WO2020069314A1 - Inter-rat (radio access technology) rstd (reference signal time difference) measurement enhancement - Google Patents

Abstract

Techniques discussed herein can facilitate inter-RAT (Radio Access Technology) E (Enhanced)-UTRA (UMTS (Universal Telecommunications Systems) Terrestrial Radio Access) RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) measurement. One example embodiment comprises a UE (User Equipment) configured to: process LPP (LTE (Long Term Evolution) Positioning Protocol) signaling that configures PRS(s) (Positioning Reference Signal(s)) of a target cell; process additional signaling that indicates a timing offset of the target cell relative to a serving cell, wherein the target cell employs a different RAT (Radio Access Technology) than the serving cell; generate a request for a measurement gap from the serving cell based on the timing offset; process configuration signaling that configures the measurement gap; and perform a RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) measurement of the target cell during the measurement gap.

Description

INTER-RAT (RADIO ACCESS TECHNOLOGY) RSTD (REFERENCE SIGNAL TIME DIFFERENCE) MEASUREMENT ENHANCEMENT

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/738,285 filed September 28, 2018, entitled“INTER-RADIO ACCESS

TECHNOLOGY REFERENCE SIGNAL TIME DIFFERENCE MEASUREMENT ENHANCEMENT”, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Mobile communication has evolved significantly from early voice systems to today’s highly sophisticated integrated communication platform. The next generation wireless communication system, 5G (or new radio (NR)) will provide access to information and sharing of data anywhere, anytime by various users and applications. NR is expected to be a unified network/system that target to meet vastly different and sometime conflicting performance dimensions and services. Such diverse multi dimensional requirements are driven by different services and applications. In general, NR will evolve based on 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) LTE (Long Term Evolution)-Advanced with additional potential new Radio Access Technologies (RATs) to enrich people lives with better, simple and seamless wireless connectivity solutions. NR will enable everything connected by wireless and deliver fast, rich contents and services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system employable at a UE (User Equipment) or BS (Base Station) that facilitates inter-RAT (Radio Access Technology) E (Enhanced)-UTRA (UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Terrestrial Radio Access) RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) measurement, according to various aspects described herein.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example method employable by one or more of a UE, a gNB (next generation Node B), or a NR (New Radio) system to perform inter-RAT E-UTRA RSTD measurement, in connection with various aspects discussed herein. [0005] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first example method employable at one or more of a UE, a serving cell, or a NR system that facilitates performing inter-RAT E- UTRA RSTD measurement based on more accurate timing information than existing systems, according to various aspects discussed herein.

[0006] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a second example method employable at one or more of a UE, a serving cell, or a NR system that facilitates performing inter-RAT E-UTRA RSTD measurement based on more accurate timing information than existing systems, according to various aspects discussed herein.

[0007] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a third example method employable at one or more of a UE, a serving cell, or a NR system that facilitates performing inter-RAT E-UTRA RSTD measurement based on more accurate timing information than existing systems, according to various aspects discussed herein.

[0008] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a fourth example method employable at one or more of a UE, a serving cell, or a NR system that facilitates performing inter-RAT E-UTRA RSTD measurement based on more accurate timing information than existing systems, according to various aspects discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Embodiments described herein can be implemented into a system using any suitably configured hardware and/or software. In various aspects, embodiments discussed herein can facilitate transmit diversity in connection with power saving signals.

[0010] Referring to FIG. 1 , illustrated is a block diagram of a system 100 employable at a UE (User Equipment) (e.g., as system 100i) or a BS (Base Station) (e.g., as system I OO2) that facilitates inter-RAT (Radio Access Technology) E (Enhanced)-UTRA (UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Terrestrial Radio Access)

RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) measurement, in embodiments. System 100 can include processor(s) 1 10 comprising processing circuitry and associated interface(s) (e.g., a communication interface for communicating with communication circuitry 120, a memory interface for communicating with memory 130, etc.), communication circuitry 120 (e.g., comprising circuitry for wired and/or wireless connection(s), e.g., transmitter circuitry (e.g., associated with one or more transmit chains) and/or receiver circuitry (e.g., associated with one or more receive chains), wherein transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry can employ common and/or distinct circuit elements, or a combination thereof), and a memory 130 (which can comprise any of a variety of storage mediums and can store instructions and/or data associated with one or more of processor(s) 1 10 or transceiver circuitry 120). In various aspects, system 100 can be included within a user equipment (UE). In BS aspects, system 1002 can be included within an E (Enhanced)-UTRA (UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Terrestrial Radio Access) Node B (Evolved Node B, eNodeB, or eNB), next generation Node B (gNodeB or gNB) or other base station or TRP (Transmit/Receive Point) in a wireless communications network, wherein processor(s) 1 1 O2,

communication circuitry 1 202, and memory 1302 can be in a single device or can be included in different devices, such as part of a distributed architecture. In embodiments, signaling from a UE to a BS can be generated by processor(s) 1 10i, transmitted by communication circuitry 120i , received by communication circuitry 1 202, and processed by processor(s) 1 1 O2, while signaling from a BS to a UE (e.g., including configuration of a UE) can be generated by processor(s) 1 1 O2, transmitted by communication circuitry 1 202, received by communication circuitry 120i , and processed by processor(s) 1 10i.

[0011] In NR (New Radio) systems, UE(s) (User Equipment(s)) can support inter- RAT (Radio Access Technology) E (Enhanced)-UTRA (UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Terrestrial Radio Access) RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) measurement. Referring to FIG. 2, illustrated is a diagram showing an example method 200 employable by one or more of a UE (e.g., UE 100i), a gNB (e.g., gNB I OO2), or a NR system to perform inter-RAT E-UTRA RSTD measurement, in connection with various aspects discussed herein. The procedure 200 can be performed as follows

[0012] At 220, a UE (e.g., UE 100i) can be configured with E-UTRA PRS

(Positioning Reference Signal(s)) by a positioning server via LPP (LTE (Long Term Evolution) Positioning Protocol) signalling (e.g., generated by processor(s) 1 10 of a gNB I OO2 (based on LPP signalling received by communication circuitry 120 of gNB I OO2 from a positioning server), transmitted by communication circuitry 120 of gNB I OO2, received by communication circuitry 120 of a UE 100i, and processed by processor(s) 1 10 of UE 100i).

[0013] At 240, the UE can request a measurement gap from a serving NR cell (e.g., from gNB I OO2) for performing the requested E-UTRA RSTD measurement (e.g., via a request generated by processor(s) 1 10 of a UE 100i, transmitted by communication circuitry 120 of UE 100i, received by communication circuitry 120 of a gNB I OO2, and processed by processor(s) 1 10 of gNB I OO2). [0014] At 260, the NR serving cell can configure the UE with the measurement gap accordingly (e.g., via configuration signalling (e.g., LPP signalling) generated by processor(s) 1 10 of a gNB 1002 (based on LPP signalling received by communication circuitry 120 of gNB 10O2 from a positioning server), transmitted by communication circuitry 120 of gNB 10O2, received by communication circuitry 120 of a UE 100i , and processed by processor(s) 1 10 of UE 100i).

[0015] At 280, the UE can perform the inter-RAT E-UTRA RSTD measurement (e.g., via processor(s) 1 10 and communication circuitry 120 of a UE 100i).

[0016] However, in existing NR systems, the second step, at 240, is problematic. When requesting a measurement gap from the serving NR cell, the UE is to provide the serving cell with the subframe/slot boundary difference between the target cell and the serving cell (e.g., EUTRA-RSTD-lnfo.measPRS-Offset INTEGER (0..39) is used in LTE). However, in existing NR systems, the UE may not clearly know the exact downlink timing information of the cell to be measured.

[0017] Specifically, in existing NR systems, only the SFN (System Frame Number) offset is optionally provided to the UE via LPP signalling, which only has a resolution of 10ms. According to the current 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) specification, if the UE is provided with the SFN offset, then the UE can request suitable gaps for performing inter-RAT E-UTRAN RSTD measurement. However, when requesting gaps, a more accurate offset (e.g., subframe/slot offset) is employed. Thus, in existing NR systems, even provided with the SFN offset, the UE still cannot determine and use the subframe/slot boundary difference, which has a resolution of 1 ms, to request a measurement gap. Existing NR systems lack a mechanism and/or procedure to ensure UE(s) have offset information of sufficient accuracy (e.g., subframe/slot offset, etc.).

[0018] Various embodiments can employ one or more sets of techniques discussed herein to facilitate inter-RAT E-UTRA RSTD measurement via providing more accurate offset information to at least one of a UE or a serving cell. In a first set of techniques, an indication mechanism can be employed to provide the timing information of a target cell with finer granularity (than in existing NR systems) to a UE (e.g., UE 100i), for example, a frame boundary between a serving cell (e.g., NR cell, etc.) and the target cell (e.g., LTE cell, etc.) can be signaled to the UE, etc. In a second set of techniques, an indication mechanism can be used to provide the timing information of the target cell with finer granularity to the NR cell, e.g. a frame boundary between the serving (e.g., NR, etc.) cell and target (e.g., LTE) cell can be signaled to the serving (e.g., NR, etc.) cell. In a third set of techniques, a new UE behavior can be employed, wherein the UE, which has already been provided with the SFN offset, can perform cell identification, including PSS/SSS detection, for the target cell by using a gap (e.g., an autonomous gap, etc.). During the cell identification Tide ify, the UE can transmit at least X

ACK/NACKs on the PCell and/or each of the activated SCell(s), wherein X can be one of predefined in a specification or configured via higher layer signaling. In the fourth set of techniques, a new UE behavior can be employed, wherein the UE, which has not yet been provided with a SFN offset, can perform cell identification, including PSS/SSS detection and MIB reading for the target cell, by using a gap (e.g., an autonomous gap, etc.), and during the cell identification and MIB reading time TMIB, the UE can transmit at least Y ACK/NACKs on the PCell or each of activated SCell(s).

Providing Finer Granularity Timing Information of Target Cell to UE

[0019] In the first set of aspects, some indication mechanism can be used to provide the timing information of target cell with finer granularity to UE, for example, a frame boundary between the serving (e.g., NR, etc.) cell and target (e.g., LTE, etc.) cell can be signaled.

[0020] In various embodiments employing the first set of techniques, an indication with finer granularity can be signaled in any of a variety of ways, including but not limited to the following three example techniques for facilitating finer granularity indication.

[0021] As a first example, various embodiments can indicate (e.g., gNB

embodiments) or receive an indication of (e.g., UE embodiments) the smallest subframe offset from the beginning of subframe 0 of SFN=0 of the NR cell of the requested gap for measuring PRS positioning occasions. The offset can be an integer value from, for example, (0...40), with a precision of 1 ms. The offset can have a time span of, for example, (0...40ms).

[0022] As a second example, various embodiments can indicate (e.g., gNB embodiments) or receive an indication of (e.g., UE embodiments) the frame boundary difference between the serving (e.g., NR, etc.) cell and target (e.g., LTE, etc.) cell as an integer value from, for example, (-30720...30719) with a precision of 1 Ts (about 32.6ns). The frame boundary difference can have a time span of, for example, (- 1 ms...1 ms).

[0023] As a third example, various embodiments can indicate (e.g., gNB

embodiments) or receive an indication of (e.g., UE embodiments) the slot number offset at the transmitter between the serving (e.g., NR, etc.) cell and target (e.g., LTE, etc.) cell, which corresponds to the number of full slots counted from the beginning of a radio frame of the assistance data reference cell to the beginning of the closest subsequent radio frame of this cell. The offset can be an integer value from, for example, (0...19) with a precision of 0.5ms. The offset can have a time span of, for example, (0...10ms).

[0024] In various embodiments, the indication can be signaled from the positioning server to the UE, for example, via LPP signaling.

[0025] After receiving this signaling, the UE can be aware of the frame boundary difference between the target (e.g., LTE, etc.) and the serving (e.g., NR, etc.) cell. Therefore, the UE can acquire the measurement gap from the NR serving cell with this offset.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, illustrated is a flow diagram of a first example method 300 employable at one or more of a UE (e.g., UE 100i), a serving (e.g., NR) cell (e.g., managed by gNB I OO2), or a NR system that facilitates performing inter-RAT E-UTRA RSTD measurement based on more accurate timing information than existing systems, according to various aspects discussed herein. In other aspects, a machine-readable medium can store instructions associated with method 300 that, when executed, can cause a UE to perform the acts of method 300. Method 300 can be based on method 200, wherein acts 320, 340, 360, and 380 correspond to acts 220, 240, 260, and 280, respectively, and wherein method 300 can comprise one or more additional acts.

[0027] Additionally, method 300 can comprise, at 330, indicating timing information with finer granularity than SFN offset between the serving (e.g., NR) cell and target (e.g., LTE) cell (e.g., via configuration signaling generated by processor(s) 1 10 of a gNB I OO2 (e.g., based on LPP signalling received by communication circuitry 120 of gNB I OO2 from a positioning server), transmitted by communication circuitry 120 of a gNB I OO2, received by communication circuitry 120 of a UE 100i, and processed by processor(s) 1 10 of a UE 100i). The indication of timing information can comprise, for example, any of the examples of the first set of aspects listed herein.

[0028] Based on the timing information with finer granularity than SFN offset (e.g., which can be provided to the serving (e.g., NR) cell at 340), at 360, the serving (e.g., NR) cell can configure the requested measurement gap with greater precision and accuracy than existing NR systems.

[0029] Additionally or alternatively, method 300 can include one or more other acts described herein in connection with performing inter-RAT E-UTRA RSTD measurements based on timing with finer granularity than SFN offset being configured to a UE.

Providing Finer Granularity Timing Information of Target Cell to Serving Cell

[0030] In the second set of aspects, some indication mechanism can be used to provide the timing information of target cell with finer granularity to a serving (e.g., NR, etc.) cell, for example, a frame boundary between the serving (e.g., NR, etc.) cell and target (e.g., LTE, etc.) cell can be signaled.

[0031] In various embodiments employing the second set of techniques, an indication with finer granularity can be signaled in any of a variety of ways, including but not limited to the following three example techniques for facilitating finer granularity indication.

[0032] As a second example, various embodiments can receive an indication of (e.g., gNB embodiments) the smallest subframe offset from the beginning of subframe 0 of SFN=0 of the NR cell of the requested gap for measuring PRS positioning occasions. The offset can be an integer value from, for example, (0...40), with a precision of 1 ms. The offset can have a time span of, for example, (0...40ms).

[0033] As a second example, various embodiments can receive an indication of (e.g., gNB embodiments) the frame boundary difference between the serving (e.g., NR, etc.) cell and target (e.g., LTE, etc.) cell as an integer value from, for example, (- 30720...30719) with a precision of 1 Ts (about 32.6ns). The frame boundary difference can have a time span of, for example, (-1 ms...1 ms).

[0034] As a third example, various embodiments can receive an indication of (e.g., gNB embodiments) the slot number offset at the transmitter between the serving (e.g., NR, etc.) cell and target (e.g., LTE, etc.) cell, which corresponds to the number of full slots counted from the beginning of a radio frame of the assistance data reference cell to the beginning of the closest subsequent radio frame of this cell. The offset can be an integer value from, for example, (0...19) with a precision of 0.5ms. The offset can have a time span of, for example, (0...10ms).

[0035] In various embodiments, the indication can be signaled from the positioning server to the serving (e.g., NR, etc.) cell, for example, via LPPa (LTE Positioning Protocol A) signaling.

[0036] After receiving this signaling, when the serving (e.g., NR, etc.) cell receives the gap request indication from UE 100i, the serving (e.g., NR, etc.) cell can configure the measurement gap properly with the received offset. [0037] Referring to FIG. 4, illustrated is a flow diagram of a second example method 400 employable at one of a UE (e.g., UE 100i), a serving (e.g., NR) cell (e.g., managed by gNB I OO2), or a NR system that facilitates performing inter-RAT E-UTRA RSTD measurement based on more accurate timing information than existing systems, according to various aspects discussed herein. In other aspects, a machine-readable medium can store instructions associated with method 400 that, when executed, can cause a UE to perform the acts of method 400. Method 400 can be based on method 200, wherein acts 420, 440, 460, and 480 correspond to acts 220, 240, 260, and 280, respectively, and wherein method 400 can comprise one or more additional acts.

[0038] Additionally, method 400 can comprise, at 430, receiving at a serving (e.g., NR, etc.) cell an indication of timing information with finer granularity than SFN offset (e.g., based on LPP signalling received by communication circuitry 120 of gNB I OO2 from a positioning server) between the serving (e.g., NR) cell and target (e.g., LTE) cell. The indication of timing information can comprise, for example, any of the examples of the second set of aspects listed herein.

[0039] Based on the timing information with finer granularity than SFN offset, at 460, the serving (e.g., NR) cell can configure the requested measurement gap with finer granularity (e.g., greater precision and accuracy) than existing NR systems.

[0040] Additionally or alternatively, method 400 can include one or more other acts described herein in connection with performing inter-RAT E-UTRA RSTD

measurements based on timing with finer granularity than SFN offset being configured to a serving (e.g., NR) cell.

Cell Identification of Target Cell by UE Provided with SFN Offset

[0041] In the third set of aspects, a new UE behavior not present in existing NR systems can be employed, wherein the UE (e.g., UE 100i), which has already been provided with the SFN offset, can perform cell identification, including PSS/SSS detection, for the target cell by using some gap (e.g., an autonomous gap, etc.). During the cell identification Tide ify, the UE 100i can transmit at least X ACK/NACKs on the PCell (Primary Cell), on each of the activated SCell(s) (Secondary Cell(s)), or on some combination thereof.

[0042] Even after the UE 100i has been configured with SFN offset, the UE still is unaware of the boundary offset between the serving (e.g., NR) cell frame and the PRS occasion in the target (e.g., LTE) cell. As a result, the UE in existing NR systems lacks sufficient information to request gaps properly, as the offset should be provided when requesting gaps. Thus, in embodiments employing the third set of aspects, the UE 100i can perform PSS & SSS detection/cell search/cell identification in order to acquire the timing of the LTE cell, such that UE 100i can know the exact time location of PRS occasion. Thus, after acquiring the timing of the LTE cell, the UE 100i can calculate the offset between the serving (e.g., NR) cell and the PRS occasion. Based on this, the UE 100i can request a gap with the calculated offset.

[0043] In various embodiments of the third set of aspects, the UE 100i can perform PSS & SSS detection/cell search/cell identification by using some gaps, for example autonomous gaps, wherein the serving (e.g., NR) cell is not aware of this. The serving (e.g., NR) cell can schedule the UE 100i as usual. During the time when the UE 100i is performing cell identification during autonomous gaps, it is not receiving or transmitting data in the serving (e.g., NR) cell. As a result, from the network perspective, the UE 100i would lose some ACK/NACK feedback during this period. Assuming, for example, that the UE 100i feedbacks a total number of Z ACK/NACK during this period on the PCell, on each of the activated SCell(s), or some combination thereof, if no autonomous gap is enabled, then the UE should only miss (Z-X) ACK/NACK transmission when autonomous gap is enabled. Thus, in various embodiments, the UE 100i can transmit at least X ACK/NACKs on the PCell, on each of the activated SCell(s), or some

combination thereof. The values X and Z depend on the total time the UE 100i needed to finish the PSS & SSS detection/cell search/cell identification.

[0044] In various embodiments (e.g., of the third set of aspects, or of other set(s) of aspect(s)), the preconfigured SFN offset can be signaled from a positioning server via LPP, or from the serving (e.g., NR) cell via higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC, etc.), to the UE.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, illustrated is a flow diagram of a third example method 500 employable at one of a UE (e.g., UE 100i), a serving (e.g., NR) cell (e.g., managed by gNB I OO2), or a NR system that facilitates performing inter-RAT E-UTRA RSTD measurement based on more accurate timing information than existing systems, according to various aspects discussed herein. In other aspects, a machine-readable medium can store instructions associated with method 500 that, when executed, can cause a UE to perform the acts of method 500. Method 500 can be based on method 200, wherein acts 520, 540, 560, and 580 correspond to acts 220, 240, 260, and 280, respectively, and wherein method 500 can comprise one or more additional acts.

[0046] Additionally, method 500 can comprise, at 530, calculating a timing offset of the target cell PRS from the serving cell based on a configured SFN offset and target cell timing obtained via performing cell identification (e.g., including PSS/SSS detection, etc.) of the target cell.

[0047] Based on the timing information with finer granularity than SFN offset, at 560, the serving (e.g., NR) cell can configure the requested measurement gap with greater accuracy than existing NR systems.

[0048] Additionally or alternatively, method 500 can include one or more other acts described herein in connection with performing inter-RAT E-UTRA RSTD

measurements based on timing with finer granularity than SFN offset being determined by a UE configured with SFN based on cell identification of the target (e.g., LTE) cell.

Cell Identification of Target Cell by UE Not Yet Provided with SFN Offset

[0049] In the third set of aspects, a new UE behavior not present in existing NR systems can be employed, wherein the UE (e.g., UE 100i), which has not yet been provided with the SFN offset, can perform cell identification, including PSS/SSS detection, for the target cell by using some gap (e.g., an autonomous gap, etc.). During the cell identification and MIB reading time TMIB, the UE 100i can transmit at least Y ACK/NACKs on the PCell (Primary Cell), on each of the activated SCell(s) (Secondary Cell(s)), or on some combination thereof.

[0050] The fourth set of aspects can apply to scenarios wherein no timing

information of the target PRS occasion is provided to the UE. Since the time offset between the NR frame and the PRS occasion is used when requesting gaps, UE 100i can perform the following acts: (1 ) PSS & SSS detection/cell search/cell identification, to get the timing of the target cell; and (2) Decode the PBCH (Physical Broadcast

Channel), to get the SFN of the target cell. Based on this information, UE 100i can know the exact time location of the PRS occasion of the target (e.g., LTE) cell. Thus, the UE 100i can calculate the offset between the serving (e.g., NR) cell and the PRS occasion of the target (e.g., LTE) cell. Based on the calculated offset, the UE can request gap with this offset.

[0051] The UE shall perform PSS & SSS detection/cell search/cell identification by using autonomous gaps, which means the NR cell is not aware of this. The NR would schedule the UE as usual. Therefore, when the UE is doing the autonomous gaps, it cannot receive or transmit data in the NR serving cell. Then from network perspective, the UE would lost some ACK/NACK feedback during this period. Assuming the UE shall feedback a total number of [Z] ACK/NACK on the PCell or each of activated SCell(s) during this period if no autonomous gap is enabled, then the UE shall only allow to miss [Z-Y] ACK/NACK transmission when autonomous gap is enabled. In other word, the UE shall transmit at least [Y] ACK/NACKs on the PCell or each of activated SCell(s). The value [Y] and [Z] depend on the total time the UE needed to finish the PSS & SSS detection/cell search/cell identification and PBCH decoding.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 6, illustrated is a flow diagram of a fourth example method 600 employable at one of a UE (e.g., UE 100i), a serving (e.g., NR) cell (e.g., managed by gNB I OO2), or a NR system that facilitates performing inter-RAT E-UTRA RSTD measurement based on more accurate timing information than existing systems, according to various aspects discussed herein. In other aspects, a machine-readable medium can store instructions associated with method 600 that, when executed, can cause a UE to perform the acts of method 600. Method 600 can be based on method 200, wherein acts 620, 640, 660, and 680 correspond to acts 220, 240, 260, and 280, respectively, and wherein method 600 can comprise one or more additional acts.

[0053] Additionally, method 600 can comprise, at 630, calculating a timing offset of the target cell PRS from the serving cell having finer granularity (e.g., greater precision and accuracy) than the SFN offset based on a SFN offset obtained via PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel) and target cell timing obtained via performing cell identification (e.g., including PSS/SSS detection, etc.) of the target cell by the UE.

[0054] Based on the timing information with finer granularity than existing NR systems, at 660, the serving (e.g., NR) cell can configure the requested measurement gap with greater accuracy than existing NR systems.

[0055] Additionally or alternatively, method 600 can include one or more other acts described herein in connection with performing inter-RAT E-UTRA RSTD

measurements based on timing with finer granularity than SFN offset being configured to a UE.

Additional Embodiments

[0056] Examples herein can include subject matter such as a method, means for performing acts or blocks of the method, at least one machine-readable medium including executable instructions that, when performed by a machine (e.g., a processor with memory, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like) cause the machine to perform acts of the method or of an apparatus or system for concurrent communication using multiple communication technologies according to embodiments and examples described.

[0057] The following are additional example embodiments. [0058] Example 1 is an apparatus configured to be employed in a UE (User

Equipment), comprising: a memory interface; and processing circuitry configured to: process LPP (LTE (Long Term Evolution) Positioning Protocol) signaling that configures PRS(s) (Positioning Reference Signal(s)) of a target cell; process additional signaling that indicates a timing offset of the target cell relative to a serving cell, wherein the target cell employs a different RAT (Radio Access Technology) than the serving cell; generate a request for a measurement gap from the serving cell based on the timing offset; process configuration signaling that configures the measurement gap; and perform a RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) measurement of the target cell during the measurement gap.

[0059] Example 2 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s)

1 , wherein the timing information comprises a smallest subframe offset from a beginning of a subframe 0 of SFN (System Frame Number) 0 of the serving cell for measuring PRS positioning occasions of the target cell.

[0060] Example 3 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s)

2, wherein the smallest subframe offset is an integer value from 0 to 40 with a precision of 1 ms.

[0061] Example 4 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s) 2, wherein the smallest subframe offset has a time span from 0 to 40ms.

[0062] Example 5 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s)

1 , wherein the timing information comprises a frame boundary difference between the target cell and the serving cell.

[0063] Example 6 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s) 5, wherein the frame boundary difference is an integer value from -30,720 to 30,719 with a precision of 1 Ts.

[0064] Example 7 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s) 5, wherein the frame boundary difference has a time span of -1 ms to 1 ms.

[0065] Example 8 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s)

1 , wherein the timing information comprises a slot number offset at a transmitter between the serving cell and the target cell.

[0066] Example 9 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s) 8, wherein the slot number offset is an integer value from 0 to 19 with a precision of 0.5 ms.

[0067] Example 10 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s) 8, wherein the slot number offset has a time span of 0 to 10 ms. [0068] Example 1 1 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s) 1 -10, wherein the additional signaling comprises additional LPP signaling.

[0069] Example 12 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s) 1 -10, wherein the serving cell is a NR (New Radio) cell and the target cell is an E (Enhanced)-UTRA (UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Terrestrial Radio Access) cell.

[0070] Example 13 is an apparatus configured to be employed in a gNB (next generation Node B), comprising: a memory interface; and processing circuitry configured to: process LPPa (LTE (Long Term Evolution) Positioning Protocol A) signaling that indicates a timing offset of the target cell relative to a serving cell, wherein the target cell employs a different RAT (Radio Access Technology) than the serving cell; process a request for a measurement gap from the serving cell; and generate configuration signaling that configures the measurement gap based on the timing offset.

[0071] Example 14 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s) 13, wherein the timing information comprises a smallest subframe offset from a beginning of a subframe 0 of SFN (System Frame Number) 0 of the serving cell for measuring PRS positioning occasions of the target cell, wherein the smallest subframe offset is an integer value from 0 to 40 with a precision of 1 ms, and wherein the smallest subframe offset has a time span from 0 to 40ms.

[0072] Example 15 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s) 13, wherein the timing information comprises a frame boundary difference between the target cell and the serving cell, wherein the frame boundary difference is an integer value from -30,720 to 30,719 with a precision of 1 Ts, and wherein the frame boundary difference has a time span of -1 ms to 1 ms.

[0073] Example 16 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s) Example 13, wherein the timing information comprises a slot number offset at a transmitter between the serving cell and the target cell, wherein the slot number offset is an integer value from 0 to 19 with a precision of 0.5 ms, and wherein the slot number offset has a time span of 0 to 10 ms.

[0074] Example 17 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s) 13-16, wherein the serving cell is a NR (New Radio) cell and the target cell is an E (Enhanced)-UTRA (UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Terrestrial Radio Access) cell.

[0075] Example 18 is an apparatus configured to be employed in a UE (User

Equipment), comprising: a memory interface; and processing circuitry configured to: process LPP (LTE (Long Term Evolution) Positioning Protocol) signaling that configures PRS(s) (Positioning Reference Signal(s)) of a target cell; perform cell identification of the target cell during an autonomous gap of a serving cell to determine a timing of the target cell; generate at least a predetermined number of ACK

(Acknowledgement)/NACK (Negative Acknowledgement) responses for one or more of the serving cell or one or more secondary cells for the autonomous gap; generate a request for a measurement gap from the serving cell based on a timing offset determined from the timing of the target cell and a SFN (System Frame Number);

process configuration signaling that configures the measurement gap; and perform a RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) measurement of the target cell during the measurement gap.

[0076] Example 19 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s) 18, wherein the SFN is configured to the UE prior to performing cell identification of the target cell.

[0077] Example 20 comprises the subject matter of any variation of any of example(s) 18, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the SFN via decoding a PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel) of the target cell.

[0078]

[0079] Example 21 comprises an apparatus comprising means for executing any of the described operations of examples 1 -20.

[0080] Example 22 comprises a machine readable medium that stores instructions for execution by a processor to perform any of the described operations of examples 1 - 20.

[0081] Example 23 comprises an apparatus comprising: a memory interface; and processing circuitry configured to: perform any of the described operations of examples 1 -20.

[0082] The above description of illustrated embodiments of the subject disclosure, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possible that are considered within the scope of such embodiments and examples, as those skilled in the relevant art can recognize.

[0083] In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components or structures (assemblies, devices, circuits, systems, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a“means”) used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component or structure which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations. In addition, while a particular feature may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature can be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus configured to be employed in a UE (User Equipment), comprising: a memory interface; and

processing circuitry configured to:

process LPP (LTE (Long Term Evolution) Positioning Protocol) signaling that configures PRS(s) (Positioning Reference Signal(s)) of a target cell;

process additional signaling that indicates a timing offset of the target cell relative to a serving cell, wherein the target cell employs a different RAT (Radio Access Technology) than the serving cell;

generate a request for a measurement gap from the serving cell based on the timing offset;

process configuration signaling that configures the measurement gap; and perform a RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) measurement of the target cell during the measurement gap.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the timing information comprises a smallest subframe offset from a beginning of a subframe 0 of SFN (System Frame Number) 0 of the serving cell for measuring PRS positioning occasions of the target cell.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the smallest subframe offset is an integer value from 0 to 40 with a precision of 1 ms.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the smallest subframe offset has a time span from 0 to 40ms.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the timing information comprises a frame boundary difference between the target cell and the serving cell.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the frame boundary difference is an integer value from -30,720 to 30,719 with a precision of 1 Ts.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the frame boundary difference has a time span of -1 ms to 1 ms.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the timing information comprises a slot number offset at a transmitter between the serving cell and the target cell.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the slot number offset is an integer value from 0 to 19 with a precision of 0.5 ms.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the slot number offset has a time span of 0 to 10 ms.

1 1 . The apparatus of any of claims 1 -10, wherein the additional signaling comprises additional LPP signaling.

12. The apparatus of any of claims 1 -10, wherein the serving cell is a NR (New Radio) cell and the target cell is an E (Enhanced)-UTRA (UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Terrestrial Radio Access) cell.

13. An apparatus configured to be employed in a gNB (next generation Node B), comprising:

a memory interface; and

processing circuitry configured to:

process LPPa (LTE (Long Term Evolution) Positioning Protocol A) signaling that indicates a timing offset of the target cell relative to a serving cell, wherein the target cell employs a different RAT (Radio Access Technology) than the serving cell;

process a request for a measurement gap from the serving cell; and generate configuration signaling that configures the measurement gap based on the timing offset.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the timing information comprises a smallest subframe offset from a beginning of a subframe 0 of SFN (System Frame Number) 0 of the serving cell for measuring PRS positioning occasions of the target cell, wherein the smallest subframe offset is an integer value from 0 to 40 with a precision of 1 ms, and wherein the smallest subframe offset has a time span from 0 to 40ms.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the timing information comprises a frame boundary difference between the target cell and the serving cell, wherein the frame boundary difference is an integer value from -30,720 to 30,719 with a precision of 1 Ts, and wherein the frame boundary difference has a time span of -1 ms to 1 ms.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the timing information comprises a slot number offset at a transmitter between the serving cell and the target cell, wherein the slot number offset is an integer value from 0 to 19 with a precision of 0.5 ms, and wherein the slot number offset has a time span of 0 to 10 ms.

17. The apparatus of any of claims 13-16, wherein the serving cell is a NR (New Radio) cell and the target cell is an E (Enhanced)-UTRA (UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Terrestrial Radio Access) cell.

18. An apparatus configured to be employed in a UE (User Equipment), comprising: a memory interface; and

processing circuitry configured to:

process LPP (LTE (Long Term Evolution) Positioning Protocol) signaling that configures PRS(s) (Positioning Reference Signal(s)) of a target cell;

perform cell identification of the target cell during an autonomous gap of a serving cell to determine a timing of the target cell;

generate at least a predetermined number of ACK

(Acknowledgement)/NACK (Negative Acknowledgement) responses for one or more of the serving cell or one or more secondary cells for the autonomous gap; generate a request for a measurement gap from the serving cell based on a timing offset determined from the timing of the target cell and a SFN (System Frame Number);

process configuration signaling that configures the measurement gap; and perform a RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) measurement of the target cell during the measurement gap.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the SFN is configured to the UE prior to performing cell identification of the target cell.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the SFN via decoding a PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel) of the target cell.