CN110178419B

CN110178419B - Terminal device positioning method and network device

Info

Publication number: CN110178419B
Application number: CN201780082881.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈哲; 刘恒进; 李晨琬; 金哲
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-01-26
Filing date: 2017-01-26
Publication date: 2020-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2037-01-26
Also published as: WO2018137246A1; CN110178419A

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a terminal device positioning method, which is used for realizing the positioning of the terminal device in NB-IoT. The terminal equipment positioning method provided by the application comprises the following steps: the first network device determines NPRACH parameters of the terminal device, wherein the NPRACH parameters are used for indicating a mode of scheduling the terminal device to transmit a plurality of times of NPRACH signals by the first network device. The first network equipment sends a first message to the second network equipment, wherein the first message comprises the NPRACH parameters, and the first message is used for the second network equipment to position the terminal equipment. The first network equipment informs the second network equipment of the NPRACH parameters, so that the second network equipment in the NB-IoT can position the terminal equipment according to the NPRACH parameters, the user experience of the NB-IoT is improved, and the popularization of the NB-IoT network is facilitated. The application also provides related network equipment.

Description

Terminal device positioning method and network device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a method for positioning a terminal device and a network device.

Background

Positioning is a technology for measuring the position of a mobile terminal through systems such as a satellite, a cellular data network and the like, and is applied to scenes such as mobile phone positioning, navigation, automobile navigation, logistics tracking, environment monitoring, Internet of vehicles, virtual reality and the like. Along with the rapid popularization of electronic science and technology, mobile internet and particularly smart phones, the demand of users on the accurate positioning of mobile terminals is more and more strong.

Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) is a common cellular Location method, and specifically, a Location server (E-SMLC) measures a Time Difference between Arrival of a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) of a User Equipment (UE) at two Location Measurement Units (LMUs) to determine a Location of the UE.

The Narrow-Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) is an Internet of Things constructed in a cellular network, has the advantages of wide coverage, high cell connection number, low power consumption and low cost, and has a very wide application prospect. The NB-IoT may be directly deployed in a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network, or a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, so as to reduce the deployment cost and achieve smooth upgrade.

However, the existing NB-IoT does not have SRS signals, so that the UE cannot be located through TDOA, and the requirement of the user for accurate location of the UE cannot be met. This undoubtedly restricts the popularization of NB-IoT networks.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a terminal device positioning method, which is used for realizing the positioning of the terminal device in NB-IoT. The application also provides related network equipment.

A first aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a terminal device positioning method, which is applicable to NB-IoT, and the method includes: the first network device determines a Narrowband Physical Random Access Channel (NPRACH) parameter of the terminal device, where the NPRACH parameter is used to indicate a manner in which the first network device schedules the terminal device to transmit a NPRACH signal for multiple times. The first network equipment sends a first message to the second network equipment, wherein the first message comprises the NPRACH parameters, and the first message is used for the second network equipment to position the terminal equipment. The first network equipment informs the second network equipment of the NPRACH parameters, so that the second network equipment in the NB-IoT can position the terminal equipment according to the NPRACH parameters, the user experience of the NB-IoT is improved, and the popularization of the NB-IoT network is facilitated.

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters include one or more of the following parameters: the method comprises the steps that first network equipment sends the frequency of requirements (order) of a Narrowband Physical Downlink Control Channel (NPDCCH) to terminal equipment; the number of times the terminal device transmits the NPRACH signal; the number of NPRACH opportunities (occasions) configured by the first network device for the terminal device.

Optionally, before determining the NPRACH parameters of the terminal device, the first network device further receives a second message sent by the second network device, where the second message is used to request the NPRACH parameters of the terminal device; the first network device determines NPRACH parameters of the terminal device specifically according to the second message.

Optionally, the second message carries one or more of the following request parameters: the total repetition (repeat) times of the terminal device transmitting the NPRACH signal; the terminal equipment sends the repetition times of the NPRACH signal each time; the number of NPRACH occasions of the NPRACH signals transmitted by the terminal equipment. The request parameter may represent an expected value of NPRACH parameters by the second network device to provide a reference for the first network device to determine NPRACH parameters.

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters further include: a target bitmap (bitmap), the target bitmap comprising M bits, each bit corresponding to one or more consecutive NPRACH occasions, M being an integer no less than 1; wherein, each bit with the value of 1 is used for indicating that the first network device triggers the terminal device to transmit the NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 1, and each bit with the value of 0 is used for indicating that the first network device does not trigger the terminal device to transmit the NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 0; or, each bit with a value of 0 is used to indicate that the first network device triggers the terminal device to transmit the NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 0, and each bit with a value of 1 is used to indicate that the first network device does not trigger the terminal device to transmit the NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 1.

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters further include: the starting time of the terminal device transmitting the NPRACH signal. The starting time may be in the form of a System Frame Number (SFN), which is used to indicate that the target UE starts to transmit the NPRACH signal from the starting time of the radio Frame corresponding to the SFN.

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters further include one or more of the following parameters: the method comprises the steps that carrier frequency point information of an NB-IoT uplink carrier where an NPRACH signal sent by terminal equipment is located; time frequency resource configuration information of an NPRACH channel where an NPRACH signal is sent by terminal equipment; subcarrier serial number (subcarrier index) information configured for the terminal device by the first network device.

A second aspect of the present application provides a terminal device positioning method, which is applicable to NB-IoT, and includes: the method comprises the steps that a second network device receives a first message sent by a first network device, wherein the first message comprises NPRACH parameters of a terminal device, and the NPRACH parameters are used for indicating a mode that the first network device schedules the terminal device to send NPRACH signals for multiple times; the second network device sends a third message to a plurality of third network devices, wherein the third message comprises the NPRACH parameters; the second network device receives fourth messages sent by the plurality of third network devices, wherein the fourth messages comprise the measured time of the NPRACH signals sent by the terminal device to the plurality of third network devices according to the NPRACH parameters; the second network device calculates the position of the terminal device according to the time when the NPRACH signal transmitted by the terminal device reaches a plurality of third network devices. The NPRACH parameter is informed to the third network equipment through the second network equipment, so that the third network equipment in the NB-IoT can correctly receive the NPRACH signal of the terminal equipment according to the NPRACH parameter, and further the arrival time of the NPRACH signal is measured. The second network device can locate the terminal device according to the time when the NPRACH signal reaches each third device. Therefore, the user experience of the NB-IoT is improved, and the popularization of the NB-IoT network is facilitated.

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters include one or more of the following parameters: the first network equipment sends the number of times of NPDCCH order to the terminal equipment; the number of times the terminal device transmits the NPRACH signal; the number of NPRACH occasion configured by the first network device for the terminal device.

Optionally, before receiving the first message sent by the first network device, the second network device further sends a second message to the first network device, where the second message is used to request NPRACH parameters of the terminal device.

Optionally, the second message carries one or more of the following parameters: the terminal equipment sends the total repeat times of the NPRACH signals; the terminal equipment sends the repetition times of the NPRACH signal each time; the number of NPRACH occasions of the NPRACH signals transmitted by the terminal equipment.

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters further include: a target bitmap, wherein the target bitmap comprises M bits, each bit corresponds to one or more continuous NPRACH events, and M is an integer not less than 1; wherein, each bit with the value of 1 is used for indicating that the first network device triggers the terminal device to transmit the NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 1, and each bit with the value of 0 is used for indicating that the first network device does not trigger the terminal device to transmit the NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 0; or, each bit with a value of 0 is used to indicate that the first network device triggers the terminal device to transmit the NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 0, and each bit with a value of 1 is used to indicate that the first network device does not trigger the terminal device to transmit the NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 1.

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters further include: the starting time of the terminal device transmitting the NPRACH signal.

A third aspect of the present application provides a terminal device positioning method, which is applicable to NB-IoT, and includes: the first network equipment receives a second message of the second network equipment, wherein the second message is used for requesting NPRACH parameters of the terminal equipment; the method comprises the steps that first network equipment obtains power information of terminal equipment; and the first network equipment sends a fifth message to the second network equipment when the power information of the terminal equipment does not meet the first preset condition, wherein the fifth message is used for indicating that the second network equipment refuses the request of the NPRACH parameters of the terminal equipment. The first network equipment determines whether to position the terminal equipment according to whether the power information of the terminal equipment meets the first preset condition, so that the positioning of the terminal equipment with the maximum transmitting power meeting the requirement can be ensured, and the positioning accuracy is ensured.

Optionally, the power information includes a maximum signal transmission power of the terminal device, and the power information of the terminal device that does not meet the first preset condition includes: the maximum signal transmission power of the terminal equipment is smaller than a first threshold value; and/or the power information comprises the maximum signal transmission power level of the terminal equipment, and the power information of the terminal equipment which does not meet the first preset condition comprises the following steps: the maximum signal transmission power level of the terminal device does not belong to the set of preset power levels.

Optionally, the fifth message carries a first reason field, where the first reason field is used to indicate that the request of the second network device for the NPRACH parameters of the terminal device is rejected for the power reason.

Optionally, the power information of the terminal device meets a first preset condition, and the first network device receives a request of the second network device for the NPRACH parameters of the terminal device.

A fourth aspect of the present application provides a terminal device positioning method, which is applicable to NB-IoT, and includes: the second network equipment receives a sixth message sent by the fourth network equipment, wherein the sixth message is used for requesting to position the terminal equipment and comprises power information of the terminal equipment; and when the power information of the terminal equipment does not accord with the second preset condition, the second network equipment sends a seventh message to the fourth network equipment, wherein the seventh message is used for indicating that the fourth network equipment is refused to carry out positioning request on the terminal equipment. The second network equipment determines whether to position the terminal equipment according to whether the power information of the terminal equipment meets the second preset condition, so that the positioning of the terminal equipment with the maximum transmitting power meeting the requirement can be ensured, and the positioning accuracy of the terminal equipment is ensured.

Optionally, the power information includes a maximum signal transmission power of the terminal device, and the power information of the terminal device that does not meet the second preset condition includes: the maximum signal transmission power of the terminal equipment is smaller than a second threshold value; and/or the power information comprises the maximum signal transmission power level of the terminal equipment, and the power information of the terminal equipment which does not meet the second preset condition comprises the following steps: the maximum signal transmission power level of the terminal device does not belong to the set of preset power levels.

Optionally, the seventh message carries a second reason field, where the second reason field is used to indicate that the request for positioning the terminal device from the fourth network device is rejected due to the power reason.

Optionally, the power information of the terminal device meets a second preset condition, and the second network device receives a request of the fourth network device for positioning the terminal device.

A fifth aspect of the present application provides a network device configured to be a first network device in an NB-IoT, the network device comprising: the parameter determination module is used for determining NPRACH parameters of the terminal equipment, and the NPRACH parameters are used for indicating a mode that the first network equipment schedules the terminal equipment to transmit NPRACH signals for multiple times; a first message sending module, configured to send a first message to a second network device, where the first message includes the NPRACH parameter, and the first message is used for the second network device to locate the terminal device.

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters include one or more of the following parameters: the first network equipment sends the number of times of NPDCCH order to the terminal equipment; the number of times the terminal device transmits the NPRACH signal; the number of NPRACH occase configured for the terminal equipment by the first network equipment.

Optionally, the network device further includes: a first message receiving module, configured to receive a second message sent by the second network device, where the second message is used to request NPRACH parameters of the terminal device; the parameter determination module is specifically configured to: and determining NPRACH parameters of the terminal equipment according to the second message.

Optionally, the second message carries one or more of the following parameters: the terminal equipment sends the total repeat times of the NPRACH signals; the terminal equipment sends the repetition times of the NPRACH signal each time; and the number of NPRACH occases of the NPRACH signals sent by the terminal equipment.

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters further include: a target bitmap, wherein the target bitmap comprises M bits, each bit corresponds to one or more continuous NPRACH occasions, and M is an integer not less than 1; wherein, each bit with a value of 1 is used to indicate that the first network device triggers the terminal device to transmit a NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 1, and each bit with a value of 0 is used to indicate that the first network device does not trigger the terminal device to transmit a NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 0; or, each bit with a value of 0 is used to indicate that the first network device triggers the terminal device to transmit a NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 0, and each bit with a value of 1 is used to indicate that the first network device does not trigger the terminal device to transmit a NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 1.

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters further include: and the starting time of the NPRACH signal transmitted by the terminal equipment.

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters further include one or more of the following parameters: the carrier frequency point information of an NB-IoT uplink carrier where the NPRACH signal sent by the terminal equipment is located; time frequency resource configuration information of an NPRACH channel where the NPRACH signal sent by the terminal equipment is located; and the first network equipment is subcarrier serial number subcarrier index information configured by the terminal equipment.

A sixth aspect of the present application provides a network device configured to be a second network device in an NB-IoT, the network device comprising: the second message receiving module is used for receiving a first message sent by a first network device, wherein the first message comprises NPRACH parameters of a terminal device, and the NPRACH parameters are used for indicating a mode that the first network device schedules the terminal device to send a plurality of NPRACH signals; a second message sending module, configured to send a third message to a plurality of third network devices, where the third message includes the NPRACH parameters; the second message receiving module is further configured to: receiving fourth messages sent by the plurality of third network devices, where the fourth messages include times, measured by the plurality of third network devices according to the NPRACH parameters, of NPRACH signals sent by the terminal device reaching the plurality of third network devices; and the device positioning module is used for calculating the position of the terminal device according to the time when the NPRACH signal sent by the terminal device reaches the third network devices.

Optionally, the second message sending module is further configured to: and sending a second message to the first network equipment, wherein the second message is used for requesting the NPRACH parameters of the terminal equipment.

A seventh aspect of the present application provides a network device configured to be a first network device in an NB-IoT, the network device comprising: a third message receiving module, configured to receive a second message of a second network device, where the second message is used to request NPRACH parameters of a terminal device; the power information acquisition module is used for acquiring the power information of the terminal equipment; and the first power processing module is configured to send the fifth message to the second network device when the power information of the terminal device does not meet a first preset condition, where the fifth message is used to indicate that the request of the second network device for the NPRACH parameters of the terminal device is rejected.

Optionally, the power information includes a maximum signal transmission power of the terminal device, and the power information of the terminal device that does not meet a first preset condition includes: the maximum signal transmission power of the terminal equipment is smaller than a first threshold value; and/or the power information comprises the maximum signal transmission power level of the terminal equipment, and the power information of the terminal equipment which does not meet the first preset condition comprises the following steps: the maximum signal transmission power level of the terminal device does not belong to a set of preset power levels.

Optionally, the fifth message carries a first reason field, where the first reason field is used to indicate that the request of the second network device for the NPRACH parameters of the terminal device is rejected due to a power reason.

Optionally, the first power processing module is further configured to: and when the power information of the terminal equipment meets the first preset condition, receiving the request of the second network equipment for the NPRACH parameters of the terminal equipment.

An eighth aspect of the present application provides a network device configured to be a second network device in an NB-IoT, the network device comprising: a fourth message receiving module, configured to receive a sixth message sent by a fourth network device, where the sixth message is used to request to locate a terminal device, and the sixth message includes power information of the terminal device; and the second power processing module is configured to send a seventh message to the fourth network device when the power information of the terminal device does not meet a second preset condition, where the seventh message is used to indicate that the request for positioning the terminal device by the fourth network device is rejected.

Optionally, the power information includes a maximum signal transmission power of the terminal device, and the power information of the terminal device that does not meet a second preset condition includes: the maximum signal transmission power of the terminal equipment is smaller than a second threshold value; and/or the power information includes the maximum signal transmission power level of the terminal device, and the power information of the terminal device not meeting a second preset condition includes: the maximum signal transmission power level of the terminal device does not belong to a set of preset power levels.

Optionally, the seventh message carries a second reason field, where the second reason field is used to indicate that the request for positioning the terminal device by the fourth network device is rejected due to power.

Optionally, the second power processing module is further configured to: and when the power information of the terminal equipment meets the second preset condition, receiving a request of the fourth network equipment for positioning the terminal equipment.

A ninth aspect of the present application provides a network device, comprising: a processor, a memory, optionally, the network device may further comprise a transceiver. The processor is configured to execute the terminal device positioning method provided by the first aspect of the present application by calling program instructions stored in the memory.

A tenth aspect of the present application provides a network device, including: a processor, a memory, optionally, the network device may further comprise a transceiver. The processor is used for executing the terminal device positioning method provided by the second aspect of the present application by calling the program instructions stored in the memory.

An eleventh aspect of the present application provides a network device, including: a processor, a memory, optionally, the network device may further comprise a transceiver. The processor is used for executing the terminal device positioning method provided by the third aspect of the present application by calling the program instructions stored in the memory.

A twelfth aspect of the present application provides a network device, including: a processor, a memory, optionally, the network device may further comprise a transceiver. The processor is configured to execute the terminal device positioning method provided by the fourth aspect of the present application by calling the program instructions stored in the memory.

Drawings

FIG. 1(a) is a schematic diagram of an NB-IoT network architecture;

FIG. 1(b) is a schematic diagram of the structure of an NPRACH signal;

fig. 2 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a terminal device positioning method provided in the present application;

fig. 3 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a terminal device positioning method provided in the present application;

fig. 4 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a terminal device positioning method provided in the present application;

fig. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a terminal network device provided in the present application;

fig. 6 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a terminal network device provided in the present application;

fig. 7 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a terminal network device provided in the present application;

fig. 8 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a terminal network device provided in the present application;

fig. 9 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a terminal network device provided in the present application;

fig. 10 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a terminal network device provided in the present application;

fig. 11 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a terminal network device provided in the present application;

fig. 12 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a terminal network device provided in the present application.

Detailed Description

The embodiment of the application provides a terminal device positioning method, which is used for realizing the positioning of the terminal device in NB-IoT. The present application also provides related network devices, which will be described separately below.

The NB-IoT can be directly deployed in a GSM network, a UMTS network or an LTE network so as to multiplex network elements such as a Mobility Management Entity (MME), an E-SMLC, an eNB, an LMU and the like in the existing network, thereby reducing the deployment cost and realizing smooth upgrade. Fig. 1(a) is a schematic diagram of an NB-IoT network architecture, in which a UE accesses a core network through an evolved NodeB (eNB), and then accesses an Internet of Things (IoT) platform, so as to implement various industry applications of IoT.

Many applications of IoT require accurate positioning of UEs. Since no SRS signal exists in NB-IoT, it is not possible to directly multiplex the existing methods for positioning UEs in LTE. Therefore, the application provides a new terminal device positioning method for positioning the UE by adopting NPRACH signals in NB-IoT.

NPRACH is an NB-IoT random access channel. Please refer to fig. 1 (b): the transmission resource of the NPRACH signal may be divided into a plurality of NPRACH periods, each NPRACH period having one NPRACH occase, each NPRACH occase may be used to transmit one NPRACH signal. Each NPRACH signal consists of one or more repeated NPRACH cells, each of which can be considered a repetition.

The time-frequency resource configuration of the NPRACH channel is generally represented by quintuple information, and specifically may include one or more of a number of repetitation times, a period, a starting subframe offset, a number of subcarriers of the NPRACH channel, and a starting subcarrier of the NPRACH channel. As shown in fig. 1(b), when the UE transmits one NPRACH signal in 1NPRACH occasion, the NPRACH signal occupies a single subcarrier in a frequency hopping manner within each repetition. The NPRACH signal can be uniquely identified by the serial number subcarrier index of the subcarrier where the first single carrier is located.

NPRACH signals have three Coverage Enhancement levels (CE Level) of 0, 1, and 2, which can be used to combat different signal attenuations. Each CE Level corresponds to a different transmission power and repetition number, as shown in table 1.

CE Level 0	CE Level 1	CE Level 2
			repetition＝8	repetition＝32	repetition＝128

TABLE 1

Based on the above description, the present application uses NPRACH to locate a UE, and the basic flow is shown in fig. 2, which includes:

201. and the MME sends a sixth message to the E-SMLC.

And when the target UE is to be positioned, the MME sends a sixth message to the E-SMLC to request for positioning the target UE.

202. The E-SMLC sends a second message to the eNB.

And the E-SMLC sends a second message to the eNB of the cell where the target UE is located, wherein the second message is used for requesting to initiate a process of positioning the target UE. The NPRACH signal is used for UE positioning, so the second message is specifically used for requesting NPRACH parameters of the target UE.

Optionally, the E-SMLC may determine one or more request parameters, and carry the determined request parameters in the second message to send to the eNB. The request parameters may represent expected values of NPRACH parameters by the E-SMLC to provide a reference for the eNB to determine NPRACH parameters for the target UE.

Optionally, the request parameter may include one or more of the following parameters:

(1) and the E-SMLC determines the total repetition times of the NPRACH signals transmitted by the target UE.

(2) The E-SMLC determines the number of times of repetition of the NPRACH signal sent by the target UE each time;

(3) the number of NPRACH occase of NPRACH signals transmitted by the target UE.

The request parameter may also include other parameters, which are not limited in this application.

Optionally, the E-SMLC may obtain relevant parameters of the target UE from other network elements to determine the request parameters, or may determine the request parameters according to a history record of the target UE. For example, if the E-SMLC locates the target UE in the near future, a history of the parameters related to the target UE is stored in the E-SMLC, and the E-SMLC determines the requested parameters according to the history of the parameters related to the target UE. The E-SMLC may also determine the request parameter in other ways, which are not limited in this application.

Optionally, the second message may be an information request message, or may also be a message in other forms, which is not limited in this application.

203. The eNB determines NPRACH parameters for the target UE.

And the eNB receives a second message sent by the E-SMLC and acquires NPRACH parameters of the target UE requested by the E-SMLC. The eNB then determines NPRACH parameters for the target UE. The NPRACH parameters of the target UE are used to indicate the manner in which the eNB schedules the target UE to transmit the NPRACH signal one or more times, i.e., how the eNB schedules the target UE to transmit the NPRACH signal in step 205.

The eNB schedules the target UE to send the NPRACH signal once to complete the positioning of the target UE. However, the positioning of the target UE needs at least two enbs to achieve the positioning, and the signal transmission power of the UE located in the center of the eNB cell is low, which causes the signal strength of the NPRACH signal transmitted by the UE when reaching the eNB in the neighboring cell to be weak, reduces the precision of signal measurement, and further affects the final positioning accuracy. Therefore, in the present application, the eNB may schedule the target UE to transmit the NPRACH signal for multiple times, so as to improve the accuracy of the target UE positioning.

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters may include one or more of the following parameters:

(1) the eNB triggers the number of times K1 that the target UE transmits NPRACH signals.

(2) The eNB sends the number of NPDCCH orders K2 to the target UE.

(3) The eNB configures the number K3 of NPRACH occasions for the target UE.

Wherein K1, K2 and K3 are integers.

Optionally, the eNB may autonomously determine the NPRACH parameters of the target UE, or may determine the NPRACH parameters of the target UE according to the request parameters in the second message.

For example, if the request parameters include the total reptition times of NPRACH signal transmission by the target UE determined by the E-SMLC as X1, and the eNB determines that the reptition times of NPRACH signal transmission by the target UE each time is X2, the eNB may determine that the number of NPRACH signal transmission times indicated by the target UE in the NPRACH parameters is X1/X2. Wherein X1 and X2 are integers.

For another example, if the number of NPRACH occasions for the target UE to transmit the NPRACH signal, which is determined by the E-SMLC in the request parameters, is Y, the eNB may determine that the number of times K1 that the eNB triggers the target UE to transmit the NPRACH signal in the NPRACH parameters is equal to Y. Wherein Y is an integer.

The request parameters are only used to provide reference for the eNB to determine NPRACH parameters, and are not used to define NPRACH parameters. The eNB may or may not refer to the request parameters in determining the NPRACH parameters. In addition, the eNB can also judge whether the request parameters provided by the E-SMLC are reasonable or not, and if the request parameters are reasonable, the NPRACH parameters of the target UE are determined according to the request parameters; and if the determination is not reasonable, the NPRACH parameters of the target UE are autonomously determined.

For example, if the request parameters include the number of repetization times Z1 for the target UE to transmit the NPRACH signal each time and the number Z2 of NPRACH occasion for the target UE to transmit the NPRACH signal, the eNB determines whether the number of repetization times in its time-frequency resource configuration supports the value Z1, if so, the eNB considers that the request parameters are reasonable, determines that the number K1 of times that the eNB triggers the target UE to transmit the NPRACH signal in the NPRACH parameters is equal to Z2, and the number of repetization times for transmitting the NPRACH signal each time is Z1. Wherein Z1 and Z2 are integers.

Optionally, NPRACH parameters may include parameter (4): the eNB triggers the starting time at which the target UE transmits the NPRACH signal. The starting time may be in the form of an SFN, which is used to indicate that the target UE starts to transmit the NPRACH signal from the starting time of the radio frame corresponding to the SFN.

Further, the starting time may include a subframe number in addition to the SFN, so as to specify the starting time when the target UE transmits the NPRACH signal to the subframe precision;

further, the starting time may include a time slot number in addition to the SFN and the subframe number, so as to specify the starting time when the target UE transmits the NPRACH signal to the time slot accuracy;

further, the start time may include an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol number in addition to the SFN, the subframe number, and the slot number, so as to specify the start time of the NPRACH signal transmitted by the target UE to the OFDM symbol precision.

Optionally, the eNB may further generate a target bitmap, and carry the target bitmap as an NPRACH parameter in the first message. The target bitmap includes M bits, each bit corresponding to one or more consecutive NPRACH occurations, and M is an integer no less than 1. The target bitmap is used for expressing the periodicity rule of the NPRACH signals sent by the UE scheduled by the eNB in the cell, so that the target bitmap can be used for expressing the rule of the NPRACH signals sent by the target UE. Specifically, each bit in the target bitmap has two values, i.e., 0 and 1, where a value of 1 indicates that the target UE transmits an NPRACH signal on an NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit, and a value of 0 indicates that the target UE does not transmit the NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit.

For example, the eNB configures 100 NPRACH occases for the target UE, and the eNB generates a 5-bit bitmap "11001", where each bit corresponds to 3 consecutive NPRACH occases. The bitmap indicates that the eNB triggers the target UE to cyclically transmit NPRACH signals according to the rule that "3 NPRACH occases transmit-3 NPRACH cases transmit-3 NPRACH occases transmit" until the 100 NPRACH occases are traversed.

The target bitmap only indicates a rule that the eNB schedules the UE in the cell to transmit the NPRACH signal, and is not used for describing a specific behavior of the UE. For example, on NPRACH occasion corresponding to a bit with a value of 0, the target UE must not transmit NPRACH signals. However, on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 1, the target UE may send or not send the NPRACH signal according to the scheduling of the eNB, which is not limited in this application.

Optionally, the meaning of each bit value in the target bitmap may also be reversed, that is, a value of 1 indicates that the target UE does not send the NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit, and a value of 0 indicates that the target UE sends the NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit, which is not limited in this application.

Optionally, bitmap may be used for interference coordination between base stations. For example: after interference negotiation is carried out between the first base station and the second base station, a first bitmap and a second bitmap are respectively generated, and bits with the value of 1 in the first bitmap and the second bitmap are used for indicating that NPRACH signals are sent on the corresponding NPRACH occase. Then, between the first bitmap and the second bitmap, the bit corresponding to the same NPRACH occase is not 1 at the same time. Therefore, the time periods of the NPRACH signals sent by the UE in the first base station cell and the UE in the second base station cell are not overlapped, the adjacent cell interference in the process of positioning the UE is avoided, and the positioning accuracy can be provided.

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters may further include one or more of the following parameters of the NPRACH signal that the base station triggers the target UE to transmit:

the carrier frequency point information of the NB-IoT uplink carrier is located;

the time-frequency resource configuration information of the NPRACH channel may specifically include one or more of a repetition number, a period, a starting frame offset, a subcarrier number, and a starting subcarrier of each NPRACH signal sent by the target UE;

and the base station configures a subcarrier index for the target UE, wherein the subcarrier index is used for indicating that the target UE transmits the initial subcarrier of the NPRACH signal in 1NPRACH occase.

The NPRACH parameters may also include other parameters, which are not limited in this application.

204. The eNB sends a first message to the E-SMLC.

After determining the NPRACH parameters of the target UE, the eNB carries the NPRACH parameters of the target UE in a first message and sends the first message to the E-SMLC.

Optionally, the first message may be an information response message, and may also be a message in other forms, which is not limited in this application.

205. The eNB triggers the target UE to transmit the NPRACH signal.

And after determining the NPRACH parameters of the target UE, the eNB triggers the target UE to send the NPRACH signals. The method for the eNB to schedule the target UE to transmit the NPRACH signal is consistent with the NPRACH parameters.

For example, if the NPRACH parameters include K1 times the eNB triggered the target UE to transmit NPRACH signals, the eNB should trigger the target UE to transmit K1NPRACH signals. There are many specific triggering modes, for example: the eNB sends the NPDCCH order to the target UE, the target UE sends an NPRACH signal once after receiving the NPDCCH order, the eNB replies a confirmation message of the NPRACH signal to the target UE, and then the NPDCCH order is sent to the target UE again. And triggering the target UE to transmit K1NPRACH signals through K1 NPDCCH orders. For another example, the eNB sends an NPDCCH order to the target UE, the target UE sends an NPRACH signal once after receiving the NPDCCH order, and the eNB does not reply an acknowledgement message of the NPRACH signal to the target UE, so that the target UE sends the NPRACH signal again, until the target UE sends a K1NPRACH signal, and the eNB replies an acknowledgement message of the NPRACH signal to the target UE.

For another example, if the NPRACH parameters include K2 times that the eNB sends NPDCCH orders to the target UE, the eNB sends K2 NPDCCH orders to the target UE, and each NPDCCH order is used to trigger the target UE to send NPRACH signals.

For another example, if the NPRACH parameters include the number of NPRACH occasion K3 configured by the eNB for the target UE, the eNB configures K3 NPRACH occasions for the target UE, so that the target UE can transmit NPRACH signals on one or more NPRACH occasions of the K3 NPRACH occasions.

For another example, if the NPRACH parameters include the number of times K1 that the eNB triggers the target UE to transmit the NPRACH signal and the number of NPRACH sessions K3 configured by the eNB for the target UE, the target UE may transmit the NPRACH signal on K1NPRACH sessions of the K3 NPRACH sessions. Wherein K1 is not greater than K3.

The eNB may also be another method for scheduling the target UE to transmit the NPRACH signal in a manner conforming to the NPRACH parameter, and is not limited in this application.

The sequence between steps 204 and 205 is not limited in this application, and step 205 may also be located before step 204.

206. The E-SMLC determines the target LMU.

The E-SMLC selects a plurality of target LMUs for measuring the location of the target UE among the LMUs of the NB-IoT system. In order to realize the positioning of the target UE, the number of the target LMUs is at least two. The E-SMLC can also select three or more target LMUs to position the target UE so as to improve the positioning accuracy.

207. The E-SMLC sends a third message to the target LMU;

and after the E-SMLC receives the first message, acquiring the NPRACH parameters of the target UE carried in the first message. And then the E-SMLC sends a third message to the determined multiple target LMUs, wherein the third message carries NPRACH parameters of the target UE, and the fourth message is used for indicating each target LMU to measure the time when the NPRACH signal sent by the target UE reaches the LMU according to the NPRACH parameters of the target UE. After receiving the third message, the target LMU can acquire the mode of the target UE for transmitting the NPRACH signal according to the NPRACH parameter of the target UE, and then can receive the NPRACH signal transmitted by the target UE according to the NPRACH parameter.

For example, if the NPRACH parameters include K1 times that the eNB triggers the target UE to transmit NPRACH signals, the target LMU may know that K1NPRACH signals can be received in total.

For another example, if the NPRACH parameters include the number K1 of times that the eNB triggers the target UE to transmit the NPRACH signal and the number K3 of NPRACH sessions configured by the eNB for the target UE, the target LMU may know that the NPRACH signal of the target UE is received on the K3 NPRACH sessions, and may receive K1NPRACH signals in the process.

For another example, if the NPRACH parameters include a starting time of the target UE transmitting the NPRACH signal, the target LMU may know to start receiving the NPRACH signal transmitted by the target UE at the starting time.

For another example, if the NPRACH parameter includes a target bitmap, where a bit with a value of 1 indicates that the target UE transmits an NPRACH signal on an NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit, the target LMU may know that the NPRACH signal transmitted by the target UE is received on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 1 in the target bitmap, and the NPRACH signal transmitted by the target UE is not received on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 0 in the target bitmap.

And each target LMU receives one or more NPRACH signals sent by the target UE according to the NPRACH parameters in the third message, and measures the time when the one or more NPRACH signals reach the target LMU to obtain a measurement result.

208. The target LMU sends a fourth message to the E-SMLC.

And the target LMUs carry the respective measurement results in a fourth message and send the fourth message to the E-SMLC.

209. And E-SMLC locates the target UE.

And the E-SMLC receives the fourth messages sent by the target LMUs to obtain the measurement result of each target LMU and acquire the time when one or more NPRACH signals sent by the target UE reach each target LMU. And the E-SMLC calculates the position of the target UE according to the measurement result.

In this embodiment, the eNB determines NPRACH parameters of the target UE and sends the NPRACH parameters to the E-SMLC, and the E-SMLC forwards the NPRACH parameters of the target UE to the plurality of target LMUs, so that the plurality of target LMUs can receive NPRACH signals transmitted by the target UE according to the NPRACH parameters of the target UE, and thus the E-SMLC can calculate the position of the target UE according to the time difference between the NPRACH signals reaching the plurality of target LMUs, thereby implementing the positioning of the target UE.

To ensure the positioning accuracy, the power of the UE transmitting NPRACH signal cannot be too low. Therefore, a UE with a lower maximum transmit power is not suitable for positioning. Therefore, the present application further refines the terminal device positioning method shown in fig. 2, and ensures that the UE with lower maximum transmit power is not positioned, please refer to fig. 3. Step 301 in fig. 3 occurs after step 202 in the embodiment shown in fig. 2, where the E-SMLC sends the second message to the eNB, specifically:

301. the eNB acquires power information of the target UE;

the eNB acquires power information of the target UE and judges whether the power information of the target UE meets a first preset condition or not.

Optionally, the power information of the target UE may be represented by a plurality of parameters, and different parameters correspond to different first preset conditions. For example, the power information of the target UE may be a maximum signal transmission power of the target UE, and the first preset condition may be a first threshold. If the maximum signal transmission power of the target UE is smaller than a first threshold value, the power information of the target UE is considered to be not in accordance with a first preset condition; and if the maximum signal transmission power of the target UE is not less than the first threshold, the power information of the target UE is considered to accord with a first preset condition.

For another example, the power information of the target UE may be a maximum signal transmission power level of the target UE, and the first preset condition may be a preset power level set, where the preset power level set includes a plurality of preset power levels. If the maximum signal transmission power level of the target UE belongs to the preset power level set, the power information of the target UE is considered to accord with a first preset condition; and if the maximum signal transmission power of the target UE does not belong to the preset power level set, the power information of the target UE is considered to be not in accordance with a first preset condition.

If the power information of the target UE does not meet the first preset condition, the eNB executes step 302.

Optionally, if the power information of the target UE meets the first preset condition, the eNB receives the request of the E-SMLC for the NPRACH parameters of the target UE in the second message. The specific receiving method may be that the eNB executes steps 203 and 204, carries the NPRACH parameters of the target UE in a first message and sends the first message to the E-SMLC, and each network element in the NB-IoT cooperates to execute the complete positioning procedure of steps 203 to 209.

302. And the eNB sends a fifth message to the E-SMLC.

And if the power information of the target UE does not meet the first preset condition, the eNB sends a fifth message to the E-SMLC, wherein the fifth message is used for indicating that the request of the E-SMLC for the NPRACH parameters of the target UE is rejected.

And after the eNB sends the fifth message to the E-SMLC, the positioning process is terminated, and each network element does not execute the subsequent steps 203-209.

Optionally, the fifth message may further carry a first reason field, where the first reason field is used to indicate that "the reject reason is related to power", that is, the request of the E-SMLC for the NPRACH parameters of the target UE is rejected for the power reason.

In this embodiment, the eNB determines whether to locate the target UE according to whether the power information of the target UE satisfies a first preset condition. Therefore, the UE which meets the requirement on the maximum transmitting power can be positioned, and the positioning accuracy of the UE is ensured.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, the operation of determining whether to locate the target UE is performed by the eNB. In practical applications, the operation of determining whether to locate the target UE may also be performed by the E-SMLC, see fig. 4. Specifically, the method comprises the following steps:

201. and the MME sends a sixth message to the E-SMLC.

This step is the same as step 201 in the embodiment shown in fig. 2, that is, when there is a target UE to be located, the MME sends a sixth message to the E-SMLC to request to locate the target UE. However, in this embodiment, the sixth message further includes power information of the target UE.

And the E-SMLC acquires the power information of the target UE in the sixth message and judges whether the power information of the target UE meets a second preset condition.

Optionally, the power information of the target UE may be represented by a plurality of parameters, and different parameters correspond to different second preset conditions. For example, the power information of the target UE may be a maximum signal transmission power of the target UE, and the second preset condition may be a second threshold. If the maximum signal transmission power of the target UE is smaller than a second threshold value, the power information of the target UE is considered to be not in accordance with a second preset condition; and if the maximum signal transmission power of the target UE is not less than the second threshold, the power information of the target UE is considered to accord with a second preset condition.

For another example, the power information of the target UE may be a maximum signal transmission power level of the target UE, and the second preset condition may be a preset power level set, where the preset power level set includes a plurality of preset power levels. If the maximum signal transmission power level of the target UE belongs to the preset power level set, the power information of the target UE is considered to accord with a second preset condition; and if the maximum signal transmission power of the target UE does not belong to the preset power level set, the power information of the target UE is considered to be not in accordance with a second preset condition.

If the power information of the target UE does not meet the second preset condition, the E-SMLC performs step 401.

Optionally, if the power information of the target UE meets the second preset condition, the E-SMLC receives the request for positioning the target UE from the MME in the sixth message. The specific receiving method may be that the E-SMLC performs step 202, requests the eNB for NPRACH parameters of the target UE, and each network element in the NB-IoT performs the complete positioning procedure of steps 202 to 209 in cooperation.

401. And the E-SMLC sends a seventh message to the MME.

And if the power information of the target UE does not accord with the second preset condition, the E-SMLC sends a seventh message to the MME, wherein the seventh message is used for indicating that the MME is rejected to carry out positioning request on the target UE.

And after the E-SMLC sends a seventh message to the MME, the positioning process is terminated, and each network element does not execute the subsequent steps 203-209.

Optionally, the seventh message may further carry a second reason field, where the second reason field is used to indicate that the reject reason is related to power, that is, the request for positioning the target UE by the MME is rejected due to the power reason.

In this embodiment, the E-SMLC determines whether to locate the target UE according to whether the power information of the target UE satisfies a second preset condition. Therefore, the UE which meets the requirement on the maximum transmitting power can be positioned, and the positioning accuracy of the UE is ensured.

The above embodiments describe the terminal device positioning method provided in the present application, and a network device for implementing the above methods is described below.

First, a first network device for implementing the eNB function in the embodiment shown in fig. 2 will be described. Referring to fig. 5, the basic structure of the present invention includes:

a parameter determining module 501, configured to determine NPRACH parameters of the terminal device, where the NPRACH parameters are used to indicate a manner in which the first network device schedules the terminal device to transmit an NPRACH signal for multiple times;

a first message sending module 502, configured to send a first message to the second network device, where the first message includes the NPRACH parameter, and the first message is used for the second network device to locate the terminal device. The second network device may be an E-SMLC.

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters include one or more of the following parameters:

the first network equipment sends the number of times of NPDCCH order to the terminal equipment;

the number of times the terminal device transmits the NPRACH signal;

the number of NPRACH occasion configured by the first network device for the terminal device.

Optionally, the first network device further includes a first message receiving module 503, configured to receive a second message sent by a second network device, where the second message is used to request NPRACH parameters of the terminal device;

the parameter determining module 501 is specifically configured to: and determining NPRACH parameters of the terminal equipment according to the second message.

Optionally, the second message carries one or more of the following parameters:

the terminal equipment sends the total repeat times of the NPRACH signals;

the terminal equipment sends the repetition times of the NPRACH signal each time;

the number of NPRACH occasions of the NPRACH signals transmitted by the terminal equipment.

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters further include:

a target bitmap, wherein the target bitmap comprises M bits, each bit corresponds to one or more continuous NPRACH events, and M is an integer not less than 1;

wherein, each bit with the value of 1 is used for indicating that the first network device triggers the terminal device to transmit the NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 1, and each bit with the value of 0 is used for indicating that the first network device does not trigger the terminal device to transmit the NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 0;

or, each bit with a value of 0 is used to indicate that the first network device triggers the terminal device to transmit the NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 0, and each bit with a value of 1 is used to indicate that the first network device does not trigger the terminal device to transmit the NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 1.

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters further include one or more of the following parameters:

the method comprises the steps that carrier frequency point information of an NB-IoT uplink carrier where an NPRACH signal sent by terminal equipment is located;

time frequency resource configuration information of an NPRACH channel where an NPRACH signal is sent by terminal equipment;

and the first network equipment is the subcarrier serial number subcarrier index information configured for the terminal equipment.

A second network device for implementing the E-SMLC functionality in the embodiment shown in fig. 2 is described below. Referring to fig. 6, the basic structure of the present invention includes:

a second message receiving module 601, configured to receive a first message sent by a first network device, where the first message includes NPRACH parameters of the terminal device, and the NPRACH parameters are used to indicate a manner in which the first network device schedules the terminal device to send NPRACH signals for multiple times; wherein the terminal device may be a target UE.

A second message sending module 602, configured to send a third message to a plurality of third network devices, where the third message includes NPRACH parameters; the third network device may be an LMU.

The second message receiving module 601 is further configured to: receiving a fourth message sent by a plurality of third network devices, wherein the fourth message comprises the time when the NPRACH signal sent by the terminal device reaches the plurality of third network devices, which is measured by the plurality of third network devices according to the NPRACH parameters;

a device positioning module 603, configured to calculate a location of the terminal device according to a time when the NPRACH signal sent by the terminal device reaches the plurality of third network devices.

the number of times the terminal device transmits the NPRACH signal;

Optionally, the second message sending module 602 is further configured to:

and sending a second message to the first network equipment, wherein the second message is used for requesting the NPRACH parameters of the terminal equipment.

Optionally, the second message carries one or more of the following parameters:

the terminal equipment sends the total repeat times of the NPRACH signals;

Optionally, the NPRACH parameters further include:

In the embodiments shown in fig. 5 and fig. 6, the parameter determining module 501 of the first network device determines NPRACH parameters of the terminal device and sends the NPRACH parameters to the second network device through the first message sending module 502, the second message receiving module 601 of the second network device receives the first message, and the second message sending module 602 forwards the NPRACH parameters of the terminal device to a plurality of third network devices, so that the plurality of third network devices can receive NPRACH signals transmitted by the terminal device according to the NPRACH parameters of the terminal device, so that the device positioning module 603 of the second network device can calculate the position of the terminal device according to the time difference between the NPRACH signals reaching the plurality of third network devices, thereby achieving the positioning of the terminal device.

A second network device for implementing the eNB functionality in the embodiment shown in fig. 3 is described below. Referring to fig. 7, the basic structure of the present invention includes:

a third message receiving module 701, configured to receive a second message of a second network device, where the second message is used to request NPRACH parameters of a terminal device;

a power information obtaining module 702, configured to obtain power information of a terminal device;

the first power processing module 703 is configured to send a fifth message to the second network device when the power information of the terminal device does not meet the first preset condition, where the fifth message is used to indicate that the request of the second network device for the NPRACH parameter of the terminal device is rejected.

Optionally, the power information includes a maximum signal transmission power of the terminal device, and the power information of the terminal device that does not meet the first preset condition includes: the maximum signal transmission power of the terminal equipment is smaller than a first threshold value;

and/or the power information comprises the maximum signal transmission power level of the terminal equipment, and the power information of the terminal equipment which does not meet the first preset condition comprises the following steps: the maximum signal transmission power level of the terminal device does not belong to the set of preset power levels.

Optionally, the first power processing module 703 is further configured to:

and when the power information of the terminal equipment meets the first preset condition, receiving the request of the second network equipment for the NPRACH parameters of the terminal equipment.

In this embodiment, the power information obtaining module 702 of the first network device receives a second message of the second network device, and the power information obtaining module 702 obtains the power information of the terminal device according to the second message; the first power processing module 703 determines whether to locate the terminal device according to whether the power information of the terminal device satisfies a first preset condition. Therefore, only the terminal equipment with the maximum transmitting power meeting the requirement can be positioned, and the positioning precision of the terminal equipment is ensured.

A second network device for implementing the E-SMLC functionality in the embodiment shown in fig. 4 is described below. Referring to fig. 8, the basic structure of the present invention includes:

a fourth message receiving module 801, configured to receive a sixth message sent by a fourth network device, where the sixth message is used to request to locate the terminal device, and the sixth message includes power information of the terminal device; the fourth network device may be an MME.

The second power processing module 802 is configured to send a seventh message to the fourth network device when the power information of the terminal device does not meet the second preset condition, where the seventh message is used to indicate that the request for positioning the terminal device by the fourth network device is rejected.

Optionally, the power information includes a maximum signal transmission power of the terminal device, and the power information of the terminal device that does not meet the second preset condition includes: the maximum signal transmission power of the terminal equipment is smaller than a second threshold value;

and/or the power information comprises the maximum signal transmission power level of the terminal equipment, and the power information of the terminal equipment which does not meet the second preset condition comprises the following steps: the maximum signal transmission power level of the terminal device does not belong to the set of preset power levels.

Optionally, the second power processing module 802 is further configured to:

and when the power information of the terminal equipment meets the second preset condition, receiving a request of positioning the terminal equipment by the fourth network equipment.

In this embodiment, a fourth message receiving module 801 of the second network device receives a sixth message sent by the fourth network device, where the sixth message is used to request to locate the terminal device, and the sixth message includes power information of the terminal device; the second power processing module 802 determines whether to locate the terminal device according to whether the power information of the terminal device satisfies a first preset condition. Therefore, only the terminal equipment with the maximum transmitting power meeting the requirement can be positioned, and the positioning precision of the terminal equipment is ensured.

A network device in a product form for implementing the terminal device positioning method will be described below, with reference to fig. 9. The network device 900 provided by the present application includes: a processor 901, a memory 902, and optionally, the network device may further include a transceiver 903. A communication connection is established between the processor 901, the memory 902 and the transceiver 903. When the terminal device positioning scheme provided herein is implemented by software, the program code may be stored in the memory 902 and executed by the processor 901.

The processor 901 is configured to perform the relevant steps of the eNB in the embodiment shown in fig. 2 by calling the program code of the memory 902.

The present application further provides a network device 1000 comprising: a processor 1001, a memory 1002, and a transceiver 1003. A communication connection is established between the processor 1001, the memory 1002 and the transceiver 1003. When the terminal device positioning scheme provided herein is implemented by software, the program code may be stored in the memory 1002 and executed by the processor 1001.

The processor 1001 is configured to perform the steps associated with the E-SMLC in the embodiment shown in fig. 2 by calling the program code of the memory 1002.

The present application further provides a network device 1100 comprising: a processor 1101, a memory 1102, a transceiver 1103. A communication connection is established between the processor 1101, the memory 1102 and the transceiver 1103. In implementing the terminal device positioning scheme provided herein by software, program code may be stored in the memory 1102 and executed by the processor 1101.

The processor 1101 is used for executing the relevant steps of the eNB in the embodiment shown in fig. 3 by calling the program code of the memory 1102.

The present application further provides a network device 1200 comprising: a processor 1201, a memory 1202, a transceiver 1203. A communication connection is established between the processor 1201, the memory 1202 and the transceiver 1203. When the terminal device positioning scheme provided herein is implemented by software, the program code may be stored in the memory 1202 and executed by the processor 1201.

The processor 1201 is configured to perform the steps associated with the E-SMLC in the embodiment shown in fig. 3 by calling the program code of the memory 1202.

The network device embodiments shown in fig. 5 to 12 may refer to the related descriptions in the method embodiments shown in fig. 2 to 4, which are not repeated in this application.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described system embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the units is only one logical functional division, and other divisions may be realized in practice, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not executed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection of modules or units through some interfaces, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in a form of hardware, and can also be realized in a form of a software functional unit.

The integrated unit, if implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application may be substantially implemented or contributed to by the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution may be embodied in a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute all or part of the steps of the method according to the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: a U-disk, a removable hard disk, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and other various media capable of storing program codes.

Claims

1. A terminal device positioning method is suitable for a narrow-band Internet of things (NB-IoT), and is characterized by comprising the following steps:

the method comprises the steps that a first network device determines NPRACH parameters of a terminal device, wherein the NPRACH parameters are used for indicating a mode that the first network device schedules the terminal device to transmit NPRACH signals for multiple times;

the first network equipment sends a first message to second network equipment, wherein the first message comprises the NPRACH parameters, and the first message is used for the second network equipment to position the terminal equipment;

wherein the second network device locates the terminal device, including: the second network device transmitting a third message to a plurality of third network devices, the third message comprising the NPRACH parameters; the third network devices measure, according to the NPRACH parameters, the times when NPRACH signals sent by the terminal device reach the third network devices, and send the times when the NPRACH signals sent by the terminal device reach the third network devices to the second network device in a fourth message carried by the fourth message; and the second network equipment calculates the position of the terminal equipment according to the time when the NPRACH signal sent by the terminal equipment reaches the third network equipment.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the NPRACH parameters include one or more of the following:

the number of times the terminal device transmits the NPRACH signal;

the number of NPRACH occase configured for the terminal equipment by the first network equipment.

3. A terminal device location method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises, prior to the first network device determining NPRACH parameters for a terminal device:

the first network equipment receives a second message sent by the second network equipment, wherein the second message is used for requesting NPRACH parameters of the terminal equipment;

the first network device determining NPRACH parameters of a terminal device comprises: and the first network equipment determines the NPRACH parameters of the terminal equipment according to the second message.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the second message carries one or more of the following parameters:

the terminal equipment sends the total repeat times of the NPRACH signals;

and the number of NPRACH occases of the NPRACH signals sent by the terminal equipment.

5. A method for locating a terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the NPRACH parameters further include:

a target bitmap, wherein the target bitmap comprises M bits, each bit corresponds to one or more continuous NPRACH occasions, and M is an integer not less than 1;

wherein, each bit with a value of 1 is used to indicate that the first network device triggers the terminal device to transmit a NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 1, and each bit with a value of 0 is used to indicate that the first network device does not trigger the terminal device to transmit a NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 0;

or, each bit with a value of 0 is used to indicate that the first network device triggers the terminal device to transmit a NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 0, and each bit with a value of 1 is used to indicate that the first network device does not trigger the terminal device to transmit a NPRACH signal on the NPRACH occasion corresponding to the bit with the value of 1.

6. A method for locating a terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the NPRACH parameters further include: and the starting time of the NPRACH signal transmitted by the terminal equipment.

7. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the NPRACH parameters further include one or more of the following:

the carrier frequency point information of an NB-IoT uplink carrier where the NPRACH signal sent by the terminal equipment is located;

time frequency resource configuration information of an NPRACH channel where the NPRACH signal sent by the terminal equipment is located;

and the first network equipment is subcarrier serial number subcarrier index information configured by the terminal equipment.

8. A terminal device positioning method is suitable for a narrow-band Internet of things (NB-IoT), and is characterized by comprising the following steps:

the method comprises the steps that a second network device receives a first message sent by a first network device, wherein the first message comprises NPRACH parameters of a terminal device, and the NPRACH parameters are used for indicating the mode that the first network device schedules the terminal device to send a plurality of times of NPRACH signals;

the second network device transmitting a third message to a plurality of third network devices, the third message comprising the NPRACH parameters;

the second network device receives fourth messages sent by the third network devices, where the fourth messages include times, measured by the third network devices according to the NPRACH parameters, of NPRACH signals sent by the terminal device to the third network devices;

and the second network equipment calculates the position of the terminal equipment according to the time when the NPRACH signal sent by the terminal equipment reaches the third network equipment.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the NPRACH parameters include one or more of the following:

the number of times the terminal device transmits the NPRACH signal;

10. The method of claim 8, wherein before the second network device receives the first message sent by the first network device, the method further comprises:

and the second network equipment sends a second message to the first network equipment, wherein the second message is used for requesting the NPRACH parameters of the terminal equipment.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second message carries one or more of the following parameters:

the terminal equipment sends the total repeat times of the NPRACH signals;

12. A method for locating a terminal device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the NPRACH parameters further include:

13. A method for locating a terminal device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the NPRACH parameters further include: and the starting time of the NPRACH signal transmitted by the terminal equipment.

14. A network device configured to be a first network device in a narrowband internet of things, NB-IoT, the network device comprising:

the parameter determination module is used for determining NPRACH parameters of the terminal equipment, and the NPRACH parameters are used for indicating a mode that the first network equipment schedules the terminal equipment to transmit NPRACH signals for multiple times;

a first message sending module, configured to send a first message to a second network device, where the first message includes the NPRACH parameter, and the first message is used for the second network device to locate the terminal device;

15. The network device of claim 14, wherein the NPRACH parameters comprise one or more of the following parameters:

the number of times the terminal device transmits the NPRACH signal;

16. The network device of claim 14, wherein the network device further comprises:

a first message receiving module, configured to receive a second message sent by the second network device, where the second message is used to request NPRACH parameters of the terminal device;

the parameter determination module is specifically configured to: and determining NPRACH parameters of the terminal equipment according to the second message.

17. The network device of claim 16, wherein the second message carries one or more of the following parameters:

the terminal equipment sends the total repeat times of the NPRACH signals;

18. The network device of any of claims 14-17, wherein the NPRACH parameters further comprise:

19. The network device of any of claims 14-17, wherein the NPRACH parameters further comprise: and the starting time of the NPRACH signal transmitted by the terminal equipment.

20. The network device of any of claims 14-17, wherein the NPRACH parameters further comprise one or more of the following parameters:

21. A network device configured to be a second network device in a narrowband internet of things, NB-IoT, the network device comprising:

the second message receiving module is used for receiving a first message sent by a first network device, wherein the first message comprises NPRACH parameters of a terminal device, and the NPRACH parameters are used for indicating a mode that the first network device schedules the terminal device to send a plurality of NPRACH signals;

a second message sending module, configured to send a third message to a plurality of third network devices, where the third message includes the NPRACH parameters;

the second message receiving module is further configured to: receiving fourth messages sent by the plurality of third network devices, where the fourth messages include times, measured by the plurality of third network devices according to the NPRACH parameters, of NPRACH signals sent by the terminal device reaching the plurality of third network devices;

and the device positioning module is used for calculating the position of the terminal device according to the time when the NPRACH signal sent by the terminal device reaches the third network devices.

22. The network device of claim 21, wherein the NPRACH parameters comprise one or more of the following parameters:

the number of times the terminal device transmits the NPRACH signal;

23. The network device of claim 21, wherein the second messaging module is further configured to:

24. The network device of claim 23, wherein the second message carries one or more of the following parameters:

the terminal equipment sends the total repeat times of the NPRACH signals;

25. The network device of any of claims 21-24, wherein the NPRACH parameters further comprise:

26. The network device of any of claims 21-24, wherein the NPRACH parameters further comprise: and the starting time of the NPRACH signal transmitted by the terminal equipment.