TECHNICAL FIELD

Some example embodiments may generally relate to communications including mobile or wireless telecommunication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or fifth generation (5G) radio access technology or new radio (NR) access technology or 5G beyond, or other communications systems. For example, certain example embodiments may generally relate to systems and/or methods for measurement gap (MG)-less positioning.

BACKGROUND

Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunication systems may include the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), LTE- Advanced (LTE-A), MulteFire, LTE-A Pro, and/or fifth generation (5G) radio access technology or new radio (NR) access technology and/or 5G beyond. 5G wireless systems refer to the next generation (NG) of radio systems and network architecture. A 5G system is mostly built on a 5G new radio (NR), but a 5G (or NG) network can also build on the E-UTRA radio.

It is estimated that NR provides bitrates on the order of 10 to 20 Gbit/s or higher, and can support at least service categories such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable low-latency-communication (URLLC) as well as massive machine type communication (mMTC). NR is expected to deliver extreme broadband and ultra- robust, low latency connectivity and massive networking to support the Internet of Things (IoT).

With IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication becoming more widespread, there will be a growing need for networks that meet the needs of lower power, low data rate, and long battery life. The next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) represents the RAN for 5G, which can provide both NR and LTE (and LTE- Advanced) radio accesses.

It is noted that, in 5G, the nodes that can provide radio access functionality to a user equipment (i.e., similar to the Node B, NB, in UTRAN or the evolved NB, eNB, in LTE) may be named next-generation NB (gNB) when built on NR radio and may be named next-generation eNB (NG-eNB) when built on E-UTRA radio. 5G beyond is expected to support further use cases beyond current mobile use scenarios, such as virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, instant communications, improved support of loT, etc.

SUMMARY

An embodiment may be directed to a method that includes obtaining, by a user device, a positioning measurement parameter. The method may also include sending, by the user device, a report to a network node. The report may include the positioning measurement parameter. The positioning measurement parameter may include at least one of: a positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement, an indicator configured to indicate that the positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement was made outside a measurement gap (MG), and/or at least one estimated reference signal time difference (RSTD) parameter.

An embodiment may be directed to a method that includes receiving at a network node, from a user device, a report comprising a positioning measurement parameter. The positioning measurement parameter may include at least one of: a positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement, an indicator configured to indicate that the positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement was made outside a measurement gap (MG), and/or at least one estimated reference signal time difference (RSTD) parameter.

An embodiment may be directed to an apparatus including at least one processor and at least one transceiver. The at least one processor may be configured to obtain a positioning measurement parameter. The at least one transceiver may be configured to send a report to a network node. The report may include the positioning measurement parameter. The positioning measurement parameter may include at least one of: a positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement, an indicator configured to indicate that the positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement was made outside a measurement gap (MG), and/or at least one estimated reference signal time difference (RSTD) parameter.

An embodiment may be directed to an apparatus including at least one processor and at least one transceiver. The at least one transceiver may be configured to receive, from a user device, a report comprising a positioning measurement parameter. The positioning measurement parameter may include at least one of: a positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement, an indicator configured to indicate that the positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement was made outside a measurement gap (MG), and/or at least one estimated reference signal time difference (RSTD) parameter.

An embodiment may be directed to an apparatus including means for obtaining a positioning measurement parameter, and means for sending a report to a network node. The report may include the positioning measurement parameter. The positioning measurement parameter may include at least one of: a positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement, an indicator configured to indicate that the positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement was made outside a measurement gap (MG), and/or at least one estimated reference signal time difference (RSTD) parameter.

An embodiment may be directed to an apparatus including means for receiving, from a user device, a report comprising a positioning measurement parameter. The positioning measurement parameter may include at least one of: a positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement, an indicator configured to indicate that the positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement was made outside a measurement gap (MG), and/or at least one estimated reference signal time difference (RSTD) parameter.

An embodiment may be directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: obtaining a positioning measurement parameter, and sending a report to a network node. The report may include the positioning measurement parameter. The positioning measurement parameter may include at least one of: a positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement, an indicator configured to indicate that the positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement was made outside a measurement gap (MG), and/or at least one estimated reference signal time difference (RSTD) parameter.

An embodiment may be directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: receiving, from a user device, a report comprising a positioning measurement parameter. The positioning measurement parameter may include at least one of: a positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement, an indicator configured to indicate that the positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement was made outside a measurement gap (MG), and/or at least one estimated reference signal time difference (RSTD) parameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For proper understanding of example embodiments, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates an example signaling flow diagram, according to an embodiment;

Fig. 2 illustrates an example flow diagram of a method, according to an embodiment;

Fig. 3 illustrates an example flow diagram of a method, according to an embodiment; and

Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a system including multiple apparatuses, according to certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of certain example embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of some example embodiments of systems, methods, apparatuses, and/or computer program products for determining neighbor cell conditions for measurement gap (MG)- less positioning, is not intended to limit the scope of certain embodiments but is representative of selected example embodiments.

The features, structures, or characteristics of example embodiments described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable maimer in one or more example embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases “certain embodiments,” “some embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in certain embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in other embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments.

Additionally, if desired, the different functions or procedures discussed below may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the described functions or procedures may be optional or may be combined. As such, the following description should be considered as illustrative of the principles and teachings of certain example embodiments, and not in limitation thereof.

Third Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP) Release- 16 includes native positioning support in NR. As In particular, the following positioning solutions are specified for NR Release- 16: Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (DL-TDOA), Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (UL-TDOA), Downlink Angle of Departure (DL-AoD), Uplink Angle of Arrival (UL-AoA), and Multi-cell Round Trip Time (Multi-RTT).

In Release- 16, a user device is expected to be configured with a measurement gap (MG) when performing positioning measurements. Positioning may be based on a measurement of the positioning reference signals (PRS). For reference signal (RS) measurement, if the frequency of the PRS is outside of the current active frequency band or bandwidth part (BWP), the user device is normally configured with a MG. During the MG, the user device cannot receive and/or transmit data from/to the network. This operation can reduce the efficiency, and can also introduce the delay due to PRS measurement can only be done in the configured MG. It is noted that a user device in this disclosure may also be called user equipment (UE).

In Release- 17, 3 GPP started NR positioning enhancement work, for example focusing on increasing accuracy, reducing latency and increasing efficiency (low complexity; low power consumption; low overhead) based on Release- 16 solutions.

One of the objectives in this respect is to specify enhancements for signalling and procedures for improving positioning latency of the Release- 16 NR positioning methods, for downlink (DL) as well as DL + uplink (UL) positioning methods. This may include latency reduction related to the request and response of location measurements or location estimate and positioning assistance data, latency reduction related to the time needed to perform UE measurements, and/or latency reduction related to the measurement gap.

One of the features that may be supported as part of the latency reduction is to allow the UE to measure the PRS outside of a MG. Alternatively, this feature may be called MG-less PRS measurement. As outlined above, in Release- 16 the UE can only measure the PRS during a MG. As part of Release- 17 enhancements, it is expected that, subject to UE capability, there may be support for PRS measurement outside the MG, within a PRS processing window, and for UE measurement inside the active DL BWP with PRS having the same numerology as the active DL BWP.

Inside the PRS processing window, subject to the UE determining that DL PRS to be higher priority, the following UE capabilities may be supported. Capability 1 may include PRS prioritization over all other DL signals/channels in all symbols inside the window. Under Capability 1A, the DL signals/channels from all DL configured carriers (CCs) (per UE) may be affected. Under Capability IB, only the DL signals or channels from a certain band or CC may be affected. Capability 2 may include PRS prioritization over other DL signals or channels only in the PRS symbols inside the window. A UE can be able to declare a PRS processing capability outside MG.

It is expected that PRS from non-serving cells can be received outside the MG if some conditions are met. For the purpose of determining conditions for measuring the PRS outside of a MG, the expected receive (Rx) timing difference between the PRS from the non-serving cell and that from the serving cell is determined by expected reference signal time difference (RSTD) and expected RSTD uncertainty in the assistance data. A threshold may be determined that can be used to be compared against the Rx timing difference to determine whether the PRS from the non-serving cell satisfy the condition of PRS measurement outside MG. For example, a UE may calculate the expected Rx time difference and/or compare the Rx timing difference with the threshold. Examples of the threshold may include cyclic prefix (CP) length, 50% of the orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) symbol, 1ms, or other options.

Therefore, as an example, the UE may measure the DL PRS outside the measurement gap, subject to UE capability, if the DL PRS is inside the active DL BWP and has the same numerology as the active DL BWP and is within the DL PRS processing window indicated by higher layer parameter, which may be called PRSProcessingWindow or by another name. However, the UE is not expected to measure the DL PRS outside the measurement gap if the received timing difference between PRS from the non-serving cell and that from the serving cell as determined by assistance data is larger than a threshold as determined by higher layer parameters, which may be called nr-DL-PRS- ExpectedRSTD and nr-DL-PRS-ExpectedRSTD-Uncertainty.

Hence, the expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty (which are parameters configured to the UE as part of the PRS assistance data) determine if the received time difference is acceptable in order to measure the PRS outside the MG. The UE may calculate a value to compare with the threshold based on the worst case expected RSTD (i.e., expected-RSTD+Expected-RSTD-uncertainty). For example, if the expected RSTD of a given neighbor cell PRS is 100 ns and the expected RSTD uncertainty is 12*Ts (=390 ns) then the threshold can be 490 ns or greater for the UE to receive that PRS outside the MG.

However, an issue with the above outlined approach is that the granularity of expected- RSTD-uncertainty is high (4*Ts for frequency range 1 (FR1) ~= 130 ns). As a result, the value range is fairly large and not straight-forward for a location management function (LMF) to estimate or control when the UE will receive some PRS outside the MG. This may be a consideration, for example, when considering the indoor factory (InF) scenario where the UE may be close to many transmission and reception points (TRPs) but the assistance data may provide a wider range causing the UE to not measure outside the MG for some TRPs.

Some example embodiments can address at least the issues and problems noted above, as well as other problems or drawbacks that may not be explicitly discussed herein. For instance, as will be discussed in detail below, in certain embodiments, a user device (e.g., UE) may be allowed to estimate an expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty that is different from an indicated expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty. In an embodiment, the user device may then send an indication to the network to indicate that the measurement was made outside of a MG and/or may report to the network the estimated expected RSTD and/or expected RSTD uncertainty.

Certain example embodiments provide a method for UE to determine the PRS from neighbor cells that the UE can measure outside a MG. It is noted that, as used herein, PRS is just one example of a specific RS that can be determined according to certain embodiments. It should be understood that example embodiments can apply, not just to PRS, but to any RS that may be used for positioning (e.g., sidelink PRS or CSI-RS).

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a signaling flow diagram 100 depicting a process, according to some example embodiments. As illustrated in the example of Fig. 1, at 105, the UE may be configured for PRS reception outside of a MG, and may receive expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty in assistance data. As further illustrated in the example of Fig. 1, at 110, the UE may determine its own estimate of the expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty that may be different from the provided/indicated expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty.

For example, in some embodiments, the UE may determine its own estimate of the expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty based on one or more of the following: prior RSTD measurement for same target TRP including prior measurement instances as part of one measurement report, current RSTD measurement of different target TRP where measurement outside MG is possible based on assistance data, prior location estimate (e.g., UE-based, non-3GPP technique like GNSS, or provided location estimate information by network), timing measurement(s) based on other signals, UE movement estimate from prior measurement, prior RSTD measurement for a different target TRP, and/or prior reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement for DL PRS.

As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the UE may determine its own estimate of the expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty based on prior RSTD measurement for same target TRP including, e.g., prior measurement instances as part of one measurement report. For example, a UE may be configured with periodic PRS measurement reporting and the PRS configuration may not be updated in between measurement reports. Therefore, the UE may have a much better idea of the expected RSTD than from the configured assistance data.

As also mentioned above, in one embodiment, the UE may determine its own estimate of the expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty based on current RSTD measurement of different target TRP where measurement outside MG is possible based on assistance data. For example, the UE (e.g., in UE-based mode) may measure the current RSTD from a different target TRP in the current occasion and from this measurement can have a better rough location estimate of itself such that the UE can know if the target TRP can be measured outside the MG. As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the UE may determine its own estimate of the expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty based on a prior location estimate (e.g., UE-based or non-3GPP based technique such as global navigation satellite system (GNSS)). For example, the UE may have access to its own location estimate at a prior time (e.g., 100 ms ago the UE got a GNSS fix). This can allow the UE to understand the expected RSTD more accurately than from the assistance data.

As also mentioned above, in one embodiment, the UE may determine its own estimate of the expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty based on a timing measurement based on other signals. For instance, in certain embodiments, the other signals on which timing measurement(s) can be based may include synchronization signal block (SSB) or channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) from target TRP. It is noted the other signal may be a quasi-co-location (QCL) source for the PRS or simply belong to the same TRP. In one example, the UE may maintain a rough timing estimate to other TRPs based on additional signals, such as SSB, and this timing estimate can be kept by the UE to determine an expected RSTD. In some embodiments, the timing measurement(s) may be prior propagation time and/or Time of Arrival (ToA) measurement from DL RS, such as DL PRS, SSB, and CSI-RS. Initially, the UE may use the configured expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty in the assistance data to determine a cross-correlation window for propagation delay estimation for a TRP since the UE does not know when the DL signals arrive. Based on prior measurement(s), the UE can adjust its own cross-correlation window as at least the UE is roughly able to know when the DL signal for the TRP arrives.

As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the UE may determine its own estimate of the expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty based on UE movement estimate from prior measurement. For example, the UE may know the RSTD from a prior measurement and be able to track the distance it has moved since that measurement (e.g., based on IMU sensor) so the UE has a good estimate of the expected RSTD uncertainty at the current time. As also mentioned above, in one embodiment, the UE may determine its own estimate of the expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty based on prior RSTD measurement for different target TRP. For example, the UE may know the RSTD to a different target TRP which helps the UE understand where in the range it falls and therefore can help the UE to understand the expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty of the target TRP better.

As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the UE may determine its own estimate of the expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty based on prior RSRP measurement for DL PRS. For instance, the UE can estimate signal power measurement, such as RSRP for each PRS resource, and the UE knows which TRP transmits the PRS resource. In addition, the UE may know the transmission power of the PRS resource so it roughly estimates distance based on a path loss calculation. Based on the estimated distance between the UE and the target TRP, the UE may be able to adjust the configured expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty to modify the cross-correlation window.

Referring again to the example of Fig. 1, at 115, the UE may compare its own estimate of expected RSTD and expected RSTD uncertainty for the target TRP or cell with a threshold for measuring outside MG. In an embodiment, the LMF and/or gNB may provide an additional rule with the threshold. For example, the LMF may indicate to the UE to determine the value to compare with the threshold based on the most recent N samples.

According to one embodiment, the LMF and/or gNB may provide multiple threshold values for a target/each TRP/cell associated with measurement quality values. For example, two thresholds can be indicated to the UE for a target cell or TRP. If high accuracy is demanded, then the UE may use a more tight threshold when it performs the comparison. For UE that are not required for high accuracy, the UE may use a less tight threshold, for example. According to an embodiment, if the comparison at 115 determines that the UE’s own expected RSTD estimate is lower than the threshold then, at 120, the UE may measure PRS outside of the MG and perform positioning measurement. At 125, the UE may report, to LMF, the measurement(s) and inform LMF that the measurement was made outside of a MG. In an example embodiment, the UE may optionally include its own estimate of the expected RSTD and/or expected RSTD uncertainty in the report to LMF. This can be updated at the LMF and can help the LMF to configure better assistance information in the future.

In some embodiments, the UE may report the list of TRPs and expected level of measurement quality for each TRP that it can measure DL PRSs outside the MG. This may assist the network to decide the UE measurement mode between MG-based and MG-less.

According to one example embodiment, the UE may optionally change a MG request based on the number of TRPs, and/or expected positioning accuracy, the UE determines it can measure outside the MG.

In one embodiment, the UE may determine that the MG is no longer needed and refrain from sending a MG request (e.g., via MAC CE (Medium Access Channel Control Element)).

According to an embodiment, the UE may inform the network that MG configuration is not necessary as the UE can properly obtain positioning measurements outside of MG, and it may be helpful to avoid unnecessary configuration of MG.

In a further example embodiment, the UE may determine that a different MG configuration (e.g., longer or shorter length) is needed and may send a MG request based on the number of TRPs that can be measurement outside the MG and/or the quality of those TRPs.

As further illustrated in the example of Fig. 1, at 130, LMF may update the PRS configuration to the UE and/or PRS processing window configuration to the gNB as necessary. In one embodiment, the LMF may update the future expected RSTD and/or expected RSTD uncertainty based on the past configuration and the UE report.

Fig. 2 illustrates an example flow diagram of a method for positioning measurement outside a MG, according to an example embodiment. For instance, in some example embodiments, Fig. 2 may illustrate an example method of determining the PRS from neighbor cells measured outside a MG.

In certain example embodiments, the flow diagram of Fig. 2 may be performed by a network entity or communication device in a communications system such as, but not limited to, LTE, 5G NR, or 5G beyond. For instance, in some example embodiments, the communication device performing the method of Fig. 2 may include a user device, UE, sidelink (SL) UE, wireless device, mobile station, loT device, UE type of roadside unit (RSU), a wireless transmit/receive unit, customer premises equipment (CPE), other mobile or stationary device, or the like.

For instance, in certain example embodiments, the method of Fig. 2 may include procedures or operations performed by the UE, as described or illustrated elsewhere herein, such as in Fig. 1. In an embodiment, the UE may be configured for PRS reception outside of a MG.

As illustrated in the example of Fig. 2, the method may include, at 205, obtaining a positioning measurement parameter. In certain example embodiments, the positioning measurement parameter may include at least one of: a PRS measurement, an indicator configured to indicate that the PRS measurement was made outside a MG, and/or at least one estimated RSTD parameter. In certain embodiments, the at least one estimated RSTD parameter may include at least one of an estimated expected RSTD and/or an estimated expected RSTD uncertainty for a target TRP or cell, as estimated by the user device.

According to some example embodiments, the obtaining 205 may include determining, by the user device, the at least one estimated RSTD parameter (including the estimated expected RSTD and the uncertainty of the estimated expected RSTD) which is different from at least one configured RSTD parameter. In an embodiment, the at least one configured RSTD parameter may be received from the network node as part of assistance data, and may include an expected RSTD and/or expected RSTD uncertainty.

As discussed in detail above in reference to Fig. 1, in certain embodiments, the at least one estimated RSTD parameter may be determined based on at least one of: prior RSTD measurement for a same target TRP, current RSTD measurement of different target TRP, prior location estimate, timing measurement based on other signals, user device movement estimate from prior measurement, and/or prior RSTD measurement for a different target TRP.

According to some example embodiments, the method may include, at 210, comparing the at least one estimated RSTD parameter with a threshold for measuring outside the MG. In an embodiment, the threshold may be provided by the network node (e.g., LMF) and/or may be determined by the configured RSTD parameter provided by the network node. If the at least one estimated RSTD parameter is lower than the threshold, then the method may include, at 215, performing the PRS measurement outside of the MG and, at 220, sending a report including the positioning measurement parameter to a network node, such as a LMF.

In certain embodiments, the method may optionally include changing, by the user device, a MG request based on a number of TRPs that the user device determines it can measure outside of the MG.

According to some example embodiments, the method may include receiving, from the network node, at least one of an updated PRS configuration and/or PRS processing window configuration.

Fig. 3 illustrates an example flow diagram of a method for positioning measurement outside a MG, according to an example embodiment. For instance, Fig. 3 may illustrate an example method of determining the PRS from neighbor cells measured outside a MG, according to an embodiment.

In certain example embodiments, the flow diagram of Fig. 3 may be performed by a network entity or communication device in a communications system such as, but not limited to, LTE, 5G NR, or 5G beyond. For instance, in some example embodiments, the device performing the method of Fig. 3 may include a location management entity or LMF. For instance, in some embodiments, the method of Fig. 3 may include procedures or operations performed by a LMF, as described or illustrated elsewhere herein, such as in Fig. 1.

As illustrated in the example of Fig. 3, the method may include, at 305, providing assistance data to a user device. In an embodiment, the assistance data may include at least one configured RSTD parameter that includes at least one of an expected RSTD and/or expected RSTD uncertainty.

According to an embodiment, the method of Fig. 3 may include, at 310, receiving, from the user device, a report comprising a positioning measurement parameter. In certain example embodiments, the positioning measurement parameter may include at least one of: a PRS measurement, an indicator configured to indicate that the PRS measurement was made outside a MG, and/or at least one estimated RSTD parameter.

According to some embodiments, the at least one estimated RSTD parameter received from the user device may include at least one of an expected RSTD estimated by the user device and/or an expected RSTD uncertainty estimated by the user device. In an embodiment, the at least one estimated RSTD parameter may be different from the at least one configured RSTD parameter. In certain embodiments, the method of Fig. 3 may include, at 315, sending, to the user device, at least one of an updated PRS configuration and/or PRS processing window configuration. Fig. 4 illustrates an example of an apparatus 10 and apparatus 20, according to certain example embodiments. In an embodiment, apparatus 10 may be a node, host, or server in a communications network or serving such a network.

For example, apparatus 10 may be a network node, satellite, base station, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), 5G Node B or access point, next generation Node B (NG-NB or gNB), TRP, HAPS, Remote Radio Head (RRH), integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, and/or a WLAN access point, associated with a radio access network, such as a LTE network, 5G or NR.

In some example embodiments, apparatus 10 may be gNB or other similar radio node, for instance. In further example embodiments, apparatus 10 may be a device or entity involved in supporting positioning, such as a location management entity or LMF. The device may be a user or mobile device in some embodiments.

It should be understood that, in some example embodiments, apparatus 10 may comprise an edge cloud server as a distributed computing system where the server and the radio node may be stand-alone apparatuses communicating with each other via a radio path or via a wired connection, or they may be located in a substantially same entity communicating via a wired connection.

For instance, in certain example embodiments where apparatus 10 represents a gNB, it may be configured in a central unit (CU) and distributed unit (DU) architecture that divides the gNB functionality. In such an architecture, the CU may be a logical node that includes gNB functions such as transfer of user data, mobility control, radio access network sharing, positioning, and/or session management, etc. The CU may control the operation of DU(s) over a front-haul interface. The DU may be a logical node that includes a subset of the gNB functions, depending on the functional split option. It should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that apparatus 10 may include components or features not shown in Fig. 4. As illustrated in the example of Fig. 4, apparatus 10 may include a processor 12 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. Processor 12 may be any type of general or specific purpose processor. In fact, processor 12 may include one or more of general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, or any other processing means, as examples. While a single processor 12 is shown in Fig. 4, multiple processors may be utilized according to other embodiments. For example, it should be understood that, in certain embodiments, apparatus 10 may include two or more processors that may form a multiprocessor system (e.g., in this case processor 12 may represent a multiprocessor) that may support multiprocessing. In certain embodiments, the multiprocessor system may be tightly coupled or loosely coupled (e.g., to form a computer cluster).

Processor 12 may perform functions associated with the operation of apparatus 10, which may include, for example, precoding of antenna gain/phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming a communication message, formatting of information, and overall control of the apparatus 10, including processes related to management of communication or communication resources.

Apparatus 10 may further include or be coupled to a memory 14 (internal or external), which may be coupled to processor 12, for storing information and instructions that may be executed by processor 12. Memory 14 may be one or more memories and of any type suitable to the local application environment, and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or nonvolatile data storage technology such as a semiconductor-based memory device, a magnetic memory device and system, an optical memory device and system, fixed memory, and/or removable memory. For example, memory 14 can be comprised of any combination of random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), static storage such as a magnetic or optical disk, hard disk drive (HDD), or any other type of non-transitory machine or computer readable media, or other appropriate storing means. The instructions stored in memory 14 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processor 12, enable the apparatus 10 to perform tasks as described herein.

In an example embodiment, apparatus 10 may further include or be coupled to (internal or external) a drive or port that is configured to accept and read an external computer readable storage medium, such as an optical disc, USB drive, flash drive, or any other storage medium. For example, the external computer readable storage medium may store a computer program or software for execution by processor 12 and/or apparatus 10.

In some example embodiments, apparatus 10 may also include or be coupled to one or more antennas 15 for transmitting and receiving signals and/or data to and from apparatus 10. Apparatus 10 may further include or be coupled to a transceiver 18 configured to transmit and receive information. The transceiver 18 may include, for example, a plurality of radio interfaces that may be coupled to the anteima(s) 15, or may include any other appropriate transceiving means. The radio interfaces may correspond to a plurality of radio access technologies including one or more of narrow band Internet of Things (NB-IoT), LTE, 5G, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Bluetooth (BT), Bluetooth Low Energy (BT-LE), near-field communication (NFC), radio frequency identifier (RFID), ultrawideband (UWB), MulteFire, and the like. The radio interface may include components, such as filters, converters (for example, digital-to-analog converters and the like), mappers, a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) module, and the like, to generate symbols for a transmission via one or more downlinks and to receive symbols (via an uplink, for example).

As such, transceiver 18 may be configured to modulate information on to a carrier waveform for transmission by the anteima(s) 15 and demodulate information received via the anteima(s) 15 for further processing by other elements of apparatus 10. In other embodiments, transceiver 18 may be capable of transmitting and receiving signals or data directly. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, apparatus 10 may include an input and/or output device (I/O device), or an input/output means. In an example embodiment, memory 14 may store software modules that provide functionality when executed by processor 12. The modules may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for apparatus 10. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as an application or program, to provide additional functionality for apparatus 10. The components of apparatus 10 may be implemented in hardware, or as any suitable combination of hardware and software.

According to some example embodiments, processor 12 and/or memory 14 may be included in or may form a part of processing circuitry/means or control circuitry/means. In addition, in some embodiments, transceiver 18 may be included in or may form a part of transceiver circuitry/means.

As used herein, the term “circuitry” may refer to hardware-only circuitry implementations (e.g., analog and/or digital circuitry), combinations of hardware circuits and software, combinations of analog and/or digital hardware circuits with software/firmware, any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processors) that work together to cause an apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10) to perform various functions, and/or hardware circuit(s) and/or processor(s), or portions thereof, that use software for operation but where the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. As a further example, as used herein, the term “circuitry” may also cover an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors), or portion of a hardware circuit or processor, and its accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry may also cover, for example, a baseband integrated circuit in a server, cellular network node or device, or other computing or network device.

As introduced above, in certain example embodiments, apparatus 10 may be or may be a part of a network element or RAN node, such as a base station, access point, Node B, eNB, gNB, TRP, RRH, HAPS, IAB node, relay node, WLAN access point, satellite, or the like. In one example embodiment, apparatus 10 may be a LMF or other entity involved in positioning measurements. According to certain embodiments, apparatus 10 may be controlled by processor 12 and/or memory 14 storing instructions to perform the functions associated with any of the embodiments described herein. For example, in some embodiments, apparatus 10 may be configured to perform one or more of the processes depicted in any of the flow charts or signaling diagrams described herein, such as those illustrated in Figs. 1-3, or any other method described herein. In some embodiments, as discussed herein, apparatus 10 may be configured to perform a procedure relating to positioning measurement outside a MG. For instance, in some embodiments, apparatus 10 may be controlled by processor 12 to receive or obtain PRS measurement of neighbor cells measured outside a MG, as described elsewhere herein.

In certain embodiments, transceiver 18 may be configured to provide, to the user device, assistance data. According to an embodiment, the assistance data may include at least one configured RSTD parameter including at least one of an expected RSTD and/or expected RSTD uncertainty.

According to an embodiment, transceiver 18 may be configured to receive, from a user device or UE, a report including a positioning measurement parameter. In one embodiment, the positioning measurement parameter may include at least one of: a PRS measurement, an indicator configured to indicate that the PRS measurement was made outside a MG, and/or at least one estimated RSTD parameter. In certain embodiments, the at least one estimated RSTD parameter may include at least one of an expected RSTD estimated by the user device and/or an expected RSTD uncertainty estimated by the user device. The at least one estimated RSTD parameter may be different from the at least one configured RSTD parameter.

According to an example embodiment, transceiver 18 may be configured to send, to the user device, at least one of an updated PRS configuration and/or positioning PRS processing window configuration. Fig. 4 further illustrates an example of an apparatus 20 according to another embodiment. In an embodiment, apparatus 20 may be a node or element in a communications network or associated with such a network, such as a user device, UE, communication node, mobile equipment (ME), mobile station, mobile device, stationary device, loT device, CPE, or other device.

As described herein, a UE may alternatively be referred to as, for example, a mobile station, mobile equipment, mobile unit, mobile device, user device, subscriber station, wireless terminal, tablet, smart phone, loT device, sensor or NB-IoT device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications thereof (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications thereof (e.g., a robot and/or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and/or an automated processing chain context), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and/or industrial wireless networks, or the like. As one example, apparatus 20 may be implemented in, for instance, a wireless handheld device, a wireless plug-in accessory, or the like.

In some example embodiments, apparatus 20 may include one or more processors, and/or one or more computer-readable storage medium (for example, memory, storage, or the like), and/or one or more radio access components (for example, a modem, a transceiver, or the like), and/or a user interface. In some embodiments, apparatus 20 may be configured to operate using one or more radio access technologies, such as LTE, LTE-A, NR, 5G, WLAN, WiFi, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, NFC, MulteFire, and/or any other radio access technologies. It should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that apparatus 20 may include components or features not shown in Fig. 4.

As illustrated in the example of Fig. 4, apparatus 20 may include or be coupled to a processor 22 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. Processor 22 may be any type of general or specific purpose processor. In fact, processor 22 may include one or more of general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as examples. While a single processor 22 is shown in Fig. 4, multiple processors may be utilized according to other embodiments. For example, it should be understood that, in certain embodiments, apparatus 20 may include two or more processors that may form a multiprocessor system (e.g., in this case processor 22 may represent a multiprocessor) that may support multiprocessing. In certain embodiments, the multiprocessor system may be tightly coupled or loosely coupled (e.g., to form a computer cluster).

Processor 22 may perform functions associated with the operation of apparatus 20 including, as some examples, precoding of antenna gain/phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming a communication message, formatting of information, and overall control of the apparatus 20, including processes related to management of communication resources.

Apparatus 20 may further include or be coupled to a memory 24 (internal or external), which may be coupled to processor 22, for storing information and instructions that may be executed by processor 22. Memory 24 may be one or more memories and of any type suitable to the local application environment, and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or nonvolatile data storage technology such as a semiconductor-based memory device, a magnetic memory device and system, an optical memory device and system, fixed memory, and/or removable memory. For example, memory 24 can be comprised of any combination of random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), static storage such as a magnetic or optical disk, hard disk drive (HDD), or any other type of non-transitory machine or computer readable media. The instructions stored in memory 24 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processor 22, enable the apparatus 20 to perform tasks as described herein.

In an embodiment, apparatus 20 may further include or be coupled to (internal or external) a drive or port that is configured to accept and read an external computer readable storage medium, such as an optical disc, USB drive, flash drive, or any other storage medium. For example, the external computer readable storage medium may store a computer program or software for execution by processor 22 and/or apparatus 20.

In some example embodiments, apparatus 20 may also include or be coupled to one or more antennas 25 for receiving a downlink signal and for transmitting via an uplink from apparatus 20. Apparatus 20 may further include a transceiver 28 configured to transmit and receive information. The transceiver 28 may also include a radio interface (e.g., a modem) coupled to the antenna 25. The radio interface may correspond to a plurality of radio access technologies including one or more of LTE, LTE-A, 5G, NR, WLAN, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, BT-LE, NFC, RFID, UWB, and the like. The radio interface may include other components, such as filters, converters (for example, digital-to-analog converters and the like), symbol demappers, signal shaping components, an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) module, and the like, to process symbols, such as Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, carried by a downlink or an uplink.

For instance, transceiver 28 may be configured to modulate information on to a carrier waveform for transmission by the anteima(s) 25 and demodulate information received via the anteima(s) 25 for further processing by other elements of apparatus 20.

In other embodiments, transceiver 28 may be capable of transmitting and receiving signals or data directly. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, apparatus 20 may include an input and/or output device (I/O device). In certain embodiments, apparatus 20 may further include a user interface, such as a graphical user interface or touchscreen.

In an embodiment, memory 24 stores software modules that provide functionality when executed by processor 22. The modules may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for apparatus 20. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as an application or program, to provide additional functionality for apparatus 20. The components of apparatus 20 may be implemented in hardware, or as any suitable combination of hardware and software. According to an example embodiment, apparatus 20 may optionally be configured to communicate with apparatus 10 via a wireless or wired communications link 70 according to any radio access technology, such as NR.

According to some embodiments, processor 22 and memory 24 may be included in or may form a part of processing circuitry or control circuitry. In addition, in some embodiments, transceiver 28 may be included in or may form a part of transceiving circuitry or part of processing or control circuitry.

As discussed above, according to some embodiments, apparatus 20 may be a user device, UE, SL UE, relay UE, mobile device, mobile station, ME, loT device and/or NB-IoT device, CPE, or the like, for example. According to certain embodiments, apparatus 20 may be controlled by processor 22 and/or memory 24 storing instructions to perform the functions associated with any of the embodiments described herein, such as one or more of the operations illustrated in, or described with respect to, Figs. 1-3, or any other method described herein. For example, in an embodiment, apparatus 20 may be controlled to perform a process relating to positioning measurement outside a MG, as described elsewhere herein. For instance, in some embodiments, apparatus 20 may be controlled by processor 22 to determine the PRS from neighbor cells measured outside a MG, as described elsewhere herein.

According to an embodiment, processor 22 may be configured to obtain a positioning measurement parameter, and transceiver 28 may be configured to send a report to a network node, such as a LMF.

In one embodiment, the report may include the positioning measurement parameter. In some embodiments, the positioning measurement parameter may include at least one of: a PRS measurement, an indicator configured to indicate that the PRS measurement was made outside a MG, and/or at least one estimated RSTD parameter. In certain embodiments, the at least one estimated RSTD parameter may include at least one of an estimated expected RSTD and/or an estimated expected RSTD uncertainty. According to certain embodiments, processor 22 may be configured to determine the at least one estimated RSTD parameter which may be different than at least one configured RSTD parameter that may be provided or indicated by the network node.

In some embodiments, processor 22 may be configured to determine the at least one estimated RSTD parameter based on at least one of: prior RSTD measurement for the same target TRP, current RSTD measurement of a different target TRP, prior location estimate, timing measurement based on other signals, user device movement estimate from prior measurement, and/or prior RSTD measurement for a different target TRP.

According to an embodiment, processor 22 may be configured to compare the at least one estimated RSTD parameter with a threshold for measuring outside the MG. In certain embodiments, when it is determined that the at least one RSTD parameter is lower than the threshold, processor 22 may be configured to perform the PRS measurement outside of the MG and transceiver 28 may be configured to send the report to the network node.

In some embodiments, processor 22 may be configured to change a MG request based on a number of TRPs that the apparatus 20 determines it can measure outside of the MG. According to an example embodiment, transceiver 28 may be configured to receive, from the network node, at least one of an updated PRS configuration and/or PRS processing window configuration.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10 and/or apparatus 20) may include means for performing one or more methods, processes, and/or procedures, or any of the variants discussed herein. Examples of the means may include one or more processors, memory, controllers, transmitters, receivers, sensors, circuits, and/or computer program code for causing the performance of any of the operations discussed herein. In view of the foregoing, certain example embodiments provide several technological improvements, enhancements, and/or advantages over existing technological processes and constitute an improvement at least to the technological field of wireless network control and/or management.

For example, as discussed in detail above, certain example embodiments can provide systems and/or methods for improved determination of PRS (or other RS used for positioning) from neighbor cells that can be measured outside a MG. As a result, example embodiments can improve accuracy, such as positioning measurement accuracy. In addition, some example embodiments can provide improved network efficiency, for example by reducing positioning latency. Further, example embodiments can result in reduced UE power consumption and/or UE power saving. Accordingly, the use of certain example embodiments results in improved functioning of communications networks and their nodes, such as base stations, eNBs, gNBs, and/or loT devices, UEs or mobile stations, or the like.

In some example embodiments, the functionality of any of the methods, processes, signaling diagrams, algorithms or flow charts described herein may be implemented by software and/or computer program code or portions of code stored in memory or other computer readable or tangible media, and may be executed by a processor.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus may include or be associated with at least one software application, module, unit or entity configured as arithmetic operation(s), or as a program or portions of programs (including an added or updated software routine), which may be executed by at least one operation processor or controller. Programs, also called program products or computer programs, including software routines, applets and macros, may be stored in any apparatus-readable data storage medium and may include program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may include one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out some example embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of code. Modifications and configurations needed for implementing the functionality of an example embodiment may be performed as routine(s), which may be implemented as added or updated software routine(s). In one example, software routine(s) may be downloaded into the apparatus.

As an example, software or computer program code or portions of code may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and 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 may include a record medium, computer memory, read-only memory, photoelectrical and/or electrical carrier signal, telecommunications signal, and/or 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. The computer readable medium or computer readable storage medium may be a non-transitory medium.

In other example embodiments, the functionality of example embodiments may be performed by hardware or circuitry included in an apparatus, for example through the use of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable gate array (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other combination of hardware and software. In yet another example embodiment, some functionality of example embodiments may be implemented as a signal that can be carried by an electromagnetic signal downloaded from the Internet or other network.

According to an example embodiment, an apparatus, such as a node, device, or a corresponding component, may be configured as circuitry, a computer or a microprocessor, such as single-chip computer element, or as a chipset, which may include at least a memory for providing storage capacity used for arithmetic operation(s) and/or an operation processor for executing the arithmetic operation(s).

Some embodiments described herein may use the conjunction “and/or”. It should be noted that, when used, the term “and/or” is intended to include either of the alternatives or both of the alternatives, depending on the example embodiment or implementation. In other words, “and/or” can refer to one or the other or both, or any one or more or all, of the things or options in connection with which the conjunction is used.

Example embodiments described herein may apply to both singular and plural implementations, regardless of whether singular or plural language is used in connection with describing certain embodiments. For example, an embodiment that describes operations of a single network node may also apply to example embodiments that include multiple instances of the network node, and vice versa.

One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the example embodiments as discussed above may be practiced with procedures in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although some embodiments have been described based upon these example embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of example embodiments.

PARTIAL GLOSSARY

CP Cyclic Prefix

CSI-RS Channel State Information Reference Signal gNB 5G Base Station

GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System

IMU Intertial Measurement Unit

LPP LTE Positioning Protocol

LMC Local Location Management Component

LMF Location Management Function

MAC CE Medium Access Control Control Element

MG Measurement Gap

NR New Radio (5G)

PRS Positioning Reference Signal

QCL Quasi-colocation

RSTD Received Signal Time Difference SSB Synchronization Signal Block

TRP Transmission Reception Point

UE User Equipment.