WO2023077493A1

WO2023077493A1 - Apparatuses, methods, and computer readable media for on-demand transmission and muting in telecommunication systems

Info

Publication number: WO2023077493A1
Application number: PCT/CN2021/129188
Authority: WO
Inventors: Muhammad Ikram ASHRAF; Ryan Keating; Daejung YOON; Johannes Harrebek; Mikko Saily; Tao Tao
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co., Ltd.; Nokia Solutions And Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2021-11-08
Filing date: 2021-11-08
Publication date: 2023-05-11
Also published as: CN118160341A

Abstract

Disclosed are apparatuses, methods, and computer readable media for on-demand transmission and muting in telecommunication systems. An example apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus as a terminal device to perform receiving, from a first network device, a configuration for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission, and transmitting an on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, or muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

Description

APPARATUSES, METHODS, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR ON-DEMAND TRANSMISSION AND MUTING IN TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various example embodiments relate to apparatuses, methods, and computer readable media for on-demand transmission and muting in telecommunication systems.

BACKGROUND

Multiple positioning techniques have been supported by a communication system. Downlink (DL) based positioning may be supported by a positioning reference signal (PRS) . A user equipment (UE) may report a time of arrival (ToA) difference for PRSs received from multiple distinct base stations (BSs) to a location management function (LMF) in a core network (CN) , and the LMF can use the report to determine the position of the UE. Uplink (UL) based positioning may be based on sounding reference signals (SRSs) . Based on the received SRSs, the BSs can measure and report to the LMF the ToAs, the received powers and the angles of arrival from which the position of the UE can be estimated by the LMF. The time difference between DL signal reception and UL signal transmission can also be reported and used in a multi-cell round trip time (Multi-RTT) based scheme, where the distance between a base station and a UE can be determined based on the estimated RTT. The Multi-RTT involves PRS reception (Rx) and SRS transmission (Tx) by a UE to estimate the RTT to multiple BSs, where the BS and the UE performs Rx-Tx time difference measurement for the signal of each cell. The measurement reports from the UE and the BSs are sent to the LMF for the LMF to determine the RTT of each cell and derive the position of UE. In a case where the UE is static or semi-static, the transmission of the SRS wastes a power of the UE, radio resources of the system, and network overhead. In scenarios where a mobility of the UE is not that significant as compared to positioning requirements, unnecessary transmission of the SRS leads to resource wastage. Additionally, for latency-sensitive use cases, usually, aperiodic SRS (AP-SRS) is configured to have efficient SRS transmissions, and thus because AP-SRS activation is not dynamically configurable, the SRS transmissions can lead to resource wastage.

SUMMARY

A brief summary of example embodiments is provided below to provide basic understanding of some aspects of various example embodiments. It should be noted that this summary is not intended to identify key features of essential elements or define scope of the example embodiments, and its sole purpose is to introduce some concepts in a simplified form as a preamble for a more detailed description provided below.

In a first aspect, disclosed is an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus as a terminal device to perform: receiving, from a first network device, a configuration for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and transmitting an on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, or muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: receiving, from a second network device, assistance data for a measurement for a positioning reference signal; receiving, from the second network device, a request location information message for requesting the measurement for the positioning reference signal; and performing the measurement for the positioning reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: transmitting, to the first network device based on the measurement for the positioning reference signal, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, or an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the on-demand sounding reference signal request or the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request may be transmitted in a case where the measurement for the positioning reference signal comprises a measurement for a current time of arrival of the positioning reference signal, and a difference between the current time of arrival of the positioning reference signal and a previous time of arrival of the positioning reference signal is larger than a first threshold.

In some example embodiments, the first threshold may be configured and received from the second network device.

In some example embodiments, the difference between the current time of arrival and the previous time of arrival may be computed on an identical beam pair or under an identical line of sight condition and the current time of arrival and the previous time of arrival may be measured with respect to the positioning reference signals with an identical bandwidth and on an identical carrier.

In some example embodiments, the on-demand sounding reference signal request or the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request may be transmitted in a case where the measurement for the positioning reference signal comprises a measurement of a location of the terminal device, and a difference between the measured location and a previous value of the location of the terminal device is larger than a second threshold.

In some example embodiments, the on-demand sounding reference signal request may indicate at least one transmit-receive point beam for receiving the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: receiving, from the first network device and at least one other network device, synchronization signal blocks; measuring a difference in time of arrivals of the synchronization signal blocks; and transmitting, to the first network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference in the time of arrivals is larger than a third threshold, or an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference in the time of arrivals is larger than the third threshold.

In some example embodiments, the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request may be transmitted via uplink control information.

In some example embodiments, the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request may be transmitted via a dedicated sounding reference signal sequence.

In a second aspect, disclosed is an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus as a first network device to perform: receiving, from a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and determining a resource for an on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: transmitting, to a terminal device, a configuration for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal; and transmitting, to the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information of the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: receiving, from the terminal device or the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission; determining to accept or deny the on-demand sounding reference signal request; transmitting, to the second network device, the configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal request; and activating the terminal device for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal request.

In some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: transmitting, to a terminal device, a configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal; and transmitting, to the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: receiving, from the terminal device or the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission; determining to accept or deny the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request; transmitting, to the second network device, the configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request; and activating the terminal device for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request.

In a third aspect, disclosed is an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus as a first network device to perform: transmitting, to a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and receiving, from the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information of the on-demand sounding reference signal in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal or configuration information for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: receiving, from a terminal device, a current reference signal received power of a positioning reference signal; determining a difference between the current reference signal received power of the positioning reference signal and a previous reference signal received power of the positioning reference signal; and comparing the difference with a threshold.

In some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: transmitting, to the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference is larger than the threshold.

In some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: receiving, from the second network device, a configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal; and transmitting, to neighboring base stations of the second network device, the configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where an on-demand sounding reference signal request is accepted by the second network device.

In some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: transmitting, to the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference is larger than the threshold.

In some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: receiving, from the second network device, a configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal; and transmitting, to neighboring base stations of the second network device, the configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is accepted by the second network device.

In some example embodiments, the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request may be transmitted via downlink control information or media access control-control element.

In a fourth aspect, disclosed is a method performed by a terminal device. The method may include: receiving, from a first network device, a configuration for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and transmitting an on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, or muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the method may further include: receiving, from a second network device, assistance data for a measurement for a positioning reference signal; receiving, from the second network device, a request location information message for requesting the measurement for the positioning reference signal; and performing the measurement for the positioning reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the method may further include: transmitting, to the first network device based on the measurement for the positioning reference signal, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, or an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the method may further include: receiving, from the first network device and at least one other network device, synchronization signal blocks; measuring a difference in time of arrivals of the synchronization signal blocks; and transmitting, to the first network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference in the time of arrivals is larger than a third threshold, or an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference in the time of arrivals is larger than the third threshold.

In a fifth aspect, disclosed is a method performed by a first network device. The method may include: receiving, from a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and determining a resource for an on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the method may further include: transmitting, to a terminal device, a configuration for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal; and transmitting, to the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information of the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the method may further include: receiving, from the terminal device or the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission; determining to accept or deny the on-demand sounding reference signal request; transmitting, to the second network device, the configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal request; and activating the terminal device for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal request.

In some example embodiments, the method may further include: transmitting, to a terminal device, a configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal; and transmitting, to the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the method may further include: receiving, from the terminal device or the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission; determining to accept or deny the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request; transmitting, to the second network device, the configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request; and activating the terminal device for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request.

In a sixth aspect, disclosed is a method performed by a first network device. The method may include: transmitting, to a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and receiving, from the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information of the on-demand sounding reference signal in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal or configuration information for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the method may further include: receiving, from a terminal device, a current reference signal received power of a positioning reference signal; determining a difference between the current reference signal received power of the positioning reference signal and a previous reference signal received power of the positioning reference signal; and comparing the difference with a threshold.

In some example embodiments, the method may further include: transmitting, to the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference is larger than the threshold.

In some example embodiments, the method may further include: receiving, from the second network device, a configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal; and transmitting, to neighboring base stations of the second network device, the configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where an on-demand sounding reference signal request is accepted by the second network device.

In some example embodiments, the method may further include: transmitting, to the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference is larger than the threshold.

In some example embodiments, the method may further include: receiving, from the second network device, a configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal; and transmitting, to neighboring base stations of the second network device, the configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is accepted by the second network device.

In a seventh aspect, disclosed is an apparatus. The apparatus as a terminal device may include: means for receiving, from a first network device, a configuration for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and means for transmitting an on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, or for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include: means for receiving, from a second network device, assistance data for a measurement for a positioning reference signal; means for receiving, from the second network device, a request location information message for requesting the measurement for the positioning reference signal; and means for performing the measurement for the positioning reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include: means for transmitting, to the first network device based on the measurement for the positioning reference signal, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, or an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include: means for receiving, from the first network device and at least one other network device, synchronization signal blocks; means for measuring a difference in time of arrivals of the synchronization signal blocks; and means for transmitting, to the first network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference in the time of arrivals is larger than a third threshold, or an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference in the time of arrivals is larger than the third threshold.

In an eighth aspect, disclosed is an apparatus. The apparatus as a first network device include: means for receiving, from a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and means for determining a resource for an on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include: means for transmitting, to a terminal device, a configuration for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal; and means for transmitting, to the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information of the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include: means for receiving, from the terminal device or the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission; means for determining to accept or deny the on-demand sounding reference signal request; means for transmitting, to the second network device, the configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal request; and means for activating the terminal device for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal request.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include: means for transmitting, to a terminal device, a configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal; and means for transmitting, to the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include: means for receiving, from the terminal device or the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission; means for determining to accept or deny the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request; means for transmitting, to the second network device, the configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request; and means for activating the terminal device for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request.

In a ninth aspect, disclosed is an apparatus. The apparatus as a first network device include: means for transmitting, to a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and means for receiving, from the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information of the on-demand sounding reference signal in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal or configuration information for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include: means for receiving, from a terminal device, a current reference signal received power of a positioning reference signal; means for determining a difference between the current reference signal received power of the positioning reference signal and a previous reference signal received power of the positioning reference signal; and means for comparing the difference with a threshold.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include: means for transmitting, to the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference is larger than the threshold.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include: means for receiving, from the second network device, a configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal; and means for transmitting, to neighboring base stations of the second network device, the configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where an on-demand sounding reference signal request is accepted by the second network device.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include: means for transmitting, to the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference is larger than the threshold.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include: means for receiving, from the second network device, a configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal; and means for transmitting, to neighboring base stations of the second network device, the configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is accepted by the second network device.

In a tenth aspect, a computer readable medium is disclosed. The computer readable medium may include instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus as a terminal device to perform: receiving, from a first network device, a configuration for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and transmitting an on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, or muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may further include instructions stored thereon for causing the apparatus to further perform: receiving, from a second network device, assistance data for a measurement for a positioning reference signal; receiving, from the second network device, a request location information message for requesting the measurement for the positioning reference signal; and performing the measurement for the positioning reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may further include instructions stored thereon for causing the apparatus to further perform: transmitting, to the first network device based on the measurement for the positioning reference signal, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, or an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may further include instructions stored thereon for causing the apparatus to further perform: receiving, from the first network device and at least one other network device, synchronization signal blocks; measuring a difference in time of arrivals of the synchronization signal blocks; and transmitting, to the first network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference in the time of arrivals is larger than a third threshold, or an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference in the time of arrivals is larger than the third threshold.

In an eleventh aspect, a computer readable medium is disclosed. The computer readable medium may include instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus as a first network device to perform: receiving, from a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and determining a resource for an on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may further include instructions stored thereon for causing the apparatus to further perform: transmitting, to a terminal device, a configuration for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal; and transmitting, to the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information of the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may further include instructions stored thereon for causing the apparatus to further perform: receiving, from the terminal device or the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission; determining to accept or deny the on-demand sounding reference signal request; transmitting, to the second network device, the configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal request; and activating the terminal device for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal request.

In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may further include instructions stored thereon for causing the apparatus to further perform: transmitting, to a terminal device, a configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal; and transmitting, to the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may further include instructions stored thereon for causing the apparatus to further perform: receiving, from the terminal device or the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission; determining to accept or deny the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request; transmitting, to the second network device, the configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request; and activating the terminal device for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request.

In a twelfth aspect, a computer readable medium is disclosed. The computer readable medium may include instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus as a first network device to perform: transmitting, to a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and receiving, from the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information of the on-demand sounding reference signal in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal or configuration information for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may further include instructions stored thereon for causing the apparatus to further perform: receiving, from a terminal device, a current reference signal received power of a positioning reference signal; determining a difference between the current reference signal received power of the positioning reference signal and a previous reference signal received power of the positioning reference signal; and comparing the difference with a threshold.

In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may further include instructions stored thereon for causing the apparatus to further perform: transmitting, to the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference is larger than the threshold.

In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may further include instructions stored thereon for causing the apparatus to further perform: receiving, from the second network device, a configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal; and transmitting, to neighboring base stations of the second network device, the configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where an on-demand sounding reference signal request is accepted by the second network device.

In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may further include instructions stored thereon for causing the apparatus to further perform: transmitting, to the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference is larger than the threshold.

In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may further include instructions stored thereon for causing the apparatus to further perform: receiving, from the second network device, a configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal; and transmitting, to neighboring base stations of the second network device, the configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is accepted by the second network device.

Other features and advantages of the example embodiments of the present disclosure will also be apparent from the following description of specific example embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of example embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some example embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary sequence diagram for on-demand transmission of SRS initiated by a UE according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary sequence diagram for on-demand muting of SRS initiated by a UE according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary sequence diagram for on-demand transmission of SRS initiated by a LMF according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary sequence diagram for on-demand muting of SRS initiated by a LMF according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart illustrating an example method for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart illustrating an example method for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart illustrating an example method for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, same or similar reference numbers indicate same or similar elements. A repetitive description on the same elements would be omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Herein below, some example embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known circuits, techniques and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the described concepts and features.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure enable on-demand transmission and muting of SRS during Multi-RTT, which can be dynamically initiated by the UE or the LMF. According to example embodiments of the present disclosure, for cases where the UE is static or semi-static and/or positioning accuracy requirement is not stringent, low power positioning may be achieved, such that UE power as well as network resources and overhead may be saved. Moreover, both time-based and angle-based positioning techniques may apply in the example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary sequence diagram for on-demand transmission of SRS initiated by a UE according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to the FIG. 1, a UE 110 may be a terminal device in a communication system. A network apparatus 120 may be a network device located in and functioning as a BS and/or a transmit-receive point (TRP) serving the UE 110. A network apparatus 140 may represent any network device located in and functioning as a neighboring BS and/or a neighboring TRP of the network apparatus 120. A network device 150 may be a network device located in and functioning as a LMF in the communication system.

In an operation 160, the network device 120, the network device 140, and the network device 150 may perform new radio positioning protocol annex (NRPPa) DL PRS configuration information exchange. In an operation 165, the UE 110, the network device 120, the network device 140, and the network device 150 may perform long term evolution (LTE) positioning protocol (LPP) capability transfer, such that the network side, for example, the network device 120, the network device 140, and/or the network device 150, etc. may be aware that the UE 110 has capability to support the on-demand SRS transmission and/or the on-demand SRS muting.

The network device 150 may transmit to the network device 120 via, e.g., the NRPPa, a positioning information request 152 to configuration information for a dynamic SRS transmission. Such positioning information request may request UL information for a target UE, e.g., the UE 110 and may be configured for the on-demand SRS transmission or the on-demand SRS muting, either of which may be initiated by the target UE or be initiated by the LMF and assisted by the target UE.

In this example embodiment, the configuration information for the dynamic SRS transmission requested by the positioning information request 152 may be for an on-demand SRS transmission 116. Receiving the positioning information request 152, in an operation 122, the network device 120 may determine an on-demand SRS resource 124 available for the on-demand SRS transmission 116. The resource 124 determined in the operation 122 may be used for the on-demand SRS transmission 116 by the UE 110.

Then, the network device 120 may transmit to the UE 110 a configuration for a dynamic SRS transmission. In this example embodiment, the configuration for the dynamic SRS transmission is for the on-demand SRS transmission 116 and may include the resource 124 for the on-demand SRS transmission 116. And the network device 120 may transmit to the network device 150 a positioning information response 126 comprising configuration information of the on-demand SRS transmission 116. The positioning information response 126 may be transmitted via, e.g., a NRPPa positioning information response message. Thus, the SRS is configured before the transmission of the SRS, and the UE 110 may request the transmission of the SRS when determining it necessary. This is beneficial for low-latency use cases.

The UE 110 may receive from the network device 150 assistance data for a measurement for the PRS. The assistance data may be received via, e.g., a LPP provide assistance data message 154 and may include required assistance data for the UE 110 to perform the necessary DL PRS measurement. The UE 110 may receive from the network device 150 a request location information message for requesting the measurement for the PRS. The request location information message may be, for example, a LPP request location information 156 for requesting the Multi-RTT measurement.

In an operation 112, the UE 110 may perform the measurement for the PRS, and then, the UE 110 may transmit, to the network device 120, an on-demand SRS request 114 to activate the on-demand SRS transmission 116 based on the measurement for the PRS.

In an example embodiment, in the operation 112, the UE 110 may measure a current ToA of the PRS and calculate a difference between the current ToA of the PRS and a previous ToA of the PRS. For example, the UE 110 may calculate the difference Δ _ToA=ToA ₂-ToA ₁, where ToA ₁ and ToA ₂ are ToAs measured on different times t ₁and t ₂, respectively. The UE 110 may determine it necessary to request the on-demand SRS transmission 116 and transmit the on-demand SRS request 114 in a case where the difference is larger than a first threshold, for example, Δ _ToA>Threshold _ToA, where the first threshold is for ToA and denoted as Threshold _ToA.

In an example embodiment, the first threshold may be configured and received from the network device 150. The configuration and the transmission of the first threshold may be performed during a position session setup phase, e.g., configured in the operation 160 and transmitted via the configuration for the dynamic SRS transmission.

The difference between the current ToA and the previous ToA may be computed on an identical beam pair or under an identical line of sight (LOS) condition. Thus, in a case where the UE 110 does not change the position significantly, e.g., rotation, change in orientation such as standing to sitting, a big value of the difference may be avoided. Additionally or alternatively, the current ToA and the previous ToA may be measured with respect to the PRSs with an identical bandwidth and on an identical carrier. For example, the PRSs measured have an identical bandwidth or similar bandwidths and the PRSs measured are on an identical carrier or carriers close enough, such that the measurements may be performed at the same conditions to obtain reliable difference of ToAs.

In an example embodiment, in the operation 112, the UE 110 may measure a location of the UE 110 and calculate a difference between the measured location and a previous value of the location of the UE 110. The UE 110 may determine it necessary to request the on-demand SRS transmission 116 and transmit the on-demand SRS request 114 in a case where the difference is larger than a second threshold. The second threshold may be, for example, an absolute geographical area, relative distance to previous location, or distance to a reference location, etc.

Thus, when the UE 110 is static or semi-static, for example, the location of the UE 110 does not change or changes within a limited scope, e.g. within the above first threshold or the second threshold, the on-demand SRS transmission 116 may be avoided.

In an example embodiment, the on-demand SRS request 114 may indicate at least one TRP beam for receiving the on-demand SRS transmission 116. The indication of the at least one TRP beam may be based on the previous DL PRS measurement. For example, the at least one beam for previous DL PRS may be indicated.

In an example embodiment, the UE 110 may receive synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) from the network device 120 and at least one network device other than the network device 120. For example, the UE 110 may receive a SSB 126 from the network device 120 and receive a SSB 142 from the network device 140. An indication that the UE 110 is allowed to make measurement on positioning based on the SSBs may be, for example, included in the configuration for the dynamic SRS transmission. And in this case, in the operation 112, the UE 110 may measure a difference in ToAs of the SSBs. The UE 110 may determine it necessary to request the on-demand SRS transmission 116 and transmit the on-demand SRS request 114 in a case where the difference is larger than a third threshold.

The measurement on positioning based on the SSBs from the neighboring BSs instead of the DL PRSs may apply in the case where the requirement on positioning accuracy is not so high. This solution is beneficial in terms of power consumption at the UE 110. Different settings for SSB bandwidth can be utilized for different frequency ranges (FRs) , FR1 and FR2, as is listed in the table below.

Frequency, subcarrier spacing (SCS)	SSB bandwidth	Positioning accuracy
FR1, SCS = 15 kHz	3.6 MHz	83 m
FR1, SCS = 30 kHz	7.2 MHz	41 m
FR2, SCS = 120 kHz	28.8 MHz	10 m

Receiving the on-demand SRS request 114, in an operation 128, the network device 120 may determine to accept or deny the on-demand SRS request 114. This determination may be, for example, based on traffic requirements and load condition. If, for example, the load condition allows the traffic requirements for the on-demand SRS transmission 116, the network device 120 may determine to accept the on-demand SRS request 114, and may deny otherwise. Then, the network device 120 may transmit to the network device 150 a configuration 130 for the on-demand SRS transmission 116, for example, a NRPPa setting up on-demand SRS configuration, in a case of accepting the on-demand SRS request 114.

The configuration 130 may be shared with the neighboring BSs/TRPs. Receiving the configuration 130 for the on-demand SRS transmission 116, the network device 150 may select the network device 120 and at least one neighboring BS/TRP such as the network device 140 for UL SRS measurements on the on-demand SRS transmission 116 in an operation 170, and transmit a measurement request 158 to the network device 120 and the network device 140. The measurement request 158 may be transmitted via, e.g., a NRPPa measurement request message and may include information of the UL on-demand SRS transmission 116, e.g., the configuration 130 for the on-demand SRS transmission 116, enabling the network device 120 and the network device 140 to perform UL SRS measurements on the on-demand SRS transmission 116 in the operation 170.

In an operation 132, the network device 120 may activate the UE 110 for the on-demand SRS transmission 116, in a case of accepting the on-demand SRS request 114. In response, the UE 110 may transmit to the network device 120 and/or other network device the on-demand SRS transmission 116 over, for example, the resource 124 for the on-demand SRS transmission 116 included in the configuration for the dynamic SRS transmission.

In the operation 170, the network device 120 and the network device 140 selected by the network device 150 for the operation 170 may measure the UL on-demand SRS transmission 116. Then, the network device 120 and the network device 140 may report the UL on-demand SRS transmission 116 measurements to the network device 150 in a NRPPa measurement response message. And the UE 110 may transmit a LPP provide location information message to the network device 150. The provide location information message may include UE Multi-RTT measurements already available at the UE 110. The UE-initiated positioning may thus be carried out.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary sequence diagram for on-demand muting of SRS initiated by a UE according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example embodiment, an on-demand SRS muting allows the transmission of the SRS for positioning to be muted dynamically by the UE. The on-demand SRS transmission as is shown in, for example, the FIG. 1 may be configured as a baseline and the UE can request on-demand that a particular transmission of the SRS is muted. The exemplary sequence diagram for on-demand muting of SRS shown in the FIG. 2 may follow the exemplary sequence diagram for on-demand transmission of SRS shown in the FIG. 1. The following descriptions will focus on the aspects different from the FIG. 1 and the aspects identical or similar to the FIG. 1 will be omitted or briefly described.

In an operation 160, the network device 120, the network device 140, and the network device 150 may perform NRPPa DL PRS configuration information exchange. In an operation 165, the UE 110, the network device 120, the network device 140, and the network device 150 may perform LPP capability transfer.

The network device 150 may transmit to the network device 120 via, e.g., the NRPPa, a positioning information request 252 to configuration information for a dynamic SRS transmission. Such positioning information request may request UL information for a target UE, e.g., the UE 110 and may be configured for the on-demand SRS transmission or the on-demand SRS muting, either of which may be initiated by the target UE or be initiated by the LMF and assisted by the target UE.

In this example embodiment, the configuration information for the dynamic SRS transmission requested by the positioning information request 252 may be for muting the on-demand SRS. Receiving the positioning information request 252, in an operation 222, the network device 120 may determine an on-demand SRS resource 224 available for the on-demand SRS transmission 116 which is not muted. The resource 224 determined in the operation 222 may be used for the on-demand SRS transmission 116 by the UE 110.

Then, the network device 120 may transmit to the UE 110 a configuration for a dynamic SRS transmission. In this example embodiment, the configuration for the dynamic SRS transmission is for muting the on-demand SRS. And the network device 120 may transmit to the network device 150 a positioning information response 226 comprising configuration information for muting the on-demand SRS. The positioning information response 226 may be transmitted via, e.g., a NRPPa positioning information response message. Thus, the SRS muting is configured before the on-demand SRS transmission 116, and the UE 110 may request the SRS muting when determining it necessary.

In an operation 112, the UE 110 may perform the measurement for the PRS, and then, the UE 110 may transmit, to the network device 120, an on-demand SRS muting request 214 to activate muting the on-demand SRS transmission based on the measurement for the PRS. In the on-demand SRS muting request 214, the UE 110 may indicate the resource for the on-demand SRS transmission to be muted.

In an example embodiment, the on-demand SRS muting request 214 may be transmitted via uplink control information (UCI) . The UCI may be carried by a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) . Alternatively, the UCI can also be carried on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) if the PUSCH transmission is scheduled. Different formats can be used for the UCI. Alternatively, the UE 110 may transmit the on-demand SRS muting request 214 in a few symbols of the UCI.

In an example embodiment, alternatively, the on-demand SRS muting request 214 may be transmitted via a dedicated SRS sequence. The dedicated SRS sequence may be a particular SRS sequence (e.g., a particular Gold sequence) which is agreed between the network side, e.g., the BSs and/or the CN, and the UE side to indicate a particular message. In this case the particular message may be the on-demand SRS muting request 214. The dedicated SRS sequence can be transmitted over narrow band which is mutually agreed between the UE and the network side before the transmission of the on-demand SRS muting request 214.

In an example embodiment, in the operation 112, the UE 110 may measure a current ToA of the PRS and calculate a difference between the current ToA of the PRS and a previous ToA of the PRS. The UE 110 may determine it necessary to request muting the on-demand SRS and transmit the on-demand SRS muting request 214 in a case where the difference is larger than the first threshold.

In an example embodiment, the first threshold may be configured and received from the network device 150.

The difference between the current ToA and the previous ToA may be computed on an identical beam pair or under an identical LOS condition. Additionally or alternatively, the current ToA and the previous ToA may be measured with respect to the PRSs with an identical bandwidth and on an identical carrier.

In an example embodiment, in the operation 112, the UE 110 may measure a location of the UE 110 and calculate a difference between the measured location and a previous value of the location of the UE 110. The UE 110 may determine it necessary to transmit the on-demand SRS muting request 214 in a case where the difference is larger than the second threshold.

Thus, when the UE 110 is static or semi-static, for example, the location of the UE 110 does not change or changes within a limited scope, e.g. within the above first threshold or the second threshold, the on-demand SRS muting request 214 may be avoided.

In an example embodiment, the UE 110 may receive SSBs from the network device 120 and at least one other network device. The at least one other network device may be associated with a neighboring BS of the network device 120. For example, the UE 110 may receive a SSB 126 from the network device 120 and receive a S SB 142 from the network device 140. In the operation 112, the UE 110 may measure a difference in ToAs of the SSBs. The UE 110 may determine it necessary to request muting the on-demand SRS and transmit the on-demand SRS muting request 214 in a case where the difference is larger than the third threshold.

Receiving the on-demand SRS muting request 214, in an operation 228, the network device 120 may determine to accept or deny the on-demand SRS muting request 214. This determination may be, for example, based on traffic requirements and load condition. If, for example, the load condition allows the traffic requirements for muting the on-demand SRS, the network device 120 may determine to accept the on-demand SRS muting request 214, and may deny otherwise. Then, the network device 120 may transmit to the network device 150 a configuration 230 for muting the on-demand SRS, for example, a NRPPa setting up on-demand SRS muting configuration, in a case of accepting the on-demand SRS muting request 214.

In an operation 232, the network device 120 may activate the UE 110 for muting the on-demand SRS transmission, in a case of accepting the on-demand SRS muting request 214. For example, the network device 120 may mute the resource indicated in the on-demand SRS muting request 214. In response, the UE 110 may mute the on-demand SRS transmission.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary sequence diagram for on-demand transmission of SRS initiated by a LMF according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example embodiment, the UE location estimation initialization is carried out by the LMF, hence the LMF decides which BSs/TRPs to keep in the UE location estimation process. The LMF-initiated on-demand SRS transmission allows the SRS for positioning to be transmitted dynamically by the LMF. The following descriptions will focus on the aspects different from the FIG. 1 and the aspects identical or similar to the FIG. 1 will be omitted or briefly described.

The operation 160, the operation 165, the positioning information request 152, the operation 122, the on-demand SRS resource 124, the positioning information response 126, the LPP provide assistance data message 154, and the LPP request location information 156 have been described with respect to the embodiment shown in the FIG. 1, and the repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an operation 312, the UE 110 may perform the measurement for the DL PRS, and then report the DL PRS measurement to the network device 150 in a LPP provide location information 313. For example, the UE 110 may measure a current reference signal received power (RSRP) of the DL PRS and report the current RSRP of the DL PRS to the network device 150 in the LPP provide location information 313.

In this example embedment, the LMF makes the decision whether an on-demand SRS transmission is necessary. The LMF may be aware of a Rx-Tx time difference but does not be aware the exact TOA, and the RSRP may be used for the LMF to determine the need of on-demand SRS based on the DL PRS measurement.

In an operation 357, the network device 150 may determine whether to request the on-demand SRS transmission 116. In the operation 357, the network device 150 may determine a difference between the current RSRP of the PRS and a previous RSRP of the PRS and compare the difference with a threshold. For example, the network device 150 may calculate the difference

where

and

are the RSRPs measured on time t ₁ and t ₂, respectively, and compare the Δ _RSRP with the threshold for RSRP.

In a case where the difference is larger than the threshold for the RSRP denoted as Threshold _RSRP, for example, Δ _RSRP>Threshold _RSRP, the request for the on-demand SRS transmission 116 may be triggered, and in this case the network device 150 may transmit to the network device 120 an on-demand SRS request 358 via NRPPa to activate the on-demand SRS transmission 116. In an example embodiment, the threshold Threshold _RSRP can be configured during the position session setup phase, for example, in the operation 160 for NRPPa DL PRS configuration information exchange.

Thus, when the UE 110 is static or semi-static, for example, the location of the UE 110 does not change or changes within a limited scope, e.g. the change of RSRP is within the above threshold for RSRP, the on-demand SRS transmission 116 may be avoided.

Receiving the on-demand SRS request 358, similar to the case of receiving the on-demand SRS request 114, in the operation 128, the network device 120 may determine to accept or deny the on-demand SRS request 114. This determination may be, for example, based on traffic requirements and load condition. If, for example, the load condition allows the traffic requirements for the on-demand SRS transmission 116, the network device 120 may determine to accept the on-demand SRS request 358, and may deny otherwise. Then, the network device 120 may transmit to the network device 150 the configuration 130 for the on-demand SRS transmission 116, in a case of accepting the on-demand SRS request 358.

Receiving the configuration 130 for the on-demand SRS transmission 116, the network device 150 may select the network device 120 and at least one neighboring BS/TRP such as the network device 140 for UL SRS measurements on the on-demand SRS transmission 116 in an operation 170, and transmit a measurement request 158 to the network device 120 and the network device 140. The measurement request 158 may be transmitted via, e.g., the NRPPa measurement request message and may include information of the UL on-demand SRS transmission 116, e.g., the configuration 130 for the on-demand SRS transmission 116, enabling the network device 120 and the network device 140 to perform UL SRS measurements on the on-demand SRS transmission 116 in the operation 170.

In an operation 132, the network device 120 may activate the UE 110 for the on-demand SRS transmission 116, in a case of accepting the on-demand SRS request 358. In response, the UE 110 may transmit to the network device 120 and/or other network device the on-demand SRS transmission 116 over, for example, the resource 124 for the on-demand SRS transmission 116 included in the configuration for the dynamic SRS transmission.

The operation 170 has been described with respect to the embodiment shown in the FIG. 1, and the repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here. Then, the network device 120 and the network device 140 may report the UL on-demand SRS transmission 116 measurements to the network device 150 in a NRPPa measurement response message. The LMF-initiated and UE-assisted positioning may thus be carried out.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary sequence diagram for on-demand muting of SRS initiated by a LMF according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example embodiment, an on-demand SRS muting allows the transmission of the SRS for positioning to be muted dynamically by the LMF. The on-demand SRS transmission as is shown in, for example, the FIG. 3 may be configured as a baseline and the UE can request on-demand that a particular transmission of the SRS is muted. The exemplary sequence diagram for on-demand muting of SRS shown in the FIG. 4 may follow the exemplary sequence diagram for on-demand transmission of SRS shown in the FIG. 3 and in some aspects be similar to the exemplary sequence diagram for on-demand muting of SRS shown in the FIG. 2. The following descriptions will focus on the aspects different from the FIG. 2 and the FIG. 3 and the aspects identical or similar to the FIG. 2 and the FIG. 3 will be omitted or briefly described.

The operation 160, the operation 165, the positioning information request 252, the operation 222, the on-demand SRS resource 224, the positioning information response 226, the LPP provide assistance data message 154, and the LPP request location information 156 have been described with respect to the embodiment shown in the FIG. 2, and the repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

Similar to the operation 312, in an operation 412 the UE 110 may perform the measurement for the DL PRS, and then report the DL PRS measurement to the network device 150 in a LPP provide location information 413. For example, the UE 110 may measure a current RSRP of the DL PRS and report the current RSRP of the DL PRS to the network device 150 in the LPP provide location information 413.

In an operation 457, the network device 150 may determine whether to request muting the on-demand SRS. In the operation 457, the network device 150 may determine a difference between the current RSRP of the PRS and a previous RSRP of the PRS and compare the difference with a threshold. For example, the network device 150 may calculate the difference

where

and

In a case where the difference is larger than the threshold for the RSRP denoted as Threshold _RSRP, for example, Δ _RSRP>Threshold _RSRP, the request for muting the on-demand SRS may be triggered, and in this case the network device 150 may transmit to the network device 120 an on-demand SRS muting request 458 via NRPPa to activate muting the on-demand SRS transmission. In the on-demand SRS muting request 458, the network device 150 may indicate the resource for the on-demand SRS transmission to be muted.

Thus, when the UE 110 is static or semi-static, for example, the location of the UE 110 does not change or changes within a limited scope, e.g. the change of RSRP is within the above threshold for RSRP, the on-demand SRS muting request 458 may be avoided.

In this example embedment, the LMF makes the decision whether an on-demand SRS muting is necessary, and the target device such as the UE 110 may assist the LMF to make the decision for muting the on-demand SRS. For example, in the operation 412, the UE 110 may perform the ToA evaluation, e.g., whether Δ _ToA>Threshold _ToA, and then transmit a proposal to the network device 150 over the LPP provide location information 413. In this case, in the operation 457, alternative to or in addition to the RSRP, the network device 150 may select to determine whether to request muting the on-demand SRS based on the proposal from the UE 110.

In an example embodiment, the on-demand SRS muting request 458 may be transmitted via downlink control information (DCI) or media access control-control element (MAC-CE) . In an example embodiment, alternatively, the on-demand SRS muting request 458 may be transmitted via a dedicated SRS sequence.

Receiving the on-demand SRS muting request 458, similar to the case of receiving the on-demand SRS muting request 214, in the operation 228, the network device 120 may determine to accept or deny the on-demand SRS muting request 458. Then, the network device 120 may transmit to the network device 150 the NRPPa setting up on-demand SRS muting configuration 230 for muting the on-demand SRS, in a case of accepting the on-demand SRS muting request 458.

In an operation 232, the network device 120 may activate the UE 110 for muting the on-demand SRS transmission, in a case of accepting the on-demand SRS muting request 458. For example, the network device 120 may mute the resource indicated in the on-demand SRS muting request 458. In response, the UE 110 may mute the on-demand SRS transmission.

According to the example embodiments of the present disclosure, unnecessary transmission overhead and waste of UE energy in a case where the UE has no location change or the change is within the configured threshold may be reduced, and the SRS overhead during the positioning occasions may be reduced. Moreover, the example embodiments of the present disclosure effectively utilize SRS configuration on-demanded depending on conditions, such that the measurement and response latency requirements can be satisfied.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart illustrating an example method 500 for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method 500 may be performed, for example, by a terminal device such as the UE 110.

Referring to the FIG. 5, the example method 500 may include an operation 510 of receiving, from a first network device, a configuration for a dynamic SRS transmission; and an operation 520 of transmitting an on-demand SRS, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand SRS, or muting the on-demand SRS, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand SRS.

Details of the operation 510 have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the resource 124 and the resource 224, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

Details of the operation 520 have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the on-demand SRS transmission 116, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the example method 500 may further include an operation of receiving, from a second network device, assistance data for a measurement for a PRS, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the LPP provide assistance data message 154 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; an operation of receiving, from the second network device, a request location information message for requesting the measurement for the PRS, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the LPP request location information 156 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; and an operation of performing the measurement for the PRS, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 112, the operation 312, and the operation 412 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the example method 500 may further include an operation of transmitting, to the first network device based on the measurement for the PRS, an on-demand SRS request to activate the on-demand SRS transmission, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand SRS, or an on-demand SRS muting request to activate muting the on-demand SRS transmission, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand SRS. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the on-demand SRS request 114, and the on-demand SRS muting request 214, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the on-demand SRS request or the on-demand SRS muting request may be transmitted in a case where the measurement for the PRS comprises a measurement for a current ToA of the PRS, and a difference between the current ToA of the PRS and a previous ToA of the PRS is larger than a first threshold. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 112, the on-demand SRS request 114, and the on-demand SRS muting request 214, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the first threshold may be configured and received from the second network device. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the Threshold _ToA, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the difference between the current ToA and the previous ToA may be computed on an identical beam pair or under an identical LOS condition and the current ToA and the previous ToA may be measured with respect to the PRSs with an identical bandwidth and on an identical carrier. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 112, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the on-demand SRS request or the on-demand SRS muting request may be transmitted in a case where the measurement for the PRS comprises a measurement of a location of the terminal device, and a difference between the measured location and a previous value of the location of the terminal device is larger than a second threshold. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 112, the on-demand SRS request 114, and the on-demand SRS muting request 214, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the on-demand SRS request may indicate at least one TRP beam for receiving the on-demand SRS. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the on-demand SRS request 114, and the on-demand SRS muting request 214, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the example method 500 may further include an operation of receiving, from the first network device and at least one other network device, SSBs, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the SSB 126 and the SSB 142 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; an operation of measuring a difference in ToAs of the SSBs, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 112 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; and an operation of transmitting, to the first network device, an on-demand SRS request to activate the on-demand SRS transmission, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand SRS, and the difference in the ToAs is larger than a third threshold, or an on-demand SRS muting request to activate muting the on-demand SRS transmission, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand SRS, and the difference in the ToAs is larger than the third threshold, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the on-demand SRS request 114, and the on-demand SRS muting request 214 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the on-demand SRS muting request may be transmitted via UCI. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the on-demand SRS muting request 214, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the on-demand SRS muting request may be transmitted via a dedicated SRS sequence. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the on-demand SRS muting request 214, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart illustrating an example method 600 for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method 600 may be performed, for example, by a first network device such as the network device 120.

Referring to the FIG. 6, the example method 600 may include an operation 610 of receiving, from a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic SRS transmission; and an operation 620 of determining a resource for an on-demand sounding reference signal.

Details of the operation 610 have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the positioning information request 152 and the positioning information request 252, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

Details of the operation 520 have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 122 and the operation 222, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the example method 600 may further include an operation of transmitting, to a terminal device, a configuration for a transmission of the on-demand SRS, in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand SRS, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the resource 124 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; and an operation of transmitting, to the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information of the on-demand SRS, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the positioning information response 126 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the example method 600 may further include an operation of receiving, from the terminal device or the second network device, an on-demand SRS request to activate the on-demand SRS transmission, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the on-demand SRS request 114 and the on-demand SRS request 358 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; an operation of determining to accept or deny the on-demand SRS request, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 128 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; an operation of transmitting, to the second network device, the configuration for the on-demand SRS, in a case of accepting the on-demand SRS request, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the configuration 130 for the on-demand SRS transmission 116 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; and an operation of activating the terminal device for the transmission of the on-demand SRS, in a case of accepting the on-demand SRS request, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 132 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the example method 600 may further include an operation of transmitting, to a terminal device, a configuration for muting the on-demand SRS, in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand SRS, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the resource 224 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; and an operation of transmitting, to the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information for muting the on-demand SRS, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the positioning information response 226 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the example method 600 may further include an operation of receiving, from the terminal device or the second network device, an on-demand SRS muting request to activate muting the on-demand SRS transmission, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the on-demand SRS muting request 214 and the on-demand SRS muting request 458 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; an operation of determining to accept or deny the on-demand SRS muting request, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 228 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; an operation of transmitting, to the second network device, the configuration for muting the on-demand SRS, in a case of accepting the on-demand SRS muting request, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the configuration 230 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; and an operation of activating the terminal device for muting the on-demand SRS transmission, in a case of accepting the on-demand SRS muting request, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 232 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart illustrating an example method 700 for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method 700 may be performed, for example, by a first network device such as the network device 150.

Referring to the FIG. 7, the example method 700 may include an operation 710 of transmitting, to a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic SRS transmission; and an operation 720 of receiving, from the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information of the on-demand SRS in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand SRS or configuration information for muting the on-demand SRS in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand SRS.

Details of the operation 710 have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the positioning information request 152 and the positioning information request 252, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

Details of the operation 720 have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the positioning information response 126 and the positioning information response 226, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the example method 700 may further include an operation of receiving, from a terminal device, a current RSRP of a PRS, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the LPP provide location information 313 and the LPP provide location information 413 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; an operation of determining a difference between the current RSRP of the PRS and a previous RSRP of the PRS, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 357 and the operation 457 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; and an operation of comparing the difference with a threshold, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 357 and the operation 457 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the example method 700 may further include an operation of transmitting, to the second network device, an on-demand SRS request to activate the on- demand SRS transmission, in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand SRS, and the difference is larger than the threshold. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the on-demand SRS request 358, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the example method 700 may further include an operation of receiving, from the second network device, a configuration for the on-demand SRS, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the configuration 130 for the on-demand SRS transmission 116 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; and an operation of transmitting, to neighboring BSs of the second network device, the configuration for the on-demand SRS, in a case where an on-demand SRS request is accepted by the second network device, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the measurement request 158 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the example method 700 may further include an operation of transmitting, to the second network device, an on-demand SRS muting request to activate muting the on-demand SRS transmission, in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand SRS, and the difference is larger than the threshold. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the on-demand SRS muting request 458, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the example method 700 may further include an operation of receiving, from the second network device, a configuration for muting the on-demand SRS, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the configuration 230 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; and an operation of transmitting, to neighboring BSs of the second network device, the configuration for muting the on-demand SRS, in a case where an on-demand SRS muting request is accepted by the second network device, details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the measurement request 258 and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the on-demand SRS muting request may be transmitted via DCI or MAC-CE. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the on-demand SRS muting request 458, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an example embodiment, the on-demand SRS muting request may be transmitted via a dedicated SRS sequence. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the on-demand SRS muting request 458, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus 800 for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus, for example, may be at least part of the UE 110 in the above examples.

As shown in the FIG. 8, the example apparatus 800 may include at least one processor 810 and at least one memory 820 that may include computer program code 830. The at least one memory 820 and the computer program code 830 may be configured to, with the at least one processor 810, cause the apparatus 800 at least to perform the example method 500 described above.

In various example embodiments, the at least one processor 810 in the example apparatus 800 may include, but not limited to, at least one hardware processor, including at least one microprocessor such as a central processing unit (CPU) , a portion of at least one hardware processor, and any other suitable dedicated processor such as those developed based on for example Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) . Further, the at least one processor 810 may also include at least one other circuitry or element not shown in the FIG. 8.

In various example embodiments, the at least one memory 820 in the example apparatus 800 may include at least one storage medium in various forms, such as a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. The volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a random-access memory (RAM) , a cache, and so on. The non-volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a read only memory (ROM) , a hard disk, a flash memory, and so on. Further, the at least memory 820 may include, but are not limited to, an electric, a magnetic, an optical, an electromagnetic, an infrared, or a semiconductor system, apparatus, or device or any combination of the above.

Further, in various example embodiments, the example apparatus 800 may also include at least one other circuitry, element, and interface, for example at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like.

In various example embodiments, the circuitries, parts, elements, and interfaces in the example apparatus 800, including the at least one processor 810 and the at least one memory 820, may be coupled together via any suitable connections including, but not limited to, buses, crossbars, wiring and/or wireless lines, in any suitable ways, for example electrically, magnetically, optically, electromagnetically, and the like.

It is appreciated that the structure of the apparatus on the side of the UE 110 is not limited to the above example apparatus 800.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus 900 for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus, for example, may be at least part of the network apparatus 120 in the above examples.

As shown in the FIG. 9, the example apparatus 900 may include at least one processor 910 and at least one memory 920 that may include computer program code 930. The at least one memory 920 and the computer program code 930 may be configured to, with the at least one processor 910, cause the apparatus 900 at least to perform at least one of the example method 600 described above.

In various example embodiments, the at least one processor 910 in the example apparatus 900 may include, but not limited to, at least one hardware processor, including at least one microprocessor such as a central processing unit (CPU) , a portion of at least one hardware processor, and any other suitable dedicated processor such as those developed based on for example Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) . Further, the at least one processor 910 may also include at least one other circuitry or element not shown in the FIG. 9.

In various example embodiments, the at least one memory 920 in the example apparatus 900 may include at least one storage medium in various forms, such as a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. The volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a random-access memory (RAM) , a cache, and so on. The non-volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a read only memory (ROM) , a hard disk, a flash memory, and so on. Further, the at least memory 920 may include, but are not limited to, an electric, a magnetic, an optical, an electromagnetic, an infrared, or a semiconductor system, apparatus, or device or any combination of the above.

Further, in various example embodiments, the example apparatus 900 may also include at least one other circuitry, element, and interface, for example at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like.

In various example embodiments, the circuitries, parts, elements, and interfaces in the example apparatus 900, including the at least one processor 910 and the at least one memory 920, may be coupled together via any suitable connections including, but not limited to, buses, crossbars, wiring and/or wireless lines, in any suitable ways, for example electrically, magnetically, optically, electromagnetically, and the like.

It is appreciated that the structure of the apparatus on the side of the network apparatus 120 is not limited to the above example apparatus 900.

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus 1000 for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus, for example, may be at least part of the network apparatus 150 in the above examples.

As shown in the FIG. 10, the example apparatus 1000 may include at least one processor 1010 and at least one memory 1020 that may include computer program code 1030. The at least one memory 1020 and the computer program code 1030 may be configured to, with the at least one processor 1010, cause the apparatus 1000 at least to perform at least one of the example method 700 described above.

In various example embodiments, the at least one processor 1010 in the example apparatus 1000 may include, but not limited to, at least one hardware processor, including at least one microprocessor such as a central processing unit (CPU) , a portion of at least one hardware processor, and any other suitable dedicated processor such as those developed based on for example Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) . Further, the at least one processor 1010 may also include at least one other circuitry or element not shown in the FIG. 10.

In various example embodiments, the at least one memory 1020 in the example apparatus 1000 may include at least one storage medium in various forms, such as a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. The volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a random-access memory (RAM) , a cache, and so on. The non-volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a read only memory (ROM) , a hard disk, a flash memory, and so on. Further, the at least memory 1020 may include, but are not limited to, an electric, a magnetic, an optical, an electromagnetic, an infrared, or a semiconductor system, apparatus, or device or any combination of the above.

Further, in various example embodiments, the example apparatus 1000 may also include at least one other circuitry, element, and interface, for example at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like.

In various example embodiments, the circuitries, parts, elements, and interfaces in the example apparatus 1000, including the at least one processor 1010 and the at least one memory 1020, may be coupled together via any suitable connections including, but not limited to, buses, crossbars, wiring and/or wireless lines, in any suitable ways, for example electrically, magnetically, optically, electromagnetically, and the like.

It is appreciated that the structure of the apparatus on the side of the network apparatus 150 is not limited to the above example apparatus 1000.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus 1100 for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus, for example, may be at least part of the UE 110 in the above examples.

As shown in FIG. 11, the example apparatus 1100 may include means 1110 for performing the operation 510 of the example method 500, and means 1120 for performing the operation 520 of the example method 500. In one or more another example embodiments, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like may also be included in the example apparatus 1100.

In some example embodiments, examples of means in the example apparatus 1100 may include circuitries. For example, an example of means 1110 may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation 510 of the example method 500, and an example of means 1120 may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation 520 of the example method 500. In some example embodiments, examples of means may also include software modules and any other suitable function entities.

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus 1200 for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus, for example, may be at least part of the network apparatus 120 in the above examples.

As shown in FIG. 12, the example apparatus 1200 may include means 1210 for performing the operation 610 of the example method 600, and means 1220 for performing the operation 620 of the example method 600. In one or more another example embodiments, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like may also be included in the example apparatus 1200.

In some example embodiments, examples of means in the example apparatus 1200 may include circuitries. For example, an example of means 1210 may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation 610 of the example method 600, and an example of means 1220 may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation 620 of the example method 600. In some example embodiments, examples of means may also include software modules and any other suitable function entities.

FIG. 13 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus 1300 for on-demand transmission and muting of SRS according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus, for example, may be at least part of the network apparatus 150 in the above examples.

As shown in FIG. 13, the example apparatus 1300 may include means 1310 for performing the operation 710 of the example method 700, and means 1320 for performing the operation 720 of the example method 700. In one or more another example embodiments, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like may also be included in the example apparatus 1300.

In some example embodiments, examples of means in the example apparatus 1300 may include circuitries. For example, an example of means 1310 may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation 710 of the example method 700, and an example of means 1320 may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation 720 of the example method 700. In some example embodiments, examples of means may also include software modules and any other suitable function entities.

The term “circuitry” throughout this disclosure may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) ; (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 one or all uses of this term in this disclosure, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this disclosure, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of 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 claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

Another example embodiment may relate to computer program codes or instructions which may cause an apparatus to perform at least respective methods described above. Another example embodiment may be related to a computer readable medium having such computer program codes or instructions stored thereon. In some example embodiments, such a computer readable medium may include at least one storage medium in various forms such as a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. The volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a RAM, a cache, and so on. The non-volatile memory may include, but not limited to, a ROM, a hard disk, a flash memory, and so on. The non-volatile memory may also include, but are not limited to, an electric, a magnetic, an optical, an electromagnetic, an infrared, or a semiconductor system, apparatus, or device or any combination of the above.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise, ” “comprising, ” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to. ” The word “coupled” , as generally used herein, refers to two or more elements that may be either directly connected, or connected by way of one or more intermediate elements. Likewise, the word “connected” , as generally used herein, refers to two or more elements that may be either directly connected, or connected by way of one or more intermediate elements. Additionally, the words “herein, ” “above, ” “below, ” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

Moreover, conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can, ” “could, ” “might, ” “may, ” “e.g., ” “for example, ” “such as” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain example embodiments include, while other example embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more example embodiments or that one or more example embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular example embodiment.

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

While some example embodiments have been described, these example embodiments have been presented by way of example, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the apparatus, methods, and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, while blocks are presented in a given arrangement, alternative example embodiments may perform similar functionalities with different components and/or circuit topologies, and some blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified. At least one of these blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. The order of these blocks may also be changed. Any suitable combination of the elements and acts of the some example embodiments described above can be combined to provide further example embodiments. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

Abbreviations used in the description and/or in the figures are defined as follows:

BS base station

CN core network

DCI downlink control information

DL downlink

FR frequency range

LMF location management function

LOS line of sight

LTE long term evolution

LPP LTE positioning protocol

MAC-CE medium access control-control element

Multi-RTT multi-cell round trip time

NRPPa new radio positioning protocol annex

PRS positioning reference signal

PUCCH physical uplink control channel

PUSCH physical uplink shared channel

RSRP reference signal received power

Rx reception

SCS subcarrier spacing

SRS sounding reference signal

AP-SRS aperiodic SRS

SSB synchronization signal block

ToA time of arrival

TRP transmit-receive point

Tx transmission

UCI uplink control information

UE user equipment

UL uplink

Claims

An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus as a terminal device to perform:

receiving, from a first network device, a configuration for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and

transmitting, to the first network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, or muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform:

receiving, from a second network device, assistance data for a measurement for a positioning reference signal;

receiving, from the second network device, a request location information message for requesting the measurement for the positioning reference signal; and

performing the measurement for the positioning reference signal.
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: transmitting, to the first network device based on the measurement for the positioning reference signal, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, or an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the on-demand sounding reference signal request or the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is transmitted in a case where the measurement for the positioning reference signal comprises a measurement for a current time of arrival of the positioning reference signal, and a difference between the current time of arrival of the positioning reference signal and a previous time of arrival of the positioning reference signal is larger than a first threshold.
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first threshold is configured and received from the second network device.
The apparatus of claim 4 or 5, the difference between the current time of arrival and the previous time of arrival is computed on an identical beam pair or under an identical line of sight condition and the current time of arrival and the previous time of arrival are measured with respect to the positioning reference signals with an identical bandwidth and on an identical carrier.
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the on-demand sounding reference signal request or the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is transmitted in a case where the measurement for the positioning reference signal comprises a measurement of a location of the terminal device, and a difference between the measured location and a previous value of the location of the terminal device is larger than a second threshold.
The apparatus of any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the on-demand sounding reference signal request indicates at least one transmit-receive point beam for receiving the on-demand sounding reference signal.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform:

receiving, from the first network device and at least one other network device, synchronization signal blocks;

measuring a difference in time of arrivals of the synchronization signal blocks; and

transmitting, to the first network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference in the time of arrivals is larger than a third threshold, or an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference in the time of arrivals is larger than the third threshold.
The apparatus of any of claims 3 to 9, wherein the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is transmitted via uplink control information.
The apparatus of any of claims 3 to 9, wherein the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is transmitted via a dedicated sounding reference signal sequence.
An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus as a first network device to perform:

receiving, from a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and

determining a resource for an on-demand sounding reference signal.
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform:

transmitting, to a terminal device, a configuration for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal; and

transmitting, to the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information of the on-demand sounding reference signal.
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform:

receiving, from the terminal device or the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission;

determining to accept or deny the on-demand sounding reference signal request;

transmitting, to the second network device, the configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal request; and

activating the terminal device for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal request.
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform:

transmitting, to a terminal device, a configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal; and

transmitting, to the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform:

receiving, from the terminal device or the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission;

determining to accept or deny the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request;

transmitting, to the second network device, the configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request; and

activating the terminal device for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request.
An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus as a first network device to perform:

transmitting, to a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and

receiving, from the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information of the on-demand sounding reference signal in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal or configuration information for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform:

receiving, from a terminal device, a current reference signal received power of a positioning reference signal;

determining a difference between the current reference signal received power of the positioning reference signal and a previous reference signal received power of the positioning reference signal; and

comparing the difference with a threshold.
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform:

transmitting, to the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference is larger than the threshold.
The apparatus of any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform:

receiving, from the second network device, a configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal; and

transmitting, to neighboring base stations of the second network device, the configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where an on-demand sounding reference signal request is accepted by the second network device.
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform:

transmitting, to the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference is larger than the threshold.
The apparatus of any of claims 17, 18 and 21, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform:

receiving, from the second network device, a configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal; and

transmitting, to neighboring base stations of the second network device, the configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is accepted by the second network device.
The apparatus of claim 21 or 22, wherein the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is transmitted via downlink control information or media access control-control element.
The apparatus of claim 21 or 22, wherein the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is transmitted via a dedicated sounding reference signal sequence.
A method performed by a terminal device comprising:

receiving, from a first network device, a configuration for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and

transmitting an on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, or muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.
The method of claim 25, further comprising:

receiving, from a second network device, assistance data for a measurement for a positioning reference signal;

receiving, from the second network device, a request location information message for requesting the measurement for the positioning reference signal; and

performing the measurement for the positioning reference signal.
The method of claim 26, further comprising:

transmitting, to the first network device based on the measurement for the positioning reference signal, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, or an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.
The method of claim 27, wherein the on-demand sounding reference signal request or the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is transmitted in a case where the measurement for the positioning reference signal comprises a measurement for a current time of arrival of the positioning reference signal, and a difference between the current time of arrival of the positioning reference signal and a previous time of arrival of the positioning reference signal is larger than a first threshold.
The method of claim 28, wherein the first threshold is configured and received from the second network device.
The method of claim 28 or 29, the difference between the current time of arrival and the previous time of arrival is computed on an identical beam pair or under an identical line of sight condition and the current time of arrival and the previous time of arrival are measured with respect to the positioning reference signals with an identical bandwidth and on an identical carrier.
The method of claim 27, wherein the on-demand sounding reference signal request or the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is transmitted in a case where the measurement for the positioning reference signal comprises a measurement of a location of the terminal device, and a difference between the measured location and a previous value of the location of the terminal device is larger than a second threshold.
The method of any of claims 27 to 31, wherein the on-demand sounding reference signal request indicates at least one transmit-receive point beam for receiving the on-demand sounding reference signal.
The method of claim 25, further comprising:

receiving, from the first network device and at least one other network device, synchronization signal blocks;

measuring a difference in time of arrivals of the synchronization signal blocks; and

transmitting, to the first network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference in the time of arrivals is larger than a third threshold, or an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference in the time of arrivals is larger than the third threshold.
The method of any of claims 27 to 33, wherein the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is transmitted via uplink control information.
The method of any of claims 27 to 33, wherein the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is transmitted via a dedicated sounding reference signal sequence.
A method performed by a first network device comprising:

receiving, from a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and

determining a resource for an on-demand sounding reference signal.
The method of claim 36, further comprising:

transmitting, to a terminal device, a configuration for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal; and

transmitting, to the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information of the on-demand sounding reference signal.
The method of claim 37, further comprising:

receiving, from the terminal device or the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission;

determining to accept or deny the on-demand sounding reference signal request;

transmitting, to the second network device, the configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal request; and

activating the terminal device for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal request.
The method of claim 36, further comprising:

transmitting, to a terminal device, a configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal; and

transmitting, to the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.
The method of claim 39, further comprising:

receiving, from the terminal device or the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission;

determining to accept or deny the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request;

transmitting, to the second network device, the configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request; and

activating the terminal device for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case of accepting the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request.
A method performed by a first network device comprising:

transmitting, to a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and

receiving, from the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information of the on-demand sounding reference signal in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal or configuration information for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.
The method of claim 41, further comprising:

receiving, from a terminal device, a current reference signal received power of a positioning reference signal;

determining a difference between the current reference signal received power of the positioning reference signal and a previous reference signal received power of the positioning reference signal; and

comparing the difference with a threshold.
The method of claim 42, further comprising:

transmitting, to the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal request to activate the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference is larger than the threshold.
The method of any of claims 41 to 43, further comprising:

receiving, from the second network device, a configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal; and

transmitting, to neighboring base stations of the second network device, the configuration for the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where an on-demand sounding reference signal request is accepted by the second network device.
The method of claim 42, further comprising:

transmitting, to the second network device, an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request to activate muting the on-demand sounding reference signal transmission, in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, and the difference is larger than the threshold.
The method of any of claims 41, 42 and 45, further comprising:

receiving, from the second network device, a configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal; and

transmitting, to neighboring base stations of the second network device, the configuration for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where an on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is accepted by the second network device.
The method of claim 45 or 46, wherein the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is transmitted via downlink control information or media access control-control element.
The method of claim 45 or 46, wherein the on-demand sounding reference signal muting request is transmitted via a dedicated sounding reference signal sequence.
An apparatus as a terminal device comprising:

means for receiving, from a first network device, a configuration for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and

means for transmitting an on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, or for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.
An apparatus as a first network device comprising:

means for receiving, from a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and

means for determining a resource for an on-demand sounding reference signal.
An apparatus as a first network device comprising:

means for transmitting, to a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and

means for receiving, from the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information of the on-demand sounding reference signal in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal or configuration information for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.
A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus as a terminal device to perform:

receiving, from a first network device, a configuration for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and

transmitting an on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for a transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal, or muting the on-demand sounding reference signal, in a case where the configuration is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.
A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus as a first network device to perform:

receiving, from a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and

determining a resource for an on-demand sounding reference signal.
A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus as a first network device to perform:

transmitting, to a second network device, a positioning information request for configuration information for a dynamic sounding reference signal transmission; and

receiving, from the second network device, a positioning information response comprising configuration information of the on-demand sounding reference signal in a case where the configuration information is for the transmission of the on-demand sounding reference signal or configuration information for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal in a case where the configuration information is for muting the on-demand sounding reference signal.