WO2017184040A1

WO2017184040A1 - A wireless device, a positioning node and methods therein for positioning of a wireless device in a wireless communications network

Info

Publication number: WO2017184040A1
Application number: PCT/SE2016/050341
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ali ZAIDI; Fredrik Gunnarsson; Sara MODARRES RAZAVI; Henrik RYDÉN; Meng Wang
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2016-04-20
Filing date: 2016-04-20
Publication date: 2017-10-26

Abstract

A method performed by a wireless device (121) for enabling positioning of the wireless device (121) in a wireless communications network (100) is provided. The wireless device (121) obtains sensor measurement information based on one or more sensor measurements performed by the wireless device (121). Then, the wireless device (121) determines if the sensor measurement information fulfills at least one criteria in the wireless device (121) for transmitting a positioning information. If the sensor measurement information fulfills the at least one criteria, the wireless device (121) determines the positioning information for the wireless device (121). Then, the wireless device (121) transmits the positioning information for the wireless device (121) to a positioning node (135) in the wireless communications network (100). A wireless device (121) for enabling positioning of the wireless device (121) in a wireless communications network (100) is also provided. Furthermore, a positioning node and a method therein for enabling positioning of the wireless device (121) in a wireless communications network (100) are also provided.

Description

A WIRELESS DEVICE, A POSITIONING NODE AND METHODS THEREIN FOR POSITIONING OF A WIRELESS DEVICE IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to positioning in a wireless communications network. In particular, embodiments herein relate to a wireless device and method therein for enabling positioning of the wireless device in a wireless communications network, as well as, a network node and method therein for positioning a wireless device in a wireless communications network.

BACKGROUND

In a typical wireless communications network, wireless devices, also known as mobile stations, terminals and/or user equipments, UEs, communicate via a Radio Access Network, RAN, to one or more core networks, CNs. The wireless access network covers a geographical area which is divided into cell areas, with each cell area being served by a base station, e.g. a radio base station, RBS, or network node, which in some networks may also be called, for example, a "NodeB" or "eNodeB". A cell is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio base station at a base station site or an antenna site in case the antenna and the radio base station are not co-located. Each cell is identified by an identity within the local radio area, which is broadcast in the cell.

Another identity identifying the cell uniquely in the whole mobile network is also broadcasted in the cell. The base stations communicate over the air interface operating on radio frequencies with the wireless devices within range of the base stations.

A Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, UMTS, is a third generation mobile communication system, which evolved from the second generation, 2G, Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM. The UMTS terrestrial radio access network, UTRAN, is essentially a RAN using wideband code division multiple access, WCDMA, and/or High Speed Packet Access, HSPA, for wireless devices. In a forum known as the Third Generation Partnership Project, 3GPP, telecommunications suppliers propose and agree upon standards for third generation networks and UTRAN specifically, and investigate enhanced data rate and radio capacity. In some versions of the RAN as e.g. in UMTS, several base stations may be connected, e.g., by landlines or microwave, to a controller node, such as a radio network controller, RNC, or a base station controller, BSC, which supervises and coordinates various activities of the plural base stations connected thereto. The RNCs are typically connected to one or more core networks.

Specifications for the Evolved Packet System, EPS, have been completed within the 3^rd Generation Partnership Project, 3GPP, and this work continues in the coming 3GPP releases. The EPS comprises the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network, E-UTRAN, also known as the Long Term Evolution, LTE, radio access, and the Evolved Packet Core, EPC, also known as System Architecture Evolution, SAE, core network. E-UTRAN/LTE is a variant of a 3GPP radio access technology wherein the radio base station nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network rather than to RNCs. In general, in E-UTRAN/LTE the functions of a RNC are distributed between the radio base stations nodes, e.g. eNodeBs in LTE, and the core network. As such, the Radio Access Network, RAN, of an EPS has an essentially flat architecture comprising radio base station nodes without reporting to RNCs. Location-based services and emergency call positioning drives the development of positioning in today's wireless communications networks. For example, wireless devices that are enabled with Global Navigation Satellite Systems, GNSS, are capable of determining its position outdoors within a few meters, whereby a plethora of applications and services in the wireless device may take advantage of such accurate positioning. Positioning support in LTE was introduced in Release 9 and has also undergone some improvements in subsequent releases. This has enabled operators to retrieve position information for location-based services and to meet regulatory emergency call positioning requirements in adequately deployed and synchronized wireless communication networks. In currently deployed LTE networks, the position of a wireless device may be determined based on a combination of cell identity, positioning techniques, e.g. Observed Time Difference of Arrival, OTDOA, and Assisted-GNSS information from the wireless device. For example, the following positioning techniques are considered:

Enhanced Cell-ID. Essentially cell-ID information which associate the wireless device to a serving area of a serving cell, and then additional information is used to determine a finer granularity position of the wireless device,

- Assisted-GNSS. A-GNSS information may be retrieved by the wireless device with support from assistance information provided to the wireless device from a location server in the wireless communications network, Observed Time Difference of Arrival, OTDOA. A wireless device may estimate the time difference of reference signals from different radio base stations and send this information to the location server for multilateration,

Uplink TDOA. A wireless device may be requested to transmit a specific waveform that is detected by multiple location measurement units, e.g. several radio base stations, at known positions. These measurements may then be forwarded to the location server for multilateration

To further assist the positioning of the wireless device, sensors located inside a wireless device, such as, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, barometers, magnetometers, light/camera sensors, etc., may be used. While these sensors, some of which also may be referred to as Inertial Measurement Units, IMUs, may only form a relative positioning system in the wireless device, their measurements may be used to estimate the position of a wireless device relative a known coordinate.

One example of an IMU that may be present in a wireless device is a 3-axis accelerometer. A 3-axis accelerometer may measure acceleration in three orthogonal directions in m/s². Ideally, a position of the wireless device could be estimated solely based on accelerometer measurements via double integrating the linear acceleration of the wireless device. Unfortunately, accelerometer measurements are subject to bias and random errors, similarly as for gyroscope measurements described below. An even more serious issue may be that an accelerometer does not only measures linear acceleration, but it also measures gravity. For instance, in case the wireless device is static, it measures 1 g upwards. It is often difficult to compensate for gravity when the accurate orientation of the sensor is not known, and also the effect of gravity is varying from one position to another position. Small errors that remain while compensating for gravity usually result in large errors in the estimated position over a short period. The position estimation error becomes quadratic of the uncompensated gravity error.

Another example of an IMU that may be present in a wireless device is a 3-axis gyroscope. A 3-axis gyroscope may measure angular velocity (rate of turn) in rad/sec around three mutually orthogonal axis in a sensor frame. Ideally, in case of errorless sensor measurements, a change in angle, i.e. change in heading or change in orientation, may be determined by integrating gyroscope measurements, i.e. angular velocities.

However, in practice, gyroscopes do not provide accurate measurements. There are two main types of perturbations in the gyroscope measurements: i) a time varying bias and ii) a random noise. The bias in a gyroscope is the average output of the gyroscope when it is not undergoing any rotation. This bias value may vary slowly over time and may be seen as a very low frequency noise. The random noise represents high frequency noise components. It is often assumed to be white. The bias value, even if it is relatively small, is usually more problematic than random errors. When measurements of a gyroscope are integrated in presence of bias to estimate change in angle, the resulting estimate has an error that grows linearly with time. By integrating random noise, a random walk in angle with zero mean is introduced and a standard deviation is obtained that also grows as a function of time. Thus, measurements of a gyroscope alone are not suitable to be used to estimate heading or orientation of a wireless device. In fact, measurements of a gyroscope are often used together with measurements from other sensors, e.g. a magnetometer, to achieve a more accurate orientation (heading) estimate.

A further example of a sensor that may be present in a wireless device is a magnetometer. A magnetometer may be used to determine orientation (heading) by measuring magnetic fields. For example, the heading may be used to distinguish the acceleration component caused by gravity in an accelerometer. One way to determine orientation of the wireless device may be to use a magnetometer in combination with a gyroscope, where e.g. the magnetic measurements of the magnetometer may be used to correct bias in the gyroscope.

Yet a further example of a sensor that may be present in a wireless device is a barometer. Barometers may be used to measure air pressure. The atmospheric pressure is the weight exerted by the overhead atmosphere on a unit area of surface. Air pressure changes with time, location and height. When the air is stable, a barometric altimeter may be even be more reliable and accurate than, for example, a navigational GPS/ GNSS receiver used for measuring relative height of two or more points. However, the barometric pressure changes with the weather, which means that the barometer has to be periodically recalibrated. It may be observed that measurement of a barometer may not provide an accurate absolute height, such as, e.g. level above mean sea level, but may provide reliable values of the difference in height between points or relative to a single point in an area of similar atmosphere.

Furthermore, another example of a sensor that may be present in a wireless device is a light sensor or camera. The light sensor or camera may be used to detect whether a wireless device is in an outdoor or indoor environment. For example, a wireless device may use the light sensor or camera to measure the ambient light, which then may be used to classify whether the wireless device is indoors or outdoors. The light sensor or camera may, for example, be used to measure observed light intensity or analysing spectral properties of the ambient light in order to identify characteristics associated with light bulbs, LEDs, fluorescent lights, halogen lights or other light sources typically found indoors.

The current combination of position information and reporting protocols may provide acceptable accuracy for wireless device in outdoor environments. However, an increasing fraction of wireless devices are located in indoor environments when establishing a connection to a wireless communications network. Therefore, it is relevant to also address aspects which relates to wireless devices in indoor environments when considering how to improve positioning in wireless communication networks.

SUMMARY

It is an object of embodiments herein to improve positioning in a wireless communication network. According to a first aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed by a wireless device for enabling positioning of the wireless device in a wireless communications network is provided. The wireless device obtains sensor measurement information based on one or more sensor measurements performed by the wireless device. Then, the wireless device determines if the sensor measurement information fulfills at least one criteria in the wireless device for transmitting a positioning information. If so, the wireless device determines the positioning information for the wireless device. Then, the wireless device transmits the positioning information for the wireless device to a positioning node in the wireless communications network. According to a second aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a wireless device for enabling positioning of the wireless device in a wireless

communications network. The wireless device is configured to obtain sensor

measurement information based on one or more sensor measurements performed by the wireless device. The wireless device is also configured to determine if the sensor measurement information fulfills at least one criteria in the wireless device for transmitting a positioning information. If so, the wireless device is further configured to determine the positioning information for the wireless device. The wireless device is also configured to transmit the positioning information for the wireless device to a positioning node in the wireless communications network. According to a third aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed by a positioning node for positioning a wireless device in a wireless communications network. The positioning node receives positioning information from the wireless device, wherein the positioning information indicates that sensor measurement information obtained in the wireless device based on one or more sensor measurements fulfills at least one criteria for transmitting the positioning information. Also, the positioning node also determines a position of the wireless device based on the positioning information. According to a fourth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a positioning node for positioning a wireless device in a wireless communications network. The positioning node is configured to receive positioning information from the wireless device, wherein the positioning information indicates that sensor measurement information obtained in the wireless device based on one or more sensor measurements fulfills at least one criteria for transmitting the positioning information. Also, the positioning node is configured determine a position of the wireless device based on the positioning information.

By having a wireless device being arranged to automatically trigger, based on sensor measurements obtained by the wireless device, a transmission of positioning information as described above, a positioning node in the wireless communications network is automatically provided with updated positioning information at relevant points in time which enables the positioning node to more consistently determine an accurate and reliable estimate of the position of the wireless device in the wireless communications network. Hence, positioning in the wireless communications network is improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art by the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a positioning node and a wireless device in a wireless communications network, Fig. 2 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a wireless device, Fig. 3 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a positioning node, Fig. 4 is a signalling diagram illustrating embodiments of a positioning node and a wireless device,

Fig. 5 is a block diagram depicting embodiments of a wireless device,

Fig. 6 is a block diagram depicting embodiments of a positioning node.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they merely show details which are essential to the understanding of the embodiments presented herein, while other details have been left out. Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts or steps.

Figure 1 depicts a wireless communications network 100 in which embodiments herein may be implemented. The wireless communications network 100 may be a radio communications network, such as, e.g. LTE, WCDMA, GSM, 3GPP cellular network, or any other cellular network or system. The wireless communications network 100 may also, for example, be referred to as a cellular network or system, radio network or system, or a telecommunications network. In the example of Figure 1 , the wireless

communications network 100 comprises an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network, E-UTRAN, also known as the Long Term Evolution, LTE, radio access, and an Evolved Packet Core, EPC, also known as System Architecture Evolution, SAE, core network.

In the example of Figure 1 , the E-UTRAN of the wireless communications network 100 comprises a radio base station 110. The radio base station 110 is a network unit capable of serving wireless devices which are located within its coverage area, also referred to as the cell 115 of the radio base station. The radio base station 1 10 may be associated with and configured to communicate with a Mobility Management Entity, MME 131 , over an S1-MME signalling interface. Furthermore, the radio base stations 1 10 may also be associated with and configured to communicate with a Serving Gateway, SGW 132, over an S1-U signalling interface. The radio base station 110 may, for example, be an eNB, eNodeB, or a Home Node B, a Home eNode B, femto Base Station (BS), pico BS or any other network unit capable to serve a wireless device or a machine type communication device in the wireless communications network 100.

A wireless device 121 is shown located in cell 1 15, i.e. located within the coverage area which is served by the radio base station 110. The wireless device 121 is configured to communicate within the wireless communications system 100 via the radio base station 1 10 over a radio link when the wireless device 121 is present in the cell 115 served by the radio base station 110. The wireless device 121 may also be interchangeably referred to as a mobile station, a terminal, a wireless terminal, and/or a user equipment, UE. It may here also be pointed out that these terms as used herein should be understood by the skilled in the art as non-limiting terms comprising any wireless device or node equipped with a radio interface allowing for receiving and transmitting signals to or from the radio base station 1 10. For example, the wireless device 121 may be a mobile terminal or a wireless terminal, a mobile, a mobile phone, a sensor device, a computer, a laptop, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or a tablet computer with wireless capability, a wireless terminal used for Machine Type Communication (MTC), a Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication device, a wireless device used for Device-to-Device (D2D)

communication, a fixed or mobile relay or relay node, a device equipped with a wireless interface, such as a printer or a file storage device, or any other radio network unit capable of communicating over a radio link in a wireless communications system 100.

In the example of Figure 1 , the EPC in the wireless communications network 100 also comprise a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway, PGW 133. The PGW 133 connects to external services and other packet data networks, e.g. PDN 160, such as, e.g. the Internet.

The wireless communications network 100 in Figure 1 also comprise a Gateway Mobile Location Centre, GMLC 134, and an Enhanced-Serving Mobile Location Centre, E-SMLC 135. The GMLC 134 and the E-SMLC 135 provides a positioning architecture to the EPC in the wireless communications network 100. In this positioning architecture, positioning in the EPC may use direct interactions between the wireless device 121 and the E-SMLC 135. This may be performed with via a LTE Positioning Protocol, LPP. Moreover, there are also interactions between the E-SMLC 135 and the radio base station 110 via a LPPa protocol, which to some extent is supported by interactions between the radio base station 110 and the wireless device 121 via a Radio Resource Control, RRC, protocol. As part of understanding and developing the embodiments described herein, some aspects will first be identified and discussed below in more detail.

One aspect to take into consideration when improving existing positioning support in wireless communication networks is that, for wireless devices in indoor environments, only determining the horizontal position may not suffice, but also a vertical position component may be necessary to determine. Also, another aspect to consider is that positioning in indoor environments may be challenging due to penetration loss effects on the radio signals and having to perform None-Line-of-Sight, NLOS, transmissions.

Current positioning techniques, such as, e.g. OTDOA or UTDOA, used in wireless communications network, such as, e.g. an LTE network, rely on propagation channel characteristics between one or more radio base stations and the wireless devices. For example, OTDOA is a techniques which is assisted by the wireless device, wherein the wireless device measures the Time-of-Arrival, ToA, of specific positioning reference signals, e.g. a Positioning Reference Signal, PRS, from multiple radio base stations and determines the relative differences therein between. These Reference Signal Time Differences, RSTDs, are then quantized and reported by the wireless device via the LPP interface to the E-SMLC together with an accuracy assessment. Based on known positions of radio base stations and their mutual time synchronization, it is possible for the E-SMLC to estimate the position of the wireless device from the RSTDs and covariance reports using multilateration. Here, the accuracy depends on the radio conditions of the received signals, number of received signals, as well as, the deployment of radio base stations in the wireless communications network; and thus, will spatially vary.

This means that, in some cases, when there is Line-of-Sight, LoS, signal reception, it is fairly simple to determine a reliable ToA estimate in the wireless communications network. Consequently, it is also rather straightforward to compute a reliable, absolute position of a wireless device in the wireless communications network. However, in many cases, there is no LoS reception, particularly when the wireless device is located in indoor environments. Thus, in these cases, the ToA estimates may not always be particularly accurate.

While sensors located inside a wireless device, such as, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, barometers, magnetometers, light/camera sensors, etc., may be used to assist in the positioning, the measurements from these sensors are conventionally only accurate over a short period of time and are therefore predominantly good at providing a relative position estimate. Therefore, it has been realized that there is a need to appropriately use the measurements of the sensors in the wireless device together with the positioning technologies in the wireless communication network such that an overall more reliable and accurate positioning of a wireless device may be achieved, preferably with a minimum signalling effort.

These aspects are addressed by the wireless device 121 , the positioning node 135 and methods therein as described in the embodiments herein. One example of the wireless device according to the embodiments presented herein is the wireless device 121 in wireless communications network 100 as shown Fig. 1. An example of the positioning node according to the embodiments presented herein is the E-SMLC 135, i.e. a location server, in the wireless communications network 100 as shown Fig. 1. However, it should be noted that the positioning node according to the embodiments presented 5 herein may also be implemented in a radio base station, another wireless device, a relay node or a location server in the wireless communications network 100.

Embodiments of the wireless device 121 and a positioning node 135 and methods therein will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 2-6.

10

Example of embodiments of a method performed by a wireless device 121 for enabling positioning of the wireless device 121 in a wireless communications network 100 will now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is an illustrated example of actions or operations which may be taken by a wireless device 121 15 in the wireless communication network 100. The method may comprise the following actions.

Action 201

Optionally, the wireless device 121 may first receive, from the positioning node 20 135, the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information. This means, for example, that the wireless device 121 may be continuously updated by the positioning node 135 with at least one criteria to be used in determining when to transmit positioning information to the positioning node 135. The at least one criteria may also be referred to a sensor usage policy for the wireless device 121 for determining and transmitting

25 positioning information in the wireless communications network 100. Alternatively, the at least one criteria may also be completely or partially configured in the wireless device 121.

The at least one criteria, or sensor usage policy for the wireless device 121 , may comprise a set of rules that sensor measurements performed by sensors in the wireless 30 device 121 need to fulfil in order to trigger a transmittal of positioning information, e.g. an RSTD measurement report update, to the positioning node 135. As a list of non- limiting examples, the set of rules may comprise one or more of:

a rule determining which sensor measurements in the wireless device 121 that the wireless device 121 should consider, a rule determining the priority order of the sensor measurements in the wireless device 121 ,

a rule determining which one or more criteria needs to be fulfilled in order for the wireless device 121 to transmit positioning information to the positioning node 135, e.g. in the form of RSTD/TOA measurement report updates,

a rule determining whether the wireless device is allowed to re-consider new cell selections for performing transmissions of positioning information, and optionally, in this case, also an rule for selecting new candidate cells to be used when performing transmissions of positioning information,

- a rule determining whether sensor measurements need to be filtered under a

given set of rules,

a rule determining which initial calibration setting of the sensors is to be

considered for sensor measurements, e.g. in order to take IMU relative

displacement into account.

Action 202

The wireless device 121 obtain sensor measurement information based on one or more sensor measurements performed by the wireless device 121. This means that the wireless device 121 may receive one or more sensor measurements from one or more of its sensors, and determine or calculate sensor measurement information based on these one or more received sensor measurements. The sensor measurements may, for example, be an acceleration of the wireless device 121 from an accelerometer in the wireless device 121 , an angular velocity (rate of turning) of the wireless device 121 from a gyroscope in the wireless device 121 , magnetic field measurements from a magnetometer in the wireless device 121 , measurements or analysis of ambient light surrounding the wireless device 121 from a light sensor or camera in the wireless device 121 , air pressure measurement from a barometer in the wireless device 121 , or other measurements from sensors present in the wireless device 121.

The sensor measurement, some of which are also commonly referred to as inertial sensor measurements, are normally accurate over shorter periods of time, and may thus, according to embodiments herein, be used by the wireless device 121 to trigger transmittals of positioning information, e.g. RSTD measurement reports, when short term measurements are suitable to consider. However, while the sensor measurements may be reliable only over short periods of time, the sensor measurement information may also be obtained by integrating the sensor measurements over a certain time period. This time period may vary depending on the sensor quality or additional mechanisms considered in the wireless device 121 to correct time bias in the sensor measurements.

In some embodiments, the sensor measurement information may be a relative displacement of the wireless device 121 determined based on the one or more sensor measurements and on one or more previously performed sensor measurements, or a determined sensor measurement value, in the wireless device 121. This may, for example, be performed using sensor measurements from one or more IMU sensors, such as, for example, an accelerometer, gyroscope and/or magnetometer in the wireless device 121. In some embodiments, the sensor measurement information may be a change in vertical displacement of the wireless device 121. This may, for example, be performed using sensor measurements from a barometer and by using air pressure versus altitude relationships. In some embodiments, the sensor measurement information is a change in the environment surrounding the wireless device 121. This may, for example, be performed using sensor measurements from a light sensor or camera.

Action 203

After obtaining the sensor measurement information in Action 202, the wireless device 121 determine if the sensor measurement information fulfills at least one criteria in the wireless device 121 for transmitting a positioning information. This means that the wireless device 121 may use the at least one criteria, or sensor usage policy for the wireless device 121 , to determine that one or more sensor measurements performed by sensors in the wireless device 121 fulfil the conditions for triggering a transmittal of positioning information, e.g. an RSTD measurement report update, to the positioning node 135.

According to some embodiments, in case the sensor measurement information may be a relative displacement of the wireless device 121 determined based on the one or more sensor measurements and on one or more previously performed sensor measurements, or a determined sensor measurement value, in the wireless device 121 , a first criteria may be fulfilled when this relative displacement is above a first threshold value. This may be advantageous, for example, when the wireless device 121 is moving and its position needs to be updated. In other words, this enables the position of the wireless device 121 may be updated systematically when the wireless device 121 is moving. Also, according to some embodiments, a second criteria may be fulfilled when this relative displacement is below a second threshold value. This may be advantageous, for example, when the wireless device 121 is static and the positioning node 135 is interested in achieving a higher accuracy of the position estimates of the wireless device 121 by making use of processing gain. In other words, this enables the position of the wireless device 121 to be estimated with increased reliability when the wireless device 121 is static or even mobile.

In some embodiments, in case the sensor measurement information may be a change in vertical displacement of the wireless device 121 , a third criteria may be fulfilled when the change in vertical displacement of the wireless device 121 is above a third threshold value. This may be advantageous to determine if a wireless device 121 is moving in a vertical direction, e.g. when the wireless device 121 is travelling up or down inside a building. In other words, this enables the change in vertical displacement of the wireless device 121 to be more systematically determined. It should be noted that measurement from a barometer in the wireless device 121 may provide relative height comparisons within a certain building when the air remains stable. This means that these measurements may be considered for relatively longer periods of time.

In some embodiments, in case the sensor measurement information is a change in the environment surrounding the wireless device 121 , a fourth criteria may be fulfilled when the change in the environment surrounding the wireless device 121 is above a fourth threshold value. This may be advantageous, for example, in case the wireless device 121 moves from an outdoor environment to an indoor environment, or vice versa. The indoor or outdoor classification used by the wireless device 121 in this case may be binary (indoors or outdoors) or associated with specific measurement values or determined indoor or outdoor probability values.

Further, in some embodiments, the wireless device 121 may set any of the first, second, third or fourth threshold value based on current channel conditions for the wireless device 121. This means that the value of the thresholds may be set to benefit from the time varying nature of the propagation channel towards the wireless device 121. This is because small variations may result in providing a LoS signal reception.

It should be noted that any combination of the above mentioned criteria may be used in the wireless device 121. In some embodiments, the wireless device 121 may activate and/or deactivate any combination of the at least one criteria in the wireless device 121. This enables the wireless device 121 to dynamically manage the at least one criteria in many different ways. For example, the wireless device 121 may have one or more criteria always be active or only active for a certain time period. Alternatively, the wireless device 121 may activate one or more criteria based on other events or parameters in the wireless device 121 , such as, e.g. the mobility of the wireless device 121 , desired location accuracy of the wireless device 121 , and/or the type of the wireless device 121.

It should also be noted that the at least one criteria for the sensor measurement information may also be dynamic. This means that the wireless device 121 may be enabled to adjust the at least one criteria, or that the at least one criteria may be adjustable from the network side, e.g. from the positioning node 135 in the wireless communications network 100. The at least one criteria for the sensor measurement information may, for example, be adjusted based on different events, such as, e.g. the wireless device 121 moving from an indoor environment to an outdoor environment or vice versa, constraints due to the detected environment of the wireless device 121 , the mobility of the wireless device 121 , desired location accuracy of the wireless device 121 , etc.

Action 204

If it is determined that the sensor measurement information fulfills at least one criteria in the wireless device 121 for transmitting a positioning information in Action 203, the wireless device 121 determine the positioning information for the wireless device 121. As a list of non-limiting examples, the positioning information comprise one or more of the following:

- at least one of the one or more sensor measurements,

information indicating a relative displacement of the wireless device 121 , wherein the relative displacement is determined by the wireless device 121 based on the one or more sensor measurements and on one or more previously performed sensor measurements, or a determined sensor measurement value, in the wireless device 121 ,

information indicating a position estimate of the wireless device 121 , and information indicating which of the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information that was determined to be fulfilled by the wireless device 121.

According to some embodiments, the positioning information may be comprised in a Received Signal Time Difference, RSTD, measurement report. This advantageously uses existing reporting procedures in the wireless communications network 100 to confer the positioning information to the positioning node 135 in the wireless communications network 100. In some embodiments, the wireless device 121 may also determine a quality assessment of the relative displacement or the position estimate determined in the wireless device 121. Action 205

After determining the positioning information for the wireless device 121 in Action 204, the wireless device 121 transmits the positioning information for the wireless device 121 to a positioning node 135 in the wireless communications network 100. The positioning information may thus be made available to the positioning node 135 in the wireless communications network 100 and may be used by the positioning node 135 to determine an estimate of the position of the wireless device 121 in the wireless

communications network 100. It should be noted that by using an adequately set at least one criteria, or sensor usage policy for the wireless device 121 , the number of wireless devices 121 that transmits its positioning information may be reduced or limited.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the positioning information may also comprise information indicating the determined quality assessment of a relative displacement or a position estimate determined in the wireless device 121.

Example of embodiments of a performed by a positioning node 135 for positioning a wireless device 121 in a wireless communications network 100 will now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted in Fig 3. Fig 3 is an illustrated example of actions or operations which may be taken by a positioning node 135 in the wireless

communication network 100. The method may comprise the following actions.

Action 301

Optionally, the positioning node 135 may transmit, to the wireless device 121 , at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information. This means that the positioning node 135 may continuously update by the wireless device 121 with at least one criteria to be used in determining when to transmit positioning information to the positioning node 135. The at least one criteria may also be referred to a sensor usage policy for the wireless device 121 for determining and transmitting positioning information in the wireless communications network 100. The at least one criteria, or sensor usage policy for the wireless device 121 , may, according to some embodiments, be obtained by the positioning node 135, e.g. from another network node in the wireless communications network 100, or be determined directly by the positioning node 135.

Action 302

The positioning node 135 receives positioning information from the wireless device

121. The positioning information indicates that sensor measurement information obtained in the wireless device 121 based on one or more sensor measurements fulfills at least one criteria for transmitting the positioning information. This means that the positioning node 135 is automatically provided with positioning information at relevant points in time which enables the positioning node 135 to more consistently determine an accurate and reliable estimate of the position of the wireless device 121 in the wireless communications network 100.

According to one example, the positioning information may be received by the positioning node 135 in a RSTD measurement report comprising at least one of the one or more sensor measurements performed in the wireless device 121. According to another example the positioning information may be received by the positioning node 135 in a separate, dedicated message. In this case, the positioning node 135 may receive a positioning information from the wireless device 121 which comprises information indicating a relative displacement of the wireless device 121 but does not comprise any RSTD measurement report, i.e. without any actual sensor measurements.

In some embodiments, the positioning information may comprise one or more of the following:

at least one of the one or more sensor measurements obtained in the wireless device 121 ;

- information indicating a relative displacement of the wireless device 121 , wherein the relative displacement is determined by the wireless device 121 based on the one or more sensor measurements and on one or more previously received sensor measurements, or determined sensor measurement value, in the wireless device 121 ;

- information indicating a position estimate of the wireless device 121 ; and

information indicating which of the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information that was determined to be fulfilled by the wireless device 121. In some embodiments, the positioning information may also comprise information indicating the determined quality assessment of a relative displacement or a position estimate determined in the wireless device 121. Action 303

After the reception in Action 301 , the positioning node 135 determines a position of the wireless device 121 based on the positioning information. This enables the positioning node 135 to more consistently determine accurate and reliable estimates of the position of the wireless device 121 in the wireless communications network 100.

In some embodiments, in case the positioning information comprise at least one of the one or more sensor measurements performed in the wireless device 121 , the positioning node 135 may determine the position of the wireless device 121 based on the one or more sensor measurements. As previously described, the one or more sensor measurements may, for example, be received in a RSTD measurement report initiated by the wireless device 121.

In some embodiments, the positioning node 135 may determine the position of the wireless device 121 based on the one or more sensor measurements comprised in the positioning information and one or more previously received sensor measurements from the wireless device 121. The previously received sensor measurements from the wireless device 121 may, for example, be received in previous RSTD measurement reports initiated by the wireless device 121 or by the positioning node 135. In some embodiments, the positioning node 135 may here use a Kalman filter or particle filter to combine the one or more sensor measurements comprised in the positioning information and one or more previously received sensor measurements from the wireless device 121.

Additionally, in some embodiments, in case the positioning information comprise information indicating a relative displacement of the wireless device 121 , information indicating a position estimate of the wireless device 121 , information indicating which of the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information that was determined to be fulfilled by the wireless device 121 , and/or information indicating a determined quality assessment, the positioning node 135 may also consider this information when

determining the position of the wireless device 121 based on the positioning information.

For example, the positioning node 135 may use a previously determined position of the wireless device 121 , e.g. based on previously received sensor measurements from the wireless device 121 , and recently received information indicating a relative

displacement of the wireless device 121 to determine an updated position of the wireless device 121 , i.e. a new position estimate. This means that the positioning node 135 may update the position of the wireless device 121 without using sensor measurements performed in the wireless device 121 , e.g. sensor measurements comprised in a RSTD measurement report. This may be advantageous, for example, in case the sensor measurements comprised in a RSTD measurement report are inaccurate due to, e.g. heavy NLoS conditions or lack of signals which enable ToA estimation. However, it should be noted that the sensor measurements comprised in a RSTD measurement report may still be useful at the positioning node 135 to, for example, improve the positioning accuracy.

In some embodiments, the positioning node 135 may also determine that there is an inconsistency between one or more sensor measurements comprised in the positioning information and one or more previously received sensor measurements from the wireless device 121. In this case, the positioning node 135 may disregard one or more of the sensor measurements when determining the position of the wireless device 121. For example, the positioning node 135 may determine inconsistencies related to measurements comprised in different RSTD reports from the wireless device 121 , and discard some or all of the inconsistent measurements when determining the position of the wireless device 121. In other words, inconsistent or unreliable sensor measurements in RSTD measurement reports may be identified and thus used accordingly in the position estimation of the wireless device 121 in the positioning node 135.

In some embodiments, the positioning node 135 may also collect information indicating the number of occasions of receiving positioning information from the wireless device 121. In this case, the positioning node 135 may enable an adjustment of a

Positioning Reference Signal, PRS, configuration in the wireless communications network 100 based on the collected information. This may be performed since the transmission of positioning information, such as, e.g. RSTD measurement reports or information indicating a relative displacement of the wireless device 121 , which is triggered by the at least one criteria, or sensor usage policy, for the wireless device 121 , may reflect the variation in channel condition or other factors that may degrade the positioning performance at the positioning node 135. By monitoring the occurrence of reception of the positioning information, the positioning node 135 may accordingly adjust a PRS configuration in a way that is advantageous for improving positioning performance. The adjustment may comprise, for example, increasing a PRS bandwidth, expanding a PRS occasion with more PRS subframes, enabling muting, etc. In some embodiments, the positioning node 135 may also, in case the positioning information comprise information indicating which of the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information that was determined to be fulfilled in the wireless device 121 , enable an adjustment of a Positioning Reference Signal, PRS, configuration 5 in the wireless communications network 100 based on which of the at least one criteria was determined to be fulfilled by the wireless device 121. For example, if the at least one criteria that was determined to be fulfilled by the wireless device 121 is that a light sensor or camera in the wireless device 121 indicated an outdoor/indoor environment transition, the positioning node 135 may configure a different RSTD measurement reporting with 10 higher resolution for indoor scenarios. The RSTD measurement reporting may be set by different RSTD mapping tables to match different scenarios.

Fig. 5 illustrates a signaling diagram of signaling that may be performed in the 15 wireless communications network 100 shown in Fig. 1. Actions 401 -408 describe how an RSTD measurement report conventionally may be triggered in the wireless

communications network 100, while Actions 409-412 indicate how an automatic transmission of positioning information may be triggered according to embodiments of the wireless device 121 and the positioning node 135, e.g. an E-SMLC, in the wireless 20 communications network 100 shown in Fig. 1.

Action 401. First, the MME 131 may receive a position request. Alternatively, the MME 131 may initiate a positioning event by itself.

Action 402. The MME 131 may then transmit a location service request to the E- SMLC 135.

25 Action 403. The E-SMLC 135 may process the location service request upon reception from the MME 131.

Action 404. The E-SMLC 135 may then transmit a location information request to the wireless device 121.

Action 405. Upon receiving the location information request from the E-SMLC 30 135, the wireless device 121 may perform one or more sensor measurements.

Action 406. After performing the one or more sensor measurement, the wireless device 121 may transmit the one or more sensor measurement in a RSTD measurement report back to the E-SMLC 135. Action 407. Upon receiving the RSTD measurement report from the wireless device 121 , the E-SMLC 135 may determine the position of the wireless device 121 based on the one or more sensor measurement in a RSTD measurement report.

Action 408. After determining the position of the wireless device 121 , the E-SMLC 5 135 may transmit the determined position to the MME 131.

Action 409. The wireless device 121 may automatically determine if obtained sensor measurement information fulfills at least one criteria in the wireless device 121 for transmitting a positioning information.

Action 410. If the obtained sensor measurement information fulfills at least one0 criteria in Action 409, the wireless device 121 may determine and transmit positioning information to the E-SMLC 135.

Action 411. Upon receiving the positioning information from the wireless device 121 , the E-SMLC 135 may determine the position of the wireless device 121 based on the positioning information.

5 Action 412. After determining the position of the wireless device 121 , the E-SMLC

135 may transmit the determined position to the MME 131.

To perform the method actions in the wireless device 121 for enabling positioning0 of the wireless device 121 in a wireless communications network 100, the wireless device 121 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in Fig 5. Fig 5 shows a schematic block diagram of embodiments of a wireless device 121. The embodiments of the wireless device 121 described herein may be considered as independent embodiments or may be considered in any combination with each other to describe non-limiting examples of the5 example embodiments described herein.

The wireless device 121 may comprise processing circuitry 510, a memory 520 and at least one antenna (not shown). The processing circuitry 810 may also comprise a receiving module 511 and a transmitting module 512. The receiving module 511 and the transmitting module 512 may comprise Radio Frequency, RF, circuitry and baseband0 processing circuitry capable of transmitting a radio signal in the wireless communications network 100. The receiving module 51 1 and the transmitting module 512 may also form part of a single transceiver. It should also be noted that some or all of the functionality described in the embodiments above as being performed by the wireless device 121 may be provided by the processing circuitry 510 executing instructions stored on a computer-5 readable medium, such as, e.g. the memory 520 shown in Fig. 5. Alternative embodiments of the wireless device 121 may comprise additional components, such as, for example, an obtaining module 513, a determining module 514, a setting module 515, and an activation module 516, each responsible for providing its respective functionality necessary to support the embodiments described herein.

The wireless device 121 may further comprise one or more sensors or sensor modules 517a-517n configured to perform sensor measurements in the wireless device 121. The sensor modules 517a-517n may, for example, be an accelerometer capable of measuring the acceleration of the wireless device 121 , a gyroscope capable of measuring the angular velocity (rate of turning) of the wireless device 121 , a magnetometer capable of measuring magnetic field for the purpose of determining an orientation or heading of the wireless device 121 , a light sensor or camera capable of measuring and analysing the ambient light surrounding the wireless device 121 , and/or a barometer capable of measuring air pressure.

The wireless device 121 or processing circuitry 510 is configured to, or may comprise the obtaining module 513 configured to, obtain sensor measurement information based on one or more sensor measurements performed by the wireless device 121. Also, the wireless device 121 or processing circuitry 510 is configured to, or may comprise the determining module 514 configured to, determine if the sensor measurement information fulfills at least one criteria in the wireless device 121 for transmitting a positioning information, and if so, determine the positioning information for the wireless device 121. Further, the wireless device 121 or processing circuitry 510 is configured to, or may comprise the determining module 514 configured to, in case the sensor measurement information fulfills at least one criteria, determine the positioning information for the wireless device 121. Furthermore, the wireless device 121 or processing circuitry 510 is configured to, or may comprise the transmitting module 512 configured to, transmit the positioning information for the wireless device 121 to a positioning node 135 in the wireless communications network 100.

In some embodiments, the wireless device 121 or processing circuitry 510 may further be configured to, or may comprise the receiving module 511 being configured to, receive, from the positioning node 135, the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information.

In some embodiments, the sensor measurement information may be a relative displacement of the wireless device 121 determined based on the one or more sensor measurements and on one or more previously performed sensor measurements, or a determined sensor measurement value, in the wireless device 121. In this case, a first criteria may be fulfilled when the relative displacement is above a first threshold value, and a second criteria may be fulfilled when the relative displacement is below a second threshold value. In some embodiments, the sensor measurement information may be a change in vertical displacement of the wireless device 121. In this case, a third criteria may be fulfilled when the change in vertical displacement of the wireless device 121 is above a third threshold value. In some embodiments, the sensor measurement information is a change in the environment surrounding the wireless device 121. In this case, a fourth criteria may be fulfilled when the change in the environment surrounding the wireless device 121 is above a fourth threshold value. It should be noted that the wireless device 121 or processing circuitry 510 may be configured to, or may comprise the obtaining module 513 being configured to, obtain any sensor measurement performed by the sensor modules 517a-517n in the wireless device 121 in order to obtain the sensor measurement information.

In some embodiments, the wireless device 121 or processing circuitry 510 may further be configured to, or may comprise the setting module 515 being configured to, set any of the first, second, third or fourth threshold value based on current channel conditions for the wireless device 121. In some embodiments, the wireless device 121 or processing circuitry 510 may further be configured to, or may comprise the activation module 516 being configured to, activate and/or deactivate any combination of the at least one criteria in the wireless device 121.

In some embodiments, the positioning information may comprise one or more of the following: at least one of the one or more sensor measurements; information indicating a relative displacement of the wireless device 121 , wherein the relative displacement is determined by the wireless device 121 based on the one or more sensor measurements and on one or more previously obtained sensor measurements, or determined sensor measurement value, in the wireless device 121 ; information indicating a position estimate of the wireless device 121 ; and information indicating which of the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information that was determined to be fulfilled by the wireless device 121. In some embodiments, the positioning information is comprised in a Received Signal Time Difference, RSTD, measurement report.

It should further be noted that, according to some embodiments, the positioning node 135 may be located in practically any network node in the wireless communications network 100, such as, for example, in a radio base station, another wireless device, a relay node or a location server in the wireless communications network 100. Furthermore, the embodiments for enabling positioning of the wireless device 121 in a wireless communications network 100 described above may be implemented through one or more processors, such as the processing circuitry 510 in the wireless device 121 depicted in Fig. 5, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code or code means for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the processing circuitry 510 in the wireless device 121. The computer program code may e.g. be provided as pure program code in the wireless device 121 or on a server and downloaded to the wireless device 121. Thus, it should be noted that the modules of the wireless device 121 may in some embodiments be implemented as computer programs stored in memory, e.g. in the memory modules 520 in Figure 5, for execution by processors or processing modules, e.g. the processing circuitry 510 of Figure 5.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the processing circuitry 510 and the memory 520 described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g. stored in a memory, that when executed by the one or more processors such as the processing circuitry 520 perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a system- on-a-chip (SoC).

To perform the method actions in the positioning node 135 for positioning a wireless device 121 in a wireless communications network 100, the positioning node 135 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in Fig 6. Fig 6 shows a schematic block diagram of embodiments of a positioning node 135. The embodiments of the positioning node 135 described herein may be considered as independent embodiments or may be considered in any combination with each other to describe non-limiting examples of the example embodiments described herein.

The positioning node 135 may comprise a processing circuitry 610, a memory 620 and at least one antenna (not shown). The processing circuitry 610 may comprise a receiving module 611 and a transmitting module 612. The receiving module 611 and the transmitting module 612 may comprise Radio Frequency, RF, circuitry and baseband processing circuitry capable of transmitting a radio signal in the wireless communications network 100. The receiving module 61 1 and the transmitting module 612 may also form part of a single transceiver. It should also be noted that some or all of the functionality described in the embodiments above as being performed by the positioning node 135 may be provided by the processing circuitry 610 executing instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, such as, e.g. the memory 620 shown in Fig. 6. Alternative embodiments of the positioning node 135 may comprise additional components, such as, for example, a determining module 613, a collecting module 614 and an adjustment module 615, each responsible for providing its respective functionality necessary to support the embodiments described herein.

The positioning node 135 or processing circuitry 610 is configured to, or may comprise the receiving module 61 1 configured to, receive positioning information from the wireless device 121. The positioning information here indicates that sensor measurement information obtained in the wireless device 121 based on one or more sensor

measurements fulfills at least one criteria for transmitting the positioning information. Also, the positioning node 135 or processing circuitry 610 is configured to, or may comprise the determining module 613 configured to, determine a position of the wireless device 121 based on the positioning information.

In some embodiments, the positioning node 135 or processing circuitry 610 may be configured to, or may comprise the transmitting module 612 being configured to, transmit, to the wireless device (121), the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information.

In some embodiments, the positioning information comprise one or more of the following: at least one of the one or more sensor measurements; information indicating a relative displacement of the wireless device 121 , wherein the relative displacement is determined by the wireless device 121 based on the one or more sensor measurements and on one or more previously received sensor measurements, or determined sensor measurement value, in the wireless device 121 ; information indicating a position estimate of the wireless device 121 ; and information indicating which of the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information that was determined to be fulfilled by the wireless device 121.

In some embodiments, the positioning node 135 or processing circuitry 610 is configured to, or may comprise the determining module 613 configured to, determine that there is an inconsistency between one or more sensor measurements comprised in the positioning information and one or more previously received sensor measurements from the wireless device 121. In this case, one or more of the sensor measurements may be disregarded when determining the position of the wireless device 121.

In some embodiments, the positioning node 135 or processing circuitry 610 is configured to, or may comprise the collecting module 614 configured to, collect information indicating the number of occasions of receiving positioning information from the wireless device 121. In this case, the positioning node 135 or processing circuitry 610 is also configured to, or may comprise the adjustment module 615 also configured to, enable an adjustment of a Positioning Reference Signal, PRS, configuration in the wireless communications network 100 based on the collected information.

In some embodiments, the positioning node 135 or processing circuitry 610 is configured to, or may comprise the adjustment module 615 configured to, in case the positioning information comprise information indicating which of the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information that was determined to be fulfilled in the wireless device 121 , enable an adjustment of a Positioning Reference Signal, PRS, configuration in the wireless communications network 100 based on which of the at least one criteria was determined to be fulfilled by the wireless device 121.

Furthermore, the embodiments for enabling a wireless device 121 to determine a quality of uplink beamforming directions in a wireless communications network 100 described above may be implemented through one or more processors, such as the processing circuitry 610 in the positioning node 135 depicted in Fig. 6, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code or code means for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the processing circuitry 610 in the positioning node 135. The computer program code may e.g. be provided as pure program code in the positioning node 135 or on a server and

downloaded to the positioning node 135. Thus, it should be noted that the modules of the positioning node 135 may in some embodiments be implemented as computer programs stored in memory, e.g. in the memory modules 620 in Figure 6, for execution by processors, e.g. the processing modules 610 of Figure 6.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the processing circuitry 610 and the memory 620 described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g. stored in a memory, that when executed by the one or more processors such as the processing circuitry 620 perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a system- on-a-chip (SoC).

The description of the example embodiments provided herein have been presented for purposes of illustration. The description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit example embodiments to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various alternatives to the provided embodiments. The examples discussed herein were chosen and described in order to explain the principles and the nature of various example embodiments and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the example embodiments in various manners and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The features of the embodiments described herein may be combined in all possible combinations of methods, apparatus, modules, systems, and computer program products. It should be appreciated that the example embodiments presented herein may be practiced in any combination with each other.

It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed and the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the example embodiments may be implemented at least in part by means of both hardware and software, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

It should also be noted that the various example embodiments described herein are described in the general context of method steps or processes, which may be implemented in one aspect by a computer program product, embodied in a computer- readable medium, including computer-executable instructions, such as program code, executed by computers in networked environments. A computer-readable medium may include removable and non-removable storage devices including, but not limited to, Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVD), etc. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of program code for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps or processes.

The embodiments herein are not limited to the above described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used.

Therefore, the above embodiments should not be construed as limiting.

Abbreviations

3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

GSM Global System for Mobile Communications

WCDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple Access

HSPA High Speed Packet Access

LTE Long Term Evolution

RAN Radio Access Network

UTRAN UMTS terrestrial RAN

E-UTRAN Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network

LTE Long Term Evolution

UE User Equipment

E-SMLC Evolved-Serving Mobile Location Centre

LOS Line of Sight

NLOS Non-Line of Sight

IMU Inertial Measurement Unit

OTDOA Observed Time Difference of Arrival

PRS Positioning Reference Signal

RSTD Reference Signal Time Difference

TDOA Time Difference of Arrival

TOA Time of Arrival

Claims

1. A method performed by a wireless device (121) for enabling positioning of the wireless device (121) in a wireless communications network (100), the method comprising

obtaining (202) sensor measurement information based on one or more sensor measurements performed by the wireless device (121);

determining (203) if the sensor measurement information fulfills at least one criteria in the wireless device (121) for transmitting a positioning information, and if so,

determining (204) the positioning information for the wireless device (121); and

transmitting (205) the positioning information for the wireless device (121) to a positioning node (135) in the wireless communications network (100). 2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising

receiving (201), from the positioning node (135), the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information.

The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor measurement information is a relative displacement of the wireless device (121) determined based on the one or more sensor measurements and on one or more previously performed sensor measurements, or a determined sensor measurement value, in the wireless device (121), and

wherein a first criteria is fulfilled when the relative displacement is above a first threshold value and a second criteria is fulfilled when the relative

displacement is below a second threshold value.

The method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the sensor measurement information is a change in vertical displacement of the wireless device (121), and wherein a third criteria is fulfilled when the change in vertical displacement of the wireless device (121) is above a third threshold value.

5. The method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the sensor measurement information is a change in the environment surrounding the wireless device (121), and wherein a fourth criteria is fulfilled when the change in the environment surrounding the wireless device (121) is above a fourth threshold value.

The method according to any of claims 3-5, wherein any of the first, second, third or fourth threshold value is set based on current channel conditions for the wireless device (121).

The method according to any of claims 1-6, further comprising activating and/or deactivating any combination of the at least one criteria in the wireless device (121).

The method according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the positioning information comprise one or more of the following:

at least one of the one or more sensor measurements;

information indicating a relative displacement of the wireless device (121), wherein the relative displacement is determined by the wireless device (121) based on the one or more sensor measurements and on one or more previously performed sensor measurements, or a determined sensor measurement value, in the wireless device (121);

information indicating a position estimate of the wireless device (121); and information indicating which of the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information that was determined to be fulfilled by the wireless device (121).

The method according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the positioning information i comprised in a Received Signal Time Difference, RSTD, measurement report.

0. A wireless device (121) for enabling positioning of the wireless device (121) in a wireless communications network (100), the wireless device (121) is configured to obtain sensor measurement information based on one or more sensor measurements performed by the wireless device (121), determine if the sensor measurement information fulfills at least one criteria in the wireless device (121) for transmitting a positioning information, and if so, determine the positioning information for the wireless device (121), and transmit the positioning information for the wireless device (121) to a positioning node (135) in the wireless

communications network (100).

1 1. The wireless device (121) according to claim 10, further configured to receive, from the positioning node (135), the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information.

12. The wireless device (121) according to claim 10 or 1 1 , wherein the sensor

measurement information is a relative displacement of the wireless device (121) determined based on the one or more sensor measurements and on one or more previously performed sensor measurements, or a determined sensor

measurement value, in the wireless device (121), and

displacement is below a second threshold value.

13. The wireless device (121) according to any of claims 10-12, wherein the sensor measurement information is a change in vertical displacement of the wireless device (121), and

wherein a third criteria is fulfilled when the change in vertical displacement of the wireless device (121) is above a third threshold value.

14. The wireless device (121) according to any of claims 10-13, wherein the sensor measurement information is a change in the environment surrounding the wireless device (121), and

wherein a fourth criteria is fulfilled when the change in the environment surrounding the wireless device (121) is above a fourth threshold value.

15. The wireless device (121) according to any of claims12-14, further configured to set any of the first, second, third or fourth threshold value based on current channel conditions for the wireless device (121).

16. The wireless device (121) according to any of claims 10-15, further configured to activate and/or deactivate any combination of the at least one criteria in the wireless device (121).

17. The wireless device (121) according to any of claims 10-16, wherein the positioning information comprise one or more of the following:

at least one of the one or more sensor measurements;

information indicating a relative displacement of the wireless device (121), wherein the relative displacement is determined by the wireless device (121) based on the one or more sensor measurements and on one or more previously performed sensor measurements, or determined sensor measurement value, in the wireless device (121);

information indicating a position estimate of the wireless device (121); and information indicating which of the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information that was determined to be fulfilled by the wireless device (121). 18. The wireless device (121) according to any of claims 10-17, wherein the

positioning information is comprised in a Received Signal Time Difference, RSTD, measurement report.

19. The wireless device (121) according to any of claims 10-18, wherein the

positioning node is a radio base station, another wireless device, relay node or a location server in the wireless communications network (100).

20. The wireless device (121) according to any of claims 10-19, comprising a

processor (510) and a memory (520), wherein the memory (520) is containing instructions executable by the processor (510).

21. A method performed by a positioning node (135) for positioning a wireless device (121) in a wireless communications network (100), the method comprising

receiving (302) positioning information from the wireless device (121), wherein the positioning information indicates that sensor measurement information obtained in the wireless device (121) based on one or more sensor measurements fulfills at least one criteria for transmitting the positioning information; and

determining (303) a position of the wireless device (121) based on the positioning information.

22. The method according to claim 21 , further comprising

transmitting (301), to the wireless device (121), the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the positioning information

comprise one or more of the following:

at least one of the one or more sensor measurements obtained in the wireless device (121);

- information indicating a relative displacement of the wireless device (121), wherein the relative displacement is determined by the wireless device (121) based on the one or more sensor measurements and on one or more previously received sensor measurements, or determined sensor

measurement value, in the wireless device (121);

- information indicating a position estimate of the wireless device (121); and information indicating which of the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information that was determined to be fulfilled by the wireless device (121). 24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising determining that there is an inconsistency between one or more sensor measurements comprised in the positioning information and one or more previously received sensor

measurements from the wireless device (121), and disregarding one or more of the sensor measurements when determining the position of the wireless device (121).

25. The method according to any of claims 21-24, further comprising collecting

information indicating the number of occasions of receiving positioning information from the wireless device (121), and enabling an adjustment of a Positioning Reference Signal, PRS, configuration in the wireless communications network (100) based on the collected information.

26. The method according to any of claims 21-25, further comprising, in case the positioning information comprise information indicating which of the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information that was determined to be fulfilled in the wireless device (121), enabling an adjustment of a Positioning Reference Signal, PRS, configuration in the wireless communications network (100) based on which of the at least one criteria was determined to be fulfilled by the wireless device (121).

27. A positioning node (135) for positioning a wireless device (121) in a wireless communications network (100), the positioning node (135) is configured to

receive positioning information from the wireless device (121), wherein the positioning information indicates that sensor measurement information obtained in the wireless device (121) based on one or more sensor measurements fulfills at least one criteria for transmitting the positioning information, and determine a position of the wireless device (121) based on the positioning information.

28. The positioning node (135) according to claim 27, further configured to transmit, to the wireless device (121), the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information.

29. The positioning node (135) according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the positioning information comprise one or more of the following:

information indicating a relative displacement of the wireless device (121), wherein the relative displacement is determined by the wireless device (121) based on the one or more sensor measurements and on one or more previously received sensor measurements, or determined sensor

measurement value, in the wireless device (121);

30. The positioning node (135) according to claim 29, further configured to determine that there is an inconsistency between one or more sensor measurements comprised in the positioning information and one or more previously received sensor measurements from the wireless device (121), and disregard one or more of the sensor measurements when determining the position of the wireless device (121).

31. The positioning node (135) according to any of claims 27-30, further configured to collect information indicating the number of occasions of receiving positioning information from the wireless device (121), and enable an adjustment of a Positioning Reference Signal, PRS, configuration in the wireless communications network (100) based on the collected information.

32. The positioning node (135) according to any of claims 27-31 , further configured to, in case the positioning information comprise information indicating which of the at least one criteria for transmitting positioning information that was determined to be fulfilled in the wireless device (121), enable an adjustment of a Positioning Reference Signal, PRS, configuration in the wireless communications network (100) based on which of the at least one criteria was determined to be fulfilled by the wireless device (121).

33. The positioning node (135) according to any of claims 27-32, wherein the

34. The positioning node (135) according to any of claims 27-33, comprising a

processor (610) and a memory (620), wherein the memory (620) is containing instructions executable by the processor (610).

35. A computer program product, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor (510; 610), cause the at least one processor (510; 610) to carry out the method according to any of claims 1-9 or 21-26. 36. A carrier containing the computer program product according to claim 35, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer- readable storage medium.