CN116724505A - Calibration of angular measurement bias for locating user equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

In one aspect, a communication device obtains a residual AoA bias associated with a first AoA measurement of an RS-P transmitted from a wireless reference node to a first base station, the wireless reference node is associated with a location known to the communication device, obtains a second AoA measurement associated with an uplink signal (e.g., PRACH, SRS, UL-SRS-P, etc.) transmitted from a UE to the first base station, and calibrates the second AoA measurement based on the residual AoA bias. In another aspect, a communication device obtains a residual AoD offset associated with a first AoD measurement of an RS-P sent from a first base station to a wireless reference node having a known location, obtains a second AoD measurement associated with a downlink signal (e.g., DL-PRS) sent from the first base station to a UE, and calibrates the second AoD measurement based on the residual AoD offset.

Description

Calibration of angular measurement bias for locating user equipment

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63/138,490 entitled "CALIBRATION OF ANGULAR MEASUREMENT BIAS FOR POSITIONING OF A USER EQUIPMENT" filed on 1 month 17 of 2021 and U.S. non-provisional application No. 17/644,958 entitled "CALIBRATION OF ANGULAR MEASUREMENT BIAS FOR POSITIONING OF A USER EQUIPMENT" filed on 12 month 17 of 2021, both of which are assigned to the assignee of the present application and are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communications, and more particularly, to calibration of angular measurement bias for positioning of User Equipment (UE).

Background

Wireless communication systems have evolved from generation to generation, including first generation analog radiotelephone services (1G), second generation (2G) digital radiotelephone services (including transitional 2.5G networks), third generation (3G) high speed data, internet-enabled wireless services, and fourth generation (4G) services (e.g., LTE or WiMax). Many different types of wireless communication systems are currently in use, including cellular and personal communication services (Personal Communications Service, PCS) systems. Examples of known cellular systems include cellular analog advanced mobile phone systems (Analog Advanced Mobile Phone System, AMPS) and digital cellular systems based on code division multiple access (Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA), frequency division multiple access (Frequency Division Multiple Access, FDMA), time division multiple access (Time Division Multiple Access, TDMA), global system for mobile communications (Global System for Mobile Access, GSM) variants of TDMA, and the like.

The fifth generation (5G) wireless standard, known as New Radio (NR), requires higher data transfer speeds, more connections, and better coverage, among other improvements. According to the next generation mobile network alliance, the 5G standard is designed to provide tens of megabits per second data rates for each of tens of thousands of users, with tens of workers in a layer of offices providing 1 gigabit per second data rates. To support large wireless sensor deployments, hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections should be supported. Therefore, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communication should be significantly improved compared to the current 4G standard. Furthermore, the signaling efficiency should be enhanced and the latency should be greatly reduced compared to the current standard.

Disclosure of Invention

The following presents a simplified summary in connection with one or more aspects disclosed herein. Thus, the following summary should not be considered an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, nor should the following summary be considered to identify key or critical elements of all contemplated aspects, or to delineate the scope of any particular aspect. Accordingly, the sole purpose of the summary below is to present some concepts related to one or more aspects related to the mechanisms disclosed herein in a simplified form prior to the detailed description that is presented below.

In one aspect, a method of operating a communication device includes: obtaining a residual angular of arrival (AoA) offset associated with a first AoA measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a wireless reference node to a first base station, the wireless reference node being associated with a location known to the communication device; obtaining a second angle of arrival (AoA) measurement associated with an uplink signal transmitted from a User Equipment (UE) to the first base station; and calibrating the second AoA measurement based on the residual AoA bias.

In one aspect, a method of operating a communication device includes: obtaining a residual AoD bias associated with a first angle of departure (AoD) measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a first base station to a wireless reference node having a known location; obtaining a second AoD measurement associated with a downlink signal transmitted from a first base station to a User Equipment (UE); and calibrating the second AoD measurement based on the residual AoD deviation.

In one aspect, a communication device includes: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: obtaining a residual angular of arrival (AoA) offset associated with a first AoA measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a wireless reference node to a first base station, the wireless reference node being associated with a location known to the communication device; obtaining a second angle of arrival (AoA) measurement associated with an uplink signal transmitted from a User Equipment (UE) to the first base station; and calibrating the second AoA measurement based on the residual AoA bias.

In one aspect, a communication device includes: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: obtaining a residual AoD bias associated with a first angle of departure (AoD) measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a first base station to a wireless reference node having a known location; obtaining a second AoD measurement associated with a downlink signal transmitted from a first base station to a User Equipment (UE); and calibrating the second AoD measurement based on the residual AoD deviation.

In one aspect, a communication device includes: means for obtaining a residual angular of arrival (AoA) offset associated with a first AoA measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a wireless reference node to a first base station, the wireless reference node being associated with a location known to a communication device; means for obtaining a second angle of arrival (AoA) measurement associated with an uplink signal transmitted from a User Equipment (UE) to a first base station; and means for calibrating the second AoA measurement based on the residual AoA bias.

In one aspect, a communication device includes: means for obtaining a residual AoD bias associated with a first angle of departure (AoD) measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a first base station to a wireless reference node having a known location; means for obtaining a second AoD measurement associated with a downlink signal transmitted from a first base station to a User Equipment (UE); and means for calibrating the second AoD measurement based on the residual AoD deviation.

In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to: obtaining a residual angular of arrival (AoA) offset associated with a first AoA measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a wireless reference node to a first base station, the wireless reference node being associated with a location known to the communication device; obtaining a second angle of arrival (AoA) measurement associated with an uplink signal transmitted from a User Equipment (UE) to the first base station; and calibrating the second AoA measurement based on the residual AoA bias.

In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to: obtaining a residual AoD bias associated with a first angle of departure (AoD) measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a first base station to a wireless reference node having a known location; obtaining a second AoD measurement associated with a downlink signal transmitted from a first base station to a User Equipment (UE); and calibrating the second AoD measurement based on the residual AoD deviation.

Other objects and advantages associated with the aspects disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the drawings and the detailed description.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings are presented to aid in the description of various aspects of the disclosure and are provided solely for illustration of the aspects and not limitation thereof.

Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system in accordance with various aspects.

Fig. 2A and 2B illustrate example wireless network structures in accordance with various aspects.

Fig. 3A-3C are simplified block diagrams of several example aspects of components that may be used in a wireless communication node and configured to support communications as taught herein.

Fig. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating frame structures and examples of channels within the frame structures according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary PRS configuration for a cell supported by a wireless node.

Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

Fig. 7 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

Fig. 8A is a graph illustrating RF channel response at a receiver over time in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8B is a diagram illustrating such separation of clusters in AoD.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating exemplary timing of RTT measurement signals exchanged between a base station and a UE according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating exemplary timing of RTT measurement signals exchanged between a base station and a UE according to other aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 12 illustrates a diagram of exemplary timing of RTT measurement signals exchanged between a base station (e.g., any base station described herein) and a UE (e.g., any UE described herein), in accordance with other aspects of the disclosure.

Fig. 13 illustrates an exemplary process of wireless communication in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14 illustrates a gNB configuration in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure.

Fig. 15 illustrates an example embodiment of the process of fig. 13, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 16 illustrates an example embodiment of the process of fig. 13, according to one aspect of the disclosure.

Fig. 17 illustrates an example embodiment of the process of fig. 13, according to one aspect of the disclosure.

Fig. 18 illustrates an exemplary process of wireless communication in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 19 illustrates an example embodiment of the process of fig. 18 in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 20 illustrates an example embodiment of the process of fig. 18, according to one aspect of the disclosure.

Fig. 21 illustrates an example embodiment of the process of fig. 18, according to one aspect of the disclosure.

Detailed Description

Aspects of the disclosure are provided in the following description and related drawings for various examples provided for purposes of illustration. Alternate aspects may be devised without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, well-known elements of the present disclosure will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the present disclosure.

The words "exemplary" and/or "example" are used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" and/or "example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Likewise, the term "aspects of the disclosure" does not require that all aspects of the disclosure include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signals described below may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof, depending in part on the particular application, on the desired design, on the corresponding technology, or the like.

Further, many aspects are described in terms of sequences of actions to be performed by, for example, elements of a computing device. It will be recognized that various actions described herein can be performed by specific circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC)), by program instructions being executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of both. Additionally, the sequence of action(s) described herein may be considered to be embodied entirely within any form of non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein a corresponding set of computer instructions that upon execution would cause or instruct an associated processor of a device to perform the functions described herein. Thus, the various aspects of the disclosure may be embodied in a number of different forms, all of which are contemplated to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, for each aspect described herein, the corresponding form of any such aspect may be described herein as, for example, "logic configured to" perform the described action.

As used herein, the terms "user equipment" (UE) and "base station" are not intended to be specific or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (Radio Access Technology, RAT), unless otherwise specified. In general, a UE may be any wireless communication device used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network (e.g., a mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, consumer or consumer asset tracking device, wearable device (e.g., smart watch, glasses, augmented Reality (Augmented Reality, AR)/Virtual Reality (VR) headset, etc.), vehicle (e.g., automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.), internet of things (Internet of Things, ioT) device, etc. The UE may be mobile or may be stationary (e.g., at certain times) and may communicate with a radio access network (Radio Access Network, RAN). As used herein, the term "UE" may be interchangeably referred to as "access terminal" or "AT", "client device", "wireless device", "subscriber terminal", "subscriber station", "user terminal" or "UT", "mobile terminal", "mobile station", or variants thereof. In general, a UE may communicate with a core network via a RAN, and through the core network, the UE may connect with external networks (such as the internet) and other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms of connecting to the core network and/or the internet are possible for the UE, such as through a wired access network, a wireless local area network (Wireless Local Area Network, WLAN) network (e.g., based on IEEE 802.11, etc.), and so forth.

Depending on the network in which the base station is deployed, the base station may operate according to one of several RATs in communication with the UE and may alternatively be referred to as an Access Point (AP), a network node, a node B, an Evolved node B (eNB), a New Radio (NR) node B (also referred to as a gNB or a gndeb), or the like. Furthermore, in some systems, the base station may provide pure edge node signaling functionality, while in other systems it may provide additional control and/or network management functionality. In some systems, the base station may correspond to a customer premises equipment (Customer Premise Equipment, CPE) or a Road-Side Unit (RSU). In some designs, the base station may correspond to a high power UE (e.g., a vehicle UE or VUE) that may provide limited specific infrastructure functions. The communication link through which a UE sends signals to a base station is called an Uplink (UL) channel (e.g., reverse traffic channel, reverse control channel, access channel, etc.). The communication link through which a base station sends signals to a UE is called a Downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., paging channel, control channel, broadcast channel, forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term Traffic Channel (TCH) may refer to either UL/reverse or DL/forward Traffic channels.

The term "base station" may refer to a single physical Transmission-Reception Point (TRP), or may refer to multiple physical TRPs that may or may not be collocated. For example, in case the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP may be an antenna of a base station corresponding to a base station cell. In the case where the term "base station" refers to a plurality of juxtaposed physical TRPs, the physical TRPs may be an antenna array of the base station (e.g., in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) system, or in the case where the base station employs beamforming). In case the term "base station" refers to a plurality of non-collocated physical TRPs, the physical TRPs may be a distributed antenna system (Distributed Antenna System, DAS) (network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transmission medium) or a remote radio head (Remote Radio Head, RRH) (remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, the non-collocated physical TRP may be a serving base station receiving a measurement report from the UE and a neighboring base station whose reference RF signal is being measured by the UE. Because TRP is the point from which a base station transmits and receives wireless signals, as used herein, reference to transmission from or reception at a base station should be understood as reference to a particular TRP of a base station.

An "RF signal" comprises an electromagnetic wave of a given frequency that transmits information through a space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter may transmit a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of the RF signals through the multipath channel, the receiver may receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same transmitted RF signal on different paths between the transmitter and the receiver may be referred to as a "multipath" RF signal.

Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system 100, according to various aspects. The wireless communication system 100, which may also be referred to as a wireless wide area network (Wireless Wide Area Network, WWAN), may include various base stations 102 and various UEs 104. Base station 102 may include a macrocell base station (high power cellular base station) and/or a small cell base station (low power cellular base station). In one aspect, the macrocell base station may include an eNB (where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an LTE network), or a gNB (where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an NR network), or a combination of both, and the small cell base station may include a femtocell, a picocell, a microcell, or the like.

The base stations 102 may collectively form a RAN and interface with a core network 170 (e.g., an evolved packet core (Evolved Packet Core, EPC) or next generation core (Next Generation Core, NGC)) through a backhaul link 122 and to one or more location servers 172 through the core network 170. Base station 102 can perform functions related to one or more of delivering user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of Non-Access Stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast services (Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service, MBMS), subscriber and device tracking, RAN information management (RAN Information Management, RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of alert messages, among other functions. Base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through EPC/NGC) over backhaul link 134, and backhaul link 134 may be wired or wireless.

The base station 102 may communicate wirelessly with the UE 104. Each base station 102 may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area 110. In one aspect, base stations 102 in each coverage area 110 may support one or more cells. A "cell" is a logical communication entity for communication by a base station (e.g., over some frequency resources, called carrier frequencies, component carriers, bands, etc.) and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., physical cell identifier (Physical Cell Identifier, PCI), virtual cell identifier (Virtual Cell Identifier, VCI)) for distinguishing cells operating via the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine-Type Communication, MTC), narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (Enhanced Mobile Broadband, eMBB), etc.) that may provide access for different types of UEs. Because a cell is supported by a particular base station, the term "cell" may refer to one or both of a logical communication entity and the base station supporting it, depending on the context. In some cases, the term "cell" may also refer to a geographic coverage area (e.g., sector) of a base station, provided that carrier frequencies can be detected and used for communication within certain portions of geographic coverage area 110.

Although the geographic coverage areas 110 of neighboring macrocell base stations 102 may partially overlap (e.g., in a handover area), some geographic coverage areas 110 may be substantially overlapped by a larger geographic coverage area 110. For example, a small cell base station 102 'may have a coverage area 110' that substantially overlaps with the coverage areas 110 of one or more macrocell base stations 102. A network comprising small cell base stations and macro cell base stations may be referred to as a heterogeneous network. The heterogeneous network may also include Home enbs (henbs) that may provide services to a restricted group called closed subscriber group (Closed Subscriber Group, CSG).

The communication link 120 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may include UL (also referred to as a reverse link) transmissions from the UE 104 to the base station 102 and/or Downlink (DL) (also referred to as a forward link) transmissions from the base station 102 to the UE 104. Communication link 120 may use MIMO antenna techniques including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and/or transmit diversity. Communication link 120 may be over one or more carrier frequencies. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric for DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL than UL).

The wireless communication system 100 may also include a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Access Point (AP) 150 that communicates with WLAN Stations (STAs) 152 via a communication link 154 in an unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz). When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, WLAN STA 152 and/or WLAN AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (Clear Channel Assessment, CCA) or listen before talk (Listen Before Talk, LBT) procedure prior to communication to determine whether a channel is available.

The small cell base station 102' may operate in a licensed spectrum and/or an unlicensed spectrum. When operating in unlicensed spectrum, the small cell base station 102' may employ LTE or NR technology and use the same 5GHz unlicensed spectrum as used by the WLAN AP 150. The small cell base station 102' may employ LTE/5G in the unlicensed spectrum to improve coverage and/or increase capacity of the access network. NR in the unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as NR-U. LTE in unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as LTE-U, licensed assisted access (Licensed Assisted Access, LAA), or multewire.

The wireless communication system 100 may also include a millimeter wave (mmW) base station 180, which mmW base station 180 may operate in communication with the UE 182 in mmW frequency and/or near mmW frequency. The extremely high frequency (Extremely High Frequency, EHF) is part of the RF in the electromagnetic frequency. The EHF ranges from 30GHz to 300GHz and the wavelength is between 1 mm to 10 mm. The radio waves in this band may be referred to as millimeter waves. The near mmW may extend down to a frequency of 3GHz, which has a wavelength of 100 millimeters. The ultra-high frequency (Super High Frequency, SHF) band extends between 3GHz and 30GHz, also known as centimeter waves. Communications using mmW/near mmW radio bands have high path loss and relatively short distances. The mmW base station 180 and the UE 182 may utilize beamforming (transmit and/or receive) over the mmW communication link 184 to compensate for extremely high path loss and short distances. Further, it should be appreciated that in alternative configurations, one or more base stations 102 may also transmit using mmW or near mmW and beamforming. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the foregoing description is merely exemplary and is not to be construed as limiting the various aspects disclosed herein.

Transmit beamforming is a technique that focuses RF signals in a particular direction. Conventionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal in all directions (omnidirectionally). With transmit beamforming, the network node determines the location (relative to the transmitting network node) of a given target device (e.g., UE) and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that particular direction, thereby providing faster (in terms of data rate) and stronger RF signals for the receiving device(s). To change the directionality of the RF signal when transmitted, the network node may control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of one or more transmitters that are broadcasting the RF signal. For example, a network node may use an antenna array (referred to as a "phased array" or "antenna array") that creates RF beams that may be "steered" to point in different directions without actually moving the antenna. Specifically, RF currents from the transmitters are fed to the respective antennas in a correct phase relationship such that radio waves from the individual antennas are added together to increase radiation in a desired direction while canceling to suppress radiation in an undesired direction.

The transmit beams may be quasi-collocated, meaning that they appear to have the same parameters to the receiver (e.g., UE) regardless of whether the transmit antennas of the network node themselves are physically collocated. In NR, there are four types of Quasi-juxtaposition (QCL) relationships. In particular, a QCL relationship of a given type means that certain parameters with respect to the second reference RF signal on the second beam can be derived from information about the source reference RF signal on the source beam. Thus, if the source reference RF signal is QCL type a, the receiver may use the source reference RF signal to estimate the doppler shift, doppler spread, average delay, and delay spread of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type B, the receiver may use the source reference RF signal to estimate the doppler shift and doppler spread of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type C, the receiver may use the source reference RF signal to estimate the doppler shift and average delay of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type D, the receiver may use the source reference RF signal to estimate spatial reception parameters of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

In receive beamforming, a receiver uses a receive beam to amplify an RF signal detected on a given channel. For example, the receiver may increase the gain setting in a particular direction and/or adjust the phase setting of the antenna array to amplify (e.g., increase the gain level of) an RF signal received from that direction. Thus, when the receiver is said to beam-form in a certain direction, this means that the beam gain in that direction is higher relative to the beam gain in other directions, or that the beam gain in that direction is highest compared to the beam gain in that direction of all other receive beams available to the receiver. This results in stronger received Signal strength (e.g., reference Signal received power (Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP), reference Signal received quality (Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ), signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR), etc.) of the RF Signal received from the direction.

The receive beams may be spatially correlated. The spatial relationship means that the parameters of the transmit beam of the second reference signal can be derived from the information about the receive beam of the first reference signal. For example, the UE may receive a reference downlink reference signal (e.g., a synchronization signal block (Synchronization Signal Block, SSB)) from the base station using a particular receive beam. The UE may then form a transmit beam for transmitting uplink reference signals (e.g., sounding reference signals (Sounding Reference Signal, SRS)) to the base station based on the parameters of the receive beam.

Note that a "downlink" beam may be a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity that forms it. For example, if the base station is forming a downlink beam to transmit reference signals to the UE, the downlink beam is a transmit beam. However, if the UE is forming a downlink beam, the downlink beam is a reception beam for receiving a downlink reference signal. Similarly, an "uplink" beam may be a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity that forms it. For example, if the base station is forming an uplink beam, the uplink beam is an uplink reception beam, and if the UE is forming an uplink beam, the uplink beam is an uplink transmission beam.

In 5G, the frequency spectrum operated by wireless nodes (e.g., base stations 102/180, UEs 104/182) is divided into multiple frequency ranges, namely FR1 (from 450 to 6000 MHz), FR2 (from 24250 to 52600 MHz), FR3 (above 52600 MHz), and FR4 (between FR1 and FR 2). In a multi-carrier system (such as 5G), one of the carrier frequencies is referred to as the "primary carrier" or "anchor carrier" or "primary serving cell" or "PCell", while the remaining carrier frequencies are referred to as the "secondary carrier" or "secondary serving cell" or "SCell". In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is a carrier operating on a primary frequency (e.g., FR 1) used by the UE 104/182 and the cell in which the UE 104/182 performs an initial radio resource control (Radio Resource Control, RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiates an RRC connection reestablishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common and UE-specific control channels and may be a carrier in a licensed frequency (however, this is not always the case). The secondary carrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR 2), which may be configured once an RRC connection is established between the UE 104 and the anchor carrier, and may be used to provide additional radio resources. In some cases, the secondary carrier may be a carrier in an unlicensed frequency. The secondary carrier may contain only the necessary signaling information and signals, e.g., those UE-specific signaling information and signals may not be present in the secondary carrier, as the primary uplink carrier and the primary downlink carrier are typically both UE-specific. This means that different UEs 104/182 in a cell may have different downlink primary carriers. The same is true for the uplink primary carrier. The network can change the primary carrier of any UE 104/182 at any time. This is done, for example, to balance the load on the different carriers. Because the "serving cell" (PCell or SCell) corresponds to a carrier frequency/component carrier on which a certain base station is communicating, the terms "cell", "serving cell", "component carrier", "carrier frequency", etc. may be used interchangeably.

For example, still referring to fig. 1, one of the frequencies utilized by the macrocell base station 102 may be an anchor carrier (or "PCell") while other frequencies utilized by the macrocell base station 102 and/or the mmW base station 180 may be a secondary carrier ("SCell"). The simultaneous transmission and/or reception of multiple carriers enables the UE 104/182 to significantly increase its data transmission and/or reception rate. For example, two 20MHz aggregated carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically result in a two-fold increase in data rate (i.e., 40 MHz) compared to a single 20MHz carrier.

The wireless communication system 100 may also include one or more UEs (such as UE 190) indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. In the example of fig. 1, the UE 190 has a D2D P P link 192 with one of the UEs 104 connected to one of the base stations 102 (e.g., the UE 190 may indirectly obtain a cellular connection over the link) and a D2D P P link 194 with the WLAN STA 152 connected to the WLAN AP 150 (the UE 190 may indirectly obtain a WLAN-based internet connection over the link). In one example, the D2D P2P links 192 and 194 may be formed by any well-known D2D RAT (such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), wiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Etc.) to support.

The wireless communication system 100 may also include a UE 164, the UE 164 may communicate with the macrocell base station 102 via a communication link 120 and/or with the mmW base station 180 via a mmW communication link 184. For example, the macrocell base station 102 may support a PCell and one or more scells for the UE 164, and the mmW base station 180 may support one or more scells for the UE 164.

According to various aspects, fig. 2A illustrates an example wireless network structure 200. For example, the NGC 210 (also referred to as "5 GC") may be functionally viewed as cooperating to form a control plane function 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and a user plane function 212 (e.g., UE gateway function, data network access, IP routing, etc.) of the core network. A user plane interface (NG-U) 213 and a control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect the gNB 222 to the NGC 210, specifically to the control plane function 214 and the user plane function 212. In further configurations, the eNB 224 can also connect to the NGC 210 via the NG-C215 to the control plane function 214 and the NG-U213 to the user plane function 212. Further, eNB 224 may communicate directly with the gNB 222 via backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 may have only one or more gnbs 222, while other configurations include one or more of enbs 224 and gnbs 222. Either the gNB 222 or the eNB 224 may communicate with the UE 204 (e.g., any of the UEs depicted in FIG. 1). Another optional aspect may include a location server 230, which location server 230 may communicate with the NGC 210 to provide location assistance for the UE 204. The location server 230 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, may each correspond to a single server. The location server 230 may be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, and the UE 204 may be connected to the location server 230 via the core network NGC 210 and/or via the internet (not shown). Furthermore, the location server 230 may be integrated into a component of the core network or may be external to the core network.

According to various aspects, fig. 2B illustrates another example wireless network structure 250. For example, the NGC 260 (also referred to as "5 GC") may be functionally regarded as cooperating to form a control plane function provided by the access and mobility management function (Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF)/user plane function (User Plane Function, UPF) 264 and a user plane function provided by the session management function (Session Management Function, SMF) 262 of the core network (i.e., the NGC 260). The user plane interface 263 and the control plane interface 265 connect the eNB 224 to the NGC 260, specifically to the SMF 262 and the AMF/UPF 264, respectively. In further configurations, the gNB 222 may also be connected to the NGC 260 via a control plane interface 265 to the AMF/UPF 264 and a user plane interface 263 to the SMF 262. Further, the eNB 224 may communicate directly with the gNB 222 via the backhaul connection 223, whether or not the gNB direct connection to the NGC 260. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 may have only one or more gnbs 222, while other configurations include one or more of enbs 224 and gnbs 222. Either the gNB 222 or the eNB 224 may communicate with the UE 204 (e.g., any of the UEs depicted in FIG. 1). The base station of the new RAN 220 communicates with the AMF side of the AMF/UPF 264 over the N2 interface and with the UPF side of the AMF/UPF 264 over the N3 interface.

The functions of the AMF include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transmission of session management (Session Management, SM) messages between the UE 204 and the session management function SMF 262, transparent proxy services for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transmission of short message service (Short Message Service, SMs) messages between the UE 204 and short message service functions (Short Message Service Function, SMSF) (not shown), and security anchor functions (Security Anchor Functionality, SEAF). The AMF also interacts with an authentication server function (Authentication Server Function, AUSF) (not shown) and the UE 204 and receives an intermediate key established as a result of the UE 204 authentication procedure. In case of authentication based on UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System ) subscriber identity module (UMTS Subscriber Identity Module, USIM), the AMF retrieves the security material from the AUSF. The functions of the AMF also include security context management (Security Context Management, SCM). The SCM receives the key from the SEAF to use the key to derive an access network specific key. The functions of the AMF also include location service management of policing services, transmission of location service messages between the UE 204 and the location management function (Location Management Function, LMF) 270, and transmission of location service messages between the new RAN 220 and the LMF 270, evolved packet system (evolved packet system, EPS) bearer identifier assignment for interworking with EPS, and UE 204 mobility event notification. In addition, the AMF also supports the functions of non-3 GPP access networks.

The functions of UPF include acting as anchor point for intra-RAT/inter-RAT mobility (when applicable), acting as external protocol data unit (Protocol Data Unit, PDU) session point interconnected with data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule implementation (e.g., gating, redirection, traffic steering), lawful interception (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, quality of service (Quality of Service, qoS) handling of the user plane (e.g., UL/DL rate implementation, reflective QoS marking in DL), UL traffic verification (service data flow (service data flow, SDF) to QoS flow mapping), transmission level packet marking in UL and DL, DL packet buffering and DL data notification triggering, and sending and forwarding one or more "end marking" to the source RAN node.

The functions of the SMF 262 include session management, UE internet protocol (Internet Protocol, IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of user plane functions, configuring traffic steering at the UPF to route traffic to appropriate destinations, control part policy implementation and QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface through which the SMF 262 communicates with the AMF side of the AMF/UPF 264 is referred to as the N11 interface.

Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270, the LMF 270 may communicate with the NGC 260 to provide location assistance for the UE 204. LMF 270 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, may each correspond to a single server. The LMF 270 may be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, and the UE 204 may be connected to the LMF 270 via a core network, the NGC 260, and/or via the internet (not shown).

Fig. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate several sample components (represented by corresponding blocks) that may be incorporated into a UE 302 (which may correspond to any UE described herein), a base station 304 (which may correspond to any base station described herein), and a network entity 306 (which may correspond to or embody any network function described herein, including a location server 230 and an LMF 270) to support file transfer operations taught herein. It should be appreciated that these components may be implemented in different types of devices in different embodiments (e.g., in an ASIC, in a System-on-Chip (SoC), etc.). The illustrated components may also be incorporated into other devices in a communication system. For example, other devices in the system may include components similar to those described to provide similar functionality. Furthermore, a given device may contain one or more components. For example, an apparatus may comprise multiple transceiver components that enable the apparatus to operate on multiple carriers and/or communicate via different technologies.

The UE 302 and the base station 304 each include a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) transceiver 310 and 350, respectively, the WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 being configured to communicate via one or more wireless communication networks (not shown), such as an NR network, an LTE network, a GSM network, and the like. The WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may be connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356, respectively, for communicating with other network nodes, such as other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., enbs, gnbs), etc., via at least one designated RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.) over a wireless communication medium of interest (e.g., a set of time/frequency resources in a particular spectrum). Depending on the specified RAT, the WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may be configured differently for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.), respectively, and conversely, receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.), respectively. Specifically, transceivers 310 and 350 include one or more transmitters 314 and 354, respectively, for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358, respectively, and one or more receivers 312 and 352, respectively, for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358, respectively.

In at least some cases, UE 302 and base station 304 also include Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) transceivers 320 and 360, respectively. The WLAN transceivers 320 and 360 may be connected to one or more antennas 326 and 366, respectively, for communicating over a wireless communication medium of interest via at least one designated RAT (e.g., wiFi, LTE-D,Etc.) communicate with other network nodes, such as other UEs, access points, base stations, etc. Depending on the specified RAT, WLAN transceivers 320 and 360 may be variously configured to transmit and encode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.), respectively, and conversely, receive and decode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.), respectively. Specifically, WLAN transceivers 320 and 360 include one or more transmitters 324 and 364, respectively, for transmitting and encoding signals 328 and 368, respectively, and one or more receivers 322 and 362, respectively, for receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368, respectively.

The transceiver circuitry including the transmitter and receiver may include integrated devices in some embodiments (e.g., transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry embodied as a single communication device), may include separate transmitter devices and separate receiver devices in some embodiments, or may be embodied in other ways in other embodiments. In one aspect, the transmitter may include or be coupled to a plurality of antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 336, and 376), such as an antenna array, that allow the respective devices to perform transmit "beamforming" as described herein. Similarly, the receiver may include or be coupled to a plurality of antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 336, and 376), such as an antenna array, that allow the respective devices to perform receive beamforming as described herein. In one aspect, the transmitter and receiver may share the same plurality of antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 336, and 376) such that the respective devices can only receive or transmit at a given time and cannot receive or transmit at the same time. The wireless communication devices of apparatuses 302 and/or 304 (e.g., one or both of transceivers 310 and 320 and/or 350 and 360) may also include a network listening module (Network Listen Module, NLM) or the like for performing various measurements.

In at least some cases, devices 302 and 304 also include Satellite Positioning System (SPS) receivers 330 and 370.SPS receivers 330 and 370 may be coupled to one or more antennas 336 and 376, respectively, for receiving components of SPS signals 338 and 378, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, global navigation satellite system (Global Navigation Satellite System, GLONASS) signals, galileo signals, beidou signals, indian regional navigation satellite system (NAVIC), quasi-zenith satellite system (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, QZSS), etc., respectively. SPS receivers 330 and 370 may include any suitable hardware and/or software for receiving and processing SPS signals 338 and 378, respectively. SPS receivers 330 and 370 request the appropriate information and operations from the other systems and perform the calculations necessary to determine the position of devices 302 and 304 using measurements obtained by any suitable SPS algorithm.

Base station 304 and network entity 306 each include at least one network interface 380 and 390 for communicating with other network entities. For example, network interfaces 380 and 390 (e.g., one or more network access ports) may be configured to communicate with one or more network entities via wired or wireless backhaul connections. In some aspects, network interfaces 380 and 390 may be implemented as transceivers configured to support wired or wireless signal communications. The communication may involve, for example, sending and receiving messages, parameters, or other types of information.

The devices 302, 304, and 306 also include other components that may be used in connection with the operations disclosed herein. The UE 302 includes processor circuitry that implements a processing system 332 that is configured to provide functionality related to, for example, pseudo base station (false base station, FBS) detection and to provide other processing functionality. The base station 304 includes a processing system 384, with the processing system 384 for providing functionality related to, for example, FBS detection as disclosed herein, as well as for providing other processing functions. The network entity 306 includes a processing system 394, the processing system 394 for providing functionality related to, for example, FBS detection as disclosed herein and for providing other processing functions. In one aspect, processing systems 332, 384, and 394 may include, for example, one or more general purpose processors, multi-core processors, ASICs, digital signal processors (Digital Signal Processor, DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices or processing circuitry.

The apparatuses 302, 304, and 306 include memory circuitry implementing memory components 340, 386, and 396 (e.g., each including a memory device) for maintaining information (e.g., information indicative of reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.), respectively. In some cases, devices 302, 304, and 306 may include positioning modules 342, 388, and 389, respectively. The positioning modules 342, 388, and 389 may be hardware circuitry that is part of the processing systems 332, 384, and 394, respectively, or coupled to the processing systems 332, 384, and 394, when executed by the processing systems 332, 384, and 394, cause the apparatuses 302, 304, and 306 to perform the functions described herein. Alternatively, the positioning modules 342, 388, and 389 may be memory modules (as shown in fig. 3A-3C) stored in the memory components 340, 386, and 396, respectively, that when executed by the processing systems 332, 384, and 394, cause the devices 302, 304, and 306 to perform the functions described herein.

The UE 302 may include one or more sensors 344 coupled to the processing system 332 to provide motion and/or position information independent of motion data derived from signals received by the WLAN transceiver 310, the WLAN transceiver 320, and/or the GPS receiver 330. For example, sensor(s) 344 may include an accelerometer (e.g., a microelectromechanical system (Micro-Electrical Mechanical System, MEMS) device), a gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor (e.g., a compass), an altimeter (e.g., a barometric altimeter), and/or any other type of motion detection sensor. Further, sensor(s) 344 may include a variety of different types of devices and their outputs combined to provide motion information. For example, sensor(s) 344 may use a combination of multi-axis accelerometers and orientation sensors to provide the ability to calculate position in a 2D and/or 3D coordinate system.

Further, the UE 302 includes a user interface 346 for providing an indication (e.g., an audible and/or visual indication) to a user and/or for receiving user input (e.g., upon user activation of a sensing device such as a keypad, touch screen, microphone, etc.). Although not shown, the devices 304 and 306 may also include a user interface.

Referring to processing system 384 in more detail, in the downlink, IP packets from network entity 306 may be provided to processing system 384. The processing system 384 may implement the functions for the RRC layer, the packet data convergence protocol (Packet Data Convergence Protocol, PDCP) layer, the radio link control (Radio Link Control, RLC) layer, and the medium access control (Medium Access Control, MAC) layer. The processing system 384 may provide: RRC layer functions associated with: broadcast of system information (e.g., master information block (Master Information Block, MIB), system information block (System Information Block, SIB)), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-RAT mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with: header compression/decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functions associated with: delivery of upper layer Packet Data Units (PDUs), error correction by ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC service Data units (Service Data Unit, SDU), re-segmentation of RLC Data PDUs and re-ordering of RLC Data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with: mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

The transmitter 354 and the receiver 352 may implement layer 1 (L1) functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, which includes the Physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (Forward Error Correction, FEC) encoding/decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to physical channels, modulation/demodulation of physical channels, and MIMO antenna processing. The transmitter 354 processes the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes, such as Binary Phase-Shift Keying (BPSK), quadrature Phase-Shift Keying (QPSK), M-Phase-Shift Keying (M-PSK), M-Quadrature amplitude modulation (M-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation, M-QAM). The encoded and modulated symbols may then be split into parallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, OFDM) subcarriers that are multiplexed with reference signals (e.g., pilots) in the time and/or frequency domain and then combined together using an inverse fast fourier transform (inverse fast Fourier transform, IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying the time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM streams are spatially precoded to produce a plurality of spatial streams. The channel estimates from the channel estimator may be used to determine the coding and modulation schemes and for spatial processing. The channel estimate may be derived from a reference signal and/or channel condition feedback transmitted by the UE 302. Each spatial stream may then be provided to one or more different antennas 356. Transmitter 354 may modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

At the UE 302, the receiver 312 receives signals through its corresponding antenna 316. The receiver 312 recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to the processing system 332. The transmitter 314 and the receiver 312 implement layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. The receiver 312 may perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the UE 302. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 302, the receiver 312 may combine them into a single OFDM symbol stream. The receiver 312 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain using a fast fourier transform (Fast Fourier Transform, FFT). The frequency domain signal comprises a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols and reference signals on each subcarrier are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted by base station 304. These soft decisions may be based on channel estimates computed by a channel estimator. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals that were originally transmitted by the base station 304 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to processing system 332, which processing system 332 implements layer 3 and layer 2 functions.

In the UL, processing system 332 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the core network. Processing system 332 is also responsible for error detection.

Similar to the functionality described in connection with the downlink transmission of base station 304, processing system 332 provides: RRC layer functions associated with: system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement report; PDCP layer functions associated with: header compression/decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functions associated with: delivery of upper layer PDUs, error correction by ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC SDUs, re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs and re-ordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with: mapping between logical channels and Transport channels, multiplexing MAC SDUs into Transport Blocks (TBs), de-multiplexing MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction by HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

The transmitter 314 may use channel estimates derived by the channel estimator from reference signals or feedback transmitted by the base station 304 to select the appropriate coding and modulation scheme and facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the transmitter 314 may be provided to different antenna(s) 316. The transmitter 314 may modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

At base station 304, UL transmissions are processed in a manner similar to that described in connection with the receiver functionality at UE 302. The receiver 352 receives signals via its corresponding antenna(s) 356. Receiver 352 recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to processing system 384.

In the UL, the processing system 384 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 302. IP packets from the processing system 384 may be provided to the core network. The processing system 384 is also responsible for error detection.

For convenience, the devices 302, 304, and/or 306 are illustrated in fig. 3A-3C as including various components that may be configured according to the various examples described herein. However, it is to be understood that the blocks shown may have different functions in different designs.

The various components of devices 302, 304, and 306 may communicate with each other via data buses 334, 382, and 392, respectively. The components of fig. 3A-3C may be implemented in various ways. In some implementations, the components of fig. 3A-3C may be implemented in one or more circuits, such as one or more processors and/or one or more ASICs (which may include one or more processors). Here, each circuit may use and/or incorporate at least one memory component for storing information or executable code used by the circuit to provide functionality. For example, some or all of the functions represented by blocks 310-346 may be implemented by a processor and memory component(s) of UE 302 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and/or by appropriately configuring the processor components). Similarly, some or all of the functions represented by blocks 350 through 388 may be implemented by the processor and memory component(s) of base station 304 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and/or by appropriately configuring the processor components). Further, some or all of the functions represented by blocks 390 through 396 may be implemented by a processor and memory component(s) of network entity 306 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and/or by appropriately configuring processor components). For simplicity, various operations, acts, and/or functions are described herein as being performed by a "UE," "base station," "positioning entity," and so on. However, it should be understood that these operations, acts, and/or functions may in fact be performed by a particular component or combination of components of a UE, base station, positioning entity, etc., such as processing systems 332, 384, 394, transceivers 310, 320, 350, and 360, memory components 340, 386, and 396, positioning modules 342, 388, and 389, etc.

Fig. 4A is a diagram 400 illustrating an example of a DL frame structure according to aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 4B is a diagram 430 illustrating an example of channels within a DL frame structure in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and/or different channels.

LTE and in some cases NR utilize OFDM on the downlink and Single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-Carrier Frequency Division Multiplexing, SC-FDM) on the uplink. However, unlike LTE, NR may also choose to use OFDM on the uplink. OFDM and SC-FDM partition the system bandwidth into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, which are also commonly referred to as tones, bins, etc. Each subcarrier may be modulated with data. In general, modulation symbols are transmitted in the frequency domain with OFDM and in the time domain with SC-FDM. The interval between adjacent subcarriers may be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) may depend on the system bandwidth. For example, the spacing of the subcarriers may be 15kHz and the minimum resource allocation (resource block) may be 12 subcarriers (or 180 kHz). Thus, the nominal FFT size may be equal to 128, 256, 512, 1024 or 2048 for a system bandwidth of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 or 20 megahertz (MHz), respectively. The system bandwidth may also be partitioned into sub-bands. For example, a subband may cover 1.08MHz (i.e., 6 resource blocks), and there may be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 subbands for a system bandwidth of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20MHz, respectively.

LTE supports a single basic parameter set (numerology) (subcarrier spacing, symbol length, etc.). In contrast, NR may support multiple basic parameter sets, e.g., 15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, 120kHz, and subcarrier spacing of 204kHz or greater are available. Table 1 provided below lists some of the different parameters for the different NR base parameter sets.

TABLE 1

In the example of fig. 4A and 4B, a basic parameter set of 15kHz is used. Thus, in the time domain, one frame (e.g., 10 ms) is divided into 10 equally sized subframes, each of which is 1ms, and each of which includes one slot. In fig. 4A and 4B, time is represented horizontally (e.g., on the X-axis), with time increasing from left to right, and frequency is represented vertically (e.g., on the Y-axis), with frequency increasing (or decreasing) from bottom to top.

The Resource grid may be used to represent time slots, each of which includes one or more time-concurrent Resource Blocks (RBs) in the frequency domain (also referred to as Physical RBs (PRBs)). The Resource grid is further divided into a plurality of Resource Elements (REs). The RE may correspond to one symbol length in the time domain and one subcarrier in the frequency domain. In the basic parameter set of fig. 4A and 4B, for a normal cyclic prefix, an RB may contain 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 7 consecutive symbols in the time domain (OFDM symbols for DL; SC-FDMA symbols for UL), for a total of 84 REs. For the extended cyclic prefix, the RB may contain 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 6 consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 72 REs. The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

As shown in fig. 4A, some REs carry DL reference (pilot) signals (DL Reference Signal, DL-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The DL-RS may include demodulation reference signals (Demodulation Reference Signal, DMRS) and channel state information reference signals (Channel State Information Reference Signal, CSI-RS), an exemplary location of which is labeled "R" in fig. 4A.

Fig. 4B shows an example of various channels within a DL subframe of a frame. A physical downlink control channel (Physical Downlink Control Channel, PDCCH) carries DL control information (DL Control Information, DCI) within one or more control channel elements (Control Channel Element, CCEs), each CCE comprising 9 RE groups (REGs), each REG comprising 4 consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol. The DCI carries information about UL resource allocations (persistent and non-persistent) and descriptions about DL data transmitted to the UE. Multiple (e.g., up to 8) DCIs may be configured in the PDCCH, and these DCIs may have one of a variety of formats. For example, for UL scheduling, for non-MIMO DL scheduling, for MIMO DL scheduling and for UL power control, there are different DCI formats.

The UE uses the primary synchronization signal (Primary Synchronization Signal, PSS) to determine the subframe/symbol timing and physical layer identity. The UE uses a secondary synchronization signal (Secondary Synchronization Signal, SSS) to determine the physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identity and the physical layer cell identity group number, the UE may determine the PCI. Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the aforementioned DL-RS. The physical broadcast channel (Physical Broadcast Channel, PBCH) carrying MIB may be logically grouped with PSS and SSS to form SSB (also referred to as SS/PBCH). The MIB provides a plurality of RBs and system frame numbers (System Frame Number, SFN) in the DL system bandwidth. The physical downlink shared channel (Physical Downlink Shared Channel, PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not transmitted over the PBCH, such as system information blocks (System Information Block, SIBs), and paging messages.

In some cases, the DL RS shown in fig. 4A may be a positioning reference signal (Positioning Reference Signal, PRS). Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary PRS configuration 500 for a cell supported by a wireless node, such as a base station 102. Fig. 5 shows how the System Frame Number (SFN), cell specific subframe offset (delta _PRS ) 552 and PRS periodicity (T _PRS ) 520 to determine PRS positioning occasions. Typically, cell-specific PRS subframe configuration is performed by observing a "PRS configuration index" I included in time difference of arrival (observed time difference of arrival, OTDOA) assistance data _PRS Is defined. PRS periodicity (T) _PRS ) 520 and cell specific subframe offset (delta _PRS ) Is based on PRS configuration index I _PRS Is defined as shown in table 2 below.

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TABLE 2

PRS configuration is defined with reference to SFN of a cell transmitting PRS. For N including a first PRS positioning occasion _PRS The PRS instance may satisfy a first subframe of the downlink subframes:

wherein n is _f Is SFN, n is 0 to or less _f ≤1023，n _s Is made up of n _f Time slot number within defined radio frame, 0.ltoreq.n _s ≤19，T _PRS Is PRS periodicity 520, and delta _PRS Is a cell specific subframe offset 552.

As shown in fig. 5, the cell-specific subframe offset Δ _PRS 552 may be defined in terms of the number of subframes transmitted from system frame number 0 (slot "number 0" labeled as slot 550) to the beginning of the first (subsequent) PRS positioning occasion. In the example of fig. 5, the number of consecutive positioning subframes (N _PRS ) Equal to 4. That is, each shaded block representing PRS positioning occasions 518a, 518b and 518c represents 4 subframes.

In some aspects, when a UE receives PRS configuration index I in OTDOA assistance data of a particular cell _PRS When the UE can determine the PRS periodicity T using Table 2 _PRS 520 and PRS subframe offset delta _PRS . Then, when PRS is scheduled in the cell (e.g., using equation (1)), the UE may determine a radio frame, a subframe, and a slot. The OTDOA assistance data may be determined by, for example, a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270) and include assistance data of a reference cell and a plurality of neighboring cells supported by various base stations.

Typically, PRS occasions from all cells in the network that use the same frequency are aligned in time and may have a fixed known time offset (e.g., cell-specific subframe offset 552) relative to other cells in the network that use different frequencies. In an SFN synchronous network, all wireless nodes (e.g., base stations 102) may be aligned on frame boundaries and system frame numbers. Thus, in an SFN synchronized network, all cells supported by various wireless nodes may use the same PRS configuration index for any particular frequency of PRS transmissions. On the other hand, in an SFN asynchronous network, the various wireless nodes may be aligned on frame boundaries rather than on system frame numbers. Thus, in an SFN asynchronous network, the PRS configuration index for each cell may be configured individually by the network such that PRS opportunities are aligned in time.

If the UE can obtain a cell timing (e.g., SFN) of at least one cell (e.g., a reference cell or a serving cell), the UE can determine timing of PRS occasions for the reference cell and neighbor cells for OTDOA positioning. The UE may then derive the timing of other cells based on, for example, the assumption that PRS occasions from different cells overlap.

The set of resource elements used to transmit PRSs is referred to as a "PRS resource. The set of resource elements may span a plurality of PRBs in the frequency domain and N (e.g., 1 or more) consecutive symbols 460 within the slot 430 in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol 460, PRS resources occupy consecutive PRBs. PRS resources are described by at least the following parameters: PRS resource Identifiers (IDs), sequence IDs, comb sizes N, resource element offsets in the frequency domain, starting slots and starting symbols, number of symbols per PRS resource (i.e., duration of PRS resource), and QCL information (e.g., with other DL reference signals QCL). In some designs, one antenna port is supported. The comb size indicates the number of sub-carriers carrying PRSs in each symbol. For example, a comb size of comb-4 means that every fourth subcarrier of a given symbol carries PRS.

A "PRS resource set" is a set of PRS resources used to transmit PRS signals, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource ID. Further, PRS resources in a PRS resource set are associated with a same Transmit Receive Point (TRP). The PRS resource IDs in the PRS resource set are associated with a single beam transmitted from a single TRP (where the TRP may transmit one or more beams). That is, each PRS resource of a PRS resource set may be transmitted on a different beam, such that a "PRS resource" may also be referred to as a "beam. Note that this has no effect on whether the UE knows the TRP and beam on which the PRS is transmitted. A "PRS occasion" is one example of a periodically repeated time window (e.g., a set of one or more consecutive time slots) in which PRS is expected to be transmitted. PRS occasions may also be referred to as "PRS positioning occasions", "positioning occasions", or simply "occasions"

Note that the terms "positioning reference signal" and "PRS" may sometimes refer to a particular reference signal used for positioning in an LTE or NR system. However, as used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the terms "positioning reference signal" and "PRS" refer to any type of reference signal that may be used for positioning, such as, but not limited to, PRS signals in LTE or NR, navigation reference signals (Navigation Reference Signal, NRs) in 5G, transmitter reference signals (Transmitter Reference Signal, TRS), cell-specific reference signals (Cell-specific Reference Signal, CRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), primary Synchronization Signals (PSS), secondary Synchronization Signals (SSS), SSB, and the like.

SRS is an uplink-only signal that the UE transmits to help the base station obtain channel state information (Channel State Information, CSI) for each user. The channel state information describes how the RF signal propagates from the UE to the base station and represents the combined effects of scattering, fading, and power decay with distance. The system uses SRS for resource scheduling, link adaptation, massive MIMO, beam management, etc.

Several enhancements to the previous definition of SRS have been proposed for SRS for positioning (SRS for Positioning, SRS-P), such as new staggering patterns within SRS resources, new comb types for SRS, new sequences for SRS, a greater number of SRS resource sets per component carrier, and a greater number of SRS resources per component carrier. In addition, parameters "spacialrelation info" and "PathLossReference" will be configured based on DL RSs from neighboring TRPs. Further, one SRS resource may be transmitted outside an active Bandwidth Part (BWP), and one SRS resource may span a plurality of component carriers. Finally, for UL-AoA, the UE may transmit over the same transmit beam from multiple SRS resources. All of these are additional features to the current SRS frame, which is configured by RRC higher layer signaling (and may be triggered or activated by a MAC Control Element (CE) or Downlink Control Information (DCI)).

As described above, the SRS in the NR is a reference signal for sounding an uplink radio channel that is specifically configured by a UE that is transmitted by the UE. Similar to CSI-RS, such probing provides various levels of knowledge of the radio channel characteristics. In one extreme case, SRS may simply be used at the gNB to obtain signal strength measurements, e.g., for UL beam management purposes. In the other extreme, SRS may be used at the gNB to obtain detailed amplitude and phase estimates as a function of frequency, time and space. In NR, channel sounding with SRS supports a more diverse set of use cases (e.g., downlink CSI acquisition (downlink MIMO) for reciprocity-based gNB transmit beamforming) than LTE; uplink CSI acquisition for link adaptation and codebook/non-codebook based precoding for uplink MIMO, uplink beam management, etc.).

The SRS may be configured using various options. The time/frequency map of SRS resources is defined by the following features.

Duration N _symb ^SRS The duration of the SRS resource may be 1, 2 or 4 consecutive OFDM symbols within a slot, as opposed to LTE, which allows only a single OFDM symbol per slot.

Start symbol position l ₀ The starting symbol of the SRS resource may be located anywhere within the last 6 OFDM symbols of the slot, as long as the resource does not cross the end-of-slot boundary.

Repetition factor r—for SRS resources configured with frequency hopping, repetition allows the same set of subcarriers to be detected in R consecutive OFDM symbols before the next hop occurs (as used herein, "hopping" refers specifically to frequency hopping). For example, R has a value of 1, 2, 4, where R.ltoreq.N _symb ^SRS 。

Transmission comb teeth K _TC And comb offset k _TC SRS resources can occupyWith Resource Elements (REs) of the frequency domain comb structure, where the comb teeth are 2 or 4 REs as in LTE. This structure allows frequency domain multiplexing of different SRS resources for the same or different users on different fingers that are offset from each other by an integer number of REs. Comb offset is defined relative to PRB boundaries and can be at 0, 1, … …, K _TC Take values in the range of 1 RE. Thus, for comb teeth K _TC There are 2 different comb teeth available for multiplexing (if needed), and for comb teeth K _TC =4, there are 4 different available combs.

Periodicity and slot offset for the case of periodic/semi-persistent SRS.

Probe bandwidth within the bandwidth portion.

For low latency positioning, the gNB may trigger UL SRS-P via DCI (e.g., the transmitted SRS-P may include a repetition or beam scan to enable several gnbs to receive SRS-P). Alternatively, the gNB may send information to the UE regarding aperiodic PRS transmissions (e.g., the configuration may include information regarding PRSs from multiple gnbs to enable the UE to perform timing calculations for positioning (UE-based) or for reporting (UE-assisted)). While various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to DL PRS-based positioning procedures, some or all of these embodiments may also be applied to UL SRS-P-based positioning procedures.

Note that the terms "sounding reference signal", "SRS" and "SRS-P" may sometimes refer to specific reference signals for positioning in LTE or NR systems. However, as used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the terms "sounding reference signal", "SRS" and "SRS-P" refer to any type of reference signal that may be used for positioning, such as, but not limited to, SRS signals in LTE or NR, navigation Reference Signals (NRs) in 5G, transmitter Reference Signals (TRS), random access channel (Random Access Channel, RACH) signals for positioning (e.g., RACH preambles, such as Msg-1 in a 4-step RACH procedure or Msg-a in a 2-step RACH procedure), and the like.

The 3gpp rel.16 introduces various NR positioning aspects for improving the position accuracy of positioning schemes involving measurement(s) (e.g., higher Bandwidth (BW), FR2 beam scanning, angle-based measurements such as Angle of Arrival (AoA) and Angle of departure (Angle of Departure, aoD) measurements, multi-cell Round Trip Time (RTT) measurements, etc.) associated with one or more UL or DL PRSs. If latency reduction is a priority, then typically UE-based positioning techniques (e.g., DL-only techniques without UL position measurement reporting) are used. However, if latency is less important, UE assisted positioning techniques may be used whereby data measured by the UE is reported to the network entity (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, etc.). By implementing LMF in the RAN, the latency associated with UE assisted positioning techniques may be reduced to some extent.

Layer 3 (L3) signaling (e.g., RRC or position location protocol (Location Positioning Protocol, LPP)) is typically used to transmit reports including location-based data associated with UE-assisted positioning techniques. L3 signaling is associated with relatively high latency (e.g., above 100 ms) compared to layer 1 (L1 or PHY layer) signaling or layer 2 (L2 or MAC layer) signaling. In some cases, a lower latency between the UE and the RAN for location-based reporting may be desirable (e.g., less than 100ms, less than 10ms, etc.). In this case, L3 signaling may not reach these lower latency levels. The L3 signaling of the positioning measurements may include any combination of the following:

One or more TOA, TDOA, RSRP or Rx-Tx measurements,

one or more AoA/AoD (e.g., LMF currently only agreeing to report DL AoA and UL AoD for gNB-),

one or more multipath reporting measurements, e.g., per path ToA, RSRP, aoA/AoD (e.g., toA is currently only allowed per path in LTE)

One or more motion states (e.g., walking, driving, etc.) and trajectories (e.g., currently for the UE), and/or

One or more reported quality indications.

Recently, it has been contemplated to use L1 signaling and L2 signaling in association with PRS-based reports. For example, L1 signaling and L2 signaling are currently used in some systems to transmit reports of CSI reports (e.g., channel quality indication (Channel Quality Indication, CQI), precoding matrix Indicator (Precoding Matrix Indicator, PMI), layer Indicator (LI), L1-RSRP, etc.). The CSI report may include a set of fields in a predefined order (e.g., defined by a correlation criterion). A single UL transmission (e.g., on PUSCH or PUCCH) may include multiple reports (referred to herein as "sub-reports") arranged according to predefined priorities (e.g., defined by a related standard). In some designs, the predefined order may be based on the associated sub-reporting periodicity (e.g., aperiodic/semi-persistent/periodic (a/SP/P) on PUSCH/PUCCH), measurement type (e.g., L1-RSRP or non L1-RSRP), serving cell index (e.g., in the case of carrier aggregation (carrier aggregation, CA)), and reportconfigID. In the case of a 2-part CSI report, part 1 of all reports are grouped together, while part 2 is grouped separately, and each group is encoded separately (e.g., part 1 payload size is fixed based on configuration parameters, while part 2 size is variable and depends on configuration parameters and associated part 1 content). The number of coded bits/symbols to be output after coding and rate matching is calculated based on the number of input bits and the beta factor according to the correlation standard. A relationship (e.g., time offset) between the measured RS instance and the corresponding report is defined. In some designs, CSI-like reporting of PRS-based measurement data using L1 signaling and L2 signaling may be implemented.

Fig. 6 illustrates an example wireless communication system 600 in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. In the example of fig. 6, UE 604 may correspond to any of the UEs described above with respect to fig. 1 (e.g., UE 104, UE 182, UE 190, etc.) that attempt to calculate an estimate of its location or assist another entity (e.g., a base station or core network component, another UE, a location server, a third party application, etc.) to calculate an estimate of its location. The UE 604 may communicate wirelessly with a plurality of base stations 602a-602d (collectively base stations 602) using RF signals and standardized protocols for RF signal modulation and information packet switching, which base stations 602a-602d may correspond to any combination of base stations 102 or 180 and/or WLAN AP 150 in fig. 1. By extracting different types of information from the exchanged RF signals and utilizing the layout (i.e., base station position, geometry, etc.) of the wireless communication system 600, the UE 604 may determine its position in a predefined reference coordinate system or assist in determining its position. In one aspect, the UE 604 may specify its location using a two-dimensional coordinate system; however, aspects disclosed herein are not limited thereto and may also be applicable to determining a position fix using a three-dimensional coordinate system if additional dimensions are required. Furthermore, while fig. 6 shows one UE 604 and four base stations 602, it should be understood that there may be more UEs 604 and more or fewer base stations 602.

To support positioning estimation, the base station 602 may be configured to broadcast reference RF signals (e.g., positioning Reference Signals (PRSs), cell-specific reference signals (CRSs), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs), synchronization signals, etc.) to UEs 604 in its coverage area to enable the UEs 604 to measure reference RF signal timing differences (e.g., OTDOA or reference signal time differences (Reference Signal Time Difference, RSTD)) between pairs of network nodes and/or to identify beams that best excite LOS or shortest radio paths between the UEs 604 and the transmitting base station. It is of interest to identify the LOS/(s) shortest path beams not only because these beams can then be used for OTDOA measurements between a pair of base stations 602, but also because identifying these beams can directly provide some positioning information based on the beam direction. Furthermore, these beams may then be used for other positioning estimation methods that require accurate ToA, such as methods based on round trip time estimation.

As used herein, a "network node" may be a base station 602, a cell of a base station 602, a remote radio head, an antenna of a base station 602, where the location of the antenna of the base station 602 is different from the location of the base station 602 itself, or any other network entity capable of transmitting reference signals. Further, as used herein, a "node" may refer to a network node or UE.

The location server (e.g., location server 230) may transmit assistance data to the UE 604, the assistance data including an identification of one or more neighboring cells of the base station 602 and configuration information of reference RF signals transmitted by each neighboring cell. Alternatively, the assistance data may originate directly from the base station 602 itself (e.g., in periodically broadcast overhead messages, etc.). Alternatively, the UE 604 may detect the neighboring cells of the base station 602 itself without using assistance data. The UE 604 (e.g., based in part on assistance data (if provided)) may measure and (optionally) report the RSTD between OTDOA from various network nodes and/or reference RF signals received from paired network nodes. Using these measurements and the known location of the measured network node (i.e., the base station(s) 602 or antenna(s) that sent the reference RF signal measured by the UE 604), the UE 604 or a location server may determine the distance between the UE 604 and the measured network node, thereby calculating the location of the UE 604.

The term "location estimate" as used herein refers to an estimate of the location of the UE 604, which may be geographic (e.g., may include latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude) or urban (e.g., may include a street address, a building name, or an exact point or area within or near a building or street address, such as a particular entrance to a building, a particular room or suite in a building, or a landmark (such as a town square)). The position estimate may also be referred to as "position," "location," "fixed point," "positioning fixed point," "position fix," "position estimate," "fixed point estimate," or other terms. The means of obtaining a position estimate may generally be referred to as "locating", "finding a position" or "locating fix". A particular solution for obtaining a positioning estimate may be referred to as a "positioning solution". As part of the positioning solution, a particular method for obtaining a positioning estimate may be referred to as a "location method" or a "positioning method".

The term "base station" may refer to a single physical transmission point or multiple physical transmission points, which may or may not be collocated. For example, where the term "base station" refers to a single physical transmission point, the physical transmission point may be an antenna of a base station corresponding to a cell of the base station (e.g., base station 602). Where the term "base station" refers to a plurality of collocated physical transmission points, the physical transmission points may be an antenna array of the base station (e.g., as in a MIMO system or where the base station employs beamforming). In case the term "base station" refers to a plurality of non-collocated physical transmission points, the physical transmission points may be Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) (networks of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via transmission medium) or Remote Radio Heads (RRHs) (remote base stations connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, the non-collocated physical transmission point may be a serving base station that receives measurement reports from a UE (e.g., UE 604), and its neighboring base stations whose reference RF signals are being measured by the UE. Thus, fig. 6 illustrates an aspect in which base stations 602a and 602b form a DAS/RRH 620. For example, base station 602a may be a serving base station for UE 604, and base station 602b may be a neighboring base station for UE 604. Thus, base station 602b may be an RRH of base station 602 a. Base stations 602a and 602b may communicate with each other over a wired or wireless link 622.

In order to accurately determine the location of the UE 604 using OTDOA and/or RSTD between RF signals received from paired network nodes, the UE 604 needs to measure reference RF signals received on LOS paths (or shortest NLOS paths where LOS paths are not available) between the UE 604 and the network nodes (e.g., base station 602, antennas). However, the RF signal propagates not only through the LOS/shortest path between the transmitter and receiver, but also through many other paths, as the RF signal passes out of the transmitter and is reflected by other objects (such as mountains, buildings, water, etc.) on its way to the receiver. Thus, fig. 6 shows a plurality of LOS paths 610 and a plurality of NLOS paths 612 between base station 602 and UE 604. Specifically, fig. 6 shows base station 602a transmitting via LOS path 610a and NLOS path 612a, base station 602b transmitting via LOS path 610b and two NLOS paths 612b, base station 602c transmitting via LOS path 610c and NLOS path 612c, and base station 602d transmitting via two NLOS paths 612 d. As shown in fig. 6, each NLOS path 612 is reflected by some object 630 (e.g., a building). It should be appreciated that each LOS path 610 and NLOS path 612 transmitted by base station 602 may be transmitted by a different antenna of base station 602 (e.g., as in a MIMO system), or may be transmitted by the same antenna of base station 602 (thereby illustrating the propagation of RF signals). Furthermore, as used herein, the term "LOS path" refers to the shortest path between the transmitter and receiver, and may not be the actual LOS path, but the shortest NLOS path.

In one aspect, one or more base stations 602 may be configured to transmit RF signals using beamforming. In this case, some of the available beams may focus the transmitted RF signal along LOS path 610 (e.g., the beam produces the highest antenna gain along the LOS path), while other available beams may focus the transmitted RF signal along NLOS path 612. A beam having a high gain along one path and thus focusing an RF signal along that path may still have some RF signal propagating along other paths; the strength of the RF signal naturally depends on the beam gain along those other paths. An "RF signal" includes electromagnetic waves that transmit information through a space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter may transmit a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to a receiver. However, as described further below, due to the propagation characteristics of the RF signals through the multipath channel, the receiver may receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal.

In the case where the base station 602 uses beamforming to transmit RF signals, the beam of interest for data communication between the base station 602 and the UE 604 will be the beam carrying RF signals arriving at the UE 604 with the highest signal strength (e.g., indicated by Received Signal Received Power (RSRP) or SINR in the presence of directional interfering signals), while the beam of interest for positioning estimation will be the beam carrying RF signals that excite the shortest path or LOS path (e.g., LOS path 610). In some frequency bands and for typically used antenna systems these will be the same beam. However, in other frequency bands such as millimeter waves, where a large number of antenna elements may typically be used to create a narrow transmit beam, they may not be the same beam. As described below with reference to fig. 7, in some cases the signal strength of the RF signal on LOS path 610 may be weaker than the signal strength of the RF signal on NLOS path 612 (e.g., due to obstructions), the RF signal arriving later through NLOS path 612 due to propagation delays.

Fig. 7 illustrates an example wireless communication system 700 in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. In the example of fig. 7, the UE 704 may correspond to the UE 604 in fig. 6, which attempts to calculate an estimate of its location, or to assist another entity (e.g., a base station or core network component, another UE, a location server, a third party application, etc.) in calculating an estimate of its location. The UE 704 may communicate wirelessly with the base station 702 using RF signals and standardized protocols for RF signal modulation and information packet switching, and the base station 702 may correspond to one of the base stations 602 in fig. 6.

As shown in fig. 7, a base station 702 is transmitting multiple beams 711-715 of RF signals using beamforming. Each beam 711-715 may be formed and transmitted by an antenna array of base station 702. Although fig. 7 shows base station 702 transmitting five beams 711-715, it should be understood that there may be more or less than five beams, the beam shape (such as peak gain, width, and side lobe gain) may differ between the transmitted beams, and some of the beams may be transmitted by different base stations.

A beam index may be assigned to each of the plurality of beams 711-715 for distinguishing an RF signal associated with one beam from an RF signal associated with another beam. Further, the RF signals associated with a particular beam of the plurality of beams 711-715 may carry a beam index indicator. The beam index may also be derived from the transmission time (e.g., frame, slot, and/or number of OFDM symbols) of the RF signal. The beam index indicator may be, for example, a three-bit field for uniquely distinguishing up to eight beams. If two different RF signals with different beam indices are received, this will indicate that the RF signals were transmitted using different beams. If two different RF signals share a common beam index, this would indicate that the different RF signals were transmitted using the same beam. Another way to describe transmitting two RF signals using the same beam is that the antenna port(s) used to transmit the first RF signal are spatially quasi-collocated with the antenna port(s) used to transmit the second RF signal.

In the example of fig. 7, UE 704 receives NLOS data stream 723 of the RF signal transmitted on beam 713 and LOS data stream 724 of the RF signal transmitted on beam 714. Although fig. 7 shows NLOS data stream 723 and LOS data stream 724 as single lines (dashed and solid lines, respectively), it should be appreciated that, due to, for example, the propagation characteristics of the RF signal through the multipath channel, NLOS data stream 723 and LOS data stream 724 may each include multiple rays (i.e., "clusters") before the time it reaches UE 704. For example, when electromagnetic waves reflect from multiple surfaces of an object, a cluster of RF signals is formed, and the reflections reach the receiver (e.g., UE 704) from approximately the same angle, each reflection propagating more or less a few wavelengths (e.g., centimeters) than the other reflections. A "cluster" of received RF signals generally corresponds to a single transmitted RF signal.

In the example of fig. 7, the NLOS data stream 723 is not initially directed to the UE 704, although as will be appreciated it may be an RF signal on the NLOS path 612 as in fig. 6. However, it is reflected by the reflector 740 (e.g., a building) and reaches the UE 704 unimpeded and, therefore, may still be a relatively strong RF signal. In contrast, the LOS data stream 724 is directed to the UE 704, but passes through obstacles 730 (e.g., vegetation, buildings, mountains, damaging environments (such as clouds or smoke), etc.), which may significantly degrade the RF signal. As will be appreciated, although LOS data stream 724 is weaker than NLOS data stream 723, LOS data stream 724 will arrive at UE 704 before NLOS data stream 723 because it follows a shorter path from base station 702 to UE 704.

As described above, the beam of interest for data communication between the base station (e.g., base station 702) and the UE (e.g., UE 704) is the beam carrying the RF signal that arrives at the UE with the highest signal strength (e.g., highest RSRP or SINR), while the beam of interest for location estimation is the beam carrying the RF signal that excites the LOS path and has the highest gain along the LOS path between all other beams (e.g., beam 714). That is, even though beam 713 (NLOS beam) would weakly excite the LOS path (due to the propagation characteristics of the RF signal, even if not focused along the LOS path), the weak signal (if any) of the LOS path of beam 713 may not be reliably detected (compared to the signal from beam 714), resulting in a larger error in performing the positioning measurement.

While the beam of interest for data communication and the beam of interest for location estimation may be the same beam for some frequency bands, they may not be the same beam for other frequency bands such as millimeter waves. Thus, referring to fig. 7, where the UE 704 is engaged in a data communication session with the base station 702 (e.g., the base station 702 is the serving base station for the UE 704) and does not simply attempt to measure the reference RF signal transmitted by the base station 702, the beam of interest for the data communication session may be beam 713 because it carries an unobstructed NLOS data stream 723. However, the beam of interest for position estimation will be beam 714 because it carries the strongest LOS data stream 724, albeit obstructed.

Fig. 8A is a graph 800A illustrating RF channel response over time at a receiver (e.g., UE 704) in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Under the channel shown in fig. 8A, the receiver receives two RF signals of a first cluster on a channel tap at time T1, five RF signals of a second cluster on a channel tap at time T2, five RF signals of a third cluster on a channel tap at time T3, and four RF signals of a fourth cluster on a channel tap at time T4. In the example of fig. 8A, because the first cluster RF signal arrives first at time T1, it is assumed to be an LOS data stream (i.e., a data stream arriving through LOS or the shortest path) and may correspond to LOS data stream 724. The third cluster at time T3 consists of the strongest RF signal and may correspond to NLOS data stream 723. From the transmitter side, each cluster received RF signal may include RF signal portions transmitted at different angles, so that each cluster may be said to have a different degree of departure (AoD) for the transmitter. Fig. 8B is a diagram 800B illustrating this separation of clusters in AoD. The RF signals transmitted in the AoD range 802a may correspond to one cluster (e.g., "cluster 1") in fig. 8A, while the RF signals transmitted in the AoD range 802b may correspond to a different cluster (e.g., "cluster 3") in fig. 8A. Note that although the AoD ranges of the two clusters depicted in fig. 8B are spatially isolated, the AoD ranges of some clusters may also partially overlap, even though the clusters are separated in time. This may occur, for example, when a signal is reflected towards a receiver for two separate buildings where the transmitter is at the same AoD. Note that while fig. 8A shows clusters of two to five channel taps (or "peaks"), it will be appreciated that these clusters may have more or fewer channel taps than the number shown.

RAN1 NR may define UE measurements on DL reference signals (e.g., for serving, reference, and/or neighbor cells) suitable for NR positioning, including DL Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD) measurements for NR positioning, DL RSRP measurements for NR positioning, and UE Rx-Tx (e.g., a hardware group delay for response signal transmission at a UE transmitter received from a signal at a UE receiver, e.g., a time difference measurement for NR positioning, such as RTT).

RAN1 NR may define the gNB measurements based on UL reference signals applicable for NR positioning, such as relative UL time of arrival (Relative UL Time of Arrival, RTOA) for NR positioning, UL AoA measurements for NR positioning (e.g., including azimuth and zenith angles), UL RSRP measurements for NR positioning, and gNB Rx-Tx (e.g., hardware group delay of response signal transmission at a gNB transmitter received from a signal at a gNB receiver, e.g., time difference measurements for NR positioning, such as RTT).

Fig. 9 is a diagram 900 illustrating exemplary timing of RTT measurement signals exchanged between a base station 902 (e.g., any base station described herein) and a UE 904 (e.g., any UE described herein) in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. In the example of fig. 9, base station 902 is at time t ₁ RTT measurement signals 910 (e.g., PRS, NRS, CRS, CSI-RS, etc.) are sent to the UE 904. The RTT measurement signal 910 has some propagation delay T as it propagates from the base station 902 to the UE 904 _Prop . At time t ₂ (ToA of RTT measurement signal 910 at UE 904), the RTT measurement signal 910 is received/measured by UE 904. After some UE processing time, the UE 904 at time t ₃ An RTT response signal 920 is transmitted. At propagation delay T _Prop Thereafter, the base station 902 at time t ₄ An RTT response signal 920 (ToA of RTT response signal 920 at base station 902) from UE 904 is received/measured.

To identify the ToA (e.g., t) of a reference signal (e.g., RTT measurement signal 910) transmitted by a given network node (e.g., base station 902) ₂ ) A receiver (e.g., UE 904) first jointly processes all Resource Elements (REs) on a channel on which a transmitter transmits a reference signal and performs an inverse fourier transform to convert the received reference signal to the time domain. The conversion of the received reference signal into the time domain is referred to as estimation of the channel energy response (Channel Energy Response, CER). CER shows peaks over time on the channel, so the earliest "important" peak should correspond to the ToA of the reference signal. Typically, the receiver will use the noise-correlated quality threshold to filter out spurious local peaks, thereby identifying the important peaks on the channel approximately correctly. For example, the receiver may select the ToA estimate that is the earliest local maximum of the CER that is at least X dB higher than the median of the CER and Y dB lower than the main peak on the channel. The receiver determines the CER of each reference signal from each transmitter in order to determine the ToA of each reference signal from a different transmitter.

In some designs, RTT response signal 920 may explicitly include time t ₃ The difference from time T2 (i.e., T _Rx→Tx 912). Using this measurement, time t ₄ And time t ₁ The difference between (i.e. T _Tx→Rx 922 The base station 902 (or other positioning entity, such as the location server 230, LMF 270) may calculate the distance to the UE 904 as follows:

where c is the speed of light. Although not explicitly shown in fig. 9, additional sources of delay or error may be due to UE and gNB hardware group delay in locating a position.

Various parameters associated with positioning may affect power consumption at the UE. Knowledge of such parameters may be used to estimate (or model) UE power consumption. By accurately modeling the power consumption of the UE, various power saving features and/or performance enhancement features may be utilized in a predictive manner to improve the user experience.

An additional source of delay or error is due to the UE and gNB hardware group delay to locate the position. Fig. 10 illustrates a diagram 1000 showing exemplary timings of RTT measurement signals exchanged between a base station (gNB) (e.g., any base station described herein) and a UE (e.g., any UE described herein), in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. Fig. 10 is similar in some respects to fig. 9. However, in fig. 10, UE and gNB hardware group delays (mainly due to internal hardware delays Between Baseband (BB) components and Antennas (ANTs) at the UE and the gNB) are shown with respect to 1002-1008. It should be appreciated that path-specific or beam-specific delays on both the Tx side and the Rx side affect RTT measurements. Hardware group delays (such as 1002-1008) may cause timing errors and/or calibration errors that may affect RTT and other measurements such as TDOA, RSTD, etc., which may in turn affect positioning performance. For example, in some designs, a 10 nanosecond error will introduce a 3 meter error in the final setpoint.

Fig. 11 illustrates an example wireless communication system 1100 in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. In the example of fig. 11, UE 1104 (which may correspond to any UE described herein) is attempting to calculate an estimate of its location or is assisting another entity (e.g., a base station or core network component, another UE, a location server, a third party application, etc.) to calculate an estimate of its location via a multi-RTT positioning scheme. UE 1104 may communicate wirelessly with a plurality of base stations 1102-1, 1102-2, and 1102-3 (collectively referred to as base stations 1102, and which may correspond to any of the base stations described herein) using RF signals and standardized protocols for RF signal modulation and information packet switching. By extracting different types of information from the exchanged RF signals and utilizing the layout of the wireless communication system 1100 (i.e., the location, geometry, etc. of the base stations), the UE 1104 may determine its location in a predefined reference coordinate system or assist in determining its location. In one aspect, UE 1104 may specify its location using a two-dimensional coordinate system; however, aspects disclosed herein are not limited thereto and may also be applicable to determining a position fix using a three-dimensional coordinate system if additional dimensions are required. In addition, although fig. 11 shows one UE 1104 and three base stations 1102, it should be understood that there may be more UEs 1104 and more base stations 1102.

To support location estimation, base station 1102 can be configured to broadcast reference RF signals (e.g., PRS, NRS, CRS, TRS, CSI-RS, PSS, SSS, etc.) to UEs 1104 in its coverage area to enable UEs 1104 to measure characteristics of these reference RF signals. For example, UE 1104 may measure toas of particular reference RF signals (e.g., PRS, NRS, CRS, CSI-RSs, etc.) transmitted by at least three different base stations 1102 and may report these toas (as well as additional information) back to the serving base station 1102 or another positioning entity (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270) using RTT positioning methods.

In an aspect, although described as UE 1104 measuring reference RF signals from base station 1102, UE 1104 may measure reference RF signals from one of a plurality of cells supported by base station 1102. In the case where UE 1104 measures reference RF signals transmitted by cells supported by base station 1102, at least two other reference RF signals measured by UE 1104 to perform RTT procedures will be from cells supported by base station 1102 that are different from first base station 1102 and may have good or poor signal strength at UE 1104.

In order to determine the location (x, y) of UE 1104, the entity determining the location of UE 1104 needs to know the location of base station 1102, which can be represented in the reference frame as (x _k ,y _k ) Where k=1, 2,3 in the example of fig. 11. In the case where one of the base station 1102 (e.g., serving base station) or the UE 1104 determines the location of the UE 1104, the location of the base station 1102 in question may be provided to the serving base station 1102 or UE 1104 by a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270) having knowledge of the network geometry. Alternatively, the location server may use known network geometries to determine the location of the UE 1104.

UE 1104 or corresponding base station 1102 may determine a distance (d _k Where k=1, 2, 3). In one aspect, RTT 1110 of signals exchanged between UE 1104 and any base station 1102 may be determined and converted to a distance (d _k ). RTT techniques, as discussed further below, may be measuredThe time between sending the signaling message (e.g., reference RF signal) and receiving the response is measured. These methods may utilize calibration to eliminate any processing delay. In some environments, it may be assumed that the processing delays of UE 1104 and base station 1102 are the same. However, this assumption may not be true in practice.

Once each distance d is determined _k UE 1104, base station 1102, or a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270) may solve for a location (x, y) of UE 1104 by using various known geometric techniques (e.g., trilateration). As can be seen from fig. 11, the positioning of UE 1104 is ideally located at a common intersection of three semicircles, each semicircle being defined by a radius d _k And center (x) _k ,y _k ) Definition, wherein k=1, 2,3.

In some cases, the additional information may be obtained in the form of an angle of arrival (AoA) or angle of departure (AoD) defining a straight line direction (e.g., which may be in a horizontal plane or three dimensions) or a possible range of directions (e.g., starting from the location of base station 1102 for UE 1104). The intersection of the two directions at or near point (x, y) may provide another estimate of the location of UE 1104.

Location estimate (e.g., for UE 1104) may be referred to by other names such as position estimate, location, position fix, etc. The location estimate may be geodetic and include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude), or may be city-measured and include a street address, postal address, or some other verbal description of a location. The location estimate may also be defined relative to some other known location or in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude). The location estimate may include an expected error or uncertainty (e.g., by including a region or volume within which a location is expected to be included with some specified or default confidence level).

Fig. 12 illustrates a diagram 1200 showing exemplary timing of RTT measurement signals exchanged between a base station (e.g., any base station described herein) and a UE (e.g., any UE described herein), in accordance with other aspects of the disclosure. Specifically, 1202-1204 of FIG. 12 represent frame delay portions associated with Rx-Tx differences measured at gNB and UE, respectively.

It will be appreciated from the above disclosure that the NR local positioning techniques supported in 5G NR include DL-only positioning schemes (e.g., DL-TDOA, DL-AoD, etc.), UL-only positioning schemes (e.g., UL-TDOA, UL-AoA), and dl+ul positioning schemes (e.g., RTT or multiple RTT with one or more neighboring base stations). In addition, enhanced Cell-ID (E-CID) measurement based on radio resource management (Radio Resource Management, RRM) is supported in 5G NR Rel-16.

Differential RTT is another positioning scheme whereby the difference of two RTT measurements (or measurement ranges) is used to generate a positioning estimate of the UE. As an example, RTT between one UE and two gnbs may be estimated. The location estimate of the UE may then be narrowed to an intersection (e.g., a hyperbola) of the geographic ranges mapped to the two RTTs. RTT to additional gnbs (or specific TRPs of these gnbs) may further narrow (or refine) the UE's location estimate.

In some designs, the positioning engine (e.g., at the UE, base station, or server/LMF) may choose between whether to use RTT measurements to calculate a positioning estimate using a typical RTT or differential RTT. For example, if the positioning engine receives an RTT that is known to have considered a hardware group delay, then a typical RTT positioning is performed (e.g., as shown in fig. 6-7). Otherwise, in some designs, differential RTT is performed so that hardware group delay can be offset. In some designs where the positioning engine is implemented at the network side (e.g., gNB/LMU/eMLC/LMF), the group hardware delay at the UE is unknown (and vice versa).

As described above, in some designs, the angular measurements associated with the reference signals (Reference Signals for Positioning, RS-P) used for positioning may be used to improve the positioning accuracy of the target UE. In some designs, UL-AoA measurements may be used to receive measurement information and derive a location estimate for a target UE based on a network location solution (e.g., a location estimation entity at the network (such as a RAN or LMF in a core network, a location server, etc.). In some designs, DL-AoD measurements may be used for UE-based and network-based (including UE-assisted) positioning solutions.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an angular measurement (e.g., aoA, aoD, etc.) calibration scheme. For example, reference angle (e.g., aoA, aoD, etc.) measurements may be used to offset (or at least reduce) angular deviations from angle measurements to/from the target UE and the gNB involved in the positioning session with the target UE. These aspects may provide various technical advantages, such as more accurate UE location estimation.

Fig. 13 illustrates an exemplary process 1300 of wireless communication in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. In an aspect, the process 1300 may be performed by a communication device, which may correspond to a UE (such as UE 302) (e.g., for UE-based positioning), a BS or a gNB (such as BS 304) (e.g., an LMF for integration in a RAN, or an LMF integrated by a gNB that formats data forwarded to a remote LMF), or a network entity 306 (e.g., a core network component (such as an LMF), a positioning estimation entity, a location server, etc.).

At 1310, the communication device (e.g., receiver 312 or 322, receiver 352 or 362, positioning module 342 or 388 or 389, processing system 334 or 384 or 394, network interface(s) 380 or 390, etc.) obtains a residual AoA bias associated with a first AoA measurement of RS-P transmitted from the wireless reference node to the first base station, the wireless reference node being associated with a location known to the communication device. For example, RS-P may be measured at the first base station. In one example, RS-P may correspond to UL-SRS-P if the wireless reference node corresponds to a reference UE (e.g., a UE whose position was most recently obtained, a static or semi-static UE, etc.). In other designs, if the wireless reference node corresponds to the second base station, the RS-P may correspond to a PRS (e.g., configured similar to DL-PRS or a new PRS configuration for BS-to-BS positioning signaling). As will be described in more detail below, the residual AoA bias may be received at the communication device from an external entity or information from which the residual AoA bias may be derived may be received at the communication device and then used to derive the residual AoA bias at 1310. The means for obtaining the residual AoA bias at 1310 may include the receiver 312 or 322, the receiver 352 or 362, the positioning module 342 or 388 or 389, the processing system 334 or 384 or 394, the network interface(s) 380 or 390, and the like.

At 1320, the communication device (e.g., receiver 312 or 322, receiver 352 or 362, positioning module 342 or 388 or 389, processing system 334 or 384 or 394, network interface(s) 380 or 390, etc.) obtains a second AoA measurement associated with an uplink signal sent from the UE to the first base station. In some designs, the uplink signal may correspond to a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) signal (e.g., an Msg-1 PRACH preamble, an Msg-3 PUSCH, PUCCH, or the like). In some designs, the uplink signal corresponds to an SRS (e.g., such as SRS for positioning or UL-SRS-P). For example, the UE may correspond to a target UE on which positioning is performed. In some designs, the communication device may correspond to the first base station itself, in which case the second AoA measurement is obtained by direct measurement. In other designs, the communication device may correspond to another entity (e.g., LMF, UE for UE-based positioning, etc.), in which case the second AoA measurement is obtained via signaling. The means for obtaining the second AoA measurement at 1320 may include the receiver 312 or 322, the receiver 352 or 362, the positioning module 342 or 388 or 389, the processing system 334 or 384 or 394, the network interface(s) 380 or 390, and/or the like.

At 1330, the communication device (e.g., positioning module 342 or 388 or 389, processing system 334 or 384 or 394, etc.) calibrates the second AoA measurement based on the residual AoA bias. The means for calibrating the second AoA measurement at 1330 may include the positioning module 342 or 388 or 389, the processing system 334 or 384 or 394, or the like.

Referring to fig. 13, in some designs as described above, the residual AoA bias is received from the first base station. In other designs, a first AoA measurement is received from a first base station and a residual AoA bias is derived at the communication device based on the first AoA measurement.

Referring to fig. 13, in some designs, the communication device corresponds to a location estimation entity (e.g., an LMF in the RAN or core network for network-based or UE-assisted location, a UE for UE-based location, etc.). In this case, the communication device may determine a location estimate for the UE based on the calibrated second AoA measurement.

Referring to fig. 13, in some designs, the communication device corresponds to a first base station. In this case, the first base station may send the calibrated second AoA measurement to the location estimation entity for location estimation of the UE.

Referring to fig. 13, in some designs, the wireless reference node may correspond to a second base station or reference UE.

Referring to fig. 13, in some designs, the RS-P may correspond to a single-symbol Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) or a multi-symbol PRS (e.g., a legacy rel.16 PRS).

Referring to fig. 13, in some designs, the first AoA measurement may be triggered periodically, aperiodically, or on demand. Fig. 14 illustrates a gNB configuration 1400 in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure. In one example, a request for AoA calibration may be sent to a wireless reference node (e.g., reference gNB in this case) directly through Xn or F1 (e.g., central Unit (CU)/Distributed Unit (DU) split, for example). The LMF may signal the time/frequency allocation (and possibly beam information) of the specifically requested PRS to the first base station. In some designs, the PRS may be QCL with the UL signal (e.g., UL-SRS-P) of 1320.

Referring to fig. 13, in some designs, a wireless reference node may be selected from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a location, or a combination thereof. For example, since AoA bias may vary with true angle or even UE position, the LMF may select the wireless reference node (e.g., reference gNB or UE) that is most aligned with the UE in the angle domain. In another example, since the bias in the frequency domain is not constant, the LMF may request the reference node (e.g., the gNB or UE) to transmit a positioning RS that is close in the frequency domain to the UL signal (e.g., UL-SRS-P) transmitted by the UE at 1320. Alternatively, the LMF may select a reference node (e.g., a gNB or UE) based on its carrier frequency for locating RS transmissions. In some designs, the selection may be based on a lookup operation in a lookup table (e.g., which may be configured with location area granularity).

Referring to fig. 13, in some designs, the first AoA measurement may include a first corresponding timestamp, a first corresponding absolute AoA, an identifier of the wireless reference node, and an identifier of the first base station, or the second AoA measurement may include a second corresponding timestamp, a second corresponding absolute AoA, an identifier of the UE, and an identifier of the first base station, or a combination thereof.

Fig. 15 illustrates an example embodiment 1500 of the process 1300 of fig. 13 in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure. In fig. 15, a base station 1502 (e.g., corresponding to the first base station referenced in the description of fig. 13), a first target UE 1504 (or UE 1), a first wireless reference node 1506, a second wireless reference node 1508, and a second target UE (or UE 2) are depicted. The first wireless reference node 1506 and the second wireless reference node 1508 may alternatively be represented as wireless reference node 1 and wireless reference node 2, respectively, and either node may correspond to the wireless reference node described with reference to process 1300 of fig. 13. In fig. 15, a target UE 1504 transmits UL signals (e.g., UL-SRS-P) 1512 to a base station 1502, a first wireless reference node 1506 transmits RS-P1514 (e.g., PRS, UL-SRS-P, new PRS type, etc.) to the base station 1502, a second wireless reference node 1508 transmits RS-P1516 (e.g., PRS, UL-SRS-P, new PRS type, etc.) to the base station 1502, and a target UE 1510 transmits UL signals (e.g., UL-SRS-P) to the base station 1502. The base station 1502 measures the AoA for each of the above-described RS-ps 1512-1518. In some designs, an AoA bias determined from the AoA of RS-P1514 may be used to calibrate the AoA of UL signal (e.g., UL-SRS-P) 1512, and an AoA bias determined from the AoA of RS-P1516 may be used to calibrate the AoA of UL signal (e.g., UL-SRS-P) 1518. In this case, the first wireless reference node 1506 may be selected for calibration of the target UE 1504 due to its alignment in angle, position, frequency domain, etc., and the second wireless reference node 1508 may be selected for calibration of the target UE 1510 due to its alignment in angle, position, frequency domain, etc.

Fig. 16 illustrates an example embodiment 1600 of the process 1300 of fig. 13 in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure. 1602-1618 of fig. 16 are similar to 1502-1518, respectively, of fig. 15, except that first wireless reference node 1506 and second wireless reference node 1508 are more specifically shown in fig. 16 as gnbs 1606 and 1608, respectively. Fig. 15-16 are otherwise identical, and thus fig. 16 will not be discussed further for the sake of brevity.

Fig. 17 illustrates an example embodiment 1700 of the process 1300 of fig. 13 in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure. 1702-1718 of fig. 17 are similar to 1502-1518, respectively, of fig. 15, except that a first wireless reference node 1506 and a second wireless reference node 1508 are shown in more detail in fig. 17 as reference UEs 1706 and 1708, respectively. Fig. 15 and 17 are otherwise identical, and thus fig. 17 will not be discussed further for the sake of brevity.

Although fig. 13-17 are directed to aspects related to AoA, calibration of angular misalignment may also be performed with respect to AoD, as will be described below with reference to fig. 18-21.

Fig. 18 illustrates an example process 1800 of wireless communication in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. In an aspect, the process 1800 may be performed by a communication device, which may correspond to a UE (such as UE 302) (e.g., for UE-based positioning), a BS or a gNB (such as BS 304) (e.g., an LMF for integration in a RAN, or an LMF integrated by a gNB that formats data forwarded to a remote LMF), or a network entity 306 (e.g., a core network component (such as an LMF), a positioning estimation entity, a location server, etc.).

At 1810, the communication device (e.g., receiver 312 or 322, receiver 352 or 362, positioning module 342 or 388 or 389, processing system 334 or 384 or 394, network interface(s) 380 or 390, etc.) receives a residual AoD deviation associated with a first AoD measurement of an RS-P sent from a first base station to a wireless reference node having a known location. For example, RS-P may be measured at a wireless reference node. In one example, RS-P may correspond to DL-PRS if the wireless reference node corresponds to a reference UE (e.g., a UE whose location was recently obtained, a static or semi-static UE, etc.). In other designs, if the wireless reference node corresponds to the second base station, the RS-P may correspond to a PRS (e.g., configured similar to DL-PRS or a new PRS configuration for BS-to-BS positioning signaling). As will be described in more detail below, at 1810, the residual AoD bias may be received at the communication device from an external entity or information from which the residual AoD bias may be derived may be received at the communication device and then used to derive the residual AoD bias at 1810. The means for obtaining the residual AoD deviation at 1810 may include the receiver 312 or 322, the receiver 352 or 362, the positioning module 342 or 388 or 389, the processing system 334 or 384 or 394, the network interface(s) 380 or 390, and the like.

At 1820, the communication device (e.g., receiver 312 or 322, receiver 352 or 362, positioning module 342 or 388 or 389, processing system 334 or 384 or 394, network interface(s) 380 or 390, etc.) obtains a second AoD measurement associated with a downlink signal (e.g., DL-PRS) transmitted from the first base station to the UE. For example, the UE may correspond to a target UE on which positioning is performed. The means for obtaining the second AoD measurement at 1820 may include the receiver 312 or 322, the receiver 352 or 362, the positioning module 342 or 388 or 389, the processing system 334 or 384 or 394, the network interface(s) 380 or 390, and/or the like.

At 1830, the communication device (e.g., positioning module 342 or 388 or 389, processing system 334 or 384 or 394, etc.) calibrates the second AoD measurement based on the residual AoD bias. The means for calibrating the second AoD measurement at 1830 may include the positioning module 342 or 388 or 389, the processing system 334 or 384 or 394, or the like.

Referring to fig. 18, in some designs as described above, the residual AoD offset is received from the first base station or wireless reference node. In other designs, a first AoD measurement is received from a first base station or a wireless reference node (e.g., the first AoD measurement relayed from the first base station by the wireless reference node), and a residual AoD offset is derived at the communication device based on the first AoD measurement. For example, in a scenario where the wireless reference node corresponds to a reference gNB, the reference gNB may be equipped with an antenna array in order to perform digital Rx beam scanning to estimate AoD with a single RS-P (e.g., similar to AoA estimation). In this case, the reference gNB may report the estimated AoD directly to the LMF or the location server. In other designs, reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurements and beam pattern information are received from a first base station for deriving a first AoD measurement. In other designs, the beam pattern may be signaled from the LMF to the wireless reference node (e.g., the beam pattern sent by the first base station to the LMF, which in turn signals the beam pattern to the wireless reference node).

Referring to fig. 18, in some designs, the calibration of 1830 is performed in association with UE-based location estimation of the UE. In examples where the calibration of 1830 is performed in association with the UE-based location estimate of the UE, the communication device may correspond to a wireless reference node, and the wireless reference node may further transmit a residual AoD bias, a first AoD measurement, or an RSRP measurement to a Location Management Function (LMF), and/or may receive a beam pattern of the RS-P from which the first AoD measurement may be derived (e.g., may be derived directly from the first base station or via the LMF). In another example, the beam pattern is reported by the first base station, but need not be reported from the wireless reference node (e.g., the wireless reference node may instead report RSRP). In alternative examples where the calibration of 1830 is performed in association with the UE-based positioning estimate of the UE, the communication device may correspond to the UE, and the UE may receive the RSRP measurement of the RS-P and a beam pattern from which the first AoD measurement may be derived, or may receive the first AoD measurement (e.g., in which case the location of both the first base station and the wireless reference node may be signaled to the UE, which is used to derive the true AoD), or may receive the residual AoD bias (e.g., any of which may be used for the calibration of the UE at 1830). In another alternative example of performing 1830 calibration in association with UE-based location estimation of the UE, the communication device may correspond to the UE, and the LMF may send an AoD offset to the UE, which the UE uses to derive the calibrated second AoD measurement.

Referring to fig. 18, in some designs, the communication device corresponds to a location estimation entity (e.g., an LMF in the RAN or core network for network-based or UE-assisted location, a UE for UE-based location, etc.). In this case, the communication device may determine a location estimate for the UE based on the calibrated second AoD measurement.

Referring to fig. 18, in some designs, the communication device corresponds to a second base station or reference UE.

Referring to fig. 18, in some designs, the RS-P may correspond to a single-symbol Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) or a multi-symbol PRS (e.g., a legacy rel.16 PRS).

Referring to fig. 18, in some designs, the first AoD measurement may be triggered periodically, aperiodically, or on demand. In one example, a request for AoD calibration may be sent to a wireless reference node (e.g., reference gNB in this case) directly through Xn or F1 (e.g., central Unit (CU)/Distributed Unit (DU) split), periodically, aperiodically, or on-demand. The LMF may signal the time/frequency allocation (and possibly beam information) of the specifically requested PRS to the first base station. In some designs, the PRS may be associated with a PRS beam QCL for UE DL-AoD estimation.

Referring to fig. 18, in some designs, a wireless reference node may be selected from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a location, or a combination thereof. For example, since AoD bias may vary with true angle or even UE position, LMF may select a wireless reference node (e.g., reference gNB or UE) that is most aligned with the UE in the angle domain. In another example, since the bias in the frequency domain is not constant, the LMF may request the reference node (e.g., the gNB or the UE) to transmit a positioning RS that is close in the frequency domain to the downlink signal (e.g., DL-PRS) transmitted to the UE at 1820. Alternatively, the LMF may select a reference node (e.g., a gNB or UE) based on its carrier frequency for locating RS transmissions. In some designs, the selection may be based on a lookup operation in a lookup table (e.g., which may be configured with location area granularity).

Referring to fig. 18, in some designs, the first AoD measurement is obtained in association with a first corresponding timestamp, a first corresponding absolute AoD, an identifier of the wireless reference node, and an identifier of the first base station, or the second AoD measurement is obtained in association with a second corresponding timestamp, a second corresponding absolute AoD, an identifier of the UE, and an identifier of the first base station, or a combination thereof.

Referring to fig. 18, as described above, if equipped with an antenna array supporting digital Rx beam scanning, the wireless reference node may be able to perform AoD estimation (similar to AoA estimation) based on a single RS-P. A wireless reference node with such capability will typically correspond to a base station or a gNB. A wireless reference node base station indicates a capability indication of a second base station capable of performing digital receive (Rx) beamforming-based AoD estimation. In this case, RSRP measurements need not be accounted for in the AoD estimation.

Referring to fig. 18, in some designs, various mechanisms may be used to support UE-based positioning using DL-AoD with OTA calibration, as will now be described.

In a first example, the UE may receive (e.g., from the LMF) a beam pattern of positioning RSs transmitted from the first base station to the wireless reference node. The LMF may also signal to the UE the RSRP measurement(s) reported by the wireless reference node.

In a second example, the wireless reference node may obtain a beam pattern of positioning RSs transmitted from the first base station to the wireless reference node. The wireless reference node may estimate its DL-AoD based on the positioning RS measurements and corresponding beam pattern information. The wireless reference node may feed back the estimated DL-AoD to the LMF and the location server (or LMF) may then derive the DL-AoD offset. Alternatively, the wireless reference node may directly estimate the DL-AoD offset and report it to the location server. In yet another example, the LMF may signal the DL-AoD offset to the UE through the serving gNB. In signaling, the bias signaling may include a timestamp and an absolute AoD associated with the corresponding reference AoD measurement.

In a third example, the wireless reference node may report RSRP measurement(s) to the LMF. The LMF may then signal the DL-AoD offset to the UE through the serving gNB. In signaling, the bias signaling may include a timestamp and an absolute AoD associated with the corresponding reference AoD measurement.

In a fourth example, no assistance data about the beam pattern is needed. Instead, the wireless reference node (e.g., reference gNB) may report the AoD to a location server or LMF, which signals the AoD bias to the UE.

Fig. 19 illustrates an example embodiment 1900 of the process 1800 of fig. 18 in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure. In fig. 19, a base station 1902 (e.g., corresponding to the first base station referenced in the description of fig. 18), a first target UE 1904 (or UE 1), a first wireless reference node 1906, a second wireless reference node 1908, and a second target UE (or UE 2) are depicted. The first wireless reference node 1906 and the second wireless reference node 1908 may alternatively be denoted as wireless reference node 1 and wireless reference node 2, respectively, and either node may correspond to the wireless reference node described with reference to process 1800 of fig. 18. In fig. 19, a target UE 1904 receives downlink signals (e.g., DL-PRS) 1912 from a base station 1902, a first wireless reference node 1906 receives RS-P1914 (e.g., DL-PRS, new PRS type, etc.) from the base station 1902, a second wireless reference node 1908 receives RS-P1916 (e.g., DL-PRS, new PRS type, etc.) from the base station 1902, and the target UE 1902 receives downlink signals (e.g., DL-PRS) from the base station 1902. The target UE 1904, the first wireless reference node 1906, the second wireless reference node 1908, and the target UE 1910 each measure AoD (or RSRP, which in turn may be used to estimate AoD using knowledge of the beam pattern) relative to the RS-ps 1912-1918 described above, respectively. In some designs, the AoD bias determined from the AoD of the RS-P1914 may have been used to calibrate the AoD of the downlink signal (e.g., DL-PRS) 1912, and the AoD bias determined from the AoD of the RS-P1916 may be used to calibrate the AoD of the downlink signal (e.g., DL-PRS) 1918. In this case, the first wireless reference node 1906 may be selected for calibrating the target UE 1904 due to its alignment in angle, position, frequency domain, etc., and likewise, the second wireless reference node 1908 may be selected for calibrating the target UE 1910 due to its alignment in angle, position, frequency domain, etc.

Fig. 20 illustrates an example embodiment 2000 of the process 1800 of fig. 18 in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. 1902-1918 of fig. 20 are similar to 1902-1918 of fig. 19, respectively, except that the first wireless reference node 1906 and the second wireless reference node 1908 are shown in fig. 20 more specifically as gNB2006 and 2008, respectively. Fig. 19-20 are otherwise identical, and thus fig. 20 will not be discussed further for the sake of brevity.

Fig. 21 illustrates an example embodiment 2100 of the process 1800 of fig. 18 in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure. 2102-2118 of fig. 21 are similar to 1902-1918, respectively, of fig. 19, except that first wireless reference node 1906 and second wireless reference node 1908 are shown in fig. 21 more specifically as UEs 2106 and 2108, respectively. Fig. 19 and 21 are otherwise identical, and thus fig. 20 will not be discussed further for the sake of brevity.

In the detailed description above, it can be seen that the different features are grouped together in an example. This manner of disclosure should not be understood as an example clause having more features than are explicitly mentioned in each clause. Rather, aspects of the disclosure can include fewer than all of the features of a single example clause disclosed. Accordingly, the following clauses should be considered as being incorporated into the specification, each of which may itself be considered as a separate example. Although each subordinate clause may refer to a particular combination with one of the other clauses in the clauses, the aspect(s) of the subordinate clause are not limited to this particular combination. It should be understood that other example clauses may also include combinations of subordinate clause aspect(s) with the subject matter of any other subordinate clause or independent clause, or combinations of any feature with other subordinate and independent clauses. Various aspects disclosed herein expressly include such combinations unless expressly stated or it can be readily inferred that no particular combination (e.g., contradictory aspects such as defining elements as being both insulators and conductors) is intended. Furthermore, it is also intended that aspects of a clause may be included in any other independent clause even if the clause is not directly subordinate to the independent clause.

Examples of implementations are described in the following numbered clauses:

clause 1: a method of operating a communication device, comprising: obtaining a residual angular of arrival (AoA) offset associated with a first AoA measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a wireless reference node to a first base station, the wireless reference node being associated with a location known to the communication device; obtaining a second angle of arrival (AoA) measurement associated with an uplink signal transmitted from a User Equipment (UE) to the first base station; and calibrating the second AoA measurement based on the residual AoA bias.

Clause 2: the method of clause 1, wherein the uplink signal corresponds to a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) signal, or wherein the uplink signal corresponds to a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), or wherein the uplink signal corresponds to an SRS for positioning (SRS-P), or a combination thereof.

Clause 3: the method of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the residual AoA bias is received from the first base station, or wherein the first AoA measurement is received from the first base station and the residual AoA bias is derived at the communication device based on the first AoA measurement.

Clause 4: the method of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the communication device corresponds to a positioning estimation entity, further comprising: a location estimate for the UE is determined based on the calibrated second AoA measurement.

Clause 5: the method of any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the communication device corresponds to a first base station, further comprising: the calibrated second AoA measurement is sent to the location estimation entity for location estimation of the UE.

Clause 6: the method of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station or reference UE, or wherein the RS-P corresponds to a single-symbol Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) or a multi-symbol PRS, or wherein the first AoA measurement is triggered periodically, aperiodically, or on-demand, or any combination thereof.

Clause 7: the method of any one of clauses 1 to 6, further comprising: a wireless reference node is selected from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a location, or a combination thereof.

Clause 8: the method of clause 7, wherein the selecting is based on a look-up table.

Clause 9: the method of any of clauses 1-8, wherein the first AoA measurement comprises a first respective timestamp, a first respective absolute AoA, an identifier of the wireless reference node, and an identifier of the first base station, or wherein the second AoA measurement comprises a second respective timestamp, a second respective absolute AoA, an identifier of the UE, and an identifier of the first base station, or a combination thereof.

Clause 10: a method of operating a communication device, comprising: obtaining a residual AoD bias associated with a first angle of departure (AoD) measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a first base station to a wireless reference node having a known location; obtaining a second AoD measurement associated with a downlink signal transmitted from a first base station to a User Equipment (UE); and calibrating the second AoD measurement based on the residual AoD deviation.

Clause 11: the method of clause 10, wherein the downlink signal corresponds to a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS).

Clause 12: the method of any of clauses 10 to 11, wherein the residual AoD bias is received from the first base station or the wireless reference node, or wherein the first AoD measurement is received from the first base station or the wireless reference node and the residual AoD bias is derived at the communication device based on the first AoD measurement, or wherein the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement and the beam pattern information are received from the first base station or the wireless reference node for deriving the first AoD measurement.

Clause 13: the method of any of clauses 10 to 12, wherein calibrating is performed in association with UE-based positioning estimation of the UE.

Clause 14: the method of clause 13, wherein the communication device corresponds to a wireless reference node, further comprising: the residual AoD offset, the first AoD measurement, or a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement of the RS-P is transmitted to a Location Management Function (LMF), or a beam pattern of the RS-P is received from which the first AoD measurement may be derived.

Clause 15: the method of any of clauses 13-14, wherein the communication device corresponds to a UE, further comprising: a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement of the received RS-P and a beam pattern from which a first AoD measurement may be derived, or a first AoD measurement may be received, or a residual AoD offset may be received.

Clause 16: the method of clause 15, wherein the residual AoD bias is received from a Location Management Function (LMF).

Clause 17: the method of any of clauses 10-16, wherein the communication device corresponds to a positioning estimation entity, further comprising: a location estimate for the UE is determined based on the calibrated second AoD measurement.

Clause 18: the method of any of clauses 10 to 17, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station or reference UE, or wherein the RS-P corresponds to a single symbol Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) or a multi-symbol PRS, or wherein the first AoD measurement is triggered periodically, aperiodically, or on-demand, or any combination thereof.

Clause 19: the method of any of clauses 10 to 18, further comprising: a wireless reference node is selected from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a location, or a combination thereof.

Clause 20: the method of clause 19, wherein the selecting is based on a look-up table.

Clause 21: the method of clause 20, wherein the first AoD measurement is obtained in association with a first respective timestamp, a first respective absolute AoD, an identifier of the wireless reference node, and an identifier of the first base station, or wherein the second AoD measurement is obtained in association with a second respective timestamp, a second respective absolute AoD, an identifier of the UE, and an identifier of the first base station, or a combination thereof.

Clause 22: the method of any of clauses 10 to 21, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station, further comprising: a capability indication is received from the second base station indicating that the second base station is capable of performing digital receive (Rx) beamforming-based AoD estimation.

Clause 23: a communication device, comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: obtaining a residual angular of arrival (AoA) offset associated with a first AoA measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a wireless reference node to a first base station, the wireless reference node being associated with a location known to the communication device; obtaining a second angle of arrival (AoA) measurement associated with an uplink signal transmitted from a User Equipment (UE) to the first base station; and calibrating the second AoA measurement based on the residual AoA bias.

Clause 24: the communication device of clause 23, wherein the uplink signal corresponds to a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) signal, or wherein the uplink signal corresponds to a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), or wherein the uplink signal corresponds to an SRS for positioning (SRS-P), or a combination thereof.

Clause 25: the communication device of any of clauses 23 to 24, wherein the residual AoA bias is received from the first base station, or wherein the first AoA measurement is received from the first base station and the residual AoA bias is derived at the communication device based on the first AoA measurement.

Clause 26: the communication device of any of clauses 23-25, wherein the communication device corresponds to a positioning estimation entity, further comprising: a location estimate for the UE is determined based on the calibrated second AoA measurement.

Clause 27: the communication device of any of clauses 23 to 26, wherein the communication device corresponds to a first base station, further comprising: the calibrated second AoA measurement is sent via the at least one transceiver to the location estimation entity for location estimation of the UE.

Clause 28: the communication device of any of clauses 23-27, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station or reference UE, or wherein the RS-P corresponds to a single-symbol Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) or a multi-symbol PRS, or wherein the first AoA measurement is triggered periodically, aperiodically, or on-demand, or any combination thereof.

Clause 29: the communication device of any of clauses 23-28, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: a wireless reference node is selected from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a location, or a combination thereof.

Clause 30: the communication device of clause 29, wherein the selecting is based on a look-up table.

Clause 31: the communication device of any of clauses 23-30, wherein the first AoA measurement comprises a first respective timestamp, a first respective absolute AoA, an identifier of the wireless reference node, and an identifier of the first base station, or wherein the second AoA measurement comprises a second respective timestamp, a second respective absolute AoA, an identifier of the UE, and an identifier of the first base station, or a combination thereof.

Clause 32: a communication device, comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: obtaining a residual AoD bias associated with a first angle of departure (AoD) measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a first base station to a wireless reference node having a known location; obtaining a second AoD measurement associated with a downlink signal transmitted from a first base station to a User Equipment (UE); and calibrating the second AoD measurement based on the residual AoD deviation.

Clause 33: the communication device of clause 32, wherein the downlink signal corresponds to a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS).

Clause 34: the communication device of any of clauses 32 to 33, wherein the residual AoD bias is received from the first base station or the wireless reference node, or wherein the first AoD measurement is received from the first base station or the wireless reference node, and the residual AoD bias is derived at the communication device based on the first AoD measurement, or wherein the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement and the beam pattern information are received from the first base station or the wireless reference node for deriving the first AoD measurement.

Clause 35: the communication device of any of clauses 32 to 34, wherein the calibration is performed in association with a UE-based positioning estimate of the UE.

Clause 36: the communication device of clause 35, wherein the communication device corresponds to a wireless reference node, further comprising: the residual AoD offset, the first AoD measurement, or a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement of the RS-P is transmitted via at least one transceiver to a Location Management Function (LMF), or a beam pattern of the RS-P is received via at least one transceiver from which the first AoD measurement may be derived.

Clause 37: the communication device of any of clauses 35 to 36, wherein the communication device corresponds to a UE, further comprising: the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement of the RS-P and a beam pattern from which the first AoD measurement may be derived are received via the at least one transceiver, or the first AoD measurement is received via the at least one transceiver, or the residual AoD offset is received via the at least one transceiver.

Clause 38: the communication device of clause 37, wherein the residual AoD deviation is received from a Location Management Function (LMF).

Clause 39: the communication device of any of clauses 32-38, wherein the communication device corresponds to a positioning estimation entity, further comprising: a location estimate for the UE is determined based on the calibrated second AoD measurement.

Clause 40: the communication device of any of clauses 32 to 39, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station or reference UE, or wherein the RS-P corresponds to a single symbol Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) or a multi-symbol PRS, or wherein the first AoD measurement is triggered periodically, aperiodically, or on-demand, or any combination thereof.

Clause 41: the communication device of any of clauses 32 to 40, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: a wireless reference node is selected from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a location, or a combination thereof.

Clause 42: the communication device of clause 41, wherein the selecting is based on a look-up table.

Clause 43: the communication device of clause 42, wherein the first AoD measurement is obtained in association with a first respective timestamp, a first respective absolute AoD, an identifier of the wireless reference node, and an identifier of the first base station, or wherein the second AoD measurement is obtained in association with a second respective timestamp, a second respective absolute AoD, an identifier of the UE, and an identifier of the first base station, or a combination thereof.

Clause 44: the communication device of any of clauses 32 to 43, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station, further comprising: a capability indication is received from a second base station via at least one transceiver indicating that the second base station is capable of performing digital receive (Rx) beamforming-based AoD estimation.

Clause 45: a communication device, comprising: means for obtaining a residual angular of arrival (AoA) offset associated with a first AoA measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a wireless reference node to a first base station, the wireless reference node being associated with a location known to the communication device; means for obtaining a second angle of arrival (AoA) measurement associated with an uplink signal transmitted from a User Equipment (UE) to a first base station; and means for calibrating the second AoA measurement based on the residual AoA bias.

Clause 46: the communication device of clause 45, wherein the uplink signal corresponds to a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) signal, or wherein the uplink signal corresponds to a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), or wherein the uplink signal corresponds to an SRS for positioning (SRS-P), or a combination thereof.

Clause 47: the communication device of any of clauses 45 to 46, wherein the residual AoA bias is received from the first base station, or wherein the first AoA measurement is received from the first base station and the residual AoA bias is derived at the communication device based on the first AoA measurement.

Clause 48: the communication device of any of clauses 45-47, wherein the communication device corresponds to a positioning estimation entity, further comprising: means for determining a location estimate for the UE based on the calibrated second AoA measurement.

Clause 49: the communication device of any of clauses 45-48, wherein the communication device corresponds to a first base station, further comprising: means for transmitting the calibrated second AoA measurement to a location estimation entity for location estimation of the UE.

Clause 50: the communication device of any of clauses 45-49, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station or reference UE, or wherein the RS-P corresponds to a single-symbol Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) or a multi-symbol PRS, or wherein the first AoA measurement is triggered periodically, aperiodically, or on-demand, or any combination thereof.

Clause 51: the communication device of any of clauses 45-50, further comprising: means for selecting a wireless reference node from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a position, or a combination thereof.

Clause 52: the communication device of clause 51, wherein the selecting is based on a look-up table.

Clause 53: the communication device of any of clauses 45-52, wherein the first AoA measurement comprises a first respective timestamp, a first respective absolute AoA, an identifier of the wireless reference node, and an identifier of the first base station, or wherein the second AoA measurement comprises a second respective timestamp, a second respective absolute AoA, an identifier of the UE, and an identifier of the first base station, or a combination thereof.

Clause 54: a communication device, comprising: means for obtaining a residual AoD bias associated with a first angle of departure (AoD) measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a first base station to a wireless reference node having a known location; means for obtaining a second AoD measurement associated with a downlink signal transmitted from a first base station to a User Equipment (UE); and means for calibrating the second AoD measurement based on the residual AoD deviation.

Clause 55: the communication device of clause 54, wherein the downlink signal corresponds to a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS).

Clause 56: the communication device of any of clauses 54 to 55, wherein the residual AoD bias is received from the first base station or the wireless reference node, or wherein the first AoD measurement is received from the first base station or the wireless reference node, and the residual AoD bias is derived at the communication device based on the first AoD measurement, or wherein the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement and the beam pattern information are received from the first base station or the wireless reference node for deriving the first AoD measurement.

Clause 57: the communication device of any of clauses 54 to 56, wherein the calibration is performed in association with a UE-based positioning estimate of the UE.

Clause 58: the communication device of clause 57, wherein the communication device corresponds to a wireless reference node, further comprising: means for transmitting to a Location Management Function (LMF) a residual AoD offset, a first AoD measurement or a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement of the RS-P, or means for receiving a beam pattern of the RS-P from which the first AoD measurement may be derived.

Clause 59: the communication device of any of clauses 57-58, wherein the communication device corresponds to a UE, further comprising: means for receiving Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurements of RS-P and a beam pattern from which a first AoD measurement can be derived, or means for receiving the first AoD measurement, or means for receiving a residual AoD offset.

Clause 60: the communication device of clause 59, wherein the residual AoD deviation is received from a Location Management Function (LMF).

Clause 61: the communication device of any of clauses 54-60, wherein the communication device corresponds to a positioning estimation entity, further comprising: means for determining a location estimate for the UE based on the calibrated second AoD measurement.

Clause 62: the communication device of any of clauses 54-61, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station or reference UE, or wherein the RS-P corresponds to a single-symbol Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) or a multi-symbol PRS, or wherein the first AoD measurement is triggered periodically, aperiodically, or on-demand, or any combination thereof.

Clause 63: the communication device of any of clauses 54-62, further comprising: means for selecting a wireless reference node from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a position, or a combination thereof.

Clause 64: the communication device of clause 63, wherein the selecting is based on a look-up table.

Clause 65: the communication device of clause 64, wherein the first AoD measurement is obtained in association with a first respective timestamp, a first respective absolute AoD, an identifier of the wireless reference node, and an identifier of the first base station, or wherein the second AoD measurement is obtained in association with a second respective timestamp, a second respective absolute AoD, an identifier of the UE, and an identifier of the first base station, or a combination thereof.

Clause 66: the communication device of any of clauses 54 to 65, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station, further comprising: means for receiving, from a second base station, a capability indication indicating that the second base station is capable of performing digital receive (Rx) beamforming-based AoD estimation.

Clause 67: a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to: obtaining a residual angular of arrival (AoA) offset associated with a first AoA measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a wireless reference node to a first base station, the wireless reference node being associated with a location known to the communication device; obtaining a second angle of arrival (AoA) measurement associated with an uplink signal transmitted from a User Equipment (UE) to the first base station; and calibrating the second AoA measurement based on the residual AoA bias.

Clause 68: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 67, wherein the uplink signal corresponds to a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) signal, or wherein the uplink signal corresponds to a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), or wherein the uplink signal corresponds to an SRS for positioning (SRS-P), or a combination thereof.

Clause 69: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of clauses 67-68, wherein the residual AoA bias is received from the first base station, or wherein the first AoA measurement is received from the first base station, and the residual AoA bias is derived at the communication device based on the first AoA measurement.

Clause 70: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of clauses 67-69, wherein the communication device corresponds to a positioning estimation entity, further comprising: a location estimate for the UE is determined based on the calibrated second AoA measurement.

Clause 71: the non-transitory computer readable medium of any one of clauses 67 to 70, wherein the communication device corresponds to the first base station, further comprising: the calibrated second AoA measurement is sent to a location estimation entity for location estimation of the UE.

Clause 72: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of clauses 67-71, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station or reference UE, or wherein the RS-P corresponds to a single-symbol Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) or a multi-symbol PRS, or wherein the first AoA measurement is triggered periodically, aperiodically, or on-demand, or any combination thereof.

Clause 73: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of clauses 67-72, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to: a wireless reference node is selected from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a location, or a combination thereof.

Clause 74: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 73, wherein the selecting is based on a look-up table.

Clause 75: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of clauses 67-74, wherein the first AoA measurement comprises a first respective timestamp, a first respective absolute AoA, an identifier of the wireless reference node, and an identifier of the first base station, or wherein the second AoA measurement comprises a second respective timestamp, a second respective absolute AoA, an identifier of the UE, and an identifier of the first base station, or a combination thereof.

Clause 76: a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to: obtaining a residual AoD bias associated with a first angle of departure (AoD) measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a first base station to a wireless reference node having a known location; obtaining a second AoD measurement associated with a downlink signal transmitted from a first base station to a User Equipment (UE); and calibrating the second AoD measurement based on the residual AoD deviation.

Clause 77: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 76, wherein the downlink signal corresponds to a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS).

Clause 78: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of clauses 76 to 77, wherein the residual AoD bias is received from the first base station or the wireless reference node, or wherein the first AoD measurement is received from the first base station or the wireless reference node, and the residual AoD bias is derived at the communication device based on the first AoD measurement, or wherein the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement and the beam pattern information are received from the first base station or the wireless reference node for deriving the first AoD measurement.

Clause 79: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of clauses 76-78, wherein calibrating is performed in association with UE-based location estimation of the UE.

Clause 80: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 79, wherein the communication device corresponds to a wireless reference node, further comprising: the residual AoD offset, the first AoD measurement, or a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement of the RS-P is transmitted to a Location Management Function (LMF), or a beam pattern of the RS-P is received from which the first AoD measurement may be derived.

Clause 81: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of clauses 79-80, wherein the communication device corresponds to a UE, further comprising: a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement of the received RS-P and a beam pattern from which a first AoD measurement may be derived, or a first AoD measurement may be received, or a residual AoD offset may be received.

Clause 82: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 81, wherein the residual AoD bias is received from a Location Management Function (LMF).

Clause 83: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of clauses 76-82, wherein the communication device corresponds to a location estimation entity, further comprising: a location estimate for the UE is determined based on the calibrated second AoD measurement.

Clause 84: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 76-83, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station or reference UE, or wherein the RS-P corresponds to a single-symbol Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) or a multi-symbol PRS, or wherein the first AoD measurement is triggered periodically, aperiodically, or on-demand, or any combination thereof.

Clause 85: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of clauses 76-84, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to: a wireless reference node is selected from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a location, or a combination thereof.

Clause 86: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 85, wherein the selecting is based on a look-up table.

Clause 87: the non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 86, wherein the first AoD measurement is obtained in association with a first respective timestamp, a first respective absolute AoD, an identifier of the wireless reference node, and an identifier of the first base station, or wherein the second AoD measurement is obtained in association with a second respective timestamp, a second respective absolute AoD, an identifier of the UE, and an identifier of the first base station, or a combination thereof.

Clause 88: the non-transitory computer readable medium of any one of clauses 76-87, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station, further comprising: a capability indication is received from the second base station indicating that the second base station is capable of performing digital receive (Rx) beamforming-based AoD estimation.

Other examples of implementations are described in the following numbered clauses:

clause 1: a method of operating a communication device, comprising: obtaining a residual angular of arrival (AoA) offset associated with a first AoA measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a wireless reference node to a first base station, the wireless reference node being associated with a location known to the communication device; obtaining a second angle of arrival (AoA) measurement associated with an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS-P) transmitted from a User Equipment (UE) to the first base station for positioning; and calibrating the second AoA measurement based on the residual AoA bias.

Clause 2: the method of clause 1, wherein the residual AoA bias is received from the first base station, or wherein the first AoA measurement is received from the first base station and the residual AoA bias is derived at the communication device based on the first AoA measurement.

Clause 3: the method of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the communication device corresponds to a positioning estimation entity, further comprising: a location estimate for the UE is determined based on the calibrated second AoA measurement.

Clause 4: the method of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the communication device corresponds to a first base station, further comprising: the calibrated second AoA measurement is sent to the location estimation entity for location estimation of the UE.

Clause 5: the method of any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station or a reference UE.

Clause 6: the method of any one of clauses 1-5, wherein RS-P corresponds to a single symbol Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) or a multi-symbol PRS.

Clause 7: the method of any of clauses 1-6, wherein the first AoA measurement is triggered periodically, aperiodically, or on demand.

Clause 8: the method of any of clauses 1-7, further comprising: a wireless reference node is selected from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a location, or a combination thereof.

Clause 9: the method of any of clauses 1-8, wherein the first AoA measurement comprises a first respective timestamp, a first respective absolute AoA, an identifier of the wireless reference node, and an identifier of the first base station, or wherein the second AoA measurement comprises a second respective timestamp, a second respective absolute AoA, an identifier of the UE, and an identifier of the first base station, or a combination thereof.

Clause 10: a method of operating a communication device, comprising: obtaining a residual AoD bias associated with a first angle of departure (AoD) measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a first base station to a wireless reference node having a known location; obtaining a second AoD measurement associated with a downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) transmitted from a first base station to a User Equipment (UE); and calibrating the second AoD measurement based on the residual AoD deviation.

Clause 11: the method of any of clauses 11 to 10, wherein the residual AoD bias is received from the first base station or the wireless reference node, or wherein the first AoD measurement is received from the first base station or the wireless reference node and the residual AoD bias is derived at the communication device based on the first AoD measurement, or wherein the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement and the beam pattern information are received from the first base station or the wireless reference node for deriving the first AoD measurement.

Clause 12: the method of clause 11, wherein calibrating is performed in association with UE-based location estimation of the UE.

Clause 13: the method of any of clauses 13-12, wherein the communication device corresponds to a wireless reference node, further comprising: the residual AoD offset, the first AoD measurement, or a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement of the RS-P is transmitted to a Location Management Function (LMF), or a beam pattern of the RS-P is received from which the first AoD measurement may be derived.

Clause 14: the method of clause 13, wherein the communication device corresponds to a UE, further comprising: a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement of the received RS-P and a beam pattern from which a first AoD measurement may be derived, or a first AoD measurement may be received, or a residual AoD offset may be received.

Clause 15: the method of any of clauses 15-14, wherein the residual AoD bias is received from a Location Management Function (LMF).

Clause 16: the method of any of clauses 10 to 15, wherein the communication device corresponds to a positioning estimation entity, further comprising: a location estimate for the UE is determined based on the calibrated second AoD measurement.

Clause 17: the method of any of clauses 10 to 16, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station or a reference UE.

Clause 18: the method of any of clauses 10 to 17, wherein RS-P corresponds to a single symbol Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) or a multi-symbol PRS.

Clause 19: the method of any of clauses 10 to 18, wherein the first AoD measurement is triggered periodically, aperiodically, or on demand.

Clause 20: the method of any of clauses 10 to 19, further comprising: a wireless reference node is selected from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a location, or a combination thereof.

Clause 21: the method of any of clauses 10 to 20, wherein the first AoD measurement is obtained in association with a first respective timestamp, a first respective absolute AoD, an identifier of the wireless reference node, and an identifier of the first base station, or wherein the second AoD measurement is obtained in association with a second respective timestamp, a second respective absolute AoD, an identifier of the UE, and an identifier of the first base station, or a combination thereof.

Clause 22: the method of any of clauses 10 to 21, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station, the method further comprising: a capability indication is received from the second base station indicating that the second base station is capable of performing digital receive (Rx) beamforming-based AoD estimation.

Clause 23: a communication device, comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: obtaining a residual angular of arrival (AoA) offset associated with a first AoA measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a wireless reference node to a first base station, the wireless reference node being associated with a location known to the communication device; obtaining a second angle of arrival (AoA) measurement associated with an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS-P) transmitted from a User Equipment (UE) to the first base station for positioning; and calibrating the second AoA measurement based on the residual AoA bias.

Clause 24: the communication device of any of clauses 24 to 23, wherein the residual AoA bias is received from the first base station, or wherein the first AoA measurement is received from the first base station and the residual AoA bias is derived at the communication device based on the first AoA measurement.

Clause 25: the communication device of any of clauses 1-24, wherein the communication device corresponds to a positioning estimation entity, further comprising: a location estimate for the UE is determined based on the calibrated second AoA measurement.

Clause 26: the communication device of any of clauses 24 to 25, wherein the communication device corresponds to a first base station, further comprising: the calibrated second AoA measurement is sent to the location estimation entity for location estimation of the UE.

Clause 27: the communication device of any of clauses 24 to 26, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station or reference UE.

Clause 28: the communication device of any of clauses 24-27, wherein RS-P corresponds to a single symbol Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) or a multi-symbol PRS.

Clause 29: the communication device of any of clauses 24 to 28, wherein the first AoA measurement is triggered periodically, aperiodically, or on demand.

Clause 30: the communication device of any of clauses 24-29, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: a wireless reference node is selected from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a location, or a combination thereof.

Clause 31: the communication device of any of clauses 24 to 30, wherein the first AoA measurement comprises a first respective timestamp, a first respective absolute AoA, an identifier of the wireless reference node, and an identifier of the first base station, or wherein the second AoA measurement comprises a second respective timestamp, a second respective absolute AoA, an identifier of the UE, and an identifier of the first base station, or a combination thereof.

Clause 32: a communication device, comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: obtaining a residual AoD bias associated with a first angle of departure (AoD) measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a first base station to a wireless reference node having a known location; obtaining a second AoD measurement associated with a downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) transmitted from a first base station to a User Equipment (UE); and calibrating the second AoD measurement based on the residual AoD deviation.

Clause 33: the communication device of any of clauses 34 to 32, wherein the residual AoD bias is received from the first base station or the wireless reference node, or wherein the first AoD measurement is received from the first base station or the wireless reference node, and the residual AoD bias is derived at the communication device based on the first AoD measurement, or wherein the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement and the beam pattern information are received from the first base station or the wireless reference node for deriving the first AoD measurement.

Clause 34: the communication device of any of clauses 34 to 33, wherein the calibration is performed in association with a UE-based positioning estimate of the UE.

Clause 35: the communication device of any of clauses 36-34, wherein the communication device corresponds to a wireless reference node, further comprising: the residual AoD offset, the first AoD measurement, or a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement of the RS-P is transmitted to a Location Management Function (LMF), or a beam pattern of the RS-P is received from which the first AoD measurement may be derived.

Clause 36: the communication device of any of clauses 36 to 35, wherein the communication device corresponds to a UE, further comprising: a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement of the received RS-P and a beam pattern from which a first AoD measurement may be derived, or a first AoD measurement may be received, or a residual AoD offset may be received.

Clause 37: the communication device of any of clauses 35 to 36, wherein the residual AoD deviation is received from a Location Management Function (LMF).

Clause 38: the communication device of any of clauses 34-37, wherein the communication device corresponds to a positioning estimation entity, further comprising: a location estimate for the UE is determined based on the calibrated second AoD measurement.

Clause 39: the communication device of any of clauses 34 to 38, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station or reference UE.

Clause 40: the communication device of any of clauses 34-39, wherein RS-P corresponds to a single symbol Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) or a multi-symbol PRS.

Clause 41: the communication device of any of clauses 34 to 40, wherein the first AoD measurement is triggered periodically, aperiodically, or on demand.

Clause 42: the communication device of any of clauses 34 to 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: a wireless reference node is selected from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a location, or a combination thereof.

Clause 43: the communication device of any of clauses 34-42, wherein the first AoD measurement is obtained in association with a first respective timestamp, a first respective absolute AoD, an identifier of the wireless reference node, and an identifier of the first base station, or wherein the second AoD measurement is obtained in association with a second respective timestamp, a second respective absolute AoD, an identifier of the UE, and an identifier of the first base station, or a combination thereof.

Clause 44: the communication device of any of clauses 34 to 43, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station, further comprising: a capability indication is received from the second base station indicating that the second base station is capable of performing digital receive (Rx) beamforming-based AoD estimation.

Clause 45: an apparatus comprising a memory, a transceiver, and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the transceiver, the memory, transceiver, and processor configured to perform the method of any of clauses 1-44.

Clause 46: an apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any one of clauses 1 to 44.

Clause 47: a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions comprising at least one instruction for causing a computer or processor to perform the method according to any one of clauses 1 to 44.

Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

Furthermore, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

The methods, sequences, and/or algorithms described in connection with the various aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in random access Memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), flash Memory, read-Only Memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (Erasable Programmable ROM, EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM, EEPROM), registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal (e.g., UE). In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

In one or more exemplary aspects, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, these functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Further, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (Digital Subscriber Line, DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and Disc, as used herein, includes Compact Disc (CD), laser Disc, optical Disc, digital versatile Disc (Digital Versatile Disc, DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray Disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

While the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative aspects of the disclosure, it should be noted that various changes and modifications could be made herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The functions, steps and/or actions of the method claims in accordance with the aspects of the disclosure described herein need not be performed in any particular order. Furthermore, although elements of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.

Claims (44)

1. A method of operating a communication device, comprising:

obtaining a residual AoA offset associated with a first angle of arrival, aoA, measurement of a reference signal (RS-P) for positioning transmitted from a wireless reference node to a first base station, the wireless reference node being associated with a location known to the communication device;

obtaining a second AoA measurement associated with an uplink signal transmitted from a user equipment UE to the first base station; and

the second AoA measurement is calibrated based on the residual AoA bias.

2. The method according to claim 1,

wherein the uplink signal corresponds to a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) signal, or

Wherein the uplink signal corresponds to a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), or

Wherein the uplink signal corresponds to SRS (SRS-P) for positioning, or

A combination thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1,

wherein the residual AoA bias is received from the first base station, or

Wherein the first AoA measurement is received from the first base station and the residual AoA bias is derived at the communication device based on the first AoA measurement.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication device corresponds to a location estimation entity, further comprising:

a location estimate for the UE is determined based on the calibrated second AoA measurement.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication device corresponds to the first base station, further comprising:

and sending the calibrated second AoA measurement to a positioning estimation entity for positioning estimation of the UE.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises,

wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station or reference UE, or

Wherein the RS-P corresponds to a single symbol Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) or a multi-symbol PRS, or

Wherein the first AoA measurement is triggered periodically, aperiodically or on demand, or,

Any combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the wireless reference node is selected from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a position, or a combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the selecting is based on a look-up table.

9. The method according to claim 1,

wherein the first AoA measurement comprises a first respective timestamp, a first respective absolute AoA, an identifier of the wireless reference node, and an identifier of the first base station, or

Wherein the second AoA measurement comprises a second corresponding timestamp, a second corresponding absolute AoA, an identifier of the UE and an identifier of the first base station, or,

a combination thereof.

10. A method of operating a communication device, comprising:

obtaining a residual AoD offset associated with a first angle of departure AoD measurement of a reference signal RS-P for positioning sent from a first base station to a wireless reference node having a known location;

obtaining a second AoD measurement associated with a downlink signal transmitted from the first base station to a user equipment UE; and

The second AoD measurement is calibrated based on the residual AoD deviation.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the downlink signal corresponds to a positioning reference signal, PRS.

12. The method according to claim 10,

wherein the residual AoD offset is received from the first base station or the wireless reference node, or

Wherein the first AoD measurement is received from the first base station or the wireless reference node and the residual AoD offset is derived at the communication device based on the first AoD measurement, or

Wherein reference signal received power, RSRP, measurements and beam pattern information are received from the first base station or the wireless reference node for deriving the first AoD measurements.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the calibrating is performed in association with a UE-based positioning estimate of the UE.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the communication device corresponds to the wireless reference node, the method further comprising:

transmitting the residual AoD offset, the first AoD measurement or a reference signal received power RSRP measurement of the RS-P to a Location Management Function (LMF), or

The beam pattern of the RS-P is received from which the first AoD measurement may be derived.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the communication device corresponds to the UE, further comprising:

a reference signal received power, RSRP, measurement and a beam pattern from which the first AoD measurement may be derived, for receiving the RS-P, or

Receiving the first AoD measurement, or

The residual AoD deviation is received.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the residual AoD bias is received from a Location Management Function (LMF).

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the communication device corresponds to a location estimation entity, further comprising:

a location estimate for the UE is determined based on the calibrated second AoD measurement.

18. A method according to claim 10, wherein the method comprises,

wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station or reference UE, or

Wherein the RS-P corresponds to a single symbol positioning reference signal PRS or a multi-symbol PRS, or

Wherein the first AoD measurement is triggered periodically, aperiodically or on demand, or,

any combination thereof.

19. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

The wireless reference node is selected from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a position, or a combination thereof.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the selecting is based on a look-up table.

21. The method according to claim 20,

wherein the first AoD measurement is obtained in association with a first respective timestamp, a first respective absolute AoD, an identifier of the wireless reference node and an identifier of the first base station, or

Wherein the second AoD measurement is obtained in association with a second corresponding timestamp, a second corresponding absolute AoD, an identifier of the UE and an identifier of the first base station, or,

a combination thereof.

22. The method of claim 10, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station, further comprising:

a capability indication is received from the second base station indicating that the second base station is capable of performing digital receive Rx beamforming based AoD estimation.

23. A communication device, comprising:

a memory;

at least one transceiver; and

at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to:

Obtaining a residual AoA offset associated with a first angle of arrival, aoA, measurement of a reference signal, RS-P, for positioning sent from a wireless reference node to a first base station, the wireless reference node being associated with a location known to the communication device;

obtaining a second AoA measurement associated with an uplink signal transmitted from a user equipment UE to the first base station; and

the second AoA measurement is calibrated based on the residual AoA bias.

24. The communication device according to claim 23,

wherein the uplink signal corresponds to a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) signal, or

Wherein the uplink signal corresponds to a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), or

Wherein the uplink signal corresponds to an SRS for positioning (SRS-P), or,

a combination thereof.

25. The communication device according to claim 23,

wherein the residual AoA bias is received from the first base station, or

Wherein the first AoA measurement is received from the first base station and the residual AoA bias is derived at the communication device based on the first AoA measurement.

26. The communication device of claim 23, wherein the communication device corresponds to a location estimation entity, further comprising:

A location estimate for the UE is determined based on the calibrated second AoA measurement.

27. The communication device of claim 23, wherein the communication device corresponds to the first base station, further comprising:

the calibrated second AoA measurement is sent via the at least one transceiver to a location estimation entity for location estimation of the UE.

28. The communication device according to claim 23,

wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station or reference UE, or

Wherein the RS-P corresponds to a single symbol positioning reference signal PRS or a multi-symbol PRS, or

Wherein the first AoA measurement is triggered periodically, aperiodically or on demand, or,

any combination thereof.

29. The communication device of claim 23, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

the wireless reference node is selected from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a position, or a combination thereof.

30. The communication device of claim 29, wherein the selection is based on a look-up table.

31. The communication device according to claim 23,

Wherein the first AoA measurement comprises a first respective timestamp, a first respective absolute AoA, an identifier of the wireless reference node, and an identifier of the first base station, or

Wherein the second AoA measurement comprises a second corresponding timestamp, a second corresponding absolute AoA, an identifier of the UE and an identifier of the first base station, or,

a combination thereof.

32. A communication device, comprising:

a memory;

at least one transceiver; and

at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to:

obtaining a residual AoD offset associated with a first angle of departure AoD measurement of a reference signal RS-P for positioning sent from a first base station to a wireless reference node having a known location;

obtaining a second AoD measurement associated with a downlink signal transmitted from the first base station to a user equipment UE; and

the second AoD measurement is calibrated based on the residual AoD deviation.

33. The communication device of claim 32, wherein the downlink signal corresponds to a positioning reference signal PRS.

34. The communication device according to claim 32,

Wherein the residual AoD offset is received from the first base station or the wireless reference node, or

Wherein the first AoD measurement is received from the first base station or the wireless reference node and the residual AoD offset is derived at the communication device based on the first AoD measurement, or

Wherein reference signal received power, RSRP, measurements and beam pattern information are received from the first base station or the wireless reference node for deriving the first AoD measurements.

35. The communication device of claim 32, wherein the calibration is performed in association with a UE-based location estimate of the UE.

36. The communication device of claim 35, wherein the communication device corresponds to the wireless reference node, further comprising:

transmitting the residual AoD offset, the first AoD measurement or a reference signal received power, RSRP, measurement of the RS-P via the at least one transceiver to a location management function, LMF, or

The first AoD measurement may be derived from a beam pattern of the RS-P received via the at least one transceiver.

37. The communication device of claim 35, wherein the communication device corresponds to the UE, further comprising:

Receiving reference signal received power, RSRP, measurements and a beam pattern of the RS-P via the at least one transceiver, from which the first AoD measurement may be derived, or

Receiving the first AoD measurement via the at least one transceiver, or

The residual AoD offset is received via the at least one transceiver.

38. A communication device according to claim 37, wherein the residual AoD offset is received from a location management function, LMF.

39. The communication device of claim 32, wherein the communication device corresponds to a location estimation entity, further comprising:

a location estimate for the UE is determined based on the calibrated second AoD measurement.

40. The communication device according to claim 32,

wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station or reference UE, or

Wherein the RS-P corresponds to a single symbol positioning reference signal PRS or a multi-symbol PRS, or

Wherein the first AoD measurement is triggered periodically, aperiodically or on demand, or,

any combination thereof.

41. The communication device of claim 32, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

The wireless reference node is selected from among a plurality of wireless reference nodes based on the wireless reference node and the UE being aligned in an angular domain, a frequency domain, a carrier frequency, a position, or a combination thereof.

42. A communication device as defined in claim 41, wherein the selection is based on a look-up table.

43. The communication device of claim 42,

wherein the first AoD measurement is obtained in association with a first respective timestamp, a first respective absolute AoD, an identifier of the wireless reference node and an identifier of the first base station, or

Wherein the second AoD measurement is obtained in association with a second corresponding timestamp, a second corresponding absolute AoD, an identifier of the UE and an identifier of the first base station, or,

a combination thereof.

44. The communication device of claim 32, wherein the wireless reference node corresponds to a second base station, further comprising:

a capability indication is received from the second base station via the at least one transceiver indicating that the second base station is capable of performing digital receive, rx, beamforming-based AoD estimation.