RADIO ACCESS TECHNOLOGY DEPENDENT POSITIONING

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Disclosed are embodiments related to methods and apparatus for generating and/or reporting integrity level of radio access technology (RAT) dependent positioning.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Positioning has been a topic for standardization since 3GPP Release 9. In New Radio (NR), positioning was specified with the primary objective to fulfill regulatory requirements for emergency call positioning starting in Release 15, but enhancements in subsequent releases broadened the use cases range to high accuracy / low latency accuracy applications.

[0003] In the legacy Long-Term Evolution (LTE) standards, the following techniques are supported for positioning:

• Enhanced Cell Identifier (ID) - Essentially cell ID information used for associating a device to a particular serving area of a serving cell and additional information that may be used to determine a finer granularity position.

• Assisted Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) - GNSS information retrieved by a device, supported by assistance information provided to the device from Enhanced Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC).

• Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) - A device estimates the time difference of reference signals it received from different base stations and sends to E-SMLC for multilateration.

• Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (UTDOA) - A device is requested to transmit a specific waveform that is detected by multiple location measurement units (e.g., an eNB) at known positions. These measurements are forwarded to E-SMLC for multilateration.

• Sensor methods such as a biometric pressure sensor which detects and provides a vertical position of a device and an Inertial Motion Unit (IMU) which detects and provides a displacement of the device. [0004] All of these techniques are also standardized in NR in Release 15 (limited functionality), Release 16 (NR RAT based positioning) and Release 17 (accuracy enhancements). In Release 18, additional support is being studied to improve the reliability of the measurements by including positioning measurements into the integrity framework, which was until now limited to GNSS.

[0005] The positioning modes can be categorized as follows:

• User Equipment (UE)-Assisted: The UE performs measurements with or without assistance from the network and sends these measurements to E-SMLC where the position calculation may take place.

• UE-Based: The UE performs measurements and calculates its own position with assistance from the network.

• Standalone: The UE performs measurements and calculates its own without network assistance.

[0006] Until now, accuracy has been the main positioning performance metrics which have been discussed and supported by the requirements in 3GPP. Emerging applications relying on high-precision positioning technology in autonomous applications (e.g., automotive), has brought with it the need for high integrity and reliability in addition to high accuracy. The 5G service requirements specified in 3GPP Technical Specification 2.261 include the need to determine the reliability, and the uncertainty or confidence level, of the position-related data.

[0007] During Release 17, integrity was studied but the study was limited to RAT independent positioning (e.g., GNSS based). Release 18 includes the following objective to cover NR RAT based positioning:

• Improved accuracy, integrity, and power efficiency: o Study solutions for Integrity for RAT dependent positioning techniques [RAN2, RANI]:

■ Identify the error sources, [RANI, RAN2]. ■ Study methodologies, procedures, signalling, etc. for determination of positioning integrity for both UE-based and UE-assisted positioning [RAN2]

[0008] Focus on reuse of concepts and principles is developed for RAT-Independent GNSS positioning integrity, where possible.

[0009] Integrity is the measure of trust that can be placed in the correctness of information supplied by a navigation/location system. For example, integrity includes the ability of a system to provide timely warnings to user receivers in case of a failure. Example of a failure can be taken from RAT independent positioning method such as assisted GNSS. In assisted GNSS, if a satellite is malfunctioning, it should be detected by the system and should be informed to the user that the satellite should not be used.

[0010] Example use cases and scenarios: Any use-case related to positioning in Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) naturally requires high integrity performance. Some example use-cases comprise Vehicle-to-everything (V2X), autonomous driving, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV - e.g., drones), eHealth, rail and maritime, emergency and mission critical. In usecases in which large errors can lead to serious consequences such as health-related impacts, wrong legal decisions, or wrong charge computation, etc., the integrity reporting becomes crucial.

[0011] FIGS. 7A-7D illustrates the definition of accuracy, precision, validity, reliability, and integrity. Basically, accuracy is the same term as validity in positioning. Also, terms such as reliability, precision, uncertainty, and confidence level can, in some cases, be used interchangeably. However, integrity requires the evaluation of both accuracy and reliability.

[0012] Below are few examples of integrity Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that are defined. The KPIs may be used to identify different integrity events.

• Alert Limit (AL): AL is the largest error allowable for safe operation.

• Time to Alert (TTA): TTA is the maximum allowable elapsed time from the onset of a positioning failure until the timing that the equipment announces the alert.

• Integrity Risk (IR): IR is the maximum probability of providing a signal that is out of tolerance without warning the user in a given period of time. • Protection Level (PL): PL is the statistical error bound computed to guarantee that the probability of the absolute position error exceeding the said number is smaller than or equal to the target integrity risk.

[0013] FIG. 8 shows an example with the Stanford plot in which all the possible integrity operation and events can be explained in its different regions.

• Nominal Operation is when Position Estimation (PE) < PL < AL

• System unavailable is when AL < PL

• Misleading Operation is when PL < PE

• Hazardously Operation is when PL < AL < PE

• Integrity Failure is an integrity event that lasts longer than the TTA and with no alarm raised within the TTA.

• Misleading Information (MI) is an integrity event occurring when, being the system declared available, the position error exceeds the protection level but not the alert limit.

• Hazardously Misleading Information (HMI) is an integrity event occurring when, being the system declared available, the position error exceeds the alert limit.

[0014] Integrity computation entity in the network uses the following equation to ensure that a positioning estimate is reliable (see 3GPP TS 38.305 clause 8.1. la for details) for all agreed error sources: P(Error > Bound for longer than TTA I NOT DNU) <= Residual Risk + Deallocation (Equation 8.1. la-1) for all values of Deallocation in the range irMinimum <= Deallocation <= irMaximum.

[0015] In order to solve the equation, an error distribution is necessary, together with the mean and standard deviation of the distribution. The mean and standard deviation are also used to compute the bound on the error probability.

SUMMARY

[0016] Certain challenges presently exist. For example, in Rel-17, only the UE based GNSS positioning integrity was specified due to time limitation. In other words, integrity is only supported for RAT independent positioning. In Rel-18, RAT-dependent positioning integrity will be studied, which includes both UE based positioning and Location Management Function (LMF) based positioning.

[0017] The current integrity framework, however, is incomplete, since for UE based RAT- dependent positioning integrity and LMF based RAT-dependent positioning integrity, there is no mechanism to support UE or network gNBs reporting the standard deviations for the known error sources to LMF. In other words, the current integrity framework does not support UE or network gNBs reporting the standard deviations for the known error sources. Integrity is only supported for RAT independent positioning.

[0018] Moreover, the results provided by UE only contains quality information. The results do not indicate how the error was distributed and how the error (standard deviation; sigma) maps to that quality level. Without such information, integrity calculation for RAT dependent positioning may not work. LMF may not be able to compute the integrity.

[0019] Accordingly, in one aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a first network node, NN. The method comprises transmitting towards a second NN or a user equipment, UE, a request for reporting quality metric, wherein the quality metric is related to a measurement parameter for radio access technology, RAT, dependent UE positioning. The method further comprises, after transmitting the request, receiving a response transmitted by the second NN or the UE. The response includes (i) a value of the quality metric and (ii) statistical information related to measurement values of the measurement parameter and/or a scaling factor for the value of the quality metric.

[0020] In another aspect, there is provided a method performed by a second network node, NN, or a user equipment, UE. The method comprises receiving from a first NN a request for reporting quality metric, wherein the quality metric is related to a measurement parameter for radio access technology, RAT, dependent UE positioning. The method further comprises, after receiving the request, transmitting a response towards the second NN or the UE. The response includes (i) a value of the quality metric and (ii) statistical information related to measurement values of the measurement parameter and/or a scaling factor for the value of the quality metric. [0021] In another aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which when executed by processing circuitry cause the processing circuitry to perform the method of any one of the embodiments described above.

[0022] In another aspect, there is provided a carrier containing the computer program of the embodiment described above, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, and a computer readable storage medium.

[0023] In another aspect, there is provided a first network node, NN. The first NN is configured to transmit towards a second NN or a user equipment, UE, a request for reporting quality metric, wherein the quality metric is related to a measurement parameter for radio access technology, RAT, dependent UE positioning. The first NN is further configured to, after transmitting the request, receive a response transmitted by the second NN or the UE. The response includes (i) a value of the quality metric and (ii) statistical information related to measurement values of the measurement parameter and/or a scaling factor for the value of the quality metric.

[0024] In another aspect, there is provided a second network node, NN, or a user equipment, UE. The second NN or the UE is configured to receive from a first NN a request for reporting quality metric, wherein the quality metric is related to a measurement parameter for radio access technology, RAT, dependent UE positioning. The second NN or the UE is further configured to, after receiving the request, transmit a response towards the second NN or the UE. The response includes (i) a value of the quality metric and (ii) statistical information related to measurement values of the measurement parameter and/or a scaling factor for the value of the quality metric.

[0025] In another aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising a processing circuitry and a memory. The memory contains instructions executable by said processing circuitry, whereby the apparatus is operative to perform the method of any one of the embodiments described above.

[0026] Embodiments of this disclosure provide a simple but effective way to signal the error source standard deviation to support the integrity framework without excessive signalling. Such effective way may be achieved by simply adding:

• an indicator from LMF to UE and Transmission/Reception Point (TRPs)/gNB to report the measurement quality metric used for integrity; • An indicator signalling that a UE measurement report includes a measurement quality value that can be used for integrity;

• An indicator signalling that a TRP/gNB measurement report includes a measurement quality value that can be used for integrity; and

• The possibility to either specify or configure in the report to LMF a scaling factor to map the measurement quality value to the standard deviation of an error source.

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a system according to some embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a process according to some embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a process according to some embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a process according to some embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 5 shows an apparatus according to some embodiments.

[0033] FIG. 6 shows an apparatus according to some embodiments.

[0034] FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate the definition of accuracy, precision, validity, reliability, and integrity.

[0035] FIG. 8 shows an example Stanford plot.

DETAIEED DESCRIPTION

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a system 100 for supporting positioning (e.g., determining a location of UE 102) in NR. System 100 comprises a UE 102, a Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG- RAN) 104, and EMF 106. NG-RAN 104 may comprise a gNB 112 and ng-eNB 114. EMF 106 is configured to perform the positioning (e.g., determining the location of UE 102) based on information it collects from UE 102 and/or NG-RAN 104. NG-RAN 104 and EMF 106 may exchange messages via NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa), and UE 102 and NG-RAN 104 may exchange messages via the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol. [0037] FIG. 2 shows a process 200 according to some embodiments. Process 200 may be used for providing to LMF 106 information needed for LMF 106 to perform the positioning.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, process 200 involves exchanging messages between UE 102, gNB 112, and LMF 106. Note that, a single embodiment of this disclosure may not involve all messages shown in FIG. 2. In other words, in some embodiments, process 200 may not involve all messages shown in FIG. 2. For example, one embodiment may only involve messages 202 and 206 while another embodiment may only involve messages 204 and 208.

[0039] Process 200 may comprise LMF 106 transmitting towards gNB 112 (e.g., gNB-CU which is a termination point of NRPPa) a request 202 for error distribution report. Additionally or alternatively, LMF 106 may transmit towards UE 102 a request 204 for error distribution report.

[0040] The error distribution report may include information needed for LME 106 to determine integrity level of RAT dependent positioning (e.g., the integrity level of a position of UE 102 determined by LME 106).

[0041] In the RAT dependent positioning, UE 102 and/or NG-RAN 104 may collect and/or measure values of measurement parameters (e.g., information about angle, time, power of signals received from base station(s)). These collected/measured values are reported to LMF 106, and LMF 106 may determine the position of UE 102 based on these collected/measured values with the associated integrity information.

[0042] However, there may be a scenario where these collected/measured values may not be correct (e.g., when the collected/measured value of a measurement parameter is significantly deviated from a mean value of the measurement parameter). In this scenario, it may be useful to inform LMF 106 about these possible error(s) such that LMF 106 may factor in these possible error(s) when it determines the integrity level of the position of UE 102 determined by LMF 106. The report serves as a way to inform LMF 106 about these possible error(s).

[0043] In one example, the report may include a standard deviation of measured/collected values of a measurement parameter (e.g., downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA)) that is used for performing the RAT dependent positioning. In another example, the report may include a scaling value that can be used to calculate the standard deviation. For example, the standard deviation may be calculated based on a multiplication of the scaling value and a value of a quality metric of the parameter (e.g., the standard deviation = the scaling value X the value of the quality metric). The quality metric indicates a quality of a measured value of the parameter. It may indicate the accuracy of the measured value. Note that the quality metric is also related to the integrity of positioning.

[0044] However, the value of the quality metric is empirical (meaning that the value itself is not mapped to any value of power or standard deviation). For example, if the value of the quality metric is very low, then the receiver of the quality metric would know that the quality of the received value of a measurement parameter is not good. Similarly, if the value of the quality metric is very high, then the receiver of the quality metric would know that the quality of the received value of a measurement parameter is good. However, the value of the quality metric itself cannot be used to derive the integrity level. Thus, as discussed above, the standard deviation and/or the scaling factor is provided to the LMF 106 along with the quality metric.

[0045] Thus, in some embodiments, the standard deviation and/or the scaling factor is provided to the LMF 106 along with the quality metric. More specifically, in some embodiments, request 202/204 is also a request for reporting quality metric related to a measurement parameter for RAT dependent UE positioning. In other words, the request that is used for requesting the report of the quality metric may also be used as a request for error distribution report.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, request 202 is transmitted from LMF 106 towards gNB 112. However, in some embodiments, a network system may include a gNB split architecture which includes a gNB-DU and a gNB-CU. In such architecture, the gNB-CU receives request 202 from LMF 106 and the gNB-CU forwards the request to the gNB-DU hosting TRPs.

[0047] In some embodiments, request 202/204 may be included in the NRPPa or F1AP Measurement Request messages which are used for positioning.

[0048] In some embodiments, request 202/204 may be included in the Measurement Characteristics Request Indicator IE defined in 3GPP TS 38.455 or TS 38.473. The IE contains the measurement characteristics information requested by LMF 106.

[0049] Table 1 provided below shows an example of information included in the Measurement Characteristics Request Indicator IE, according to some embodiments. Table 1

[0050] As shown above, in some embodiments, the Measurement Characteristics Request

Indicator IE may be modified to include an additional bit (the “Tenth bit”) to indicate that the IE corresponds to a request for reporting error distribution report. In other words, the receiver of the IE would know whether the IE corresponds to (e.g., includes) the request for error distribution report based on a value of the tenth bit.

[0051] Upon receiving request 202/204, UE 102 or gNB 112 (or other entity that receives the request for error distribution report) may transmit towards LMF 106 (or any other entity that sent the request for error distribution report) a response (e.g., 206/208). The response may include the quality metric, which can be used for determining the error distribution.

[0052] In some embodiments, response 206/208 may be included in the NRPPa and/or F1AP Measurement Response messages used for positioning. [0053] In some embodiments, response 206/208 may be included within the Measurement Quality IE present in the NRPPa and F1AP specifications (3GPP TS 38.455 or TS 38.473). For example, the Measurement Quality indicator and optionally the resolution field in the Measurement Quality IE in NRPPA and F1AP may be re-used to signal the quality for positioning integrity, with a new indication indicating that this measurement quality is reused for this purpose.

[0054] In another example, the integrity precision quality may be reported as a separate new field in the Measurement Quality IE. The Measurement Quality IE contains TRP’s best estimate of the quality of the measurement.

[0055] In some embodiments, the reported Integer value of the integrity precision maps to a standard deviation or a scaling of the measurement error.

[0056] In some embodiments, the Integrity quality metric is signaled with the standard deviation and scale factor resolution when reporting UL positioning measurements such as UL- RTOA and UL-AoA in the F1AP and NRPPA Measurement Response message to gNB-CU and LMF, respectively. [0057] In some embodiments, the measurement quality also indicates the angle measurement quality with the standard deviation and resolution metrics.

[0058] Table 2 provided below shows a first example of information that may be included in the Measurement Quality IE according to some embodiments.

Table 2

[0059] As shown above, in some embodiments, the Measurement Quality IE includes

“Positioning Integrity” field indicating whether the Measurement Quality represents the integrity precision quality. The IE may also include a standard deviation for one measurement parameter (timing measurement) and another standard deviation for another measurement parameter (angle measurement). Additionally or alternatively, the IE may also include a scaling factor. The scaling factor may be used to calculate the standard deviation(s) of the measurement parameter(s).

[0060] Table 3 below shows a second example of information that may be included in the

Measurement Quality IE according to some embodiments.

Table 3

[0061] Contrary to the first example, the second example shown in Table 3 includes a single standard deviation (and a single scaling factor). They may be used for any one or all of the measurement parameters of which quality metrics are included in the IE.

[0062] Table 4 below shows a third example of information that may be included in the Measurement Quality IE according to some embodiments.

Table 4

[0063] As shown above, the third example shown in Table 4 does not include any standard deviation values. Instead, the example includes a single scaling factor which may be used for any one or all of the measurement parameters of which quality metrics are included in the IE. As explained above, a standard deviation of values of a measurement parameter may be determined using a quality metric and a scaling factor.

[0064] In some embodiments, supplementary information on the integrity quality may be signaled over F1AP from gNB-DU to gNB-CU. [0065] LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) Signalling for UE based RAT-dependent positioning integrity - In some embodiments, UE 102 may report the standard deviation of the timing and angular measurement report along with the scale factor that was used. For example, the report may be included in the NR-TimingQuality IE.

[0066] Table 5 provided below shows a first example of information that may be included in the NR-TimingQuality IE according to some embodiments. The NR-TimingQuality IE indicates the quality of a timing value (e.g., of a TOA measurement).

Table 5

[0067] As shown above, this IE includes a standard deviation for each of the two measurement parameters (timing and angle). Additionally or alternatively, the IE include a scaling factor that may be used for any one or more of the two measurement parameters indicated in the IE.

[0068] As discussed above, in some embodiments, the standard deviation of the measurement error may be obtained by multiplying the timing quality value by a scaling factor. In such embodiments, there is no need to signal the standard deviation. [0069] Table 6 provided below shows a second example of information that may be included in the NR-TimingQuality IE according to some embodiments. The NR-TimingQuality IE defines the quality of a timing value (e.g., of a TOA measurement).

Table 6

[0070] Table 7 provided below shows the description of various fields included in the NR- TimingQuality fields.

Table 7

[0071] In some embodiments, the request for error distribution report may be included in a message transmitted by UE 102 towards LMF 106, and in response, LMF 106 may send towards

UE 102 a message (e.g., 210) including the error distribution report.

[0072] FIG. 3 shows a process 300 performed by a first network node, NN (e.g., AMF 106), according to some embodiments. Process 300 comprises step s302. Step s302 comprises transmitting towards a second NN or a user equipment, UE, a request for reporting a quality metric, wherein the quality metric is related to a measurement parameter for radio access technology, RAT, dependent UE positioning. Process 300 further comprises step s304. Step s304 comprises, after transmitting the request, receiving a response transmitted by the second NN or the UE. The response includes (i) a value of the quality metric and (ii) statistical information related to measurement values of the measurement parameter and/or a scaling factor for the value of the quality metric. [0073] In some embodiments, the response includes the scaling factor, and process 300 further comprises determining statistical information related to measurement values of the measurement parameter using the quality metric and the scaling factor.

[0074] In some embodiments, determining the statistical information related to the measurement values of the measurement parameter comprises calculating a value of standard deviation of the measurement values of the measurement parameter.

[0075] In some embodiments, the standard deviation of the measurement values of the measurement parameter is calculated based on the quality metric scaled by the scaling factor.

[0076] In some embodiments, process 300 further comprises receiving measurement values of a plurality of measurement parameters, wherein the plurality of measurement parameters includes the measurement parameter; and performing RAT dependent UE positioning based on the received measurement values.

[0077] In some embodiments, process 300 further comprises receiving values of a plurality of quality metrics related to the plurality of measurement parameters; receiving statistical information related to measurement values of the plurality of measurement parameters and/or scaling factors for the values of the plurality of quality metrics; and based on (i) the statistical information related to the measurement values of the plurality of measurement parameters and/or (ii) the values of the plurality of quality metrics and the scaling factors, determining an integrity level of a position determined by the RAT dependent UE positioning.

[0078] In some embodiments, the first NN is a location management function, LMF, and the second NN is a gNB central unit, gNB-CU.

[0079] In some embodiments, the request is included in a Measurement Request for requesting the second NN to configure a positioning measurement for the UE.

[0080] In some embodiments, the first NN is a gNB-CU, and the second NN is a gNB distributed unit, gNB-DU.

[0081] In some embodiments, the request is included in a Positioning Measurement Request for requesting the second NN to configure a positioning measurement. [0082] In some embodiments, the Measurement Request and/or the Positioning Measurement Request comprises a Measurement Characteristics Request Indicator information element, IE, and a value of the Measurement Characteristics Request Indicator IE corresponds to the request.

[0083] In some embodiments, the response is included in a Measurement Response or a Positioning Measurement Response, and the Measurement Response or the Positioning Measurement Response is for reporting a positioning measurement.

[0084] In some embodiments, the Measurement Response or the Positioning Measurement Response includes a Measurement Quality IE, and the Measurement Quality IE comprises the response.

[0085] In some embodiments, the Measurement Quality IE comprises an indicator indicating whether the Measurement Quality IE comprises the statistical information and/or the scaling factor.

[0086] In some embodiments, the request is transmitted toward the UE, the response is transmitted by the UE, the response includes NR-TimingQuality IE, and the NR-TimingQuality IE comprises the statistical information and/or the scaling factor.

[0087] In some embodiments, the response further includes a value of another quality metric and said another quality metric is related to another measurement parameter for the RAT dependent UE positioning.

[0088] In some embodiments, the response further includes another statistical information related to measurement values of said another measurement parameter.

[0089] In some embodiments, the statistical information is also related to measurement values of said another measurement parameter.

[0090] In some embodiments, the response further includes a scaling factor for the value of the quality metric and the value of said another quality metric, and process 300 further comprises: determining the statistical information related to the measurement values of the measurement parameter using the quality metric and the scaling factor, and determining another statistical information related to measurement values of said another measurement parameter using said another quality metric and the scaling factor. [0091] FIG. 4 shows a process 400 performed by a second network node, NN, or a user equipment, UE, according to some embodiments. Process 400 comprises step s402. Step s402 comprises receiving from a first NN a request for reporting a quality metric, wherein the quality metric is related to a measurement parameter for radio access technology, RAT, dependent UE positioning. Step s404 comprises, after receiving the request, transmitting a response towards the second NN or the UE. The response includes (i) a value of the quality metric and (ii) statistical information related to measurement values of the measurement parameter and/or a scaling factor for the value of the quality metric.

[0092] In some embodiments, the response includes the scaling factor for determining statistical information related to measurement values of the measurement parameter using the quality metric.

[0093] In some embodiments, determining the statistical information related to the measurement values of the measurement parameter comprises calculating a value of standard deviation of the measurement values of the measurement parameter.

[0094] In some embodiments, the standard deviation of the measurement values of the measurement parameter is calculated based on the quality metric scaled by the scaling factor

[0095] In some embodiments, process 400 further comprises transmitting measurement values of a plurality of measurement parameters, wherein the plurality of measurement parameters includes the measurement parameter, wherein the received measurement values are for performing RAT dependent UE positioning.

[0096] In some embodiments, process 400 further comprises transmitting values of a plurality of quality metrics related to the plurality of measurement parameters; and transmitting statistical information related to measurement values of the plurality of measurement parameters and/or scaling factors for the values of the plurality of quality metrics, wherein (i) the statistical information related to the measurement values of the plurality of measurement parameters and/or (ii) the values of the plurality of quality metrics and the scaling factors are for determining an integrity level of a position determined by the RAT dependent UE positioning.

[0097] In some embodiments, the first NN is a location management function, LMF, and the second NN is a gNB central unit, gNB-CU. [0098] In some embodiments, the request is included in a Measurement Request for requesting the second NN to configure a positioning measurement for the UE.

[0099] In some embodiments, the first NN is a gNB-CU, and the second NN is a gNB distributed unit, gNB-DU.

[0100] In some embodiments, the request is included in a Positioning Measurement Request for requesting the second NN to configure a positioning measurement.

[0101] In some embodiments, the Measurement Request and/or the Positioning Measurement Request comprises a Measurement Characteristics Request Indicator information element, IE, and a value of the Measurement Characteristics Request Indicator IE corresponds to the request.

[0102] In some embodiments, the response is included in a Measurement Response or a Positioning Measurement Response, and the Measurement Response or the Positioning Measurement Response is for reporting a positioning measurement.

[0103] In some embodiments, the Measurement Response or the Positioning Measurement Response includes a Measurement Quality IE, and the Measurement Quality IE comprises the response.

[0104] In some embodiments, the Measurement Quality IE comprises an indicator indicating whether the Measurement Quality IE comprises the statistical information and/or the scaling factor.

[0105] In some embodiments, the request is received at the UE, the response is transmitted by the UE, the response includes NR-TimingQuality IE, and the NR-TimingQuality IE comprises the statistical information and/or the scaling factor.

[0106] In some embodiments, the response further includes a value of another quality metric and said another quality metric is related to another measurement parameter for the RAT dependent UE positioning.

[0107] In some embodiments, the response further includes another statistical information related to measurement values of said another measurement parameter.

[0108] In some embodiments, the statistical information is also related to measurement values of said another measurement parameter. [0109] In some embodiments, the response further includes a scaling factor for the value of the quality metric and the value of said another quality metric, wherein the quality metric and the scaling factor are for determining the statistical information related to the measurement values of the measurement parameter, and said another quality metric and the scaling factor are for determining another statistical information related to measurement values of said another measurement parameter.

[0110] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an apparatus 500, according to some embodiments, for implementing gNB 112, eNB 114, or LMF 106. As shown in FIG. 5, apparatus 500 may comprise: processing circuitry (PC) 502, which may include one or more processors (P) 555 (e.g., a general purpose microprocessor and/or one or more other processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like), which processors may be co-located in a single housing or in a single data center or may be geographically distributed (i.e., apparatus 500 may be a distributed computing apparatus); a network interface 548 comprising a transmitter (Tx) 545 and a receiver (Rx) 547 for enabling apparatus 500 to transmit data to and receive data from other nodes connected to a network 110 (e.g., an Internet Protocol (IP) network) to which network interface 548 is connected (directly or indirectly) (e.g., network interface 548 may be wirelessly connected to the network 110, in which case network interface 548 is connected to an antenna arrangement); and a local storage unit (a.k.a., “data storage system”) 508, which may include one or more non-volatile storage devices and/or one or more volatile storage devices. In embodiments where PC 502 includes a programmable processor, a computer program product (CPP) 541 may be provided. CPP 541 includes a computer readable medium (CRM) 542 storing a computer program (CP) 545 comprising computer readable instructions (CRI) 544. CRM 542 may be a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as, magnetic media (e.g., a hard disk), optical media, memory devices (e.g., random access memory, flash memory), and the like. In some embodiments, the CRI 544 of computer program 545 is configured such that when executed by PC 502, the CRI causes apparatus 500 to perform steps described herein (e.g., steps described herein with reference to the flow charts). In other embodiments, apparatus 500 may be configured to perform steps described herein without the need for code. That is, for example, PC 502 may consist merely of one or more ASICs. Hence, the features of the embodiments described herein may be implemented in hardware and/or software. [001] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of UE 102, according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 6, UE 102 may comprise: processing circuitry (PC) 602, which may include one or more processors (P) 655 (e.g., one or more general purpose microprocessors and/or one or more other processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like); communication circuitry 648, which is coupled to an antenna arrangement 649 comprising one or more antennas and which comprises a transmitter (Tx) 645 and a receiver (Rx) 647 for enabling UE 102 to transmit data and receive data (e.g., wirelessly transmit/receive data); and a local storage unit (a.k.a., “data storage system”) 608, which may include one or more non-volatile storage devices and/or one or more volatile storage devices. In embodiments where PC 602 includes a programmable processor, a computer program product (CPP) 641 may be provided. CPP 641 includes a computer readable medium (CRM) 642 storing a computer program (CP) 643 comprising computer readable instructions (CRI) 644. CRM 642 may be a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as, magnetic media (e.g., a hard disk), optical media, memory devices (e.g., random access memory, flash memory), and the like. In some embodiments, the CRI 644 of computer program 643 is configured such that when executed by PC 602, the CRI causes UE 102 to perform steps described herein (e.g., steps described herein with reference to the flow charts). In other embodiments, UE 102 may be configured to perform steps described herein without the need for code. That is, for example, PC 602 may consist merely of one or more ASICs. Hence, the features of the embodiments described herein may be implemented in hardware and/or software.

[0111] Summary of Embodiments

Al. A method (300) performed by a first network node, NN (e.g., 106, 112), the method comprising: transmitting (s302) towards a second NN (e.g., 112) or a user equipment, UE (102), a request for reporting quality metric, wherein the quality metric is related to a measurement parameter for radio access technology, RAT, dependent UE positioning; and after transmitting (s304) the request, receiving a response transmitted by the second NN or the UE, wherein the response includes (i) a value of the quality metric and (ii) statistical information related to measurement values of the measurement parameter and/or a scaling factor for the value of the quality metric.

A2. The method of embodiment Al, wherein the response includes the scaling factor, and the method further comprises determining statistical information related to measurement values of the measurement parameter using the quality metric and the scaling factor.

A3. The method of embodiment A2, wherein determining the statistical information related to the measurement values of the measurement parameter comprises calculating a value of standard deviation of the measurement values of the measurement parameter.

A4. The method of embodiment A3, wherein the standard deviation of the measurement values of the measurement parameter is calculated based on: the quality metric X the scaling factor.

A5. The method of any one of embodiment A1-A4, the method comprising: receiving measurement values of a plurality of measurement parameters, wherein the plurality of measurement parameters includes the measurement parameter; and performing RAT dependent UE positioning based on the received measurement values.

A6. The method of embodiment A5, the method comprising: receiving values of a plurality of quality metrics related to the plurality of measurement parameters; receiving statistical information related to measurement values of the plurality of measurement parameters and/or scaling factors for the values of the plurality of quality metrics; based on (i) the statistical information related to the measurement values of the plurality of measurement parameters and/or (ii) the values of the plurality of quality metrics and the scaling factors, determining an integrity level of a position determined by the RAT dependent UE positioning.

A7. The method of any one of embodiments A1-A6, wherein the first NN is a location management function, LMF, and the second NN is a gNB central unit, gNB-CU.

A8. The method of embodiment A7, wherein the request is included in a Measurement Request for requesting the second NN to configure a positioning measurement for the UE.

A9. The method of any one of embodiments A1-A6, wherein the first NN is a gNB-CU, and the second NN is a gNB distributed unit, gNB-DU.

A10. The method of embodiment A9, wherein the request is included in a Positioning Measurement Request for requesting the second NN to configure a positioning measurement.

Al l. The method of embodiment A8 or A10, wherein the Measurement Request and/or the Positioning Measurement Request comprises a Measurement Characteristics Request Indicator information element, IE, and a value of the Measurement Characteristics Request Indicator IE corresponds to the request.

A 12. The method of any one of embodiments Al-Al, wherein the response is included in a Measurement Response or a Positioning Measurement

Response, and the Measurement Response or the Positioning Measurement Response is for reporting a positioning measurement.

A 13. The method of embodiment A 12, wherein the Measurement Response or the Positioning Measurement Response includes a Measurement Quality IE, and the Measurement Quality IE comprises the response.

A 14. The method of embodiment A13, wherein the Measurement Quality IE comprises an indicator indicating whether the Measurement Quality IE comprises the statistical information and/or the scaling factor.

Al 5. The method of embodiment A1-A6, wherein the request is transmitted toward the UE, the response is transmitted by the UE, the response includes NR-TimingQuality IE, and the NR-TimingQuality IE comprises the statistical information and/or the scaling factor.

Al 6. The method of any one of embodiments A1-A15, wherein the response further includes a value of another quality metric, and said another quality metric is related to another measurement parameter for the RAT dependent UE positioning.

A17. The method of embodiment A16, wherein the response further includes another statistical information related to measurement values of said another measurement parameter.

A 18. The method of embodiment A 16, wherein the statistical information is also related to measurement values of said another measurement parameter.

A19. The method of A16, wherein the response further includes a scaling factor for the value of the quality metric and the value of said another quality metric, and the method further comprises: determining the statistical information related to the measurement values of the measurement parameter using the quality metric and the scaling factor, and determining another statistical information related to measurement values of said another measurement parameter using said another quality metric and the scaling factor.

B 1. A method (400) performed by a second network node, NN (112), or a user equipment, UE (102), the method comprising: receiving (s402) from a first NN (106) a request for reporting quality metric, wherein the quality metric is related to a measurement parameter for radio access technology, RAT, dependent UE positioning; and after receiving the request, transmitting (s404) a response towards the second NN or the UE, wherein the response includes (i) a value of the quality metric and (ii) statistical information related to measurement values of the measurement parameter and/or a scaling factor for the value of the quality metric.

B2. The method of embodiment B 1 , wherein the response includes the scaling factor for determining statistical information related to measurement values of the measurement parameter using the quality metric.

B3. The method of embodiment B2, wherein determining the statistical information related to the measurement values of the measurement parameter comprises calculating a value of standard deviation of the measurement values of the measurement parameter.

B4. The method of embodiment B3, wherein the standard deviation of the measurement values of the measurement parameter is calculated based on: the quality metric X the scaling factor.

B5. The method of any one of embodiment B1-B4, the method comprising: transmitting measurement values of a plurality of measurement parameters, wherein the plurality of measurement parameters includes the measurement parameter, wherein the received measurement values are for performing RAT dependent UE positioning.

B6. The method of embodiment B5, the method comprising: transmitting values of a plurality of quality metrics related to the plurality of measurement parameters; and transmitting statistical information related to measurement values of the plurality of measurement parameters and/or scaling factors for the values of the plurality of quality metrics, wherein

(i) the statistical information related to the measurement values of the plurality of measurement parameters and/or (ii) the values of the plurality of quality metrics and the scaling factors are for determining an integrity level of a position determined by the RAT dependent UE positioning.

B7. The method of any one of embodiments B1-B6, wherein the first NN is a location management function, LMF, and the second NN is a gNB central unit, gNB-CU.

B8. The method of embodiment B7, wherein the request is included in a Measurement Request for requesting the second NN to configure a positioning measurement for the UE.

B9. The method of any one of embodiments B1-B6, wherein the first NN is a gNB-CU, and the second NN is a gNB distributed unit, gNB-DU.

BIO. The method of embodiment B9, wherein the request is included in a Positioning Measurement Request for requesting the second NN to configure a positioning measurement.

Bl l. The method of embodiment B 8 or BIO, wherein the Measurement Request and/or the Positioning Measurement Request comprises a Measurement Characteristics Request Indicator information element, IE, and a value of the Measurement Characteristics Request Indicator IE corresponds to the request.

B12. The method of any one of embodiments Bl -Bl, wherein the response is included in a Measurement Response or a Positioning Measurement Response, and the Measurement Response or the Positioning Measurement Response is for reporting a positioning measurement.

B13. The method of embodiment B12, wherein the Measurement Response or the Positioning Measurement Response includes a Measurement Quality IE, and the Measurement Quality IE comprises the response.

B14. The method of embodiment B13, wherein the Measurement Quality IE comprises an indicator indicating whether the Measurement Quality IE comprises the statistical information and/or the scaling factor.

B15. The method of embodiment B1-B6, wherein the request is received at the UE, the response is transmitted by the UE, the response includes NR-TimingQuality IE, and the NR-TimingQuality IE comprises the statistical information and/or the scaling factor.

B16. The method of any one of embodiments Bl -Bl 5, wherein the response further includes a value of another quality metric, and said another quality metric is related to another measurement parameter for the RAT dependent UE positioning. B17. The method of embodiment B16, wherein the response further includes another statistical information related to measurement values of said another measurement parameter.

Bl 8. The method of embodiment Bl 6, wherein the statistical information is also related to measurement values of said another measurement parameter.

B19. The method of Bl 6, wherein the response further includes a scaling factor for the value of the quality metric and the value of said another quality metric, wherein the quality metric and the scaling factor are for determining the statistical information related to the measurement values of the measurement parameter, and said another quality metric and the scaling factor are for determining another statistical information related to measurement values of said another measurement parameter.

Cl. A computer program (500 or 600) comprising instructions (544 or 644) which when executed by processing circuitry (502 or 602) cause the processing circuitry to perform the method of any one of embodiments A1-B19.

C2. A carrier containing the computer program of embodiment C 1 , wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, and a computer readable storage medium.

DI. A first network node, NN (106 or 112), the first NN being configured to: transmit (s302) towards a second NN or a user equipment, UE, a request for reporting quality metric, wherein the quality metric is related to a measurement parameter for radio access technology, RAT, dependent UE positioning; and after transmitting the request, receive (s304) a response transmitted by the second NN or the UE, wherein the response includes (i) a value of the quality metric and (ii) statistical information related to measurement values of the measurement parameter and/or a scaling factor for the value of the quality metric.

D2. The first NN of embodiment DI, wherein the first NN is configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments A2-A19.

El. A second network node, NN (106), or a user equipment, UE (102), the second NN or the UE being configured to: receive (s402) from a first NN a request for reporting quality metric, wherein the quality metric is related to a measurement parameter for radio access technology, RAT, dependent UE positioning; and after receiving the request, transmit (s404) a response towards the second NN or the UE, wherein the response includes (i) a value of the quality metric and (ii) statistical information related to measurement values of the measurement parameter and/or a scaling factor for the value of the quality metric.

E2. The second NN or the UE of embodiment D 1 , wherein the second NN or the UE is configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments B2-B19.

Fl. An apparatus (500 or 600) comprising: a processing circuitry (502 or 602); and a memory (541 or 641), said memory containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry, whereby the apparatus is operative to perform the method of any one of embodiments A1-B19.

[0112] While various embodiments are described herein, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of this disclosure should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0113] As used herein transmitting a message “to” or “toward” an intended recipient encompasses transmitting the message directly to the intended recipient or transmitting the message indirectly to the intended recipient (i.e., one or more other nodes are used to relay the message from the source node to the intended recipient). Likewise, as used herein receiving a message “from” a sender encompasses receiving the message directly from the sender or indirectly from the sender (i.e., one or more nodes are used to relay the message from the sender to the receiving node). Further, as used herein “a” means “at least one” or “one or more.”

[0114] Additionally, while the processes described above and illustrated in the drawings are shown as a sequence of steps, this was done solely for the sake of illustration. Accordingly, it is contemplated that some steps may be added, some steps may be omitted, the order of the steps may be re-arranged, and some steps may be performed in parallel.