EP4666771A1

EP4666771A1 - Bandwidth aggregation for positioning

Info

Publication number: EP4666771A1
Application number: EP23919354.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jie Hu; Jing HAN; Lihua Yang; Luning Liu
Original assignee: Lenovo Beijing Ltd
Current assignee: Lenovo Beijing Ltd
Priority date: 2023-09-28
Filing date: 2023-09-28
Publication date: 2025-12-24
Also published as: CN120958914A; WO2024159790A1; GB2642912A

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to bandwidth aggregation for positioning. In an aspect, a UE receives, from a network device, a configuration for bandwidth aggregation of a reference signal for positioning. The UE performs positioning measurements or positioning transmission for the reference signal for positioning based on the configuration for bandwidth aggregation. In this way, the positioning accuracy may be improved.

Description

BANDWIDTH AGGREGATION FOR POSITIONING

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and more specifically to a user equipment (UE) , a network device, processors for wireless communication, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media for bandwidth aggregation for positioning.

BACKGROUND

A wireless communications system may include one or multiple network communication devices, such as base stations, which may be otherwise known as an eNodeB (eNB) , a next-generation NodeB (gNB) , or other suitable terminology. Each network communication devices, such as a base station may support wireless communications for one or multiple user communication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE) , or other suitable terminology. The wireless communications system may support wireless communications with one or multiple user communication devices by utilizing resources of the wireless communication system (e.g., time resources (e.g., symbols, slots, subframes, frames, or the like) or frequency resources (e.g., subcarriers, carriers) . Additionally, the wireless communications system may support wireless communications across various radio access technologies including third generation (3G) radio access technology, fourth generation (4G) radio access technology, fifth generation (5G) radio access technology, among other suitable radio access technologies beyond 5G (e.g., sixth generation (6G) ) .
In wireless communication networks, positioning is the process of determining the geographic location of a device such as a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone, laptop, tablet, or personal digital assistant (PDA) , etc. ) or a navigation/tracking device. More and more applications are being developed that rely on accurate and timely wireless device positioning, so there is a growing need for more accurate and reliable positioning. It is discussed by the third generation partnership project (3GPP) to support bandwidth aggregation in positioning techniques so as to enhance positioning accuracy. Further study on bandwidth aggregation for positioning is still needed.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to methods, apparatuses, and systems that support bandwidth aggregation for positioning. By providing a configuration for bandwidth aggregation of a reference signal for positioning, the reference signal for positioning may be aggregated and the user equipment may thus perform positioning measurements or positioning transmission for the aggregated reference signal for positioning. In this way, the positioning accuracy may be improved.
In a first aspect of the solution, a UE receives, from a network device, a configuration for bandwidth aggregation of a reference signal for positioning. The UE performs positioning measurements or positioning transmission for the reference signal for positioning based on the configuration for bandwidth aggregation. In this way, the positioning accuracy may be improved.
Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: receiving, from the network device, a bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set; and transmitting, to the network device, a request for the reference signal for positioning based on the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set. The configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be associated with the request.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may include at least one identifier (ID) . Each ID may be associated with a plurality of resource sets that can be aggregated. The request may include one or more IDs among the at least one ID.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may include at least one identifier (ID) . Each ID may be associated with at least one positioning frequency layer (PFL) , wherein resource sets associated with the at least one PFL can be aggregated. The request may include one or more IDs among the at least one ID.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may include at least one identifier (ID) . Each ID may be associated with at least one transmission/reception point (TRP) , wherein resource sets associated with the at least one TRP can be aggregated. The request may include one or more IDs among the at least one ID.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may include at least one resource set ID. Each resource set ID may be associated with a plurality of resource sets that can be aggregated. The request may include one or more resource set IDs among the at least one resource set ID.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may be indicative of one of the following: whether a resource set can be used for bandwidth aggregation; whether one or more resource sets associated with a PFL can be used for bandwidth aggregation; or whether one or more resource sets associated with a TRP can be used for bandwidth aggregation. The request may include one of the following: an indication of a plurality of resource sets that can be used for bandwidth aggregation; an indication of at least one PFL associated with one or more resource sets that can be used for bandwidth aggregation; or an indication of at least one TRP associated with one or more resource sets that can be used for bandwidth aggregation.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may be comprised in a configuration for the on-demand reference signal. The bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may be received from the network device via a first Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) Provide Assistance Data message or via a positioning System Information Block (posSIB) . The configuration for bandwidth aggregation may be received from the network device via a second LPP Provide Assistance Data message.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the reference signal for positioning may be an on-demand reference signal, Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: receive, from the network device, a configuration for the on-demand reference signal, wherein at least one resource set indicated in the configuration for the on-demand reference signal can be used for bandwidth aggregation; and transmit, to the network device, a request for the on-demand reference signal based on the configuration for the on-demand reference signal. The configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be associated with the request.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the configuration for the on-demand reference signal may be received from the network device via a first LPP Provide Assistance Data message or via a posSIB. The configuration for bandwidth aggregation may be received from the network device via a second LPP Provide Assistance Data message.
Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: transmitting, to the network device, a request for the reference signal for positioning. The request may include a bandwidth aggregation requirement for the positioning measurements, and the configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be associated with the request.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the bandwidth aggregation requirement may include one of the following: a number of resource sets required for bandwidth aggregation; a number of PFLs required for bandwidth aggregation; a start time of the reference signal for positioning required for bandwidth aggregation; a duration of the reference signal for positioning required for bandwidth aggregation; an indication that a bandwidth larger than a currently configured bandwidth may be required; an indication that a duration of the reference signal for positioning longer than a currently configured duration may be required; or an indication that a higher accuracy for positioning measurements than a current accuracy may be required.
Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: transmitting, to the network device, positioning measurement results. The configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be associated with the positioning measurement results.
Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: transmitting, to the network device, an indication of a capability of supporting bandwidth aggregation. The configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be associated with the capability.
Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: receiving, from the network device, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) for activating or deactivating the configuration and for indicating whether at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation. In the case that the configuration is activated and that the at least one resource set is to be used for bandwidth aggregation, the positioning transmission may be performed on the at least one resource set that is aggregated.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the MAC CE may include a bit field indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation may be associated with the at least one resource set that can be aggregated. The MAC CE may include a resource set ID of a resource set among the at least one resource set, a bandwidth (BWP) ID of the resource set and a cell ID of the resource set.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation may be associated with a plurality of resource sets that can be aggregated, the plurality of resource sets comprise the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE. The MAC CE may include a resource set ID of a resource set among the at least one resource set, a BWP ID of the resource set and a cell ID of the resource set. An index of the resource set in the plurality of resource sets equals to a number of resource sets in the at least one resource set.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation may be associated with at least one resource set that can be aggregated. Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: receiving, from the network device, at least one MAC CE for activating or deactivating the configuration. Each of the at least one MAC CE may be indicative of whether a respective resource set associated with the MAC CE in the at least one resource set is to be used for bandwidth aggregation. The configuration may be activated or deactivated based on reception of the at least one MAC CE. In the case that the configuration is activated and that the at least one resource set is to be used for bandwidth aggregation, the positioning transmission may be performed on the at least one resource set that is aggregated.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the MAC CE may include a bit field indicative of whether the respective resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the MAC CE may include: an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration; an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; at least one resource set ID of the at least one resource set; at least one BWP ID of the at least one resource set; and at least one cell ID of the at least one resource set.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation may be associated with the at least one resource set. The MAC CE may include: an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration; an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; and an ID of the at least one resource set.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation may be associated with the at least one resource set. The MAC CE may include: an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration; an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; and a resource set ID. Each of the at least one resource set may be associated with the resource set ID.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation may be associated with the at least one resource set. The MAC CE may include: an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration; an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; and a resource set ID of one resource set in the at least one resource set.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the MAC CE may include: an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration; an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; and at least one BWP ID. The positioning transmission may be performed on the at least one resource set associated with the at least one BWP ID.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the MAC CE may include: an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration; an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; and at least one cell ID. The positioning transmission may be performed on the at least one resource set associated with the at least one cell ID.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be received from the network device via a LPP Provide Assistance Data message or via a posSIB in a connected state, the positioning measurements may be performed in an inactive state or an idle state. Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: transmitting a RRCSetupRequest message or a RRCResumeRequest message comprising an indication of reporting of the positioning measurements for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning; and transmitting, to the network device, results of the positioning measurements in the connected state.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation may be received via a RRC release message, the positioning transmission may be performed in an inactive state. Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: transmitting, to the network device, a RRCResumeRequest message comprising an indication of requesting the configuration for bandwidth aggregation. The configuration may include one of the following: an ID of at least one resource set, wherein the positioning transmission may be performed on the at least one resource set; at least one indication of the at least one resource set, the positioning transmission may be performed on the at least one resource set; at least one indication of at least one BWP, the positioning transmission may be performed on at least one resource set associated with the at least one BWP; or at least one indication of at least one carrier, the positioning transmission may be performed on at least one resource set associated with the at least one carrier.
In a second aspect of the solution, a network device determines a configuration for bandwidth aggregation of a reference signal for positioning; and transmits, to a UE, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning. In this way, the positioning accuracy may be improved.
Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: transmitting, to the UE, a bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set; and receiving, from the UE, a request for the reference signal for positioning based on the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set. The configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be determined based on the request.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may include at least one identifier (ID) , wherein each ID may be associated with one of the following: a plurality of resource sets that can be aggregated; at least one positioning frequency layer (PFL) , wherein resource sets associated with the at least one PFL can be aggregated; or at least one transmission/reception point (TRP) , wherein resource sets associated with the at least one TRP can be aggregated. The request may include one or more IDs among the at least one ID.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may include at least one resource set ID. Each resource set ID may be associated with a plurality of resource sets that can be aggregated. The request may include one or more resource set IDs among the at least one resource set ID.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may be indicative of one of the following: whether a resource set can be used for bandwidth aggregation; whether one or more resource sets associated with a PFL can be used for bandwidth aggregation; or whether one or more resource sets associated with a TRP can be used for bandwidth aggregation. The request may include one of the following: an indication of a plurality of resource sets that can be used for bandwidth aggregation; an indication of at least one PFL associated with one or more resource sets that can be used for bandwidth aggregation; or an indication of at least one TRP associated with one or more resource sets that can be used for bandwidth aggregation.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may be comprised in a configuration for the on-demand reference signal. The bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may be transmitted to the UE via a first Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) Provide Assistance Data message or via a positioning System Information Block (posSIB) . The configuration for bandwidth aggregation may be transmitted to the UE via a second LPP Provide Assistance Data message.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the reference signal for positioning may be an on-demand reference signal. Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: transmitting, to the UE, a configuration for the on-demand reference signal, wherein at least one resource set indicated in the configuration for the on-demand reference signal can be used for bandwidth aggregation; and receiving, from the UE, a request for the on-demand reference signal based on the configuration for the on-demand reference signal. The configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be determined based on the request.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the configuration for the on-demand reference signal may be transmitted to the UE via a first LPP Provide Assistance Data message or via a posSIB. The configuration for bandwidth aggregation may be transmitted to the UE via a second LPP Provide Assistance Data message.
Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: receiving, from the UE, a request for the reference signal for positioning. The request may include a bandwidth aggregation requirement for positioning measurements of the UE, and the configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be determined based on the request.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the bandwidth aggregation requirement may include one of the following: a number of resource sets required for bandwidth aggregation; a number of PFLs required for bandwidth aggregation; a start time of the reference signal for positioning required for bandwidth aggregation; a duration of the reference signal for positioning required for bandwidth aggregation; an indication that a bandwidth larger than a currently configured bandwidth may be required; an indication that a duration of the reference signal for positioning longer than a currently configured duration may be required; or an indication that a higher accuracy for positioning measurements than a current accuracy may be required.
Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: receiving, from the UE, positioning measurement results. The configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be determined based on the positioning measurement results
Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: receiving, from the UE, an indication of a capability of supporting bandwidth aggregation. The configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be determined based on the capability.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be transmitted to the UE via a LPP Provide Assistance Data message or via a posSIB in the case that the UE is in a connected state, positioning transmission of the reference signal for positioning may be performed in the case that the terminal device may be in an inactive state or an idle state. Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: receiving, from the UE, a RRCSetupRequest message or a RRCResumeRequest message comprising an indication of reporting of positioning measurements for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning; and receiving, from the UE, results of the positioning measurements in the case that the UE is in the connected state.
Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: transmitting, to the UE, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) for activating or deactivating the configuration and for indicating whether at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation. In the case that the configuration is activated and that the at least one resource set is to be used for bandwidth aggregation, positioning measurements for the reference signal for positioning may be performed on the at least one resource set that may be aggregated.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the MAC CE may include a bit field indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation may be associated with the at least one resource set that can be aggregated. The MAC CE may include a resource set ID of a resource set among the at least one resource set, a bandwidth (BWP) ID of the resource set and a cell ID of the resource set.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation may be associated with a plurality of resource sets that can be aggregated, the plurality of resource sets may include the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE. The MAC CE may include a resource set ID of a resource set among the at least one resource set, a BWP ID of the resource set and a cell ID of the resource set. An index of the resource set in the plurality of resource sets equals to a number of resource sets in the at least one resource set.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation may be associated with at least one resource set that can be aggregated. Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: transmitting, to the UE, at least one MAC CE for activating or deactivating the configuration. Each of the at least one MAC CE may be indicative of whether a respective resource set associated with the MAC CE in the at least one resource set is to be used for bandwidth aggregation. The configuration may be activated or deactivated based on transmission of the at least one MAC CE. In the case that the configuration is activated and that the at least one resource set is to be used for bandwidth aggregation, positioning measurements for the reference signal for positioning may be performed on the at least one resource set that may be aggregated.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the MAC CE may include a bit field indicative of whether the respective resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the MAC CE may include: an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration; an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; at least one resource set ID of the at least one resource set; at least one BWP ID of the at least one resource set; and at least one cell ID of the at least one resource set.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation may be associated with the at least one resource set. The MAC CE may include: an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration; an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; and one of the following: an ID of the at least one resource set; a resource set ID, wherein each of the at least one resource set may be associated with the resource set ID; or a resource set ID of one resource set in the at least one resource set.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the MAC CE may include: an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration; an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; and one of the following: at least one BWP ID, wherein the positioning measurements may be performed on the at least one resource set associated with the at least one BWP ID; or at least one cell ID, wherein the positioning measurements may be performed on the at least one resource set associated with the at least one cell ID.
In some implementations of the methods and apparatuses described herein, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation may be transmitted via a RRC release message, positioning measurements for the reference signal for positioning may be performed in the case that the UE is in an inactive state. Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: receiving, from the UE, a RRCResumeRequest message comprising an indication of requesting the configuration for bandwidth aggregation. The configuration may include one of the following: an ID of at least one resource set, wherein the positioning measurements may be performed on the at least one resource set; at least one indication of the at least one resource set, wherein the positioning measurements may be performed on the at least one resource set; at least one indication of at least one BWP, wherein the positioning measurements may be performed on at least one resource set associated with the at least one BWP; or at least one indication of at least one carrier, wherein the positioning measurements may be performed on at least one resource set associated with the at least one carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2A illustrates an example signaling chart of an example process that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2B illustrates an example communication process related to a configuration procedure that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3A illustrates another example signaling chart of an example process that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3B illustrates an example structure of a SP Positioning SRS Activation/Deactivation MAC CE.
FIGS. 4 through 5 illustrate examples of devices that support bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 6 through 7 illustrate examples of processors that support bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 8 through 13 illustrate flowcharts of methods that support bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure described herein may be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.
In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.
References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment, ” “an example embodiment, ” “an embodiment, ” “some embodiments, ” and the like indicate that the embodiment (s) described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment (s) . Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
It shall be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” or the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element could also be termed as a second element, and similarly, a second element could also be termed as a first element, without departing from the scope of embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a” , “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” , “comprising” , “has” , “having” , “includes” and/or “including” , when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and/or combinations thereof. For example, the term “includes” and its variants are to be read as open terms that mean “includes, but is not limited to. ” The term “based on” is to be read as “based at least in part on. ” The term “one embodiment” and “an embodiment” are to be read as “at least one embodiment. ” The term “another embodiment” is to be read as “at least one other embodiment. ” The use of an expression such as “A and/or B” can mean either “only A” or “only B” or “both A and B. ” Other definitions, explicit and implicit, may be included below.
As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as, 5G NR, long term evolution (LTE) , LTE-advanced (LTE-A) , wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) , high-speed packet access (HSPA) , narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) , and so on. Further, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including but not limited to, the first generation (1G) , the second generation (2G) , 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G) , the fourth generation (4G) , 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, and/or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will also be future type communication technologies and systems in which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned systems.
As used herein, the term “network device” generally refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device can access the communication network and receive services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP) , for example, a node B (NodeB or NB) , a radio access network (RAN) node, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB) , an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB) , a remote radio unit (RRU) , a radio header (RH) , an infrastructure device for a V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communication, a transmission and reception point (TRP) , a reception point (RP) , a remote radio head (RRH) , a relay, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node such as a femto BS, a pico BS, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology.
As used herein, the term “terminal device” generally refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communications. By way of example rather than a limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, a user equipment (UE) , an end user device, a subscriber station (SS) , an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) , a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS) , or an access terminal (AT) . The terminal device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , a portable computer, a desktop computer, an image capture terminal device such as a digital camera, a gaming terminal device, a music storage and playback appliance, a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE) , laptop-mounted equipment (LME) , a USB dongle, a smart device, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE) , an internet of things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD) , a vehicle, a drone, a medical device (for example, a remote surgery device) , an industrial device (for example, a robot and/or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and/or an automated processing chain contexts) , a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and/or industrial wireless networks, and the like. In the following description, the terms: “terminal device, ” “communication device, ” “terminal, ” “user equipment” and “UE, ” may be used interchangeably.
Currently, downlink-based positioning solutions are based on the transmission of downlink (DL) positioning reference signals (PRS) from network nodes in a radio access network (RAN) and measurements based on the DL PRS received at the target device. The uplink-based positioning solution is based on the transmission of an uplink (UL) sounding reference signal (SRS) from the target device and a measurement based on the UL SRS received at a network node in the RAN. The accuracy of such measurements is directly related to the bandwidth of the measured PRS/SRS, which in many wireless communication networks is limited to the active bandwidth part (BWP) .
The support of PRS/SRS bandwidth aggregation across multiple positioning frequency layers (PFLs) /carriers is a new introduced feature to enhance positioning accuracy in 3GPP Realease18. A key advantage of the bandwidth aggregation is to enhance the ability to leverage a larger bandwidth to improve the channel impulse response (CIR) resolution and thus resolve the different paths with more accuracy and improve the overall positioning accuracy. The scope of the PRS/SRS bandwidth aggregation focuses on intra-band contiguous carrier with a single radio frequency (RF) chain and is applicable to all time-based positioning methods including multi-round-trip time (Multi-RTT) , downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) , uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) and uplink reference time of arrival (UL-RTOA) . There is a need to specify the signalling and procedures to support aggregation of PRS/SRS resources across PFLs/carriers for positioning measurements.
In view of the above and other aspects, embodiments of the present disclosure provide solutions for bandwidth aggregation for positioning. Aspects of the present disclosure are described in the context of a wireless communications system.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 100 that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system 100 may include one or more network entities 102 (also referred to as network equipment (NE) ) , one or more UEs 104, a core network 106, and a packet data network 108. The wireless communications system 100 may support various radio access technologies. In some implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a 4G network, such as an LTE network or an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network. In some other implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a 5G network, such as an NR network. In other implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a combination of a 4G network and a 5G network, or other suitable radio access technology including Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi) , IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) , IEEE 802.20. The wireless communications system 100 may support radio access technologies beyond 5G. Additionally, the wireless communications system 100 may support technologies, such as time division multiple access (TDMA) , frequency division multiple access (FDMA) , or code division multiple access (CDMA) , etc.
The one or more network entities 102 may be dispersed throughout a geographic region to form the wireless communications system 100. One or more of the network entities 102 described herein may be or include or may be referred to as a network node, a base station, a network element, a radio access network (RAN) , a base transceiver station, an access point, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB) , a next-generation NodeB (gNB) , or other suitable terminology. A network entity 102 and a UE 104 may communicate via a communication link 110, which may be a wireless or wired connection. For example, a network entity 102 and a UE 104 may perform wireless communication (e.g., receive signaling, transmit signaling) over a Uu interface.
A network entity 102 may provide a geographic coverage area 112 for which the network entity 102 may support services (e.g., voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. ) for one or more UEs 104 within the geographic coverage area 112. For example, a network entity 102 and a UE 104 may support wireless communication of signals related to services (e.g., voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. ) according to one or multiple radio access technologies. In some implementations, a network entity 102 may be moveable, for example, a satellite associated with a non-terrestrial network. In some implementations, different geographic coverage areas 112 associated with the same or different radio access technologies may overlap, but the different geographic coverage areas 112 may be associated with different network entities 102. Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.
The one or more UEs 104 may be dispersed throughout a geographic region of the wireless communications system 100. A UE 104 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a remote unit, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology. In some implementations, the UE 104 may be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE 104 may be referred to as an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device, an Internet-of-Everything (IoE) device, or machine-type communication (MTC) device, among other examples. In some implementations, a UE 104 may be stationary in the wireless communications system 100. In some other implementations, a UE 104 may be mobile in the wireless communications system 100.
The one or more UEs 104 may be devices in different forms or having different capabilities. Some examples of UEs 104 are illustrated in FIG. 1. A UE 104 may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as the network entities 102, other UEs 104, or network equipment (e.g., the core network 106, the packet data network 108, a relay device, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, or another network equipment) , as shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, or alternatively, a UE 104 may support communication with other network entities 102 or UEs 104, which may act as relays in the wireless communications system 100.
A UE 104 may also be able to support wireless communication directly with other UEs 104 over a communication link 114. For example, a UE 104 may support wireless communication directly with another UE 104 over a device-to-device (D2D) communication link. In some implementations, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) deployments, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) deployments, or cellular-V2X deployments, the communication link 114 may be referred to as a sidelink. For example, a UE 104 may support wireless communication directly with another UE 104 over a PC5 interface.
A network entity 102 may support communications with the core network 106, or with another network entity 102, or both. For example, a network entity 102 may interface with the core network 106 through one or more backhaul links 116 (e.g., via an S1, N2, N2, or another network interface) . The network entities 102 may communicate with each other over the backhaul links 116 (e.g., via an X2, Xn, or another network interface) . In some implementations, the network entities 102 may communicate with each other directly (e.g., between the network entities 102) . In some other implementations, the network entities 102 may communicate with each other or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 106) . In some implementations, one or more network entities 102 may include subcomponents, such as an access network entity, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC) . An ANC may communicate with the one or more UEs 104 through one or more other access network transmission entities, which may be referred to as a radio heads, smart radio heads, or transmission-reception points (TRPs) .
In some implementations, a network entity 102 may be configured in a disaggregated architecture, which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack physically or logically distributed among two or more network entities 102, such as an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open RAN (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance) , or a virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a cloud RAN (C-RAN) ) . For example, a network entity 102 may include one or more of a central unit (CU) , a distributed unit (DU) , a radio unit (RU) , a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) (e.g., a Near-Real Time RIC (Near-RT RIC) , a Non-Real Time RIC (Non-RT RIC) ) , a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) system, or any combination thereof.
An RU may also be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, a remote radio head (RRH) , a remote radio unit (RRU) , or a transmission reception point (TRP) . One or more components of the network entities 102 in a disaggregated RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of the network entities 102 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations) . In some implementations, one or more network entities 102 of a disaggregated RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., a virtual CU (VCU) , a virtual DU (VDU) , a virtual RU (VRU) ) .
Split of functionality between a CU, a DU, and an RU may be flexible and may support different functionalities depending upon which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, radio frequency functions, and any combinations thereof) are performed at a CU, a DU, or an RU. For example, a functional split of a protocol stack may be employed between a CU and a DU such that the CU may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the DU may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. In some implementations, the CU may host upper protocol layer (e.g., a layer 3 (L3) , a layer 2 (L2) ) functionality and signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) , service data adaption protocol (SDAP) , Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) ) . The CU may be connected to one or more DUsor RUs, and the one or more DUs or RUs may host lower protocol layers, such as a layer 1 (L1) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or an L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer) functionality and signaling, and may each be at least partially controlled by the CU 160.
Additionally, or alternatively, a functional split of the protocol stack may be employed between a DU and an RU such that the DU may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the RU may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DU may support one or multiple different cells (e.g., via one or more RUs) . In some implementations, a functional split between a CU and a DU, or between a DU and an RU may be within a protocol layer (e.g., some functions for a protocol layer may be performed by one of a CU, a DU, or an RU, while other functions of the protocol layer are performed by a different one of the CU, the DU, or the RU) .
A CU may be functionally split further into CU control plane (CU-CP) and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. A CU may be connected to one or more DUs via a midhaul communication link (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u) , and a DU may be connected to one or more RUs via a fronthaul communication link (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface) . In some implementations, a midhaul communication link or a fronthaul communication link may be implemented in accordance with an interface (e.g., a channel) between layers of a protocol stack supported by respective network entities 102 that are in communication via such communication links.
The core network 106 may support user authentication, access authorization, tracking, connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 106 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) , or a 5G core (5GC) , which may include a control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME) , an access and mobility management functions (AMF) ) and a user plane entity that routes packets or interconnects to external networks (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW) , a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (P-GW) , or a user plane function (UPF) ) . In some implementations, the control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management (e.g., data bearers, signal bearers, etc. ) for the one or more UEs 104 served by the one or more network entities 102 associated with the core network 106.
In some embodiments, the core network 106 may further include a location server, e.g., a location management function (LMF) . The LMF may receive measurements and assistance information from the network entity 102 and the UE 104 via the AMF to compute the position of the UE 104. A NR positioning protocol A (NRPPa) protocol was introduced to carry the positioning information between RAN and LMF over the next generation control plane interface (NG-C) . The LMF and the network entity 102 may communicate using the NRPPa defined in 3GPP TS 38.455, where NRPPa messages are communicated between the network entity 102 and the LMF via an AMF. The LMF and the UE 104 may communicate using the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) defined in 3GPP TS 36.355, where LPP messages are communicated between the UE 104 and the LMF via a serving AMF and a serving network entity for the UE. For example, LPP messages may be communicated between the LMF and the AMF using hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) -based service operations, and LPP messages may be communicated between the AMF and the UE using a 5G non-access stratum (NAS) protocol. The LPP protocol may be used to support positioning of the UE using UE-assisted and/or UE-based positioning methods, such as assisted GNSS (a-GNSS) , Real Time Kinematics (RTK) , Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) , observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) , and/or Enhanced Cell Identity (ECID) . The NRPPa protocol may be used to support positioning of UE using network-based positioning methods, such as ECID (when used with measurements obtained by the network entity 102) , and/or the NRPPa protocol may be used by the LMF to obtain location-related information from the network entity 102, such as parameters defining Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) transmissions from the network entity 102 and the location of the network entity 102, to support OTDOA and ECID.
The core network 106 may communicate with the packet data network 108 over one or more backhaul links 116 (e.g., via an S1, N2, N2, or another network interface) . The packet data network 108 may include an application server 118. In some implementations, one or more UEs 104 may communicate with the application server 118. A UE 104 may establish a session (e.g., a protocol data unit (PDU) session, or the like) with the core network 106 via a network entity 102. The core network 106 may route traffic (e.g., control information, data, and the like) between the UE 104 and the application server 118 using the established session (e.g., the established PDU session) . The PDU session may be an example of a logical connection between the UE 104 and the core network 106 (e.g., one or more network functions of the core network 106) .
In the wireless communications system 100, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may use resources of the wireless communications system 100 (e.g., time resources (e.g., symbols, slots, subframes, frames, or the like) or frequency resources (e.g., subcarriers, carriers) ) to perform various operations (e.g., wireless communications) . In some implementations, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support different resource structures. For example, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support different frame structures. In some implementations, such as in 4G, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support a single frame structure. In some other implementations, such as in 5G and among other suitable radio access technologies, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support various frame structures (i.e., multiple frame structures) . The network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support various frame structures based on one or more numerologies.
One or more numerologies may be supported in the wireless communications system 100, and a numerology may include a subcarrier spacing and a cyclic prefix. A first numerology (e.g., μ=0) may be associated with a first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. In some implementations, the first numerology (e.g., μ=0) associated with the first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) may utilize one slot per subframe. A second numerology (e.g., μ=1) may be associated with a second subcarrier spacing (e.g., 30 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. A third numerology (e.g., μ=2) may be associated with a third subcarrier spacing (e.g., 60 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix or an extended cyclic prefix. A fourth numerology (e.g., μ=3) may be associated with a fourth subcarrier spacing (e.g., 120 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. A fifth numerology (e.g., μ=4) may be associated with a fifth subcarrier spacing (e.g., 240 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix.
A time interval of a resource (e.g., a communication resource) may be organized according to frames (also referred to as radio frames) . Each frame may have a duration, for example, a 10 millisecond (ms) duration. In some implementations, each frame may include multiple subframes. For example, each frame may include 10 subframes, and each subframe may have a duration, for example, a 1 ms duration. In some implementations, each frame may have the same duration. In some implementations, each subframe of a frame may have the same duration.
Additionally or alternatively, a time interval of a resource (e.g., a communication resource) may be organized according to slots. For example, a subframe may include a number (e.g., quantity) of slots. The number of slots in each subframe may also depend on the one or more numerologies supported in the wireless communications system 100. For instance, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth numerologies (i.e., μ=0, μ=1, μ=2, μ=3, μ=4) associated with respective subcarrier spacings of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, and 240 kHz may utilize a single slot per subframe, two slots per subframe, four slots per subframe, eight slots per subframe, and 16 slots per subframe, respectively. Each slot may include a number (e.g., quantity) of symbols (e.g., OFDM symbols) . In some implementations, the number (e.g., quantity) of slots for a subframe may depend on a numerology. For a normal cyclic prefix, a slot may include 14 symbols. For an extended cyclic prefix (e.g., applicable for 60 kHz subcarrier spacing) , a slot may include 12 symbols. The relationship between the number of symbols per slot, the number of slots per subframe, and the number of slots per frame for a normal cyclic prefix and an extended cyclic prefix may depend on a numerology. It should be understood that reference to a first numerology (e.g., μ=0) associated with a first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) may be used interchangeably between subframes and slots.
In the wireless communications system 100, an electromagnetic (EM) spectrum may be split, based on frequency or wavelength, into various classes, frequency bands, frequency channels, etc. By way of example, the wireless communications system 100 may support one or multiple operating frequency bands, such as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz –7.125 GHz) , FR2 (24.25 GHz –52.6 GHz) , FR3 (7.125 GHz –24.25 GHz) , FR4 (52.6 GHz –114.25 GHz) , FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz –71 GHz) , and FR5 (114.25 GHz –300 GHz) . In some implementations, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may perform wireless communications over one or more of the operating frequency bands. In some implementations, FR1 may be used by the network entities 102 and the UEs 104, among other equipment or devices for cellular communications traffic (e.g., control information, data) . In some implementations, FR2 may be used by the network entities 102 and the UEs 104, among other equipment or devices for short-range, high data rate capabilities.
FR1 may be associated with one or multiple numerologies (e.g., at least three numerologies) . For example, FR1 may be associated with a first numerology (e.g., μ=0) , which includes 15 kHz subcarrier spacing; a second numerology (e.g., μ=1) , which includes 30 kHz subcarrier spacing; and a third numerology (e.g., μ=2) , which includes 60 kHz subcarrier spacing. FR2 may be associated with one or multiple numerologies (e.g., at least 2 numerologies) . For example, FR2 may be associated with a third numerology (e.g., μ=2) , which includes 60 kHz subcarrier spacing; and a fourth numerology (e.g., μ=3) , which includes 120 kHz subcarrier spacing.
For the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the scenario that a UE 104 performs positioning measurements or positioning transmission for the aggregated reference signal for positioning based on the configuration for bandwidth aggregation. It is to be understood that the disclosure described herein may be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below. Hereinafter, some embodiments of the bandwidth aggregation for positioning will be described in detailed in regard to various specific aspects.
A specific aspect regarding on-demand PRS transmission is how to support on-demand PRS for bandwidth aggregation. On-demand PRS transmission procedure allows the location management function (LMF) to control and decide whether PRS is transmitted or not and to change the characteristics of an ongoing PRS transmission, which can be initiated either by the UE or LMF. In previous discussions, RAN1 has agreed to support both LMF-initiated and UE-initiated on-demand PRS request for PRS bandwidth aggregation and to support preconfigured on-demand PRS across PFLs for PRS bandwidth aggregations. To implement the on-demand PRS configuration for bandwidth aggregation, the pre-defined PRS bandwidth aggregation configuration (s) should be coordinated between TRP/gNB (s) and LMF, and then LMF provides the pre-configuration (s) to UEs. The UE may transmit on-demand PRS bandwidth aggregation request to the LMF to request specific PRS configurations for PRS bandwidth aggregation. The details of pre-defined on-demand PRS configurations and on-demand request from the UE to support PRS bandwidth aggregation need to be enhanced from RAN2’s perspective. It should be understood that embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to PRS bandwidth aggregation, but may also apply to bandwidth aggregations of other reference signals for positioning.
FIG. 2A illustrates an example signaling chart of an example process 200A that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 200A will be described with reference to FIG. 1, and the process 200A may involve a UE 104 as shown in FIG. 1 and a core network device 206. The core network device 206 may be implemented as one or more network functions of the core network 106 as shown in FIG. 1. For example, the core network device 206 may be implemented as a LMF in the core network 106. It is to be understood that the steps and the order of the steps in FIG. 2A are merely for illustration, and not for limitation. It is to be understood that process 200A may further include additional blocks not shown and/or omit some shown blocks, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
As shown in FIG. 2A, a core network device 206 determines 201 a configuration 203 for bandwidth aggregation of a reference signal for positioning, and transmits 202 the configuration 203 to a UE 104. It should be understood that the communication between the core network device 206 and the UE 104 may be performed via the access network. The reference signal for positioning may be PRS or other reference signals for positioning. The UE 104 receives 204 the configuration 203 from the core network device 206. Based on the received configuration 203 for bandwidth aggregation, the UE 104 performs 205 positioning measurements for the reference signal for positioning. In this way, the positioning accuracy based on the aggregated reference signal for positioning may be improved.
In some example embodiments, the UE 104 may receive a bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set from the core network device 206. Based on the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set, the UE 104 may transmit a request for the reference signal for positioning to the core network device 206. The configuration 203 for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be determined based on the request from the UE 104. In a specific example implementation, in case of a UE-initiated on-demand PRS transmission, the UE 104 may be configured with pre-defined on-demand PRS configurations for PRS bandwidth aggregation. For example, the pre-defined on-demand PRS configurations for PRS bandwidth aggregation may include the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set. The UE 104 may transmit on-demand PRS request based on the pre-defined on-demand PRS configurations. The core network device 206 (e.g., an LMF) may determine the configuration for bandwidth aggregation based on the on-demand PRS request from the UE 104.
In some example implementations, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may include at least one ID. Each ID may be associated with a plurality of resource sets that can be aggregated. The request from the UE may include one or more IDs among the at least one ID. In a more specific example, an aggregation/linkage/group ID may be pre-configured to identify the PRS resource sets. PRS resource sets with the same aggregation/linkage/group ID may be pre-defined for bandwidth aggregation. In other words, if multiple PRS resource sets are assigned with the same aggregation/linkage/group ID, these PRS resource sets can be aggregated together for bandwidth aggregation in the PRS measurement. The on-demand PRS request may be the request for specific PRS bandwidth aggregation set (s) which may be indicated by a pre-defined/pre-configured aggregation/linkage/group ID for PRS bandwidth aggregation.
In some example implementations, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may include at least one ID. Each ID may be associated with at least one positioning frequency layer (PFL) . Resource sets associated with the at least one PFL can be aggregated. The request from the UE may include one or more IDs among the at least one ID. In a more specific example, an aggregation/linkage/group ID may be pre-configured to identify the PFL (s) . PRS resource sets of PFL (s) with the same aggregation/linkage/group ID may be pre-defined for bandwidth aggregation. In other words, if one or more PFL (s) are assigned with the same aggregation/linkage/group ID, PRS resource sets of these PFL (s) can be aggregated together for bandwidth aggregation in the PRS measurement. The on-demand PRS request may be the request for specific PRS bandwidth aggregation set (s) which may be indicated by a pre-defined/pre-configured aggregation/linkage/group ID for PRS bandwidth aggregation.
In some example implementations, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may include at least one ID. Each ID may be associated with at least one transmission/reception point (TRP) . Resource sets associated with the at least one TRP can be aggregated. The request from the UE may include one or more IDs among the at least one ID. In a more specific example, an aggregation/linkage/group ID may be pre-configured to identify the TRP (s) . PRS resource sets of TRP (s) with the same aggregation/linkage/group ID may be pre-defined for bandwidth aggregation. In other words, if one or more TRP (s) are assigned with the same aggregation/linkage/group ID, PRS resource sets of these TRP (s) can be aggregated together for bandwidth aggregation in the PRS measurement. The on-demand PRS request may be the request for specific PRS bandwidth aggregation set (s) which may be indicated by a pre-defined/pre-configured aggregation/linkage/group ID for PRS bandwidth aggregation.
In some example embodiments, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may include at least one resource set ID. Each resource set ID may be associated with a plurality of resource sets that can be aggregated. The request may include one or more resource set IDs among the at least one resource set ID. In a more specific example, PRS resource sets that can be linked or aggregated identified by the same resource set ID. The on-demand PRS request may be the request for specific PRS bandwidth aggregation set (s) which may be indicated by the same resource set ID of different resource sets.
In some example embodiments, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may be indicative of whether a resource set can be used for bandwidth aggregation. The request may include an indication of a plurality of resource sets that can be used for bandwidth aggregation. For example, an additional indication for bandwidth aggregation may be configured to indicate whether a specific PRS resource set can be used for bandwidth aggregation. The granularity of the indication may be per PRS resource set. The on-demand PRS request may be an PRS bandwidth aggregation indication, associated with the explicit PRS resource set ID (s) which can be used for PRS bandwidth aggregation.
In some example embodiments, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may be indicative of whether one or more resource sets associated with a PFL can be used for bandwidth aggregation. The request may include an indication of at least one PFL associated with one or more resource sets that can be used for bandwidth aggregation. For example, an additional indication for bandwidth aggregation may be configured to indicate whether specific PRS resource sets can be used for bandwidth aggregation. The granularity of the indication may be per PFL. If an ID of a PFL is included in the indication for bandwidth aggregation, all the resource sets related to this PFL can be used for bandwidth aggregation. The on-demand PRS request may be an PRS bandwidth aggregation indication, associated with the explicit PFL ID (s) which can be used for PRS bandwidth aggregation.
In some example embodiments, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may be indicative of whether one or more resource sets associated with a TRP can be used for bandwidth aggregation. The request may include an indication of at least one TRP associated with one or more resource sets that can be used for bandwidth aggregation. For example, an additional indication for bandwidth aggregation may be configured to indicate whether specific PRS resource sets can be used for bandwidth aggregation. The granularity of the indication may be per TRP. If an ID of a TRP is included in the indication for bandwidth aggregation, all the resource sets related to this TRP can be used for bandwidth aggregation. The on-demand PRS request may be an PRS bandwidth aggregation indication, associated with the explicit TRP ID (s) which can be used for PRS bandwidth aggregation.
In some example embodiments, the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may be comprised in a configuration for the on-demand reference signal. The bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set may be received from the core network device 206 via a first Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) Provide Assistance Data message or via a positioning System Information Block (posSIB) . The configuration 203 for bandwidth aggregation may be received from the core network device 206 via a second LPP Provide Assistance Data message. For example, in case of a UE-initiated on-demand PRS transmission, the LMF may configure the UE with pre-defined PRS configurations, which may further include PRS configuration for bandwidth aggregation, via a LPP Provide Assistance Data message or via a posSIB.
In some example embodiments, the reference signal for positioning may be an on-demand reference signal, In some example embodiments, the UE 104 may receive, from the core network device 206, a configuration for the on-demand reference signal, wherein at least one resource set indicated in the configuration for the on-demand reference signal can be used for bandwidth aggregation; and transmit, to the core network device 206, a request for the on-demand reference signal based on the configuration for the on-demand reference signal. The configuration 203 for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be associated with the request. In other words, there may be no additional identification/indication for bandwidth aggregation in the pre-defined on-demand PRS configurations. The PRS resource sets provided in the pre-defined on-demand PRS configuration can be potentially used for bandwidth aggregation by default. The configuration for the on-demand reference signal may be received from the core network device 206 via a first LPP Provide Assistance Data message or via a posSIB. The configuration 203 for bandwidth aggregation may be received from the core network device 206 via a second LPP Provide Assistance Data message.
In some example embodiments, the UE 104 may transmit, to the core network device 206, a request for the reference signal for positioning. The request may include a bandwidth aggregation requirement for the positioning measurements, and the configuration 203 for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be associated with the request. In a more specific example, the on-demand PRS request may be an PRS bandwidth aggregation indication or a request to change to PRS bandwidth aggregation, which may further include the requirements for the PRS bandwidth aggregation optionally.
In some example implementations, the bandwidth aggregation requirement may include one of the following: a number of resource sets required for bandwidth aggregation; a number of PFLs required for bandwidth aggregation; a start time of the reference signal for positioning required for bandwidth aggregation; or a duration of the reference signal for positioning required for bandwidth aggregation. For example, the bandwidth aggregation requirement may include but not limited to, e.g., the number of aggregated resource sets, the number of aggregated PFLs, dl-prs-start time of the aggregated PRS resource sets, dl-prs-duration of the aggregated PRS resource sets, etc.
In some example implementations, the bandwidth aggregation requirement may include one of the following: an indication that a bandwidth larger than a currently configured bandwidth may be required; an indication that a duration of the reference signal for positioning longer than a currently configured duration may be required; or an indication that a higher accuracy for positioning measurements than a current accuracy may be required. For example, on-demand PRS request can be other implicit conditions, e.g., to request a larger bandwidth, or a longer PRS duration, or a higher accuracy requirement for positioning measurements, etc.
In some example embodiments, the UE 104 may transmit, to the core network device 206, positioning measurement results. The configuration 203 for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be associated with the positioning measurement results. For example, in case of an LMF-initiated on-demand PRS transmission, the LMF and the UE may exchange LPP messages e.g., to obtain positioning measurement results of the UEs. The LMF may determine the configuration for bandwidth aggregation based on the positioning measurement results. In an example implementation, if the LMF determines that the accuracy of positioning does not meet the positioning accuracy requirement based on the positioning measurement results of the UEs, the LMF may provide a new configuration for bandwidth aggregation to the UE, e.g., to aggregate more resource sets so as to improve the positioning accuracy.
In some example embodiments, the UE 104 may transmit, to the core network device 206, an indication of a capability of supporting bandwidth aggregation. The configuration 203 for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be associated with the capability. For example, in case of an LMF-initiated on-demand PRS transmission, the LMF and the UE may exchange LPP messages e.g., to obtain the DL-PRS positioning capabilities, which may further include the capability of support PRS bandwidth aggregation of the UE, etc. The LMF may determine the configuration for bandwidth aggregation based on DL-PRS positioning capabilities of the UE.
Another specific aspect regarding PRS bandwidth aggregation is how to support PRS bandwidth aggregation for the RRC_INACTIVE state or the RRC_IDLE state. From RAN1’s perspective, it has been agreed to support UE to perform PRS measurement across multiple aggregated PFLs in RRC_CONNECTED, RRC_INACTIVE and RRC_IDLE states. However, the details of procedures or information needed to support PRS bandwidth aggregation for RRC_INACTIVE and RRC_IDLE state needs to be enhanced from RAN2’s perspective. It should be understood that embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to PRS bandwidth aggregation, but may also apply to bandwidth aggregations of other reference signals for positioning.
In some example embodiments, the configuration 203 for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning may be received from the core network device 206 via a LPP Provide Assistance Data message or via a posSIB in a connected state, the positioning measurements may be performed in an inactive state or an idle state. In some example embodiments, the UE 104 may transmit a RRCSetupRequest message or a RRCResumeRequest message comprising an indication of reporting of the positioning measurements for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning; and transmitting, to the core network device 206, results of the positioning measurements in the connected state.
In an example implementation, the UE may perform PRS bandwidth aggregation across PFLs in a RRC_INACTIVE or RRC_IDLE state. Positioning Assistance data which includes aggregated PRSs resource set IDs associated with PFLs of a certain TRP may be provided by a posSIB or may be pre-configured when the UE is in an RRC_CONNECTED state. Measurements for PRS with bandwidth aggregation may be performed when the UE is in an RRC_INACTIVE/IDLE state and measurement results may be reported when the UE is in an RRC_CONNECTED state, which contains the joint measurement indication and aggregated measurements associated with aggregated PRS measurement ID. A new cause value for PSR aggregation measurement reporting may be added in the RRCSetupRequest or RRCResumeRequest message. In this way, the Positioning Assistance data information is enhanced to support the UE to perform PRS bandwidth aggregation across PFLs in a RRC_INACTIVE or RRC_IDLE state.
Hereinbefore, some embodiments of the bandwidth aggregation for positioning are described in general terms. Hereinafter, some implementations of the bandwidth aggregation for positioning will be further detailed reference to FIG. 2B.
The on-demand PRS transmission procedure can be initiated either by the UE or LMF. The actual PRS changes are requested by the LMF irrespective of whether the procedure is UE-initiated or LMF-initiated. In some embodiments, if the on-demand procedure is supported for PRS bandwidth aggregation, the contents of the pre-configuration from the network and the on-demand request from the UE, as well as the on-demand PRS for bandwidth aggregation, will be further detailed with reference to FIG. 2B.
FIG. 2B illustrates an example communication process 200B related to a configuration procedure that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. It is noted that the process 200B can be considered as a more specific example of the process 200A of FIG. 2A. For the purpose of discussion, the process 200B will be described with reference to FIG. 1, and the process 200B may involve a UE 104 as shown in FIG. 1, a gNB/TRP 212 and a LMF 206. The LMF 216 may be implemented as a network function of the core network 106 as shown in FIG. 1. The gNB/TRP 212 in the process 200B may be considered as a more specific example of the network entity 102 of FIG. 2A and the LMF 216 may be considered as a more specific example of the core network device 206 of FIG. 2A.
As shown in FIG. 2B, at 222, the LMF 216 may receive information on the possible on-demand PRS configurations that the gNB/TRP 212 can support during the TRP information exchange.
In case of UE-initiated on-demand PRS for bandwidth aggregation, at 224, the LMF 216 may configure the UE 104 with pre-defined PRS configurations via LPP Provide Assistance Data message or via posSIB. The pre-defined PRS configurations may further include pre-defined PRS configuration for bandwidth aggregation. There may be various implementations for the pre-defined configurations for bandwidth aggregation in the on-demand-dl--prs configuration.
In one example implementation for the pre-defined configurations for bandwidth aggregation, an aggregation/linkage/group ID may be pre-configured to identify the PRS resource sets/PFLs of certain TRP. In one example, PRS resource sets with the same aggregation/linkage/group ID may be pre-defined for bandwidth aggregation. In another example, PRS resource sets of the PFLs with the same aggregation/linkage/group ID may be pre-defined for bandwidth aggregation. In a further example, the linked/aggregated PRS resource sets may be identified by the same resource set ID. One or more groups of PRS bandwidth aggregation may be pre-defined by the LMF 216 in the pre-defined on-demand PRS configuration.
In another example implementation for the pre-defined configurations for bandwidth aggregation, an additional indication for bandwidth aggregation may be configured to indicate whether specific PRS resource set (s) can be used for bandwidth aggregation. The granularity of the indication may be per PRS resource set, per PFL, or per TRP. If the indication is per PFL or per TRP, all the resource sets related to this PFL or to this TRP can be used for bandwidth aggregation.
In a further example implementation for the pre-defined configurations for bandwidth aggregation, no additional identification/indication is needed. The PRS resource sets provided in the on-demand PRS configuration can be potentially used for bandwidth aggregation by default.
In case of UE-initiated on-demand PRS for bandwidth aggregation, at 226, the UE 104 may transmit an on-demand PRS request to the LMF 216 via a LPP Request Assistance data message. The on-demand PRS request from UE 104 for bandwidth aggregation may be transmitted based on the received pre-defined configurations from the LMF 216.
In one example implementation for the on-demand PRS request, the on-demand PRS request may comprise the request for a specific PRS bandwidth aggregation sets which has been indicated by a pre-defined aggregation/linkage/group ID for PRS bandwidth aggregation.
In another example implementation for the on-demand PRS request, the on-demand PRS request may comprise an PRS bandwidth aggregation indication, associated with the explicit PFL ID, TRP ID or PRS resource set id (s) which can be used for bandwidth aggregation. If PRS resource set ID (s) are included in the request, at 230, the LMF 216 may determine the need of the PRS bandwidth aggregation and the availability of the requested PRS resource sets. If PFL ID (s) or TRP ID (s) are included in the request, it is left to the LMF implementation to determine the specific PRS resource sets for bandwidth aggregation related to the identified PFL (s) or TRP (s) if PRS bandwidth aggregation is needed.
In a further example implementation for the on-demand PRS request, the on-demand PRS request may comprise a PRS bandwidth aggregation indication or a request to change to PRS bandwidth aggregation, which may further include the requirements for the PRS bandwidth aggregation optionally. The requirements may include e.g., the number of aggregated resource sets, the number of aggregated PFLs, dl-prs-start time of the aggregated PRS resource sets, dl-prs-duration of the aggregated PRS resource sets, etc. It is left to the LMF implementation to determine the need of PRS bandwidth aggregation and specific PRS resource sets across different PFLs for bandwidth aggregation.
In a yet further example implementation for the on-demand PRS request, the on-demand PRS request may comprise other implicit conditions, e.g., to request a larger bandwidth, or a longer PRS duration, or a higher accuracy requirement for positioning measurements, etc.
In case of LMF-initiated on-demand PRS for bandwidth aggregation, at 228, the LMF 216 and the UE 104 may exchange LPP messages e.g., to obtain UE measurements or the DL-PRS positioning capabilities. The DL-PRS positioning capabilities may further include the capability of support PRS bandwidth aggregation of the UE, etc.
At 230, the LMF 216 may determine the need for PRS transmission, or the change to the transmission characteristics of an ongoing PRS transmission, or the need for PRS bandwidth aggregation. At 232, the LMF 216 may request the serving and non-serving gNBs/TRPs 212 for new PRS transmission or PRS transmission with changes to the PRS configuration or PRS for bandwidth aggregation via a NRPPa PRS CONFIGURAION REQUEST message.
At 234, the gNB/TRPs 212 may provide the successfully configured or updated PRS transmission in a NRPPa PRS CONFIGURATION RESPONSE message accordingly. At 236, the LMF 216 may provide the PRS configuration used for PRS transmission or an error cause via a LPP Provide Assistance Data message to the UE 104.
In this way, the contents of the pre-defined on-demand PRS configuration from the LMF and the on-demand PRS request from the UE are enhanced to support on-demand PRS for bandwidth aggregation.
A specific aspect regarding positioning SRS transmission is about the Semi-Persistent (SP) Positioning SRS (SRSp) Activation/Deactivation MAC CE design for bandwidth aggregation. In legacy uplink positioning, the network may activate and deactivate the configured resource sets of semi-persistent positioning SRS of a serving cell by sending the SP SRSp Activation/Deactivation MAC CE. If the MAC entity receives an SP Positioning SRS Activation/Deactivation MAC CE on a serving cell, the MAC entity may indicate to lower layers the information regarding the SP Positioning SRS Activation/Deactivation MAC CE. For SRS bandwidth aggregation, RAN1 has made the working assumption that for semi-persistent positioning SRS for bandwidth aggregation, a single MAC CE can activate or deactivate SRS resource set (s) in one or two or three of three aggregated carriers or SRS resource set (s) in one or two of two aggregated carriers. However, due to the MAC CE format, the SP SRS-p Activation/Deactivation MAC CE only has 1 bit reservation available, then how to reuse the legacy MAC CE or whether a new MAC CE is needed to activate or deactivate the SP positioning SRS for bandwidth aggregation needs to be further studied. It should be understood that embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to SRS bandwidth aggregation, but may also apply to bandwidth aggregations of other reference signals for positioning.
FIG. 3A illustrates an example signaling chart of an example process 300 that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 1, and the process 300 may involve a UE 104 and a network entity 102 as shown in FIG. 1. The network entity 102 may also be referred to as a base station 102. It is to be understood that the steps and the order of the steps in FIG. 3A are merely for illustration, and not for limitation. It is to be understood that process 300 may further include additional blocks not shown and/or omit some shown blocks, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
As shown in FIG. 3A, a network entity 102 determines 301 a configuration 303 for bandwidth aggregation of a reference signal for positioning, and transmits 302 the configuration 303 to a UE 104. It should be understood that the communication between the network entity 102 and the UE 104 may be performed via the access network. The reference signal for positioning may be a positioning SRS or other reference signals for positioning. The UE 104 receives 304 the configuration 303 from the network entity 102. Based on the received configuration 303 for bandwidth aggregation, the UE 104 performs 305 positioning transmission for the reference signal for positioning. In this way, the positioning accuracy based on the aggregated reference signal for positioning may be improved.
In some example embodiments, the UE 104 may receive, from the network entity 102, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) for activating or deactivating the configuration and for indicating whether at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation, in the case that the at least one resource set is semi-persistent SRS resource set If the configuration is activated and the at least one resource set is to be used for bandwidth aggregation, the positioning transmission may be performed on the at least one resource set that is aggregated.
In an example implementation, if a SP SRS bandwidth aggregation is configured, the network may activate or deactivate the aggregated resource sets of semi-persistent positioning SRS from different carriers by sending a SP SRSp Activation/Deactivation MAC CE. If the MAC entity receives an SP Positioning SRS Activation/Deactivation MAC CE for bandwidth aggregation on a Serving Cell, the MAC entity may indicate to lower layers the information regarding the SP Positioning SRS Activation/Deactivation MAC CE for bandwidth aggregation. In some examples, a single MAC CE may be used to activate or deactivate SRS resource set (s) in one or two or three of three aggregated carriers, or SRS resource set (s) in one or two of two aggregated carriers, by reusing the legacy MAC CE or a newly designed MAC CE.
In some embodiments, the legacy SP Positioning SRS Activation/Deactivation MAC CE design may be reused for SP SRS bandwidth aggregation. FIG. 3B illustrates an example structure of a SP Positioning SRS Activation/Deactivation MAC CE. As shown in FIG. 3B, the legacy MAC CE only has 1 bit reservation (R field) available. In order to reuse the legacy MAC CE for the (de) activation SP SRS of bandwidth aggregation, the format design of the MAC CE may be reused but the field description for each field may need to be updated to support SP SRS bandwidth aggregation. Hereinafter, some alternative implementations will be described to reuse the legacy SP Positioning SRS Activation/Deactivation MAC CE design for SP SRS bandwidth aggregation.
In some example embodiments, the MAC CE may include a bit field indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation. For example, the R (1 bit Reserve) field in MAC CE as shown in FIG. 3B may be used to indicates whether the MAC CE is used to activate/deactivate the SP SRS for bandwidth aggregation or not. In an example, a value of 1 in the R field may indicates the bandwidth aggregation, otherwise it sets to 0.
In some example embodiments, the configuration 303 for bandwidth aggregation may be associated with the at least one resource set that can be aggregated. The MAC CE may include a resource set ID of a resource set among the at least one resource set, a bandwidth (BWP) ID of the resource set and a cell ID of the resource set. In a more specific example, the UE 104 may be configured with a SP SRS bandwidth aggregation and multiple SRS resource sets can be aggregated. The UE 104 may receive a SP SRSp Activation/Deactivation MAC CE to activate or deactivate the configured resource sets. If the R field in the MAC CE is indicated to 1, and the fields of positioning SRS resource set ID, Positioning SRS resource set’s cell ID, and Positioning SRS Resource set’s BWP ID respectively indicate the SRS resource set ID, associated cell ID and BWP ID of an aggregated SRS resource set among the configured multiple SRS resource sets that can be aggregated, then the UE 104 may activate or deactivate all SRS resource sets aggregated with the SRS resource set indicated in the MAC CE per configuration when the UE 104 receives the MAC CE.
In some example embodiments, the configuration 303 for bandwidth aggregation may be associated with a plurality of resource sets that can be aggregated, the plurality of resource sets may include the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE. The MAC CE may include a resource set ID of a resource set among the at least one resource set, a BWP ID of the resource set and a cell ID of the resource set. An index of the resource set in the plurality of resource sets equals to a number of resource sets in the at least one resource set.
In a more specific example, the fields of positioning SRS resource set ID, Positioning SRS resource set’s cell ID and BWP ID may, respectively, indicate the SRS resource set ID, cell ID and BWP ID related to the first carrier/second carrier/third carrier when MAC CE is used to (de) activate SRS resource set (s) in one or two or three of three aggregated carriers respectively. Similarly, the fields of positioning SRS resource set ID, Positioning SRS resource set’s cell ID and BWP ID may, respectively, indicate the SRS resource set ID, cell ID and BWP ID related to the first carrier/second carrier when MAC CE is used to (de) activate SRS resource set (s) in one or two of two aggregated carriers respectively.
In a more specific implementation, to support using a single MAC CE to activate or deactivate SRS resource set (s) in one or two or three of three aggregated carriers, or SRS resource set (s) in one or two of two aggregated carriers when the R field is set to 1, the fields of positioning SRS resource set ID, Positioning SRS resource sets cell ID, and Positioning SRS Resource set’s BWP ID in the MAC CE may have following descriptions.
When the R field is set to 1, the field Positioning SRS resource set’s cell ID may indicate the identity of the Serving Cell X, which contains a SP Positioning SRS Resource Set to be activated/deactivated, and X is the number of activated carriers. If the MAC CE is used to (de) activate SRS resource set (s) in one of three aggregated carriers, cell X is the serving cell of first carrier. In other words, the R field is set to 1, and the Positioning SRS Resource set’s BWP ID indicates the identity of the Serving Cell of the first carrier. If the MAC CE is used to (de) activate SRS resource set (s) in two of three aggregated carriers, cell X is the serving cell of the second carrier. If the MAC CE is used to (de) activate SRS resource set (s) in three of three aggregated carriers, cell X is the serving cell of the third carrier.
When the R field is set to 1, the field Positioning SRS Resource set’s BWP ID indicates a UL BWP as the codepoint of the DCI bandwidth part indicator field, which contains SP Positioning SRS Resource Set to be activated/deactivated. If the MAC CE is used to (de) activate SRS resource set (s) in one of three aggregated carriers, the BWP ID is associated to the first carrier. In other words, the R field is set to 1, and the Positioning SRS Resource set’s BWP ID indicates the BWP associated with the first carrier. If the MAC CE is used to (de) activate SRS resource set (s) in two of three aggregated carriers, the BWP ID is associated to the second carrier; If the MAC CE is used to (de) activate SRS resource set (s) in three of three aggregated carriers, the BWP ID is associated to the third carrier.
When the R field is set to 1, the field Positioning SRS Resource set ID indicates the SP Positioning SRS Resource Set which is to be activated or deactivated. If the MAC CE is used to (de) activate SRS resource set (s) in one of three aggregated carriers, the SRS resource set ID indicates the SRS resource set of the first carrier. If the MAC CE is used to activate SRS resource set (s) in two of three aggregated carriers, the SRS resource set ID indicates the SRS resource set of the second carrier. If the MAC CE is used to activate SRS resource set (s) in three of three aggregated carriers, the SRS resource set ID indicates the SRS resource set of the third carrier.
Other fields (e.g., S/C/SUL/…) in the MAC CE may follow legacy SP Positioning SRS Activation/Deactivation MAC CE design as shown in FIG. 3B.
In some example embodiments, the configuration 303 for bandwidth aggregation may be associated with at least one resource set that can be aggregated. In some example embodiments, the UE 104 may receive, from the network entity 102, at least one MAC CE for activating or deactivating the configuration. Each of the at least one MAC CE may be indicative of whether a respective resource set associated with the MAC CE in the at least one resource set is to be used for bandwidth aggregation. The configuration may be activated or deactivated based on reception of the at least one MAC CE. If the configuration is activated and that the at least one resource set is to be used for bandwidth aggregation, the positioning transmission may be performed on the at least one resource set that is aggregated.
In a more specific example, multiple SP Positioning SRS Activation/Deactivation MAC CEs may be transmitted simultaneously to (de) activate the aggregated/linked SRS resource sets. Each SP Positioning SRS Activation/Deactivation MAC CE may have the R (1 bit Reserve) field indicating whether the SRS resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation or not. For example, the value of 1 in a MAC CE indicates that the SRS resource set associated with the MAC CE is used for the bandwidth aggregation, otherwise it set to 0. Other fields in each MAC CE follows the legacy design to indicate the linked positioning SRS resource set ID and associated cell id, BWP ID, SUL information and so one of the respective positioning SRS resource sets among the linked positioning SRS resource sets. The RRC configuration may configure the bandwidth aggregation and the number of SRS resource sets/carriers to the UE 104. The UE may activate/deactivate the SP SRS for bandwidth aggregation when all the activation/deactivation MAC CEs associated with the aggregated SRS resource sets are received.
In some example embodiments, the MAC CE may include a bit field indicative of whether the respective resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation. For example, the R field as shown in FIG. 3B may be used to indicative of whether the respective resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation.
In some embodiments, the MAC CE may be designed without considering the format restriction of legacy SP SRS MAC CE.
In some example implementations, the MAC CE may include: an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration; an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; at least one resource set ID of the at least one resource set; at least one BWP ID of the at least one resource set; and at least one cell ID of the at least one resource set. For example, all the SRS resource set ID and corresponding BWP ID, cell ID of the SRS resource sets to be aggregated can be carried in the SP SRS MAC CE for bandwidth aggregation. In other words, the MAC CE carries the activation/deactivation (A/D) , and indicates all aggregated SRS resource set IDs, and corresponding Positioning SRS Resource set’s BWP ID and cell ID of each aggregated SRS resource set.
In some example implementations, the configuration 303 for bandwidth aggregation may be associated with the at least one resource set. The MAC CE may include: an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration; an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; and an ID of the at least one resource set. For example, if an aggregation ID/linkage ID/group ID is configured for the aggregated SRS resource sets, the MAC CE carries the A/D indication, bandwidth aggregation (BA) indication and associated aggregation ID/linkage ID/group ID. The UE may activates/deactivates the aggregated SRS resource sets across different carriers based on the aggregation ID/linkage ID/group ID.
In some example implementations, the configuration 303 for bandwidth aggregation may be associated with the at least one resource set. The MAC CE may include: an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration; an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; and a resource set ID. Each of the at least one resource set may be associated with the resource set ID. For example, if all aggregated resource sets are identified by the same resource set ID, the MAC CE carries the A/D indication, bandwidth aggregation (BA) indication and the unified resource set ID. The UE may activate/deactivate the aggregated SRS resource sets across different carriers based on the unified resource set ID.
In some example implementations, the configuration 303 for bandwidth aggregation may be associated with the at least one resource set. The MAC CE may include: an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration; an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; and a resource set ID of one resource set in the at least one resource set. For example, the MAC CE carries the A/D indication, BA indication and any one of the aggregated SRS resource set ID of the aggregated SRS resource sets. The UE may activates/deactivates the aggregated SRS resource sets across different carriers based on the SRS resource set ID.
In some example implementations, the MAC CE may include: an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration; an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; and at least one BWP ID. The positioning transmission may be performed on the at least one resource set associated with the at least one BWP ID. For example, the MAC CE carries the A/D indication and indicates the Positioning SRS Resource set’s BWP ID associated with the aggregated SRS resource sets. When UE receives the (de) activate MAC CE contains the Positioning SRS Resource set’s BWP ID, UE activate/deactivates all aggregated SRS resource sets related to this BWP.
In some example implementations, the MAC CE may include: an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration; an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; and at least one cell ID. The positioning transmission may be performed on the at least one resource set associated with the at least one cell ID. For example, the MAC CE carries the A/D indication and indicates the Positioning SRS Resource set’s cell ID associated with the aggregated SRS resource sets. When UE receives the (de) activate MAC CE contains the Positioning SRS Resource set’s cell ID, UE activate/deactivates all aggregated SRS resource sets related to this cell.
In this way, the SP SRSp activation/deactivation MAC CE for bandwidth aggregation is enhanced by considering legacy SP SRSp Activation/deactivation MAC CE format reuse and new format design for bandwidth aggregation.
Another specific aspect regarding positioning SRS transmission is how to support positioning SRS bandwidth aggregation for the RRC_INACTIVE state. From RAN1’s perspective, it has been agreed to support UE to perform PRS measurement across multiple aggregated PFLs in RRC_CONNECTED, RRC_INACTIVE and RRC_IDLE state. Positioning SRS bandwidth aggregation is supported for UEs in RRC_CONNECTED and RRC_INACTIVE state. It has been agreed that to support intra-band contiguous SRS bandwidth aggregation for UE in RRC_INACTIVE state, frequency information (e.g., point A, offset to carrier) of one or two additional carriers with respective SRS configurations should be provided to the UE, where the newly introduced carrier (s) and the carrier of the initial BWP should be intra-band contiguous carriers. However, the details of procedures or information needed to support SRS bandwidth aggregation for RRC_INACTIVE state needs to be enhanced from RAN2’s perspective. It should be understood that embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to SRS bandwidth aggregation, but may also apply to bandwidth aggregations of other reference signals for positioning.
In some example embodiments, the configuration 303 for bandwidth aggregation may be received via a RRC release message, the positioning transmission may be performed in an inactive state. In some example embodiments, the UE 104 may transmit, to the network entity 102, a RRCResumeRequest message comprising an indication of requesting the configuration 303 for bandwidth aggregation. In a more specific implementation, the UE 104 may perform positioning SRS bandwidth aggregation in RRC_INACTIVE state. The aggregated SRS resource set IDs across different carriers may be indicated by a RRCRelease message from the network entity 102 (e.g., the serving gNB) to the UE 104. A new SRS configuration request may be triggered by the UE 104 via RRCResumeRequest message with a new resume cause. The UE 104 may indicate the request for SRS bandwidth aggregation in the request message, e.g., by define a new resume cause for SRS bandwidth aggregation.
In an example implementation, the configuration 303 may include an ID of at least one resource set. The positioning transmission may be performed on the at least one resource set. For example, specific SRS bandwidth aggregation sets indicated by a pre-defined aggregation/linkage/group ID may be configured to indicate the SRS resource sets for bandwidth aggregation in RRC_INACTIVE state.
In another example implementation, the configuration 303 may include at least one indication of the at least one resource set. The positioning transmission may be performed on the at least one resource set. For example, an indication for bandwidth aggregation may be configured to indicate whether specific SRS resource sets can be used for bandwidth aggregation. The granularity of the indication may be per SRS resource set.
In a further example implementation, the configuration 303 may include at least one indication of at least one BWP. The positioning transmission may be performed on at least one resource set associated with the at least one BWP. For example, an indication for bandwidth aggregation may be configured to indicate whether specific SRS resource sets can be used for bandwidth aggregation. The granularity of the indication may be per BWP.
In yet another example implementation, the configuration 303 may include at least one indication of at least one carrier. The positioning transmission may be performed on at least one resource set associated with the at least one carrier. For example, an indication for bandwidth aggregation may be configured to indicate whether specific SRS resource sets can be used for bandwidth aggregation. The granularity of the indication may be per carrier.
In this way, the SRS configuration request/deliver message is enhanced to support UE to perform positioning SRS bandwidth aggregation in RRC_INACTIVE state.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a device 400 that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 400 may be an example of a UE 104 as described herein. The device 400 may support wireless communication with one or more network entities 102, UEs 104, or any combination thereof. The device 400 may include components for bi-directional communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a processor 402, a memory 404, a transceiver 406, and, optionally, an I/O controller 408. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses) .
The processor 402, the memory 404, the transceiver 406, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of the present disclosure as described herein. For example, the processor 402, the memory 404, the transceiver 406, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the operations described herein.
In some implementations, the processor 402, the memory 404, the transceiver 406, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry) . The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP) , an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some implementations, the processor 402 and the memory 404 coupled with the processor 402 may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., executing, by the processor 402, instructions stored in the memory 404) .
For example, the processor 402 may support wireless communication at the device 400 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 402 may be configured to operable to support a means for receiving, from a network device, a configuration for bandwidth aggregation of a reference signal for positioning; and a means for performing positioning measurements or positioning transmission for the reference signal for positioning based on the configuration for bandwidth aggregation.
The processor 402 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof) . In some implementations, the processor 402 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other implementations, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor 402. The processor 402 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 404) to cause the device 400 to perform various functions of the present disclosure such that the device 400 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to FIGS. 2A to 3B.
The memory 404 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM) . The memory 404 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 402 cause the device 400 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some implementations, the code may not be directly executable by the processor 402 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some implementations, the memory 404 may include, among other things, a basic I/O system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.
The I/O controller 408 may manage input and output signals for the device 400. The I/O controller 408 may also manage peripherals not integrated into the device M02. In some implementations, the I/O controller 408 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral. In some implementations, the I/O controller 408 may utilize an operating system such as or another known operating system. In some implementations, the I/O controller 408 may be implemented as part of a processor, such as the processor 406. In some implementations, a user may interact with the device 400 via the I/O controller 408 or via hardware components controlled by the I/O controller 408.
In some implementations, the device 400 may include a single antenna 410. However, in some other implementations, the device 400 may have more than one antenna 410 (i.e., multiple antennas) , including multiple antenna panels or antenna arrays, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 406 may communicate bi-directionally, via the one or more antennas 410, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 406 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 406 may also include a modem to modulate the packets, to provide the modulated packets to one or more antennas 410 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one or more antennas 410. The transceiver 406 may include one or more transmit chains, one or more receive chains, or a combination thereof.
A transmit chain may be configured to generate and transmit signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) . The transmit chain may include at least one modulator for modulating data onto a carrier signal, preparing the signal for transmission over a wireless medium. The at least one modulator may be configured to support one or more techniques such as amplitude modulation (AM) , frequency modulation (FM) , or digital modulation schemes like phase-shift keying (PSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) . The transmit chain may also include at least one power amplifier configured to amplify the modulated signal to an appropriate power level suitable for transmission over the wireless medium. The transmit chain may also include one or more antennas 410 for transmitting the amplified signal into the air or wireless medium.
A receive chain may be configured to receive signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) over a wireless medium. For example, the receive chain may include one or more antennas 410 for receive the signal over the air or wireless medium. The receive chain may include at least one amplifier (e.g., a low-noise amplifier (LNA) ) configured to amplify the received signal. The receive chain may include at least one demodulator configured to demodulate the receive signal and obtain the transmitted data by reversing the modulation technique applied during transmission of the signal. The receive chain may include at least one decoder for decoding the processing the demodulated signal to receive the transmitted data.
FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a device 500 that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 500 may be an example of a network entity 102 or a core network device 206 as described herein. The device 500 may support wireless communication with one or more network entities 102, UEs 104, or any combination thereof. The device 500 may include components for bi-directional communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a processor 502, a memory 504, a transceiver 506, and, optionally, an I/O controller 508. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses) .
The processor 502, the memory 504, the transceiver 506, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of the present disclosure as described herein. For example, the processor 502, the memory 504, the transceiver 506, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the operations described herein.
In some implementations, the processor 502, the memory 504, the transceiver 506, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry) . The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP) , an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some implementations, the processor 502 and the memory 504 coupled with the processor 502 may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., executing, by the processor 502, instructions stored in the memory 504) .
For example, the processor 502 may support wireless communication at the device 500 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 502 may be configured to operable to support a means for determining a configuration for bandwidth aggregation of a reference signal for positioning; and a means for transmitting, to a user equipment, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning.
The processor 502 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof) . In some implementations, the processor 502 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other implementations, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor 502. The processor 502 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 504) to cause the device 500 to perform various functions of the present disclosure such that the device 500 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to FIGS. 2A to 3B.
The memory 504 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM) . The memory 504 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 502 cause the device 500 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some implementations, the code may not be directly executable by the processor 502 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some implementations, the memory 504 may include, among other things, a basic I/O system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.
The I/O controller 508 may manage input and output signals for the device 500. The I/O controller 508 may also manage peripherals not integrated into the device M02. In some implementations, the I/O controller 508 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral. In some implementations, the I/O controller 508 may utilize an operating system such as or another known operating system. In some implementations, the I/O controller 508 may be implemented as part of a processor, such as the processor 506. In some implementations, a user may interact with the device 500 via the I/O controller 508 or via hardware components controlled by the I/O controller 508.
In some implementations, the device 500 may include a single antenna 510. However, in some other implementations, the device 500 may have more than one antenna 510 (i.e., multiple antennas) , including multiple antenna panels or antenna arrays, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 506 may communicate bi-directionally, via the one or more antennas 510, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 506 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 506 may also include a modem to modulate the packets, to provide the modulated packets to one or more antennas 510 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one or more antennas 510. The transceiver 506 may include one or more transmit chains, one or more receive chains, or a combination thereof.
A transmit chain may be configured to generate and transmit signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) . The transmit chain may include at least one modulator for modulating data onto a carrier signal, preparing the signal for transmission over a wireless medium. The at least one modulator may be configured to support one or more techniques such as amplitude modulation (AM) , frequency modulation (FM) , or digital modulation schemes like phase-shift keying (PSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) . The transmit chain may also include at least one power amplifier configured to amplify the modulated signal to an appropriate power level suitable for transmission over the wireless medium. The transmit chain may also include one or more antennas 510 for transmitting the amplified signal into the air or wireless medium.
A receive chain may be configured to receive signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) over a wireless medium. For example, the receive chain may include one or more antennas 510 for receive the signal over the air or wireless medium. The receive chain may include at least one amplifier (e.g., a low-noise amplifier (LNA) ) configured to amplify the received signal. The receive chain may include at least one demodulator configured to demodulate the receive signal and obtain the transmitted data by reversing the modulation technique applied during transmission of the signal. The receive chain may include at least one decoder for decoding the processing the demodulated signal to receive the transmitted data.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a processor 600 that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The processor 600 may be an example of a processor configured to perform various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor 600 may be implemented in a device or its components as described herein. For example, the device may be an example of a UE 104 as described herein. The processor 600 may include a controller 602 configured to perform various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor 600 may optionally include at least one memory 604, such as L1/L2/L3 cache. Additionally, or alternatively, the processor 600 may optionally include one or more arithmetic-logic units (ALUs) 600. One or more of these components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses) .
The processor 600 may be a processor chipset and include a protocol stack (e.g., a software stack) executed by the processor chipset to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, retrieving, transmitting, outputting, forwarding, storing, determining, identifying, accessing, writing, reading) in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor chipset may include one or more cores, one or more caches (e.g., memory local to or included in the processor chipset (e.g., the processor 600) or other memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) , read-only memory (ROM) , dynamic RAM (DRAM) , synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) , static RAM (SRAM) , ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) , magnetic RAM (MRAM) , resistive RAM (RRAM) , flash memory, phase change memory (PCM) , and others) .
The controller 602 may be configured to manage and coordinate various operations (e.g., signaling, receiving, obtaining, retrieving, transmitting, outputting, forwarding, storing, determining, identifying, accessing, writing, reading) of the processor 600 to cause the processor 600 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. For example, the controller 602 may operate as a control unit of the processor 600, generating control signals that manage the operation of various components of the processor 600. These control signals include enabling or disabling functional units, selecting data paths, initiating memory access, and coordinating timing of operations.
The controller 602 may be configured to fetch (e.g., obtain, retrieve, receive) instructions from the memory 604 and determine subsequent instruction (s) to be executed to cause the processor 600 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The controller 602 may be configured to track memory address of instructions associated with the memory 604. The controller 602 may be configured to decode instructions to determine the operation to be performed and the operands involved. For example, the controller 602 may be configured to interpret the instruction and determine control signals to be output to other components of the processor 600 to cause the processor 600 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 602 may be configured to manage flow of data within the processor 600. The controller 602 may be configured to control transfer of data between registers, arithmetic logic units (ALUs) , and other functional units of the processor 600.
The memory 604 may include one or more caches (e.g., memory local to or included in the processor 600 or other memory, such RAM, ROM, DRAM, SDRAM, SRAM, MRAM, flash memory, etc. In some implementation, the memory 604 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., local to the processor 600) . In some other implementations, the memory 604 may reside external to the processor chipset (e.g., remote to the processor 600) .
The memory 604 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 600, cause the processor 600 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. The controller 602 and/or the processor 600 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 604 to cause the processor 600 to perform various functions. For example, the processor 600 and/or the controller 602 may be coupled with or to the memory 604, and the processor 600, the controller 602, and the memory 604 may be configured to perform various functions described herein. In some examples, the processor 600 may include multiple processors and the memory 604 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories, which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions herein.
The one or more ALUs 600 may be configured to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementation, the one or more ALUs 600 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., the processor 600) . In some other implementations, the one or more ALUs 600 may reside external to the processor chipset (e.g., the processor 600) . One or more ALUs 600 may perform one or more computations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on data. For example, one or more ALUs 600 may receive input operands and an operation code, which determines an operation to be executed. One or more ALUs 600 be configured with a variety of logical and arithmetic circuits, including adders, subtractors, shifters, and logic gates, to process and manipulate the data according to the operation. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more ALUs 600 may support logical operations such as AND, OR, exclusive-OR (XOR) , not-OR (NOR) , and not-AND (NAND) , enabling the one or more ALUs 600 to handle conditional operations, comparisons, and bitwise operations.
The processor 600 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 600 may be configured to or operable to support a means for receiving, from a network device, a configuration for bandwidth aggregation of a reference signal for positioning; and a means for performing positioning measurements or positioning transmission for the reference signal for positioning based on the configuration for bandwidth aggregation.
FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a processor 700 that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The processor 700 may be an example of a processor configured to perform various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor 700 may be implemented in a device or its components as described herein. For example, the device may be an example of a network entity 102 or a core network device 206 as described herein. The processor 700 may include a controller 702 configured to perform various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor 700 may optionally include at least one memory 704, such as L1/L2/L3 cache. Additionally, or alternatively, the processor 700 may optionally include one or more arithmetic-logic units (ALUs) 700. One or more of these components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses) .
The processor 700 may be a processor chipset and include a protocol stack (e.g., a software stack) executed by the processor chipset to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, retrieving, transmitting, outputting, forwarding, storing, determining, identifying, accessing, writing, reading) in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor chipset may include one or more cores, one or more caches (e.g., memory local to or included in the processor chipset (e.g., the processor 700) or other memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) , read-only memory (ROM) , dynamic RAM (DRAM) , synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) , static RAM (SRAM) , ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) , magnetic RAM (MRAM) , resistive RAM (RRAM) , flash memory, phase change memory (PCM) , and others) .
The controller 702 may be configured to manage and coordinate various operations (e.g., signaling, receiving, obtaining, retrieving, transmitting, outputting, forwarding, storing, determining, identifying, accessing, writing, reading) of the processor 700 to cause the processor 700 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. For example, the controller 702 may operate as a control unit of the processor 700, generating control signals that manage the operation of various components of the processor 700. These control signals include enabling or disabling functional units, selecting data paths, initiating memory access, and coordinating timing of operations.
The controller 702 may be configured to fetch (e.g., obtain, retrieve, receive) instructions from the memory 704 and determine subsequent instruction (s) to be executed to cause the processor 700 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The controller 702 may be configured to track memory address of instructions associated with the memory 704. The controller 702 may be configured to decode instructions to determine the operation to be performed and the operands involved. For example, the controller 702 may be configured to interpret the instruction and determine control signals to be output to other components of the processor 700 to cause the processor 700 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 702 may be configured to manage flow of data within the processor 700. The controller 702 may be configured to control transfer of data between registers, arithmetic logic units (ALUs) , and other functional units of the processor 700.
The memory 704 may include one or more caches (e.g., memory local to or included in the processor 700 or other memory, such RAM, ROM, DRAM, SDRAM, SRAM, MRAM, flash memory, etc. In some implementation, the memory 704 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., local to the processor 700) . In some other implementations, the memory 704 may reside external to the processor chipset (e.g., remote to the processor 700) .
The memory 704 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 700, cause the processor 700 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. The controller 702 and/or the processor 700 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 704 to cause the processor 700 to perform various functions. For example, the processor 700 and/or the controller 702 may be coupled with or to the memory 704, and the processor 700, the controller 702, and the memory 704 may be configured to perform various functions described herein. In some examples, the processor 700 may include multiple processors and the memory 704 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories, which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions herein.
The one or more ALUs 700 may be configured to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementation, the one or more ALUs 700 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., the processor 700) . In some other implementations, the one or more ALUs 700 may reside external to the processor chipset (e.g., the processor 700) . One or more ALUs 700 may perform one or more computations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on data. For example, one or more ALUs 700 may receive input operands and an operation code, which determines an operation to be executed. One or more ALUs 700 be configured with a variety of logical and arithmetic circuits, including adders, subtractors, shifters, and logic gates, to process and manipulate the data according to the operation. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more ALUs 700 may support logical operations such as AND, OR, exclusive-OR (XOR) , not-OR (NOR) , and not-AND (NAND) , enabling the one or more ALUs 700 to handle conditional operations, comparisons, and bitwise operations.
The processor 700 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 700 may be configured to or operable to support a means for determining a configuration for bandwidth aggregation of a reference signal for positioning; and a means for transmitting, to a user equipment, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning.
FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method 800 that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 800 may be implemented by a device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 800 may be performed by a UE 104 as described herein. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.
At 805, the method may include receiving, from a network device, a configuration for bandwidth aggregation of a reference signal for positioning. The operations of 805 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 805 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG. 1.
At 810, the method may include performing positioning measurements or positioning transmission for the reference signal for positioning based on the configuration for bandwidth aggregation. The operations of 810 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 810 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of a method 900 that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 900 may be implemented by a device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 900 may be performed by a UE 104 as described herein. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware. In some embodiments, the method 900 may be performed before the method 800.
At 905, the method may include receiving, from the network device, a bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set. The operations of 905 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 905 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG. 1.
At 910, the method may include transmitting, to the network device, a request for the reference signal for positioning based on the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set, wherein the configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning is associated with the request. The operations of 910 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 910 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG. 1.
FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1000 that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1000 may be implemented by a device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1000 may be performed by a UE 104 as described herein. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware. In some embodiments, the method 1000 may be performed between the steps 805 and 810 of the method 800.
At 1005, the method may include receiving, from the network device, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) for activating or deactivating the configuration and for indicating whether at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation, wherein in the case that the configuration is activated and that the at least one resource set is to be used for bandwidth aggregation, the positioning transmission is performed on the at least one resource set that is aggregated. The operations of 1005 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1005 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG. 1.
FIG. 1100 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1100 that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1100 may be implemented by a device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1100 may be performed by a network entity 102 or a core network device 206 as described herein. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.
At 1105, the method may include determining a configuration for bandwidth aggregation of a reference signal for positioning. The operations of 1105 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1105 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG. 1.
At 1110, the method may include transmitting, to a user equipment, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning. The operations of 1110 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1110 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG. 1.
FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1200 that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1200 may be implemented by a device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1200 may be performed by a core network device 206 as described herein. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware. In some embodiments, the method 1200 may be performed before the method 1100.
At 1205, the method may include transmitting, to the user equipment, a bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set. The operations of 1205 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1205 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG. 1.
At 1210, the method may include receiving, from the user equipment, a request for the reference signal for positioning based on the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set, wherein the configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning is determined based on the request. The operations of 1210 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1210 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG. 1.
FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1300 that supports bandwidth aggregation for positioning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1300 may be implemented by a device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1300 may be performed by a network entity 102 as described herein. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware. In some embodiments, the method 1300 may be performed after the method 1100.
At 1305, the method may include transmitting, to the user equipment, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) for activating or deactivating the configuration and for indicating whether at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation, wherein in the case that the configuration is activated and that the at least one resource set is to be used for bandwidth aggregation, positioning measurements for the reference signal for positioning are performed on the at least one resource set that is aggregated. The operations of 1305 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1305 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG. 1.
It should be noted that the methods described herein describes possible implementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible. Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.
The various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.
The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.
Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) , flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor.
As used herein, including in the claims, an article “a” before an element is unrestricted and understood to refer to “at least one” of those elements or “one or more” of those elements. The terms “a, ” “at least one, ” “one or more, ” and “at least one of one or more” may be interchangeable. As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or “one or more of” or “one or both of” ) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C) . Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on”shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on. Further, as used herein, including in the claims, a “set” may include one or more elements.
The description herein is provided to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

A user equipment, comprising:

a processor; and

a transceiver coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is configured to:

receive, from a network device via the transceiver, a configuration for bandwidth aggregation of a reference signal for positioning; and

perform positioning measurements or positioning transmission for the reference signal for positioning based on the configuration for bandwidth aggregation.
The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive, from the network device via the transceiver, a bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set; and

transmit, to the network device via the transceiver, a request for the reference signal for positioning based on the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set, wherein the configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning is associated with the request.
The user equipment of claim 2, wherein the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set comprises at least one identifier (ID) , wherein each ID is associated with one of the following:

a plurality of resource sets that can be aggregated,

at least one positioning frequency layer (PFL) , wherein resource sets associated with the at least one PFL can be aggregated, or

at least one transmission/reception point (TRP) , wherein resource sets associated with the at least one TRP can be aggregated; and

wherein the request comprises one or more IDs among the at least one ID.
The user equipment of claim 2, wherein the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set is indicative of one of the following:

whether a resource set can be used for bandwidth aggregation,

whether one or more resource sets associated with a PFL can be used for bandwidth aggregation, or

whether one or more resource sets associated with a TRP can be used for bandwidth aggregation; and

wherein the request comprises one of the following:

an indication of a plurality of resource sets that can be used for bandwidth aggregation,

an indication of at least one PFL associated with one or more resource sets that can be used for bandwidth aggregation, or

an indication of at least one TRP associated with one or more resource sets that can be used for bandwidth aggregation.
The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

transmit, to the network device via the transceiver, a request for the reference signal for positioning, wherein the request comprises a bandwidth aggregation requirement for the positioning measurements, and the configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning is associated with the request,

wherein the bandwidth aggregation requirement comprises one of the following:

a number of resource sets required for bandwidth aggregation;

a number of PFLs required for bandwidth aggregation;

a start time of the reference signal for positioning required for bandwidth aggregation;

a duration of the reference signal for positioning required for bandwidth aggregation;

an indication that a bandwidth larger than a currently configured bandwidth is required;

an indication that a duration of the reference signal for positioning longer than a currently configured duration is required; or

an indication that a higher accuracy for positioning measurements than a current accuracy is required.
The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive, from the network device via the transceiver, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) for activating or deactivating the configuration and for indicating whether at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation,

wherein in the case that the configuration is activated and that the at least one resource set is to be used for bandwidth aggregation, the positioning transmission is performed on the at least one resource set that is aggregated.
The user equipment of claim 6, wherein the MAC CE comprises a bit field indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation.
The user equipment of claim 6, wherein the configuration for bandwidth aggregation is associated with the at least one resource set that can be aggregated,

wherein the MAC CE comprises a resource set ID of a resource set among the at least one resource set, a bandwidth (BWP) ID of the resource set and a cell ID of the resource set.
The user equipment of claim 6, wherein the configuration for bandwidth aggregation is associated with a plurality of resource sets that can be aggregated, the plurality of resource sets comprise the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE,

wherein the MAC CE comprises a resource set ID of a resource set among the at least one resource set, a BWP ID of the resource set and a cell ID of the resource set, and

wherein an index of the resource set in the plurality of resource sets equals to a number of resource sets in the at least one resource set.
The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the configuration for bandwidth aggregation is associated with at least one resource set that can be aggregated, the processor is further configured to:

receive, from the network device via the transceiver, at least one MAC CE for activating or deactivating the configuration, wherein each of the at least one MAC CE is indicative of whether a respective resource set associated with the MAC CE in the at least one resource set is to be used for bandwidth aggregation,

wherein the configuration is activated or deactivated based on reception of the at least one MAC CE, and

wherein in the case that the configuration is activated and that the at least one resource set are to be used for bandwidth aggregation, the positioning transmission is performed on the at least one resource set that is aggregated.
The user equipment of claim 6, wherein the MAC CE comprises:

an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration;

an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation;

at least one resource set ID of the at least one resource set;

at least one BWP ID of the at least one resource set; and

at least one cell ID of the at least one resource set.
The user equipment of claim 6, wherein the configuration for bandwidth aggregation is associated with the at least one resource set, and wherein the MAC CE comprises:

an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration;

an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; and

one of the following:

an ID of the at least one resource set,

a resource set ID, wherein each of the at least one resource set is associated with the resource set ID, or

a resource set ID of one resource set in the at least one resource set.
The user equipment of claim 6, wherein the MAC CE comprises:

an indication of activating or deactivating the configuration;

an indication of bandwidth aggregation indicative of whether the at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation; and

one of the following:

at least one BWP ID, wherein the positioning transmission is performed on the at least one resource set associated with the at least one BWP ID; or

at least one cell ID, wherein the positioning transmission is performed on the at least one resource set associated with the at least one cell ID.
The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning is received from the network device via a LPP Provide Assistance Data message or via a posSIB in a connected state, the positioning measurements are performed in an inactive state or an idle state, and the processor is further configured to:

transmit, via the transceiver, a RRCSetupRequest message or a RRCResumeRequest message comprising an indication of reporting of the positioning measurements for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning; and

transmit, to the network device via the transceiver, results of the positioning measurements in the connected state.
The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the configuration for bandwidth aggregation is received via a RRC release message, the positioning transmission is performed in an inactive state, and the processor is further configured to:

transmit, to the network device via the transceiver, a RRCResumeRequest message comprising an indication of requesting the configuration for bandwidth aggregation,

wherein the configuration comprises one of the following:

an ID of at least one resource set, wherein, wherein the positioning transmission is performed on the at least one resource set;

at least one indication of the at least one resource set, wherein the positioning transmission is performed on the at least one resource set;

at least one indication of at least one BWP, wherein the positioning transmission is performed on at least one resource set associated with the at least one BWP; or

at least one indication of at least one carrier, wherein the positioning transmission is performed on at least one resource set associated with the at least one carrier.
A network device, comprising:

a processor; and

a transceiver coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is configured to:

determine a configuration for bandwidth aggregation of a reference signal for positioning; and

transmit, to a user equipment via the transceiver, the configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning.
The network device of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to:

transmit, to the user equipment via the transceiver, a bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set; and

receive, from the user equipment via the transceiver, a request for the reference signal for positioning based on the bandwidth aggregation indication for resource set, wherein the configuration for bandwidth aggregation of the reference signal for positioning is determined based on the request.
The network device of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to:

transmit, to the user equipment via the transceiver, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) for activating or deactivating the configuration and for indicating whether at least one resource set associated with the MAC CE is to be used for bandwidth aggregation,

wherein in the case that the configuration is activated and that the at least one resource set is to be used for bandwidth aggregation, positioning measurements for the reference signal for positioning are performed on the at least one resource set that is aggregated.
A method performed by a user equipment, comprising:

receiving, from a network device, a configuration for bandwidth aggregation of a reference signal for positioning; and

performing positioning measurements or positioning transmission for the reference signal for positioning based on the configuration for bandwidth aggregation.
A processor for wireless communication, comprising:

at least one memory; and

a controller coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the controller to:

receive, from a network device, a configuration for bandwidth aggregation of a reference signal for positioning; and

perform positioning measurements or positioning transmission for the reference signal for positioning based on the configuration for bandwidth aggregation.