WO2022122119A1

WO2022122119A1 - User equipment positioning

Info

Publication number: WO2022122119A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/084968
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joerg Schaepperle; Mikko SÄILY; Benny Vejlgaard
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2020-12-08
Filing date: 2020-12-08
Publication date: 2022-06-16

Abstract

Certain examples provide an apparatus (110) comprising means for: receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information (1303), comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS (401); and receiving the PRS, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions (602a-d) that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range (604), wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions (NZ), and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

Description

TITLE

User Equipment Positioning

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Examples of the present disclosure relate to User Equipment positioning. Some examples, though without prejudice to the foregoing, relate to a configuration of a Positioning Reference Signal for use in a User Equipment positioning process.

BACKGROUND

The position of a User Equipment (UE) within a Radio Access Network (RAN) can be determined, i.e. by a Location Server (LS) such as a Location Management Function (LMF) or a Location Management Component (LMC), via various network-based positioning techniques involving the exchange, over a Uu interface, of Positioning Reference Signals (PRSs) between the nodes of the RAN and the UE.

In order to provide accurate positioning for a Downlink (DL) network-based positioning technique, typically a wideband PRS (e.g. 100 MHz or more dependent on the desired positioning accuracy) needs to be used and received by the UE. Accordingly, typically, accurate downlink UE positioning techniques require a wideband UE device, i.e. with a wideband receiver. However, such wideband UE devices, and the use of wideband signals, gives rise to increased complexity, processing requirements and power consumption (and hence reduced battery life) as compared to UE devices having a reduced bandwidth/narrowband operation which are configured for, and use, low bandwidth signals. Moreover, wideband UE devices, as well as receivers for the same, are more complex, requiring higher power/faster processors, as well as more costly to manufacture than those only requiring operation at lower bandwidth.

In some circumstances it may be desirable to provide an improved positioning technique and: a PRS configuration, UE, RAN node and LS for use with the same. In some circumstances, it may be desirable to provide a DL positioning technique using wideband PRSs that can be used with UEs having reduced complexity requirements, reduced bandwidth requirements and hence reduced power consumption.

The listing or discussion of any prior-published document or any background in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document or background is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge. One or more aspects/examples of the present disclosure may or may not address one or more of the background issues.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the invention is set out by the independent claims. Any examples/embodiments and features described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention.

According to at least some examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; and receiving the PRS, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a method comprising causing, at least in part, actions that result in: receiving, at an apparatus, Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; and receiving the PRS, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided computer program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform: receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; and receiving the PRS, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program instructions; the at least one memory and the computer program instructions configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; and receiving the PRS, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with instructions that, when performed by at least one processor, causes at least the following to be performed: receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; and receiving the PRS, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

According to at least some examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: determining Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling a network element of a Radio Access Network, RAN, to determine a structure of a PRS; and sending the PRS configuration information to the network element of the RAN, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a method comprising causing, at least in part, actions that result in: determining Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling a network element of a Radio Access Network, RAN, to determine a structure of a PRS; and sending the PRS configuration information to the network element of the RAN, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided computer program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform: determining Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling a network element of a Radio Access Network, RAN, to determine a structure of a PRS; and sending the PRS configuration information to the network element of the RAN, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different. According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program instructions; the at least one memory and the computer program instructions configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling a network element of a Radio Access Network, RAN, to determine a structure of a PRS; and sending the PRS configuration information to the network element of the RAN, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with instructions that, when performed by at least one processor, causes at least the following to be performed: determining Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling a network element of a Radio Access Network, RAN, to determine a structure of a PRS; and sending the PRS configuration information to the network element of the RAN, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

According to at least some examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; generating, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, the PRS; and sending the PRS; wherein the PRS comprises, in the frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a method comprising causing, at least in part, actions that result in: receiving, at an apparatus, Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; generating, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, the PRS; and sending the PRS; wherein the PRS comprises, in the frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided computer program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform: receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; generating, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, the PRS; and sending the PRS; wherein the PRS comprises, in the frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program instructions; the at least one memory and the computer program instructions configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; generating, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, the PRS; and sending the PRS; wherein the PRS comprises, in the frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with instructions that, when performed by at least one processor, causes at least the following to be performed: receiving, at an apparatus, Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; generating, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, the PRS; and sending the PRS; wherein the PRS comprises, in the frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different. According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a chipset comprising processing circuitry configured to perform any of the above-mentioned methods.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a module, device, tag and/or system comprising means for performing any of the above- mentioned methods.

The following portion of this ‘Brief Summary’ section describes various features that can be features of any of the examples described in the foregoing portion of the ‘Brief Summary’ section.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the means for receiving the PRS may comprise means for: receiving, at an analog domain of the apparatus’ receiving means, the PRS; processing, at a digital domain of the apparatus’ receiving means, the PRS received at an analog receiver, wherein the means for processing comprises means for subsampling the PRS received at the analog receiver.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the apparatus may further comprise means for reconstructing the PRS from the subsampled PRS.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the apparatus may further comprise means for performing measurements on the reconstructed PRS and sending measurement results.

In some but not necessarily all examples, there is provided a positioning tag comprising the above-mentioned apparatus.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the PRS signal component portions may each be placed, in the frequency domain, within their respective region at a position relative to their respective region that is unique and/or is non-overlapping with regards to positions of the other PRS signal component portions relative to their respective regions.

In some but not necessarily all examples, there may be means configured to cause: receiving User Equipment, UE, capability information, the UE capability information comprising information for enabling determination of one or more receiver parameters of a UE; and wherein the PRS configuration information is determined based at least in part on the UE capability information.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the one or more receiver parameters of the UE may comprise by one or more selected from a group of: a sampling rate supported by a receiver of the UE; a sampling rate supported by a digital domain of a receiver of the UE; a sampling rate supported by a digital receiver of the UE; a sampling rate supported by an Analog-to-Digital Converter, ADC, of the UE; a bandwidth supported by a receiver of the UE; a bandwidth supported by an analog domain of a receiver of the UE; and a bandwidth supported by an analog receiver of the UE.

In some but not necessarily all examples, there may be provided means configured to cause: determining one or more region parameters of the one or more plurality of regions based at least in part on the UE capability information.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the one or more region parameters may comprise one or more selected from a group of: a number of regions; a size, in the frequency domain, of one or more regions; a position, in the frequency domain, of one or more regions; and radio resources, associated with each of the regions, to be used.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the PRS configuration information may comprise information for enabling the network element of the RAN to determine the one or more region parameters.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the PRS configuration information may comprise information for enabling determination of which frequency bands and/or which radio resources, in the frequency domain, are to be used for sending the plurality of PRS signal component portions.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the PRS configuration information may comprise information for enabling determination of which frequency bands and/or which radio resources, in the frequency domain, within the frequency range are not to be used for sending PRS signals.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the structure of the PRS to be sent may comprise a comb structure wherein one or more PRS signal component portions are to be sent, in the frequency domain, in the first time interval every n-th radio resource in the frequency domain.

While the above examples and optional features are described separately, it is to be understood that their provision in all possible combinations and permutations is contained within the disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that various examples of the disclosure may comprise any or all of the features described in respect of other examples of the disclosure, and vice versa.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there are provided examples as claimed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of various examples of the present disclosure that are useful for understanding the detailed description and certain examples of the present disclosure, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an example of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 2 shows another an example of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 3 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 4 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 5 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 6 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 7 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 8 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 9 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 10 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 11 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 12 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 13 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 14 shows another example of the subject matter described herein; and

FIG. 15 shows another example of the subject matter described herein.

The figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and views of the figures may be shown schematically or exaggerated in scale in the interest of clarity and conciseness. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures can be exaggerated relative to other elements to aid explication. Similar reference numerals are used in the figures to designate similar features. For clarity, all reference numerals are not necessarily displayed in all figures.

ABREVIATIONS/DEFINITIONS

A/D Analog to Digital

ADC Analog-to-Digital Converter

DL Downlink

DL-PRS Downlink Positioning Reference Signals eMTC enhanced Machine Type Communication gNB gNodeB loT Internet of Things

LMC Location Management Component LMF Location Management Function

LS Location Server

NB-loT NarrowBand-lnternet of Things

NR New Radio (5G)

PRS Position Reference Signal

RAN Radio Access Network

UE User Equipment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures schematically illustrate, and the following description describes, various examples of the disclosure including an apparatus (10), for example an LS (140), comprising means (11) configured to cause: determining Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information (1303), comprising information for enabling a network element of a RAN, e.g. a gNB or UE, to determine a structure of a PRS (401), wherein the PRS comprises, in the frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions (602a-d) that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range (604), wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions (NZ), and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different; sending the PRS configuration information to the network element of the RAN.

FIG.1 schematically illustrates an example of a network 100 comprising a plurality of network nodes including terminal nodes 110 (also referred to as User Equipment, UE), access nodes 120 (also referred to as RAN nodes), a core network 130, and a location server 140 (also referred to as Location Management Function, LMF, or a Location Management Component, LMC).

The terminal nodes 110 and access nodes 120 communicate with each other. The core network 130 communicates with the access nodes 120 via backhaul interfaces 128 (e.g., S1 and/or NG interface). The core network 130 communicates with the location server 140 via a backhaul interface 132 (e.g., NLs interface). One or more core nodes of the core network 130 may, in some but not necessarily all examples, communicate with each other. The one or more access nodes 120 may, in some but not necessarily all examples, communicate with each other.

The network 100 may be a cellular network comprising a plurality of cells 122 each served by an access node 120. The interfaces between the terminal nodes 110 and the access nodes 120 are radio interfaces 124. The access nodes 120 comprise cellular radio transceivers. The terminal nodes 110 comprise cellular radio transceivers. In the particular example illustrated, the network 100 is a Next Generation (NG) or New Radio (NR) network. NR is the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) name for 5G technology.

Depending on the exact deployment scenario, the access nodes 120 can be RAN nodes such as NG-RAN nodes. NG-RAN nodes may be gNodeBs (gNBs) that provide NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE. NG-RAN nodes may be New Generation Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access network (E-UTRAN) NodeBs (ng-eNBs) that provide E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE. The gNBs and ng-eNBs may be interconnected with each other by means of Xn interfaces. The gNBs and ng-eNBs are also connected by means of NG interfaces to the 5G Core (5GC), more specifically to the AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) by means of the NG-C interface and to the UPF (User Plane Function) by means of the NG- U interface. The access nodes 120 may be interconnected with each other by means of Xn interfaces 126. The cellular network 100 could be configured to operate in licensed or unlicensed frequency bands.

The access nodes 120 can be deployed in a NR standalone operation/scenario. The access nodes 120 can be deployed in a NR non-standalone operation/scenario. The access nodes can be deployed in a Carrier Aggregation operation/scenario. The access nodes 120 can be deployed in a dual connectivity operation/scenario, i.e. Multi Radio Access Technology - Dual Connection (MR-DC), not least for example such as:

Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access - New Radio Dual Connectivity (EUTRA-NR- DC, also referred to as EN-DC),

New Radio - Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Dual Connectivity (NR-EUTRA- DC, also referred to as NE-DC),

Next Generation Radio Access Network Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access - New Radio Dual Connectivity (NG-RAN E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity, also referred to as NGEN-DC), or

New Radio Dual Connectivity (also referred to as NR-DC).

In such non-standalone/dual connectivity deployments, the access nodes 120 may be interconnected to each other by means of X2 or Xn interfaces, and connected to an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) by means of an S1 interface or to the 5GC by means of a NG interface.

The access nodes 120 are network elements in the network responsible for radio transmission and reception in one or more cells 122 to or from the terminal nodes 110. Such access nodes may also be referred to as a transmission reception points (TRP’s) or base stations. The access nodes 120 are the network termination of a radio link. An access node can be implemented as a single network equipment, or disaggregated/distributed over two or more RAN nodes, such as a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a remote radio head-end (RRH), using different functional-split architectures and different interfaces.

The terminal nodes 110 are devices that terminate the user side of the radio link. They are devices allowing access to network services. The terminal nodes 110 may be referred to as User Equipment (UE), mobile terminals or mobile stations. The term ‘User Equipment’ may be used to designate mobile equipment comprising a smart card for authentication/encryption etc such as a subscriber identity module (SIM). In other examples, the term ‘User Equipment’ is used to designate mobile equipment comprising circuitry embedded as part of the user equipment for authentication/encryption such as software SIM.

The location server 140 is a device that manages the support of different location services for target UEs, including positioning of UEs and delivery of assistance data to UEs. The location server can be connected to the core network and the Internet. The location server can be implemented as one or more servers. The location server is configured to support one or more location services for UEs 110 that can connect to the location server 110 via the core network 130 and/or via the Internet. The location server may be referred to as Location Management Function (LMF). Where the location server resides in a RAN node, it may be referred to as a Location Management Component (LMC). The location server may interact with a serving RAN node for a target UE in order to obtain position measurements for the UE, including uplink measurements made by a RAN node and downlink measurements made by the UE.

In the following description, an access node 120 will be referred to as an RAN node 120 (e.g. NG-RAN node such as a gNB), a terminal node 110 will be referred to as a UE 110, and the location server 140 will be referred to as LS.

FIG.2 illustrates a spider diagram of the requirements of NR-LITE (also referred to as NR- Light) relative to NarrowBand-lnternet of Things (NB-loT), enhanced Machine Type Communication (eMTC) and Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC).

Various examples of the disclosure, make use of NR-LITE. NR-LITE is currently subject to standardization as part of 3GPP Release 17. NR-LITE seeks to provide new use cases with Internet of Things (loT) type of requirements (e.g. low-complexity, enhanced coverage, long battery life, and massive number of devices) that cannot be met by eMTC and NB-IOT.

The requirements and use cases for NR-LITE are:

• Data rates up to 10-100 Mbps to support e.g. live video feed, visual production control, process automation

• Latency of around 10-30 ms to support e.g. remote drone operation, cooperative farm machinery, time-critical sensing and feedback, remote vehicle operation

• Positioning accuracy of 30 cm - 1 m to support e.g. indoor asset tracking, coordinated vehicle control, remote monitoring

• Module cost comparable to LTE

• Coverage enhancement of 10-15 dB compared to Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB)

• Battery life 2-4 times longer than eMBB

The targeted NR-LITE features are:

Reduced bandwidth operation

Complexity reduction techniques

Coverage and reliability enhancements • D2D communication

• Early data transmission

• Wake-up signal in idle mode

• Grant-free transmission

Positioning, i.e. determining the position of a UE within a RAN, is support in NR. NR Rel- 16 specifies the following positioning solutions:

Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (DL-TDOA)

Downlink Angle of Departure (DL-AoD)

Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (UL-TDOA)

Uplink Angle of Arrival (UL-AoA)

Multi-cell Round Trip Time (Multi-RTT)

FIG.3 illustrates an overview of an example of a Downlink (DL) positioning procedure. For DL positioning, a downlink beacon signal/Positioning Reference Signal (PRS), i.e. DL-PRS, is used (whereas for UL positioning a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) for positioning, i.e. SRS-P, is used).

DL-TDOA is one of the Rel-16 methods specified and relies on DL signals/measurements. At a high level, the method works by multiple RAN nodes 120 (e.g. a serving RAN node and neighbouring RAN nodes) transmitting a DL-PRS to a UE 110. The UE measures the reference signal time difference (RSTD) for each RAN node/cell. The UE reports all of its measurements to the LS 140, e.g. via an LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP). The LS then estimates the position of the UE (i.e. via a multilateration technique based on the RSTDs and the known positions of the RAN nodes).

Low-complexity asset tracking is a new vertical use case in industrial environments. 3GPP 5G NR UEs can be used as tags connected to the assets to be tracked and gNBs as positioning anchors with known positions. Asset tracking for a large number of assets with low-cost, low-power (thereby increasing battery life) and low-complexity tags requires reducing UE complexity in terms of analogue and digital hardware, power consumption and cost. Since the complexity increases (more than linearly) with the bandwidth, reducing the bandwidth required to be supported by the hardware is an effective measure for complexity, power-consumption and cost reduction. However, for estimating position with high accuracy, e.g. significantly below one meter, wideband reference signals, e.g., of 100 MHz bandwidth, are required. Using high bandwidth Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) typically means high complexity and power consumption in the digital parts of the receiver and for analogue-to-digital conversion.

A problem in low-complexity asset tracking is to acquire wideband measurements on PRS in a wireless channel with low-complexity UE devices that support only limited instantaneous bandwidth, e.g. narrow bandwidth, in their receivers. It would be desirable to provide high accuracy positioning using UE devices of reduced complexity. It would be desirable to use a wideband DL-PRS for UE positioning with a low complexity UE, i.e. to receive a wideband DL-PRS with a low complexity UE.

By way of a brief overview, and as will be discussed further below, in accordance with various examples of the disclosure (with reference to FIGs 4 and 5) a sparse wideband DL- PRS 401 (e.g. with a bandwidth of the order of 100 Mhz), configured with a particular structure having a special pattern suitable for low-complexity UE reception, is transmitted to a UE/tag 110 by the UE’s serving RAN node and neighbouring RAN nodes 120.

As will be discussed in further detail below (and as shown with respect to FIG. 6), the sparse wideband DL-PRS is split into a plurality of portions/segments in the frequency domain, referred to herein as Nyquist Zones or frequency zones, and the DL-PRS is configured such that its spectrum parts (i.e. signal parts/components of the DL-PRS in the frequency domain that are representative of transmission resources in the frequency domain such as one or more subcarriers or blocks of subcarriers) are placed at different positions, in the frequency domain, in different Nyquist Zones of the DL-PRS.

Each DL-PRS is received at the analog front end of the UE’s receiver 500 by a wideband analog receiver 501 of the UE (e.g. having a bandwidth of the order of 100 MHz). However, the received signal is then processed by a narrowband back end of the receiver, for example the UE’s receiver may have a digital receiver 502 with a narrow bandwidth operation, e.g. of the order of 5 to 10 MHz

The analog receiver of the UE may comprise: an antenna, an amplifier, one or more frequency converters/down converters, and one or more filters. The analog receiver may correspond to the analog domain of the UE’s receiver, namely the front end of the receiver, i.e. the parts of receiver from antenna to the digital receiver. The digital receiver may comprise an analog to digital converter (ADC). The digital receiver may correspond to the digital domain of the UE’s receiver, namely the back end of the receiver that performs processing required to be done in real-time.

The UE’s receiver is thus wideband in the analog domain but narrowband in the digital domain, e.g. not least with regards to the UE’s ADC. Whilst examples of the disclosure may require a wideband analogue part of the UE’s receiver, it is noted that wideband analogue receivers are not as complex/power consuming as a wideband digital part of the UE’s receiver.

The structure (i.e. pattern/form) of the DL-PRS (shown and discussed with respect to FIG. 6 below) may be configured by an LS in such a manner that the wideband DL-PRS can be subsampled by the UE’s ADC at sampling rate less than the sampling rate that would typically be required for processing a wideband signal (i.e. the ADC samples the signal at a sampling rate lower than twice the signal’s largest signal frequency in the baseband). The subsampled signal is then down converted to a narrowband signal. The initial wideband PRS signal is configured such that such subsampling and down converting of the signal does not lead to spectrum overlaps/aliasing, i.e. the resultant narrowband signal (shown and discussed with respect to FIG. 7 below) still represents the positioning signal content required for the DL positioning procedure, i.e. the initial wideband signal can be reconstructed based on the resultant narrowband signal.

By sampling with a sampling frequency that is lower than twice the bandwidth of the analog PRS in the baseband, signal components from all of the Nyquist Zones fold into one Nyquist Zone in the digital domain. By using different resources in different Nyquist Zones, overlap of the signal components (such that parts of signal are not distinguishable from one another) after the subsampling is avoided.

The Nyquist Zones, and distribution of PRS signal component portions therein as well as radio resources for transmission the same, may be defined based on a sampling rate at which the wideband DL-PRS is to be sampled, i.e. a sampling rate supported by the low complexity UE with a narrowband digital receiver and low sampling rate ADC. The sampling frequency selected by the LS (based on which the Nyquist Zones are defined) and the used radio resources per Nyquist Zone (e.g. common comb factor and a starting position per zone) may be signalled from the LS to the RAN nodes and the UE, such that the RAN nodes can use such information to generate and transmit their respective DL-PRSs and so that the UE can use such information to receive (in the wideband), process (in the narrowband) and reconstruct the wideband DL-PRS.

The wideband signal received by the analog receiver, subsampled by the ADC and down converted to a baseband of the narrowband digital receiver to be processed by the narrowband digital receiver, can be reconstructed (as will be discussed in further detail below). Measurements of the reconstructed wideband signal can then be made and reported to the LMF to estimate the position of the UE.

Examples of the disclosure may thereby enable a UE with reduced complexity, i.e. a reduced complexity receiver, namely a narrowband digital receiver, to be used to process a wideband DL-PRS.

By enabling the use of a narrowband digital receiver of a UE to receive and process a wideband DL-PRS, the complexity, power consumption and cost of the UE can be reduced, whilst accurate positioning (by virtue of the use of the wideband DL-PRS) may be achieved. Examples of the disclosure may thereby be used to provide UEs as tags for asset tracking that may be used in NR-LITE.

FIG. 6 is a graph of spectral power density in the analog baseband S_a(f) against frequency which schematically illustrates an example of a structure/configuration of a PRS 401 , in the frequency domain for a time interval (e.g. one or more Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols).

The structure of the PRS is configured as a sparse wideband signal, e.g. a sparse wideband DL-PRS with a bandwidth of the order of 100 MHz. In this regard, the PRS is configured such that the transmission, in the time interval, of its positioning related information content is distributed, in the frequency domain, over the wideband, i.e. over the frequency range/bandwidth of the PRS. Moreover, it is a sparse signal in that only a (small) subset of all radio resources within the wideband, in the frequency domain for the time interval, is used for signal transmission. In this regard, the PRS 401 comprises, in the frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions 602a-d (i.e. spectrum parts of the PRS, that may correspond to one or more subcarriers or one or more block of subcarriers used to send portions of the PRS) that are to be sent, in the time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges 603 via a respective plurality one or more radio resources associated with the plurality of frequency subranges. The plurality of component portions 602 of the PRS, and their respective plurality of frequency subranges 603, are distributed over the frequency range/bandwidth 604 of the PRS.

Furthermore, the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, referred to herein as “Nyquist Zones (NZ)” or frequency zones. Such partitioning the PRS in the frequency domain into regions/Nyquist Zones effectively corresponds to apportioning the transmission resources in the frequency domain (e.g. subcarriers) into regions/Nyquist Zones. The size, i.e. frequency range/band, of each Nyquist Zone is the same and is based, at least in part on a sampling rate, fs, that the PRS is to be sampled at when received by the UE, i.e. when the PRS is received at the UE and undergoes analog to digital conversion and processing in the digital domain of the UE’s receiver. The width, i.e. size/bandwidth, of each Nyquist Zone is defined based on the sampling rate that is used by the UE’s receiver. The partitioning by the transmitter of the PRS is configured to match (in some way) the Nyquist Zones in the UE’s receiver. For example, the Nyquist Zones in the transmited signal may be the same or less than the maximum supported sampling rate of the UE’s receiver. Such a sampling rate supported by the UE may be signalled to the LS prior to the LS selecting the sampling rate/frequency band used in the determination of the Nyquist Zones, i.e. their positions and extent/width in the frequency domain, and the distribution/allocation of each PRS signal component portion within each Nyquist Zone.

The total number of Nyquist Zones into which the PRS is divided into: number of Nyquist Zones = bandwidth of PRS + frequency sampling rate

The number of Nyquist Zones can also be determined/calculated as = analog receiver’s (wideband) bandwidth + digital receiver’s narrowband bandwidth.

By way of example, the sampling rate of a UE’s ADC may be 5 MHz. Accordingly, a 100 MHz bandwidth PRS may be partitioned into 20 Nyquist Zones, each of bandwidth 5 MHz. In some examples, there could be of the order of 100 subcarriers in each Nyquist Zone (NZ).

For simplicity, in FIG. 6 only 5 regions are shown: NZ-2, NZ-1 , NZ0, NZ+1 and NZ+2, wherein:

NZ-2 has a frequency range between: -214 fs and -114 fs

NZ-1 has a frequency range between: -114 fs and -14 fs

NZ0 has a frequency range between: -14 fs and +14 fs

NZ+1 has a frequency range between: +14 fs and +114 fs

NZ+2 has a frequency range between: +114 fs and +214 fs

Where NZ0 is centred at the centre of the PRS’s frequency range/bandwidth.

With such a numbering and ordering of Nyquist Zones, the frequency range of an n^th Nyquist Zone, NZ(n) = fs x (n - 14) to fs x (n + 14). Alternatively, if one were to consider an alternative numbering and ordering of the Nyquist Zones, namely wherein NZ-2 is considered to be the first Nyquist Zone, NZ+2 is considered to be the last Nyquist Zone, out of the total, N, of 5 Nyquist Zones, then: the frequency range of an n^th Nyquist Zone, NZ(n) = fs x (n - 1 - N/2) to fs x (n - N/2), where: n = 1 , 2, ... N, and where N is an odd number corresponding to the total number of the Nyquist Zones. It is to be appreciated that other definitions of the frequency zones could be adopted. Further alternative definitions of a plurality of contiguous frequency zones all having the same width, e.g. of 1 fs, could be used as well for partitioning of the PRS. For example, an even number of zones, with one zone ending and another zone starting at f = 0, could be used.

For simplicity, in FIG. 6 just one PRS signal component portion per Nyquist Zone is shown. However, it is to be appreciated that, in other examples and in a typical implementation, each Nyquist Zone could comprise multiple PRS signal component portions, wherein such multiple PRS signal component portions are positioned within a Nyquist Zone at a relative position within the Nyquist Zone that is different, unique and non-overlapping to the relative position within a Nyquist Zone for any of the other PRS signal component portions within their respective Nyquist Zone. The use of such multiple PRS component portions per Nyquist Zone could be used to reduce sparsity of the PRS and enable an increase in the measurement range for distance measurements using such a PRS.

The structure of the PRS is configured such that each PRS signal component portion 602 is positioned, in the frequency domain, at a different position within a Nyquist Zone. I.e. no signal component portion is positioned in the same relative position within a Nyquist Zone.

For instance, in the simplified example of FIG. 6, one may consider that there are k (e.g., k is integer value >= 1) possible positions in the frequency domain (i.e. usable frequency sub- ranges/radio resources), namely: i, ii, iii, and iv, when k = 4, for a PRS signal component portion in each Nyquist Zone. In this regard, in this simplified example, there may be four radio resources, in the frequency domain (e.g. sub carriers) within each Nyquist Zone for transmitting PRS signal component portions. Each of the PRS signal component portions is placed in a differing position, such that there is: only one PRS signal component portion in position i (in NZ+1) only one PRS signal component portion in position ii (in NZ+2) only one PRS signal component portion in position iii (in NZ-2), and only one PRS signal component portion in position iv (in NZ-1).

In such a manner, each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within a Nyquist Zones such that relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective Nyquist Zone is different from the relative position of all the other PRS signal component portions within their respective Nyquist Zones. Moreover, the PRS signal component portions are each placed, in the frequency domain, within their respective Nyquist Zone at a position relative to their respective Nyquist Zone that is unique and/or is non-overlapping with regards to positions of all the other PRS signal component portions relative to their respective Nyquist Zones. In the example of FIG. 6, a PRS signal component portion is sent every fifth subcarrier and each PRS signal component portion is positioned in a unique and non-overlapping position within its respective Nyquist Zone.

Such positioning of the PRS signal component portions within the Nyquist Zones enables the PRS to be received by a UE of reduced complexity, in particular with regards to the digital domain of the UE’s receiver (including its ADC). A wideband PRS can be received by the UE’s analogue part of the receiver in the wideband, i.e. the UE has a wideband analogue receiver, whereas the ADC and processing of the wideband PRS may be done via the UE’s digital part of the receiver in narrowband, i.e. the UE has a narrow band digital receiver. For instance, the configuration of the positioning of the PRS signal component portions within the Nyquist Zones enables the PRS, when received by a UE, to be under sampled/subsampled by the UE’s ADC.

When sampling the PRS with a sampling frequency, fs, that is lower than twice the bandwidth of the analog signal in the baseband (wherein, in this context, the bandwidth corresponds to the highest frequency in the baseband signal), the PRS signal component portions from all the Nyquist Zones, in effect, fold into one Nyquist Zone in the digital domain.

FIG. 7 is a graph of spectral power density in the digital baseband Sd(f) against frequency which shows the resultant PRS after subsampling by the UE’s ADC resulting in a narrowband signal whose bandwith corresponds to fs, i.e. wherein the serpate, distinct and non-overlapping signal component portions 602a’-d’ (corresponding to the PRS signal component portions 602a-d) are positioned, in the frequency domain, within -%fs to +%fs. Such a narrowband signal can be procesed in the digital domain of the receivier (e.g. by circuitry and processors) that operate in the narrowband, i.e. instead of requiring a more complex and expensive digital receiver operable in the wideband.

The above described configuration of the positioning of the PRS signal component portions within the Nyquist Zones and the selection of the appropriate resources for transmission of the same (and not transmitting signals on the other resources within each Nyquist Zone) advantageously avoids overlap of the PRS signal component portions after sampling in the analog to digital conversion. The UE, with a wideband analog front end, can down convert and subsample in the baseband the wideband signal to narrowband in the digital domain. Hence, a narrowband digital part of the UE’s receiver can be used to process the narrowband signal which still represents the positioning signal content required for the positioning and the wideband signal can be reconstructed from the same then can then be used for PRS measurements in a conventional manner for DL positioning.

In some examples, a comb structure is transmitted in each Nyquist Zone, the comb structure comprising one or more PRS signal component portions (i.e. one or more spectrum parts of the PRS signal. The comb factor is the same in all Nyquist Zones - wherein a comb factor of n means that every n^th subcarrier is used for transmission.

In each of the Nyquist Zones, an offset of the starting position of the one or more PRS signal component portions relative to the boundary of the respective Nyquist Zone is different from all other Nyquist Zones. For instance, the relative position, in the frequency domain, of a first subcarrier of a Nyquist Zone used for transmitting the Nyquist Zone’s PRS signal component portion is different from the relative position, in the frequency domain, of a first subcarrier used for all the other Nyquist Zones. With such a PRS configuration, after subsampling in the UE’s receiver, there is no overlap of the PRS signal component portions.

The receiver processing for reconstructing a representation of the wideband DL-PRS comprises the following steps.

The receiver separates, in the digital baseband, the signal contributions originating from the different Nyquist Zones from each other according to a definition of the signal structure. In OFDM systems, this may be done by applying a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to the timedomain signal to obtain signal values of all the subcarriers in the frequency domain. The receiver can then select the subcarriers that were used in the different Nyquist Zones for signal transmission. The mapping of subcarriers the Nyquist Zones is part of the definition of the PRS.

The receiver then applies different frequency shifts/offsets to the signal component portions 602a’-d’, so that they are shifted to their original positions. For example: an offset of +1fs is applied to the signal component portion 602c’ (which corresponds to the PRS signal component portion 602c from NZ+1), an offset of +2fs is applied to the signal component portion 602d’ (which corresponds to the PRS signal component portion 602d from NZ+2), an offset of -2fs is applied to the signal component portion 602a’ (which corresponds to the PRS signal component portion 602a from NZ-2), and an offset of -1 fs is applied to the signal component portion 602b’ (which corresponds to the PRS signal component portion 602b from NZ-1).

Before applying the frequency shifts, the sampling frequency may be increased (up- sampling) because the frequency shift may increase the maximum frequency in the signal.

After applying the frequency shifts, the signal components are added, i.e. the UE calculates a sum of the signal components for generating a representation of the wideband PRS in the digital baseband.

Once the UE has processed the received signal in manner above and reconstructed the received wideband DL-PRS, the UE can then perform a measurement on the reconstructed DL-PRS in the usual way and it can report the results to the LS (via the UE’s service RAN node).

In some examples, an LS decides the particular structure of the PRS that is to be transmitted, i.e. the exact DL-PRS configuration, and LS determines PRS configuration information that comprises information for enabling a RAN network element (e.g. RAN node or UE) to determine the structure of a PRS. In this regard, the PRS configuration information may comprise information, or parameters indicative of (or which enables the determination of) the above described structure/pattern of the PRS, e.g. not least the determination of the Nyquist Zones for the PRS and the structure of the PRS in each of the Nyquist Zones, i.e. which parts of the frequency band is to be used for PRS signal component portions in the different Nyquist Zones.

The LS may then send the PRS configuration information to the RAN network element. Where the RAN network element is a UE, the LS may send the PRS configuration information via the UE’s serving node.

In some examples, the LS receives UE capability information from the UE, wherein the UE capability information comprises information for enabling determination of one or more receiver parameters of the UE. The LS may then determine the PRS configuration information (i.e. parameters of the Nyquist Zones and distribution of PRS signal component portions therein, as well as radio resources for transmission the same) based at least in part on the UE capability information. The configuration information may comprise information indicative of (or that enables determination of): a sampling frequency selected by the LS (which is used in the definition of the Nyquist Zones); frequency bands and/or radio resources to be used in each Nyquist Zone; frequency bands and/or radio resources to be used for sending the PRS signal component portions; frequency bands and/or radio resources not to be used for sending the PRS signal component portions (i.e. which are to be kept free/unused so as not to be used for any transmission, e.g. cannot be used for multiplexing other UEs); a common comb factor; a number of, and size of, Nyquist Zones into which the PRS is divided; and/or a list of the starting positions, in the frequency domain, of each Nyquist Zone

The receiver parameters may be: a sampling rate supported by the UE’s receiver; a sampling rate supported by a digital domain of the UE’s receiver; a sampling rate supported by the UE’s digital receiver; a sampling rate supported by the UE’s Analog-to-Digital Converter, ADC; a bandwidth supported by the UE’s receiver; a bandwidth supported by an analog domain of the UE’s receiver; and/or a bandwidth supported by the UE’s analog receiver.

The above mentioned “supported” sampling rates/bandwidths may be based on maximum sampling rates/bandwidths that are supported by the UE.

Various, but not necessarily all, examples of the present disclosure can take the form of a method, an apparatus or a computer program. Accordingly, various, but not necessarily all, examples can be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. Various, but not necessarily all, examples of the present disclosure are described using flowchart illustrations, schematic block diagrams and signalling diagrams. It will be understood that each block (of the flowchart illustrations as well as the block and signalling diagrams), and combinations of blocks, can be implemented by computer program instructions of a computer program. These program instructions can be provided to one or more processor(s), processing circuitry or controller(s) such that the instructions which execute on the same create means for causing implementing the functions specified in the block or blocks, i.e. such that the method can be computer implemented. The computer program instructions can be executed by the processor(s) to cause a series of operational steps/actions to be performed by the processor(s) to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the processor(s) provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the block or blocks.

Accordingly, the blocks support: combinations of means for performing the specified functions; combinations of actions for performing the specified functions; and computer program instructions/algorithm for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block, and combinations of blocks, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems which perform the specified functions or actions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer program instructions.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a flow chart of a method 800 according to an example of the present disclosure.

The component blocks of FIG. 8 are functional and the functions described may or may not be performed by a single physical entity (such as an apparatus as is described with reference to FIG. 11). In some examples, the method 800 is performed by an LS 140.

In block 801 , PRS configuration information is determined. The PRS configuration information comprises information for enabling a network element of a RAN (e.g. RAN node 120 and/or UE 110) to determine a structure of a PRS (e.g. a sparse wideband DL-PRS as described above). The PRS comprises, in the frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions (i.e. spectrum parts of a PRS) that are to be sent, in a first time interval (e.g. one or more OFDM symbols), at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range (e.g. the wide bandwidth of the PRs). The frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions. Moreover, the structure of the PRS is configured such that each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions. Also, the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

In block 802, the PRS configuration information is sent to one or more network elements of the RAN.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a flow chart of a method 900 according to an example of the present disclosure.

The component blocks of FIG. 9 are functional and the functions described may or may not be performed by a single physical entity (such as an apparatus as is described with reference to FIG. 11). In some examples, the method 900 is performed by a RAN node 120. In block 901 , PRS configuration information is received at an apparatus (e.g. RAN node 120). The PRS configuration information comprises information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS (e.g. a sparse wideband DL-PRS as described above). The PRS comprises, in the frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions (i.e. spectrum parts of a PRS) that are to be sent, in a first time interval (e.g. one or more OFDM symbols), at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range (e.g. the wide bandwidth of the PRS). The frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions. Moreover, the structure of the PRS is configured such that each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions. Also, the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

In block 902, PRSs are generated, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information.

In block 903, the PRSs are sent (e.g. to a UE 110).

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a flow chart of a method 1000 according to an example of the present disclosure.

The component blocks of FIG. 10 are functional and the functions described may or may not be performed by a single physical entity (such as an apparatus as is described with reference to FIG. 11). In some examples, the method 1000 is performed by a UE 110.

In block 1001 , PRS configuration information is received at an apparatus (e.g. UE 110). The PRS configuration information comprises information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS (e.g. a sparse wideband DL-PRS as described above). The PRS comprises, in the frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions (i.e. spectrum parts of a PRS) that are to be sent, in a first time interval (e.g. one or more OFDM symbols), at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range (e.g. the wide bandwidth of the PRs). The frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions. Moreover, the structure of the PRS is configured such that each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions. Also, the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

In some examples, a PRS (ora part of a PRS) with a certain pattern in the frequency domain may be transmitted in a first OFDM symbol (i.e. a first time interval) and, in the next OFDM symbol (i.e. a second time interval), a PRS (or a part of a PRS) with a different pattern may be transmitted.

In block 1002, a PRS is received, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information. Such reception based on the PRS configuration information may include receiving, at an analog domain of the apparatus’ receiver, the PRS; and processing, at a digital domain of the apparatus’ receiver, the PRS received at an analog receiver, including subsampling the PRS received at the analog receiver at a rate which corresponds to a width, in the frequency domain, of one of the regions of the PRS.

The method may further comprise (not shown) reconstructing a wideband PRS from the subsampled PRS via the reconstruction process described above. Furthermore, the method may further comprise (not shown) sending UE capability information (as described above) wherein received PRS information is based at least in part on the UE capability information as described above.

The blocks illustrated in FIGs. 8, 9 and 10 can represent actions in a method and/or sections of instructions/code in the computer program.

It will be understood that each block and combinations of blocks, can be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, and/or software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above can be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above can be stored by a memory storage device and performed by a processor.

As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions can be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (i.e., hardware) to produce a machine, such that the instructions when performed on the programmable apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the blocks. These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the blocks. The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a programmable apparatus to cause a series of operational actions to be performed on the programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which are performed on the programmable apparatus provide actions for implementing the functions specified in the blocks.

Various, but not necessarily all, examples of the present disclosure provide both a method and corresponding apparatus comprising various modules, means or circuitry that provide the functionality for performing/applying the actions of the method. The modules, means or circuitry can be implemented as hardware, or can be implemented as software or firmware to be performed by a computer processor. In the case of firmware or software, examples of the present disclosure can be provided as a computer program product including a computer readable storage structure embodying computer program instructions (i.e. the software or firmware) thereon for performing by the computer processor.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 10 for performing the methods, processes, procedures and signalling described in the present disclosure and illustrated in FIGs. 8-10 and 13 - 15. The component blocks of FIG. 11 are functional and the functions described may or may not be performed by a single physical entity (e.g. LS 140, RAN node 120 or UE 110).

The apparatus comprises a controller 11 , which could be provided within a device such as a LS 140, RAN node 120 or UE 110.

The controller 11 can be embodied by a computing device, not least such as those mentioned above. In some, but not necessarily all examples, the apparatus can be embodied as a chip, chip set or module, i.e. for use in any of the foregoing. As used here ‘module’ refers to a unit or apparatus that excludes certain parts/components that would be added by an end manufacturer or a user.

Implementation of the controller 11 may be as controller circuitry. The controller 11 may be implemented in hardware alone, have certain aspects in software including firmware alone or can be a combination of hardware and software (including firmware).

The controller 11 may be implemented using instructions that enable hardware functionality, for example, by using executable instructions of a computer program 14 in a general- purpose or special-purpose processor 12 that may be stored on a computer readable storage medium 13, e.g. memory, or disk etc, to be executed by such a processor 12.

The processor 12 is configured to read from and write to the memory 13. The processor 12 may also comprise an output interface via which data and/or commands are output by the processor 12 and an input interface via which data and/or commands are input to the processor 12. The apparatus may be coupled to or comprise one or more other components 15 (not least for example a radio receiver, as well as other components such as transmitters, input/output user interface elements, sensors, and/or other modules/devices/components for inputting and outputting data/commands).

The memory 13 stores a computer program 14 comprising computer program instructions (computer program code) that controls the operation of the apparatus 10 when loaded into the processor 12. The computer program instructions, of the computer program 14, provide the logic and routines that enables the apparatus to perform the methods, processes and procedures described in the present disclosure and illustrated in FIGs. 8-10 and 13 - 15. The processor 12 by reading the memory 13 is able to load and execute the computer program 14.

Although the memory 13 is illustrated as a single component/circuitry it may be implemented as one or more separate components/circuitry some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent/semi-permanent/ dynamic/cached storage.

Although the processor 12 is illustrated as a single component/circuitry it may be implemented as one or more separate components/circuitry some or all of which may be integrated/removable. The processor 12 may be a single core or multi-core processor.

The apparatus may include one or more components for effecting the methods, processes and procedures described in the present disclosure and illustrated in FIGs. 8-10 and 13 - 15. It is contemplated that the functions of these components can be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality. The description of a function should additionally be considered to also disclose any means suitable for performing that function. Where a structural feature has been described, it can be replaced by means for performing one or more of the functions of the structural feature whether that function or those functions are explicitly or implicitly described.

Although examples of the apparatus have been described above in terms of comprising various components, it should be understood that the components can be embodied as or otherwise controlled by a corresponding controller or circuitry such as one or more processing elements or processors of the apparatus. In this regard, each of the components described above can be one or more of any device, means or circuitry embodied in hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to perform the corresponding functions of the respective components as described above.

In various implementations, the apparatus can, for example, be a server device, a base station in a mobile cellular telecommunication system, a client device, a mobile cellular device, a wireless communications device, a hand-portable electronic device, a location/position tag, a hyper tag etc. The apparatus can be embodied by a computing device, not least such as those mentioned above. However, in some examples, the apparatus can be embodied as a chip, chip set or module, i.e. for use in any of the foregoing.

In one example, the apparatus is embodied on a hand held portable electronic device, such as a mobile telephone, wearable computing device or personal digital assistant, that can additionally provide one or more audio/text/video communication functions (e.g. telecommunication, video-communication, and/or text transmission (Short Message Service (SMS)/ Multimedia Message Service (MMS)/emailing) functions), interactive/non-interactive viewing functions (e.g. web-browsing, navigation, TV/program viewing functions), music recording/playing functions (e.g. Moving Picture Experts Group-1 Audio Layer 3 (MP3) or other format and/or (frequency modulation/amplitude modulation) radio broadcast recording/playing), downloading/sending of data functions, image capture function (e.g. using a (e.g. in-built) digital camera), and gaming functions.

In examples where the apparatus is provided within an LS 140, the apparatus comprises: at least one processor 12; and at least one memory 13 including computer program code the at least one memory 13 and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor 12, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling a network element of a Radio Access Network, RAN, to determine a structure of a PRS; and sending the PRS configuration information to the network element of the RAN; wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

In examples where the apparatus is provided within a RAN node 120, the apparatus comprises: at least one processor 12; and at least one memory 13 including computer program code the at least one memory 13 and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor 12, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; generating, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, the PRS; and sending the PRS; wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

In examples where the apparatus is provided within a UE 110, the apparatus comprises: at least one processor 12; and at least one memory 13 including computer program code the at least one memory 13 and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor 12, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; and receiving the PRS, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

According to some examples of the present disclosure, there is provided a system comprising at least one: LS 140, RAN node 120 and UE 110.

The above described examples find application as enabling components of: tracking systems, automotive systems; telecommunication systems; electronic systems including consumer electronic products; distributed computing systems; media systems for generating or rendering media content including audio, visual and audio visual content and mixed, mediated, virtual and/or augmented reality; personal systems including personal health systems or personal fitness systems; navigation systems; user interfaces also known as human machine interfaces; networks including cellular, non-cellular, and optical networks; ad-hoc networks; the internet; the internet of things (IOT); Vehicle-to-everything (V2X), virtualized networks; and related software and services.

The apparatus can be provided in an electronic device, for example, a mobile terminal, according to an example of the present disclosure. It should be understood, however, that a mobile terminal is merely illustrative of an electronic device that would benefit from examples of implementations of the present disclosure and, therefore, should not be taken to limit the scope of the present disclosure to the same. While in certain implementation examples the apparatus can be provided in a mobile terminal, other types of electronic devices, such as, but not limited to, hand portable electronic devices, wearable computing devices, portable digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, mobile computers, desktop computers, televisions, gaming devices, laptop computers, cameras, video recorders, GPS devices and other types of electronic systems, can readily employ examples of the present disclosure. Furthermore, devices can readily employ examples of the present disclosure regardless of their intent to provide mobility.

FIG. 12, illustrates a computer program 14. The computer program may arrive at the apparatus 10 via any suitable delivery mechanism 20. The delivery mechanism 20 may be, for example, a machine readable medium, a computer-readable medium, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a solid state memory, a record medium such as a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) or a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or an article of manufacture that comprises or tangibly embodies the computer program 14. The delivery mechanism may be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program. The apparatus 10 may receive, propagate or transmit the computer program as a computer data signal.

In certain examples of the present disclosure, there is provided computer program instructions for causing an LS 140 to perform at least the following or for causing performing at least the following: determining Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling a network element of a Radio Access Network, RAN, to determine a structure of a PRS; and sending the PRS configuration information to the network element of the RAN; wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

In certain examples of the present disclosure, there is provided computer program instructions for causing a RAN node 120 to perform at least the following or for causing performing at least the following: receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; generating, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, the PRS; and sending the PRS; wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal

In certain examples of the present disclosure, there is provided computer program instructions for causing a UE 110 to perform at least the following or for causing performing at least the following: receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; and receiving the PRS, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

References to ‘computer program’, ‘computer-readable storage medium’, ‘computer program product’, ‘tangibly embodied computer program’ etc. or a ‘controller’, ‘computer’, ‘processor’ etc. should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures such as single /multi- processor architectures and sequential (Von Neumann)/parallel architectures but also specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific circuits (ASIC), signal processing devices and other devices. References to computer program, instructions, code etc. should be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor or firmware such as, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device whether instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixed-function device, gate array or programmable logic device etc.

As used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuitry implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and

(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):

(i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and

(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions and

(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g. firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

FIG. 13 illustrates a signalling diagram showing an example of signalling that may be employed in an example of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 13, a plurality of apparatuses (i.e. LS 140, RAN nodes (e.g., gNBs) 120a, 120b and UE 110) transmit and/or receive one or more signals and/or one or more messages across and/or via and/or using a network. Although the LS is shown as being a separate entity from the serving RAN node, e.g. an LMF, in other examples, the LS may be an LMC residing in the RAN node.

In examples, any suitable form of communication in any suitable network can be used. For example, at least a portion of the network 100 of FIG. 1 can be used. Accordingly, in examples, the plurality of apparatuses in FIG. 13 form at least a portion of a network 100 as described in relation to FIG. 1. In examples, any suitable number of network elements can be included. For example, a plurality of UEs 110 can be included.

In examples, communications and/or transmissions between the apparatuses illustrated in FIG. 13 can proceed via any number of intervening elements, including no intervening elements. Although FIG. 13 illustrates signalling involving the apparatuses LS 140, RAN nodes 120a, 120b and UE 110, FIG. 13 should also be considered to disclose a plurality of methods performed by each respective apparatus in effecting the signalling indicated and sending/receiving their respective signals/messages.

The LS requests capability information from the UE by sending a capability request message to the UE. In response to the request (or the capability request message), the UE reports its capability information, in signal 1301 , as discussed above to the LS. The UE capability information includes a sampling rate of the digital domain of its receiver and/or the UE’s ADC. Alternatively, the capability information of the UE (UE capability information) can be transmitted to the LS without requesting from the LS.

In block 1302, the LS uses the UE’s capability information to determine DL-PRS configuration that determines/defines the structure of the DL-PRS to be sent to the UE, such a DL-PRS being a wideband sparse DL-PRS having a structure as discussed above and shown with regards to FIG. 6. The DL-PRS configuration is sent, in signal 1303, to each of: the UE’s serving RAN node 120a, neighbouring RAN nodes 120b as well as the UE 110 itself.

In some embodiments, the DL-PRS configuration information can be different according to the RAN nodes. For example, the DL-PRS configuration information transmitted to the serving gNB 120a and the DL-PRS configuration information transmitted to the neighbour gNB 120b may be different. In this case, the UE may receive both the DL-PRS configuration information for the serving gNB 120a and the DL-PRS configuration information for the neighbour gNB120b.

Having received the DL-PRS configuration, a DL positioning process 1304 is performed. In this, each of the RAN nodes 120a, 120b then applies the DL-PRS configuration to generate and send its own DL-PRSs to the UE, wherein each DL-PRS has a structure in accordance with that defined in the DL-PRS configuration. If the DL-PRS configuration information have been differently configured to each of the RAN nodes 120a, 120b, the DL- PRSs can be generated based on corresponding DL-PRS configuration information.

If the LS wishes to measure the location of the UE, the LS then sends a request for UE measurements of the DL-PRSs it has received from each of the serving and neighbouring RAN nodes 120a, 120b. The order of the transmission of the DL-PRS and the request for UE measurements may not been fixed and can be changed according to configuration.

The UE performs a receiving process 1305, which involves receiving each wideband DL- PRS (i.e., original DL-PRS) via the UE’s wideband analogue receiver, subsampling the same to obtain a narrowband digital version of the same which is processed by the UE’s narrowband digital receiver. The wideband DL-PRS is then reconstructed using the narrowband digital DL-PRS as discussed above.

The reconstructed DL-PRSs are measured and the measurement results are reported to the LS, which calculates a position of the UE via a conventional DL positioning technique based in part on the measurement results (and knowledge of each RAN nodes’ position). FIG. 14 illustrates a signalling diagram showing a further example of signalling that may be employed. The signalling of FIG. 14 is the same as that of FIG. 13, except that LS 140 sends the PRS configuration to the serving RAN node 120a via signal 1403a, and the serving RAN node 120a sends the PRS configuration to the UE 110 via a separate signal 1403b.

The serving RAN node 120a is able to modify the PRS configuration information received from the location server 140 based on its load and network traffic conditions. So, the serving RAN node can transmit the modified PRS configuration to the neighboring RAN nodes 120b via a signal 1403c and to the UE 110 via a signal 1403b.

Then, the serving RAN node 120a applies the modified PRS configuration to generate the DL-PRS and transmits PRSs to the UE 110. Besides, the neighbor gNB 120b applies the modified PRS configuration to generate the DL-PRS and transmits the generated PRSs to the UE 110.

In some embodiments, the modified PRS configurations for the serving gNB 120a and the neighbor gNB 120b may be different in order to generate different PRSs from each of the gNBs and the gNBs transmit each of the PRSs to the UE 110.

Whilst in FIG. 13, the UE would receive the PRS configuration from the LS 140 via the serving RAN node 120a, i.e. such that in effect the serving RAN node 120a transparently sends the PRS configuration. That is, the serving RAN node 120a simply passes on the PRS configuration from the LS 140 without adjusting the same. Whereas, in FIG. 14, the serving RAN node 120a can send the PRS configuration in a non-transparent manner, such that is can modify PRS configuration (e.g. depending on its load and network traffic conditions).

The rest procedure is the same with the DL positioning process 1304, so the description thereof can be referred to as the corresponding parts of Fig. 13.

FIG. 15 illustrates a signalling diagram showing a yet further example of signalling that may be employed. The signalling of FIG. 15 is similar to that of FIG. 13, except that LS 140 sends PRS configuration separately to each of the RAN nodes 120a, 120b via signals 1503a and 1503b (i.e. such that the PRS configuration for each gNB could be different). The LS 140 also sends PRS configuration to the UE via a separate signal 1503c (wherein the serving RAN node would send the PRS configuration transparently). In the example, the PRS configuration is sent from the LS to the UE via a differing signal 1503c to that used to send PRS configuration to the RAN nodes. By transmitting such sperate signals, the protocols used for transmitting the signals from the LS to the gNBs and the UE could be different. Also, the signal content (i.e. PRS configuration) may be different, e.g. each gNB could receive only its own PRS configuration).

Advantages provided by various examples of the disclosure may include:

High positioning accuracy due to high bandwidth of DL-PRS (increasing the analog bandwidth by a factor N reduces the positioning error by the same factor N);

Low UE/tag complexity due to narrowband digital receiver (low sampling rate); Reduced bandwidth in the digital receiver can reduce complexity/cost/power consumption. Since the complexity/power consumption increases at least linearly with the sampling frequency, reducing the bandwidth by a factor of M reduces the complexity/power consumption at least by the same factor M.

Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Features described in the preceding description can be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions can be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features can also be present in other examples whether described or not. Accordingly, features described in relation to one example/aspect of the disclosure can include any or all of the features described in relation to another example/aspect of the disclosure, and vice versa, to the extent that they are not mutually inconsistent.

Although various examples of the present disclosure have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the claims.

The term ‘comprise’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X can comprise only one Y or can comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use ‘comprise’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to “comprising only one ...” or by using “consisting”.

In this description, the wording ‘connect’, ‘couple’ and ‘communication’ and their derivatives mean operationally connected/coupled/in communication. It should be appreciated that any number or combination of intervening components can exist (including no intervening components), i.e. so as to provide direct or indirect connection/coupling/communication. Any such intervening components can include hardware and/or software components.

As used herein, the term "determining" (and grammatical variants thereof) can include, not least: calculating, computing, processing, deriving, measuring, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, "determining" can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), obtaining and the like. Also, "determining" can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

References to a parameter or a particular type of information can be replaced by references to “data indicative of”, “data defining” or “data representative of” the relevant parameter/particular type of information.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term ’example’ or ‘for example’, ‘can’ or ‘may’ in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some or all other examples. Thus ‘example’, ‘for example’, ‘can’ or ‘may’ refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class.

In this description, references to “a/an/the” [feature, element, component, means ...] are to be interpreted as “at least one” [feature, element, component, means ...] unless explicitly stated otherwise. That is any reference to X comprising a/the Y indicates that X can comprise only one Y or can comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use ‘a’ or ‘the’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of ‘at least one’ or ‘one or more’ can be used to emphasise an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer any exclusive meaning.

The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature (or combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described.

In the above description, the apparatus described can alternatively or in addition comprise an apparatus which in some other examples comprises a distributed system of apparatus, for example, a client/server apparatus system. In examples where an apparatus provided forms (or a method is implemented as) a distributed system, each apparatus forming a component and/or part of the system provides (or implements) one or more features which collectively implement an example of the present disclosure. In some examples, an apparatus is re-configured by an entity other than its initial manufacturer to implement an example of the present disclosure by being provided with additional software, for example by a user downloading such software, which when executed causes the apparatus to implement an example of the present disclosure (such implementation being either entirely by the apparatus or as part of a system of apparatus as mentioned hereinabove).

The above description describes some examples of the present disclosure however those of ordinary skill in the art will be aware of possible alternative structures and method features which offer equivalent functionality to the specific examples of such structures and features described herein above and which for the sake of brevity and clarity have been omitted from the above description. Nonetheless, the above description should be read as implicitly including reference to such alternative structures and method features which provide equivalent functionality unless such alternative structures or method features are explicitly excluded in the above description of the examples of the present disclosure.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of examples of the present disclosure believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

The examples of the present disclosure and the accompanying claims can be suitably combined in any manner apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present invention. Further, while the claims herein are provided as comprising specific dependencies, it is contemplated that any claims can depend from any other claims and that to the extent that any alternative embodiments can result from combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of the various claims and/or changing dependencies of claims, any such alternative embodiments and their equivalents are also within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

36 CLAIMS We claim:

1 . An apparatus comprising means for: receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; and receiving the PRS, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the means for receiving the PRS comprises means for: receiving, at an analog domain of the apparatus’ receiving means, the PRS; processing, at a digital domain of the apparatus’ receiving means, the PRS received at an analog receiver, wherein the means for processing comprises means for subsampling the PRS received at the analog receiver.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising means for reconstructing the PRS from the subsampled PRS.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising means for performing measurements on the reconstructed PRS and sending measurement results.

5. A positioning tag comprising means for: receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the positioning tag to determine a structure of a PRS; and receiving the PRS, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the 37

PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

6. An apparatus comprising means configured to cause: determining Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling a network element of a Radio Access Network, RAN, to determine a structure of a PRS; and sending the PRS configuration information to the network element of the RAN; wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the PRS signal component portions are each placed, in the frequency domain, within their respective region at a position relative to their respective region that is unique and/or is non-overlapping with regards to positions of the other PRS signal component portions relative to their respective regions.

8. The apparatus of any of previous claims 6 to 7, wherein the means are configured to cause: receiving User Equipment, UE, capability information, the UE capability information comprising information for enabling determination of one or more receiver parameters of a UE; and wherein the PRS configuration information is determined based at least in part on the UE capability information.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more receiver parameters of the UE comprises by one or more selected from a group of: a sampling rate supported by a receiver of the UE; a sampling rate supported by a digital domain of a receiver of the UE; a sampling rate supported by a digital receiver of the UE; a sampling rate supported by an Analog-to-Digital Converter, ADC, of the UE; a bandwidth supported by a receiver of the UE; a bandwidth supported by an analog domain of a receiver of the UE; and a bandwidth supported by an analog receiver of the UE.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 to 9, wherein the means are configured to cause: determining one or more region parameters of one or more plurality of regions based at least in part on the UE capability information.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more region parameters comprises one or more selected from a group of: a number of regions; a size, in the frequency domain, of one or more regions; a position, in the frequency domain, of one or more regions; and radio resources, associated with each of the regions, to be used.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 to 11 , wherein the PRS configuration information comprises information for enabling the network element of the RAN to determine the one or more region parameters.

13. The apparatus of any of previous claims 6 to 12, wherein the PRS configuration information comprises information for enabling determination of which frequency bands and/or which radio resources, in the frequency domain, are to be used for sending the plurality of PRS signal component portions.

14. The apparatus of any of previous claims 6 to 13, wherein the PRS configuration information comprises information for enabling determination of which frequency bands and/or which radio resources, in the frequency domain, within the frequency range are not to be used for sending PRS signals.

15. The apparatus of any of previous claims 6 to 14, wherein the structure of the PRS to be sent comprises a comb structure wherein one or more PRS signal component portions are to be sent, in the frequency domain, in the first time interval every n-th radio resource in the frequency domain.

16. An apparatus comprising means for: receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; generating, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, the PRS; and sending the PRS; wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

17. A method comprising causing, at least in part, actions that result in: receiving, at an apparatus, Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; and receiving the PRS, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

18. Computer program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform: receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; and receiving the PRS, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

19. A method comprising causing, at least in part, actions that result in: determining Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling a network element of a Radio Access Network, RAN, to determine a structure of a PRS; and sending the PRS configuration information to the network element of the RAN, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

20. Computer program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform: determining Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling a network element of a Radio Access Network, RAN, to determine a structure of a PRS; and sending the PRS configuration information to the network element of the RAN, wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

21 . A method comprising causing, at least in part, actions that result in: receiving, at an apparatus, Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; generating, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, the PRS; and sending the PRS; wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.

22. Computer program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform: 41 receiving Position Reference Signal, PRS, configuration information, comprising information for enabling the apparatus to determine a structure of a PRS; generating, based at least in part on the PRS configuration information, the PRS; and sending the PRS; wherein the PRS comprises, in a frequency domain, a plurality of PRS signal component portions that are to be sent, in a first time interval, at a respective plurality of frequency subranges that are distributed over a frequency range, wherein the frequency range of the PRS is divided into a plurality of regions, and wherein the structure of the PRS is configured such that: each PRS signal component portion is positioned, in the frequency domain, within one of the plurality of regions, and wherein the relative position of each PRS signal component portion within its respective region is different.