CN117998575A

CN117998575A - Signal configuration method, system and communication device

Info

Publication number: CN117998575A
Application number: CN202211372338.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 郭英昊
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-11-03
Filing date: 2022-11-03
Publication date: 2024-05-07
Also published as: WO2024093939A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a signal configuration method, a signal configuration system and a communication device. The method comprises the following steps: receiving first information from a Location Management Function (LMF) and first configuration information associated with the first information, wherein the first information is used for indicating a first cell set, and the first cell set comprises one or more cells; and storing the first cell set and the first configuration information under the condition that the first cell set is not stored in the terminal equipment. In the embodiment of the application, one or more configuration examples of the terminal equipment are realized, and the configuration efficiency is improved.

Description

Signal configuration method, system and communication device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a signal configuration method, a system, and a communications device.

Background

In general, the Positioning management function (location management function, LMF) may issue Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) assistance information (i.e., PRS configuration) to the terminal device via a long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) Positioning protocol (LTE Positioning protocol, LPP) message. When the terminal equipment needs to perform positioning service, positioning service can be performed based on PRS configuration.

However, in the PRS configuration procedure, if the LMF carries the same domain for two PRS configurations before and after the terminal device configuration, the PRS configuration of the last time will overlap the PRS configuration of the previous time. In the configuration process, the efficiency of PRS configuration on the terminal equipment is low.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application discloses a signal configuration method, a system and a communication device, which can realize one or more configuration examples of terminal equipment and improve configuration efficiency.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a signal configuration method. The method may be performed by the terminal device or may be performed by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) of the terminal device, which is not limited. The method comprises the following steps:

receiving first information from a Location Management Function (LMF) and first configuration information associated with the first information, wherein the first information is used for indicating a first cell set, and the first cell set comprises one or more cells; and storing the first cell set and the first configuration information under the condition that the first cell set is not stored in the terminal equipment.

In the embodiment of the application, the LMF may be a positioning center or a positioning server, and the LMF may configure a first cell set and first configuration information corresponding to the first cell set for the terminal device. In case the first set of cells is not stored in the terminal device, the terminal device stores the first set of cells and the first configuration information, i.e. the terminal device stores the new configuration instance. It is understood that the terminal device stores the first set of cells and the first configuration information without deleting other sets of cells and configuration information already stored in the terminal device. The terminal equipment stores the first cell set and the first configuration information at the same time, so that the terminal equipment can indicate the corresponding configuration instance through the first cell set, one or more configuration instances of the terminal equipment are realized, and the configuration efficiency is improved. Furthermore, the reference signals of a plurality of cells can be preconfigured, and after the terminal equipment resides in a new cell, the terminal equipment does not need to be reconfigured, so that the positioning time delay of the terminal equipment in positioning service can be effectively reduced.

With reference to the first aspect, in one possible implementation manner, none of the one or more cells is included in a set of cells stored by the terminal device.

In the embodiment of the application, the different cell sets configured by the first network element for the terminal equipment do not contain the same cell, so that repeated configuration of the same cell is avoided.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes:

when the terminal equipment performs positioning service, determining a second cell set containing resident cells of the terminal equipment; and carrying out positioning service based on the second configuration information corresponding to the second cell set.

In the embodiment of the application, a plurality of configuration examples can be stored in the terminal equipment, namely, the terminal equipment stores a plurality of cell sets and corresponding configuration information. When the terminal equipment needs to perform positioning service, the terminal equipment can perform positioning processing by using the second configuration information corresponding to the residence cell, so that positioning time delay can be reduced.

It will be appreciated that the terminal device performing the positioning service may occur before or after receiving the first information and the first configuration information. The second cell set may be the first cell set when the terminal device receives the first information and the first configuration information and then performs the positioning service. For example, when the terminal device performs the positioning service, the camping cell of the terminal device is included in the first cell set, and then the second cell set may be the first cell set. The terminal equipment first receives the first information and the first configuration information, and the second cell set is different from the first cell set.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the one or more stored cell sets of the terminal device each include the camping cell, and the second cell set is any one of the one or more cell sets.

With reference to the first aspect, in one possible implementation manner, the second set of cells is a set of cells with a latest storage time in the one or more sets of cells.

and updating configuration information corresponding to the first cell set based on the first configuration information under the condition that the first cell set is stored in the terminal equipment.

In the embodiment of the application, under the condition that the first cell set is stored in the terminal equipment, the configuration information corresponding to the first cell set is replaced by the first configuration information, so that the modification of the configuration information corresponding to the first cell set is realized, namely, the modification of the configuration information corresponding to the stored cell set of the terminal equipment is realized, and the configuration of the LMF on the cell set of the terminal equipment is more flexible.

Receiving first indication information, and deleting the stored configuration information in the terminal equipment based on the first indication information; or receiving first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates a third cell set stored in the terminal equipment, and deleting configuration information corresponding to the third cell set based on the first indication information.

In the embodiment of the application, the terminal equipment can be instructed to delete the stored configuration information through the first instruction information, so that the flexible configuration of the stored configuration information in the terminal equipment can be realized, and the storage space of the terminal equipment can be saved.

It can be appreciated that the terminal device may first receive the first information and the first configuration information, and then receive the first indication information. In this case, the configuration information stored in the terminal device may include the first configuration information, or the third cell set may be the first cell set. I.e. the terminal device may delete the first configuration information based on the first indication information.

Or the terminal device may receive the first indication information before receiving the first information and the first configuration information, or the terminal device may receive the first information, the first configuration information, and the first indication information at the same time. In this case, the first configuration information is not included in the configuration information already stored in the terminal device, and the third cell set is different from the first cell set. The terminal device may delete the configuration information stored in the terminal device, or delete the configuration information corresponding to the third cell set, and then store the first configuration information.

And sending second indicating information, wherein the second indicating information is used for indicating the maximum number of the cell sets supported to be stored by the terminal equipment.

In the embodiment of the present application, the second indication information may include a first value, where the first value is the maximum number of cell sets supported for storage by the terminal device. The terminal device may report the maximum number of cell sets supported for storage to the LMF, thereby avoiding that the number of cell sets configured by the LMF for the terminal device exceeds the capability range of the terminal device to support configuration.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first information includes at least one of a cell global identity (cell global identity, CGI), a physical cell identity (PHYSICAL CELL index, PCI), and an absolute radio frequency channel number (absolute ratio frequency channel number, ARFCN) of the one or more cells, and the first configuration information includes at least one of positioning reference signal PRS configuration information or sounding reference signal (REFERENCE SIGNAL, SRS) configuration information.

In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a signal configuration method, which may be performed by a terminal device, or may also be performed by a component (such as a chip or a circuit) of the terminal device, which is not limited. The method comprises the following steps:

Receiving a second message, wherein the second message comprises first information and first configuration information, and the first information indicates a first cell set; if the configuration instance associated with the first cell set does not exist in the terminal equipment, adding a first configuration instance, wherein the first configuration instance comprises the first cell set and the first configuration information.

In the embodiment of the present application, the second message may be a provide assistance data message, the first information may be included in a field assistance data valid area (ASSISTANCEDATAVALIDITYAREA), and the first configuration information may be included in a field downlink PRS assistance data (nr-DL-PRS-ASSISTANCEDATA). And adding the first configuration instance under the condition that the configuration instance associated with the first cell set does not exist in the terminal equipment, so that a plurality of configuration instances configured for the terminal equipment are realized, and the configuration efficiency is improved.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and if the configuration instance associated with the first cell set exists in the terminal equipment, replacing the configuration information in the configuration instance associated with the first cell set with the first configuration information.

In the embodiment of the application, under the condition that the configuration example associated with the first cell set exists in the terminal equipment, the stored configuration example is updated by using the first configuration information, so that the change of the stored configuration example in the terminal equipment can be realized, and the LMF can configure the corresponding configuration example for the terminal equipment more flexibly.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and if the first indication information is received, deleting the configuration instance corresponding to the third cell set indicated by the first indication information.

In the embodiment of the present application, the first indication information may indicate a cell set list, the third cell set may be one item in the cell set list, and the terminal device deletes a configuration instance corresponding to each cell set in the cell set list. The first indication information may be included in a field auxiliary data valid region deletion list (assistanceDataValitityAreaToRemoveLis). The LMF may instruct the terminal device to delete the stored configuration information through the first instruction information, so as to implement flexible configuration of the stored configuration information in the terminal device and save a storage space of the terminal device.

In a third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a signal configuration method, which may be performed by an LMF. The method comprises the following steps:

Determining first information and first configuration information associated with the first information, the first information being used to indicate a first set of cells, the first set of cells comprising one or more cells; and sending the information and the first configuration information.

With reference to the third aspect, in one possible implementation manner, none of the one or more cells is included in a set of cells stored by the terminal device.

With reference to the third aspect, in one possible implementation manner, the method further includes:

Transmitting first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating deletion of configuration information stored in the terminal equipment; or sending first indication information, where the first indication information indicates a third cell set stored in the terminal device and is used to indicate deletion of configuration information corresponding to the third cell set.

With reference to the third aspect, in one possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving second indication information, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating the maximum number of the cell sets supported to be stored by the terminal equipment;

The sending the information and the first configuration information includes: and transmitting the first information and the first configuration information under the condition that the number of the stored cell sets of the terminal equipment is smaller than the maximum number of the cell sets supported to be stored by the terminal equipment.

With reference to the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first information includes at least one of a cell global identity CGI, a physical cell identity PCI, and an absolute radio frequency channel number ARFCN of the one or more cells, and the first configuration information includes at least one of positioning reference signal PRS configuration information or sounding reference signal SRS configuration information.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a signal configuration system, including a terminal device and a location management function LMF; the LMF is used for sending first information and first configuration information associated with the first information, wherein the first information is used for indicating a first cell set, and the first cell set comprises one or more cells; the terminal device is configured to receive the first information and the first configuration information, and store the first cell set and the first configuration information if the first cell set is not stored in the terminal device.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, none of the one or more cells are included in a set of cells stored by the terminal device.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the terminal device is further configured to determine, when the terminal device performs a positioning service, a second cell set including a camping cell of the terminal device; and carrying out positioning service based on the second configuration information corresponding to the second cell set.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the one or more stored cell sets of the terminal device each include the camping cell, and the second cell set is any one of the one or more cell sets.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the second set of cells is a set of cells with a latest storage time in the one or more sets of cells.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the terminal device is further configured to update, in a case where the first cell set is already stored in the terminal device, configuration information corresponding to the first cell set based on the first configuration information.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the LMF is further configured to send first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate deletion of configuration information stored in the terminal device; the terminal equipment is further used for receiving the first indication information and deleting the configuration information stored in the terminal equipment based on the first indication information; or the LMF is further configured to send first indication information, where the first indication information indicates a third cell set stored in the terminal device; the terminal device is further configured to receive the first indication information, and delete configuration information corresponding to the third cell set based on the first indication information.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the terminal device is further configured to send second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a maximum number of cell sets that the terminal device supports to store; the LMF is specifically configured to send the first information and the first configuration information when the number of cell sets stored by the terminal device is less than the maximum number of cell sets supported by the terminal device.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first information includes at least one of a cell global identity CGI, a physical cell identity PCI, and an absolute radio frequency channel number ARFCN of the one or more cells, and the first configuration information includes at least one of positioning reference signal PRS configuration information or sounding reference signal SRS configuration information.

With regard to the technical effects brought about by the fourth aspect and any possible embodiment, reference may be made to the description of the technical effects corresponding to the first aspect and the corresponding embodiment.

In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communications apparatus for performing the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation manner. The communication device comprises a device with means for performing the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation.

In a sixth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communications apparatus for performing the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation manner. The communication device comprises a unit with means for performing the method of the second aspect or in any possible implementation manner.

In a seventh aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communications apparatus for performing the method of the third aspect or any possible implementation manner. The communication device comprises a device with means for performing the method of the third aspect or any possible implementation.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communications device, including a processor, configured to perform the method shown in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner. Or the processor is configured to execute a program stored in the memory, which when executed, performs the method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation manner.

In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication device.

In one possible implementation, the memory is located within the communication device.

In the embodiment of the application, the processor and the memory may also be integrated in one device, i.e. the processor and the memory may also be integrated together.

In one possible implementation, the communication device further comprises a transceiver for receiving signals or transmitting signals.

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communications device, including a processor, configured to perform a method as shown in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner. Or the processor is configured to execute a program stored in the memory, which when executed, performs the method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation manner described above.

In embodiments of the present application, the processor and the memory may also be integrated in one device, i.e. the processor and the memory may also be integrated together.

In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communications device, including a processor configured to perform the method shown in the third aspect or any possible implementation manner. Or the processor is configured to execute a program stored in the memory, which when executed, performs the method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation manner.

In an eleventh aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication device including logic circuitry and an interface, the logic circuitry and the interface being coupled; the interface is used for inputting the first information and the first configuration information; logic circuitry to store the first set of cells and the first configuration information.

It will be appreciated that the description of the first information, the first set of cells and the first configuration information may refer to the method shown in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner, and will not be described in detail here.

In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication device including logic circuitry and an interface, the logic circuitry and the interface coupled; an interface for receiving a second message; logic circuitry to add a first configuration instance.

It will be appreciated that the description of the second message and the first configuration instance may refer to the method shown in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner, and will not be described in detail here.

In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication device including logic circuitry and an interface, the logic circuitry and the interface coupled; logic circuitry to determine first information and first configuration information; and the interface is used for outputting the first information and the first configuration information.

It will be appreciated that the description of the first information and the first configuration information may refer to the method shown in the third aspect or any possible implementation manner, and will not be described in detail here.

In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer readable storage medium for storing a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the method as shown in the above-described first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or causes the method as shown in the above-described second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or causes the method as shown in the above-described third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, to be performed.

In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product comprising a computer program or computer code which, when run on a computer, causes a method as shown in any of the possible implementations of the first aspect or the first aspect to be performed, or causes a method as shown in any of the possible implementations of the second aspect or the second aspect to be performed, or causes a method as shown in any of the possible implementations of the third aspect or the third aspect to be performed.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings that are needed in the embodiments of the present application will be briefly described below, and it is obvious that the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings may be obtained according to these drawings without inventive effort to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a positioning architecture based on a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic flow chart of a PRS configuration method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is an interaction schematic diagram of a signal configuration method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a cell set according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of an example PRS configuration provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of another PRS configuration example provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is an interactive schematic diagram of another signal configuration method according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 8 is a flow chart of a positioning method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is an interaction diagram of another signal configuration method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a signal configuration system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more apparent, embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

The terms first and second and the like in the description, in the claims and in the drawings are used for distinguishing between different objects and not for describing a particular sequential order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. Such as a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not limited to the list of steps or elements but may include other steps or elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Reference herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the application. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those of skill in the art that in various embodiments of the application, terms and/or descriptions between various embodiments are consistent and may reference each other, and technical features in different embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships, if not specifically stated or logically conflicting.

It should be understood that, in the present application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "a plurality" means two or more, "at least two (items)" means two or three and three or more, "and/or" for describing an association relationship of an association object, three kinds of relationships may exist, for example, "a and/or B" may mean: only a, only B and both a and B are present, wherein a, B may be singular or plural. The character "/" generally indicates that the context-dependent object is an "or" relationship. "at least one of" or the like means any combination of these items, including any combination of single item(s) or plural items(s). For example, at least one (one) of a, b or c may represent: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", wherein a, b, c may be single or plural.

The method provided by the application can be applied to various communication systems, such as an internet of things (internet of things, ioT) system, a narrowband internet of things (narrow band internet of things, NB-IoT) system, a long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) system, a fifth generation (5G) communication system, a new communication system (such as 6G) in future communication development, and the like.

The technical scheme provided by the application can be also applied to machine type communication (MACHINE TYPE communication, MTC), inter-machine communication long term evolution (long term evolution-machine, LTE-M), device-to-device (D2D) network, machine-to-machine (machine to machine, M2M) network, internet of things (internet of things, ioT) network or other networks. The IoT network may include, for example, an internet of vehicles. The communication modes in the internet of vehicles system are generally called as vehicles and anything (V2X, X may represent anything), for example, the V2X may include: vehicle-to-vehicle (vehicle to vehicle, V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (vehicle to infrastructure, V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian communication (vehicle to pedestrian, V2P) or vehicle-to-network (vehicle to network, V2N) communication, etc. For example, in fig. 1 or 2 shown below, communication between terminal devices may be performed through D2D technology, M2M technology, V2X technology, or the like.

Referring to fig. 1, fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the application.

As shown in fig. 1, the communication system may include at least one access network device and at least one terminal device.

The descriptions of the access network device and the terminal device are respectively as follows:

By way of example, the access network device may be a next generation node B (next generation node B, gNB), a next generation evolved base station (next generation evolved nodeB, ng-eNB), or an access network device in future 6G communications, etc. The access network device may be any device having a wireless transceiver function including, but not limited to, the base station shown above. The base station may also be a base station in a future communication system, such as a sixth generation communication system. Alternatively, the access network device may be an access node, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, etc. in a wireless local area network (WIRELESS FIDELITY, wiFi) system. Optionally, the access network device may be a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (cloud radio access network, CRAN) scenario. Alternatively, the access network device may be a wearable device or an in-vehicle device, etc. Alternatively, the access network device may also be a small station, a transmission receiving node (transmission reception point, TRP) (or may also be referred to as a transmission point), a transmission measurement function (Transmission measurement function, TMF), etc. It will be appreciated that the access network device may also be a base station in a future evolved public land mobile network (public land mobile network, PLMN), or the like.

In some deployments, a base station (e.g., a gNB) may be composed of a centralized unit (centralized unit, CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU). Namely, the functions of the base stations in the access network are split, part of the functions of the base stations are deployed on one CU, and the rest of the functions are deployed on DUs. And a plurality of DUs share one CU, so that the cost can be saved, and the network expansion is easy. In other deployments of base stations, CUs may also be divided into CU-Control Plane (CP) and CU-User Plane (UP), etc. In still other deployments of base stations, the base stations may also be open radio access network (open radio access network, ORAN) architecture, etc., the application is not limited to a particular type of base station.

For convenience of description, the method according to the present application will be described below by taking an access network device as an example of a base station.

The terminal device may also be referred to as a User Equipment (UE), a terminal, etc., for example. The terminal equipment is equipment with a wireless receiving and transmitting function, can be deployed on land, and comprises indoor or outdoor, handheld, wearable or vehicle-mounted; the device can also be deployed on the water surface, such as a ship, etc.; but may also be deployed in the air, for example on an aircraft, balloon or satellite, etc. The terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiving function, a Virtual Reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control (industrial control), a wireless terminal in unmanned (SELF DRIVING), a wireless terminal in remote medical (remote medical), a wireless terminal in smart grid (SMART GRID), a wireless terminal in transportation security (transportation safety), a wireless terminal in smart city (SMART CITY), a wireless terminal in smart home (smart home), a customer terminal device (customer-premises equipment, CPE), or the like. It is understood that the terminal device may also be a terminal device in a future 6G network or a terminal device in a future evolved PLMN, etc.

It can be understood that the terminal device shown in the application not only can comprise a vehicle (such as a whole vehicle) in the internet of vehicles, but also can comprise vehicle-mounted equipment or a vehicle-mounted terminal in the internet of vehicles, and the specific form of the terminal device when the terminal device is applied to the internet of vehicles is not limited.

For convenience of description, a method according to the present application will be described below by taking a terminal device as an example of UE.

In the communication system shown in fig. 1, one base station and six UEs, such as UE1 to UE6 in fig. 1, are included. In the communication system, the base station may transmit downlink signals such as configuration information and downlink control information (downlink control information, DCI) to the UEs 1 to 6, and the UEs 1 to 6 may transmit uplink signals such as SRS and Physical Uplink SHARED CHANNEL (PUSCH) to the base station. It will be appreciated that reference may be made to the above description for the manner of communication between UEs, and this is not described in detail herein.

It should be appreciated that fig. 1 illustrates one base station and six UEs, and communication links between the communication devices, by way of example. Alternatively, the communication system may include multiple base stations, and each base station may include other numbers of UEs, such as more or fewer UEs, within the coverage area, as the application is not limited in this regard.

Each of the above-described communication apparatuses, such as the base station, UE1 to UE6 in fig. 1, may be configured with a plurality of antennas. The plurality of antennas may include at least one transmitting antenna for transmitting signals, at least one receiving antenna for receiving signals, and the like, and the specific structure of each communication device is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. Optionally, the communication system may further include a network controller, a mobility management entity, and other network entities, which the embodiments of the present application are not limited to.

It will be appreciated that the method provided by the present application may be applied not only to the communication system shown in fig. 1, but also to the communication system shown in fig. 2.

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a positioning architecture based on wireless communication according to an embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 2, the positioning architecture mainly includes: a radio access network (radio access network, RAN) (as shown in fig. 2 by way of example as a next generation RAN (NG-RAN)), a UE, and a core network.

The descriptions of the radio access network, the UE and the core network are as follows:

The core network includes, by way of example, a location management function (location management function, LMF), an access and mobility management function (ACCESS AND mobility management function, AMF), a serving location protocol (service location protocol, SLP), and an evolved serving mobile location center (evolved serving mobile location centre, E-SMLC).

Illustratively, an LMF is a device or component deployed in a core network that provides positioning functionality for a UE, responsible for supporting different types of location services for the UE, including positioning the UE, communicating assistance data to the UE, and the like. For example, the LMF and the base station interact with each other through a New Radio (NR) positioning protocol additional protocol (NR positioning protocol annex, NRPPa) message, so as to obtain Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) REFERENCE SIGNALS, sounding REFERENCE SIGNAL (SRS) configuration information, cell timing, cell location information, and so on. For another example, UE capability information transfer, assistance information transfer, measurement information transfer, etc. is performed between the LMF and the UE via long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) positioning protocol (LTE positioning protocol, LPP) messages.

The AMF is illustratively an access and mobility management function for UEs deployed in the core network that meets the 5G standard, performing registration, connection, reachability, mobility management. Session management message transmission channels are provided for the UE and session management functions (session management function, SMF), authentication and authentication functions are provided for the user access, and the terminal and wireless core network control plane access point. The AMF may receive a location services request associated with the UE from a fifth generation core network location services (5th generation core network location services,5GC LCS) entity; or the AMF itself may initiate some location services on behalf of the UE and send a location service request to the LMF. After the AMF obtains the location information of the UE, the location information of the UE is returned to the 5GC LCS entity.

Illustratively, the RAN includes a base station, as shown in fig. 2, where the gNB and the NG-eNB may be connected through an Xn interface (or an Xn-C interface), the LMF and the NG-eNB/gNB may be connected through an NG-C interface, and the UE and the gNB may be connected through an NR-Uu interface, and the UE and the NG-eNB may be connected through an LTE-Uu interface. It will be appreciated that the present application is not limited to the respective interfaces shown in fig. 2, and reference may be made to related standards or protocols, etc. for the description of the respective interfaces, etc.

It should be understood that fig. 2 is only an exemplary illustration of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application, and is not intended to limit the types, numbers, connection manners of network elements included in the communication system applicable to the present application specifically. Such as E-SMLC or SLP are not essential; for example, the ng-eNB may in some embodiments include multiple transmission points (transmissionpoint, TP), the gNB may in some embodiments include multiple transmission reception points (transmissionreceptionpoint, TRP), the terminal device may in some embodiments be referred to as a SUPL enabled terminal (SUPLenabledterminal, SET) or may in some embodiments include a SET, the SUPL being a secure user plane location (secureuserplanelocation).

Various embodiments shown below may be applied to the communication system shown in fig. 1, and may also be applied to the communication system shown in fig. 2, which will not be described in detail below.

Referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 is a flow chart of a PRS configuration method according to an embodiment of the present application. The steps of fig. 3 are described below:

301, the terminal device reports the related capability nr-DL-PRS-ASSISTANCEDATAVALIDITY of the PRS effective area configuration supported by the terminal device to the LMF through an LPP UE capability report message (provideUECapability).

302, The lmf issues PRS assistance information to the terminal device via an LPP provide assistance information message (ProvideAsssitanceData). The auxiliary information carries an effective area corresponding to the auxiliary information. Illustratively, taking Downlink TIME DIFFERENCE of arrival, DL-TDOA as an example, the side information may be nr-DL-TDOA-Provideestistata.

Illustratively, the active area may include one or more cells for indicating that the assistance information is applicable to the one or more cells. I.e. the assistance information may be used for positioning services when the terminal device camps on any of the one or more cells.

It is understood that the auxiliary information may also be referred to as auxiliary data, or configuration information. The active area may be understood as a set of cells, a list of cells or a combination of cells.

303, When the terminal equipment needs to perform the positioning service, checking the cell where the terminal equipment resides and comparing with the effective area. If the cell where the terminal equipment currently resides is contained in the effective area, positioning service is carried out by using PRS configuration corresponding to the effective area.

The effective area (VALIDITY AREA) corresponding to the PRS configuration is carried when the LMF issues the PRS configuration. And when the terminal equipment performs positioning service, the PRS configuration used can be determined according to the effective area. If the LMF carries the same domain for the PRS configuration of the terminal device two times before and after the configuration, the PRS configuration of the last time will cover the PRS configuration of the previous time. In the configuration process, the efficiency of PRS configuration on the terminal equipment is low. After the terminal equipment resides in the new cell, the PRS needs to be configured for the terminal equipment again, which causes a large positioning service delay after the terminal equipment resides in the new cell.

In view of this, the embodiments of the present application provide a signal configuration method, system, and communication device, which can configure one or more configuration instances for a terminal device, thereby improving configuration efficiency. The method provided by the embodiment of the application can be applied to the communication system shown in fig. 1 or fig. 2. Or the method provided by the embodiment of the application can be applied to the terminal equipment and the first network element, wherein the terminal equipment can be the terminal equipment described above, and the first network element can be the LMF described above.

Referring to fig. 4, fig. 4 is an interaction schematic diagram of a signal configuration method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 4, the method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

401, The first network element sends first information and first configuration information, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information and the first configuration information, where the first configuration information is associated with the first information, and the first information is used to indicate a first cell set, and the first cell set includes one or more cells.

The first network element may include an LMF, and may configure a cell set and configuration information corresponding to the cell set for the terminal device, so that the terminal device may perform a positioning service using the configuration information when residing in any cell in the cell set.

The first information may include, for example, identification information of the one or more cells. For example, the first information comprises at least one of a cell global identity, CGI, a physical cell identity, PCI, and an absolute radio frequency channel number, ARFCN, of the one or more cells. Alternatively, the identification information of the one or more cells may include PCI and ARFCN identification cells, or the identification information of the one or more cells may include CGI. I.e. the first information may comprise CGIs of one or more cells; or the first information includes the PCIs and ARFCNs of one or more cells; or the first information includes CGI, PCI and ARFCN of one or more cells.

The first set of cells may be understood as an effective area corresponding to the first configuration information, that is, the first set of cells is a network area to which the first configuration information is applicable. I.e. in case the camping cell of the terminal device is comprised in the first set of cells, the terminal device performs a positioning process based on the first configuration information.

The first configuration information may be configuration information of a reference signal, for example. For example, the reference signal may comprise PRS or SRS, i.e. the first configuration information may comprise at least one of PRS configuration information and SRS configuration information. It is to be appreciated that the PRS and the SRS are merely examples, as the communication standard evolves, the reference signals may also include other types of reference signals, as the application is not limited in this regard.

The first information and the first configuration information may be transmitted through the base station and the AMF, i.e. the first information and the first configuration information sent by the LMF may be forwarded by the base station and the AMF to the terminal device. For example, the LMF sends the first information and the first configuration information to the AMF, the AMF forwards the first information and the first configuration information to the base station, and the base station forwards the first information and the first configuration information to the terminal device.

For example, the first information and the first configuration information may be included in an LPP message, through which the first network element issues assistance information (e.g., PRS assistance information) to the terminal device. The auxiliary information includes the first information and the first configuration information. Illustratively, the first information may be contained in a ASSISTANCEDATAVALIDITYAREA field of the LPP message.

The first set of cells may comprise, for example, neighboring cells of the current camping cell of the terminal device.

In the present application, cells in the cell set may be represented by at least one of CGI, PCI, and ARFCN, and the cell set may also be referred to as { CGI, PCI, ARFCN } combination.

In one possible implementation, none of the one or more cells are comprised in the set of cells stored by the terminal device, i.e. the same cells are not comprised in the set of cells stored by the terminal device. For example, as shown in fig. 5, the terminal device stores a second set of cells, where the first set of cells may include cell 1 and cell 2, and the second set of cells may include cell 3 and cell 4, i.e., neither cell 1 nor cell 2 is included in the second set of cells.

402, The terminal device stores the first cell set and the first configuration information in case the first cell set is not stored in the terminal device.

By way of example, the first set of cells not being stored with the terminal device may be understood that the set of cells stored by the terminal device is different from the first set of cells or that the first set of cells is not stored in the terminal device before the second indication information is received. The terminal device stores the first set of cells and the first configuration information, i.e. the terminal device stores a new configuration instance related to the first set of cells. The configuration instance may include a first set of cells and first configuration information. It can be understood that the storage location of the configuration instance corresponding to the first cell set is different from the storage location of the configuration instance stored in the terminal device, that is, the storage location of the first cell set is different from the storage locations of other cell sets stored in the terminal device, and the storage location of the first configuration information is different from the storage location of other configuration information stored in the terminal device.

For example, the terminal device may store one or more cell sets and configuration information corresponding to the cell sets, i.e. the terminal device may store a plurality of configuration instances. After receiving the second indication information, the terminal device may compare the first cell set with one or more cell sets stored by the terminal device, thereby determining whether the first cell set is already stored in the terminal device, or determining whether a configuration instance corresponding to the first cell set is already stored in the terminal device. And under the condition that the first cell set is different from the cell set stored by the terminal equipment, the terminal equipment determines that the first cell set is not stored in the terminal equipment, namely, the configuration instance corresponding to the first cell set is not stored in the terminal equipment, and the terminal equipment adds the configuration instance corresponding to the first cell set.

It is understood that the terminal device may not have the set of cells or the configuration instance stored therein until the second indication information is received. After receiving the second indication information, the terminal device may directly add the configuration instance corresponding to the first cell set, i.e. store the first cell set and the first configuration information.

For example, taking PRS configuration examples as shown in fig. 6A, the terminal device may store multiple PRS configuration examples. Take 3 PRS configuration examples as an example in fig. 6A, the 3 PRS configuration examples include PRS configuration example 1, PRS configuration example 2, and PRS configuration example 3, respectively. The identities of the cells in the cell set corresponding to the PRS configuration example 1 are CGI1, the identities of the cells in the cell set corresponding to the PRS configuration example 2 include PCI1, PCI2, and ARFCN1, and the identities of the cells in the cell set corresponding to the PRS configuration example 3 include PCI2 and ARFCN1. Assuming that the identity of the cell in the first cell set is CGI2, the first cell set is not stored in the terminal device, and the terminal device newly adds a PRS configuration instance corresponding to the first cell set (PRS configuration instance 4 shown in fig. 6B).

In the embodiment of the present application, the first network element may configure a first cell set and first configuration information corresponding to the first cell set for the terminal device. In case the first set of cells is not stored in the terminal device, the terminal device stores the first set of cells and the first configuration information, i.e. the terminal device stores the new configuration instance. The terminal equipment stores the first cell set and the first configuration information at the same time, so that the terminal equipment can indicate the corresponding configuration instance through the first cell set, one or more configuration instances of the terminal equipment are realized, and the configuration efficiency is improved. Furthermore, the reference signals of a plurality of cells can be preconfigured, and after the terminal equipment resides in a new cell, the terminal equipment does not need to be reconfigured, so that the positioning time delay of the terminal equipment in positioning service can be effectively reduced.

In some possible implementations, the method shown in fig. 4 may further include step 403.

403, In the case that the first cell set is already stored in the terminal device, the terminal device updates the configuration information corresponding to the first cell set based on the first configuration information.

The first set of cells is illustratively stored and the terminal device may understand that the set of cells indicated by the first information is the same as the set of cells stored by the terminal device. Before the second indication information is received, the terminal equipment already stores the first cell set and third configuration information corresponding to the first cell set, namely, the terminal equipment already stores the configuration instance corresponding to the first cell set. After receiving the second indication information, the terminal device may overwrite the first configuration information with the third configuration information, i.e. replace the third configuration information with the first configuration information. For example, the terminal device stores the first configuration information in a storage location of the third configuration information, and deletes the third configuration information.

In one possible implementation, the terminal device may determine whether to override the first configuration information with the third configuration information based on the second indication information. The second indication information may be included in the LPP message, for example. For example, the second indication information is a need code (new code) corresponding to the first configuration information. The requirement code is used for indicating a processing mode of the first configuration information after the terminal equipment receives the first configuration information. For example, the requirement code indicates that the first configuration information is replaced with the third configuration information, and the terminal device replaces the third configuration information with the first configuration information after receiving the first configuration information.

The first information and the first configuration information may be carried in an LPP provisioning assistance data (ProvideAsssitanceData) message, for example. For example, the first information and the first configuration information may be included in an auxiliary data valid region (ASSISTACENDATAVALIDITYAREA) field in an LPP provide auxiliary data message, and the first configuration information is included in an nr-DL-PRS-ASSISTANCEDATA field.

In case that both the field ASSISTANCEDATAVALIDITYAREA and the NR-DL-PRS-ASSISTANCEDATA are included in the LPP provide assistance data message, if there is no NR-DL-PRS-ASSISTANCEDATA instance in the terminal device that is related to the set of cells indicated by the field ASSISTANCEDATAVALIDITYAREA, a new NR-DL-PRS-ASSISTANCEDATA instance is added, which NR-DL-PRS-ASSISTANCEDATA instance is associated with the set of cells indicated by the field ASSISTANCEDATAVALIDITYAREA.

If there is already one NR-DL-PRS-ASSISTANCEDATA instance in the terminal device that is related to the set of cells indicated by field ASSISTANCEDATAVALIDITYAREA, the already existing instance is replaced with the NR-DL-PRS-ASSISTANCEDATA instance that the LPP provides for assistance data message carrying.

In the embodiment of the application, under the condition that the first cell set is stored in the terminal equipment, the configuration information corresponding to the first cell set is replaced by the first configuration information, so that the modification of the configuration information corresponding to the first cell set is realized, namely, the modification of the configuration information corresponding to the stored cell set of the terminal equipment is realized, and the configuration of the first network element to the cell set of the terminal equipment is more flexible.

Referring to fig. 7, fig. 7 is an interaction schematic diagram of another signal configuration method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 7, the method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

701, The first network element sends first indication information, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information.

The first indication information indicates to instruct the terminal device to delete the configuration information stored in the terminal device, or the first indication information indicates to instruct the terminal device to delete the configuration instance stored in the terminal device.

The terminal device deletes 702 the configuration information stored in the terminal device based on the first indication information.

In one possible implementation, the first indication information may instruct the terminal device to delete part or all of the configuration information stored in the terminal device. For example, the first indication information may instruct the terminal device to delete one or more configuration information having the earliest storage time.

The first indication information may include, for example, a bit (bit) whose value the terminal device determines whether to delete the configuration information stored by the terminal device. For example, when the value of the bit is 1, the terminal device deletes the configuration information stored by the terminal device. When the value of the bit is 0, the terminal device does not delete the stored configuration information.

For example, the LPP message carrying the first indication information may include first information and first configuration information, where the first information indicates the first cell set. After receiving the LPP message, the terminal device deletes part or all of the stored configuration information and the corresponding cell set based on the first indication information, and then stores the first cell set and the first configuration information.

In the implementation manner, the stored configuration information can be deleted by the terminal device through one bit, so that the deletion of the stored configuration information of the terminal device can be realized, and the signaling overhead is saved.

In another possible implementation, the first indication information indicates a third set of cells stored in the terminal device, and step 702 may be replaced by: and the terminal equipment deletes the configuration information corresponding to the third cell set.

The first indication information may include, for example, identification information of the third set of cells. For example, the first indication information includes at least one of CGI, PCI, ARFCN of the cells in the third set of cells.

After receiving the first indication information, the terminal equipment compares the third cell set with a cell set list stored by the terminal equipment, so as to determine the third cell set and configuration information corresponding to the third cell set, and deletes the third cell set and the configuration information corresponding to the third cell set. In this implementation manner, the first indication information may indicate the third cell set, so that the terminal device can accurately delete the corresponding configuration information and save the storage space of the terminal device.

The first indication information may be included in the LPP message, for example. For example, the first indication information includes assistanceDataValitityAreaToRemoveList signaling. The assistanceDataValitityAreaToRemoveList signaling may carry any one of NR Multi-cell round trip time (Multi-cell round trip time, multi-RTT) provide assistance data (NR-Multi-RTT-provideasistancedata) signaling, NR downstream departure angle (Downlink angle of departure, DL-AoD) provide assistance data (NR-DL-AoD-provideasistancedata) signaling, NR DL-TDOA provide assistance data signaling (NR-DL-TDOA-provideasistancedata) signaling, NR downstream PRS assistance data signaling (NR-DL-PRS-ASSISTANCEDATA) signaling. I.e. the first network element may add signalling in the LPP provided assistance information (ProvideAssistanceData) to enable the first network element to instruct the terminal device to delete all terminal device stored configuration information.

Illustratively, the first indication information may include a field assistanceDataValitityAreaToRemoveList or be contained in a field assistanceDataValitityAreaToRemoveList. A cell set list may be included in field assistanceDataValitityAreaToRemoveList. If the terminal device receives field assistanceDataValitityAreaToRemoveList, for each set of cells in the set list, its associated NR-DL-PRS-ASSISTANCEDATA instance is deleted.

Referring to fig. 8, fig. 8 is a flowchart of a positioning method according to an embodiment of the application. As shown in fig. 8, the method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

801, The terminal device determines a second set of cells including a camping cell of the terminal device when performing the positioning service.

The cell in which the terminal device resides, i.e. the cell in which the terminal device resides, is exemplary. When the terminal equipment needs to perform positioning service, the resident cell of the terminal equipment can be compared with cells in the cell set stored by the terminal equipment, so that a second cell set containing the resident cell is determined.

And 802, the terminal equipment performs positioning service based on second configuration information corresponding to the second cell set.

For example, the terminal device may receive PRS or transmit SRS based on the second configuration information. For example, the first configuration information includes PRS resources or SRS resources, and the terminal device may receive PRS on the PRS resources or transmit the SRS on the SRS resources.

In one possible implementation, the one or more stored cell sets of the terminal device each include a resident cell of the terminal device, and the second cell set is any one of the one or more cell sets.

For example, in case the resident cell of the terminal device comprises one or more cell sets stored by the terminal device, the terminal device may randomly select one cell set from the one or more cell sets.

Optionally, the second set of cells is the cell set with the latest storage time in the one or more cell sets. That is, in the case that one or more cell sets each include a resident cell, the terminal device may select configuration information corresponding to the cell set received latest to perform the positioning process.

Alternatively, the second set of cells may be the set of cells stored earliest in time among the one or more sets of cells. That is, in the case that one or more cell sets each include a resident cell, the terminal device may select configuration information corresponding to the earliest received cell set to perform a positioning procedure.

In the embodiment of the application, when the terminal equipment needs to perform positioning service, the terminal equipment can perform positioning processing by utilizing the preconfigured second configuration information, so that the positioning time delay is reduced.

Referring to fig. 9, fig. 9 is an interaction schematic diagram of another signal configuration method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 9, the method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

901, The terminal device sends second indication information, and correspondingly, the first network element receives the second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the maximum number of cell sets that the terminal device supports to store.

The second indication information may, for example, comprise a first value, which is the maximum number of cell sets that the terminal device supports for storage, i.e. the first value is used to indicate the maximum number of active areas that the terminal device supports for configuration. The second indication information may be, or be included in, an LPP UE capability report message (provideUECapability), for example. The terminal device may report the relevant capability supporting the configuration of the active area in the LPP UE capability report message. For example, the terminal device may report the maximum number of active areas that the terminal device supports storing in the LPP UE capability report message, so that the number of cell sets configured by the first network element for the terminal device does not exceed the maximum number of active areas that the terminal device supports storing.

The first network element sends first information and first configuration information 902, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information and the first configuration information.

In one possible implementation, the first network element sends the first information and the first configuration information if the number of cell sets stored by the terminal device is smaller than a first value. The first set of cells is illustratively stored in the terminal device, and the first network element needs to determine the number of sets of cells stored by the terminal device before configuring the first set of cells and the first configuration information for the terminal device. And under the condition that the number of the cell sets stored by the terminal equipment is smaller than a first numerical value, the first network element sends first information and first configuration information, and the first cell sets and the first configuration information are configured for the terminal equipment, so that the number of the cell sets configured for the terminal equipment by the first network element does not exceed the capability range of supporting configuration of the terminal equipment.

In another possible implementation manner, the first network element sends the first information and the first configuration information when the first cell set is already stored in the terminal device and the number of the cell sets stored in the terminal device is less than or equal to the first value.

In yet another possible implementation manner, the first network element sends first information, first configuration information and first indication information, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to delete the stored cell set and the corresponding configuration information. In this implementation manner, the first network element may send the first information, the first configuration information and the first indication information simultaneously, and instruct the terminal device to delete the stored cell set while configuring the first cell set for the terminal device, so as to avoid that the number of cell sets configured by the first network element for the terminal device exceeds the capability range of the terminal device for supporting configuration.

It will be appreciated that, for a specific description of the first information and the first configuration information, reference may be made to the description related to step 401 in fig. 4, which will not be described in detail here.

903, The terminal device stores the first cell set and the first configuration information when the first cell set is not stored in the terminal device.

It will be appreciated that reference may be made to the specific implementation of step 402 in fig. 4 for a specific implementation of this step 903, which will not be described in detail here.

And 904, in the case that the first cell set is stored in the terminal equipment, updating the configuration information corresponding to the first cell set based on the first configuration information by the terminal equipment.

It will be appreciated that reference may be made to the specific implementation of step 403 in fig. 4 for a specific implementation of this step 904, which will not be described in detail here.

905, The first network element sends first indication information, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information.

It will be appreciated that the detailed description of the first indication information may refer to the related description in fig. 7, and will not be described in detail herein.

The terminal device deletes 906 the configuration information stored in the terminal device based on the first instruction information.

It will be appreciated that reference may be made to the specific implementation of step 702 in fig. 7 for a specific implementation of step 906, which is not described in detail herein.

It is understood that step 905 may be performed before step 902 or after step 902. In the case where step 905 is performed before step 902, the first configuration information is not included in the configuration information already stored in the terminal device. In case step 905 is performed after step 902, the first configuration information may be included in the configuration information already stored in the terminal device.

In one possible implementation, the method shown in fig. 9 may further include step 907 and step 908.

907, The terminal device, when performing the positioning service, determines a second set of cells comprising the camping cell of the terminal device.

It will be appreciated that reference may be made to the specific implementation of step 801 in fig. 8 for a specific implementation of this step 907, which will not be described in detail here.

It is understood that step 907 may be performed before step 902 or after step 902. In the case where step 907 is performed before step 902, the second set of cells is not the first set of cells. In case step 907 is performed after step 902, the second cell may be the first set of cells. For example, when the terminal device performs the positioning service, the resident cell of the terminal device is included in the first cell set, and the second cell set is the first cell set.

And 908, the terminal equipment performs positioning service based on the second configuration information corresponding to the second cell set.

It will be appreciated that reference may be made to the specific implementation of step 802 in fig. 8 for a specific implementation of step 908, which will not be described in detail herein.

In the embodiment of the present application, the first network element may configure a first cell set and first configuration information corresponding to the first cell set for the terminal device. In case the first set of cells is not stored in the terminal device, the terminal device stores the first set of cells and the first configuration information, i.e. the terminal device stores the new configuration instance. The terminal equipment stores the first cell set and the first configuration information simultaneously, so that the terminal equipment can indicate the corresponding configuration instance through the first cell set, and a plurality of configuration instances of the terminal equipment are realized. Furthermore, the reference signals of a plurality of cells can be preconfigured, and the terminal equipment does not need to be reconfigured after residing in a new cell, so that the positioning time delay of the terminal equipment in positioning service can be effectively reduced.

Referring to fig. 10, fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a signal configuration system according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 10, the signal configuration system 100 includes a terminal device 1001 and an LMF 1002.

An LMF 1002 configured to transmit first information and first configuration information associated with the first information, the first information being configured to indicate a first set of cells, the first set of cells including one or more cells;

The terminal device 1001 is configured to receive the first information and the first configuration information, and store the first cell set and the first configuration information if the first cell set is not stored in the terminal device.

In one possible implementation, none of the one or more cells are included in the set of cells stored by the terminal device.

In a possible implementation manner, the terminal device 1001 is further configured to determine, when the terminal device performs a positioning service, a second cell set including a camping cell of the terminal device; and carrying out positioning service based on the second configuration information corresponding to the second cell set.

In a possible implementation manner, the plurality of cell sets stored by the terminal device each include the resident cell, and the second cell set is any one of the plurality of cell sets.

In one possible implementation, the second set of cells is the cell set with the latest storage time among the plurality of cell sets.

In a possible implementation manner, the terminal device 1001 is further configured to update, in a case where the first cell set is already stored in the terminal device, configuration information corresponding to the first cell set based on the first configuration information.

In a possible implementation manner, the LMF 1002 is further configured to send first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate deletion of configuration information stored in the terminal device; the terminal device 1001 is further configured to receive the first indication information, and delete configuration information stored in the terminal device based on the first indication information; or the LMF 1002 is further configured to send first indication information, where the first indication information indicates a third set of cells stored in the terminal device; the terminal device 1001 is further configured to receive the first indication information, and delete configuration information corresponding to the third cell set based on the first indication information.

In a possible implementation manner, the terminal device 1001 is further configured to send second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a maximum number of cell sets that the terminal device supports to store; the LMF 1002 is specifically configured to send the first information and the first configuration information when the number of cell sets stored in the terminal device is smaller than the first value.

In one possible implementation, the first information includes at least one of a cell global identity CGI, a physical cell identity PCI, and an absolute radio frequency channel number ARFCN of the one or more cells, and the first configuration information includes at least one of positioning reference signal PRS configuration information or sounding reference signal SRS configuration information.

Optionally, the signal configuration system 100 may further include a base station 1003 and an AMF 1004. Terminal device 1001 and LMF 1002 can directly interact with AMF 1004 through base station 1003. For example, the first information, the first configuration information, the first instruction information, the second instruction information, and the like may be forwarded through the base station 1003 and the AMF 1004.

It will be appreciated that the specific descriptions of the terminal device and the LMF shown in the embodiments of the present application are merely examples, and reference may be made to the above method embodiments (such as fig. 4, 7, 8, 9, etc.) for specific functions or steps performed by the terminal device and the LMF, and they will not be described in detail herein.

The following describes a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

According to the method embodiment of the application, the communication device is divided into the functional modules, for example, each functional module can be divided corresponding to each function, and two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules may be implemented in hardware or in software functional modules. It should be noted that, the division of the modules in the present application is illustrative, and is merely a logic function division, and other division manners may be implemented in practice. The communication device of the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail with reference to fig. 11 to 13.

Fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application, and as shown in fig. 11, the communication device includes a processing unit 1101, a sending unit 1102, and a receiving unit 1103.

In some embodiments of the application, the communication means may be the terminal device shown above. I.e. the communication means shown in fig. 11 may be used for performing the steps or functions etc. performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The communication device may be, for example, a beam forming transmitting device or a chip, which is not limited by the embodiment of the present application.

A receiving unit 1103 for receiving the first information and the first configuration information;

a processing unit 1101 for storing a first set of cells and first configuration information;

optionally, the processing unit 1101 is further configured to determine a second set of cells including a camping cell of the terminal device; and carrying out positioning service based on the second configuration information corresponding to the second cell set.

Optionally, the processing unit 1101 is further configured to update configuration information corresponding to the first cell set based on the first configuration information.

Optionally, the receiving unit 1103 is further configured to receive the first indication information.

Optionally, the sending unit 1102 is configured to send the second indication information.

It is to be appreciated that the specific description of the first information, the first configuration information, the first cell set, the second cell set, the first indication information, the second indication information, etc. may refer to the method embodiments shown above, such as the related descriptions of the methods shown in fig. 4, fig. 7, fig. 8, fig. 9, etc., and will not be described in detail herein.

It is to be understood that the specific descriptions of the processing unit, the transmitting unit, and the receiving unit shown in the embodiments of the present application are merely examples, and reference may be made to the above-described method embodiments for specific functions or steps performed by the processing unit, the transmitting unit, and the receiving unit, and so on, which are not described in detail herein. For example, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit may constitute a transceiving unit, and the transceiving unit is configured to perform the steps performed by the transmitting unit and the receiving unit.

Multiplexing fig. 11, in other embodiments of the present application, the communication device may be the first network element (i.e., LMF) shown above. I.e. the communication device shown in fig. 11, may be used to perform the steps or functions etc. performed by the first network element, i.e. the LMF, in the above method embodiments. The communication device may be, for example, a beam forming receiving device or a chip, which is not limited by the embodiment of the present application.

A sending unit 1102, configured to send the first information and the first configuration information.

Optionally, the sending unit 1102 is further configured to send the first indication information.

Optionally, the receiving unit 1103 is configured to receive the second message.

It is to be understood that the specific descriptions of the receiving unit, the transmitting unit, and the processing unit shown in the embodiments of the present application are merely examples, and reference may be made to the above-described method embodiments for specific functions or steps performed by the receiving unit, the transmitting unit, and the processing unit, and so on, which are not described in detail herein. For example, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit may constitute a transceiving unit, and the transceiving unit is configured to perform the steps performed by the transmitting unit and the receiving unit.

The terminal device and the first network element according to the embodiments of the present application are described above, and possible product forms of the terminal device and the first network element are described below. It should be understood that any product having the functions of the terminal device described in fig. 11, or any product having the functions of the first network element described in fig. 11, falls within the scope of the embodiments of the present application. It should also be understood that the following description is only exemplary, and not limiting the product forms of the terminal device and the first network element according to the embodiments of the present application.

In the communication apparatus shown in fig. 11, the processing unit 1101 may be one or more processors, the transmitting unit 1102 may be a transmitter, and the receiving unit 1103 may be a receiver, and the transmitting unit and the receiving unit are integrated into one device, such as a transceiver. Or the processing unit 1101 may be one or more processors (or the processing unit 1101 may be one or more logic circuits), the transmitting unit 1102 may be an output interface, and the receiving unit 1103 may be an input interface, and the input interface and the output interface may be integrated into one unit, for example, an input/output interface. As will be described in detail below.

In a possible implementation, in the communications apparatus shown in fig. 11, the processing unit 1101 may be one or more processors, and the transmitting unit 1102 and the receiving unit 1103 are integrated with one device, such as a transceiver. In the embodiment of the present application, the processor and the transceiver may be coupled, etc., and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to the connection manner of the processor and the transceiver.

As shown in fig. 12, the communication device 120 includes one or more processors 1220, a transceiver 1210, and a memory 1230. By way of example, the communication device 120 may be a chip and the transceiver 1210 may be an input-output interface.

Illustratively, when the communication device is configured to perform the steps or methods or functions performed by the terminal apparatus described above, the transceiver 1210 is configured to receive the first information and the first configuration information; a memory 1230 for storing a first set of cells and first configuration information. Optionally, the processor 1220 is further configured to determine a second set of cells including the camping cell of the terminal device, and perform a positioning service based on second configuration information corresponding to the second set of cells. Optionally, the processor 1220 is further configured to update configuration information corresponding to the first cell set based on the first configuration information. Optionally, the transceiver 1210 is further configured to receive the first indication information. Optionally, the transceiver 1210 is further configured to send second indication information.

The transceiver 1210 is configured to send the first information and the first configuration information when the communication device is configured to perform the steps or methods or functions performed by the first network element. Optionally, the transceiver 1210 is further configured to send the first indication information. Optionally, the transceiver 1210 is further configured to receive second indication information.

It will be appreciated that the specific description of the processor and the transceiver may also refer to the description of the processing unit, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit shown in fig. 11, and will not be repeated here.

In various implementations of the communications apparatus shown in fig. 12, the transceiver can include a receiver for performing the functions (or operations) of receiving and a transmitter for performing the functions (or operations) of transmitting. And transceivers are used to communicate with other devices/means via transmission media.

Optionally, a memory 1230 is used to store program instructions and/or data. Memory 1230 is coupled to processor 1220. The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which may be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms for information interaction between the devices, units, or modules. Processor 1220 may operate in conjunction with memory 1230. Processor 1220 may execute program instructions stored in memory 1230. In the alternative, at least one of the one or more memories may be included in the processor.

The specific connection medium between the transceiver 1210, the processor 1220 and the memory 1230 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. The embodiment of the present application is shown in fig. 12 as a memory 1230, a processor 1220, and a transceiver 1210 connected by a bus 1240, which is shown in fig. 12 as a bold line, and the connection between other components is merely illustrative and not limited thereto. The buses may be classified as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is shown in fig. 12, but not only one bus or one type of bus.

In the embodiment of the present application, the processor may be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or the like, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in the embodiment of the present application. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present application may be embodied directly in a hardware processor for execution, or in a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor for execution, etc.

In an embodiment of the present application, the Memory may include, but is not limited to, nonvolatile Memory such as a hard disk (HARD DISK DRIVE, HDD) or Solid State Disk (SSD), random access Memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), erasable programmable Read-Only Memory (Erasable Programmable ROM, EPROM), read-Only Memory (ROM), or portable Read-Only Memory (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory, CD-ROM), etc. The memory is any storage medium that can be used to carry or store program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be read and/or written by a computer (e.g., a communication device, etc., as illustrated by the present application), but is not limited thereto. The memory in embodiments of the present application may also be circuitry or any other device capable of performing memory functions for storing program instructions and/or data.

The processor 1220 is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, controlling the whole communication device, executing software programs, and processing data of the software programs. The memory 1230 is mainly used for storing software programs and data. The transceiver 1210 may include control circuitry for mainly converting baseband signals to radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals, and an antenna. The antenna is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input and output devices, such as touch screens, display screens, keyboards, etc., are mainly used for receiving data input by a user and outputting data to the user.

When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1220 can read the software program in the memory 1230, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 1220 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted, and outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit, and the radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then transmits the radio frequency signal to the outside in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is transmitted to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives a radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1220, and the processor 1220 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

In another implementation, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna may be provided separately from the processor performing the baseband processing, e.g., in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna may be in a remote arrangement from the communication device.

It will be appreciated that the communication device shown in the embodiment of the present application may also have more components than those shown in fig. 12, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto. The methods performed by the processors and transceivers shown above are merely examples, and reference is made to the methods described above for specific steps performed by the processors and transceivers.

In another possible implementation, in the communications apparatus shown in fig. 11, the processing unit 1101 may be one or more logic circuits, the sending unit 1102 may be an output interface, and the receiving unit 1103 may be an input interface, where the input interface and the output interface may be integrated into one unit, for example, an input/output interface. The input-output interface, also known as a communication interface, or interface circuit, or interface, etc. As shown in fig. 13, the communication apparatus shown in fig. 13 includes a logic circuit 1301 and an interface 1302. That is, the processing unit 1101 may be implemented by a logic circuit 1301, and the transmitting unit 1102 and the receiving unit 1103 may be implemented by an interface 1302. The logic circuit 1301 may be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit, or a system on chip (SoC) chip, and the interface 1302 may be a communication interface, an input/output interface, a pin, or the like. Fig. 13 exemplifies the communication device described above as a chip, which includes a logic circuit 1301 and an interface 1302.

In the embodiment of the application, the logic circuit and the interface can be coupled with each other. The embodiment of the present application is not limited to the specific connection manner of the logic circuit and the interface.

Illustratively, when the communication device is configured to perform a method or function or step performed by the above-described terminal device, the interface 1302 is configured to receive the first information and the first configuration information; logic 1301 is configured to store a first set of cells and first configuration information. Optionally, the logic circuit 1301 is further configured to determine the second set of cells and perform the positioning service. Optionally, the logic circuit 1301 is further configured to update configuration information corresponding to the first cell set based on the first configuration information. Optionally, the interface 1302 is further configured to input first indication information. Optionally, the interface 1302 is further configured to output second indication information.

Illustratively, the interface 1302 is configured to output the first information and the first configuration information when the communication device is configured to perform a method or function or step performed by the first network element. Optionally, the interface 1302 is further configured to output first indication information. Optionally, the interface 1302 is further configured to input second indication information.

Reference may also be made to the above embodiments for a specific implementation of the embodiments shown in fig. 13, which are not described in detail herein.

Furthermore, the present application provides a computer program for implementing the operations and/or processes performed by the terminal device in the method provided by the present application.

The present application also provides a computer program for implementing the operations and/or processes performed by the first network element in the method provided by the present application.

The present application also provides a computer readable storage medium having computer code stored therein, which when run on a computer causes the computer to perform the operations and/or processes performed by the terminal device in the method provided by the present application.

The application also provides a computer readable storage medium having computer code stored therein which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the operations and/or processes performed by the first network element in the method provided by the application.

The application also provides a computer program product comprising computer code or a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes operations and/or processes performed by a terminal device in a method provided by the application to be performed.

The application also provides a computer program product comprising computer code or a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the operations and/or processes performed by the first network element in the method provided by the application to be performed.

The embodiment of the application also provides a chip or a chip system, which comprises: a processor for performing the method of any of the preceding embodiments, such as fig. 4, 7, 8, 9, etc.).

In the several embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other manners. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative, e.g., the division of the units is merely a logical function division, and there may be additional divisions when actually implemented, e.g., multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted or not performed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed with each other may be an indirect coupling or communication connection via some interfaces, devices, or elements, or may be an electrical, mechanical, or other form of connection.

The units described as separate units may or may not be physically separate, and units shown as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the scheme provided by the embodiment of the application.

In addition, each functional unit in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit. The integrated units may be implemented in hardware or in software functional units.

The integrated units, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as stand-alone products, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or a part contributing to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a readable storage medium, comprising several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method according to the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned readable storage medium includes: a U-disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (random access memory, RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, or other various media capable of storing program codes.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the present application, and the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art will readily recognize that variations or substitutions are within the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of signal configuration, comprising:

Receiving first information from a Location Management Function (LMF) and first configuration information associated with the first information, wherein the first information is used for indicating a first cell set, and the first cell set comprises one or more cells;

and storing the first cell set and the first configuration information under the condition that the first cell set is not stored in the terminal equipment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein none of the one or more cells are included in a set of cells stored by the terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the method further comprises:

when the terminal equipment performs positioning service, determining a second cell set containing resident cells of the terminal equipment;

And carrying out positioning service based on the second configuration information corresponding to the second cell set.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the resident cells are included in one or more sets of cells stored by the terminal device, and the second set of cells is any one of the one or more sets of cells.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second set of cells is a set of cells of the one or more sets of cells that has a latest time of storage.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, further comprising:

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, further comprising:

receiving first indication information, and deleting the stored configuration information in the terminal equipment based on the first indication information; or alternatively

And receiving first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates a third cell set stored in the terminal equipment, and deleting configuration information corresponding to the third cell set based on the first indication information.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, further comprising:

9. The method of any of claims 1-8, wherein the first information comprises at least one of a cell global identity, CGI, a physical cell identity, PCI, and an absolute radio frequency channel number, ARFCN, of the one or more cells, the first configuration information comprising at least one of positioning reference signal, PRS, configuration information or sounding reference signal, SRS, configuration information.

10. The signal configuration system is characterized by comprising terminal equipment and a positioning management function (LMF);

the LMF is used for sending first information and first configuration information associated with the first information, wherein the first information is used for indicating a first cell set, and the first cell set comprises one or more cells;

The terminal device is configured to receive the first information and the first configuration information, and store the first cell set and the first configuration information if the first cell set is not stored in the terminal device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein none of the one or more cells are included in a set of cells stored by the terminal device.

12. The system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the terminal device is further configured to determine a second set of cells comprising the camping cell of the terminal device when the terminal device performs a positioning service; and carrying out positioning service based on the second configuration information corresponding to the second cell set.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more stored cell sets of the terminal device each include the camping cell, and wherein the second cell set is a cell set stored at a latest time among the one or more cell sets.

14. The system according to any of claims 10-13, wherein the terminal device is further configured to update configuration information corresponding to the first set of cells based on the first configuration information, in case the first set of cells is already stored in the terminal device.

15. The system according to any one of claims 10-14, wherein the LMF is further configured to send first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate deletion of configuration information stored in the terminal device;

the terminal equipment is further used for receiving the first indication information and deleting the configuration information stored in the terminal equipment based on the first indication information; or alternatively

The LMF is further configured to send first indication information, where the first indication information indicates a third cell set stored in the terminal device;

the terminal device is further configured to receive the first indication information, and delete configuration information corresponding to the third cell set based on the first indication information.

16. The system according to any of claims 10-15, wherein the terminal device is further configured to send second indication information, where the second indication information is configured to indicate a maximum number of cell sets supported for storage by the terminal device;

the LMF is specifically configured to send the first information and the first configuration information when the number of cell sets stored by the terminal device is less than the maximum number of cell sets supported by the terminal device.

17. A communication device comprising means or units for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

18. A communication device, comprising: a processor;

The processor, when used to execute a computer program or instructions in a memory, causes the method of any one of claims 1 to 9 to be performed.

19. A communication device, comprising: logic circuitry and a communication interface;

The communication interface is used for receiving information or sending information;

The logic circuit for receiving information or transmitting information via the communication interface, causing the method of any one of claims 1 to 9 to be performed.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising:

the computer readable storage medium is used for storing instructions or a computer program; the instructions or the computer program, when executed, cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 9 to be implemented.