and latency should be substantially reduced compared to the current 4G standard.

[0005] A wireless multiple-access communications system may include a number of base stations or network access nodes, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE). A wireless communications network is required to implement techniques to keep track of the position of a UE in the wireless communications network.

[0006] Example embodiment’s of the invention at least work to improve positioning operations including addressing an ambiguity problem of multipaths for the positioning. SUMMARY:

[0007] This section contains examples of possible implementations and is not meant to be limiting.

[0008] In an example aspect of the invention, there is an apparatus, such as a first network entity apparatus of a communication network, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory memory including computer program code, where the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least perform: sending, towards a second network entity of the communication network, first information for determining a cluster of correlated channel taps, and second information for characterizing a propagation path to which a cluster of channel taps corresponds; receiving, from the second network entity, positioning measurement information characterizing a number of propagation paths to which a respective number of clusters of channel taps correspond, wherein the number of clusters are determined in accordance with the first information, and wherein the number of propagation paths are characterized in accordance with the second information.

[0009] In another example aspect of the invention, there is a method comprising: sending, by a first network entity of a communication network towards a second network entity of the communication network, first information for determining a cluster of correlated channel taps, and second information for characterizing a propagation path to which a cluster of channel taps corresponds; receiving, by the first network entity from the second network entity, positioning measurement information characterizing a number of propagation paths to which a respective number of clusters of channel taps correspond, wherein the number of clusters are determined in accordance with the first information, and wherein the number of propagation paths are characterized in accordance with the second information.

[0010] A further example embodiment is an apparatus and a method comprising the apparatus and the method of the previous paragraphs, wherein there is sending, by the first network entity towards the second network entity of a communication network, third information indicative of the number of propagation paths to be characterized by the second network entity, and/or wherein the number of propagation paths is based on an expected channel power delay profile, and/or wherein there is, based on the positioning measurement information, performing, by the first network entity, a classification algorithm to classify a propagation path as a line of sight path or as a nonline of sight path, wherein the number of propagation paths is based on a number of paths required for the classification algorithm, and/or wherein the characterization of a propagation path comprises selecting a single channel tap representative of the propagation path in a cluster of channel taps, and/or wherein the selection of the single channel tap comprises selecting one of a strongest channel tap in a cluster of channel taps, a first channel tap in a cluster of channel taps, and a channel tap whose complex gain can be computed as a linear combination of channel taps in a cluster of channel taps, and/or wherein the number of clusters contain multiple independent channel taps corresponding to different propagation paths, and/or wherein the first information comprises assistance data from a location management function associated with the first network entity, and/or wherein the assistance data relates to at least one of how to aggregate channel taps into clusters, and how to determine cluster boundaries, and/or wherein there is, in response to the receiving, performing, by the first network entity, estimating a location for a user equipment, and/or wherein the first information comprises at least one of: a time difference threshold (or time gap) between channel taps, an angle difference threshold between channel taps, a correlation threshold in a time window, a power difference threshold (or power gap) between channel taps, and a phase difference threshold between channel taps, and/or wherein the positioning measurement information comprises a set of metrics representative of a cluster distribution in at least one of a time domain, a delay domain, and a space domain, and/or wherein the set of metrics comprises at least one of a first-order moment and a second- order moment of the cluster distribution, and/or wherein, based on the positioning measurement information, the method comprising sending, by the first network entity to another network entity of the communication network, a request to characterize and to report additional independent paths, and/or wherein the first network entity comprises a radio access network, RAN, node or a network entity hosting a location management function, and wherein the second network entity comprises a RAN node or a user equipment.

[0011] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program code, the program code executed by at least one processor to perform at least the method as described in the paragraphs above.

[0012] In another example aspect of the invention, there is an apparatus, such as a first network entity apparatus of a communication network, comprising: means for sending, towards a second network entity of the communication network, first information for determining a cluster of correlated channel taps, and second information for characterizing a propagation path to which a cluster of channel taps corresponds; means for receiving, from the second network entity, positioning measurement information characterizing a number of propagation paths to which a respective number clusters of channel taps correspond, wherein the number of clusters are determined in accordance with the first information, and wherein the number of propagation paths are characterized in accordance with the second information.

[0013] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraph above, at least the means for sending, receiving, characterizing, determining, and finalizing comprises a network interface, and computer program code stored on a computer-readable medium and executed by at least one processor.

[0014] In another example aspect of the invention, there is an apparatus, such as a second network entity apparatus of a communication network, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory memory including computer program code, where the at least one non-transitory memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least perform: receiving, from a first network entity of the communication network, first information for determining a cluster of correlated channel taps, and second information for characterizing a propagation path to which a cluster of channel taps corresponds; and sending, by the second network entity towards the first network entity, positioning measurement information characterizing a number of propagation paths to which a respective number of clusters of channel taps correspond, wherein the number of clusters are determined in accordance with the first information, and wherein the number of propagation paths are characterized in accordance with the second information.

[0015] In another example aspect of the invention, there is a method comprising: receiving, by a second network entity of a communication network from a first network entity of the communication network, first information for determining a cluster of correlated channel taps, and second information for characterizing a propagation path to which a cluster of channel taps corresponds; and sending, by the second network entity towards the first network entity, positioning measurement information characterizing a number of propagation paths to which a respective number of clusters of channel taps correspond, wherein the number of clusters are determined in accordance with the first information, and wherein the number of propagation paths are characterized in accordance with the second information.

[0016] A further example embodiment is an apparatus and a method comprising the apparatus and the method of the previous paragraphs, wherein there is receiving, from the first network entity of the communication network, third information indicative of the number of propagation paths to be characterized by the second network entity, and/or wherein the number of propagation paths is based on an expected channel power delay profile, and/or wherein there is, based on the positioning measurement information, using a classification algorithm to classify a propagation path as a line of sight path or as a non-line of sight path, wherein the number of propagation paths is based on a number of paths required for the classification algorithm, and/or wherein the characterization of a propagation path comprises selecting a single channel tap representative of the propagation path in a cluster of channel taps, and/or wherein the s selection of the single channel tap comprises selecting one of a strongest channel tap in a cluster of channel taps, a first channel tap in a cluster of channel taps, and a channel tap whose complex gain can be computed as a linear combination of channel taps in a cluster of channel taps, and/or wherein the number of clusters contain multiple independent channel taps corresponding to different propagation paths, and/or wherein the first information comprises assistance data from a location management function associated with the first network entity, and/or wherein the assistance data relates to at least one of how to aggregate channel taps into clusters, and how to determine cluster boundaries, and/or wherein, in response to the sending, a location for a user equipment is estimated, and/or wherein the first information comprises at least one of: a time difference threshold (or time gap) between channel taps, an angle difference threshold between channel taps, a correlation threshold in a time window, a power difference threshold (or power gap) between channel taps, or a phase difference threshold between channel taps, and/or wherein the positioning measurement information comprises a set of metrics representative of a cluster distribution in at least one of a time domain, a delay domain, and a space domain, and/or wherein the set of metrics comprises at least one of a first-order moment and a second-order moment of the cluster distribution, and/or wherein the second network entity comprises a radio access network, RAN, node or a user equipment, and wherein the first network entity comprises a RAN node or a network entity hosting a location management function.

[0017] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program code, the program code executed by at least one processor to perform at least the method as described in the paragraphs above.

[0018] In another example aspect of the invention, there is an apparatus, such as a second network entity apparatus of a communication network, comprising: means for receiving, from a first network entity of the communication network, first information for determining a cluster of correlated channel taps, and second information for characterizing a propagation path to which a cluster of channel taps corresponds; and means for sending, towards the first network entity, positioning measurement information characterizing a number of propagation paths to which a respective number of clusters of channel taps correspond, wherein the number of clusters are determined in accordance with the first information, and wherein the number of propagation paths are characterized in accordance with the second information.

[0019] A communication system comprising the apparatus performing operations as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0020] The above and other aspects, features, and benefits of various embodiments of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs are used to designate like or equivalent elements. The drawings are illustrated for facilitating better understanding of the embodiments of the disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows an example problem of multiple paths being reported for a single true (or propagation) path;

[0022] FIG. 2 shows an overall signaling flow of operations in accordance with example embodiments of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a high level block diagram of various devices used in carrying out various aspects of the invention; and

[0024] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B each show a method in accordance with example embodiments of the invention which may be performed by an apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

[0025] In example embodiments of this invention there is proposed a solution using a signalling framework to determine and report independent channel taps that correspond to different propagation paths for ambiguity problems in device positioning.

[0026] A Rel-16 work item was conducted in 3 GPP for native positioning support in New Radio (NR). As the result of that work, the following positioning solutions are specified for NR Rel-16:

Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (DL-TDOA); Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (UL-TDOA);

Downlink Angle of Departure (DL-AoD);

Uplink Angle of Arrival (UL-AoA); and

Multi-cell Round Trip Time (Multi-RTT).

[0027] One of the biggest error sources in positioning systems is the presence of non- line of sight (NLOS) or multipath components. As part of the Rel-17 enhanced positioning WID the following objective was completed:

• Study and specify, if agreed, the enhancements of information reporting from UE and gNB for multipath/NLOS mitigation.

[0028] Up to 8 paths were decided to be supported by the criteria for path selection left to UE implementation. Meaning that when the UE reports 8 paths the LMF has no knowledge of how those paths were selected or whether they are independent. Similarly, it is also up to the gNB implementation for gNB measurements on UL SRS, so the LMF may not be able to know if the nth path "gNB Rx-Tx measurement" and "UE Rx-Tx measurement" are aligned. In other words, the LMF has no knowledge on whether the gNB and UE nth path corresponds to the same physical reflection. In addition, this is also problematic for the first path detection.

[0029] In Rel-18 a further SI/WI on positioning enhancements was agreed and as part of the SI carrier phase positioning will be investigated: o Study solutions for accuracy improvement based on NR carrier phase measurements:

■ Reference signals, physical layer measurements, physical layer procedures to enable positioning based on NR carrier phase measurements for both UE-based and UE-assisted positioning; [0030] Carrier phase positioning relies on the UE measuring the phase of a DL signal and reporting it to the network. It is critical for good performance that the UE can determine the first arrival path correctly so that the phase is meaningful.

[0031] In Rel-16 additional timing paths (up to 2) are supported for RSTD, RTOA, and UE/gNB Rx-Tx time difference measurements. To report these paths or not is fully up to UE/TRP implementation and they can be included in the measurement reports defined in the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) and New Radio Positioning Protocol a (NRPPa).

[0032] In Rel-17 the additional paths can be used by the LMF to run outlier rejection and/or NLOS identification methods before performing the final position estimate. One such method that the LMF could run is to compare the timing/power/angle (if available) to different channel profiles and then classify individual links as LoS/NLoS. One problem with the current state of the art is that there is no method for the LMF to request a specific number of independent paths from the UE/TRP. An independent path is a path that corresponds to a physical reflection i.e., a route that the wireless signal follows from the signal source to the destination.

[0033] A related problem is that how to define an independent path is still an open question in Rel-18 impacting the following study points:

LOS identification;

SL positioning measurement acquisition; and

Carrier phase extraction.

[0034] Ideally, a receiver will report the LoS path as the main path and other paths, corresponding to independent physical reflections, as additional paths. For example, looking at Figure 1 we can see that the true delay (or delay associated with a propagation path) of the received signal for the LoS path does not directly map to only one received sample. The receiver on the right of Figure 1 may report multiple samples as different paths when in reality these correspond to a single propagation arrival path. This can be extended to multiple paths arriving at a receiver, with some being LoS paths and some being NLoS paths. The multiple taps around a single path are not independent, and the cluster that they form is in fact representative of a single reflector.

[0035] In NLOS conditions shadow fading in positioning measurements appears to be similar to lower frequency bands, while the measurement results show a higher shadow fading (> 10 dB). This due to the larger dynamic range allowed and a loss in some ray tracing experiments, such that signal trends over frequency appear somewhat indeterminable across a wide range of frequencies.

[0036] To sum up, due to sampling limitations and other RX processing artifacts, a single independent propagation path may appear as a cluster of interdependent (correlated) taps. Then, in the current state of the art, the positioning receiver is likely to report taps of the same cluster (i.e., correlated taps) as independent paths.

[0037] This is problematic for:

Multipath-based positioning in both UL and DL NR positioning;

LOS detection; and

RTT positioning when both the UE and gNB are requested to report N paths: in this case, e.g., the UE is likely to report paths that may be partly/total correlated with each other but mismatched to those reported by the gNB, incumbering the LMF task of correctly identifying reflections and a direct path.

[0038] Since there is no clear definition of what an independent path is, there is an ambiguity related to what/how the following aspects should be standardized and/or implemented:

First path detection and additional path reporting as currently supported in LPP; Carrier phase localization methods; and

Positioning measurement acquisition in SL positioning.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows an example problem of multiple paths being reported for a single true path.

[0040] Example embodiments of the invention relate to solving a current ambiguity problem of independent multipaths including a signalling framework that aids a positioning receiver to determine and report independent channel taps that correspond to different propagation paths, such as wireless or fixed propagation paths.

[0041] Before describing the example embodiments of the invention in detail, reference is made to FIG. 3 for illustrating a simplified block diagram of various electronic devices that are suitable for use in practicing the example embodiments of this invention.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting exemplary system in which the example embodiments of the invention may be practiced. In FIG.

3, a user equipment (UE) 10 is in wireless communication with a wireless network 1 or network, 1 as in FIG. 3. The wireless network 1 or network 1 as in FIG. 3 can comprise a communication network such as a mobile network e.g., the mobile network 1 or first mobile network as disclosed herein. Any reference herein to a wireless network 1 as in FIG. 3 can be seen as a reference to any wireless network as disclosed herein. Further, the wireless network 1 as in FIG. 3 can also comprises hardwired features as may be required by a communication network. A UE is a wireless, typically mobile device that can access a wireless network. The UE, for example, may be a mobile phone (or called a "cellular" phone) and/or a computer with a mobile terminal function. For example, the UE or mobile terminal may also be a portable, pocket, handheld, computer- embedded or vehicle-mounted mobile device and performs a language signaling and/or data exchange with the RAN. [0043] The UE 10 includes one or more processors DP 10A, one or more memories MEM 10B, and one or more transceivers TRANS 10D interconnected through one or more buses. Each of the one or more transceivers TRANS 10D includes a receiver and a transmitter. The one or more buses may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, and the like. The one or more transceivers TRANS 10D which can be optionally connected to one or more antennas for communication to NN 12 and NN 13, respectively. The one or more memories MEM 10B include computer program code PROG 10C. The UE 10 communicates with NN 12 and/or NN 13 via a wireless link 11 or 16.

[0044] The NN 12 (NR/5G Node B, an evolved NB, or LTE device) is a network node such as a master or secondary node base station (e.g., for NR or LTE long term evolution) that communicates with devices such as NN 13 and UE 10 of FIG. 3. The NN 12 provides access to wireless devices such as the UE 10 to the wireless network 1. The NN 12 includes one or more processors DP 12A, one or more memories MEM 12B, and one or more transceivers TRANS 12D interconnected through one or more buses. In accordance with the example embodiments these TRANS 12D can include X2 and/or Xn interfaces for use to perform the example embodiments of the invention. Each of the one or more transceivers TRANS 12D includes a receiver and a transmitter. The one or more transceivers TRANS 12D can be optionally connected to one or more antennas for communication over at least link 11 with the UE 10. The one or more memories MEM 12B and the computer program code PROG 12C are configured to cause, with the one or more processors DP 12A, the NN 12 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The NN 12 may communicate with another gNB or eNB, or a device such as the NN 13 such as via link 16. Further, the link 11, link 16 and/or any other link may be wired or wireless or both and may implement, e.g., an X2 or Xn interface. Further the link 11 and/or link 16 may be through other network devices such as, but not limited to an NCE/MME/SGW/UDM/PCF/AMF/SMF/LMF 14 device as in FIG. 3. The NN 12 may perform functionalities of an MME (Mobility Management Entity) or SGW (Serving Gateway), such as a User Plane Functionality, and/or an Access Management functionality for LTE and similar functionality for 5G. [0045] The NN 13 can be associated with a mobility function device such as an AMF or SMF, further the NN 13 may comprise a NR/5G Node B or possibly an evolved NB a base station such as a master or secondary node base station (e.g., for NR or LTE long term evolution) that communicates with devices such as the NN 12 and/or UE 10 and/or the wireless network 1. The NN 13 includes one or more processors DP 13 A, one or more memories MEM 13B, one or more network interfaces, and one or more transceivers TRANS 13D interconnected through one or more buses. In accordance with the example embodiments these network interfaces of NN 13 can include X2 and/or Xn interfaces for use to perform the example embodiments of the invention. Each of the one or more transceivers TRANS 13D includes a receiver and a transmitter that can optionally be connected to one or more antennas. The one or more memories MEM 13B include computer program code PROG 13C. For instance, the one or more memories MEM 13B and the computer program code PROG 13C are configured to cause, with the one or more processors DP 13 A, the NN 13 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The NN 13 may communicate with another mobility function device and/or eNB such as the NN 12 and the UE 10 or any other device using, e.g., link 11 or link 16 or another link. The Link 16 as shown in FIG. 3 can be used for communication between the NN12 and the NN13. These links maybe wired or wireless or both and may implement, e.g., an X2 or Xn interface. Further, as stated above the link 11 and/or link 16 may be through other network devices such as, but not limited to an NCE/MME/SGW device such as the

NCE/MME/SGW/UDM/PCF/AMF/SMF/LMF 14 of FIG. 3.

[0046] The one or more buses of the device of FIG. 3 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, wireless channels, and the like. For example, the one or more transceivers TRANS 12D, TRANS 13D and/or TRANS 10D may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH), with the other elements of the NN 12 being physically in a different location from the RRH, and these devices can include one or more buses that could be implemented in part as fiber optic cable to connect the other elements of the NN 12 to a RRH. [0047] It is noted that although FIG. 3 shows a network nodes such as NN 12 and NN 13, any of these nodes may can incorporate or be incorporated into an eNodeB or eNB or gNB such as for LTE and NR, and would still be configurable to perform example embodiments of the invention.

[0048] Also it is noted that description herein indicates that “cells” perform functions, but it should be clear that the gNB that forms the cell and/or a user equipment and/or mobility management function device that will perform the functions. In addition, the cell makes up part of a gNB, and there can be multiple cells per gNB.

[0049] The wireless network 1 or any network it can represent may or may not include a NCE/MME/SGW/UDM/PCF/AMF/SMF/LMF 14 that may include (NCE) network control element functionality, MME (Mobility Management Entity)/SGW (Serving Gateway) functionality, and/or serving gateway (SGW), and/or MME (Mobility Management Entity) and/or SGW (Serving Gateway) functionality, and/or user data management functionality (UDM), and/or PCF (Policy Control) functionality, and/or Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) functionality, and/or Session Management (SMF) functionality, and/or Location Management Function (LMF), and/or Authentication Server (AUSF) functionality and which provides connectivity with a further network, such as a telephone network and/or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet), and which is configured to perform any 5G and/or NR operations in addition to or instead of other standard operations at the time of this application. The NCE/MME/SGW/UDM/PCF/AMF/SMF/LMF 14 is configurable to perform operations in accordance with example embodiments of the invention in any of an LTE, NR, 5G and/or any standards based communication technologies being performed or discussed at the time of this application. In addition, it is noted that the operations in accordance with example embodiments of the invention, as performed by the NN 12 and/or NN 13, may also be performed at the NCE/MME/S GW/UDM/PCF/AMF/SMF/LMF 14.

[0050] The NCE/MME/S GW/UDM/PCF/AMF/SMF/LMF 14 includes one or more processors DP 14A, one or more memories MEM 14B, and one or more network interfaces (N/W I/F(s)), interconnected through one or more buses coupled with the link 13 and/or link 16. In accordance with the example embodiments these network interfaces can include X2 and/or Xn interfaces for use to perform the example embodiments of the invention. The one or more memories MEM 14B include computer program code PROG 14C. The one or more memories MEM14B and the computer program code PROG 14C are configured to, with the one or more processors DP 14A, cause the NCE/MME/SGW/UDM/PCF/AMF/SMF/LMF 14 to perform one or more operations which may be needed to support the operations in accordance with the example embodiments of the invention.

[0051] It is noted that that the NN 12 and/or NN 13 and/or UE 10 can be configured (e.g. based on standards implementations etc.) to perform functionality of a Eocation Management Function (LMF). The LMF functionality may be embodied in either of the Content Consumer A, Content Consumer B, Dash Server, and/or Content Provider or may be part of these network devices or other devices associated with these devices. In addition, an LMF such as the LMF of the MME/SGW/UDM/PCF/AMF/SMF/LMF 14 of FIG. 3, as at least described below, can be co-located with UE 10 such as to be separate from the NN 12 and/or NN 13 of FIG. 3 for performing operations in accordance with example embodiments of the invention as disclosed herein.

[0052] The wireless Network 1 may implement network virtualization, which is the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functionality into a single, software-based administrative entity, a virtual network. Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is categorized as either external, combining many networks, or parts of networks, into a virtual unit, or internal, providing network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. Note that the virtualized entities that result from the network virtualization are still implemented, at some level, using hardware such as processors DP 10, DP 12 A, DP 13 A, and/or DP 14 A and memories MEM 10B, MEM 12B, MEM 13B, and/or MEM 14B, and also such virtualized entities create technical effects. [0053] The computer readable memories MEM 12B, MEM 13B, and MEM 14B may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The computer readable memories MEM 12B, MEM 13B, and MEM 14B may be means for performing storage functions. The processors DP10, DP12A, DP13A, and DP14A may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The processors DP10, DP12A, DP13A, and DP14A may be means for performing functions, such as controlling the UE 10, NN 12, NN 13, and other functions as described herein.

[0054] As similarly stated above, example embodiments of the invention relate to solving a current ambiguity problem of independent multipaths including a signalling framework that aids a positioning receiver to determine and report independent channel taps that correspond to different propagation paths.

[0055] The invention proposes an enhanced multipath reporting that solves the ambiguity around the independent path discovery described in section 3. The method proposes new IES that enable the positioning receiver (TRP in UL, UE in DL positioning) to distinguish between independent propagation paths, i.e. paths corresponding to different physical reflections, by aggregating correlated taps into clusters, where each cluster is mapped to an independent propagation path.

[0056] The new IE elements with regards to current LPP include:

A. IE in the assistance data from LMF to UE/TRP. The data refers to information related to at least the following: o How to aggregate channel taps into clusters, o How to determine cluster boundaries and o How to extract information characterizing the propagation path that the cluster corresponds to; and

B. LPP measurement report from UE/TRP to LMF. The report consists of measurements of the X most relevant independent clusters, where a cluster measurement consists of a set of metrics (e.g. first, second and higher order moments of a positioning measurement) describing: o The cluster’s shape in the following domains:

■ TX-beam.

■ RX-beam.

■ Delay.

■ Arrival-angle.

■ Power.

■ Phase, o The physical propagation path from which the cluster emerged. o In addition, to enable the measurement collection of B specifically, a method for cluster determination irrespective of RX-beam, TX-beam, or TX-RX beam pairs is described as an enabler of the reporting.

[0057] Positioning measurement report acquisition is performed and used for location estimation and non-line of sight classification algorithm by comparing more than one path with a typical non-line of sight channel profile to determine if the reported position measurements of the representative path matches the non-line of sight or a line of sight channel profile. A number of independent paths to be reported can be based on an outlier rejection algorithm or a non-line of sight identification method, wherein the outlier rejection algorithm uses at least one of paths, angles, or powers to determine if the link is an outlier. [0058] The invention proposes a method for enhanced multipath request/reporting such that a minimum number of independent paths/clusters are available at the LMF. Figure 2 shows the overall signalling flow:

• UE/TRP is involved in a positioning session;

• LMF requests a specific number of independent paths reported from a UE/TRP which is performing positioning measurements:

A. This request can be included as part of the assistance data sent to the UE/TRP. E.g., as part of the LPP message NR-DL-TDOA- RequestLocationlnformation for the UE and/or NRPPa message for the TRP;

B. The requested number of paths may be based on a number of factors including:

■ Expected channel delay profile (i.e., number of expected paths/taps and relative power of taps);

■ Number of paths needed for NLOS classification algorithm:

• For example, the classification algorithm may compare 6 paths with a typical NLOS channel profile to determine if the reported paths match the NLOS (or LOS) channel profile. Therefore, the LMF would request 6 paths;

■ Number of paths needed for outlier rejection algorithm:

For example, the outlier rejection algorithm may use 8 paths (and angles/powers if available) to determine if the reported link is an outlier. Therefore, the LMF would request 8 paths;

■ History of UE/TRP path reporting:

• For example, if UEs in a particular area are reporting a high number of additional paths (e.g., 10) the LMF may request that of a UE in a similar area to ensure the channel is correctly profiled;

C. As another embodiment, the requested number of paths may be the total number of paths that UE/TRP can identify:

■ For example, measurement reporting about multiple paths is up to UE and TRP, so even if both UE and TRP are identifying the same number of paths, the reported number of paths from the UE and TRP has likely been different. Thus, from the current and/or past information on measurement reporting, it is difficult for the LMF to know how many paths the TRP and UE can identify now;

D. As another embodiment, the request number of paths may be the number of distinct paths for a specific cluster (or per cluster):

■ In case it is difficult for the UE to decide a distinct path per cluster, the UE can report multiple distinct paths for a specific cluster to LMF. If the TRP reports a distinct path for this cluster, then the LMF can be aware of the distinct path of this cluster.

[0059] LMF may also include assistance information to the UE on how to:

A. Determine the independent clusters. Information to determine the independent clusters may include: minimum time gaps between the clusters (e.g., X ns);

■ This time gap may be based on what the LMF thinks the channel should look like and/or the expected or known sampling time at the UE/TRP;

■ angle difference between the clusters (e.g., 0 degrees);

■ This angle difference may allow the UE to determine that if multiple nearby paths are coming from the same or very similar angles that they are in-fact part of the same cluster;

■ the angle difference can allow the user equipment to determine that if multiple nearby paths are coming from the same or very similar angles that they are in-fact part of a same cluster;

■ correlation information in a time window (i.e., highly correlated close by peaks, X% correlation window to the peak);

■ maximum power gaps between nearby other paths (e.g., if path 1 has a power of Y then another path within Z ns can only be determined if the power of the correlator between path 1 and the other path drops some threshold amount first);

■ phase difference between the paths in one cluster;

■ minimum power constraint (e.g., the power of distinct path should be over a threshold power. The threshold power could be based on the distinct path showing the maximum power); ■ The one or more options can be jointly used. E.g., minimum time gaps between paths and correlation information can be jointly as a criterion to determine distinct clusters;

■ the time gaps may be based on what the location management function determines at least one of a profile of the channel or a known sampling time at the user equipment;

B. Select and report a representative path for each cluster. Once the clusters have been identified, a single path representative of the propagation pathway which the cluster corresponds to may be selected as:

■ The strongest tap in the cluster;

■ The first tap of the cluster;

■ A tap whose complex gain can be computed as a linear combination of all paths in the cluster: Main-path = the 1-th tap in the cluster c and is a predetermined weight function e.g. a pulse-shaping filter of choice;

• The UE/TRP determines the independent clusters according to the assistance information:

A. the UE/TRP may:

■ measure the beamed positioning signal(s) from a single source with multiple RX beams; extract channel responses per RX beam; and combine the beamed channel responses into a single channel characterizing the link between the UE/gNB and the reference signal source.

B. The combination may be realized by e.g., superimposition, averaging, other linear combination of the partial (i.e. beamed) responses;

C. The combined channel response is then used to identify independent clusters between the pos. RX and pos. TX. In doing so, the reporting overhead generated by a beam-based reporting is removed.

• UE/TRP reports the independent clusters and/or the representative path of each cluster; in the former case, UE/TRP includes the cluster IDs as part of the report to inform the LMF that some paths are not distinct.

• The UE/TRP may report per each independent cluster: a. Cluster shape in TX-beam domain:

■ A cluster TX beam list which consists of a list of TX beams from which paths of said cluster have originated. This is helpful in identifying TX beam offsets and/or TX beam sidelobes overlapping; b. Cluster shape in RX-beam domain:

■ A cluster RX beam list which consists of a list of RX beams where the paths of said cluster are found in. This is helpful in identifying RX beam offsets and/or RX beam sidelobes overlapping; c. Cluster shape in delay domain: ■ A cluster sparsity (CS) defined as the average number of paths that have been identified as belonging to the cluster;

■ A cluster normalized sparsity (N-CS) defined as CS normalized to the channel sparsity S;

■ A cluster mean delay CMD;

■ A cluster RMS delay spread CRMS ;

■ A cluster normalized delay spread (N-CRMS), i.e. normalized to the channel delay spread RMS, N-CRMS = CRMS/RMS;

■ A cluster normalized mean delay (N-CMD), i.e. normalized to the channel mean delay MD, N-CMD = CMD/MD d. Cluster shape in arrival-angle domain:

■ A cluster mean angle of arrival CM A;

■ A cluster RMS AO A spread CRMS A;

■ A cluster normalized AOA spread (N-CRMA), i.e. normalized to the channel AOA spread RMS A, N-CRMSA = CRMSA/RMSA;

■ A cluster normalized mean AOA (N-CMA), i.e. normalized to the channel mean AOA MA, N-CMA = CMA/MA; e. Cluster shape in power domain: A cluster total power CTP;

■ A cluster mean power CMP;

■ A normalized cluster total power (N-CTP) i.e. normalized to the channel total power TP, N-CTP = CTP/TP;

■ A normalized cluster mean power (N-CMP), i.e. normalized to the channel mean power MP, N-CMP = CMP/MP; f. Cluster shape in phase domain:

■ A cluster mean phase CMP;

■ A cluster RMS phase CRMSP.

[0060] Note that CRMSP and CMP are used by the LMF to assess how similar the phases of the various cluster taps are: ideally, if the taps in the cluster are the result of RX processing limitations (and in fact they correspond to the same physical propagation tap), their phases are close to each other, and the spread of the phases is quite narrow:

[0061] In another embodiment the UE/TRP may inform the LMF of the method it used to determine the distinct clusters rather than using the assistance data; and

[0062] LMF uses the reported distinct clusters to finalize the localization session.

[0063] FIG. 2 shows an overall signaling flow of operations in accordance with example embodiments of the invention. As shown in step 210 of FIG. 2 the UE and the LMF are communicating for NR positioning procedures. As shown in step 220 of FIG. 2 the LMF is determining the number of paths or clusters needed. As shown in step 240 of FIG. 2 the LMF communicates with the UE a requested specific number of paths or clusters. As shown in step 250 of FIG.2 the LMF communicates with the UE assistance information to determine unique paths or clusters. As shown in step 260 of FIG. 2 the UE is determining paths or clusters during positioning measurements. As shown in step 270 of FIG. 2 the UE communicates with the LMF report measurements with additional paths or cluster identifications (IDs). Then as shown in step 280 of FIG. 2 the LMF performs non- line of sight classifications.

[0064] In multi-RTT both the UE and TRPs are making positioning measurements and reporting to the LMF. In order for this reporting to be most useful at the LMF there should be synergy in the number of paths reported. In addition, it is very useful information at the LMF if a UE reports a particular path but the TRP does not. However, this is only useful if the LMF knows that the TRP did not actually see that path (rather than simply choosing not to report it for some other reason). Introducing the requested number of paths from LMF to TRP/UE can ensure that this later situation does not occur. E.g., The LMF can request the same number of additional paths from a TRP and UE involved in a multi-RTT session.

[0065] In carrier phase it is critical that the first path phase is the one used to calculate the location of the UE. The described method allows the UE to report more distinct clusters which helps the LMF to understand which paths may be the first path and which are artifacts of the same path. The described method also helps to improve the integrity/reliability of the carrier phase technique by providing information if the same reported paths are from the same cluster. This allows the LMF to check if the phase is the same across these reported paths and therefore know that the phase value of the first path is further validated.

[0066] FIG 4A illustrates operations which may be performed by a device such as, but not limited to, a device (e.g., the NN 12 and/or NN 13 as in FIG. 3). As shown in step 405 of FIG. 4A there is sending, by the first network entity towards a second network entity of a communication network, first information for determining a cluster of correlated channel taps, and second information for characterizing a propagation path to which a respective cluster of the at least one cluster corresponds. As shown in step 410 of FIG. 4A there is receiving, from the second network entity, positioning measurement information characterizing a number of propagation paths to which a respective number of clusters corresponds. As shown in step 415 of FIG. 4A wherein the number of clusters are determined in accordance with the first information. As shown in step 420 of FIG. 4A wherein the number of propagation paths are characterized in accordance with the second information.

[0067] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraph above, there is sending, by the first network entity towards the second network entity of a communication network, third information indicative of the number of propagation paths to be characterized by the second network entity.

[0068] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the number of propagation paths is based on an expected channel power delay profile.

[0069] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, there is, based on the positioning measurement information, performing, by the first network entity, a classification algorithm to classify a propagation path as a line of sight path or as a non-line of sight path, wherein the number of propagation paths is based on a number of paths required for the classification algorithm.

[0070] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the characterization of a propagation path comprises selecting a single channel tap representative of the propagation path in a cluster of channel taps.

[0071] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the selection of the single channel tap comprises selecting one of a strongest channel tap in a cluster of channel taps, a first channel tap in a cluster of channel taps, and a channel tap whose complex gain can be computed as a linear combination of channel taps in a cluster of channel taps. [0072] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above wherein the number of clusters contain multiple independent channel taps corresponding to different propagation paths.

[0073] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the first information comprises assistance data from a location management function associated with the first network entity, wherein the assistance data relates to at least one of how to aggregate channel taps into clusters, and how to determine cluster boundaries.

[0074] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, there is, in response to the receiving, performing, by the first network entity, estimating a location for a user equipment.

[0075] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the first information comprises at least one of: a time difference threshold (or time gap) between channel taps, an angle difference threshold between channel taps, a correlation threshold in a time window, a power difference threshold (or power gap) between channel taps, and a phase difference threshold between channel taps.

[0076] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the positioning measurement information comprises a set of metrics representative of a cluster distribution in at least one of a time domain, a delay domain, and a space domain.

[0077] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the set of metrics comprises at least one of a first-order moment and a second-order moment of the cluster distribution.

[0078] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein, based on the positioning measurement information, the method comprising sending, by the first network entity to another network entity of the communication network, a request to characterize and to report additional independent paths. [0079] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the first network entity comprises a radio access network, RAN, node or a network entity hosting a location management function, and wherein the second network entity comprises a RAN node or a user equipment.

[0080] A non- transitory computer-readable medium (MEM 12B and/or MEM 13B as in FIG. 3) storing program code (PROG 12C and/or PROG 13C as in FIG. 3), the program code executed by at least one processor (DP 12A and/or DP 13A as in FIG. 3) to perform the operations as at least described in the paragraphs above.

[0081] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention as described above there is an apparatus comprising: means for sending (TRANS 12D and/or TRANS 13D, MEM 12B and//or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and/or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and/or DP 13A as in FIG. 3), by the first network entity (NN 12 and/or NN 13 as in FIG. 3) towards a second network entity (NN 12 and/or NN 13 as in FIG. 3) of a communication network (NETWORK 1 as in FIG. 3), first information for determining a cluster of correlated channel taps, and second information for characterizing a propagation path to which a respective cluster of the at least one cluster corresponds; means for receiving (TRANS 12D and/or TRANS 13D, MEM 12B and//or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and/or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and/or DP 13A as in FIG. 3), from the second network entity, positioning measurement information characterizing (TRANS 12D and/or TRANS 13D, MEM 12B and//or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and/or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and/or DP 13A as in FIG. 3) a number of propagation paths to which a respective number of clusters corresponds, wherein the number of clusters are determined (TRANS 12D and/or TRANS 13D, MEM 12B and//or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and/or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and/or DP 13A as in FIG. 3) in accordance with the first information, and wherein the number of propagation paths are characterized (TRANS 12D and/or TRANS 13D, MEM 12B and//or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and/or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and/or DP 13A as in FIG. 3) in accordance with the second information.

[0082] In the example aspect of the invention according to the paragraph above, wherein at least the means for sending, receiving, characterizing, determining, and finalizing comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium [MEM 12B and/or MEM 13B as in FIG. 3] encoded with a computer program [PROG 12C and/or PROG 13C as in FIG. 3] executable by at least one processor [DP 12A and/or DP 13A as in FIG. 3].

[0083] FIG 4B illustrates operations which may be performed by a device such as, but not limited to, a device (e.g., the NN 12 and/or NN 13 as in FIG. 3). As shown in step 450 of FIG. 4B there is receiving, by the second network entity from a first network entity of a communication network, first information for determining a cluster of correlated channel taps, and second information for characterizing a propagation path to which a respective cluster of the at least one cluster corresponds. As shown in step 455 of FIG. 4B there is sending, by the second network entity towards the first network entity, positioning measurement information characterizing a number of propagation paths to which respective clusters of the at least one cluster corresponds. As shown in step 460 of FIG. 4B wherein the number of clusters are determined in accordance with the first information. Then as shown in step 465 of FIG. 4B wherein the number of propagation paths are characterized in accordance with the second information.

[0084] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraph above, there is receiving, from the first network entity of the communication network, third information indicative of the number of propagation paths to be characterized by the second network entity.

[0085] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the number of propagation paths is based on an expected channel power delay profile.

[0086] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, there is, based on the positioning measurement information, using a classification algorithm to classify a propagation path as a line of sight path or as a nonline of sight path, wherein the number of propagation paths is based on a number of paths required for the classification algorithm. [0087] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the characterization of a propagation path comprises selecting a single channel tap representative of the propagation path in a cluster of channel taps.

[0088] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the selection of the single channel tap comprises selecting one of a strongest channel tap in a cluster of channel taps, a first channel tap in a cluster of channel taps, and a channel tap whose complex gain can be computed as a linear combination of channel taps in a cluster of channel taps.

[0089] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the number of clusters contain multiple independent channel taps corresponding to different propagation paths.

[0090] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the first information comprises assistance data from a location management function associated with the first network entity, wherein the assistance data relates to at least one of how to aggregate channel taps into clusters, and how to determine cluster boundaries.

[0091] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein, in response to the sending, a location for a user equipment is estimated.

[0092] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the first information comprises at least one of: a time difference threshold (or time gap) between channel taps, an angle difference threshold between channel taps, a correlation threshold in a time window, a power difference threshold (or power gap) between channel taps, or a phase difference threshold between channel taps.

[0093] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the positioning measurement information comprises a set of metrics representative of a cluster distribution in at least one of a time domain, a delay domain, and a space domain.

[0094] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the set of metrics comprises at least one of a first-order moment and a second-order moment of the cluster distribution.

[0095] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the second network entity comprises a radio access network, RAN, node or a user equipment, and wherein the first network entity comprises a RAN node or a network entity hosting a location management function.

[0096] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention as described above there is an apparatus comprising: means for receiving (TRANS 12D and/or TRANS 13D, MEM 12B and//or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and/or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and/or DP 13A as in FIG. 3), by the second network entity (NN 12 and/or NN 13 as in FIG. 3) from a first network entity (NN 12 and/or NN 13 as in FIG. 3) of a communication network (NETWORK 1 as in FIG. 3), first information for determining (TRANS 12D and/or TRANS 13D, MEM 12B and//or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and/or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and/or DP 13A as in FIG. 3) a cluster of correlated channel taps, and second information for characterizing (TRANS 12D and/or TRANS 13D, MEM 12B and//or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and/or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and/or DP 13A as in FIG. 3) a propagation path to which a respective cluster of the at least one cluster corresponds; and means for sending (TRANS 12D and/or TRANS 13D, MEM 12B and//or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and/or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and/or DP 13A as in FIG. 3), by the second network entity towards the first network entity, positioning measurement information characterizing (TRANS 12D and/or TRANS 13D, MEM 12B and//or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and/or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and/or DP 13A as in FIG. 3) a number of propagation paths to which respective clusters of the at least one cluster corresponds, wherein the number of clusters are determined (TRANS 12D and/or TRANS 13D, MEM 12B and//or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and/or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and/or DP 13A as in FIG. 3) in accordance with the first information, and wherein the number of propagation paths are characterized (TRANS 12D and/or TRANS 13D, MEM 12B and//or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and/or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and/or DP 13A as in FIG. 3) in accordance with the second information.

[0097] In the example aspect of the invention according to the paragraph above, wherein at least the means for receiving, determining characterizing, and finalizing comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium [MEM 12B and/or MEM 13B as in FIG. 3] encoded with a computer program [PROG 12C and/or PROG 13C as in FIG. 3] executable by at least one processor [DP 12A and/or DP 13A as in FIG. 3].

[0098] Advantages in accordance with example embodiments of the invention include:

• Robust with regards to PRS bandwidth and noise since the artifacts due to sampling resolution and low SNR are removed;

• Improved NLOS classification;

• Improved outlier rejection; and

• Improved positioning accuracy.

[0099] Further, in accordance with example embodiments of the invention there is circuitry for performing operations in accordance with example embodiments of the invention as disclosed herein. This circuitry can include any type of circuitry including content coding circuitry, content decoding circuitry, processing circuitry, image generation circuitry, data analysis circuitry, etc.). Further, this circuitry can include discrete circuitry, application- specific integrated circuitry (ASIC), and/or field- programmable gate array circuitry (FPGA), etc. as well as a processor specifically configured by software to perform the respective function, or dual-core processors with software and corresponding digital signal processors, etc.). Additionally, there are provided necessary inputs to and outputs from the circuitry, the function performed by the circuitry and the interconnection (perhaps via the inputs and outputs) of the circuitry with other components that may include other circuitry in order to perform example embodiments of the invention as described herein.

[00100] In accordance with example embodiments of the invention as disclosed in this application this application, the “circuitry” provided can include at least one or more or all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry);

(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):

(i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware; and

(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions, such as functions or operations in accordance with example embodiments of the invention as disclosed herein); and

(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.”

[00101] In accordance with example embodiments of the invention, there is adequate circuitry for performing at least novel operations as disclosed in this application, this 'circuitry' as may be used herein refers to at least the following:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry); and

(b) to combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions); and

(c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present.

[00102] This definition of 'circuitry' applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other network device.

[00103] In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the invention is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[00104] Embodiments of the inventions may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[00105] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. All of the embodiments described in this Detailed Description are exemplary embodiments provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims.

[00106] The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and nonlimiting examples a full and informative description of the best method and apparatus presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of example embodiments of this invention will still fall within the scope of this invention.

[00107] It should be noted that the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof, mean any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements, and may encompass the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" together. The coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. As employed herein two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" together by the use of one or more wires, cables and/or printed electrical connections, as well as by the use of electromagnetic energy, such as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency region, the microwave region and the optical (both visible and invisible) region, as several non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[00108] Furthermore, some of the features of the preferred embodiments of this invention could be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description should be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, and not in limitation thereof.