TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This description relates to wireless communications.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A communication system may be a facility that enables communication between two or more nodes or devices, such as fixed or mobile communication devices. Signals can be carried on wired or wireless carriers.

[0003] An example of a cellular communication system is an architecture that is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). A recent development in this field is often referred to as the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology. E-UTRA (evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access) is the air interface of 3GPP's Long Term Evolution (LTE) upgrade path for mobile networks. In LTE, base stations or access points (APs), which are referred to as enhanced Node AP (eNBs), provide wireless access within a coverage area or cell. In LTE, mobile devices, or mobile stations are referred to as user equipment (UE). LTE has included a number of improvements or developments. Aspects of LTE are also continuing to improve.

[0004] 5G New Radio (NR) development is part of a continued mobile broadband evolution process to meet the requirements of 5G, similar to earlier evolution of 3G and 4G wireless networks. In addition, 5G is also targeted at the new emerging use cases in addition to mobile broadband. A goal of 5G is to provide significant improvement in wireless performance, which may include new levels of data rate, latency, reliability, and security. 5G NR may also scale to efficiently connect the massive Internet of Things (loT) and may offer new types of mission-critical services. For example, ultra-reliable and low- latency communications (URLLC) devices may require high reliability and very low latency.

SUMMARY

[0005] According to an example embodiment, a method may include: receiving, by a terminal device and from a network element, measurement configuration; obtaining, based on the measurement configuration, a set of first type measurements and a set of second type measurements on transmissions from the network element; and, sending a measurement report to the network element, wherein the measurement report includes the set of first type measurements, the set of second type measurements and information relating to a first path delay profile detected for the set of first type measurements and a second path delay profile detected for the set of second type measurements.

[0006] According to an example embodiment, a method may include sending, from a network element to a terminal device, a measurement configuration; and receiving by the network element based on the measurement configuration, a measurement report from the terminal device, wherein the measurement report comprises: a set of first type measurements that are based on a first path delay profile; a set of second type of measurements that are based on a second path delay profile; and information relating to the first path delay profile detected by the terminal device for the set of first type measurements and the second path delay profile detected by the terminal device for the set of second type measurements.

[0007] Other example embodiments are provided or described for each of the example methods, including: means for performing any of the example methods; a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor, are configured to cause a computing system to perform any of the example methods; and an apparatus including at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform any of the example methods.

[0008] The details of one or more examples of embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network according to an example embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a wireless network according to an example embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating one or more detected signal paths of a first path delay profile for a set of reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements.

[0012] FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating one or more detected signal paths of a second path delay profile for a set of PRS path power (e.g., RSRPP) measurements.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating operation where signal paths of different measurement types are aligned according to an example embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating operation where signal paths of different measurement types are mis-aligned according to an example embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a terminal device according to an example embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a network element according to an example embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., network node, user node or UE, relay node, or other node).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network 130 according to an example embodiment. In the wireless network 130 of FIG. 1, user devices 131, 132, 133 and 135, which may also be referred to as terminal devices, mobile stations (MSs) or user equipment (UEs), may be connected (and in communication) with a base station (BS) 134, which may also be referred to as an access point (AP), an enhanced Node B (eNB), a gNB or a network node. The terms user device and user equipment (UE) may be used interchangeably. A BS may also include or may be referred to as a RAN (radio access network) node, and may include a portion of a BS or a portion of a RAN node, such as (e.g., such as a centralized unit (CU) and/or a distributed unit (DU) in the case of a split BS or split gNB). At least part of the functionalities of a BS (e.g., access point (AP), base station (BS) or (e)Node B (eNB), gNB, RAN node) may also be carried out by any node, server or host which may be operably coupled to a transceiver, such as a remote radio head. BS (or AP) 134 provides wireless coverage within a cell 136, including to user devices (or UEs) 131, 132, 133 and 135. Although only four user devices (or UEs) are shown as being connected or attached to BS 134, any number of user devices may be provided. BS 134 is also connected to a core network 150 via a SI interface 151. This is merely one simple example of a wireless network, and others may be used.

[0019] A base station (e.g., such as BS 134) is an example of a radio access network (RAN) node within a wireless network. A BS (or a RAN node) may be or may include (or may alternatively be referred to as), e.g., an access point (AP), a gNB, an eNB, or portion thereof (such as a /centralized unit (CU) and/or a distributed unit (DU) in the case of a split BS or split gNB), or other network node.

[0020] According to an illustrative example, a BS node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU/DU, ... ) or a radio access network (RAN) may be part of a mobile telecommunication system. A RAN (radio access network) may include one or more BSs or RAN nodes that implement a radio access technology, e.g., to allow one or more UEs to have access to a network or core network. Thus, for example, the RAN (RAN nodes, such as BSs or gNBs) may reside between one or more user devices or UEs and a core network. According to an example embodiment, each RAN node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU/DU, ... ) or BS may provide one or more wireless communication services for one or more UEs or user devices, e.g., to allow the UEs to have wireless access to a network, via the RAN node. Each RAN node or BS may perform or provide wireless communication services, e.g., such as allowing UEs or user devices to establish a wireless connection to the RAN node, and sending data to and/or receiving data from one or more of the UEs. For example, after establishing a connection to a UE, a RAN node or network node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU/DU, ... ) may forward data to the UE that is received from a network or the core network, and/or forward data received from the UE to the network or core network. RAN nodes or network nodes (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU/DU, ... ) may perform a wide variety of other wireless functions or services, e.g., such as broadcasting control information (e.g., such as system information or on-demand system information) to UEs, paging UEs when there is data to be delivered to the UE, assisting in handover of a UE between cells, scheduling of resources for uplink data transmission from the UE(s) and downlink data transmission to UE(s), sending control information to configure one or more UEs, and the like. These are a few examples of one or more functions that a RAN node or BS may perform. [0021] A user device or user node (user terminal, terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile terminal, handheld wireless device, etc.) may refer to a portable computing device that includes wireless mobile communication devices operating either with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM), including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: a mobile station (MS), a mobile phone, a cell phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handset, a device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), a laptop and/or touch screen computer, a tablet, a phablet, a game console, a notebook, a vehicle, a sensor, and a multimedia device, as examples, or any other wireless device. It should be appreciated that a user device may also be (or may include) a nearly exclusive uplink only device, of which an example is a camera or video camera loading images or video clips to a network. Also, a user node may include a user equipment (UE), a user device, a user terminal, a mobile terminal, a mobile station, a mobile node, a subscriber device, a subscriber node, a subscriber terminal, or other user node. For example, a user node may be used for wireless communications with one or more network nodes (e.g., gNB, eNB, BS, AP, DU, CU/DU) and/or with one or more other user nodes, regardless of the technology or radio access technology (RAT). In LTE (as an illustrative example), core network 150 may be referred to as Evolved Packet Core (EPC), which may include a mobility management entity (MME) which may handle or assist with mobility/handover of user devices between BSs, one or more gateways that may forward data and control signals between the BSs and packet data networks or the Internet, and other control functions or blocks. Other types of wireless networks, such as 5G (which may be referred to as New Radio (NR)) may also include a core network.

[0022] In addition, the techniques described herein may be applied to various types of user devices or data service types, or may apply to user devices that may have multiple applications running thereon that may be of different data service types. New Radio (5G) development may support a number of different applications or a number of different data service types, such as for example: machine type communications (MTC), enhanced machine type communication (eMTC), Internet of Things (loT), and/or narrowband loT user devices, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), and ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC). Many of these new 5G (NR) - related applications may require generally higher performance than previous wireless networks. [0023] loT may refer to an ever-growing group of objects that may have Internet or network connectivity, so that these objects may send information to and receive information from other network devices. For example, many sensor type applications or devices may monitor a physical condition or a status, and may send a report to a server or other network device, e.g., when an event occurs. Machine Type Communications (MTC, or Machine to Machine communications) may, for example, be characterized by fully automatic data generation, exchange, processing and actuation among intelligent machines, with or without intervention of humans. Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) may support much higher data rates than currently available in LTE.

[0024] Ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC) is a new data service type, or new usage scenario, which may be supported for New Radio (5G) systems. This enables emerging new applications and services, such as industrial automations, autonomous driving, vehicular safety, e-health services, and so on. 3 GPP targets in providing connectivity with reliability corresponding to block error rate (BLER) of 10-5 and up to 1 ms U-Plane (user/data plane) latency, by way of illustrative example. Thus, for example, URLLC user devices/UEs may require a significantly lower block error rate than other types of user devices/UEs as well as low latency (with or without requirement for simultaneous high reliability). Thus, for example, a URLLC UE (or URLLC application on a UE) may require much shorter latency, as compared to a eMBB UE (or an eMBB application running on a UE).

[0025] The techniques described herein may be applied to a wide variety of wireless technologies or wireless networks, such as LTE, LTE- A, 5G (New Radio (NR)), 6G, cmWave, and/or mmWave band networks, loT, MTC, eMTC, eMBB, URLLC, etc., or any other wireless network or wireless technology. These example networks, technologies or data service types are provided only as illustrative examples.

[0026] In some cases, a UE positioning function may be used to determine a geographic position (or location) of a UE. In some cases, UE positioning may be performed (or a UE position may be determined) based on positioning reference signals (PRSs). For example, a positioning reference signal (PRS) may be or may include a reference signal that may be transmitted and/or received that may be used to obtain positioning measurements and/or to allow a UE position to be determined or estimated. In some cases, a UE position (or UE position estimate) may be determined, for example, based on positioning measurements, such as a measured timing and/or measured received power (or other signal measurement) of one or more PRSs, for example. For example, PRSs may be or may include PRS sequences that may be pseudo-random sequences that have good (or relatively high) auto-correlation properties and small (or relatively low) cross-correlation properties, e.g., to allow timing or time differences of two signals to be determined. Also, correlation of a configured PRS (which may have been transmitted by a gNB) with a received PRS at a UE may be used to obtain or detect different signals path (different multi-path components) of the received PRS. PRS signals may include downlink (DL) PRS signals (transmitted by a gNB or other network node to a UE), or uplink (UL) PRS signals (transmitted by a UE to a gNB or network node). An UL PRS signal may also be a sounding reference signal (SRS) for positioning. UE (or terminal device) positioning (estimating a position or location of a UE or terminal device) may be performed using different or various positioning methods, such as, e.g., Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Angle of Departure (AoD), multi-round trip time (multi- RTT) positioning, Angle of Arrival (AO A), or other positioning techniques.

[0027] In some cases, UE positioning may be performed by a positioning function or positioning entity, which sometimes may be referred to as a Location Management Function (LMF) in 5G NR. A LMF may be an entity that may calculate or estimate a UE position or location based on received measurements or information, and may also coordinate the positioning services (positioning session) among UE(s) (or terminal devices) and gNB(s). By taking into account the capability of UEs, the LMF may determine a positioning configuration, e.g., such as which positioning method to be used, a configuration of gNBs and UEs for transmitting/receiving reference signals in UL/DL (uplink/downlink) for positioning, and calculating a position estimate of a UE based on the positioning measurements. Thus, the UE positioning process may be controlled or coordinated by a network element, such as a LMF. The LMF may be provided, e.g., within a core network, on a node within a cloud, on or as part of a gNB, or on (or within) other network element, for example.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a wireless network according to an example embodiment. A UE 210 (as an example terminal device) may be in communication with and/or connected to a gNB (or BS) 212. gNB 212 may be in communication with LMF 214. gNB 212 (or a BS) and LMF are examples of a network element. For UE positioning, UE 210 may receive reference signals (such as positioning reference signals (PRS signals)) from one or more transmission/reception points (TRPs, such as gNBs or BSs), such as from gNB 212. To facilitate UE positioning (e.g., to allow LMF 214 or other network element to estimate a position or location of UE 210), the UE 210 may perform measurements on the received PRS signals, e.g., including timing measurements and/or power measurements, which may then be reported to the LMF 214 via a connected or serving gNB 212. For example, UE 210 may perform timing measurements, such as a reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement or a receive-transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference measurement. The UE 210 may perform a power measurement based on a received reference signal, such as a reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement.

[0029] The PRS signals transmitted by the TRP or gNB may be subject to multi-path fading, in which the transmitted PRS signal may travel via multiple signal paths (e.g., path 1, path 2, path 3, etc.), where each signal path may result in a received PRS signal (or PRS signal path component) that has a different phase and/or amplitude, and a different path delay (and thus, having a different arrival time or receive time at the UE 210).

[0030] In an example embodiment, UE 210 may measure a downlink positioning reference signal received path power (DL PRS-RSRPP), which may be the signal path power of the i-th path delay (e.g., first path delay, second path delay, third path delay, ... ). For example, a reference signal received path power (RSRPP) may be or may include the power of the linear average of the channel response at the i-th path delay of the resource elements that carry the DL PRS signal configured for measurement, where the DL PRS- RSRPP for the 1st path delay may be the power contribution corresponding to the first detected signal path in time. Thus, the PRS-RSRPP is the measured power for each signal path of a received PRS. UE 210 may also measure, for one or more detected signal paths, timing measurements based on received PRS signals, e.g., reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement and/or a receive-transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference measurement. These measurements may also be reported to the gNB 212 and/or LMF 214. These measurements may be used by the LMF 214 to estimate the UE’s position (position calculation), for example. [0031] Thus, as noted, there may be different measurement types (e.g., timing measurements and reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements) that may be measured by a UE for one or more signal paths. However, currently, UEs may use a different threshold, rule or criteria to detect signal paths for each measurement type (e.g., a timing measurement and a RSRPP measurement). This may result in different signal paths of the received PRS signal that are measured and reported for the two different measurement types, which may cause errors or inaccuracies at the LMF 214 when estimating the UE position, if the LMF 214 was expecting (or assuming) the two measurements to be for signal paths that are aligned in time (e.g., the LMF is using the measurements of different measurement types jointly).

[0032] FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating one or more first detected signal paths of a first path delay profile for a set of reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating one or more second detected signal paths of a second path delay profile for a set of PRS reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements. In FIGs. 3A and 3B, the first detected signal paths are the one or more signal paths for the RSTD measurements, while the second detected signal paths are the one or more signal paths detected for the RSRPP measurements (thus, the terms first and second, within the phrases first detected signal paths and second detected signal paths may not be a time domain reference or timing reference, but may refer to different sets of signal paths for different measurements). In FIGs. 3A and 3B, the vertical axis is a correlation output 320, and the horizontal axis is time. UE 210 may perform correlation on (or may correlate) a configured PRS signal (the PRS signal transmitted by a TRP or gNB) with a received PRS signal, to obtain a correlation output 320 (the same correlation output 320 may be used for both measurement types, shown in FIGs. 3A and 3B and correlation output 320).

[0033] In FIG. 3 A, a first path delay profile 322 for a set of RSTD measurements is shown and includes one or more signal paths detected for the set of RSTD measurements, including signal path 324 and signal path 328 (as examples). Based on correlation output 320, a signal path may be a portion of the correlation output 320, and a detected signal path may be a portion of the correlation output 320 that is or has a peak correlation output that is greater than a threshold or satisfies some other rule or criteria. A RSTD threshold 326 may be used to detect signal paths for the first path delay profile. In this example, any signal path that has a peak correlation output 320 greater than the RSTD threshold 326 may be considered a detected signal path for the first path delay profile 322 for the set of RSTD measurements. Also, any signal path that has a peak correlation output that is less than or equal to the RSTD threshold 326 is not a detected signal path for the first path delay profile 322, used for RSTD measurements, for example. Thus, as shown in the example of FIG. 3 A, first path delay profile 322 may include multiple signal paths, and each signal path may be indicated, for example, by a portion of the correlation output 320 that has an increased correlation output, as this indicates a positive correlation between the received PRS signal with the configured PRS signal). However, only detected signal path 328 has a peak value that is greater than the RSTD threshold 326. Thus, only signal path 328 is a detected signal path for the first path delay profile 322 for the set of RSTD measurements (based on this example threshold 326 shown in FIG. 3 A). UE 210 may measure and report the RSTD measurement for the one or more detected signal paths of the first path delay profile 322.

[0034] In this example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the correlation output 320 and threshold 326 are used to detect one or more signal paths (including detected signal path 328) for the first path delay profile 322 for RSTD measurements. In this example, an RSTD measurement may be measured and reported to LMF 214 for each of the detected signal paths (e.g., in this case for FIG. 3A, only for detected signal path 328), which is the (measured and reported) RSTD measurement 330 associated with the detected signal path 328. Additional signal paths are shown, including additional path 1 and additional path 2, but these additional signal paths are not detected for the first path delay profile for the set of RSTD measurements since the peak of these additional signal paths is less than the RSTD threshold 326.

[0035] As noted, FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating one or more detected signal paths of a second path delay profile for a set of PRS reference signal received path power (e.g., RSRPP) measurements. A second path delay profile 342 for RSRPP measurements may include one or more detected signal paths (e.g., including detected signal paths 344, 348 and 349) that have a peak value (peak value of correlation output 320) that is greater than a RSRPP threshold 346. A RSRPP measurement may be measured and reported for each detected signal path 344, 348, and 349. For example, RSRPP measurement 352 may be measured and reported to LMF 214 for the detected signal path 348. RSRPP measurements may be measured and reported for each detected signal path of the second path delay profile 342.

[0036] Either a same or a different threshold, rule or criteria may be used for detecting signal paths for each of the first path delay profile 322 for RSTD measurements and the second path profile 342 for RSRPP measurements. If the same threshold, rule or criteria (e.g., a same threshold) is used for detecting signal paths of both path delay profiles 322, 342, then, for example, the detected signal paths will be (or may typically be) aligned in time (e.g., will be the same signal paths). That is, signal paths 324, 328 and 329 of first path delay profile 322 are aligned in time domain with signal paths 344, 348 and 349, respectively. Although not shown in FIGs. 3A and 3B, if the same threshold 346 were used to detect signal paths for both path delay profiles 322 and 342, then signal paths 324, 328 and 329 would be detected (and measured and reported) for path delay profile 322 for RSTD measurements, and signal paths 344, 348 and 349 of path delay profile 342 would be detected (and measured and reported) for RSRPP measurements. In other words, signal paths 324, 328 and 329 (FIG. 3A) would have been the same as signal paths 344, 348 and 349, respectively (FIG. 3B), if the same threshold had been used.

[0037] However, as shown in FIGs. 3A and 3B, different values are used for RSTD threshold 326 and RSRPP threshold 346, and this may result in a mis-alignment of the one or more detected signal paths (and a mis-alignment of the first detected signal paths for the two measurement types). By comparing FIGs. 3A and 3B, it is shown that the first (in time domain) detected signal path 328 of the first path delay profile 322 is mis-aligned in time domain with (is not aligned with, or does not occur at the same time as) the first (in time) detected signal path 344 of the second path delay profile. Thus, this mis-alignment of the first signal paths 330 in FIG. 3A and 344 in FIG. 3B that are used to measure and report the RSTD measurement and RSRPP measurement, respectively, may be unknown to the LMF 214, and which may cause errors or inaccuracies at the LMF in estimating or calculating the UE position, e.g., if the two measurement types (e.g., RSTD and RSRPP measurements) are to be used jointly by the LMF 214 for UE positioning.

[0038] Therefore, according to an example embodiment, a technique may include: receiving, by a terminal device (e.g., UE 210) and from a network element (e.g., LMF 214 or gNB 212), a measurement configuration (e.g., which may indicate what measurements to be performed and reported, which resources to be measured, how frequently measurements should be performed, whether the measurements will be used jointly, etc.), obtaining, based on the measurement configuration, a set of first type measurements (e.g., RSTD measurements) and a set of second type measurements (e.g., RSRPP measurements) on transmissions (e.g., based on PRS signals received) from the network element; sending (e.g., by UE 210) a measurement report to the network element, wherein the measurement report includes the set of first type measurements, the set of second type measurements and information (e.g., assistance information) relating to a first path delay profile detected for the set of first type measurements (e.g., first path delay profile 322 detected for RSTD measurements) and a second path delay profile detected for the set of second type measurements (e.g., first path delay profile 342 detected for RSRPP measurements).

The information (e.g., assistance information) relating to the first path delay profile detected for the set of first type measurements and the second path delay profile detected for the set of second type measurements may provide various information that may be useful to the LMF.

[0039] For example, the information (which may be included in the measurement report sent from terminal device or UE to network element) relating to the first path delay profile and the second path delay profile may further include anyone or a combination of the following: an indication that one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile are aligned with one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile; an indication that one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile are mis-aligned with one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile (e.g., which may indicate that a first (in time domain) detected signal path 328 of the first detected path delay profile 322 for RSTD measurements is mis-aligned with a first (in time domain) detected signal path 344 of the second path delay profile 342 for RSRPP measurements); an association of one or more signal paths detected for the set of one or more first type of measurements with one or more signal paths detected for the set of one or more second type of measurements; a time offset between one or more signal paths detected for the first path delay profile and one or more signal paths detected for the second path delay profile (e.g., a time offset indicating that there is a ,3ms offset between detected signal path 328 of the first detected path delay profile 322 for RSTD measurements and a detected signal path 344 of the second path delay profile 342 for RSRPP measurements, shown in FIGs. 3A and 3B)); an indication that a Nth detected signal path of the first path delay profile used for the first type measurement is the Lth detected signal path of the second path delay profile used for the second type measurement, wherein N and L are integers that are greater than or equal to 1 (e.g., an indication that a first (N=l) detected signal path 328 of the first detected path delay profile 322 for RSTD measurements is aligned with a (or is the, or is the same as the) second (e.g., L=2) detected signal path 348 of the second path delay profile 342 for RSRPP measurements, as shown in FIGs. 3A and 3B); an association information of the one or more first signal paths of the RSTD measurements with the one or more second signal paths of the RSRPP measurements, wherein a detected Nth signal path arrival of the first path delay profile used for the first type measurement is associated with a detected Lth signal path arrival of the second path delay profile used for the second type measurement, wherein N and L are integers that are greater than or equal to 1 ; information indicating whether or not a same or different threshold, rule or criteria is used for detecting one or more signal paths for the first path delay profile and one or more signal paths for the second path delay profile (e.g., information indicating that different thresholds 326 and 346 are used to detect signal paths of the first path delay profile 322 and the second path delay profile 342); information indicating a threshold, rule or criteria that was used for detecting one or more signal paths for the first path delay profile and information indicating a threshold, rule or criteria that was used for detecting one or more signal paths for the second path delay profile (e.g., information indicating the values of the thresholds 326 and 346 used for detecting signal paths for path delay profiles 322 and 342, as shown in FIGs. 3A and 3B); an indication to the network element, to disregard (or alternatively, an indication that the UE has disregarded) any signal paths detected prior to a specific time instance, in order to establish a first signal path arrival detected in both the RSTD and the RSRPP measurements; respective arrival time offsets to corresponding signal paths between the one or more first signal paths detected for the first path delay profile for reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and the one or more second signal paths detected for the second path delay profile for reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements, when the one or more first signal paths for the RSTD measurements are not the same as the one or more second signal paths for the RSRPP measurements; and/or when an uplink sounding reference signals (SRS) of the terminal device is being measured, and the measurement report may include a relative time of arrival (RTOA) or an uplink sound reference signal (UL SRS) RSRPP measurements. [0040] In an example embodiment, the UE 210 may be requested to measure and report signal measurements for the two measurement types (e.g., RSTD and RSRPP measurements, or other measurement types) based on aligned signal paths, if possible, e.g., if the two measurement types will be used jointly by the LMF 214 for UE positioning. However, if the UE 210 does not measure and report the two measurement types based on aligned signal paths (e.g., the signal paths for the two measurement types may be mis-aligned), the UE 210 may include in the measurement report information that may notify the LMF 214 of a signal path mis-alignment, or information that may be useful to the LMF 214 or may be used by the LMF 214 to account for or accommodate (or compensate for) the measurements that are based on signal paths that are mis-aligned, e.g., to improve (or at least reduce the errors in) the UE positioning calculation.

[0041] This information relating to the first path delay profile and the second path delay profile may be used by the LMF 214, for example, to improve the accuracy of UE positioning, and/or to decrease errors or inaccuracies based on a signal path mis-alignment. For example, if a measurement report sent by UE 210 to LMF 214 and/or gNB 212 indicates that the one or more signal paths detected for the set of one or more first type measurements (e.g., for RSTD measurements) are mis-aligned with the one or more signal paths for the set of one or more second type measurements (e.g., for RSRPP measurements), the network element (e.g., LMF 214 or gNB 212) may perform or make a modification or perform an adjustment in a UE positioning calculation, in response to or based upon the indicated mis-alignment, such as by performing one or more of the following, for example:

[0042] 1) aligning the one or more signal paths detected for the set of one or more first type of measurements with the one or more signal paths for the set of one or more second type of measurements, based on information received in the measurement report (e.g., this may be performed by the LMF 214 by shifting one or more of the signal paths of one of the path delay profiles by a time period equal to the indicated time offset, for example); and/or 2) discarding or omitting one or more first type measurements and/or second type measurements from a position calculation of the terminal device (e.g., the LMF 214 may discard or omit from its UE calculation, the RSTD measurement s) for one or more detected signal paths of the first path delay profile and/or discard or omit RSRPP measurement(s) for one or more detected signal paths of the second profile, since the timing of the signal paths for these measurements is not aligned). The LMF 214 may perform other adjustments or modifications to a UE positioning procedure or calculation to account for the mis-alignment. Alternately, the LMF 214 may perform UE positioning calculation based on the measurement report, including aligning one or more signal paths of the received measurements, discarding one or more measurements that may be measured on mis-aligned signal paths, etc.

[0043] Some further examples and/or features will now be described.

[0044] Several options are described hereinbelow. For example, in Options 1 to 2, the UE may use the same threshold, rule or criteria to detect signal paths for a first path delay profile 322 of a first type measurement, and to detect signal paths for a second path delay profile 342 for a second type measurements. In Options 3 to 5, information may be included in the measurement report, e.g., in a case where the detected signal paths for the first and second path delay profiles 322, 342 may be mis-aligned and/or in a case where a different threshold, rule or criteria are used to detect signal paths for the first and second path delay profiles.

[0045] UE 210 may be configured for PRS RSTD and PRS RSRPP measurements. These measurements may be performed on the same or different PRS samples/occasions, and may be performed for one or more signal paths of the received PRS signals. In the measurement configuration, or in other message, the LMF 214 may indicate that the measurements are intended to be used jointly and should be aligned in time, for example. In one embodiment, the LMF may rely on implicit indication (e.g., UE assumes if both are requested then they are or will be used jointly).

[0046] There may be multiple options for addressing the problems that may arise from the signal path mis-alignment, such as one or more of the following, as further illustrative examples:

[0047] Option 1 : UE 210 uses a same threshold value for RSTD and RSRPP measurements and informs the network element (e.g., gNB 212 and/or LMF 214) it has done so (e.g., UE 210 informs LMF or gNB that the same threshold, rule or criteria was used to detect signal paths for both measurement types (e.g., for both RSTD and RSRPP measurements). Alternately, the UE 210 otherwise aligns the signal paths/time such that the reported RSTD paths and RSRPP paths are the same (are aligned) (i.e., main RSTD signal path 328 is the same as or is aligned with the signal path 348 for RSRPP, in the case where both use the same threshold 326). In the measurement report sent by UE 210 to LMF 214 and/or gNB 212, the UE may indicate the threshold being used to detect signal paths for both type of measurements. The threshold may be indicated as either an absolute value, or a relative value. The following are illustrative examples.

[0048] Absolute value for threshold: In the case of RSRPP measurements, the UE may report (or may include in the measurement report to the LMF 214) the absolute power in dBm level of the signal path (the correlation output 320, for the signal path). If the UE 210 uses X dBm as a threshold value to detect the detected signal paths from the undetected (or additional) signal paths, the UE should use the same criterion to decide the 1 st signal path for RSTD and/or UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement. Thus, the same threshold, criteria and/or rule may be used in Option 1 to detect path segments to be measured for both measurement types (e.g., RSTD and RSRPP for example).

[0049] Relative value for threshold: In one implementation for timing measurement, e.g., for RSTD and/or UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement, the UE 210 may identify the peak signal power of the correlation output 320 in time-domain and determines a ratio value (e.g., power over X% of peak power of the correlation output 320) to identify the 1st signal path for timing measurement, e.g., for RSTD measurement and/or UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement. If the UE uses a ratio value (power over X% of peak power of correlation output 320) as a threshold value, the UE should use this value for RSRPP measurement as well, so that both measurement types use the same threshold value to detect signal paths for both types of measurements. For example, UE may use a ratio value, or a relative value as a threshold: the UE may determine a peak power (or peak amplitude) of the correlation output 320. As an example, UE 210 may use a threshold that is 50% of the peak power of the correlation output 320, to detect signal paths for both measurement types. Signal paths that have a peak value greater than 50% of the peak power of the correlation output 320 are detected signal paths, in this example.

[0050] Thus, for example, the terminal device or UE may utilize a relative value to measure the reference signal time difference (RSTD) or a receive/transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference measurement to identify peak signal power (e.g., of correlation output 320) in time-domain and decide a ratio value (e.g., 50% of peak signal power of correlation output 320) to identify or detect a first signal path arrival (e.g., such as for detected signal path 328, FIG. 3A) among the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile (e.g., first signal paths shown in FIG. 3 A), and utilize (by the terminal device or UE) the ratio value as a threshold value for the reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements (e.g., for the measurements of the second path delay profile for RSRPP, FIG. 3B).

[0051] Also, for example, the terminal device or UE may utilize an absolute value as a threshold value to differentiate a first signal path arrival (e.g., for signal path 344, FIG. 3B may be the first signal path arrival, for example) and subsequent signal path arrivals (e.g., for signal paths 348 and 349, FIG. 3B) of the one or more second signal paths (e.g., signal paths shown for second path delay profile, FIG. 3B) in the reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements of the second path delay profile; and utilize by the terminal device or UE the threshold value as a same criterion to decide a first signal path arrival for the reference signal time difference (RSTD) or a receive/transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference measurement (e.g., measurements of received PRS signal, based on the threshold value applied to the correlation output 320, FIG. 3A).

[0052] Option 2. The UE may determine a criterion/rule rather than a threshold value to identify or detect the first signal path arrival in both the first and second path delay profiles, wherein the determining the criterion or rule may include: jointly utilizing the ratio value and the absolute value to identify the first signal path arrival or Nth signal path arrivals, as long as a defined ratio value of the identified peak signal power is exceeded (e.g., 50% of peak signal power of correlation output 320 is exceeded) and a defined minimum absolute value of power (e.g., of correlation output 320, FIGs. 3A and 3B) has been met or reached. LMF 214 may indicate that UE 210 is required to use the same criterion (e.g., same ratio, such as X% of power over peak power) compared to peak signal power of the correlation output to identify one or more signal paths for both RSTD/UE Rx-Tx and RSRPP measurements. Thus, in Option 2, the UE may jointly utilize the ratio value and the absolute value to identify or detect signal path arrivals, as long as a defined ratio value of the identified peak signal power of correlation output is exceeded by the correlation output 320 (e.g., a relative threshold of 50% of peak correlation output) and a defined minimum absolute value of power has been met or reached by correlation output. [0053] For example, as noted, the ratio compared to the peak signal power may be useful to detect or identify signal paths or signal path arrivals (such as a first signal path arrival for a path delay profile). Also, an absolute value of threshold may also be a useful factor to identify a specific signal path or signal path arrival. As one example rule (which may be based on or include a threshold), the UE may detect (or identify) a signal path if that signal path has a peak (or peak amplitude or peak value) that is over (or greater than) X% of the peak signal power of the correlation output, and it should not be less than L dBm. This is an example criterion to detect a signal path or signal path arrival for measurement, and the UE may (or should) use the same criterion to detect signal paths or signal path arrivals (e.g., first signal path arrival or Nth signal path arrival) for measurement of both measurements, and includes or makes use of X% and L, which uses both (or jointly uses) an absolute value (L in this example) and a ratio or relative value (e.g., peak value of a signal path that is greater than 50% of the peak signal power of correlation output 320).

[0054] Option 3: UE reports an association of the RSTD paths with the RSRPP paths as part of the reporting. The association of the one or more signal paths for RSTD measurement with one or more signal paths for RSRPP measurement may include an indication that the one or more signal paths for RSTD measurement are aligned in time with one or more signal paths for RSRPP measurement. Thus, for Option 3, the measurement report sent by the terminal device to the network element may include an association information indicating that a Nth detected first signal path of the first path delay profile used for the first type measurement is the Lth detected second signal path of the second path delay profile used for the second type measurement, wherein N and L are integers that are greater than or equal to 1. For Example, the terminal device or UE may include in the measurement report an association information of the one or more first signal paths of the RSTD measurements with the one or more second signal paths of the RSRPP measurements, wherein a detected Nth signal path arrival of the first path delay profile used for the first type measurement is associated with a detected Lth signal path arrival of the second path delay profile used for the second type measurement, wherein N and L are integers that are greater than or equal to 1 (e.g., an indication that a first (N=l) detected signal path 328 of the first detected path delay profile 322 for RSTD measurements is associated with (e.g., may be aligned with or may be the same as) the second (e.g., L=2) detected signal path 348 of the second path delay profile 342 for RSRPP measurements, as shown in FIGs. 3A and 3B). [0055] Option 4: In order to provide alignment (e.g., to avoid mis-alignment) of signal paths of the different measurement types, the terminal device or UE may disregard any signal paths detected prior to a specific time (e.g., UE may ignore signal paths, such as signal path 344, that are detected prior to signal path 328). Also, the terminal device or UE may include in the measurement report an indication to the network element, to disregard (or alternatively, an indication that the UE has disregarded) any signal paths detected prior to a specific time instance, in order to establish a first signal path arrival detected in both the RSTD and the RSRPP measurements (e.g., so that the first signal path arrival, such as for signal paths 328 and 348, will be aligned for the two measurement types). For example, the measurement report may include an indication to disregard (or may include an indication that the terminal device or UE has disregarded) any signal paths detected before a time of the detection or arrival of signal path 328 in FIG. 3A for RSTD measurements, e.g., to avoid including (or the network element using) signal paths (such as signal path 344, in RSRPP measurement) that occurs or arrives before the signal path 328, in order to avoid mis-alignment of signal paths of the RSTD and RSRPP measurements (since using a measurement for signal path 344 (which arrived before arrival of signal path 328 in FIG. 3 A) would cause the network element to use measurements of these mis-aligned signal paths 328, 344; hence the indication to disregard the earlier signal path 344 may avoid this mis-alignment of signal paths for the two measurement types).

[0056] Also, for example, a threshold, rule or criteria may be (applied to the correlation output 320) to detect first signal paths for a first path delay profile for a first type measurement (e.g., for RSTD); and then the threshold, rule or criteria is not used to detect second signal paths for a second path delay profile for second type measurements (e.g., RSRPP), but where second signal paths for the second path delay profile are selected that align with the first selected signal paths of the first path delay profile. In this option, no threshold or criteria is used to detect the second signal paths, but second signal paths are selected that align with first signal paths. This guarantees alignment of first and second signal paths. Thus, as an example for Option 4, the UE 210 may detect, based on a threshold, rule or criteria, one or more first signal paths for the first path delay profile for the first type measurements; and select one or more second signal paths, for the second path delay profile for the second type measurements, which align with the one or more of the detected first signal paths for the first path delay profile. The measurement report may provide such an indication that the first signal paths of first path delay profile of first measurement type were detected based on a threshold, and second signal paths of second path delay profile are selected that align with first signal paths.

[0057] Thus, in an example of Option 4, because first and second signal paths (that will be measured and reported for the two measurement types) align in time domain, there will be no reported second signal paths that are selected that occur in time domain before a first in time domain detected first signal path; this is why UE will ignore (and will not report measurements for) second signal paths that occur in time domain before the first in time domain first detected signal path). Thus, for example, the measurement report sent by the terminal device may include an indication that the terminal device disregarded any signal paths measured prior to a specific time instance, and only consider the first signal path in both the RSTD and the RSRPP measurements.

[0058] Thus, in an example for Option 4, the UE may detect a first signal path

(or detects signal paths) for a first path delay profile for first type measurements (e.g., RSTD measurements) based on a threshold, criteria or rule. UE 210 then ignores such threshold, criteria or rule and detects or selects one or more signal paths for the second path delay profile for the second type measurements (e.g., for timing measurements, such as RSRPP), which align with the one or more signal paths for the first path delay profile. Thus, in this example, the threshold, rule or criteria is applied to the correlation output 320, for example, to detect a first signal path, or to detect signal paths, of the first path delay profile of the first measurement type, and then a first signal path, or signal paths, are selected for the second path delay profile which align with the detected signal path(s) of the first delay profile. In this manner, the signal paths will be aligned for both measurement types.

[0059] Option 5: UE 210 indicates to the network element (e.g., LMF 214 or gNB 212), e.g., only if the RSTD signal paths are not the same as (or are not aligned with) the RSRPP signal paths. And/or the UE reports the time offset information between the first (and/or Nth) signal peak or signal path for PRS RSRPP signal path and the first (and/or Nth) signal peak or signal path for RSTD measurement. The LMF 214 may use this time offset between signal paths of the path segments of the first path delay profile for first measurement type and path segments of the second path delay profile for the second measurement type to align (e.g., by shifting the measurements or signal paths) in time by the indicated offset. For the PRS RSRPP reporting, for example, the UE reports an absolute value rather than relative value to the RSRP (total received power), and the UE should choose (detect or select) the first signal path of which dBm range is in the defined table. RANI discussed that sometimes a specific signal path may have power out of range of the table. For RSTD measurement, there is no such restriction from UE perspective, so decision on a specific signal path is completely up to the UE 210. If the different signal paths were used for two measurement types, the UE 210 should report this (indicating this mis-alignment) to the LMF 214 so that the LMF 214 can consider this mis-alignment for UE positioning calculations.

[0060] In addition, the LMF 214 may align the signal paths of the first and second path delay profiles, even though the two measurement types are based on mis-aligned signal paths. Alternatively, or in addition, the LMF 214 may discard one or both measurements, if these measurements of two measurement types are based on mis-aligned signal paths. The LMF 214 may then determine UE position or location, based on the received measurement reports from one or more UEs.

[0061] Thus, for Option 5, the UE may report respective arrival time offsets to corresponding signal paths between the between one or more first signal paths detected for the first path delay profile for reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and the one or more second signal paths detected for the second path delay profile for reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements, when the one or more first signal paths for the RSTD measurements are not the same as the one or more second signal paths for the RSRPP measurements (e.g., UE 210 may report a time offset indicating that there is a ,3ms offset (or difference in time) between detected signal path 328 of the first detected path delay profile 322 for RSTD measurements and a detected signal path 344 of the second path delay profile 342 for RSRPP measurements, shown in FIGs. 3A and 3B).

[0062] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating operation where signal paths of different measurement types are aligned according to an example embodiment. UE 210 may be in communication with and/or connected to a TRP 410 (which may be a BS, gNB, etc.). The TRP may be in communication with the LMF 214. TRPs may transmit reference signals, e.g., positioning reference signals (PRS signals, or other reference signals). The UE 210 may be in communication with LMF 214 via a TRP 410 and/or via a gNB 212. At 420, the UE may be configured (or may receive a configuration from a gNB and/or LMF 214) to perform and report RSTD and RSRPP measurements to the LMF 214. At 422, LMF 214 may indicate that the measurements (the two measurement types, e.g., RSTD and RSRPP measurements in this example) will be used jointly (and, thus, LMF 214 may expect or assume that signal paths for such measurements that are measured and reported to LMF 214 will be aligned in time). At 424, the TRP(s) 410 transmit PRS signals to the UE 210. At 426, the UE 210 measures RSTD and RSRPP, which may use or be based on aligned signal paths for the two measurement types. At 428, after performing signal measurement for RSTD and RSRPP, the UE 210 may send a measurement report to LMF 214, including an indication that the signal paths for the two measurement types (that are being reported in the measurement report) are aligned in time. Alternatively, it may be implicit or assumed by the LMF 214 that the measurement types are based (or measurements performed on signals that are based on) signal paths that are aligned, and thus it may not be necessary for the UE to indicate that the signal paths for the two measurement types are aligned. The UE 210 may include, within the measurement report, information relating to a first path delay profile detected for the set of first type measurements and a second path delay profile detected for the set of second type measurements, which may indicate that the signal paths for the two measurement types are aligned, for example, or may indicate a threshold, rule or criteria used by UE to detect signal paths for one or both measurement types. At 430, LMF 214 may estimate UE position or location, based on measurement reports received from one or more UEs.

[0063] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating operation where signal paths of different measurement types are mis-aligned according to an example embodiment. The differences of FIG. 5, as compared to FIG. 4, will be described. Note, that in FIG. 5, the LMF 214 may also indicate that the measurements of the two measurement types will be used jointly (and thus, the UE should use signal paths that are aligned, for the two measurements, if possible). At 512, the UE measures RSTD measurement and timing measurement (e.g., RSRPP measurement) based on signal paths that are not aligned (based on mis-aligned signal paths for the two measurement types). At 514, after performing signal measurements, the UE 210 may send a measurement report to LMF 214, and may include information relating to information relating to a first path delay profile detected for the set of first type measurements and a second path delay profile detected for the set of second type measurements, e.g., which may be association information.

[0064] For FIG. 5, by way of example, this information (which may be included in the measurement report) may include or may indicate one or more of: an indication that one or more signal paths of the first path delay profile are mis-aligned with one or more signal paths of the second path delay profile; a time offset (or a time offset in arrival) between one or more signal paths detected for the first path delay profile and one or more signal paths detected for the second path delay profile (e.g., there is a ,3ms offset between first detected signal path 330 of the first detected path delay profile 322 for RSTD measurements is and first detected signal path 344 of the second path delay profile 342 for RSRPP measurements, shown in FIGs. 3A and 3B)); an association information of the one or more first signal paths of the RSTD measurements with the one or more second signal paths of the RSRPP measurements, wherein a detected Nth signal path arrival of the first path delay profile used for the first type measurement is associated with a detected Lth signal path arrival of the second path delay profile used for the second type measurement, wherein N and L are integers that are greater than or equal to 1 ; respective arrival time offsets to corresponding signal paths between the one or more first signal paths detected for the first path delay profile for reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and the one or more second signal paths detected for the second path delay profile for reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements, when the one or more first signal paths for the RSTD measurements are not the same as the one or more second signal paths for the RSRPP measurements; an indication to the network element, to disregard (or alternatively, an indication that the UE has disregarded) any signal paths detected prior to a specific time instance, in order to establish a first signal path arrival detected in both the RSTD and the RSRPP measurements; and/or when an uplink sounding reference signals (SRS) of the terminal device is being measured, the measurement report may include a relative time of arrival (RTOA) or an uplink sound reference signal (UL SRS) RSRPP measurements; an indication that a Nth detected signal path of the first path delay profile used for the first type measurement is the Lth detected signal path of the second path delay profile used for the second type measurement, wherein N and L are integers that are greater than or equal to 1 (e.g., an indication that a first detected signal path 330 of the first detected path delay profile 322 for RSTD measurements is aligned with a second detected signal path 344 of the second path delay profile 342 for RSRPP measurements, as shown in FIGs. 3A and 3B); information indicating whether or not a same or different threshold, rule or criteria is used for detecting one or more signal paths for the first path delay profile and one or more signal paths for the second path delay profile (e.g., information indicating that different thresholds 326 and 346 are used to detect signal paths of the first path delay profile 322 and the second path delay profile 342); and/or information indicating a threshold, rule or criteria that was used for detecting one or more signal paths for the first path delay profile and information indicating a threshold, rule or criteria that was used for detecting one or more signal paths for the second path delay profile (e.g., information indicating the values of the thresholds 326 and 346 used for detecting signal paths for path delay profiles 322 and 342, as shown in FIGs. 3A and 3B).

[0065] At 516, e.g., based on the time offset, the LMF 214 may align the signal paths for the two measurement types. At 518, the LMF 214 may estimate the UE position or location based on the measurement reports received from one or more UEs.

[0066] Example 1. FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a terminal device according to an example embodiment. Operation 610 includes receiving, by a terminal device and from a network element, measurement configuration. Operation 620 includes obtaining, based on the measurement configuration, a set of first type measurements and a set of second type measurements on transmissions from the network element. And, operation 630 includes sending a measurement report to the network element, wherein the measurement report comprises the set of first type measurements, the set of second type measurements and information relating to a first path delay profile detected for the set of first type measurements and a second path delay profile detected for the set of second type measurements.

[0067] Example 2. The method according to Example 1, wherein the first path delay profile includes one or more first signal paths detected for the set of first type measurements, and the second path delay profile includes one or more second signal paths detected for the set of second type measurements.

[0068] Example 3. The method according to Example 2, including: detecting the first path delay profile using a first threshold value; and detecting the second path delay profile using a second threshold value. [0069] Example 4. The method according to Example 3, wherein the first threshold value is equal to the second threshold value.

[0070] Example 5. The method according to Example 4, including: informing the network element that the first and second threshold values are the same.

[0071] Example 6. The method according to anyone of Examples 2-5, including: determining a criterion or rule; and detecting the first path delay profile and the second path delay profile using the determined criterion or rule.

[0072] Example 7. The method according to Example 6, including: determining an association between the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile and the one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile; and indicating, to the network element, the determined association via the measurement report.

[0073] Example 8. The method according to Example 7, wherein the determined association includes an alignment in time domain, between the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile and the one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile.

[0074] Example 9. The method according to Example 8, including: informing the network element that the set of first type measurements and the set of second type measurements are based on the alignment in time domain, between the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile and the one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile.

[0075] Example 10. The method according to Example 7, including: receiving an indication indicating that the set of first type measurements and the set of second type measurements are to be used jointly; and in response to the indication, determining the association between the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile and the one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile.

[0076] Example 11. The method according to any of Examples 2-3, including receiving from the network element, a positioning reference signal (PRS) to enable the terminal device to carry out the first type measurements that comprise a reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements, and the second type measurements that comprise a reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements. [0077] Example 12. The method according to Example 11, further including: utilizing, by the terminal device, a relative value to measure the reference signal time difference (RSTD) or a receive/transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference measurement to identify peak signal power in time-domain and decide a ratio value to identify or detect a first signal path arrival among the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile, and utilizing the ratio value as a threshold value for the reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements.

[0078] Example 13. The method according to Example 11, further including: utilizing by the terminal device, an absolute value as a threshold value to differentiate a first signal path arrival and subsequent signal path arrivals of the one or more second signal paths in the reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements of the second path delay profile; and utilizing the threshold value as a same criterion to decide a first signal path arrival for the reference signal time difference (RSTD) or a receive/transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference measurement.

[0079] Example 14. The method according to anyone of Examples 12 and 13, including determining by the terminal device, a criterion or rule to identify or detect the first signal path arrival in both the first and the second path delay profiles, wherein the determining by the criterion or rule including: jointly utilizing the ratio value and the absolute value to identify the first signal path arrival or Nth signal path arrivals, as long as a defined ratio value of the identified peak signal power is exceeded and a defined minimum absolute value of power has been met or reached.

[0080] Example 15. The method according to Example 11, wherein the measurement report sent by the terminal device to the network element includes an indication to the network element, an association information of the one or more first signal paths of the RSTD measurements with the one or more second signal paths of the RSRPP measurements, wherein a detected Nth signal path arrival of the first path delay profile used for the first type measurement is associated with a detected Lth signal path arrival of the second path delay profile used for the second type measurement, wherein N and L are integers that are greater than or equal to 1. [0081] Example 16. The method according to Example 11, wherein the measurement report sent by the terminal device includes an indication to the network element, to disregard any signal paths detected prior to a specific time instance, in order to establish a first signal path arrival detected in both the RSTD and the RSRPP measurements

[0082] Example 17. The method according to Example 11, further including: reporting by the terminal device, respective arrival time offsets to corresponding signal paths between the one or more first signal paths detected for the first path delay profile for reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and the one or more second signal paths detected for the second path delay profile for reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements, when the one or more first signal paths for the RSTD measurements are not the same as the one or more second signal paths for the RSRPP measurements.

[0083] Example 18. The method according to Example 17, further including indicating by the terminal device, via a higher layer parameter above a physical layer, when reporting that both the RSTD measurements and the RSRPP measurements do not use same detected paths.

[0084] Example 19. The method according to Example 1, wherein a geographical location or position of the terminal device is determined based on the measurement report.

[0085] Example 20. The method according to Example 19, wherein when an uplink sounding reference signals (SRS) of the terminal device is being measured, and the measurement report further comprises a relative time of arrival (RTOA) or an uplink sound reference signal (UL SRS) RSRPP measurements.

[0086] Example 21. The method according to any of Examples 1-20, wherein the network element being one of: a base station or a location management function (LMF).

[0087] Example 22. The method according to any of Examples 1-21, wherein the LMF is utilized to determine the geographical location or position of the terminal device, and the base station is utilized to transmit the power reference signal to the terminal device.

[0088] Example 23. An apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, by a terminal device and from a network element, a measurement configuration; obtain, based on the measurement configuration, a set of first type measurements and a set of second type measurements on transmissions from the network element; and send a measurement report to the network element, wherein the measurement report comprises the set of first type measurements, the set of second type measurements and information relating to a first path delay profile detected for the set of first type measurements and a second path delay profile detected for the set of second type measurements.

[0089] Example 24. The apparatus according to Example 23, wherein the first path delay profile includes one or more first signal paths detected for the set of first type measurements, and the second path delay profile includes one or more second signal paths detected for the set of second type measurements.

[0090] Example 25. The apparatus according to Example 24, wherein the at least one processor and the computer program code are configured to cause the apparatus to: detect the first path delay profile using a first threshold value; and detect the second path delay profile using a second threshold value.

[0091] Example 26. The apparatus according to Example 25, wherein the first threshold value is equal to the second threshold value.

[0092] Example 27. The apparatus according to Example 26, wherein the at least one processor and the computer program code are configured to cause the apparatus to: inform the network element that the first and second threshold values are the same.

[0093] Example 28. The apparatus according to any of Examples 24-29, wherein the at least one processor and the computer program code are configured to cause the apparatus to: determine a criterion or rule; and detect the first path delay profile and the second path delay profile using the determined criterion or rule.

[0094] Example 29. The apparatus according to Example 28, wherein the at least one processor and the computer program code are configured to cause the apparatus to: determine an association between the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile and the one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile; and indicate, to the network element, the determined association via the measurement report.

[0095] Example 30. The apparatus according to Example 29, wherein the determined association comprises an alignment in time domain, between the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile and the one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile. [0096] Example 31. The method according to Example 30, wherein the at least one processor and the computer program code are configured to cause the apparatus to: inform the network element that the set of first type measurements and the set of second type measurements are based on the alignment in time domain, between the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile and the one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile.

[0097] Example 32. The apparatus according to Example 7, wherein the at least one processor and the computer program code are configured to cause the apparatus to: receive an indication indicating that the set of first type measurements and the set of second type measurements are to be used jointly; and in response to the indication, determine the association between the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile and the one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile.

[0098] Example 33. The method according to any of Examples 24-25, wherein the at least one processor and the computer program code are configured to cause the apparatus to: receive from the network element, a positioning reference signal (PRS) to enable the terminal device to carry out the first type measurements that comprise a reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements, and the second type measurements that comprise a reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements.

[0099] Example 34. The apparatus according to Example 33, wherein the at least one processor and the computer program code are configured to cause the apparatus to: utilize, by the terminal device, a relative value to measure the reference signal time difference (RSTD) or a receive/transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference measurement to identify peak signal power in time-domain and decide a ratio value to identify or detect a first signal path arrival among the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile, and utilize the ratio value as a threshold value for the reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements.

[0100] Example 35. The apparatus according to Example 33, wherein the at least one processor and the computer program code are configured to cause the apparatus to: utilize by the terminal device, an absolute value as a threshold value to differentiate a first signal path arrival and subsequent signal path arrivals of the one or more second signal paths in the reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements of the second path delay profile; and utilize the threshold value as a same criterion to decide a first signal path arrival for the reference signal time difference (RSTD) or a receive/transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference measurement.

[0101] Example 36. The apparatus according to anyone of Examples 34-35, wherein the at least one processor and the computer program code are configured to cause the apparatus to: determine by the terminal device, a criterion or rule to identify or detect the first signal path arrival in both the first and the second path delay profiles, wherein the determining by the criterion or rule causes the apparatus to: jointly utilize the ratio value and the absolute value to identify the first signal path arrival or Nth signal path arrival, as long as a defined ratio value of the identified peak signal power is exceeded and a defined minimum absolute value of power has been met or reached.

[0102] Example 37. The apparatus according to Example 33, wherein the measurement report sent by the terminal device to the network element includes an indication to the network element, an association information of the one or more first signal paths of the RSTD measurements with the one or more second signal paths of the RSRPP measurements, wherein a detected Nth signal path arrival of the first path delay profile used for the first type measurement is a detected Lth signal path arrival of the second signal path of the second path delay profile used for the second type measurement, wherein N and L are integers that are greater than or equal to 1.

[0103] Example 38. The apparatus according to Example 33, wherein the measurement report sent by the terminal device includes an indication to the network element, to disregard any signal paths detected prior to a specific time instance, in order to establish a first signal path arrival detected in both the RSTD and the RSRPP measurements.

[0104] Example 39. The apparatus according to Example 33, the at least one processor and the computer program code configured to cause the apparatus to: report by the terminal device, respective arrival time offsets to corresponding signal paths between the one or more first signal paths detected for the first path delay profile for reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and the one or more second signal paths detected for the second path delay profile for reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements, when the one or more first signal paths for the RSTD measurements are not the same as the one or more second signal paths for the RSRPP measurements. [0105] Example 40. The apparatus according to Example 39, further including the at least one processor and the computer program code are configured to cause the apparatus to indicate by the terminal device, via a higher layer parameter above a physical layer, when reporting that both the RSTD measurements and the RSRPP measurements do not use same detected paths.

[0106] Example 41. The apparatus according to any of Examples 23-40, wherein a geographical location or position of the terminal device is determined based on the measurement report.

[0107] Example 42. The apparatus according to Example 41 , wherein when an uplink sounding reference signals (SRS) of the terminal device is being measured, and the measurement report further comprises a relative time of arrival (RTOA) or an uplink sound reference signal (UL SRS) RSRPP measurements.

[0108] Example 43. The apparatus according to any of Examples 23-42, wherein the network element being one of: a base station or a location management function (LMF).

[0109] Example 44. The apparatus according to any of Examples 23-43, wherein the LMF is utilized to determine the geographical location or position of the terminal device, and the base station is utilized to transmit the power reference signal to the terminal device.

[0110] Example 45. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, by a terminal device and from a network element, a measurement configuration; means for obtaining, based on the measurement configuration, a set of first type measurements and a set of second type measurements on transmissions from the network element; and means for sending a measurement report to the network element, wherein the measurement report comprises the set of first type measurements, the set of second type measurements and information relating to a first path delay profile detected for the set of first type measurements and a second path delay profile detected for the set of second type measurements.

[0111] Example 46. FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a network element according to an example embodiment. Operation 710 includes sending, from a network element to a terminal device, measurement configuration. Operation 720 includes receiving by the network element based on the measurement configuration, a measurement report from the terminal device, wherein the measurement report comprises: a set of first type measurements that are based on a first path delay profile; a set of second type of measurements that are based on a second path delay profile; and information relating to the first path delay profile detected by the terminal device for the set of first type measurements and the second path delay profile detected by the terminal device for the set of second type measurements.

[0112] Example 47. The method according to Example 46, wherein the first path delay profile includes one or more first signal paths detected for the set of first type measurements, and the second path delay profile comprises one or more second signal paths detected for the set of second type measurements.

[0113] Example 48. The method according to Example 47, wherein the first path delay profile is detected using a first threshold value, and the second path delay profile is detected using a second threshold value.

[0114] Example 49. The method according to Example 48, wherein the first threshold value is equal to the second threshold value.

[0115] Example 50. The method according to Example 48, including the network element being informed that the first and second threshold values are the same.

[0116] Example 51. The method according to anyone of Examples 46-50, wherein the detected first path delay profile and the detected second path delay profile are based on a determined criterion or rule.

[0117] Example 52. The method according to Example 51, wherein the measurement report includes an indication of a determined association between the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile and the one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile.

[0118] Example 53. The method according to Example 51 , wherein the determined association includes an alignment in time domain, between the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile and the one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile.

[0119] Example 54. The method according to Example 53, including: the network element being informed that the set of first type measurements and the set of second type measurements are based on the alignment in time domain, between the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile and the one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile. [0120] Example 55. The method according to Example 52, including: sending to the terminal device, an indication indicating that the set of first type measurements and the set of second type measurements are to be used jointly in the determining of the association between the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile and the one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile.

[0121] Example 56. The method according to any of Examples 47-48, further including: transmitting by the network element to the terminal device, a positioning reference signal (PRS) to enable the terminal device to carry out the first type measurements that comprise a reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements, and the second type measurements that comprise a reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements.

[0122] Example 57. The method according to Example 56, wherein: a relative value measurement method is utilized by the terminal device, to measure the reference signal time difference (RSTD) or a receive/transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference measurement to identify peak signal power in time-domain and decide a ratio value to identify or detect a first signal path arrival among the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile, and the ratio value as a threshold value is utilized by the terminal device for the reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements.

[0123] Example 58. The method according to Example 56, wherein: absolute value to obtain a threshold value measurement method is utilized by the terminal device, to differentiate a first signal path arrival and subsequent signal path arrivals of the one or more second signal paths of the reference signal received path power measurements in the second path delay profile; and the threshold value as same criterion is utilized by the terminal device to decide a first signal path arrival for the reference signal time difference (RSTD) or a receive/transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference measurement.

[0124] Example 59. The method according to anyone of Examples 57-58, further including: sending by the network element to the terminal device, a criterion or rule to enable the terminal device, to identify or detect the first signal path arrival in both the first and the second path delay profiles, wherein the determining by the criterion or rule including: jointly utilizing the ratio value and the absolute value to identify the first signal path arrival or Nth signal path arrivals, as long as a defined ratio value of the identified peak signal power is exceeded and a defined minimum absolute value of power has been met or reached. [0125] Example 60. The method according to Example 56, wherein the measurement report received by the network element includes an indication with an association information of the one or more first signal paths of the RSTD measurements with the one or more second signal paths of the RSRPP measurements, wherein a detected Nth signal path arrival of the first path delay profile used for the first type measurement is the detected Lth signal path arrival of the second path delay profile used for the second type measurement, wherein N and L are integers that are greater than or equal to 1.

[0126] Example 61. The method according to Example 56, wherein the measurement report sent by the terminal device includes an indication to the network element, to disregard any signal paths detected prior to a specific time instance, in order to establish a first signal path arrival detected in both the RSTD and the RSRPP measurements.

[0127] Example 62. The method according to Example 56, wherein the measurement report received by the network element includes respective arrival time offsets to corresponding signal paths between the one or more first signal paths detected for the first path delay profile for reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and the one or more second signal paths detected for the second path delay profile for reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements, when the one or more first signal paths for the RSTD measurements are not the same as the one or more second signal paths for the RSRPP measurements.

[0128] Example 63. The method according to Example 62, further including receiving, via a higher layer parameter above a physical layer, an indication from the terminal device reporting that both the RSTD measurements and the RSRPP measurements do not use same detected signal paths.

[0129] Example 64. The method according to any of Examples 46-63, wherein a geographical location or position of the terminal device is determined based on the measurement report.

[0130] Example 65. The method according to Example 44, wherein when an uplink sounding reference signals (SRS) of the terminal device is being measured, and the measurement report further comprises a relative time of arrival (RTOA) or an uplink sound reference signal (UL SRS) RSRPP measurements. [0131] Example 66. The method according to any of Examples 46-42, wherein the network element being one of: a base station or a location management function (LMF).

[0132] Example 67. The method according to any of Examples 46-66, wherein the LMF is utilized to determine the geographical location or position of the terminal device, and the base station is utilized to transmit the power reference signal to the terminal device.

[0133] Example 68. An apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: send, from a network element to a terminal device, measurement configuration; and receive by the network element based on the measurement configuration, a measurement report from the terminal device, wherein the measurement report comprises: a set of first type measurements that are based on a first path delay profile; a set of second type of measurements that are based on a second path delay profile; and information relating to the first path delay profile detected by the terminal device for the set of first type measurements and the second path delay profile detected by the terminal device for the set of second type measurements.

[0134] Example 69. The apparatus according to Example 46, wherein the first path delay profile comprises one or more first signal paths detected for the set of first type measurements, and the second path delay profile comprises one or more signal paths detected for the set of second type measurements.

[0135] Example 70. The apparatus according to Example 69, wherein the first path delay profile is detected using a first threshold value, and the second path delay profile is detected using a second threshold value.

[0136] Example 71. The apparatus according to Example 70, wherein the first threshold value is equal to the second threshold value.

[0137] Example 72. The apparatus according to Example 70, comprising the network element being informed that the first and second threshold values are the same.

[0138] Example 73. The apparatus according to anyone of Examples 68-72, wherein the detected first path delay profile and the detected second path delay profile are based on a determined criterion or rule. [0139] Example 74. The apparatus according to Example 73, wherein the measurement report comprises an indication of a determined association between the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile and the one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile.

[0140] Example 75. The apparatus according to Example 73, wherein the determined association comprises an alignment in time domain, between the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile and the one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile.

[0141] Example 76. The apparatus according to Example 75, including: the network element being informed that the set of first type measurements and the set of second type measurements are based on the alignment in time domain, between the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile and the one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile.

[0142] Example 77. The apparatus according to Example 74, wherein the at least one processor and the computer program code are configured to cause the apparatus to: send to the terminal device, an indication indicating that the set of first type measurements and the set of second type measurements are to be used jointly in the determining of the association between the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile and the one or more second signal paths of the second path delay profile.

[0143] Example 78. The apparatus according to any of Examples 69-70, wherein the at least one processor and the computer program code are configured to cause the apparatus to: transmit by the network element to the terminal device, a positioning reference signal (PRS) to enable the terminal device to carry out the first type measurements that comprise a reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements, and the second type measurements that comprise a reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements.

[0144] Example 79. The apparatus according to Example 78, wherein: a relative value measurement method is utilized by the terminal device, to measure the reference signal time difference (RSTD) or a receive/transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference measurement to identify peak signal power in time-domain and decide a ratio value to identify or detect a first signal path arrival among the one or more first signal paths of the first path delay profile; and the ratio value as a threshold value is utilized by the terminal device for the reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements. [0145] Example 80. The apparatus according to Example 78, wherein: an absolute value to obtain a threshold value measurement method is utilized by the terminal device, to differentiate a first signal path arrival and subsequent signal path arrivals of the one or more second signal paths of the reference signal received path power measurements in the second path delay profile; and the threshold value as same criterion is utilized by the terminal device to decide a first signal path arrival for the reference signal time difference (RSTD) or a receive/transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference measurement.

[0146] Example 81. The apparatus according to anyone of Examples 69-70, wherein the at least one processor and the computer program code are configured to cause the apparatus to: send by the network element to the terminal device, a criterion or rule to enable the terminal device, to identify or detect the first signal path arrival in both the first and the second path delay profiles, wherein the determining by the criterion or rule including: jointly utilizing the ratio value and the absolute value to identify the first signal path arrival or Nth signal path arrivals, as long as a defined ratio value of the identified peak signal power is exceeded and a defined minimum absolute value of power has been met or reached.

[0147] Example 82. The apparatus according to Example 78, wherein the measurement report received by the network element comprises an with an association information of the one or more first signal paths of the RSTD measurements with the one or more second signal paths of the RSRPP measurements, wherein a detected Nth signal path arrival of the first path delay profile used for the first type measurement is the detected Lth signal path arrival of the second path delay profile used for the second type measurement, wherein N and L are integers that are greater than or equal to 1.

[0148] Example 83. The apparatus according to Example 78, wherein the measurement report sent by the terminal device includes an indication to the network element, to disregard any signal paths measured prior to a specific time instance, in order to establish a first signal path arrival detected in both the RSTD and the RSRPP measurements.

[0149] Example 84. The apparatus according to Example 78, wherein the measurement report received by the network element includes respective arrival time offsets to corresponding signal paths between the one or more first signal paths detected for the first path delay profile for reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and the one or more second signal paths detected for the second path delay profile for reference signal received path power (RSRPP) measurements, when the one or more first signal paths for the RSTD measurements are not the same as the one or more second signal paths for the RSRPP measurements.

[0150] Example 85. The apparatus according to Example 84, wherein the at least one processor and the computer program code are configured to cause the apparatus to: receive, via a higher layer parameter above a physical layer, an indication from the terminal device reporting that both the RSTD measurements and the RSRPP measurements do not use same detected signal paths.

[0151] Example 86. The apparatus according to any of Examples 68-85, wherein a geographical location or position of the terminal device is determined based on the measurement report.

[0152] Example 87. The apparatus according to Example 66, wherein when an uplink sounding reference signals (SRS)of the terminal device is being measured, and the measurement report further comprises a relative time of arrival (RTOA) or an uplink sound reference signal (UL SRS) RSRPP measurements.

[0153] Example 88. The apparatus according to any of Examples 68-87, wherein the network element being one of: a base station or a location management function (LMF).

[0154] Example 89. The apparatus according to any of Examples 68-88, wherein the LMF is utilized to determine the geographical location or position of the terminal device, and the base station is utilized to transmit the power reference signal to the terminal device.

[0155] Example 90. An apparatus including: means for sending, from a network element to a terminal device, a measurement configuration; and means for receiving by the network element based on the measurement configuration, a measurement report from the terminal device, wherein the measurement report includes: a set of first type measurements that are based on a first path delay profile; a set of second type of measurements that are based on a second path delay profile; and information relating to the first path delay profile detected by the terminal device for the set of first type measurements and the second path delay profile detected by the terminal device for the set of second type measurements; wherein the network element being one of: a base station or a location management function (LMF); and wherein the LMF is configured to determine the geographical location or position of the terminal device, and the base station is configured to transmit the power reference signal to the terminal device. [0156] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a wireless station (e.g., user node, network node, or other node) 1200 according to an example embodiment. The wireless station 1200 may include, for example, one or more (e.g., two as shown in FIG. 8) RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers 1202A, 1202B, where each wireless transceiver includes a transmitter to transmit signals and a receiver to receive signals. The wireless station also includes a processor or control unit/entity (controller) 1204 to execute instructions or software and control transmission and receptions of signals, and a memory 1206 to store data and/or instructions.

[0157] Processor 1204 may also make decisions or determinations, generate frames, packets or messages for transmission, decode received frames or messages for further processing, and other tasks or functions described herein. Processor 1204, which may be a baseband processor, for example, may generate messages, packets, frames or other signals for transmission via wireless transceiver 1202 (1202A or 1202B). Processor 1204 may control transmission of signals or messages over a wireless network, and may control the reception of signals or messages, etc., via a wireless network (e.g., after being down- converted by wireless transceiver 1202, for example). Processor 1204 may be programmable and capable of executing software or other instructions stored in memory or on other computer media to perform the various tasks and functions described above, such as one or more of the tasks or methods described above. Processor 1204 may be (or may include), for example, hardware, programmable logic, a programmable processor that executes software or firmware, and/or any combination of these. Using other terminology, processor 1204 and transceiver 1202 together may be considered as a wireless transmitter/receiver system, for example.

[0158] In addition, referring to FIG. 8, a controller (or processor) 1208 may execute software and instructions, and may provide overall control for the station 1200, and may provide control for other systems not shown in FIG. 8, such as controlling input/output devices (e.g., display, keypad), and/or may execute software for one or more applications that may be provided on wireless station 1200, such as, for example, an email program, audio/video applications, a word processor, a Voice over IP application, or other application or software. [0159] In addition, a storage medium may be provided that includes stored instructions, which when executed by a controller or processor may result in the processor 1204, or other controller or processor, performing one or more of the functions or tasks described above.

[0160] According to another example embodiment, RF or wireless transceiver(s) 1202A/1202B may receive signals or data and/or transmit or send signals or data. Processor 1204 (and possibly transceivers 1202A/1202B) may control the RF or wireless transceiver 1202 A or 1202B to receive, send, broadcast or transmit signals or data.

[0161] The embodiments are not, however, restricted to the system that is given as an example, but a person skilled in the art may apply the solution to other communication systems. Another example of a suitable communications system is the 5G concept. It is assumed that network architecture in 5G may be similar to that of LTE-advanced. 5G is likely to use multiple input - multiple output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than LTE (a so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in cooperation with smaller stations and perhaps also employing a variety of radio technologies for better coverage and enhanced data rates.

[0162] It should be appreciated that future networks will most probably utilise network functions virtualization (NFV) which is a network architecture concept that proposes virtualizing network node functions into “building blocks” or entities that may be operationally connected or linked together to provide services. A virtualized network function (VNF) may comprise one or more virtual machines running computer program codes using standard or general type servers instead of customized hardware. Cloud computing or data storage may also be utilized. In radio communications this may mean node operations may be carried out, at least partly, in a server, host or node may be operationally coupled to a remote radio head. It is also possible that node operations will be distributed among a plurality of servers, nodes or hosts. It should also be understood that the distribution of labour between core network operations and base station operations may differ from that of the LTE or even be non-existent.

[0163] Embodiments of the various techniques described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Embodiments may be implemented as a computer program product, i.e., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine readable storage device or in a propagated signal, for execution by, or to control the operation of, a data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers. Embodiments may also be provided on a computer readable medium or computer readable storage medium, which may be a non-transitory medium. Embodiments of the various techniques may also include embodiments provided via transitory signals or media, and/or programs and/or software embodiments that are downloadable via the Internet or other network(s), either wired networks and/or wireless networks. In addition, embodiments may be provided via machine type communications (MTC), and also via an Internet of Things (IOT).

[0164] The computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some sort of carrier, distribution medium, or computer readable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Such carriers include a record medium, computer memory, read-only memory, photoelectrical and/or electrical carrier signal, telecommunications signal, and software distribution package, for example. Depending on the processing power needed, the computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer, or it may be distributed amongst a number of computers.

[0165] Furthermore, embodiments of the various techniques described herein may use a cyber-physical system (CPS) (a system of collaborating computational elements controlling physical entities). CPS may enable the embodiment and exploitation of massive amounts of interconnected ICT devices (sensors, actuators, processors microcontrollers, ... ) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber physical systems, in which the physical system in question has inherent mobility, are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems, examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robotics and electronics transported by humans or animals. The rise in popularity of smartphones has increased interest in the area of mobile cyber-physical systems. Therefore, various embodiments of techniques described herein may be provided via one or more of these technologies.

[0166] A computer program, such as the computer program(s) described above, can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and can be deployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit or part of it suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

[0167] Method steps may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing a computer program or computer program portions to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. Method steps also may be performed by, and an apparatus may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).

[0168] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer, chip or chipset. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both.

Elements of a computer may include at least one processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer also may include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magnetooptical disks, or optical disks. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magnetooptical disks; and CDROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0169] To provide for interaction with a user, embodiments may be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor, for displaying information to the user and a user interface, such as a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. [0170] Embodiments may be implemented in a computing system that includes a backend component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a frontend component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an embodiment, or any combination of such backend, middleware, or frontend components. Components may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN), e.g., the Internet.

[0171] While certain features of the described embodiments have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the various embodiments.