RADIO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT MEASUREMENT FOR LOW POWER HIGH FREQUENCY ACCURACY POSITIONING WITH A SUBSTANTIALLY EXTENDED DISCONTINUOUS RECEPTION CYCLE

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for low power high frequency accuracy positioning with a substantially extended discontinuous reception cycle. The method may include obtaining a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements and determining whether at least part of the first condition triggering the additional radio resource management measurements is met. The method may further include in response to at least part of the first condition being met, performing the additional radio resource management measurements. The additional radio resource management measurements are outside of a set of periodic paging time windows. The additional radio resource management measurements are performed for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signals.

FIELD

Some example embodiments may generally relate to mobile or wireless telecommunication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or fifth generation (5G) radio access technology or new radio (NR) access technology, or other communications systems such as future wireless communication networks. For example, certain example embodiments may relate to apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for radio resource management measurement for low power high frequency accuracy positioning with a substantially extended discontinuous reception cycle.

BACKGROUND

Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunication systems may include the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), LTE Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), MulteFire, LTE-A Pro, fifth generation (5G) radio access technology or NR access technology, and/or 5G-Advanced. 5G wireless systems refer to the next generation (NG) of radio systems and network architecture. 5G network technology is mostly based on NR technology, but the 5G (or NG) network can also build on E-UTRAN radio. It is estimated that NR may provide bitrates on the order of 10-20 Gbit/s or higher, and may support at least enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) as well as massive machine-type communication (mMTC). NR is expected to deliver extreme broadband and ultra-robust, low-latency connectivity and massive networking to support the IoT.

When a device has an extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) cycle, there are large amounts of time when the device is sleeping or otherwise performing limited functions. It can be time consuming for the device to become synchronized with a network or other devices trying to communicate with the device due to the limited window for reception.

SUMMARY

An embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. The instructions stored in the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor may cause the apparatus at least to perform obtaining a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements and determining whether at least part of the first condition triggering the additional radio resource management measurements is met. The apparatus may further perform in response to at least part of the first condition being met, performing the additional radio resource management measurements. The additional radio resource management measurements are outside of a set of periodic paging time windows. The additional radio resource management measurements are performed for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signals.

Another embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. The instructions stored in the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor may cause the apparatus at least to perform determining a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements and providing or configuring the first condition to one or more user equipment. The apparatus may further perform receiving reporting from the one or more user equipment on the additional radio resource management measurements. The additional radio resource management measurements may be outside of a set of periodic paging time windows. The additional radio resource management measurements may be performed for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signals. And the additional radio resource management measurements may be performed in response to at least part of the first condition being met.

Another embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. The instructions stored in the at least memory, when executed by the at least one processor may cause the apparatus at least to perform receiving positioning measurements of a user equipment and evaluating accuracy of the received positioning measurements. The apparatus may further perform based at least in part on the evaluated accuracy, requesting a network entity to configure a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements to the user equipment.

An embodiment may be directed to a method. The method can include obtaining a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements and determining whether at least part of the first condition triggering the additional radio resource management measurements is met. The method may further include in response to at least part of the first condition being met, performing the additional radio resource management measurements. The additional radio resource management measurements may be outside of a set of periodic paging time windows. The additional radio resource management measurements may be performed for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signals.

Another embodiment may be directed to a method. The method can include determining, by a network entity, a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements and providing or configuring the first condition to one or more user equipment. The method may further include receiving reporting from the one or more user equipment on the additional radio resource management measurements. The additional radio resource management measurements may be outside of a set of periodic paging time windows. The additional radio resource management measurements may be performed for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signals. And the additional radio resource management measurements may be performed in response to at least part of the first condition being met.

Another embodiment may be directed to a method. The method can include receiving positioning measurements of a user equipment and evaluating accuracy of the received positioning measurements. The method may further include based at least in part on the evaluated accuracy, requesting a network entity to configure a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements to the user equipment.

Another embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for obtaining a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements and means for determining whether at least part of the first condition triggering the additional radio resource management measurements is met. The apparatus may further include means for performing the additional radio resource management measurements in response to at least part of the first condition being met. The additional radio resource management measurements may be outside of a set of periodic paging time windows. The additional radio resource management measurements may be performed for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signals.

Another embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for determining, by a network entity, a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements and means for providing or configuring the first condition to one or more user equipment. The apparatus may further include means for receiving reporting from the one or more user equipment on the additional radio resource management measurements. The additional radio resource management measurements may be outside of a set of periodic paging time windows. The additional radio resource management measurements may be performed for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signals. And the additional radio resource management measurements may be performed in response to at least part of the first condition being met.

Another embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for receiving positioning measurements of a user equipment and means for evaluating accuracy of the received positioning measurements. The apparatus may further include means for requesting a network entity to configure a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements to the user equipment based at least in part on the evaluated accuracy.

Another embodiment may be directed to an apparatus comprising circuitry configured to perform a method. The method can include obtaining a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements and determining whether at least part of the first condition triggering the additional radio resource management measurements is met. The method may further include in response to at least part of the first condition being met, performing the additional radio resource management measurements. The additional radio resource management measurements may be outside of a set of periodic paging time windows. The additional radio resource management measurements may be performed for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signals.

Another embodiment may be directed to an apparatus comprising circuitry configured to perform a method. The method can include determining a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements and providing or configuring the first condition to one or more user equipment. The method may further include receiving reporting from the one or more user equipment on the additional radio resource management measurements. The additional radio resource management measurements may be outside of a set of periodic paging time windows. The additional radio resource management measurements may be performed for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signals. And the additional radio resource management measurements are performed in response to at least part of the first condition being met.

Another embodiment may be directed to an apparatus comprising circuitry configured to perform a method. The method can include receiving positioning measurements of a user equipment and evaluating accuracy of the received positioning measurements. The method may further include based at least in part on the evaluated accuracy, requesting a network entity to configure a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements to the user equipment.

Another embodiment may be directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method. The method can include obtaining a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements and determining whether at least part of the first condition triggering the additional radio resource management measurements is met. The method may further include in response to at least part of the first condition being met, performing the additional radio resource management measurements. The additional radio resource management measurements may be outside of a set of periodic paging time windows. The additional radio resource management measurements may be performed for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signals.

Another embodiment may be directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method. The method can include determining, by a network entity, a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements and providing or configuring the first condition to one or more user equipment. The method may further include receiving reporting from the one or more user equipment on the additional radio resource management measurements. The additional radio resource management measurements may be outside of a set of periodic paging time windows. The additional radio resource management measurements may be performed for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signals. And the additional radio resource management measurements may be performed in response to at least part of the first condition being met.

Another embodiment may be directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method. The method can include receiving positioning measurements of a user equipment and evaluating accuracy of the received positioning measurements. The method may further include based at least in part on the evaluated accuracy, requesting a network entity to configure a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements to the user equipment.

A computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, may cause the apparatus to perform a method. The method can include obtaining a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements and determining whether at least part of the first condition triggering the additional radio resource management measurements is met. The method may further include in response to at least part of the first condition being met, performing the additional radio resource management measurements. The additional radio resource management measurements may be outside of a set of periodic paging time windows. The additional radio resource management measurements may be performed for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signals.

A computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, may cause the apparatus to perform a method. The method can include determining a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements and providing or configuring the first condition to one or more user equipment. The method may further include receiving reporting from the one or more user equipment on the additional radio resource management measurements. The additional radio resource management measurements may be outside of a set of periodic paging time windows. The additional radio resource management measurements may be performed for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signals. And the additional radio resource management measurements may be performed in response to at least part of the first condition being met.

A computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, may cause the apparatus to perform a method. The method can include receiving positioning measurements of a user equipment and evaluating accuracy of the received positioning measurements. The method may further include based at least in part on the evaluated accuracy, requesting a network entity to configure a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements to the user equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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. The following is a detailed description of some example embodiments of low power high frequency accuracy positioning with a substantially extended discontinuous reception cycle.

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 “certain embodiments,” “an example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “various embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in certain embodiments,” “an example embodiment,” “in some embodiments,” “in other embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. Further, the terms “base station”, “cell”, “node”, “gNB”, “network” or other similar language throughout this specification may be used interchangeably.

UEs may connect to a network and share information electronically over networks such as cell networks. For optimal communication with the network, it may be advantageous to have an accurate knowledge of the location of the UE. The following example embodiments may prevent positioning sessions from failing to accurately estimate a position of the UE even when the UE is in an extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) cycle with limited reception windows.

FIG.1illustrates an example flow diagram1000of communications between a user equipment (UE)100and network200, according to certain example embodiments. The UE may be a user device such as a cell phone, computer, laptop, tablet, etc. The network200may be a 5G network or other network including base stations, servers, location management function (LMF) implemented on a server or other hardware, etc.

At S1020, the network200(at a base station) may send a positioning reference signal (PRS) or series of positioning reference signals to the UE100. The UE100may receive the positioning reference signal. The network200may send PRS periodically, and the PRS may be used for positioning various devices connected to the network200. The UE100may be in an extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) cycle where the UE100only processes signals received during a periodic paging time window (PTW) in each cycle of the eDRX cycle. The UE100may be in the eDRX for power saving. If a second PRS is not received in the PTW, the UE100may not be able to perform positioning measurements on the PRS. Thus, the positioning interval of the PRS may be too large and/or may not be synchronized with the eDRX cycle of the UE100.

At S1020, the UE100may determine information related to additional radio resources management measurements. PRS is an example of radio resources management (RRM). The UE100may determine that the PRS signaling is received too infrequently or out of synch with the PTW such that there is a synchronization failure.

The UE100may determine that the UE100is out of the synchronization and measure neighbor cells for cell reselection. The UE100may perform serving cell measurement/reference cell measurements. If serving cell/reference cell measurements failed, or if the UE is out of synchronization, UE100may perform neighboring cell measurements. If reselection conditions are satisfied, cell reselection may be performed.

At S1030, the UE100may send, to the network200, an indication of position reference signal timing. The indication may include an indication of synchronization failure, or another indication that the PRS is received in a way that positioning measurements in the PTW of the eDRX cycle is hindered.

At S1040, the network200may send and the UE100may receive at least one condition triggering additional radio resource management measurements for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signals. The network200at the LMF may determine which condition(s) to send. The at least one condition may include UE conditions, channel conditions, signal conditions, measurement requirements, etc. In some embodiments some or all of the conditions may be stored at the UE100and operations S1030and S1040may be skipped.

The at least one condition may include, performing the additional measurement(s) when the UE100may be in a time duration of sleeping mode. For example, the downlink (DL) PRS positioning measurement or transmits uplink (UL) positioning SRS(s) is outside of a PTW. The at least one condition may include, performing the additional measurement(s) when UE mobility is over a certain threshold (e.g., the UE performs additional RRM measurements if the UE mobility is high, and the UE may not necessarily perform additional RRM measurements if the UE mobility is low). The at least one condition may include, performing the additional measurement(s) when the received signal power (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR)) of the recently measured synchronization signal block (SSB) does not exceed a certain threshold (e.g., the UE performs additional RRM measurements if the most recent RSRP measurement from SSB is low).

In some other examples of the at least one condition, the UE100may measure the closest SSB before performing the PRS measurement if the next PRS measurement occasion is not overlapping with any PTW of the eDRX cycle. The network200also may expect or anticipate this UE100behavior and send the PRS at the normal interval so that the PRS can be anticipated by the UE100. If the UE is indicated to obtain highly accurate positioning measurements, the network expects or anticipates the UE to increase the number of additional RRM measurement samples outside of the PTW. The at least one condition may include, performing the additional measurement(s) when a high accuracy of positioning measurement is required, the RRM measurement frequency can further increase. For example, when UE is set to measure two samples for additional RRM measurement, UE may determine to measure four SSB samples to enhance the accuracy of synchronization. The at least one condition may include, performing the additional measurement(s) when the wireless channel measurement (e.g., quality of service class identifier (CQI), RSRP, and/or SINR) between the UE and the gNB is less than a pre-defined threshold, the UE may perform additional RRM measurement outside of the PTW. The UE may perform the SSB measurement before the next, upcoming PRS measurements until the PRS measurement occasion is overlapping with the next, second PTW. If downlink reference timing and/or uplink transmission timing is changed over a pre-defined threshold value, the UE100may perform the additional RRM measurements outside of the PTW before the next PRS measurement. The substantial change of the downlink reception reference timing may happen if the UE100moves to another cell within a validity area.

Additional RRM measurements may also be configured. A RRM measurement frequency may be initially defined to a certain value (e.g., one SSB measurement in every X (>0) PRS measurements outside PTW). The RRM measurement frequency can be implemented as an additional RRM (SSB) measurement period. For example, the value of the RRM measurement frequency can be lower with an extended cyclic prefix (CP) length than a short CP length. This is due to the fact that extended CP is robust to maintain synchronization, and thus less frequency RRM measurement is required when extended CP is configured. This may be combined with other options from the one or more conditions.

At S1050, the UE100may determine whether the at least one condition is met triggering additional RRM measurements for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signal (SRS). SRS is another example of RRM.

At S1060, the UE100and/or the network200may send RRM signals. The UE100may receive one or more PRS from the network or transmit the PSR signal to the network200.

At S1070, the UE100may perform positioning measurements based on the RRM signals. The one or more PRS may be measured outside of the PTW of the eDRX. The positioning measurements may include time of arrival (ToA), signal strength measurements, channel quality measurements, or other measurements which are useful for determining positioning of the UE.

At S1080, the UE100may send the positioning measurements to the network200.

At S1090, the network200at the LMF may determine the position of the UE100. In an example embodiment, the gNB of the network200receives the positioning measurements from UE100at S1080and provides the positioning measurements to the LMF of the network200. The LMF determines the position of the UE based on the positioning measurements from the UE100. In another example embodiment, the UE100transmits positioning SRS and a base station (gNB) of the network200receives the positioning SRS. The gNB of the network200performs positioning measurements such as RTOA (Relative Time Of Arrival) and provides the LMF of the network200with the obtained measurements. The LMF of the network200determines the position of the UE100based on the obtained measurements from the gNB of the network200.

At S1100, the LMF of the network may establish communication conditions with the UE100based on the determined position and UE100and network200may communicate.

FIG.2illustrates another example flow diagram2000of communications between a user equipment and network, according to some example embodiments. The operations ofFIG.2may be performed in conjunction with the operations ofFIG.1. For example, the operations ofFIG.2may be performed after the operations ofFIG.1.

At S2010, the LMF of the network200may determine that the accuracy of the determined position of the user equipment100is below a threshold. The threshold may be set based on the requirement of the positioning accuracy, measurement quality reported by the user equipment, types of communications, the quality of the connection, network conditions, etc.

At S2020, the network200may send and the UE100may receive a configuration on additional RRM measurements from a gNB of the network200. For example, the gNB of the network200will provide a configuration for performing a series of RRM measurements which may or may not align with the eDRX cycle of the UE100.

At S2030, the UE100may configure the UE100to receive the PRS at the timing indicated in the configuration. The UE100may reconfigure the eDRX cycle to align the PTW with the PRS to be received or may reconfigure to perform the measurements outside of the PTW. In an example embodiment, explicit indication on additional RRM measurements may be included in the configuration from the LMF or gNB of the network200. Network200activates the additional RRM measurements via a RRC signaling. When additional RRM measurements are not activated, if UE is out of synchronization, UE changes the RRC state to the CONNECTED mode and the new cell is searched. When additional RRM measurements are activated, as an initialization, UE determines the number of PRS measurements and the corresponding period of additional RRM measurements.

At S2040, the UE100and the network200may perform positioning measurements based on the configuration. The UE100may receive PRS and perform RRM measurements based on the PRS, the UE may also send SRS. The UE100may send the measurements to the network200.

At S2050, the network200may determine the position of the UE100.

As S2060, the network200may communicate with the UE100based on the determined position of the user equipment.

FIG.3illustrates an example flow diagram3000of a method, according to certain example embodiments. In an example embodiment, the method ofFIG.3may be performed by a network entity, or a group of multiple network elements (NE) in a 3GPP system, such as LTE or 5G-NR. For instance, in an example embodiment, the method ofFIG.3may be performed by a UE or computer implementing an application and/or AF, the UE and computer being similar to one of apparatuses10or20illustrated inFIG.9.

According to certain example embodiments, the method ofFIG.3may include, at S3010, obtaining a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements, at S3020, determining whether at least part of the first condition triggering the additional radio resource management measurements is met, and, at S3030in response to at least part of the first condition being met, performing the additional radio resource management measurements, wherein the additional radio resource management measurements are outside of a set of periodic paging time windows and the additional radio resource management measurements are performed for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signals.

FIG.4illustrates an example flow diagram4000of another method, according to certain example embodiments. In an example embodiment, the method ofFIG.4may be performed by a network entity, or a group of multiple network elements in a 3GPP system, such as LTE or 5G-NR. For instance, in an example embodiment, the method ofFIG.4may be performed by the network (e.g., gNB, 5G core, or 5G RAN) similar to one of apparatuses10or20illustrated inFIG.9.

According to certain example embodiments, the method ofFIG.4may include, at S4010, determining, by a network entity, a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements, at S4020, providing or configuring the first condition to one or more user equipment, at S4030, receiving reporting from the one or more user equipment on the additional radio resource management measurements, wherein the additional radio resource management measurements are outside of a set of periodic paging time windows and the additional radio resource management measurements are performed for at least one of performing positioning measurements or transmitting positioning sounding reference signals, and wherein the additional radio resource management measurements are performed in response to at least part of the first condition being met.

FIG.5illustrates an example flow chart for a method of controlling a network, according to certain example embodiments. In an example embodiment, the method ofFIG.5may be performed by a network entity, or a group of multiple network elements in a 3GPP system, such as LTE or 5G-NR. For instance, in an example embodiment, the method ofFIG.5may be performed by a network element implementing an LMF similar to one of apparatuses10or20illustrated inFIG.9.

According to certain example embodiments, the method ofFIG.5may include, at S5010, receiving positioning measurements of a user equipment, at S5020, evaluating accuracy of the received positioning measurements, and at S5030, based at least in part on the evaluated accuracy, requesting a network entity to configure a first condition related to additional radio resource management measurements to the user equipment.

FIG.6illustrates an example timing diagram of position signals and measurements, according to some example embodiments. The timing diagram shows RRM signals and the eDRX cycle of the UE100. The timing diagram also illustrates the positioning interval between the PRS signals and potential measurements at the UE100. The timing diagram ofFIG.6shown an example of one of the options for performing RRM signaling and measurements outside of the PTW of the eDRX cycle. The UE100may determine the next PRS measurement occasion is not overlapping with any PTW measure and measure an SSB before the PRS closest before the PTW of the eDRX cycle. The network200also may expect or anticipate this UE100behavior and send the PRS at the normal interval so that the PRS can be anticipated by the UE100. Accordingly, RRM measurements may be performed by the UE100. The PRS measurements may also be replaced with positioning SRS transmission.

FIG.7illustrates another example timing diagram of position signals and measurements, according to some example embodiments. the UE100determines a high accuracy of positioning measurement is required, the RRM measurement frequency can further increase (e.g., to four) and the UE may determine to measure four SSB samples to enhance the accuracy of synchronization. SSB samples may be measured outside of the PTW window.

FIG.8illustrates another example timing diagram of position signals and measurements, according to some example embodiments. If the UE determines the downlink reference timing and/or uplink transmission timing is changed over a pre-defined threshold value (e.g., a downlink reference timing error occurs), the UE100may perform the additional RRM measurements outside of the PTW by performing SSB measurements.

FIG.9illustrates a set of apparatuses10and20according to certain example embodiments. In certain example embodiments, apparatuses10and20may be elements in a communications network or associated with such a network. For example, apparatus10may be an AF or application implemented on a computing device or machine such as, for example, an EH-UE, and apparatus20may be a network (i.e., gNB, 5GS, 5G Core, 5G RAN, etc.).

As illustrated in the example ofFIG.9apparatuses10and20may include or be coupled to a processors12and22for processing information and executing instructions or operations. Processors12and22may be any type of general or specific purpose processor. In fact, processors12and22may include one or more of general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as examples. While a single processors12and22is shown inFIG.9, multiple processors may be utilized according to other example embodiments. For example, it should be understood that, in certain example embodiments, apparatuses10and20may include two or more processors that may form a multiprocessor system (e.g., in this case processors12may represent a multiprocessor) that may support multiprocessing. According to certain example embodiments, the multiprocessor system may be tightly coupled or loosely coupled (e.g., to form a computer cluster).

Processors12and22may perform functions associated with the operation of apparatuses10and20including, as some examples, precoding of antenna gain/phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming a communication message, formatting of information, and overall control of the apparatuses10and20, including processes and examples illustrated inFIGS.1-8.

Apparatuses10and20may further include or be coupled to a memories14and24(internal or external), which may be respectively coupled to processors12and24for storing information and instructions that may be executed by processors12and24. Memories14and24may be one or more memories and of any type suitable to the local application environment, and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or nonvolatile data storage technology such as a semiconductor-based memory device, a magnetic memory device and system, an optical memory device and system, fixed memory, and/or removable memory. For example, memories14and24can be comprised of any combination of random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), static storage such as a magnetic or optical disk, hard disk drive (HDD), or any other type of non-transitory machine or computer readable media. The instructions stored in memories14and24may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processors12and22, enable the apparatuses10and20to perform tasks as described herein.

In certain example embodiments, apparatuses10and20may further include or be coupled to (internal or external) a drive or port that is configured to accept and read an external computer readable storage medium, such as an optical disc, USB drive, flash drive, or any other storage medium. For example, the external computer readable storage medium may store a computer program or software for execution by processors12and22and/or apparatuses10and20to perform any of the methods and examples illustrated inFIGS.1-8.

In some example embodiments, apparatuses10and20may also include or be coupled to one or more antennas15and25for receiving a downlink signal and for transmitting via an UL from apparatuses10and20. Apparatuses10and20may further include a transceivers18and28configured to transmit and receive information. The transceivers18and28may also include a radio interface (e.g., a modem) coupled to the antennas15and25. The radio interface may correspond to a plurality of radio access technologies including one or more of GSM, LTE, LTE-A, 5G, NR, WLAN, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, BT-LE, NFC, RFID, UWB, and the like. The radio interface may include other components, such as filters, converters (for example, digital-to-analog converters and the like), symbol demappers, signal shaping components, an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) module, and the like, to process symbols, such as OFDMA symbols, carried by a downlink or an UL.

For instance, transceivers18and28may be configured to modulate information on to a carrier waveform for transmission by the antennas15and25and demodulate information received via the antenna15and25for further processing by other elements of apparatuses10and20. In other example embodiments, transceivers18and28may be capable of transmitting and receiving signals or data directly. Additionally or alternatively, in some example embodiments, apparatus10may include an input and/or output device (I/O device). In certain example embodiments, apparatuses10and20may further include a user interface, such as a graphical user interface or touchscreen.

In certain example embodiments, memories14and34store software modules that provide functionality when executed by processors12and22. The modules may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for apparatuses10and20. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as an application or program, to provide additional functionality for apparatuses10and20. The components of apparatuses10and20may be implemented in hardware, or as any suitable combination of hardware and software. According to certain example embodiments, apparatuses10and20may optionally be configured to communicate each other (in any combination) via a wireless or wired communication links70according to any radio access technology, such as NR.

According to certain example embodiments, processors12and22and memories14and24may be included in or may form a part of processing circuitry or control circuitry. In addition, in some example embodiments, transceivers18and28may be included in or may form a part of transceiving circuitry.

In certain example embodiments, apparatus10may be controlled by memory14and processor12to send an energy report to a network element, the energy report indicating limitations of energy of a device, generate a positioning measurement report based on signals received from one or more base stations, and send the positioning measurement report to the network element.

In other example embodiments, apparatus20may be controlled by memory24and processor22to determine, at least one parameter with which to conduct a positioning estimation process based on an energy report received from a device. The energy report may indicate limitations of energy of the device. The apparatus20may also be controlled by memory24and processor22to control one or more base stations to conduct the positioning estimation process with the device based on the determination of the at least one parameter, and estimate a position of the device based on a positioning measurement report received from the device.

Certain example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that includes means for sending an energy report to a network element. The energy report may indicate limitations of energy of a device. The apparatus may also include means for generating a positioning measurement report based on signals received from one or more base stations, and means for sending the positioning measurement report to the network element.

Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that includes means for determining at least one parameter with which to conduct a positioning estimation process based on an energy report received from a device. The energy report may indicate limitations of energy of the device. The apparatus may also include means for controlling one or more base stations to conduct the positioning estimation process with the device based on the determination of the at least one parameter, and means for estimating a position of the device based on a positioning measurement report received from the device.

Certain example embodiments described herein provide several technical improvements, enhancements, and/or advantages. In some example embodiments, it may be possible to obtain the position of a device without having an error due to the energy of the device being completely depleted. Also, the positioning process may be customized for the particular device based on the constraints and needs of the device. Further, errors can be reduced by allowing pauses in the positioning process for the device to harvest energy.

A computer program product may include one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out some example embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it. Modifications and configurations required for implementing functionality of certain example embodiments may be performed as routine(s), which may be implemented as added or updated software routine(s). Software routine(s) may be downloaded into the apparatus.

According to certain example embodiments, an apparatus, such as a node, device, or a corresponding component, may be configured as circuitry, a computer or a microprocessor, such as single-chip computer element, or as a chipset, including at least a memory for providing storage capacity used for arithmetic operation and an operation processor for executing the arithmetic operation.

FIG.10illustrates an example of a 5G network and system architecture according to certain example embodiments. Shown are multiple network functions that may be implemented as software operating as part of a network device or dedicated hardware, as a network device itself or dedicated hardware, or as a virtual function operating as a network device or dedicated hardware. The NE and UE illustrated inFIG.10may be similar to apparatuses20and10, respectively. The user plane function (UPF) may provide services such as intra-RAT and inter-RAT mobility, routing and forwarding of data packets, inspection of packets, user plane quality of service (QOS) processing, buffering of downlink packets, and/or triggering of downlink data notifications. The application function (AF) may primarily interface with the core network to facilitate application usage of traffic routing and interact with the policy framework.

According to certain example embodiments, processors12and22, and memories14and24, may be included in or may form a part of processing circuitry or control circuitry. In addition, in some example embodiments, transceivers18and28may be included in or may form a part of transceiving circuitry.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., Apparatus10and/or Apparatus20) 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.

One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the invention as 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 the invention has 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 example embodiments. Although the above embodiments refer to 5G NR and LTE technology, the above embodiments may also apply to any other present or future 3GPP technology, such as LTE-advanced, and/or fourth generation (4G) technology.