WO2023187068A1

WO2023187068A1 - Sidelink positioning

Info

Publication number: WO2023187068A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/058320
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonino ORSINO; Gustav Lindmark
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2022-03-30
Filing date: 2023-03-30
Publication date: 2023-10-05

Abstract

A method performed by a target communication device (12T) that is a target for positioning in a communication network (10) is disclosed. The target communication device (12T) transmits, on a sidelink (18), a message (20) indicating that the target communication device (12T) needs a peer communication device (12P) to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T). The target communication device (12T) also receives, on the sidelink (18), a response (22) from a peer communication device (12P) indicating that the peer communication device (12P) is to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T). The target communication device (12T) also performs sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T) with the peer communication device (12P) serving as a positioning reference.

Description

SIDELINK POSITIONING

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to a communication network, and relates more particularly to sidelink positioning in such a network.

BACKGROUND

Communication devices in a communication network traditionally communicate with one another via a communication path that traverses some network node in the communication network, e.g., a radio network node in a wireless communication network. The introduction of a sidelink as a direct communication interface between communication devices improves performance by reducing communication latency. Indeed, communication devices communicate over the sidelink via a communication path that does not traverse any network node in the communication network.

Challenges exist in exploiting the sidelink for positioning. Sidelink positioning in this regard may extend positioning even to communication devices outside of network coverage and/or supplement traditional positioning so as to improve positioning reliability. Although procedures have been established for the discovery of peer communication devices, and for the establishment and release of a connection over the sidelink, a need remains for procedures that realize sidelink positioning.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments herein provide procedures for realizing sidelink positioning in a communication network. According to some embodiments, a target communication device transmits, on a sidelink, a message indicating that the target communication device needs a peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. The message may for instance be transmitted as part of a sidelink discovery procedure, e.g., as an announcement message or a solicitation message. In some embodiments, this message is also exploited as an opportunity to negotiate sidelink positioning capabilities, parameters, timing, and/or result reporting. Regardless, the peer communication device in some embodiments transmits a response to the message on the sidelink. The response may indicate for example whether or not the peer communication device will serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

More particularly, embodiments herein include a method performed by a target communication device that is a target for positioning in a communication network. The method comprises transmitting, on a sidelink, a message indicating that the target communication device needs a peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. The method in some embodiments also comprises receiving, on the sidelink, a response from a peer communication device indicating that the peer communication device is to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. The method may also comprise performing sidelink positioning of the target communication device with the peer communication device serving as a positioning reference.

In some embodiments, the message is transmitted as part of a sidelink discovery procedure.

In some embodiments, the message is an announcement message that announces the target communication device needs a peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In other embodiments, the message is a solicitation message that solicits a peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

In some embodiments, the message is transmitted as part of a direct communication request procedure.

In some embodiments, the message is transmitted as part of a sidelink radio resource control procedure.

In some embodiments, the message indicates that the message is for purpose of sidelink positioning.

In some embodiments, the message indicates that the target communication device is the target for the sidelink positioning.

In some embodiments, the message indicates a configuration for the sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

In some embodiments, the message indicates one or more types of information on which sidelink positioning of the target communication device is to be based or is able to be based.

In some embodiments, the message indicates sidelink positioning capabilities of the target communication device.

In some embodiments, the message indicates when and/or how often sidelink positioning of the target communication device is needed.

In some embodiments, the message indicates a serving cell of the target communication device.

In some embodiments, the message indicates a sidelink mode to be used for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

In some embodiments, the message indicates how many peer communication devices have already been discovered to serve as positioning references for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In some embodiments, the message indicates a recipient to which sidelink positioning measurements are to be reported.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, on the sidelink, a response to the message from a peer communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the response indicates whether or not the peer communication device will serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the response indicates whether or not the peer communication device is capable of non-sidelink positioning. In one or more of these embodiments, the response indicates whether or not the peer communication device is capable of sidelink positioning. In one or more of these embodiments, the response indicates one or more types of sidelink positioning methods and/or measurements the peer communication device supports. In one or more of these embodiments, the response indicates to which network node one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device are or will be sent for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the response includes results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the response indicates when the one or more sidelink positioning measurements were performed. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, after receiving the response, establishing a sidelink connection with the peer communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, after establishing the sidelink connection, sending a request to the peer communication device requesting results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, after establishing the sidelink connection, initiating a sidelink positioning measurement procedure in which the target communication device and/or the peer communication device performs one or more sidelink positioning measurements for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, e.g., after establishing the sidelink connection, receiving results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises starting a timer upon establishment of the sidelink connection and suspending or releasing the sidelink connection upon expiration of the timer. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises suspending or releasing the sidelink connection upon receipt of results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises reporting, to the peer communication device, results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the target communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

In some embodiments, the sidelink is a PC5 interface. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises receiving a value of the timer from a network node in the communication network or from the peer communication device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving a response from a peer communication device indicating that the peer communication device is to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises performing sidelink positioning of the target communication device with the peer communication device serving as a positioning reference. In one or more of these embodiments, performing sidelink positioning comprises obtaining a result of a sidelink positioning measurement performed on one or more signals transmitted between the target communication device and the peer communication device and estimating a position of the target communication device based on the result.

Other embodiments herein include a method performed by a peer communication device. The method comprises receiving, on a sidelink, a message indicating that a target communication device needs the peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. The method in some embodiments also comprises transmitting, on the sidelink, a response to the message from the peer communication device.

In some embodiments, the message is received as part of a sidelink discovery procedure.

In some embodiments, the message is an announcement message that announces the target communication device needs the peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In other embodiments, the message is a solicitation message that solicits the peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

In some embodiments, the message is received as part of a direct communication request procedure.

In some embodiments, the message is received as part of a sidelink radio resource control procedure.

In some embodiments, the message indicates that the target communication device is the target for the sidelink positioning. In some embodiments, the message indicates a configuration for the sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

In some embodiments, the message indicates how many peer communication devices have already been discovered to serve as positioning references for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

In some embodiments, the message indicates a recipient to which sidelink positioning measurements are to be reported.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting, on the sidelink, a response to the message from the peer communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the response indicates whether or not the peer communication device will serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the response indicates whether or not the peer communication device is capable of non-sidelink positioning. In one or more of these embodiments, the response indicates whether or not the peer communication device is capable of sidelink positioning. In one or more of these embodiments, the response indicates one or more types of sidelink positioning methods and/or measurements the peer communication device supports. In one or more of these embodiments, the response indicates to which network node one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device are or will be sent for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the response includes results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the response indicates when the one or more sidelink positioning measurements were performed. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, after receiving the response, establishing a sidelink connection with the target communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, e.g., after establishing the sidelink connection, receiving a request from the target communication device requesting results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, e.g., after establishing the sidelink connection, performing a sidelink positioning measurement procedure in which the target communication device and/or the peer communication device performs one or more sidelink positioning measurements for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, e.g., after establishing the sidelink connection, transmitting to the target communication device results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, starting a timer upon establishment of the sidelink connection and suspending or releasing the sidelink connection upon expiration of the timer. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises suspending or releasing the sidelink connection upon sending, to the target communication device or a network node, results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, receiving, from the target communication device, results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the target communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

In some embodiments, the sidelink is a PC5 interface. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting a value of the timer to the target communication device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises, responsive to the message, serving as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing user data and forwarding the user data to a host computer via the transmission to a base station.

Other embodiments herein include a method performed by a network node configured for use in a communication network. The method comprises transmitting, to a target communication device, configuration information that configures a procedure by which the target communication device solicits or discovers a peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

In some embodiments, the configuration method configures one or more parameters to be included in a message transmitted by the target communication device as part of the procedure.

Other embodiments herein include a target communication device configured to be a target for positioning in a communication network. The target communication device is configured to transmit, on a sidelink, a message indicating that the target communication device needs a peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. The target communication device in some embodiments is also configured to receive, on the sidelink, a response from a peer communication device indicating that the peer communication device is to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. The target communication device in some embodiments is also configured to perform sidelink positioning of the target communication device with the peer communication device serving as a positioning reference.

In some embodiments, the target communication device is configured to perform the steps described above for a target communication device.

Other embodiments herein include a peer communication device. The peer communication device is configured to receive, on a sidelink, a message indicating that a target communication device needs the peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. The peer communication device in some embodiments is also configured to transmit, on the sidelink, a response to the message from the peer communication device.

In some embodiments, the peer communication device is configured to perform the steps described above for a peer communication device.

Other embodiments herein include a network node configured for use in a communication network. The network node is configured to transmit, to a target communication device, configuration information that configures a procedure by which the target communication device solicits or discovers a peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

In some embodiments, the configuration information configures one or more parameters to be included in a message transmitted by the target communication device as part of the procedure.

In some embodiments, a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the steps described above for a communication device. In some embodiments, a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a network node, causes the communication device to perform the steps described above for a network node. In some embodiments, a carrier containing the computer program is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium.

Other embodiments herein include a target communication device configured to be a target for positioning in a communication network. The target communication device comprises communication circuitry and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to transmit, on a sidelink, a message indicating that the target communication device needs a peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. The processing circuitry in some embodiments is also configured to receive, on the sidelink, a response from a peer communication device indicating that the peer communication device is to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. The processing circuitry in some embodiments is also configured to perform sidelink positioning of the target communication device with the peer communication device serving as a positioning reference.

Other embodiments herein include a peer communication device configured to be a target for positioning in a communication network. The peer communication device comprises communication circuitry and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry in some embodiments is configured to receive, on a sidelink, a message indicating that a target communication device needs the peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device. The processing circuitry in some embodiments is also configured to transmit, on the sidelink, a response to the message from the peer communication device.

In some embodiments, the processing circuitry is configured to perform the steps described above for a peer communication device.

Other embodiments herein include a network node configured to be a target for positioning in a communication network. The network node comprises communication circuitry and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to transmit, to a target communication device, configuration information that configures a procedure by which the target communication device solicits or discovers a peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a communication device configured for use in a communication network according to some embodiments.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of an architecture for positioning in New Radio (NR) according to some embodiments.

Figure 3 is a call flow diagram of a procedure for Model A 5G ProSe Direct Discovery according to some embodiments.

Figure 4 is a call flow diagram of a procedure for Model B 5G ProSe Direct Discovery according to some embodiments. Figure 5 is a block diagram of sidelink communication configured for UE positioning according to some embodiments.

Figure 6 is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a target communication device according to some embodiments.

Figure 7 is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a peer communication device according to some embodiments.

Figure 8 is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a network node according to some embodiments.

Figure 9 is a block diagram of a communication device according to some embodiments.

Figure 10 is a block diagram of a network node according to some embodiments.

Figure 11 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance with some embodiments.

Figure 12 is a block diagram of a user equipment according to some embodiments.

Figure 13 is a block diagram of a network node according to some embodiments.

Figure 14 is a block diagram of a host according to some embodiments.

Figure 15 is a block diagram of a virtualization environment according to some embodiments.

Figure 16 is a block diagram of a host communicating via a network node with a UE over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a communication device 12T configured for use in a communication network 10. The communication device 12T may for instance be configured to receive communication service from the communication network 10, e.g., over an uplink/downlink 16 with the communication network 10. The uplink/downlink 16 may for instance correspond to a Uu interface in a 5G network.

Figure 1 also shows that communication device 12T is configured to communicate with a peer communication device 12P over a sidelink 18. The sidelink 18 may for instance correspond to a PC5 interface in a 5G network.

Embodiments herein exploit this sidelink 18 for positioning of communication device 12T. As such, the communication device 12T is the target of positioning in embodiments herein. Communication device 12T is accordingly referred to as the target communication device 12T.

To exploit the sidelink 18 for positioning, Figure 1 shows that the target communication device 12T transmits a message 20 on the sidelink 18. The message 20 indicates that the target communication device 12T needs a peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. To serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning in this regard may involve participating in a sidelink positioning measurement procedure with the target communication device 12T, with the resulting sidelink positioning measurement being usable for determining the position of the target communication device 12T, e.g., relative to the position of the positioning reference. The positioning reference may thereby be a reference point for estimating the position of the target communication device 12T.

In some embodiments, such as in embodiments where the message 20 is specifically addressed to peer communication device 12P in a unicast fashion, the message 20 indicates the target communication device 12T needs peer communication device 12P, in particular, to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In other embodiments, by contrast, such as in embodiments where the message 20 is generally addressed to a group of peer communication devices 12P in a multicast, broadcast, or groupcast fashion, the message 20 may indicate the target communication device 12T needs a peer communication device, in general, to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. That is, the message 20 in this case does not specify which particular peer communication device is needed to serve as a positioning reference, but rather just indicates that some peer communication device is needed to serve as a positioning reference.

In one or more embodiments, as an example, the target communication device 12T transmits the message 20 as part of a sidelink discovery procedure, e.g., a Proximity Services (ProSe) direct discovery procedure. In one such embodiment, such as for Model A (“I am here”) ProSe direct discovery, the message 20 is an announcement message that announces the target communication device 12T needs a peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In another such embodiment, such as for Model B (“Are you there”) ProSe direct discovery, the message 20 is a solicitation message that solicits a peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In these and other embodiments, then, the message 20 is transmitted as part of a procedure for discovering peer communication device(s) for sidelink communication generally, but embodiments herein exploit and piggyback onto this general sidelink procedure for purposes of facilitating sidelink positioning. The message 20 in this regard may indicate, e.g., via a flag or message type, that the message 20 is for purpose of sidelink positioning.

In other embodiments, though, the message 20 is transmitted as part of a direct communication request procedure or a sidelink radio resource control (RRC) procedure with peer communication device 12P in particular. In this case, then, the message specifically solicits peer communication device 12P to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. Regardless, in some embodiments, the message 20 is also exploited as an opportunity to inform or negotiate with peer communication device 12P regarding sidelink positioning capabilities, parameters, timing, result reporting, or other aspects of sidelink positioning. For example, in some embodiments, the message 20 indicates a configuration for the sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In these and other embodiments, the message 20 may indicate one or more types of information on which sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T is to be based or is able to be based. For example, the message 20 may indicate what metrics/information are of interest in order to estimate the position of the target communication device 12T, e.g., RSRP, speed, acceleration, battery status, serving cell ID, or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the message 20 may indicate when and/or how often sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T is needed, e.g., in terms of whether the sidelink positioning measurement is needed at a specific time, during a specific time window, or periodically with a specified periodicity. Alternatively or additionally, the message 20 may indicate sidelink positioning capabilities of the target communication device 12T, e.g., what measurements metrics and/or what positioning reference signal the target communication device 12T is able to read or decode and/or what positioning methods that the target communication device 12T supports.

In any event, upon receipt of the message 20, the peer communication device 12P in some embodiments transmits a response 22 to the message 20 on the sidelink 18. The response 22 may indicate for example whether or not the peer communication device 12P will serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. Alternatively or additionally, the response 22 may indicate one or more types of sidelink positioning methods and/or measurements the peer communication device 12P supports and/or indicate to which network node one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device 12P are or will be sent for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T.

In some embodiments, if the peer communication device 12P already has the result(s) of sidelink positioning measurement(s) available, the response 22 may indicate those result(s) and may optionally indicate when the sidelink positioning measurement(s) were performed. In other embodiments, by contrast, the response 22 may trigger performance of sidelink positioning measurement(s) between the target communication device 12T and the peer communication device 12P.

For example, in some embodiment, receipt of the response 22 prompts the target communication device to establish a sidelink connection with the peer communication device 12P. After establishing the sidelink connection, the target communication device 12T initiates a sidelink positioning measurement procedure in which the target communication device 12T and/or the peer communication device 12P performs one or more sidelink positioning measurements for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. The target communication device 12T may correspondingly obtain the result of these sidelink positioning measurement(s), e.g., by generating the result(s) of sidelink positioning measurement(s) performed by the target communication device 12T itself and/or by receiving the result(s) of sidelink positioning measurement(s) performed by the peer communication device 12P.

Generally, then, with the peer communication device 12P agreeing to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T, the target communication device 12T may obtain result(s) of sidelink positioning measurement(s) performed on one or more signals transmitted between the target communication device 12T and the peer communication device 12P, and estimate a position of the target communication device 12T based on the result(s).

Note that communication device 12T herein is referred to as the target communication device 12T simply because it is the target of positioning in embodiments herein. The target nature of communication device 12T thereby reflects the role of communication device 12T in a positioning procedure or process, rather than reflecting anything about the type, capabilities, structure, or configuration of the communication device 12T. In fact, communication device 12T may be the target for positioning in one positioning procedure or process, but be a reference communication device for positioning in a different positioning procedure or process.

Some embodiments herein are exemplified in the following context for sidelink positioning in New Radio (NR). In this example, the target communication device 12T is exemplified as a target user equipment (UE) and the sidelink is exemplified as a PC5 interface. Peer communication devices may be exemplified as Proximity Services (ProSe) UEs. Positioning in NR

Some embodiments herein are applicable for positioning in NR, as supported by the architecture shown in Figure 2. LMF is the location node in NR. There are also interactions between the location node and the gNodeB via the NRPPa protocol. The interactions between the gNodeB and the device is supported via the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol.

In the legacy Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards, the following techniques are supported.

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

Assisted Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). GNSS information retrieved by the device, supported by assistance information provided to the device from Enhanced Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC).

OTDOA (Observed Time Difference of Arrival). The device estimates the time difference of reference signals from different base stations and sends to the E-SMLC for multilateration.

Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (UTDOA) (Uplink TDOA). The device is requested to transmit a specific waveform that is detected by multiple location measurement units (e.g., an eNB) at known positions. These measurements are forwarded to E-SMLC for multilateration.

Sensor methods such as Biometric pressure sensor which provides vertical position of the device and Inertial Motion Unit (IMU) which provides displacement.

NR supports the below radio access technology (RAT) dependent positioning methods.

DL-TDOA: The downlink (DL) TDOA positioning method makes use of the DL Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD) (and optionally DL Positioning Reference Signal, PRS, Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP) of downlink signals received from multiple TPs (transmission points), at the UE. The UE measures the DL RSTD (and optionally DL PRS RSRP) of the received signals using assistance data received from the positioning server, and the resulting measurements are used along with other configuration information to locate the UE in relation to the neighboring TPs.

Multi-RTT: The Multi-RTT (round trip time) positioning method makes use of the UE Rx-Tx measurements and DL PRS RSRP of downlink signals received from multiple TRPs, measured by the UE and the measured gNB Rx-Tx measurements and UL sounding reference signal (SRS)-RSRP at multiple TRPs of uplink signals transmitted from UE.

UL-TDOA: The UL TDOA positioning method makes use of the UL TDOA (and optionally UL SRS-RSRP) at multiple RPs of uplink signals transmitted from UE. The RPs measure the UL TDOA (and optionally UL SRS-RSRP) of the received signals using assistance data received from the positioning server, and the resulting measurements are used along with other configuration information to estimate the location of the UE.

DL-AoD: The DL angle of departure (AoD) positioning method makes use of the measured DL PRS RSRP of downlink signals received from multiple TPs, at the UE. The UE measures the DL PRS RSRP of the received signals using assistance data received from the positioning server, and the resulting measurements are used along with other configuration information to locate the UE in relation to the neighboring TPs.

UL-AoA: The UL angle of arrival (AoA) positioning method makes use of the measured azimuth and zenith of arrival at multiple RPs (reception points) of uplink signals transmitted from the UE. The RPs measure azimuth AoA (A-AoA) and zenith AoA (Z-AoA) of the received signals using assistance data received from the positioning server, and the resulting measurements are used along with other configuration information to estimate the location of the UE.

NR-ECID: NR Enhanced Cell ID (NR E-CID) positioning refers to techniques which use additional UE measurements and/or NR radio resource and other measurements to improve the UE location estimate.

The positioning modes can be categorized in the below three areas. UE-Assisted: The UE performs measurements with or without assistance from the network and sends these measurements to the E-SMLC where the position calculation may take place.

UE-Based: The UE performs measurements and calculates its own position with assistance from the network.

Standalone: The UE performs measurements and calculates its own without network assistance.

Sidelink in NR

3GPP specified the LTE D2D (device-to-device) technology, also known as ProSe (Proximity Services) in the Release 12 and 13 of LTE. Later in Release 14 and 15, LTE V2X related enhancements targeting the specific characteristics of vehicular communications were specified. A new radio (NR) version of V2X communications mainly targets advanced V2X services, which can be categorized into four use case groups: vehicles platooning, extended sensors, advanced driving, and remote driving. The advanced V2X services would require enhancements of the NR system and a new NR sidelink framework could help to meet the stringent requirements in terms of latency and reliability. NR V2X system also expects to have higher system capacity and better coverage and to allow for an easy extension to support the future development of further advanced V2X services and other services.

Given the targeted services by NR V2X, it is commonly recognized that groupcast/multicast and unicast transmissions are desired, in which the intended receiver of a message consists of only a subset of the vehicles in proximity to the transmitter (groupcast) or of a single vehicle (unicast). For example, in the platooning service there are certain messages that are only of interest of the members of the platoon, making the members of the platoon a natural groupcast. In another example, the see-through use case most likely involves only a pair of vehicles, for which unicast transmissions naturally fit. Therefore, NR sidelink can support broadcast (as in LTE), groupcast and unicast transmissions. Furthermore, NR sidelink is designed in such a way that its operation is possible with and without network coverage and with varying degrees of interaction between the UEs (user equipment) and the NW (network), including support for standalone, network-less operation.

Some embodiments herein may facilitate National Security and Public Safety, NSPS, use cases, which can benefit from the already developed NR sidelink features in Release 16. In some scenarios NSPS services need to operate with partial or without NW coverage, such as indoor firefighting, forest firefighting, earthquake rescue, sea rescue, etc., where the infrastructure is (partially) destroyed or not available, therefore, coverage extension is a crucial enabler for NSPS, for both NSPS services communicated between UE and cellular NW and that communicated between UEs over sidelink. Coverage extension may be available for sidelink-based communication, including both UE to NW relay for cellular coverage extension and UE to UE relay for sidelink coverage extension.

Scenarios

Sidelink communication can occur in three different scenarios; in-coverage, out-of- coverage, and partial coverage. UEs that are in coverage of a gNB rely on configuration (through RRC and/or System Information Block, SIB) from the network.

UEs that are out of coverage rely on a (pre-)configuration available in the SIM of the device. Pre-configuration is (semi-)static. Updates are possible (when the UE is in coverage). Sidelink Transmission modes

Sidelink communication can be performed in three different transmission modes; unicast, broadcast and groupcast.

ProSe Direct Discovery

Some embodiments herein exploit 5G ProSe Direct Discovery for sidelink positioning. 5G ProSe Direct Discovery is defined as the process that detects and identifies another UE in proximity using NR radio signals. There are two types of 5G ProSe Direct Discovery supported over PC3a reference point: open and restricted, as defined in TS 23.303. 5G ProSe Direct Discovery can be a standalone service or can be used for subsequent actions e.g., to initiate 5G ProSe Direct Communication.

ProSe-enabled UEs which have obtained authorization to participate in 5G ProSe Direct Discovery shall not continue in participating in 5G ProSe Direct Discovery procedures over PC3a reference point when they detect loss of NG-RAN coverage in the serving PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network).

With 5G ProSe Direct Discovery, the UE can use inter-PLMN discovery transmission based on the indication from the serving NG-RAN or the provisioned radio resource on the UE. How the serving cell authorizes the UE to use inter-PLMN radio resource is specified in TS 38.331.

Overall procedure for 5G ProSe Direct Discovery (Model A)

Figure 3 shows some embodiments that exploit the overall procedure for Model A 5G ProSe Direct Discovery, e.g., as specified by TS 23.304. This procedure is applied for open and restricted 5G ProSe Direct Discovery when the ProSe enabled UE is served by NG-RAN.

1. Service authorisation for 5G ProSe Direct Discovery services is performed for as defined in clause 6.2.

If the UE is authorised to announce:

2a. When the UE is triggered to announce, then it sends a discovery request for announcing to the 5G Direct Discovery Name Managemetn Function (DDNMF) in Home PLMN (HPLMN) as defined in clause 6.3.1.4 of TS 23.304. In addition, for restricted 5G ProSe Direct Discovery, the 5G DDNMF further interacts with the ProSe Application server for the authorization of the discovery request.

3a. If the request is successful and is provided with ProSe Application Code/ProSe Restricted Code, it starts announcing on PC5 interface. The announcement message in this step is an example of the message 20 in Figure 1.

For ProSe restricted discovery and UE requests "on demand" announcing, ProSe Restricted Code may be provided to UE after this procedure. In this case, UE waits for the ProSe Restricted Code allocation and starts to announce the ProSe Restricted Code on PC5 after receiving it in Announcing Alert procedure specified in clause 6.3.1.6 of TS 23.304.

If the UE is authorised to monitor:

2b. When the UE is triggered to monitor, it sends a discovery request for monitoring to the 5G DDNMF as defined in clause 6.3.1.4 of TS 23.304. In addition, for restricted 5G ProSe Direct Discovery, the 5G DDNMF further interacts with the ProSe Application server for the authorization of the discovery request.

3b. If the request is successful and the UE is provided with a Discovery Filter consisting of ProSe Application Code(s)/ProSe Restricted Code(s) and/or ProSe Application Mask(s), it starts monitoring for these ProSe Application Codes/ProSe Restricted Codes on the PC5 interface.

4b. When the UE detects that one or more ProSe Application Code(s)/ProSe Restricted Code(s) that match the filter (see clause 5.8.1 of TS 23.304), it reports the ProSe Application Code(s)/ProSe Restricted Code(s) to the 5G DDNMF as defined in clause 6.3.1.5 of TS 23.304.

Non-roaming direct discovery procedures cover the case where both the "announcing UE" and "monitoring UE" are served by their respective HPLMN. Roaming direct discovery procedures cover the other cases.

Overall procedure for 5G ProSe Direct Discovery (Model B)

Figure 4 shows some embodiments that exploit the overall procedure for Model B 5G ProSe Direct Discovery, e.g., as specified by TS 23.304. This procedure is applied for restricted 5G ProSe Direct Discovery when the ProSe enabled UE is served by NG-RAN.

1. Service authorisation for 5G ProSe Direct Discovery services is performed as defined in clause 6.2 of TS 23.304.

If the UE is authorised to perform restricted 5G ProSe Direct Discovery, Model B, as a Discoveree UE, the following steps take place:

2a. When the UE is triggered to perform restricted 5G ProSe Direct Discovery, Model B, it sends a discovery request to the 5G DDNMF in the HPLMN to obtain a ProSe Response Code as defined in clause 6.3.1.4 of TS 23.304. The 5G DDNMF further interacts with ProSe Application Server for the authorization of the discovery request.

3a. If the request is successful and the UE is provided with a ProSe Response Code and an associated Discovery Query Filter(s), then the UE starts monitoring for the ProSe Query Code on PC5 interface.

4a. If a received ProSe Query Code matches any of the Discovery Query Filter(s), the UE announces the associated ProSe Response Code on the PC5 interface.

If the UE is authorised to perform restricted 5G ProSe Direct Discovery, Model B, as a Discoverer UE, the following steps take place:

2b. When the UE is triggered to perform restricted 5G ProSe Direct Discovery, Model B, it sends a discovery request to the 5G DDNMF in the HPLMN for a ProSe Query Code as defined in clause 6.3.1.4 of TS 23.304. The 5G DDNMF further interacts with ProSe Application Server for the authorization of the discovery request.

3b. If the request is successful and the UE is provided with a ProSe Query Code and the Discovery Response Filter(s) consisting of ProSe Response Code(s) and ProSe Application Mask(s), the UE announces the ProSe Query Code on the PC5 interface. This announcement of the ProSe Query code may be referred to as a solicitation message, as an example of the message 20 in Figure 1.

4b. The UE starts to monitor on PC5 interface for any ProSe Response Code(s) that might match the Discovery Response Filter(s).

5b. When the UE detects a match for one or more ProSe Response Code(s), it reports the ProSe Response Code to the 5G DDNMF as defined in clause 6.3.1.5 of TS 23.304.

Non-roaming direct discovery procedures cover the case where both the Discoveree UE and Discoverer UE are served by their respective HPLMN. Roaming direct discovery procedures cover the other cases.

Sidelink Positioning

Sidelink positioning as used herein may apply to in-coverage, partial-coverage and out-of- coverage scenarios, e.g., for V2X (TR38.845), public safety (TR38.845), commercial (TS22.261), HOT (TS22.104)

Some embodiments herein concern the positioning architecture and signalling procedures (e.g., configuration, measurement reporting, etc.) to enable sidelink positioning covering both UE based and network based positioning.

As used herein, a target UE is the UE that should be positioned. A reference UE is a UE with which the target UE performs sidelink positioning measurements with. A candidate reference UE is a UE with which the target UE may select to perform sidelink positioning measurements with.. A PRU UE is a UE with a priori known position (obtained from e.g. GNSS or configured as part of installation). Notice that Target UE I Reference UE defines a relation between two UEs. A Target UE may at the same time also be a Reference UE to some other Target UE, etc.

Figure 5 shows an example schematic for sidelink communication configured for UE positioning.

Some embodiments herein address certain challenge(s) in this context.

In Release 18, sidelink (SL) positioning measurements over the PC5 interface between UEs in proximity are expected to be standardized. However, standardization of sidelink never target the positioning use case and thus existing sidelink procedures cannot be directly reused for this scope.

Some embodiments herein thereby provide solutions for when the positioning procedure needs to be initiated and how the positioning procedures work for the UE that are capable of sidelink. Some embodiments accordingly facilitate performing positioning over sidelink.

More particularly, some embodiments herein enable positioning for sidelink UEs by the use of sidelink procedure. In this regard, a sidelink UE, when needs to perform positioning, may initiate a sidelink procedure in order to discover nearby UE to be used to perform sidelink positioning measurements. The sidelink procedure to be initiated may be the sidelink discovery procedure, or the direct communication request procedure. Further, if there is already an existing PC5 link between a sidelink UE and one (or more) peer UEs, also PC5- RRC signaling/procedures can be used. Regardless, when a sidelink procedure is triggered for the purpose of positioning, existing sidelink procedure are enriched with information about what positioning needs to be performed, what measurements are needed, and/or when these measurements are need. Also, it may also be indicated for how long positioning should be performed.

A sidelink positioning measurement procedure as used herein is a procedure involving the sidelink UE and a peer reference UE. It may require signaling and measurements from one of the initiating sidelink UE and the peer reference UE, or both, in order to establish some relative positioning information or channel characteristics between the sidelink UE and the peer reference UE, like for example the range, direction or pathloss between them.

In one embodiment, if a UE, that is capable of sidelink, needs to acquire sidelink positioning measurements in order to estimate its own position, it triggers the sidelink discovery procedure in order to discover potential peer UEs that can be used as positioning reference UEs for sidelink positioning measurements. When the UE triggers the discovery procedure, either mode A or mode B discovery can be used. In another embodiment, if the sidelink discovery is initiated for positioning purposes, the sidelink UE that needs to estimate its own position, when sending the first discovery message, as an example of message 20 in Figure 1 , it can include at least one (or a combination of) the following information in that first discovery message:

• An indication that the discovery message is for positioning purposes.

• An indication that the sidelink UE, sending this first discover message, is also the target UE that needs to estimate the position.

• A configuration for sidelink positioning. In this configuration, the sidelink UE may indicate what metrics/information are of interest in order to estimate the position. For instance, RSRP, speed, acceleration, battery status, serving cell ID. The configuration may also indicate if the metrics/information of interest are needed at a specific time or time-window or periodically with a specified periodicity. In addition, this configuration may also indicate what sidelink positioning capabilities the sidelink UE has. For instance, what measurements metrics and/or what positioning reference signal the sidelink UE is able to read or decode and/or what positioning methods that the sidelink UE supports.

• Its own serving cell ID

• If sidelink mode 1 or sidelink mode 2 is used for sidelink positioning

• How many positioning reference UEs have been already discovered by the sidelink UE.

• Whether the sidelink positioning measurements should be reported to the sidelink UE, or directly to the LMF, or to some other network node.

In one embodiment, if a peer UE, that is capable of sidelink, receives a discovery message from a sidelink UE for positioning purposes, this UE may reply back to the sidelink by indicating that the peer UE is able (or not) to be a positioning reference UE for the sidelink UE, or it can simply ignore the received discovery message (e.g., if the peer UE does not have any positioning capability or it does not want to be a positioning reference UE).

In another embodiment, when the peer UE replies to the received (first) sidelink discovery message for positioning purposes from a sidelink UE, the peer UE may include in a second discovery message, as an example of response 22 in Figure 1 , at least one (or a combination) of the following information:

• Whether or not the peer UE is capable of sidelink positioning

• Whether or not the peer UE is capable of normal positioning (mostly over Uu with

LMF)

• Whether or not the peer UE is willing to be a sidelink positioning reference UE

• Whether or not the peer UE wants to be informed about the results of a sidelink positioning measurement procedure with the sidelink UE • What types of sidelink positioning methods and/or measurements the peer UE supports

• The positioning sidelink measurements, if available. If not available, the peer UE can first perform the measurements, and then include them in the second discovery message. If measurements are available, the peer UE can also include a time stamp together with them (i.e., so the sidelink UE can judge whether these measurements are up to date or not). If measurements are available, the peer UE can decide to perform again the measurements and send the old and new ones to the sidelink UE. The peer UE can also include a time stamp together with them (i.e., so the sidelink UE can judge whether these measurements are up to date or not).

• Whether the sidelink positioning measurements are sent to the LMF or some other network node

In one embodiment, when the peer UE replies to the received (first) sidelink discovery message for positioning purposes from a sidelink UE, the peer UE may send the positioning sidelink measurements in a second discovery message to the sidelink UE. Alternatively, the peer UE may send the positioning sidelink measurements directly to the LMF. Yet, in another alternative, the peer UE may send the positioning sidelink measurements to another network node. Please, note that if the peer UE sends the sidelink positioning measurements to the LMF of some other network node, it is the LMF or this other network node that sends the measurements directly to the UE.

In another embodiment, if the sidelink UE receives a second discovery message (in reply to the first discovery message where an indication for positioning measurement is included) from the peer UE that does not include any sidelink positioning measurements, the sidelink UE triggers the sidelink connection establishment (e.g., the sidelink direct communication procedure) so to establish a PC5 connection between the sidelink UE and the relay UE. After this connection is establishment, the sidelink UE can do one or more of the following:

• Send an explicit request to the peer UE for requesting sidelink positioning measurements.

• Initiate a sidelink positioning measurement procedure with the peer reference UE. Such procedure may require signaling and measurements from both the initiating sidelink UE and the peer reference UE in order to establish some relative positioning information between the sidelink UE and the peer reference UE, like for example the range or direction between them. • Alternatively, the peer UE can understand implicitly that once the PC5 connection is established the peer UE needs to send sidelink positioning measurements to the sidelink UE.

In one embodiment, the sidelink UE may decide to set up a direct sidelink connection with the peer UE only temporarily, until the sidelink positioning measurements are received. In such a case, the sidelink UE when triggering the sidelink establishment procedure (e.g., the sidelink direct communication procedure) it may also signal a timer to the peer UE. This timer is started by the peer UE when receiving the sidelink establishment message and the sidelink connection with the sidelink UE is released (either by the sidelink UE, peer UE, or both) when this timer expires. Yet, in another alternative, the peer UE simply release the sidelink connection right after sending the sidelink positioning measurements. Yet, in another alternative, the sidelink UE release the sidelink connection with the peer UE after receiving the sidelink positioning measurements.

In one embodiment, when a sidelink positioning measurement procedure has been completed, the sidelink UE or the network node that has the measurement results reports the results to the peer reference UE if it has indicated that it wants the results.

In one embodiment, configurations or options described in the previous embodiments the sidelink UE should use is decided by the gNB and communicated to the UE via dedicated RRC signaling of via system information. As an alternative, which option the sidelink UE should use is decided by a peer UE or is pre-configured (hard-coded in the spec).

In another embodiment, for any of the above embodiments, the signaling alternatives described will include at least one of the below.

For signaling between UE and the gNB: RRC signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE), Layer 1 (L1) signaling on channels such as Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Common Control Channel (CCCH).

For signaling between UEs: RRC signaling (e.g., PC5-RRC), PC5-S signaling, Discovery signaling, MAC CE, L1 signaling on channels such as Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH), or Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH).

For signaling between the UE and the core network: Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling.

As used herein, a term node is used which can be a network node or a UE. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB, gNodeB. MeNB, SeNB, integrated access backhaul (IAB) node, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), Central Unit (e.g. in a gNB), Distributed Unit (e.g. in a gNB), Baseband Unit, Centralized Baseband, C-RAN, access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network node (e.g. MSC, MME etc), O&M, OSS, SON, positioning node (e.g. E-SMLC),etc.

Another example of a node is user equipment (UE), which is a non-limiting term and refers to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and/or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device, device to device (D2D) UE, vehicular to vehicular (V2V), machine type UE, MTC UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDA, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipment (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles etc.

In some embodiments, generic terminology, “radio network node” or simply “network node (NW node)”, is used. It can be any kind of network node which may comprise base station, radio base station, base transceiver station, base station controller, network controller, evolved Node B (eNB), Node B, gNodeB (gNB), relay node, access point, radio access point, Remote Radio Unit (RRU) Remote Radio Head (RRH), Central Unit (e.g. in a gNB), Distributed Unit (e.g. in a gNB), Baseband Unit, Centralized Baseband, C-RAN, access point (AP) etc.

The term radio access technology, or RAT, may refer to any RAT e.g., UTRA, E-UTRA, narrow band internet of things (NB-loT), WiFi, Bluetooth, next generation RAT, New Radio (NR), 4G, 5G, etc. Any of the equipment denoted by the terminology node, network node or radio network node may be capable of supporting a single or multiple RATs.

Further, what is described herein is described in the context of NR, but can be applied also to LTE and any radio access technology that enable the direct communication at least between two nearby devices with passing through a network node.

In view of the modifications and variations herein, Figure 6 depicts a method performed by a target communication device 12T that is a target for positioning in a communication network 10. The method comprises transmitting, on a sidelink 18, a message 20 indicating that the target communication device 12T needs a peer communication device 12P to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T (Block 600).

In some embodiments, the message 20 is transmitted as part of a sidelink discovery procedure.

In some embodiments, the message 20 is an announcement message that announces the target communication device 12T needs a peer communication device 12P to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T.

In some embodiments, the message 20 is a solicitation message that solicits a peer communication device 12P to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In some embodiments, the message 20 is transmitted as part of a direct communication request procedure.

In some embodiments, the message 20 is transmitted as part of a sidelink radio resource control procedure.

In some embodiments, the message 20 indicates that the message 20 is for purpose of sidelink positioning.

In some embodiments, the message 20 indicates that the target communication device 12T is the target for the sidelink positioning.

In some embodiments, the message 20 indicates a configuration for the sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T.

In some embodiments, the message 20 indicates one or more types of information on which sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T is to be based or is able to be based.

In some embodiments, the message 20 indicates sidelink positioning capabilities of the target communication device 12T.

In some embodiments, the message 20 indicates when and/or how often sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T is needed.

In some embodiments, the message 20 indicates a serving cell of the target communication device 12T.

In some embodiments, the message 20 indicates a sidelink mode to be used for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T.

In some embodiments, the message 20 indicates how many peer communication devices have already been discovered to serve as positioning references for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T.

In some embodiments, the message 20 indicates a recipient to which sidelink positioning measurements are to be reported.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, on the sidelink 18, a response 22 to the message 20 from a peer communication device 12P (Block 610). In one or more of these embodiments, the response 22 indicates whether or not the peer communication device 12P will serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In one or more of these embodiments, the response 22 indicates whether or not the peer communication device 12P is capable of non-sidelink positioning. In one or more of these embodiments, the response 22 indicates whether or not the peer communication device 12P is capable of sidelink positioning. In one or more of these embodiments, the response 22 indicates one or more types of sidelink positioning methods and/or measurements the peer communication device 12P supports. In one or more of these embodiments, the response 22 indicates to which network node one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device 12P are or will be sent for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In one or more of these embodiments, the response 22 includes results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device 12P for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In one or more of these embodiments, the response 22 indicates when the one or more sidelink positioning measurements were performed. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, after receiving the response 22, establishing a sidelink connection with the peer communication device 12P. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, after establishing the sidelink connection, sending a request to the peer communication device 12P requesting results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device 12P for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, after establishing the sidelink connection, initiating a sidelink positioning measurement procedure in which the target communication device 12T and/or the peer communication device 12P performs one or more sidelink positioning measurements for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, after establishing the sidelink connection, receiving results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device 12P for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises starting a timer upon establishment of the sidelink connection and suspending or releasing the sidelink connection upon expiration of the timer. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises suspending or releasing the sidelink connection upon receipt of results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device 12P for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises reporting, to the peer communication device 12P, results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the target communication device 12T for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T.

In some embodiments, the sidelink is a PC5 interface. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises receiving a value of the timer from a network node in the communication network or from the peer communication device 12P.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving a response 22 from a peer communication device 12P indicating that the peer communication device 12P is to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises performing sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T with the peer communication device 12P serving as a positioning reference (Block 620). In one or more of these embodiments, performing sidelink positioning comprises obtaining a result of a sidelink positioning measurement performed on one or more signals transmitted between the target communication device 12T and the peer communication device 12P and estimating a position of the target communication device 12T based on the result.

Figure 7 shows a method performed by a peer communication device 12P. The method comprises receiving, on a sidelink 18, a message 20 indicating that a target communication device 12T needs a peer communication device 12P to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T (Block 700).

In some embodiments, the message 20 is received as part of a sidelink discovery procedure.

In some embodiments, the message 20 is an announcement message that announces the target communication device 12T needs the peer communication device 12P to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T.

In some embodiments, the message 20 is a solicitation message that solicits the peer communication device 12P to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T.

In some embodiments, the message 20 is received as part of a direct communication request procedure.

In some embodiments, the message 20 is received as part of a sidelink radio resource control procedure.

In some embodiments, the message 20 indicates a sidelink mode to be used for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In some embodiments, the message 20 indicates how many peer communication devices have already been discovered to serve as positioning references for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting, on the sidelink 18, a response 22 to the message 20 from the peer communication device 12P (Block 710). In one or more of these embodiments, the response 22 indicates whether or not the peer communication device 12P will serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In one or more of these embodiments, the response 22 indicates whether or not the peer communication device 12P is capable of non-sidelink positioning. In one or more of these embodiments, the response 22 indicates whether or not the peer communication device 12P is capable of sidelink positioning. In one or more of these embodiments, the response 22 indicates one or more types of sidelink positioning methods and/or measurements the peer communication device 12P supports. In one or more of these embodiments, the response 22 indicates to which network node one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device 12P are or will be sent for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In one or more of these embodiments, the response 22 includes results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device 12P for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In one or more of these embodiments, the response 22 indicates when the one or more sidelink positioning measurements were performed. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, after receiving the response 22, establishing a sidelink connection with the target communication device 12T. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, after establishing the sidelink connection, receiving a request from the target communication device 12T requesting results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device 12P for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, after establishing the sidelink connection, performing a sidelink positioning measurement procedure in which the target communication device 12T and/or the peer communication device 12P performs one or more sidelink positioning measurements for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, after establishing the sidelink connection, transmitting to the target communication device 12T results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device 12P for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, starting a timer upon establishment of the sidelink connection and suspending or releasing the sidelink connection upon expiration of the timer. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises suspending or releasing the sidelink connection upon sending, to the target communication device 12T or a network node, results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device 12P for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises, receiving, from the target communication device 12T, results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the target communication device 12T for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T.

In some embodiments, the sidelink is a PC5 interface. In one or more of these embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting a value of the timer to the target communication device 12T.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises, responsive to the message 20, serving as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T (Block 720).

Figure 8 shows a method performed by a network node 14 configured for use in a communication network 10. The method comprises transmitting, to a target communication device 12T, configuration information that configures a procedure by which the target communication device 12T solicits or discovers a peer communication device 12P to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device 12T (Block 800).

In some embodiments, the configuration method configures one or more parameters to be included in a message 20 transmitted by the target communication device 12T as part of the procedure.

Embodiments herein also include corresponding apparatuses. Embodiments herein for instance include a communication device configured to perform any of the steps of any of the embodiments described above for the target communication device 12T or the peer communication device 12P.

Embodiments also include a communication device comprising processing circuitry and power supply circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to perform any of the steps of any of the embodiments described above for the target communication device 12T or the peer communication device 12P. The power supply circuitry is configured to supply power to the communication device.

Embodiments further include a communication device comprising processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to perform any of the steps of any of the embodiments described above for the target communication device 12T or the peer communication device 12P. In some embodiments, the communication device further comprises communication circuitry. Embodiments further include a communication device comprising processing circuitry and memory. The memory contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the communication device is configured to perform any of the steps of any of the embodiments described above for the target communication device 12T or the peer communication device 12P.

Embodiments moreover include a user equipment (UE). The UE comprises an antenna configured to send and receive wireless signals. The UE also comprises radio front-end circuitry connected to the antenna and to processing circuitry, and configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna and the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to perform any of the steps of any of the embodiments described above for the target communication device 12T or the peer communication device 12P. In some embodiments, the UE also comprises an input interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to allow input of information into the UE to be processed by the processing circuitry. The UE may comprise an output interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to output information from the UE that has been processed by the processing circuitry. The UE may also comprise a battery connected to the processing circuitry and configured to supply power to the UE.

Embodiments herein also include a network node 14 configured to perform any of the steps of any of the embodiments described above for the network node 14.

Embodiments also include a network node 14comprising processing circuitry and power supply circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to perform any of the steps of any of the embodiments described above for the network node 14. The power supply circuitry is configured to supply power to the network node 14.

Embodiments further include a network node 14comprising processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to perform any of the steps of any of the embodiments described above for the network node 14. In some embodiments, the network node 14further comprises communication circuitry.

Embodiments further include a network node 14comprising processing circuitry and memory. The memory contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the network node 14 is configured to perform any of the steps of any of the embodiments described above for the network node 14.

More particularly, the apparatuses described above may perform the methods herein and any other processing by implementing any functional means, modules, units, or circuitry. In one embodiment, for example, the apparatuses comprise respective circuits or circuitry configured to perform the steps shown in the method figures. The circuits or circuitry in this regard may comprise circuits dedicated to performing certain functional processing and/or one or more microprocessors in conjunction with memory. For instance, the circuitry may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory may include program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and/or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein, in several embodiments. In embodiments that employ memory, the memory stores program code that, when executed by the one or more processors, carries out the techniques described herein.

Figure 9 for example illustrates a communication device 900 as implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments. The communication device 900 may be the target communication device or the peer communication device in Figure 1. As shown, the communication device 900 includes processing circuitry 910 and communication circuitry 920. The communication circuitry 920 (e.g., radio circuitry) is configured to transmit and/or receive information to and/or from one or more other nodes, e.g., via any communication technology. Such communication may occur via one or more antennas that are either internal or external to the wireless communication device 900. The processing circuitry 910 is configured to perform processing described above, e.g., in Figure 6 or 7, such as by executing instructions stored in memory 930. The processing circuitry 910 in this regard may implement certain functional means, units, or modules.

Figure 10 illustrates a network node 14 as implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments. As shown, the network node 14 includes processing circuitry 1010 and communication circuitry 1020. The communication circuitry 1020 is configured to transmit and/or receive information to and/or from one or more other nodes, e.g., via any communication technology. The processing circuitry 1010 is configured to perform processing described above, e.g., in Figure 8, such as by executing instructions stored in memory 1030. The processing circuitry 1010 in this regard may implement certain functional means, units, or modules.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that embodiments herein further include corresponding computer programs.

A computer program comprises instructions which, when executed on at least one processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out any of the respective processing described above. A computer program in this regard may comprise one or more code modules corresponding to the means or units described above.

Embodiments further include a carrier containing such a computer program. This carrier may comprise one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium. In this regard, embodiments herein also include a computer program product stored on a non-transitory computer readable (storage or recording) medium and comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform as described above.

Embodiments further include a computer program product comprising program code portions for performing the steps of any of the embodiments herein when the computer program product is executed by a computing device. This computer program product may be stored on a computer readable recording medium.

Figure 11 shows an example of a communication system 1100 in accordance with some embodiments.

In the example, the communication system 1100 includes a telecommunication network 1102 that includes an access network 1104, such as a radio access network (RAN), and a core network 1106, which includes one or more core network nodes 1108. The access network 1104 includes one or more access network nodes, such as network nodes 1110a and 1110b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as network nodes 1110), or any other similar 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access node or non-3GPP access point. The network nodes 1110 facilitate direct or indirect connection of user equipment (UE), such as by connecting UEs 1112a, 1112b, 1112c, and 1112d (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs 1112) to the core network 1106 over one or more wireless connections.

Example wireless communications over a wireless connection include transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and/or other types of signals suitable for conveying information without the use of wires, cables, or other material conductors. Moreover, in different embodiments, the communication system 1100 may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, UEs, and/or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and/or signals whether via wired or wireless connections. The communication system 1100 may include and/or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and/or other similar type of system.

The UEs 1112 may be any of a wide variety of communication devices, including wireless devices arranged, configured, and/or operable to communicate wirelessly with the network nodes 1110 and other communication devices. Similarly, the network nodes 1110 are arranged, capable, configured, and/or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with the UEs 1112 and/or with other network nodes or equipment in the telecommunication network 1102 to enable and/or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and/or to perform other functions, such as administration in the telecommunication network 1102.

In the depicted example, the core network 1106 connects the network nodes 1110 to one or more hosts, such as host 1116. These connections may be direct or indirect via one or more intermediary networks or devices. In other examples, network nodes may be directly coupled to hosts. The core network 1106 includes one more core network nodes (e.g., core network node 1108) that are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the UEs, network nodes, and/or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node 1108. Example core network nodes include functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (ALISF), Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and/or a User Plane Function (UPF).

The host 1116 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of the access network 1104 and/or the telecommunication network 1102, and may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The host 1116 may host a variety of applications to provide one or more service. Examples of such applications include live and pre-recorded audio/video content, data collection services such as retrieving and compiling data on various ambient conditions detected by a plurality of UEs, analytics functionality, social media, functions for controlling or otherwise interacting with remote devices, functions for an alarm and surveillance center, or any other such function performed by a server.

As a whole, the communication system 1100 of Figure 11 enables connectivity between the UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system may be configured to operate according to predefined rules or procedures, such as specific standards that include, but are not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Long Term Evolution (LTE), and/or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G standards, or any applicable future generation standard (e.g., 6G); wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards (WiFi); and/or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC) ZigBee, LiFi, and/or any low- power wide-area network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox.

In some examples, the telecommunication network 1102 is a cellular network that implements 3GPP standardized features. Accordingly, the telecommunications network 1102 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to the telecommunication network 1102. For example, the telecommunications network 1102 may provide Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services to some UEs, while providing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services to other UEs, and/or Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC)/Massive loT services to yet further UEs.

In some examples, the UEs 1112 are configured to transmit and/or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a UE may be designed to transmit information to the access network 1104 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the access network 1104. Additionally, a UE may be configured for operating in single- or multi-RAT or multi-standard mode. For example, a UE may operate with any one or combination of Wi-Fi, NR (New Radio) and LTE, i.e. being configured for multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC), such as E-UTRAN (Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) New Radio - Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

In the example, the hub 1114 communicates with the access network 1104 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., UE 1112c and/or 1112d) and network nodes (e.g., network node 1110b). In some examples, the hub 1114 may be a controller, router, content source and analytics, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, the hub 1114 may be a broadband router enabling access to the core network 1106 for the UEs. As another example, the hub 1114 may be a controller that sends commands or instructions to one or more actuators in the UEs. Commands or instructions may be received from the UEs, network nodes 1110, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in the hub 1114. As another example, the hub 1114 may be a data collector that acts as temporary storage for UE data and, in some embodiments, may perform analysis or other processing of the data. As another example, the hub 1114 may be a content source. For example, for a UE that is a VR headset, display, loudspeaker or other media delivery device, the hub 1114 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which the hub 1114 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and/or after adding additional local content. In still another example, the hub 1114 acts as a proxy server or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular in if one or more of the UEs are low energy loT devices.

The hub 1114 may have a constant/persistent or intermittent connection to the network node 1110b. The hub 1114 may also allow for a different communication scheme and/or schedule between the hub 1114 and UEs (e.g., UE 1112c and/or 1112d), and between the hub 1114 and the core network 1106. In other examples, the hub 1114 is connected to the core network 1106 and/or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, the hub 1114 may be configured to connect to an M2M service provider over the access network 1104 and/or to another UE over a direct connection. In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with the network nodes 1110 while still connected via the hub 1114 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the hub 1114 may be a dedicated hub - that is, a hub whose primary function is to route communications to/from the UEs from/to the network node 1110b. In other embodiments, the hub 1114 may be a non-dedicated hub - that is, a device which is capable of operating to route communications between the UEs and network node 1110b, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and/or end point for certain data channels.

Figure 12 shows a UE 1200 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, a UE refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and/or other UEs. Examples of a UE include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, mobile phone, cell phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phone, wireless local loop phone, desktop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless cameras, gaming console or device, music storage device, playback appliance, wearable terminal device, wireless endpoint, mobile station, tablet, laptop, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), smart device, wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), vehicle-mounted or vehicle embedded/integrated wireless device, etc. Other examples include any UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a narrow band internet of things (NB-loT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and/or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

A UE may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), or vehicle-to-everything (V2X). In other examples, a UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and/or operates the relevant device. Instead, a UE may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter).

The UE 1200 includes processing circuitry 1202 that is operatively coupled via a bus 1204 to an input/output interface 1206, a power source 1208, a memory 1210, a communication interface 1212, and/or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain UEs may utilize all or a subset of the components shown in Figure 12. The level of integration between the components may vary from one UE to another UE. Further, certain UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

The processing circuitry 1202 is configured to process instructions and data and may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory 1210. The processing circuitry 1202 may be implemented as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored computer programs, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry 1202 may include multiple central processing units (CPUs).

In the example, the input/output interface 1206 may be configured to provide an interface or interfaces to an input device, output device, or one or more input and/or output devices. Examples of an output device include a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. An input device may allow a user to capture information into the UE 1200. Examples of an input device include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, etc., or any combination thereof. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port may be used to provide an input device and an output device.

In some embodiments, the power source 1208 is structured as a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic device, or power cell, may be used. The power source 1208 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from the power source 1208 itself, and/or an external power source, to the various parts of the UE 1200 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Delivering power may be, for example, for charging of the power source 1208. Power circuitry may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from the power source 1208 to make the power suitable for the respective components of the UE 1200 to which power is supplied.

The memory 1210 may be or be configured to include memory such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash drives, and so forth. In one example, the memory 1210 includes one or more application programs 1214, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data 1216. The memory 1210 may store, for use by the UE 1200, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

The memory 1210 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as tamper resistant module in the form of a universal integrated circuit card (IIICC) including one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as a IISIM and/or ISIM, other memory, or any combination thereof. The IIICC may for example be an embedded IIICC (elllCC), integrated IIICC (illlCC) or a removable IIICC commonly known as ‘SIM card.’ The memory 1210 may allow the UE 1200 to access instructions, application programs and the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied as or in the memory 1210, which may be or comprise a device-readable storage medium.

The processing circuitry 1202 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network using the communication interface 1212. The communication interface 1212 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or be communicatively coupled to an antenna 1222. The communication interface 1212 may include one or more transceivers used to communicate, such as by communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another UE or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter 1218 and/or a receiver 1220 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, the transmitter 1218 and receiver 1220 may be coupled to one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 1222) and may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

In the illustrated embodiment, communication functions of the communication interface 1212 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, LPWAN communication, data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. Communications may be implemented in according to one or more communication protocols and/or standards, such as IEEE 802.11 , Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), GSM, LTE, New Radio (NR), UMTS, WiMax, Ethernet, transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), synchronous optical networking (SONET), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), QUIC, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and so forth.

Regardless of the type of sensor, a UE may provide an output of data captured by its sensors, through its communication interface 1212, via a wireless connection to a network node. Data captured by sensors of a UE can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another UE. The output may be periodic (e.g., once every 15 minutes if it reports the sensed temperature), random (e.g., to even out the load from reporting from several sensors), in response to a triggering event (e.g., when moisture is detected an alert is sent), in response to a request (e.g., a user initiated request), or a continuous stream (e.g., a live video feed of a patient).

As another example, a UE comprises an actuator, a motor, or a switch, related to a communication interface configured to receive wireless input from a network node via a wireless connection. In response to the received wireless input the states of the actuator, the motor, or the switch may change. For example, the UE may comprise a motor that adjusts the control surfaces or rotors of a drone in flight according to the received input or to a robotic arm performing a medical procedure according to the received input.

A UE, when in the form of an Internet of Things (loT) device, may be a device for use in one or more application domains, these domains comprising, but not limited to, city wearable technology, extended industrial application and healthcare. Non-limiting examples of such an loT device are a device which is or which is embedded in: a connected refrigerator or freezer, a TV, a connected lighting device, an electricity meter, a robot vacuum cleaner, a voice controlled smart speaker, a home security camera, a motion detector, a thermostat, a smoke detector, a door/window sensor, a flood/moisture sensor, an electrical door lock, a connected doorbell, an air conditioning system like a heat pump, an autonomous vehicle, a surveillance system, a weather monitoring device, a vehicle parking monitoring device, an electric vehicle charging station, a smart watch, a fitness tracker, a head-mounted display for Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR), a wearable for tactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or item-tracking device, a sensor for monitoring a plant or animal, an industrial robot, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and any kind of medical device, like a heart rate monitor or a remote controlled surgical robot. A UE in the form of an loT device comprises circuitry and/or software in dependence of the intended application of the loT device in addition to other components as described in relation to the UE 1200 shown in Figure 12.

As yet another specific example, in an loT scenario, a UE may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and/or measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and/or measurements to another UE and/or a network node. The UE may in this case be an M2M device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, the UE may implement the 3GPP NB-loT standard. In other scenarios, a UE may represent a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a truck, a ship and an airplane, or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and/or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.

In practice, any number of UEs may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first UE might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second UE that is a remote controller operating the drone. When the user makes changes from the remote controller, the first UE may adjust the throttle on the drone (e.g. by controlling an actuator) to increase or decrease the drone’s speed. The first and/or the second UE can also include more than one of the functionalities described above. For example, a UE might comprise the sensor and the actuator, and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

Figure 13 shows a network node 1300 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and/or with other network nodes or equipment, in a telecommunication network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)).

Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and so, depending on the provided amount of coverage, may be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units and/or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS).

Other examples of network nodes include multiple transmission point (multi-TRP) 5G access nodes, multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cel l/multicast coordination entities (MCEs), Operation and Maintenance (O&M) nodes, Operations Support System (OSS) nodes, Self-Organizing Network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centers (E-SMLCs)), and/or Minimization of Drive Tests (MDTs).

The network node 1300 includes a processing circuitry 1302, a memory 1304, a communication interface 1306, and a power source 1308. The network node 1300 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeB component and a RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which the network node 1300 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, the network node 1300 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memory 1304 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna 1310 may be shared by different RATs). The network node 1300 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 1300, for example GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, Zigbee, Z-wave, LoRaWAN, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node 1300.

The processing circuitry 1302 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and/or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node 1300 components, such as the memory 1304, to provide network node 1300 functionality.

In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1302 includes a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1302 includes one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 1312 and baseband processing circuitry 1314. In some embodiments, the radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 1312 and the baseband processing circuitry 1314 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 1312 and baseband processing circuitry 1314 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

The memory 1304 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and/or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and/or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry 1302. The memory 1304 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and/or other instructions capable of being executed by the processing circuitry 1302 and utilized by the network node 1300. The memory 1304 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry 1302 and/or any data received via the communication interface 1306. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1302 and memory 1304 is integrated.

The communication interface 1306 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and/or data between a network node, access network, and/or UE. As illustrated, the communication interface 1306 comprises port(s)/terminal(s) 1316 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. The communication interface 1306 also includes radio front-end circuitry 1318 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, the antenna 1310. Radio front-end circuitry 1318 comprises filters 1320 and amplifiers 1322. The radio front-end circuitry 1318 may be connected to an antenna 1310 and processing circuitry 1302. The radio front-end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 1310 and processing circuitry 1302. The radio front-end circuitry 1318 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or UEs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuitry 1318 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 1320 and/or amplifiers 1322. The radio signal may then be transmitted via the antenna 1310. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 1310 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry 1318. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry 1302. In other embodiments, the communication interface may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components.

In certain alternative embodiments, the network node 1300 does not include separate radio front-end circuitry 1318, instead, the processing circuitry 1302 includes radio front-end circuitry and is connected to the antenna 1310. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry 1312 is part of the communication interface 1306. In still other embodiments, the communication interface 1306 includes one or more ports or terminals 1316, the radio front-end circuitry 1318, and the RF transceiver circuitry 1312, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the communication interface 1306 communicates with the baseband processing circuitry 1314, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

The antenna 1310 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and/or receive wireless signals. The antenna 1310 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuitry 1318 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and/or signals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, the antenna 1310 is separate from the network node 1300 and connectable to the network node 1300 through an interface or port.

The antenna 1310, communication interface 1306, and/or the processing circuitry 1302 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and/or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and/or signals may be received from a UE, another network node and/or any other network equipment. Similarly, the antenna 1310, the communication interface 1306, and/or the processing circuitry 1302 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and/or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node and/or any other network equipment.

The power source 1308 provides power to the various components of network node 1300 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source 1308 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node 1300 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node 1300 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid, an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of the power source 1308. As a further example, the power source 1308 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.

Embodiments of the network node 1300 may include additional components beyond those shown in Figure 13 for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and/or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node 1300 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node 1300 and to allow output of information from the network node 1300. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node 1300.

Figure 14 is a block diagram of a host 1400, which may be an embodiment of the host 1116 of Figure 11 , in accordance with various aspects described herein. As used herein, the host 1400 may be or comprise various combinations hardware and/or software, including a standalone server, a blade server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, a virtual machine, container, or processing resources in a server farm. The host 1400 may provide one or more services to one or more UEs.

The host 1400 includes processing circuitry 1402 that is operatively coupled via a bus 1404 to an input/output interface 1406, a network interface 1408, a power source 1410, and a memory 1412. Other components may be included in other embodiments. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the devices of previous figures, such as Figures 12 and 13, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of host 1400.

The memory 1412 may include one or more computer programs including one or more host application programs 1414 and data 1416, which may include user data, e.g., data generated by a UE for the host 1400 or data generated by the host 1400 for a UE. Embodiments of the host 1400 may utilize only a subset or all of the components shown. The host application programs 1414 may be implemented in a container-based architecture and may provide support for video codecs (e.g., Versatile Video Coding (VVC), High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), Advanced Video Coding (AVC), MPEG, VP9) and audio codecs (e.g., FLAG, Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), MPEG, G.711), including transcoding for multiple different classes, types, or implementations of UEs (e.g., handsets, desktop computers, wearable display systems, heads-up display systems). The host application programs 1414 may also provide for user authentication and licensing checks and may periodically report health, routes, and content availability to a central node, such as a device in or on the edge of a core network. Accordingly, the host 1400 may select and/or indicate a different host for over-the-top services for a UE. The host application programs 1414 may support various protocols, such as the HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) protocol, Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP), Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (MPEG-DASH), etc.

Figure 15 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 1500 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to any device described herein, or components thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components. Some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines (VMs) implemented in one or more virtual environments 1500 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes, such as a hardware computing device that operates as a network node, UE, core network node, or host. Further, in embodiments in which the virtual node does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node or host), then the node may be entirely virtualized.

Applications 1502 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) are run in the virtualization environment 0400 to implement some of the features, functions, and/or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein.

Hardware 1504 includes processing circuitry, memory that stores software and/or instructions executable by hardware processing circuitry, and/or other hardware devices as described herein, such as a network interface, input/output interface, and so forth. Software may be executed by the processing circuitry to instantiate one or more virtualization layers 1506 (also referred to as hypervisors or virtual machine monitors (VMMs)), provide VMs 1508a and 1508b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as VMs 1508), and/or perform any of the functions, features and/or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein. The virtualization layer 1506 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to the VMs 1508.

The VMs 1508 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by a corresponding virtualization layer 1506. Different embodiments of the instance of a virtual appliance 1502 may be implemented on one or more of VMs 1508, and the implementations may be made in different ways. Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.

In the context of NFV, a VM 1508 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of the VMs 1508, and that part of hardware 1504 that executes that VM, be it hardware dedicated to that VM and/or hardware shared by that VM with others of the VMs, forms separate virtual network elements. Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more VMs 1508 on top of the hardware 1504 and corresponds to the application 1502.

Hardware 1504 may be implemented in a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware 1504 may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware 1504 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g. such as in a data center or CPE) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration 1510, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications 1502. In some embodiments, hardware 1504 is coupled to one or more radio units that each include one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that may be coupled to one or more antennas. Radio units may communicate directly with other hardware nodes via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station. In some embodiments, some signaling can be provided with the use of a control system 1512 which may alternatively be used for communication between hardware nodes and radio units.

Figure 16 shows a communication diagram of a host 1602 communicating via a network node 1604 with a UE 1606 over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments. Example implementations, in accordance with various embodiments, of the UE (such as a UE 1112a of Figure 11 and/or UE 1200 of Figure 12), network node (such as network node 1110a of Figure 11 and/or network node 1300 of Figure 13), and host (such as host 1116 of Figure 11 and/or host 1400 of Figure 14) discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to Figure 16.

Like host 1400, embodiments of host 1602 include hardware, such as a communication interface, processing circuitry, and memory. The host 1602 also includes software, which is stored in or accessible by the host 1602 and executable by the processing circuitry. The software includes a host application that may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as the UE 1606 connecting via an over-the-top (OTT) connection 1650 extending between the UE 1606 and host 1602. In providing the service to the remote user, a host application may provide user data which is transmitted using the OTT connection 1650. The network node 1604 includes hardware enabling it to communicate with the host 1602 and UE 1606. The connection 1660 may be direct or pass through a core network (like core network 1106 of Figure 11) and/or one or more other intermediate networks, such as one or more public, private, or hosted networks. For example, an intermediate network may be a backbone network or the Internet.

The UE 1606 includes hardware and software, which is stored in or accessible by UE 1606 and executable by the UE’s processing circuitry. The software includes a client application, such as a web browser or operator-specific “app” that may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via UE 1606 with the support of the host 1602. In the host 1602, an executing host application may communicate with the executing client application via the OTT connection 1650 terminating at the UE 1606 and host 1602. In providing the service to the user, the UE's client application may receive request data from the host's host application and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 1650 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The UE's client application may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides to the host application through the OTT connection 1650.

The OTT connection 1650 may extend via a connection 1660 between the host 1602 and the network node 1604 and via a wireless connection 1670 between the network node 1604 and the UE 1606 to provide the connection between the host 1602 and the UE 1606. The connection 1660 and wireless connection 1670, over which the OTT connection 1650 may be provided, have been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host 1602 and the UE 1606 via the network node 1604, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices.

As an example of transmitting data via the OTT connection 1650, in step 1608, the host 1602 provides user data, which may be performed by executing a host application. In some embodiments, the user data is associated with a particular human user interacting with the UE 1606. In other embodiments, the user data is associated with a UE 1606 that shares data with the host 1602 without explicit human interaction. In step 1610, the host 1602 initiates a transmission carrying the user data towards the UE 1606. The host 1602 may initiate the transmission responsive to a request transmitted by the UE 1606. The request may be caused by human interaction with the UE 1606 or by operation of the client application executing on the UE 1606. The transmission may pass via the network node 1604, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. Accordingly, in step 1612, the network node 1604 transmits to the UE 1606 the user data that was carried in the transmission that the host 1602 initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1614, the UE 1606 receives the user data carried in the transmission, which may be performed by a client application executed on the UE 1606 associated with the host application executed by the host 1602.

In some examples, the UE 1606 executes a client application which provides user data to the host 1602. The user data may be provided in reaction or response to the data received from the host 1602. Accordingly, in step 1616, the UE 1606 may provide user data, which may be performed by executing the client application. In providing the user data, the client application may further consider user input received from the user via an input/output interface of the UE 1606. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE 1606 initiates, in step 1618, transmission of the user data towards the host 1602 via the network node 1604. In step 1620, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the network node 1604 receives user data from the UE 1606 and initiates transmission of the received user data towards the host 1602. In step 1622, the host 1602 receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the UE 1606.

One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the UE 1606 using the OTT connection 1650, in which the wireless connection 1670 forms the last segment.

In an example scenario, factory status information may be collected and analyzed by the host 1602. As another example, the host 1602 may process audio and video data which may have been retrieved from a UE for use in creating maps. As another example, the host 1602 may collect and analyze real-time data to assist in controlling vehicle congestion (e.g., controlling traffic lights). As another example, the host 1602 may store surveillance video uploaded by a UE. As another example, the host 1602 may store or control access to media content such as video, audio, VR or AR which it can broadcast, multicast or unicast to UEs. As other examples, the host 1602 may be used for energy pricing, remote control of non-time critical electrical load to balance power generation needs, location services, presentation services (such as compiling diagrams etc. from data collected from remote devices), or any other function of collecting, retrieving, storing, analyzing and/or transmitting data.

In some examples, a measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 1650 between the host 1602 and UE 1606, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection may be implemented in software and hardware of the host 1602 and/or UE 1606. In some embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with other devices through which the OTT connection 1650 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of the OTT connection 1650 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not directly alter the operation of the network node 1604. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling that facilitates measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like, by the host 1602. The measurements may be implemented in that software causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using the OTT connection 1650 while monitoring propagation times, errors, etc.

Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes, hosts) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and/or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination. Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality may be partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and/or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer- readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer- readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device, but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and/or by end users and a wireless network generally.

Example embodiments of the techniques and apparatus described herein include, but are not limited to, the following enumerated examples:

Group A Embodiments

A1. A method performed by a target communication device that is a target for positioning in a communication network, the method comprising: transmitting, on a sidelink, a message indicating that the target communication device needs a peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

A2. The method of embodiment A1 , wherein the message is transmitted as part of a sidelink discovery procedure.

A3. The method of any of embodiments A1-A2, wherein the message is an announcement message that announces the target communication device needs a peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

A4. The method of any of embodiments A1-A2, wherein the message is a solicitation message that solicits a peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

A5. The method of embodiment A1 , wherein the message is transmitted as part of a direct communication request procedure.

A6. The method of embodiment A1 , wherein the message is transmitted as part of a sidelink radio resource control procedure.

A7. The method of any of embodiments A1-A6, wherein the message indicates that the message is for purpose of sidelink positioning.

A8. The method of any of embodiments A1-A7, wherein the message indicates that the target communication device is the target for the sidelink positioning.

A9. The method of any of embodiments A1-A8, wherein the message indicates a configuration for the sidelink positioning of the target communication device. A10. The method of any of embodiments A1-A9, wherein the message indicates one or more types of information on which sidelink positioning of the target communication device is to be based or is able to be based.

A11. The method of any of embodiments A1-A10, wherein the message indicates sidelink positioning capabilities of the target communication device;

A12. The method of any of embodiments A1-A11 , wherein the message indicates when and/or how often sidelink positioning of the target communication device is needed.

A13. The method of any of embodiments A1-A12, wherein the message indicates a serving cell of the target communication device.

A14. The method of any of embodiments A1-A13, wherein the message indicates a sidelink mode to be used for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

A15. The method of any of embodiments A1-A14, wherein the message indicates how many peer communication devices have already been discovered to serve as positioning references for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

A16. The method of any of embodiments A1-A15, wherein the message indicates a recipient to which sidelink positioning measurements are to be reported.

A17. The method of any of embodiments A1-A16, further comprising receiving, on the sidelink, a response to the message from a peer communication device.

A18. The method of embodiment A17, wherein the response indicates whether or not the peer communication device will serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

A19. The method of any of embodiments A17-A18, wherein the response indicates whether or not the peer communication device is capable of non-sidelink positioning.

A20. The method of any of embodiments A17-A19, wherein the response indicates whether or not the peer communication device is capable of sidelink positioning.

A21. The method of any of embodiments A17-A19, wherein the response indicates one or more types of sidelink positioning methods and/or measurements the peer communication device supports.

A22. The method of any of embodiments A17-A21 , wherein the response indicates to which network node one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device are or will be sent for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

A23. The method of any of embodiments A17-A22, wherein the response includes results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

A24. The method of embodiment A23, wherein the response indicates when the one or more sidelink positioning measurements were performed.

A25. The method of any of embodiments A17-A22, further comprising, after receiving the response, establishing a sidelink connection with the peer communication device.

A26. The method of embodiment A25, further comprising, after establishing the sidelink connection, sending a request to the peer communication device requesting results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

A27. The method of any of embodiments A25-A26, further comprising, after establishing the sidelink connection, initiating a sidelink positioning measurement procedure in which the target communication device and/or the peer communication device performs one or more sidelink positioning measurements for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

A28. The method of any of embodiments A25-A27, further comprising, after establishing the sidelink connection, receiving results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

A29. The method of any of embodiments A25-A28, further comprising starting a timer upon establishment of the sidelink connection and suspending or releasing the sidelink connection upon expiration of the timer. A30. The method of any of embodiments A25-A28, further comprising suspending or releasing the sidelink connection upon receipt of results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

A31. The method of any of embodiments A17-A30, further comprising reporting, to the peer communication device, results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the target communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

A32. The method of any of embodiments A1-A31 , wherein the sidelink is a PC5 interface.

A33. The method of embodiment A29, further comprising receiving a value of the timer from a network node in the communication network or from the peer communication device.

A34. The method of any of embodiments A1-A33, further comprising receiving a response from a peer communication device indicating that the peer communication device is to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

A35. The method of embodiment A34, further comprising performing sidelink positioning of the target communication device with the peer communication device serving as a positioning reference.

A36. The method of embodiment A35, wherein performing sidelink positioning comprises obtaining a result of a sidelink positioning measurement performed on one or more signals transmitted between the target communication device and the peer communication device and estimating a position of the target communication device based on the result.

AA1. A method performed by a peer communication device, the method comprising: receiving, on a sidelink, a message indicating that a target communication device needs the peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

AA2. The method of embodiment AA1, wherein the message is received as part of a sidelink discovery procedure.

AA3. The method of any of embodiments AA1-AA2, wherein the message is an announcement message that announces the target communication device needs the peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

AA4. The method of any of embodiments AA1-AA2, wherein the message is a solicitation message that solicits the peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

AA5. The method of embodiment AA1 , wherein the message is received as part of a direct communication request procedure.

AA6. The method of embodiment AA1 , wherein the message is received as part of a sidelink radio resource control procedure.

AA7. The method of any of embodiments AA1-AA6, wherein the message indicates that the message is for purpose of sidelink positioning.

AA8. The method of any of embodiments AA1-AA7, wherein the message indicates that the target communication device is the target for the sidelink positioning.

AA9. The method of any of embodiments AA1-AA8, wherein the message indicates a configuration for the sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

AA10. The method of any of embodiments AA1-AA9, wherein the message indicates one or more types of information on which sidelink positioning of the target communication device is to be based or is able to be based.

AA11. The method of any of embodiments AA1-AA10, wherein the message indicates sidelink positioning capabilities of the target communication device;

AA12. The method of any of embodiments AA1-AA11, wherein the message indicates when and/or how often sidelink positioning of the target communication device is needed.

AA13. The method of any of embodiments AA1-AA12, wherein the message indicates a serving cell of the target communication device.

AA14. The method of any of embodiments AA1-AA13, wherein the message indicates a sidelink mode to be used for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

AA15. The method of any of embodiments AA1-AA14, wherein the message indicates how many peer communication devices have already been discovered to serve as positioning references for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

AA16. The method of any of embodiments AA1-AA15, wherein the message indicates a recipient to which sidelink positioning measurements are to be reported.

AA17. The method of any of embodiments AA1-AA16, further comprising transmitting, on the sidelink, a response to the message from the peer communication device.

AA18. The method of embodiment AA17, wherein the response indicates whether or not the peer communication device will serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

AA19. The method of any of embodiments AA17-AA18, wherein the response indicates whether or not the peer communication device is capable of non-sidelink positioning.

AA20. The method of any of embodiments AA17-AA19, wherein the response indicates whether or not the peer communication device is capable of sidelink positioning.

AA21. The method of any of embodiments AA17-AA19, wherein the response indicates one or more types of sidelink positioning methods and/or measurements the peer communication device supports.

AA22. The method of any of embodiments AA17-AA21 , wherein the response indicates to which network node one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device are or will be sent for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

AA23. The method of any of embodiments AA17-AA22, wherein the response includes results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

AA24. The method of embodiment AA23, wherein the response indicates when the one or more sidelink positioning measurements were performed. AA25. The method of any of embodiments AA17-AA22, further comprising, after receiving the response, establishing a sidelink connection with the target communication device.

AA26. The method of embodiment AA25, further comprising, after establishing the sidelink connection, receiving a request from the target communication device requesting results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

AA27. The method of any of embodiments AA25-AA26, further comprising, after establishing the sidelink connection, performing a sidelink positioning measurement procedure in which the target communication device and/or the peer communication device performs one or more sidelink positioning measurements for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

AA28. The method of any of embodiments AA25-AA27, further comprising, after establishing the sidelink connection, transmitting to the target communication device results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

AA29. The method of any of embodiments AA25-AA28, further comprising starting a timer upon establishment of the sidelink connection and suspending or releasing the sidelink connection upon expiration of the timer.

AA30. The method of any of embodiments AA25-AA28, further comprising suspending or releasing the sidelink connection upon sending, to the target communication device or a network node, results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

AA31. The method of any of embodiments AA17-AA30, further comprising receiving, from the target communication device, results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the target communication device for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

AA32. The method of any of embodiments AA1-AA31, wherein the sidelink is a PC5 interface. AA33. The method of embodiment AA29, further comprising transmitting a value of the timer to the target communication device.

AA34. The method of any of embodiments AA1-AA33, further comprising, responsive to the message, serving as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

AA. The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising: providing user data; and forwarding the user data to a host computer via the transmission to a base station.

Group B Embodiments

B1. A method performed by a network node configured for use in a communication network, the method comprising: transmitting, to a target communication device, configuration information that configures a procedure by which the target communication device solicits or discovers a peer communication device to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device.

B2. The method of embodiment B1 , wherein the configuration method configures one or more parameters to be included in a message transmitted by the target communication device as part of the procedure.

BB. The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising: obtaining user data; and forwarding the user data to a host computer or a communication device.

Group C Embodiments

C1. A communication device configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments.

C2. A communication device comprising processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments.

C3. A communication device comprising: communication circuitry; and processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments.

C4. A communication device comprising: processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments; and power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the communication device.

C5. A communication device comprising: processing circuitry and memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the communication device is configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments.

C6. The communication device of any of embodiments C1-C5, wherein the communication device is a wireless communication device.

C7. A user equipment (UE) comprising: an antenna configured to send and receive wireless signals; radio front-end circuitry connected to the antenna and to processing circuitry, and configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna and the processing circuitry; the processing circuitry being configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments; an input interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to allow input of information into the UE to be processed by the processing circuitry; an output interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to output information from the UE that has been processed by the processing circuitry; and a battery connected to the processing circuitry and configured to supply power to the UE.

C8. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a communication device, causes the communication device to carry out the steps of any of the Group A embodiments.

C9. A carrier containing the computer program of embodiment C7, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium.

C10. A network node configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group B embodiments.

C11 . A network node comprising processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group B embodiments.

C12. A network node comprising: communication circuitry; and processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group B embodiments.

C13. A network node comprising: processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group B embodiments; power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the network node.

C14. A network node comprising: processing circuitry and memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the network node is configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group B embodiments.

C15. The network node of any of embodiments C10-C14, wherein the network node is a base station.

C16. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a network node, causes the network node to carry out the steps of any of the Group B embodiments.

C17. The computer program of embodiment C16, wherein the network node is a base station.

C18. A carrier containing the computer program of any of embodiments C16-C17, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium.

Group D Embodiments

D1 . A communication system including a host computer comprising: processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE), wherein the cellular network comprises a base station having a radio interface and processing circuitry, the base station’s processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group B embodiments.

D2. The communication system of the previous embodiment further including the base station.

D3. The communication system of the previous 2 embodiments, further including the UE, wherein the UE is configured to communicate with the base station.

D4. The communication system of the previous 3 embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and the UE comprises processing circuitry configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

D5. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, providing user data; and at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the base station, wherein the base station performs any of the steps of any of the Group B embodiments.

D6. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising, at the base station, transmitting the user data.

D7. The method of the previous 2 embodiments, wherein the user data is provided at the host computer by executing a host application, the method further comprising, at the UE, executing a client application associated with the host application.

D8. A user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with a base station, the UE comprising a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform any of the previous 3 embodiments.

D9. A communication system including a host computer comprising: processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE), wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the UE’s components configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments.

D10. The communication system of the previous embodiment, wherein the cellular network further includes a base station configured to communicate with the UE.

D11. The communication system of the previous 2 embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and the UE’s processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

D12. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, providing user data; and at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the base station, wherein the UE performs any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments.

D13. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising at the UE, receiving the user data from the base station.

D14. A communication system including a host computer comprising: communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to a base station, wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the UE’s processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments.

D15. The communication system of the previous embodiment, further including the UE.

D16. The communication system of the previous 2 embodiments, further including the base station, wherein the base station comprises a radio interface configured to communicate with the UE and a communication interface configured to forward to the host computer the user data carried by a transmission from the UE to the base station.

D17. The communication system of the previous 3 embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; and the UE’s processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data.

D18. The communication system of the previous 4 embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing request data; and the UE’s processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data in response to the request data.

D19. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, receiving user data transmitted to the base station from the UE, wherein the UE performs any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments.

D20. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising, at the UE, providing the user data to the base station.

D21. The method of the previous 2 embodiments, further comprising: at the UE, executing a client application, thereby providing the user data to be transmitted; and at the host computer, executing a host application associated with the client application.

D22. The method of the previous 3 embodiments, further comprising: at the UE, executing a client application; and at the UE, receiving input data to the client application, the input data being provided at the host computer by executing a host application associated with the client application, wherein the user data to be transmitted is provided by the client application in response to the input data.

D23. A communication system including a host computer comprising a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to a base station, wherein the base station comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the base station’s processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group B embodiments.

D24. The communication system of the previous embodiment further including the base station.

D25. The communication system of the previous 2 embodiments, further including the UE, wherein the UE is configured to communicate with the base station.

D26. The communication system of the previous 3 embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data to be received by the host computer.

D27. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, receiving, from the base station, user data originating from a transmission which the base station has received from the UE, wherein the UE performs any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments.

D28. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising at the base station, receiving the user data from the UE.

D29. The method of the previous 2 embodiments, further comprising at the base station, initiating a transmission of the received user data to the host computer.

REFERENCES

1. 3GPP TS 23.304 Proximity-based services (ProSe) in 5G systems (5GS), Release 17

ABBREVIATIONS

At least some of the following abbreviations may be used in this disclosure. If there is an inconsistency between abbreviations, preference should be given to how it is used above. If listed multiple times below, the first listing should be preferred over any subsequent listing(s).

CA Carrier Aggregation

CBR Channel Busy Ratio

CQI Channel Quality Indicator

CSI Channel State Information DFN Direct Frame Number DL Downlink DRX Discontinuous Reception FDD Frequency Division Duplex GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System HARQ Hybrid automatic repeat request IE Information Element LMF Location Management Function MAC Medium Access Control MIB Master Information Block NSPS National Security and Public Safety OoC Out-of-Coverage PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel PDCP Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDU Protocol Data Unit PHY Physical (layer) PL Path Loss PMI Precoding Matrix Indicator ProSe Proximity Services PSCCH Physical Sidelink Control Channel PSSCH Physical Sidelink Shared Channel RL Relay RLC Radio link control RM Remote Rl Rank Indicator RRC Radio Resource Control RSRP Reference Signal Received Power RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator RX Receive, receiver SFN System Frame Number SIB System Information Block SINR Signal to interference noise ration SL Sidelink SLRB Sidelink Radio Bearer SLSS Sidelink Synchronization Signals Synch UE Synchronization UE TDD Time Division Duplex TETRA Terrestrial Trunked Radio TX Transmit, transmitter UE User Equipment UL Uplink V2V Vehicle-to-vehicle V2X Vehicle-to-anything

1x RTT CDMA2000 1x Radio Transmission Technology 3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project 5G 5th Generation 6G 6^th Generation ABS Almost Blank Subframe ARQ Automatic Repeat Request AWGN Additive White Gaussian Noise BCCH Broadcast Control Channel BCH Broadcast Channel CA Carrier Aggregation CC Carrier Component

CCCH SDU Common Control Channel SDU CDMA Code Division Multiplexing Access CGI Cell Global Identifier CIR Channel Impulse Response CP Cyclic Prefix CPICH Common Pilot Channel CPICH Ec/No CPICH Received energy per chip divided by the power density in the band

CQI Channel Quality information

C-RNTI Cell RNTI CSI Channel State Information DCCH Dedicated Control Channel DL Downlink DM Demodulation DMRS Demodulation Reference Signal DRX Discontinuous Reception DTX Discontinuous Transmission DTCH Dedicated Traffic Channel DUT Device Under Test E-CID Enhanced Cell-ID (positioning method) eMBMS evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services E-SMLC Evolved-Serving Mobile Location Centre ECGI Evolved CGI eNB E-UTRAN NodeB ePDCCH Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel E-SMLC Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center E-UTRA Evolved UTRA E-UTRAN Evolved UTRAN FDD Frequency Division Duplex FFS For Further Study gNB Base station in NR GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System HARQ Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request HO Handover HSPA High Speed Packet Access HRPD High Rate Packet Data LOS Line of Sight LPP LTE Positioning Protocol LTE Long-Term Evolution MAC Medium Access Control MAC Message Authentication Code MBSFN Multimedia Broadcast multicast service Single Frequency Network MBSFN ABS MBSFN Almost Blank Subframe MDT Minimization of Drive Tests MIB Master Information Block MME Mobility Management Entity MSC Mobile Switching Center NPDCCH Narrowband Physical Downlink Control Channel NR New Radio OCNG OFDMA Channel Noise Generator OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing OFDMA Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access OSS Operations Support System OTDOA Observed Time Difference of Arrival O&M Operation and Maintenance PBCH Physical Broadcast Channel P-CCPCH Primary Common Control Physical Channel PCell Primary Cell PCFICH Physical Control Format Indicator Channel PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel PDCP Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDP Power Delay Profile PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel PGW Packet Gateway PHICH Physical Hybrid-ARQ Indicator Channel PLMN Public Land Mobile Network PMI Precoder Matrix Indicator PRACH Physical Random Access Channel PRS Positioning Reference Signal PSS Primary Synchronization Signal PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel RACH Random Access Channel QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation RAN Radio Access Network RAT Radio Access Technology RLC Radio Link Control RLM Radio Link Management RNC Radio Network Controller RNTI Radio Network Temporary Identifier RRC Radio Resource Control RRM Radio Resource Management RS Reference Signal RSCP Received Signal Code Power RSRP Reference Symbol Received Power OR Reference Signal Received Power

RSRQ Reference Signal Received Quality OR Reference Symbol Received Quality

RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator RSTD Reference Signal Time Difference SCH Synchronization Channel SCell Secondary Cell SDAP Service Data Adaptation Protocol SDU Service Data Unit SFN System Frame Number SGW Serving Gateway SI System Information SIB System Information Block SNR Signal to Noise Ratio SON Self Optimized Network SS Synchronization Signal SSS Secondary Synchronization Signal TDD Time Division Duplex TDOA Time Difference of Arrival TOA Time of Arrival TSS Tertiary Synchronization Signal TTI Transmission Time Interval UE User Equipment UL Uplink USIM Universal Subscriber Identity Module UTDOA Uplink Time Difference of Arrival WCDMA Wide CDMA WLAN Wide Local Area Network

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. A method performed by a target communication device (12T) that is a target for positioning in a communication network (10), the method comprising: transmitting (600), on a sidelink (18), a message (20) indicating that the target communication device (12T) needs a peer communication device (12P) to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); receiving (610), on the sidelink (18), a response (22) from a peer communication device (12P) indicating that the peer communication device (12P) is to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); and performing (620) sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T) with the peer communication device (12P) serving as a positioning reference.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the message (20) is transmitted as part of a sidelink discovery procedure.

3. The method of any of claims 1-2, wherein the message (20) is: an announcement message that announces the target communication device (12T) needs a peer communication device (12P) to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); or a solicitation message that solicits a peer communication device (12P) to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T).

4. The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein the message (20) indicates one or more of: that the target communication device (12T) is the target for the sidelink positioning; sidelink positioning capabilities of the target communication device (12T); or a serving cell of the target communication device (12T).

5. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein the message (20) indicates one or more of: a configuration for the sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); one or more types of information on which sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T) is to be based or is able to be based; a sidelink mode to be used for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); or a recipient to which sidelink positioning measurements are to be reported.

6. The method of any of claims 1-5, wherein the message (20) indicates when and/or how often sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T) is needed.

7. The method of any of claims 1-6, wherein the response (22) indicates: one or more types of sidelink positioning methods and/or measurements the peer communication device (12P) supports; and/or to which network node (14) one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device (12P) are or will be sent for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T).

8. The method of any of claims 1-7, further comprising: after receiving the response (22), establishing a sidelink connection with the peer communication device (12P); and after establishing the sidelink connection, initiating a sidelink positioning measurement procedure in which the target communication device (12T) and/or the peer communication device (12P) performs one or more sidelink positioning measurements for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T).

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: receiving results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device (12P) for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); or reporting, to the peer communication device (12P), results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the target communication device (12T) for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T).

10. The method of any of claims 8-9, further comprising suspending or releasing the sidelink connection upon receipt of results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device (12P) for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T).

11. The method of any of claims 1-10, wherein performing sidelink positioning comprises obtaining a result of a sidelink positioning measurement performed on one or more signals transmitted between the target communication device (12T) and the peer communication device (12P) and estimating a position of the target communication device (12T) based on the result.

12. A method performed by a peer communication device (12P), the method comprising: receiving (700), on a sidelink (18), a message (20) indicating that a target communication device (12T) needs the peer communication device (12P) to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); and transmitting (710), on the sidelink (18), a response (22) to the message (20) from the peer communication device (12P).

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the message (20) is received as part of a sidelink discovery procedure.

14. The method of any of claims 12-13, wherein the message (20) is: an announcement message that announces the target communication device (12T) needs a peer communication device (12P) to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); or a solicitation message that solicits a peer communication device (12P) to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T).

15. The method of any of claims 12-14, wherein the message (20) indicates one or more of: that the target communication device (12T) is the target for the sidelink positioning; sidelink positioning capabilities of the target communication device (12T); or a serving cell of the target communication device (12T).

16. The method of any of claims 12-15, wherein the message (20) indicates one or more of: a configuration for the sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); one or more types of information on which sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T) is to be based or is able to be based; a sidelink mode to be used for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); or a recipient to which sidelink positioning measurements are to be reported.

17. The method of any of claims 12-16, wherein the message (20) indicates when and/or how often sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T) is needed.

18. The method of any of claims 12-17, wherein the response (22) indicates: one or more types of sidelink positioning methods and/or measurements the peer communication device (12P) supports; and/or to which network node (14) one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device (12P) are or will be sent for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T).

19. The method of any of claims 12-18, wherein the response (22) indicates one or more of: whether or not the peer communication device (12P) will serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); whether or not the peer communication device (12P) is capable of non-sidelink positioning; or whether or not the peer communication device (12P) is capable of sidelink positioning.

20. The method of any of claims 12-19, wherein the response (22) indicates: one or more types of sidelink positioning methods and/or measurements the peer communication device (12P) supports; and/or to which network node (14) one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device (12P) are or will be sent for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T).

21. The method of any of claims 12-20, further comprising: after receiving the response (22), establishing a sidelink connection with the target communication device (12T); and performing a sidelink positioning measurement procedure in which the target communication device (12T) and/or the peer communication device (12P) performs one or more sidelink positioning measurements for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T).

22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising: receiving a request from the target communication device (12T) requesting results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device (12P) for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); and/or transmitting to the target communication device (12T) results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device (12P) for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T).

23. The method of any of claims 12-22, further comprising suspending or releasing the sidelink connection upon sending, to the target communication device (12T) or a network node (14), results of one or more sidelink positioning measurements performed by the peer communication device (12P) for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T).

24. The method of any of claims 12-23, further comprising, responsive to the message (20), serving as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T).

25. A method performed by a network node (14) configured for use in a communication network (10), the method comprising: transmitting (800), to a target communication device (12T), configuration information that configures a procedure by which the target communication device (12T) solicits or discovers a peer communication device (12P) to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T).

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the configuration information configures one or more parameters to be included in a message (20) transmitted by the target communication device (12T) as part of the procedure.

27. A target communication device (12T) configured to be a target for positioning in a communication network (10), the target communication device (12T) configured to: transmit, on a sidelink (18), a message (20) indicating that the target communication device (12T) needs a peer communication device (12P) to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); receive, on the sidelink (18), a response (22) from a peer communication device (12P) indicating that the peer communication device (12P) is to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); and perform sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T) with the peer communication device (12P) serving as a positioning reference.

28. The target communication device (12T) of claim 27, configured to perform the method of any of claims 2-11.

29. A peer communication device (12P) configured to: receive, on a sidelink (18), a message (20) indicating that a target communication device (12T) needs the peer communication device (12P) to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); and transmit, on the sidelink (18), a response (22) to the message (20) from the peer communication device (12P).

30. The peer communication device (12P) of claim 29, configured to perform the method of any of claims 13-24.

31. A network node (14) configured for use in a communication network (10), the network node (14) configured to: transmit, to a target communication device (12T), configuration information that configures a procedure by which the target communication device (12T) solicits or discovers a peer communication device (12P) to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T).

32. The network node (14) of claim 31 , wherein the configuration information configures one or more parameters to be included in a message (20) transmitted by the target communication device (12T) as part of the procedure.

33. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method of any of claims 1-24.

34. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a network node (14), causes the network node (14) to perform the method of any of claims 25-26.

35. A carrier containing the computer program of any of claims 33-34, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium.

36. A target communication device (12T) configured to be a target for positioning in a communication network (10), the target communication device (12T) comprising: communication circuitry (920); and processing circuitry (910) configured to: transmit, on a sidelink (18), a message (20) indicating that the target communication device (12T) needs a peer communication device (12P) to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); receive, on the sidelink (18), a response (22) from a peer communication device (12P) indicating that the peer communication device (12P) is to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); and perform sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T) with the peer communication device (12P) serving as a positioning reference.

37. The target communication device (12T) of claim 36, wherein the processing circuitry (910) is configured to perform the method of any of claims 2-11.

38. A peer communication device (12P) comprising: communication circuitry (920); and processing circuitry (910) configured to: receive, on a sidelink (18), a message (20) indicating that a target communication device (12T) needs the peer communication device (12P) to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T); and transmit, on the sidelink (18), a response (22) to the message (20) from the peer communication device (12P).

39. The peer communication device (12P) of claim 38, wherein the processing circuitry (910) is configured to perform the method of any of claims 13-24.

40. A network node (14) configured for use in a communication network (10), the network node (14) comprising: communication circuitry (1020); and processing circuitry (1010) configured to transmit, to a target communication device (12T), configuration information that configures a procedure by which the target communication device (12T) solicits or discovers a peer communication device (12P) to serve as a positioning reference for sidelink positioning of the target communication device (12T).

41. The network node (14) of claim 40, wherein the configuration information configures one or more parameters to be included in a message (20) transmitted by the target communication device (12T) as part of the procedure.