WO2023180972A1

WO2023180972A1 - Methods and apparatus of frequency domain phase measurement and positioning reporting

Info

Publication number: WO2023180972A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/052840
Authority: WO
Inventors: Li Guo
Original assignee: Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd.
Priority date: 2022-03-23
Filing date: 2023-03-23
Publication date: 2023-09-28

Abstract

Methods and systems for enabling a terminal device to perform frequency domain phase measurement and positioning. In some embodiments, the method includes (1) receiving, by a terminal device, configuration information regarding downlink positioning reference signal (DL PRS) resources of a first transmission/reception point (TRP) and a second TRP; (2) measuring, by the terminal device, a relative frequency domain phase difference of the first TRP and the second TRP; (3) receiving, by the terminal device, the DL PRS resources according to the configuration information; and (4) measuring, by the terminal device, a phase of received signals on different resources of the DL PRS resources so as to calculate a frequency domain phase difference of the received signals on different resources.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUS OF FREQUENCY DOMAIN PHASE

MEASUREMENT AND POSITIONING REPORTING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/322,988, filed March 23, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to frequency domain phase measurement and positioning. More specifically, systems and methods for relative frequency domain phase measurement of different transmission/reception points (TRPs) for positioning are provided.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Positioning technology is one of the core technologies of wireless communications systems and navigation systems. New Radio (NR) and fifth generation (5G) systems support positioning technology. Conventional methods for positioning, such as conventional Downlink Angle of Departure (DL AoD) positioning methods are not able to accurately estimate the angle of departure of user equipment (UE). As specified in NR, UE can be configured with one or more downlink positioning reference signal (DL PRS) resource sets and each DL PRS resource set includes one or more DL PRS resources.

[0004] Using conventional methods, the bandwidth of DL PRS resource can be outside the bandwidth of one active band width part (BWP). In addition, the subcarrier spacing used by a DL PRS resource can be different from the subcarrier spacing of an active BWP. Thus, a measurement gap is needed for a UE to measure DL PRS resource. The measurement gap for positioning is configured through RRC. When a UE needs to measure DL PRS resource and there is no measurement gap, the UE can request measurement gap through RRC signaling. However, conventional positioning methods (e.g., DL TDoA (downlink Time difference of arrival), multi-RTT (round trip time) and UL RTOA (relative time of arrival)) are based on timing measurement, whose accuracy is limited by the bandwidth of positioning reference signal. The bandwidth of the spectrum used in NR FR1 is no more than 100HMz, and thus the accuracy of positioning service based on those method is restricted and limited. Therefore, improved systems and methods that can address the foregoing issues are desirable and beneficial.

SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for enabling terminal devices (or UE) to measure and report phase difference measurements The present system can improve the performance of location service based on the foregoing measurements.

[0006] In some embodiment, a terminal device (UE) can be requested (e.g., by a system) to measure a frequency domain phase difference of a DL PRS resource of a first TRP and a second TRP. The system can be a location server, a server with a location management function (LMF), a base station (e.g., a gNB), etc.

[0007] For each TRP, the frequency domain phase difference of DL PRS resource can be calculated based on a difference between the phase of signal received from different frequency domain parts. Then the terminal device can be requested to measure and report the relative frequency domain phase difference of the first TRP and the second TRP to the system.

[0008] For example, the terminal device can be configured to measure DL PRS resources of the first TRP and the DL PRS resources of the second TRP. For the first TRP, the terminal device can measure the frequency domain phase difference of signal received on resources (REs) whose frequency domain indices are separated by “X.” “X” can be a pre-determined value. As for the second TRP, the terminal device can measure the frequency domain phase difference of signal received on resources whose frequency domain indices are separated by “X.” To calculate the relative frequency domain phase difference between TRPs, the first TRP can be used as a reference. The relative frequency domain phase difference between TRPs can be calculated based on the frequency domain phase difference of the second TRP (e.g., treating it as the frequency domain phase difference of the first TRP). [0009] The relative frequency domain phase difference can also be called a “relative phase difference,” a “relative phase difference in frequency domain,” a “differential frequency domain phase difference” or a “differential phase difference between TRPs.”

[0010] In some embodiments, the present method can be implemented by a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium having processor instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more aspects/features of the method described herein. In other embodiments, the present method can be implemented by a system comprising a computer processor and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by the computer processor cause the computer processor to perform one or more actions of the method described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] To describe the technical solutions in the implementations of the present disclosure more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show merely some aspects or implementations of the present disclosure, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

[0013] Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a terminal device in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

[0014] Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a method in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

[0015] Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] To describe the technical solutions in the implementations of the present disclosure more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show merely some aspects or implementations of the present disclosure, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 100 in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 100 can implement the methods discussed herein for measuring phase difference of reference signal resources. As shown in Fig. 1 , the wireless communications system 100 includes a network device (or base station/cell) 101.

[0018] Examples of the network device 101 include a base transceiver station (Base Transceiver Station, BTS), a NodeB (NodeB, NB), an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB), a Next Generation NodeB (gNB or gNode B), a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP), etc. In some embodiments, the network device 101 can include a relay station, an access point, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, and the like. The network device 101 can include wireless connection devices for communication networks such as: a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) network, an LTE network, a cloud radio access network (Cloud Radio Access Network, CRAN), an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11-based network (e.g., a Wi-Fi network), an Internet of Things (loT) network, a device-to-device (D2D) network, a next-generation network (e.g., a 5G network), a future evolved public land mobile network (Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN), or the like. A 5G system or network can be referred to as an NR system or network.

[0019] In some embodiments, the network device 101 can include a location server, a server with a location management function (LMF), etc.

[0020] In Fig. 1 , the wireless communications system 100 also includes a terminal device 103. The terminal device 103 can be an end-user device configured to facilitate wireless communication. The terminal device 103 can be configured to wirelessly connect to the network device 101 (via, e.g., via a wireless channel 105) according to one or more corresponding communication protocols/standards.

[0021] The terminal device 103 may be mobile or fixed. The terminal device 103 can be a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile site, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communications device, a user agent, or a user apparatus. Examples of the terminal device 103 include a modem, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device having a wireless communication function, a computing device or another processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, an Internet- of-Things (loT) device, a device used in a 5G network, a device used in a public land mobile network, or the like. For illustrative purposes, Fig. 1 illustrates only one network device 101 and one terminal device 103 in the wireless communications system 100. However, in some instances, the wireless communications system 100 can include additional network device 101 and/or terminal device 103.

[0022] The terminal device 103 can be requested (e.g., by the network device 101 to measure a frequency domain phase difference of a DL PRS resource of a first TRP 107 and a second TRP 109. For each of the TRPs 107 and 109, the frequency domain phase difference of DL PRS resource can be calculated based on a difference between the phase of signal received from different frequency domain parts. The terminal device 103 can be requested to measure and report the relative frequency domain phase difference of the first TRP 107 and the second TRP 109 to the network device 101.

[0023] For example, the terminal device 103 can be configured to measure DL PRS resources of the first TRP 107 and the DL PRS resources of the second TRP 109. For the first TRP 107, the terminal device 103 can measure the frequency domain phase difference of signal received on resources whose frequency domain indices are separated by “X.” “X” can be a pre-determined value. As for the second TRP 109, the terminal device 103 can measure the frequency domain phase difference of signal received on resources whose frequency domain indices are separated by “X.” To calculate the relative frequency domain phase difference between TRPs, the first TRP 107 can be used as a reference. The relative frequency domain phase difference between TRPs can be calculated based on the frequency domain phase difference of the second TRP 109 (e.g., treating it as the frequency domain phase difference of the first TRP 107). According to some examples, the network device 101 may be a location server, e.g., a location management function (LMF), or a gNB.

[0024] In some embodiments, the proposed method can be used by the network device 101 to measure the phase difference of positioning signal that are transmitted in different frequency domain locations. In some embodiments, a phase difference value can be a function of (i) the distance between the terminal device 103 and the first TRP 107 (or the second TRP 109) and (ii) the frequency difference between those frequency domain location.

[0025] For example, the terminal device 103 measures the phases of received signals in two different REs in PRS resources (“0^ and 0₁₂”) of the first TRP and (“ 0₂₁ and 0₂₂”) of the second TRP. The distance between the terminal device 103 and the first TRP 107 and the second TRP 109 are L₁ and L₂ meters, respectively. The relationship between

L₂ and 0_1;L, 0₁₂, 0₂₁ and 0₂₂ can be shown in the following equation.

[0026] Equation (A)

[0027] In Equation (A), parameters

and k₂ are indices of two resources and Af is the frequency bandwidth of one subcarrier. Parameter “c” represents the light speed. With the reported relative frequency domain phase difference of two TRPs A0, the network device 101 can estimate the relative distance between the terminal device 103 and the TRPs (107/109) based on Equation (B) below.

[°⁰²⁸l

Equation (B)

[0029] In some embodiments, the relative frequency domain phase difference “A0” can also be calculated be the one between DL PRS resources. The terminal device 103 can measure the frequency domain phase difference of a first DL PRS resource and the frequency domain phase difference of a second DL PRS resource. Then the terminal device 103 calculates the relative frequency domain phase difference of the first DL PRS resource and the second DL PRS resource, where the first DL PRS resource can be used as a reference.

[0030] In some embodiments, the relative frequency domain phase difference “A0” can also be calculated between DL PRS resource subsets. The terminal device 103 can measure the frequency domain phase difference of a first DL PRS resource subset and the frequency domain phase difference of a second DL PRS resource subset. Then the terminal device 103 calculates the relative frequency domain phase difference of the first DL PRS resource subset and the second DL PRS resource subset, where the first DL PRS resource subset can be used as a reference.

[0031] In some embodiments, the terminal device 103 can be requested to report relative frequency domain phase difference along with other positioning measurements. For example, the terminal device 103 can report the relative frequency domain phase difference measurement and a reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement of the corresponding DL PRS resources. For example, the terminal device 103 can report the relative frequency domain phase difference measurement and the DL reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement of corresponding TRPs or DL PRS resources. For example, the terminal device 103 can report the relative frequency domain phase difference measurement and the terminal device receiving-transmitting (Rx-Tx) time difference measured from the corresponding DL PRS resources or TRPs.

[0032] In one example, the terminal device 103 can be requested to measure relative frequency domain phase difference based on the measurement on the first path received in different resources of DL PRS resources. For example, the terminal device 103 can receive multiple paths in DL PRS resource and the terminal device 103 can measure the phase of the signal on different resources of the first path of that DL PRS resource. The terminal device 103 can also be requested to measure the phase of signal of one additional path on different resources of one DL PRS resource.

[0033] In some embodiments, terminal device 103 can be configured to measure and report the relative frequency domain phase difference of DL PRS resources, DL PRS resource sets or TRPs. The terminal device 103 can be configured to measure the frequency domain phase difference corresponding frequency domain space of “Ak” resources and then calculate the relative frequency domain phase difference.

[0034] For example, the terminal device 103 calculates the phase difference between signal received from the resource with frequency domain index “k^ and the resource with frequency domain index “k₁ + A/c.” The terminal device 103 calculates the relative frequency domain phase difference between DL PRS resources, DL PRS resource sets or TRPs.

[0035] In one example, the value of A/c can be provided to the terminal device 103 by the network device 101. The terminal device 103 can be requested to report the relative frequency domain phase difference measurement. The terminal device 103 can be requested to report one or more of the following information elements.

[0036] [A] Indicators of a first DL PRS resource or a first DL PRS resource set or a first TRP of which the relative frequency domain phase difference is reported.

[0037] [B] Indicators of a second DL PRS resource or a second DL PRS resource set or a second TRP of which the relative frequency domain phase difference is reported.

[0038] [C] The frequency domain distance corresponding to the reported frequency domain phase difference measurement, for example the difference A/c between the RE frequency domain indices.

[0039] [D] The measurement of relative frequency domain phase difference of the first DL PRS resource/set/TRP and the second DL PRS resource/set/TRP.

[0040] [E] The RSRP measurement of the corresponding DL PRS resources.

[0041] [F] The measurement of time of arrival of the corresponding DL PRS resources.

[0042] [G] The UE Rx-Tx time difference measured from the corresponding DL

PRS resources.

[0043] [H] The DL RSTD measured from the corresponding DL PRS resources.

[0044] In some embodiments, the measurement of relative frequency domain phase difference can be reported with one or more of the following alternatives:

[0045] [Alt1 ] : the reported measurement can be one value between 0 and 2n with the step size equal to for example TT/180, 5 TT/180, 10TT/180.

[0046] [Alt2] : the reported measurement can be one value between -n and n with the step size equal to for example TT/180, 5 TT/180, 10TT/180. [0047] [Alt3] : the reported measurement can be one angle value between 0 and 360 degree with the step size equal to, for example, 1 degree, 5 degrees, 10 degrees, etc.

[0048] [Alt4]: the reported measurement can be one angle value between -180 degrees and 180 degree with the step size equal to, for example, 1 degree, 5 degrees, 10 degrees, etc.

[0049] In some embodiments, the terminal device 103 can be configured to measure the frequency domain phase difference of the first path of DL PRS resource and then calculate the relative frequency domain phase difference of the first path of different DL PRS resources. The terminal device 103 can be configured to measure the frequency domain phase difference corresponding frequency domain space of A/c resources of DL PRS resource signal received in the first path. For example, the terminal device 103 calculates the phase difference between signal received from the resource with frequency domain index k and the resource with frequency domain index k + A/c of the first path of DL PRS resource.

[0050] In one example, the value of A/c can be provided to the network device 101 . The terminal device 103 can be requested to report the relative frequency domain phase difference measurement of the first path of DL PRS resources to the network device 101. The terminal device 103 can be requested to report one or more of the following information elements:

[0051] [A] Indicators of a first DL PRS resource or a first DL PRS resource set or a first TRP of which the relative frequency domain phase difference is reported.

[0052] [B] Indicators of a second DL PRS resource or a second DL PRS resource set or a second TRP of which the relative frequency domain phase difference is reported.

[0053] [C] The frequency domain distance corresponding to the reported frequency domain phase difference measurement of the first path, for example the difference A/c between the RE frequency domain indices.

[0054] [D] The measurement of relative frequency domain phase difference of the first path of the first DL PRS resource/set/TRP and the second DL PRS resource/set/TRP. [0055] [E] An RSRP measurement of the corresponding first path of the DL PRS resources.

[0056] [F] The measurement of time of arrival of the corresponding first path of the DL PRS resources.

[0057] [G] The UE Rx-Tx time difference measured from the corresponding first path of DL PRS resources.

[0058] [H] The DL RSTD measured from the corresponding first path of DL PRS resources.

[0059] In some implementations, the terminal device 103 can be requested to measure the frequency domain phase difference corresponding frequency domain space of A/c resources of DL PRS resource signal received in one additional path and then calculate the relative frequency domain phase difference. For example, the terminal device 103 calculates the phase difference between signal received from the resource with frequency domain index k and the resource with frequency domain index k₁ + A/c of the one additional path of DL PRS resource. The terminal device 103 UE can be requested to report the relative frequency domain phase difference measurement of one additional path of DL PRS resources to the network deice 101.

[0060] The terminal device 103 can be requested to report the frequency domain phase difference measurement of one additional path of DL PRS resource. The terminal device 103 can also be requested to report the path RSRP measurement and/or UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement and/or DL RSTD measurement of the additional path of DL PRS resource.

[0061] In some embodiments, the terminal device 103 can be configured to measure and report the relative frequency domain phase difference of multiple different frequency domain distance of DL PRS resources. For example, the terminal device 103 can be configured to measure the frequency domain phase difference corresponding frequency domain space of AA^ , A/c₂ and A/c₃ resources. The terminal device 103 calculates (i) the phase difference between signal received from the resource with frequency domain index k₁ and the resource with frequency domain index / + A/ , (ii) the phase difference between signal received from the resource with frequency domain index k₂ and the resource with frequency domain index k₂ + A/c₂, and (iii) the phase difference between signal received from the resource with frequency domain index k₃ and the resource with frequency domain index k₃ + A/c₃.

[0062] Then for each of k^ A/c₂ and A/c₃, the terminal device 103 calculates the relative frequency domain phase difference of DL PRS resources/sets/TRPs. In one example, the values of A/ , A/c₂ and A/c₃ can be provided to the terminal device 103 by the network device 101. The terminal device 103 can be requested to report the relative frequency domain phase difference measurement of DL PRS resources/sets/TRPs to the network device 101. The terminal device 103 can be requested to report one or more of the following information elements:

[0063] [1] Indicators of a first DL PRS resource or a first DL PRS resource set or a first TRP of which the relative frequency domain phase difference is reported.

[0064] [2] Indicators of a second DL PRS resource or a second DL PRS resource set or a second TRP of which the relative frequency domain phase difference is reported.

[0065] [3] The frequency domain distance corresponding to the reported frequency domain phase difference measurement, for example the difference A/c between the resource frequency domain indices.

[0066] [4] The measurements of relative frequency domain phase difference corresponding to A^ , A/c₂ and A/c₃ of the first DL PRS resource/set/TRP and the second DL PRS resource/set/TRP.

[0067] [5] An RSRP measurement of the corresponding DL PRS resources.

[0068] [6] The measurement of time of arrival of the corresponding DL PRS resources.

[0069] [7] The terminal device Rx-Tx time difference measured from the corresponding DL PRS resources.

[0070] [8] The DL RSTD measured from the corresponding DL PRS resources.

[0071] In some embodiments, the terminal device 103 can be configured to measure and report the relative frequency domain phase difference of the first path of DL PRS resources. For example, the terminal device 103 can be configured to measure the frequency domain phase difference corresponding frequency domain spaces of A/ , A/c₂ and A/c₃ resources. The terminal device 103 calculates (i) the phase differences between signal received from the resource with frequency domain index k₁ and the resource with frequency domain index k₁ + hk^ of the first path of DL PRS resource, (ii) the phase difference between signal received from the resource with frequency domain index k₂ and the resource with frequency domain index k₂ + /C₂ of the first path of DL PRS resource, and (iii) the phase difference between signal received from the resource with frequency domain index k₃ and the resource with frequency domain index k₃ + A/c₃ of the first path of DL PRS resource.

[0072] Then for each of hk^ A/c₂ and A/c₃, the terminal device 103 can calculate the relative frequency domain phase difference of DL PRS resources/sets/TRPs. In one example, the values of k^ A/c₂ and A/c₃ can be provided to the terminal device 103 by the network device 101. The terminal device 103 can be requested to report the relative frequency domain phase difference measurement of DL PRS resources/sets/TRPs to the system. The terminal device 103 can be requested to report one or more of the following information elements:

[0073] [A] Indicators of a first DL PRS resource or a first DL PRS resource set or a first TRP of which the relative frequency domain phase difference is reported.

[0074] [B] Indicators of a second DL PRS resource or a second DL PRS resource set or a second TRP of which the relative frequency domain phase difference is reported.

[0075] [C] The frequency domain distance corresponding to the reported frequency domain phase difference measurement, for example the difference A/c between the resource frequency domain indices.

[0076] [D] The measurements of relative frequency domain phase difference corresponding to AZ^, A/c₂ and A/c₃ of the first DL PRS resource/set/TRP and the second DL PRS resource/set/TRP.

[0077] [E] An RSRP measurement of the corresponding first path of the DL PRS resources.

[0078] [F] The measurement of time of arrival of the corresponding first path of the DL PRS resources. [0079] [G] The terminal device Rx-Tx time difference measured from the corresponding first path of the DL PRS resources.

[0080] [H] The DL RSTD measured from the corresponding first path of the DL

PRS resources.

[0081] In an example, the terminal device 103 can be configured to measure and report the relative frequency domain phase difference of additional path of DL PRS resources. For example, the terminal device 103 can be configured to measure the frequency domain phase difference corresponding frequency domain spaces of A/ , /C₂ and /C₃ RES. The terminal device 103 calculates (i) the phase differences between signal received from the resource with frequency domain index k and the resource with frequency domain index k₁ + A/ of one additional path of DL PRS resource, (ii) the phase difference between signal received from the resource with frequency domain index k₂ and the resource with frequency domain index k₂ + A/c₂ of one additional path of DL PRS resource, and (iii) the phase difference between signal received from RE with frequency domain index k₃ and the resource with frequency domain index k₃ + A/c₃ of one additional path of DL PRS resource.

[0082] Then the terminal device 103 can calculate and report the relative frequency domain phase difference of DL PRS resources/sets/TRPs for each value of A/Ci , A/C₂ and A/c₃. In one example, the terminal device 103 can be requested to report quality of reported relative frequency domain phase difference measurement. The quality can be reported as an error range of the reported relative frequency domain phase difference measurement. The quality can be reported as standard deviation error of the reported relative frequency domain phase difference measurement.

[0083] Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a terminal device 203 (e.g., which can implement the methods discussed herein) in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. As shown, the terminal device 203 includes a processing unit 210 (e.g., a DSP, a CPU, a GPU, etc.) and a memory 220. The processing unit 210 can be configured to implement instructions that correspond to the methods discussed herein and/or other aspects of the implementations described above. It should be understood that the processor 210 in the implementations of this technology may be an integrated circuit chip and has a signal processing capability. During implementation, the steps in the foregoing method may be implemented by using an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor 210 or an instruction in the form of software. The processor 210 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, and a discrete hardware component. The methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the implementations of this technology may be implemented or performed. The general-purpose processor 210 may be a microprocessor, or the processor 210 may be alternatively any conventional processor or the like. The steps in the methods disclosed with reference to the implementations of this technology may be directly performed or completed by a decoding processor implemented as hardware or performed or completed by using a combination of hardware and software modules in a decoding processor. The software module may be located at a random-access memory, a flash memory, a readonly memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, or another mature storage medium in this field. The storage medium is located at a memory 220, and the processor 210 reads information in the memory 220 and completes the steps in the foregoing methods in combination with the hardware thereof.

[0084] It may be understood that the memory 220 in the implementations of this technology may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be a readonly memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random-access memory (RAM) and is used as an external cache. For exemplary rather than limitative description, many forms of RAMs can be used, and are, for example, a static random-access memory (SRAM), a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), a synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM), a double data rate synchronous dynamic random-access memory (DDR SDRAM), an enhanced synchronous dynamic random-access memory (ESDRAM), a synchronous link dynamic random-access memory (SLDRAM), and a direct Rambus random- access memory (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memories in the systems and methods described herein are intended to include, but are not limited to, these memories and memories of any other suitable type. In some embodiments, the memory may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions capable of execution by a processor.

[0085] Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a method 300 in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. The method 300 can be implemented by a system (such as the wireless communications system 100). For example, the method 300 may also be implemented by the terminal device 103.

[0086] The method 300 includes, at block 301 , receiving, by a terminal device, configuration information regarding DL PRS resources of a first TRP and a second TRP. In some embodiments, the configuration information can be provided by a location server.

[0087] At block 303, the method 300 continues by measuring, by the terminal device, a relative frequency domain phase difference of the first TRP and the second TRP. In some embodiments, the method 300 further comprises reporting the relative frequency domain phase difference of the first TRP and the second TRP. In some embodiments, in the configuration information, it can be indicated that the first TRP or the DL PRS resource of the first TRP is a reference.

[0088] At block 305, the method 300 continues by receiving, by the terminal device, the DL PRS resources according to the configuration information. At block 307, the method 300 continues by measuring, by the terminal device, a phase of received signals on different resources of the DL PRS resources so as to calculate a frequency domain phase difference of the received signals on different resources. In some embodiments, the terminal device calculates the relative frequency domain phase difference between the first and second TRPs.

[0089] In some embodiments, the method 300 can further include reporting, by the terminal device, a measurement result of the frequency domain phase difference. In some embodiments, the terminal device can also report an RSRP, an RSTD and/or UE Rx-Tx time difference measured from the DL PRS resources. [0090] Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method 400 in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. The method 400 can be implemented by a system (such as the wireless communications system 100). For example, the method 400 may also be implemented by the network device 101.

[0091] The method 400 includes, at block 401 , transmitting, by a network device, configuration information regarding downlink positioning reference signal (DL PRS) resources of a first transmission/reception point (TRP) and a second TRP. In some embodiments, the network device includes a location server. In some embodiments, network device includes a base station.

[0092] In some embodiments, the method 400 further comprises reporting the frequency domain phase difference of the first TRP and the second TRP. In some embodiments, the configuration information indicates that the first TRP is a reference. In some examples, the configuration information indicates that the DL PRS resource of the first TRP is a reference.

[0093] At block 403, the method 400 continues by instructing a terminal device to measure a relative frequency domain phase difference of the first TRP and the second TRP. At block 405, the method continues by transmitting, by the network device, the DL PRS resources according to the configuration information. At block 407, the method continues by instructing the terminal device to measure a phase of received signals on different resources of the DL PRS resources so as to calculate a frequency domain phase difference of the received signals on different resources.

[0094] In some embodiments, the method 400 further comprises instructing the terminal device to calculate the relative frequency domain phase difference between the first TRP and the second TRP. In some embodiments, the method 400 further comprises receiving a measurement result of the frequency domain phase difference from the terminal device.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

[0095] The above Detailed Description of examples of the disclosed technology is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed technology to the precise form disclosed above. While specific examples for the disclosed technology are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the described technology, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while processes or blocks are presented in a given order, alternative implementations may perform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative implementations or subcombinations. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed or implemented in parallel, or may be performed at different times. Further, any specific numbers noted herein are only examples; alternative implementations may employ differing values or ranges.

[0096] In the Detailed Description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the presently described technology. In other implementations, the techniques introduced here can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features, such as specific functions or routines, are not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. References in this description to “an implementation/embodiment,” “one implementation/embodiment,” or the like mean that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic being described is included in at least one implementation of the described technology. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same implementation/embodiment. On the other hand, such references are not necessarily mutually exclusive either. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more implementations/embodiments. It is to be understood that the various implementations shown in the figures are merely illustrative representations and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0097] Several details describing structures or processes that are well-known and often associated with communications systems and subsystems, but that can unnecessarily obscure some significant aspects of the disclosed techniques, are not set forth herein for purposes of clarity. Moreover, although the following disclosure sets forth several implementations of different aspects of the present disclosure, several other implementations can have different configurations or different components than those described in this section. Accordingly, the disclosed techniques can have other implementations with additional elements or without several of the elements described below.

[0098] Many implementations or aspects of the technology described herein can take the form of computer- or processor-executable instructions, including routines executed by a programmable computer or processor. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the described techniques can be practiced on computer or processor systems other than those shown and described below. The techniques described herein can be implemented in a special-purpose computer or data processor that is specifically programmed, configured, or constructed to execute one or more of the computer-executable instructions described below. Accordingly, the terms “computer” and “processor” as generally used herein refer to any data processor. Information handled by these computers and processors can be presented at any suitable display medium. Instructions for executing computer- or processorexecutable tasks can be stored in or on any suitable computer-readable medium, including hardware, firmware, ora combination of hardware and firmware. Instructions can be contained in any suitable memory device, including, for example, a flash drive and/or other suitable medium.

[0099] The term “and/or” in this specification is only an association relationship for describing the associated objects, and indicates that three relationships may exist, for example, A and/or B may indicate the following three cases: A exists separately, both A and B exist, and B exists separately.

[0100] These and other changes can be made to the disclosed technology in light of the above Detailed Description. While the Detailed Description describes certain examples of the disclosed technology, as well as the best mode contemplated, the disclosed technology can be practiced in many ways, no matter how detailed the above description appears in text. Details of the system may vary considerably in its specific implementation, while still being encompassed by the technology disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosed technology should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the disclosed technology with which that terminology is associated. Accordingly, the invention is not limited, except as by the appended claims. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosed technology to the specific examples disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms.

[0101] A person of ordinary skill in the art may be aware that, in combination with the examples described in the implementations disclosed in this specification, units and algorithm steps may be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or software depends on particular applications and design constraint conditions of the technical solutions. A person skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each particular application, but it should not be considered that the implementation goes beyond the scope of this application.

[0102] Although certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the applicant contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to pursue additional claims after filing this application to pursue such additional claim forms, in either this application or in a continuing application.

Claims

CLAIMS I/We claim:

1. A method comprising: receiving, by a terminal device, configuration information regarding downlink positioning reference signal (DL PRS) resources of a first transmission/reception point (TRP) and a second TRP; measuring, by the terminal device, a relative frequency domain phase difference of the first TRP and the second TRP; receiving, by the terminal device, the DL PRS resources according to the configuration information; and measuring, by the terminal device, a phase of received signals on different resources of the DL PRS resources so as to calculate a frequency domain phase difference of the received signals on different resources.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the configuration information is provided by a location server.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the configuration information is provided by a base station.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reporting the frequency domain phase difference of the first TRP and the second TRP.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the configuration information indicates that the first TRP is a reference.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the configuration information indicates that the DL PRS resource of the first TRP is a reference.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising calculating, by the terminal device, the relative frequency domain phase difference between the first TRP and the second TRP.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reporting, by the terminal device, a measurement result of the frequency domain phase difference.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reporting, by the terminal device, a reference signal received power (RSRP) measured from the DL PRS resources.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reporting, by the terminal device, a reference signal time difference (RSTD) measured from the DL PRS resources.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reporting, by the terminal device, a receiving-transmitting (Rx-Tx) time difference measured from the DL PRS resources.

12. A method comprising: transmitting, by a network device, configuration information regarding downlink positioning reference signal (DL PRS) resources of a first transmission/reception point (TRP) and a second TRP; instructing a terminal device to measure a relative frequency domain phase difference of the first TRP and the second TRP; transmitting, by the network device, the DL PRS resources according to the configuration information; and instructing the terminal device to measure a phase of received signals on different resources of the DL PRS resources so as to calculate a frequency domain phase difference of the received signals on different resources.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the network device includes a location server.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the network device includes a base station.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising reporting the frequency domain phase difference of the first TRP and the second TRP.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the configuration information indicates that the first TRP is a reference.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the configuration information indicates that the DL PRS resource of the first TRP is a reference.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising instructing the terminal device to calculate the relative frequency domain phase difference between the first TRP and the second TRP.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving a measurement result of the frequency domain phase difference from the terminal device.

20. A system comprising: a processor; and a memory configured to store instructions, when executed by the processor, to: receive, by a terminal device, configuration information regarding downlink positioning reference signal (DL PRS) resources of a first transmission/reception point (TRP) and a second TRP; measure, by the terminal device, a relative frequency domain phase difference of the first TRP and the second TRP; receive, by the terminal device, the DL PRS resources according to the configuration information; and measure, by the terminal device, a phase of received signals on different resources of the DL PRS resources so as to calculate a frequency domain phase difference of the received signals on different resources.