Patent Application
20250123352
Some example embodiments may generally relate to mobile or wireless telecommunication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), fifth generation (5G) radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR) access technology, and/or other communications systems. For example, certain example embodiments may relate to systems and/or methods for timing error group (TEG) reporting with angular validity indication.
Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunication systems may include radio frequency (RF) 5G RAT, the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), LTE Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-A Pro, NR access technology, and/or MulteFire Alliance. 5G wireless systems refer to the next generation (NG) of radio systems and network architecture. A 5G system is typically built on a 5G NR, but a 5G (or NG) network may also be built on E-UTRA radio. It is expected that NR can support service categories such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency-communication (URLLC), and massive machine-type communication (mMTC). NR is expected to deliver extreme broadband, ultra-robust, low-latency connectivity, and massive networking to support the Internet of Things (IoT). The next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) represents the RAN for 5G, which may provide radio access for NR, LTE, and LTE-A. It is noted that the nodes in 5G providing radio access functionality to a user equipment (e.g., similar to the Node B in UTRAN or the Evolved Node B (eNB) in LTE) may be referred to as next-generation Node B (gNB) when built on NR radio, and may be referred to as next-generation eNB (NG-eNB) when built on E-UTRA radio.
In accordance with some example embodiments, a method may include calculating, by a user equipment, an angular validity region around a reference direction for which at least one timing error group is valid. The method may further include transmitting, by the user equipment, at least one of the timing error groups comprising an indication about the angular validity region and a reference direction identifier associated with the reference direction to a location management node.
In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for calculating an angular validity region around a reference direction for which at least one timing error group is valid. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting at least one of the timing error groups comprising an indication about the angular validity region and a reference direction identifier associated with the reference direction to a location management node.
In accordance with various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded with instructions that may, when executed in hardware, perform a method. The method may include calculating an angular validity region around a reference direction for which at least one timing error group is valid. The method may further include transmitting at least one of the timing error groups comprising an indication about the angular validity region and a reference direction identifier associated with the reference direction to a location management node.
In accordance with some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include calculating an angular validity region around a reference direction for which at least one timing error group is valid. The method may further include transmitting at least one of the timing error groups comprising an indication about the angular validity region and a reference direction identifier associated with the reference direction to a location management node.
In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least calculate an angular validity region around a reference direction for which at least one timing error group is valid. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least transmit at least one of the timing error groups comprising an indication about the angular validity region and a reference direction identifier associated with the reference direction to a location management node.
In accordance with various example embodiments, an apparatus may include circuitry configured to calculate an angular validity region around a reference direction for which at least one timing error group is valid. The circuitry may further be configured to transmit at least one of the timing error groups comprising an indication about the angular validity region and a reference direction identifier associated with the reference direction to a location management node.
In accordance with some example embodiments, a method may include receiving, by a location management node, at least one timing error group comprising an indication about an angular validity region and a reference direction identifier associated with the reference direction from a user equipment.
In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for receiving at least one timing error group comprising an indication about an angular validity region and a reference direction identifier associated with the reference direction from a user equipment.
In accordance with various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded with instructions that may, when executed in hardware, perform a method. The method may include receiving at least one timing error group comprising an indication about an angular validity region and a reference direction identifier associated with the reference direction from a user equipment.
In accordance with some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include receiving at least one timing error group comprising an indication about an angular validity region and a reference direction identifier associated with the reference direction from a user equipment.
In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive at least one timing error group comprising an indication about an angular validity region and a reference direction identifier associated with the reference direction from a user equipment.
In accordance with various example embodiments, an apparatus may include circuitry configured to receive at least one timing error group comprising an indication about an angular validity region and a reference direction identifier associated with the reference direction from a user equipment.
In accordance with some example embodiments, a method may include transmitting, by a user equipment, at least one user equipment capability associated with a maximum antenna delta gain supported by the user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment to a location management node. The method may further include receiving, by the user equipment, a list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The method may further include calculating, by the user equipment, at least one timing error group margin covering phase center offset variations associated with an entire evaluated radiation sphere of the list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The method may further include transmitting, by the user equipment, at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for transmitting at least one user equipment capability associated with a maximum antenna delta gain supported by the user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment to a location management node. The apparatus may further include means for receiving a list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The apparatus may further include means for calculating at least one timing error group margin covering phase center offset variations associated with an entire evaluated radiation sphere of the list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded with instructions that may, when executed in hardware, perform a method. The method may include transmitting at least one user equipment capability associated with a maximum antenna delta gain supported by the user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment to a location management node. The method may further include receiving a list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The method may further include calculating at least one timing error group margin covering phase center offset variations associated with an entire evaluated radiation sphere of the list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The method may further include transmitting at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include transmitting at least one user equipment capability associated with a maximum antenna delta gain supported by the user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment to a location management node. The method may further include receiving a list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The method may further include calculating at least one timing error group margin covering phase center offset variations associated with an entire evaluated radiation sphere of the list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The method may further include transmitting at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least transmit at least one user equipment capability associated with a maximum antenna delta gain supported by the user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment to a location management node. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive a list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least calculate at least one timing error group margin covering phase center offset variations associated with an entire evaluated radiation sphere of the list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least transmit at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with various example embodiments, an apparatus may include circuitry configured to transmit at least one user equipment capability associated with a maximum antenna delta gain supported by the user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment to a location management node. The circuitry may further be configured to receive a list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The circuitry may further be configured to calculate at least one timing error group margin covering phase center offset variations associated with an entire evaluated radiation sphere of the list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The circuitry may further be configured to transmit at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with some example embodiments, a method may include receiving, by a location management node, at least one user equipment capability associated with a maximum antenna delta gain supported by a user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment from the user equipment. The method may further include transmitting, by the location management node, a list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the user equipment. The method may further include receiving, by the location management node, at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for receiving at least one user equipment capability associated with a maximum antenna delta gain supported by a user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment from the user equipment. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting a list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the user equipment. The apparatus may further include means for receiving at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded with instructions that may, when executed in hardware, perform a method. The method may include receiving at least one user equipment capability associated with a maximum antenna delta gain supported by a user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment from the user equipment. The method may further include transmitting a list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the user equipment. The method may further include receiving at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include receiving at least one user equipment capability associated with a maximum antenna delta gain supported by a user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment from the user equipment. The method may further include transmitting a list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the user equipment. The method may further include receiving at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive at least one user equipment capability associated with a maximum antenna delta gain supported by a user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment from the user equipment. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least transmit a list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the user equipment. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with various example embodiments, an apparatus may include circuitry configured to receive at least one user equipment capability associated with a maximum antenna delta gain supported by a user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment from the user equipment. The circuitry may further be configured to transmit a list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the user equipment. The circuitry may further be configured to receive at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with some example embodiments, a method may include transmitting, by a user equipment, at least one user equipment capability associated with a probability parameter to a location management node. The method may further include receiving, by the user equipment, a list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The method may further include calculating, by the user equipment, a timing error group margin associated with a probability parameter of a phase center offset variation over an entire evaluated radiation sphere. The method may further include transmitting, by the user equipment, at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for transmitting at least one user equipment capability associated with a probability parameter to a location management node. The apparatus may further include means for receiving a list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The apparatus may further include means for calculating a timing error group margin associated with a probability parameter of a phase center offset variation over an entire evaluated radiation sphere. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded with instructions that may, when executed in hardware, perform a method. The method may include transmitting at least one user equipment capability associated with a probability parameter to a location management node. The method may further include receiving a list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The method may further include calculating a timing error group margin associated with a probability parameter of a phase center offset variation over an entire evaluated radiation sphere. The method may further include transmitting at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include transmitting at least one user equipment capability associated with a probability parameter to a location management node. The method may further include receiving a list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The method may further include calculating a timing error group margin associated with a probability parameter of a phase center offset variation over an entire evaluated radiation sphere. The method may further include transmitting at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least transmit at least one user equipment capability associated with a probability parameter to a location management node. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive a list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least calculate a timing error group margin associated with a probability parameter of a phase center offset variation over an entire evaluated radiation sphere. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least transmit at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with various example embodiments, an apparatus may include circuitry configured to transmit at least one user equipment capability associated with a probability parameter to a location management node. The circuitry may further be configured to receive a list of antenna delta gain thresholds. The circuitry may further be configured to calculate a timing error group margin associated with a probability parameter of a phase center offset variation over an entire evaluated radiation sphere. The circuitry may further be configured to transmit at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with some example embodiments, a method may include receiving, by a location management node, at least one user equipment capability associated with a probability parameter from a user equipment. The method may further include transmitting, by the location management node, a list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the user equipment. The method may further include receiving, by the location management node, at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for receiving at least one user equipment capability associated with a probability parameter from a user equipment. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting a list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the user equipment. The apparatus may further include means for receiving at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded with instructions that may, when executed in hardware, perform a method. The method may include receiving at least one user equipment capability associated with a probability parameter from a user equipment. The method may further include transmitting a list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the user equipment. The method may further include receiving at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include receiving at least one user equipment capability associated with a probability parameter from a user equipment. The method may further include transmitting a list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the user equipment. The method may further include receiving at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receiving at least one user equipment capability associated with a probability parameter from a user equipment. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least transmitting a list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the user equipment. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receiving at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In accordance with various example embodiments, an apparatus may include circuitry configured to receive at least one user equipment capability associated with a probability parameter from a user equipment. The circuitry may further be configured to transmit a list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the user equipment. The circuitry may further be configured to receive at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
For proper understanding of example embodiments, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
It will be readily understood that the components of certain example embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of some example embodiments of systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for TEG reporting with angular validity indication is not intended to limit the scope of certain example embodiments, but is instead representative of selected example embodiments.
Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release (Rel)-16 includes several developments related to native positioning support, including downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA), uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA), downlink angle of departure (DL-AoD), uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA), and multi-cell round trip time (Multi-RTT). The developments specify solutions to enable radio access technology (RAT) dependent (for both frequency range (FR)1 and FR2), as well as RAT independent, NR positioning techniques. Specifically, in the downlink (DL), a new positioning reference signal (PRS) was introduced, while in the uplink (UL) a new sounding reference signal (SRS) for positioning (SRS-P) was introduced.
For 3GPP Rel-17, general position accuracy in the sub-meter range is a goal, and specifically for industrial internet of things (IIOT) cases, the goal may include further tightened targeting centimeter accuracy. DL-TDOA is one of the 3GPP Rel-16 methods specified, which may be either UE-assisted or UE-based. For UE-assisted positioning, the UE may measure PRS TOA, and report a reference signal time difference (RSTD) to the network/location management function (LMF) for UE position calculation. Alternatively, for UE-based positioning, the UE may receive information about the position of the involved gNBs in the positioning assistance data, and may estimate its own position based on the positioning assistance data and PRS TOA measurements. LMF may be realized, for example, by a location management node. In some examples, location management node comprises a location management function (LMF).
Multi-RTT is another 3GPP Rel-16 method that may rely on both UL and DL measurements/signals. As illustrated in
A precise assessment of DL PRS time of arrival (TOA) and/or the UL SRS time of departure (TOD) at the UE may be important for obtaining accurate positioning measurements. Highly accurate TOA/TOD measurements may be important to obtain a precise measure of the phase reference position for the signal being received or transmitted via the UE antenna. As shown in
The antenna array phase center may vary dynamically by several centimeters, and if left uncompensated, it may be an impairment that significantly reduces the position estimation accuracy for centimeter accuracy applications (e.g., IIoT). Some solutions for UE local and network assisted compensation of the UE PCO impact on positioning reference signal TOA/TOD based on UE characterization depend upon UE awareness of AoA/AOD for the receive/transmit signal; however, no such solution exists when no UE awareness of AoA/AOD is available.
For a 3GPP TEG solution, two transmissions/receptions using same RF chain/panel/frequency and near in time may have very similar group delays, even if the absolute value is unknown. Thus, differential operations may be possible (e.g., if the UE measures RSTD with the same RF chain/panel/frequency, the RSTD measurement may not be impacted by the Rx timing error). These are at least some of the factors that motivated the establishment of TEG. Each TEG may have an ID associated with it. So, if two measurements have the same TEG ID, it may be assumed that they experience the same timing error (within a certain margin), which may apply for both Tx and Rx sides in both DL and UL measurements.
TEG definition may have a few open issues, including that the definition of TEGs may have a certain margin associated with them, but no solution on how to signal this margin. One option is for the UE to send a set of TEG IDs and their associated margins during capability signaling; for example, a UE may report TEG 1, 1 nanosecond (ns) margin; TEG 2, 0.1 ns margin; TEG 3, 1 ns margin; and TEG 4, 0.1 ns margin. During reporting, the UE may then simply report the TEG ID associated with a particular transmission or measurement. Another option could be a more dynamic TEG reporting, wherein for each measurement, the UE may report a TEG ID as well as the margin of the TEGs currently.
In IIOT deployment scenarios having strict cm accuracy positioning requirements, the UE industrial design compromises may be less severe as compared to a small form factor smart phone, for example. For such IIoT devices, form factor constraints may be relaxed, and the antenna arrays may be square compared to one dimensional for the smart phone application. Furthermore, these designs do not necessarily need display and/or glass covers, which may further smooth the PCO variation over AoA/AoD. Such IIoT device designs, while less abrupt, may still experience significant PCO variation over the radiation sphere, and when reporting the TEG with certain margins for a given SRS-P transmission received by more gNBs, this variation may need to be considered by the UE to deliver accurate TEG reporting. FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a UE SRS-P transmission towards several gNBs, where the UE reports SRS-P TEG 1 with a margin ±0.1 ns, corresponding to ±3 cm. However, this report may only be valid in the direction of gNB_A where the
PCO delta impact is Ons. In the direction of gNB_D and gNB_E, the PCO impact may be ±0.5 ns/−0.5 ns, respectively; thus, the TEG reporting may be invalid for SRS-P reception in those directions (i.e., towards gNB_D and gNB_E).
Certain example embodiments described herein may have various benefits and/or advantages to overcome at least the disadvantages described above. For example, certain example embodiments may reduce PCO variation and the associated impacts on TEG reporting validity for SRS-P transmissions received by gNBs in different directions. Furthermore, various example embodiments may enable an LMF to evaluate expected ToA accuracy for SRS-P transmissions received by gNBs in different directions despite significant and direction dependent UE antenna PCO variation. In addition, certain example embodiments may enable increased UE positioning accuracy compared to deployments without taking the UE direction dependent PCO variation into account. Thus, certain example embodiments discussed below are directed at least to improvements in computer-related technology.
Some embodiments described herein enable novel and inventive UE TEG reporting including information on the angular radiated validity region for which the reported TEG remains valid. By receiving this information, the LMF may evaluate the UE PCO related delta error for SRS-P ToA reports from different gNBs based on the UE TEG report information and the relative location of the reporting gNBs. As an example, the UE may report that the SRS-P transmission is associated with TEG 1 with certain margin ±1 ns, which may be valid within an angular validity region of ±20° with reference to a known direction of gNB_A, for example. In an example embodiment shown in
By receiving the validity region enhanced TEG report from the UE and the SRS-P ToA reports from gNB_A-E, the LMF may estimate the rough location of the UE, and conclude that gNB_B and C are within the validity region. In addition, the LMF may confirm that the SRS-P ToA reports from gNB_A-C are within the TEG 1 +-1 ns error window. The LMF may then combine measurements better for differential processing within the TEG and/or remove measurements belonging to gNBs outside the validity region in order to improve the overall performance. The UE may additionally report TEG X with a certain margin +-y ns associated with, for example, the full radiation coverage area, which in this case, may be valid for gNB_D and E as well. By obtaining this information, the LMF may perform a weighting of the gNB positioning measuring reports, thereby increasing the accuracy of the positioning estimate.
In general, for each supported beam configuration in the embodiments described herein, the UE may have locally stored a characterised mapping of the PCO variation over the radiation sphere down to PCO_DB_TH_MAX (e.g., 20 dB) below the max gain direction. In addition, the UE may extract the PCO variation for the used beam configuration over the radiation sphere/surface down to a threshold PCO_DB_TH (y dB) below the maximum gain direction. The UE may then report the TEG ranges to the LMF, or receive TEG ranges from the LMF. PCO_DB_TH MAX may be referred to herein also as maximum antenna delta gain. The maximum antenna delta gain may be indicated by the UE to the network (e.g., to LMF), and may be used for PCO variation assessment. PCO_DB_TH may be referred to herein also as antenna delta gain threshold. PCO_DB_TH may be smaller than or equal to PCO_DB_TH_MAX. Antenna delta gain threshold may also be used for PCO variation assessment.
While certain example embodiments are discussed below in relation to UL SRS-P transmissions and associated Tx TEG reporting, various embodiments may also apply to Rx TEG reporting as well.
In the example of
In the example of
In certain optional embodiments, at 807, a threshold PCO_DB TH used at a given positioning instance may be signalled by LMF 830 to UE 850 to provide adjustment flexibility, or at 809, the threshold PCO_DB_TH may be set by UE 850. If PCO_DB_TH is set by UE 850, it may be determined based on received power in the DL from multiple gNBs, such as NE 860-880. In an example embodiment, UE 850 may determine that X gNBs are within PCO_DB_TH of each other in the DL, and perform the UL determination based upon X. In various example embodiments, where UE 850 is setting PCO_DB_TH, UE 850 may evaluate the DL RSRP spread of various measurements (e.g., the X strongest gNBs, wherein UE 850 sets X and uses this spread as PCO_DB_TH for the UL TEG angular validity region assessment).
At 811, UE 850 may select a beam configuration for the SRS-P transmission (e.g., narrow or wide beam), and optionally at 813, UE 850 may compensate SRS-P ToD towards the ref_gNB(s) (i.e., PCO impact is cancelled in direction of the reference gNB). For example, the UE 850 may select a best beam configuration at 811 amongst a plurality of possible beam configurations. As an example, a best beam configuration may be selected by selecting the beam having the largest angular validity region and/or a beam which meets a minimum angular range for a given TEG margin. UE 850 may also select the best beam based on received power (i.e., beam which will be strongest) and/or based on line of sight status of a given link.
At 815, UE 850 may calculate (for example, based on the PCO variation characterization data for the selected beam configuration) an angular validity region around the reference direction, such as reference gNB direction, for which the different TEGs are still valid. In various example embodiments, this may be a worst-case angular region in degrees around the reference gNB direction for which the TEG is still valid. If the orientation of UE 850 relative to the receiving gNBs is known, then the angular validity region could be enhanced to reporting angles separately for Θ and Φ directions. Thus, in some example embodiments, the angular validity region may comprise angular validity region for each of a plurality of directions (i.e., Θ and Φ directions). In addition, angular validity region reporting may also include regions with likelihood of being within the specified TEG of less than 100% (e.g., 90%) to enlarge the validity region. In general terms, PCO variation may be assessed (referred to herein also as PCO variation assessment), and the angular validity region may be determined based on the PCO variation assessment. PCO variation assessment may comprise the UE determining or obtaining PCO variation for a given value of PCO_DB_TH. Moreover, UE 850 may determine the angular validity region as the area where the PCO variation is below a certain threshold with said value of PCO_DB_TH. This certain threshold may refer to the margins of TEG. For example, TEG margin may be 0.1 ns or 1 ns, as discussed above.
In the example of
In the example of
In the example of
In the example of
In the example of
As noted above, UE 1150 may have no gNB direction awareness, and at 1123, may report the TEG margin which is valid covering the PCO variation over the entire evaluated radiation sphere as dictated by the set PCO_DB_TH to LMF 1130, as shown in
In various example embodiments, in case the reported TEG margin is considered too high, LMF 1130 may down-select a group of gNBs based on high SRS-P RSRP, the gNB coordinates, and an initial rough UE positioning, and using this data, adjust the PCO_DB_TH accordingly. LMF 1130 may request a new SRS-P transmission with TEG report based on this reduced PCO_DB_TH, excluding gNBs outside the new evaluation area. Alternatively, LMF 1130 may request a new TEG report based on this reduced PCO_DB_TH, excluding gNBs outside the new evaluation area, but without SRS-P retransmission. This requires UE 1150 to maintain the used PCO mapping available for this subsequent LMF request. Alternatively, LMF 1130 may request TEG reports for x different PCO_DB_TH values up front, avoiding the need for any further SRS-P transmissions or additional report requests. Any of the embodiments may assume that LMF 1130 has confirmed LOS to all gNBs involved.
While UE 1450 may have no direction awareness of any gNB, LMF 1430 may, at 1405, additionally request UE 1450 to evaluate the full angular area as dictated by a high PCO_DB_TH, and then, at 1423, UE 1450 may report a TEG with validity over this entire evaluated radiation sphere but for a given probability PCO_PROB (e.g., 90%). In the example of
As further illustrated in the example of
In certain optional embodiments, at 1607, the method may include receiving a threshold PCO_DB_TH used at a given positioning instance from the LMF to provide adjustment flexibility, or at 1609, the method may include setting the threshold PCO_DB_TH. If PCO_DB_TH is set by the UE, it may be determined based on received power in the DL from multiple gNBs, such as NE 2220 in
As illustrated in the example of
As also illustrated in the example of
As further illustrated in the example of
In certain optional embodiments, at 1707, the method may include transmitting a threshold PCO_DB_TH used at a given positioning instance to the UE to provide adjustment flexibility. At 1709, the method may include receiving SRS-P RSRP & TOA results from the serving NE. At 1711, the method may include receiving SRS-P RSRP & TOA results. At 1713, the method may include receiving at least one TEG with associated validity region and ref gNB ID from the UE. It may be beneficial to receive more than one TEG to enable the LMF to evaluate accuracy degradation for gNBs outside the validity region of the at least one TEG. The reported TEGs may also be associated with multiple PCO_DB_TH values.
As illustrated in the example of
As illustrated in the example of
As noted above, the UE may have no gNB direction awareness, and the method may include reporting the TEG margin, which is valid covering the PCO variation over the entire evaluated radiation sphere as dictated by the set PCO_DB_TH to the LMF, as shown in
As noted above, the UE may have no gNB direction awareness, and the method may include receiving the TEG margin which is valid covering the PCO variation over the entire evaluated radiation sphere as dictated by the set PCO_DB_TH, as shown in
In various example embodiments, in case the reported TEG margin is considered too high, the method may include down-selecting a group of gNBs based on high SRS-P RSRP, the gNB coordinates, and an initial rough UE positioning, and using this data, adjust the PCO_DB_TH accordingly. The method may include requesting a new SRS-P transmission with TEG report based on this reduced PCO_DB_TH, excluding gNBs outside the new evaluation area. Alternatively, the method may include requesting a new TEG report based on this reduced PCO_DB_TH, excluding gNBs outside the new evaluation area, but without SRS-P retransmission. This requires the UE to maintain the used PCO mapping available for this subsequent LMF request. Alternatively, the method may include requesting TEG reports for x different PCO_DB_TH values up front, avoiding the need for any further SRS-P transmissions or additional report requests. Any of the embodiments may assume that the LMF has confirmed LOS to all gNBs involved.
As illustrated in the example of
Optionally, the method may include compensating locally the ToD with reference to the mean PCO offset over the entire radiation sphere for positioning using relative measurements at multiple gNBs. At 2015, the method may include transmitting SRS-P transmissions to at least one of the serving NE and the reference NEs.
As noted above, the UE may have no gNB direction awareness, and the method may include, at 2017, reporting the TEG margin which is valid covering the PCO variation over the entire evaluated radiation sphere as dictated by the set PCO_DB_TH to the LMF, as shown in
As noted above, the UE may have no gNB direction awareness, and the method may include, at 2111, receiving the TEG margin which is valid covering the PCO variation over the entire evaluated radiation sphere as dictated by the set PCO_DB_TH to the LMF, as shown in
While the UE may have no direction awareness of any gNB, the method may include, at 2103, additionally request the UE to evaluate the full angular area as dictated by a high PCO_DB_TH, and then, at 2113, the method may include receiving a TEG with validity over this entire evaluated radiation sphere but for a given probability PCO_PROB (e.g., 90%).
UE 2210 may include one or more of a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet, or portable media player, digital camera, pocket video camera, video game console, navigation unit, such as a global positioning system (GPS) device, desktop or laptop computer, single-location device, such as a sensor or smart meter, or any combination thereof.
NE 2220 may be one or more of a base station, such as an eNB or gNB, a serving gateway, a server, and/or any other access node or combination thereof. Furthermore, UE 2210 and/or NE 2220 may be one or more of a citizens broadband radio service device (CBSD).
In some embodiments, NE 2220 may further comprise at least one gNB-CU, which may be associated with at least one gNB-DU. The at least one gNB-CU and the at least one gNB-DU may be in communication via at least one F1 interface, at least one Xn-C interface, and/or at least one NG interface via a 5GC.
UE 2210 and/or NE 2220 may include at least one processor, respectively indicated as 2211 and 2221. Processors 2211 and 2221 may be embodied by any computational or data processing device, such as a central processing unit (CPU), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or comparable device. The processors may be implemented as a single controller, or a plurality of controllers or processors.
At least one memory may be provided in one or more of the devices, as indicated at 2212 and 2222. The memory may be fixed or removable. The memory may include computer program instructions or computer code contained therein. Memories 2212 and 2222 may independently be any suitable storage device, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. A hard disk drive (HDD), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, or other suitable memory may be used. The memories may be combined on a single integrated circuit as the processor, or may be separate from the one or more processors. Furthermore, the computer program instructions stored in the memory, and which may be processed by the processors, may be any suitable form of computer program code, for example, a compiled or interpreted computer program written in any suitable programming language.
Processors 2211 and 2221, memories 2212 and 2222, and any subset thereof, may be configured to provide means corresponding to the various blocks of
As shown in
The memory and the computer program instructions may be configured, with the processor for the particular device, to cause a hardware apparatus, such as UE, to perform any of the processes described above (i.e.,
In certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include circuitry configured to perform any of the processes or functions illustrated in
According to certain example embodiments, processor 2211 and memory 2212 may be included in or may form a part of processing circuitry or control circuitry. In addition, in some example embodiments, transceiver 513 may be included in or may form a part of transceiving circuitry.
In some example embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., apparatus 2210 and/or apparatus 2220) may include means for performing a method, a process, or any of the variants discussed herein. Examples of the means may include one or more processors, memory, controllers, transmitters, receivers, and/or computer program code for causing the performance of the operations.
In an embodiment, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing: calculating an angular validity region around a reference direction for which at least one timing error group is valid; and transmitting at least one of the timing error groups comprising an indication about the angular validity region and a reference direction identifier associated with the reference direction to a location management node.
In an example, the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises program instructions stored thereon for performing: determining a likelihood of the at least one of the timing error groups to be valid within the angular validity region; and transmitting the likelihood to a location management node.
In an example, the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises program instructions stored thereon for performing: transmitting, to the location management node, at least one user equipment capability associated with a maximum antenna delta gain supported by the user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment.
In an example, the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises program instructions stored thereon for performing: setting an antenna delta gain threshold for phase center offset variation assessment, wherein the antenna delta gain threshold is smaller than or equal to maximum antenna delta gain supported by the user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment.
In an example, the reference direction identifier is a reference base station.
In an example, the calculating the angular validity region is based at least on phase center offset variation assessment.
In an example, each of the at least one timing error groups comprise a timing error group range and a timing error group margin.
In an example, the antenna delta gain threshold is set by the user equipment.
In an example, the antenna delta gain threshold is signaled by the location management node to the user equipment.
In an example, the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises program instructions stored thereon for performing: selecting, by the user equipment, at least one best beam configuration associated with a sounding reference signal positioning transmission.
In an embodiment, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing: receiving at least one timing error group comprising an indication about an angular validity region and a reference direction identifier associated with the reference direction from a user equipment.
In an example, the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises program instructions stored thereon for performing: receiving, from the user equipment, at least one user equipment capability associated with a maximum antenna delta gain supported by the user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment; and transmitting an antenna delta gain threshold for phase center offset variation assessment to the user equipment, wherein the antenna delta gain threshold is smaller than or equal to the maximum antenna delta gain.
In an example, the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises program instructions stored thereon for performing: selecting at least one reference base station located within the angular validity region based upon the timing error group report.
In an example, the at least one timing error group comprises a timing error group range and a timing error group margin.
In an example, an antenna delta gain threshold for phase center offset variation assessment is set by the user equipment.
In an example, an antenna delta gain threshold for phase center offset variation assessment is set by the location management node.
In an example, the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises program instructions stored thereon for performing: selecting, by the location management node, based upon an approximate location of the user equipment and at least one base station, which of positioning measurements within the angular validity region.
In an embodiment, there is provided a non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing: transmitting at least one user equipment capability associated with a maximum antenna delta gain supported by a user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment to a location management node; receiving a list of antenna delta gain thresholds; calculating at least one timing error group margin covering phase center offset variations associated with an entire evaluated radiation sphere of the list of antenna delta gain thresholds; and transmitting at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In an embodiment, there is provided a non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing: receiving at least one user equipment capability associated with a maximum antenna delta gain supported by a user equipment for phase center offset variation assessment from the user equipment; transmitting a list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the user equipment; and receiving at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In an example, the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises program instructions stored thereon for performing: estimating path loss between the user equipment and at least one reference base station.
In an embodiment, there is provided a non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing: transmitting at least one user equipment capability associated with a probability parameter to a location management node; receiving a list of antenna delta gain thresholds; calculating a timing error group margin associated with a probability parameter of a phase center offset variation over an entire evaluated radiation sphere; and transmitting at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In an embodiment, there is provided a non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing: receiving at least one user equipment capability associated with a probability parameter from a user equipment; transmitting a list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the user equipment; and receiving at least one timing error group associated with timing error group margins and the list of antenna delta gain thresholds to the location management node.
In an example, the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises program instructions stored thereon for performing: estimating path loss between the user equipment and at least one reference base station.
The features, structures, or characteristics of example embodiments described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases “various embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “some embodiments,” or other similar language throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an example embodiment may be included in at least one example embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in certain embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” or other similar language throughout this specification does not necessarily all refer to the same group of example embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments.
Additionally, if desired, the different functions or procedures discussed above may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the described functions or procedures may be optional or may be combined. As such, the description above should be considered as illustrative of the principles and teachings of certain example embodiments, and not in limitation thereof.
One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the example embodiments discussed above may be practiced with procedures in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although some embodiments have been described based upon these example embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the example embodiments.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/073581 | 8/24/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63250698 | Sep 2021 | US |
