Interaction of the wake-up signal (WUS) with downlink positioning reference signal (PRS) reception in a wireless network

A user equipment (UE) operating in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode may receive a wake-up signal indicating that the UE may skip the next ON duration of the DRX cycle, i.e., the UE is instructed to not wake up during a next ON time during the DRX cycle to monitor communication signals, such as data signals or control signals. The UE may be configured to receive downlink (DL) positioning reference signals (PRSs), e.g., during the next ON duration of the DRX cycle. The UE respond to the PRS configuration and the wake-up signal by remaining in DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS or transitioning to DRX ON mode to receive the PRS during which the UE may monitor or not monitor communication signals. The location server may receive indications of the wake-up signal configuration and status from a base station or the UE.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage Entry filed under 35 U.S.C. 371 of PCT/US2020/066008, filed on Dec. 18, 2020, entitled “INTERACTION OF THE WAKE-UP SIGNAL (WUS) WITH DOWNLINK POSITIONING REFERENCE SIGNAL (PRS) RECEPTION IN WIRELESS NETWORKS,” which claims priority Greek Patent Application Number 20200100051, filed on Jan. 31, 2020, entitled “INTERACTION OF THE WAKE-UP SIGNAL (WUS) WITH DOWNLINK POSITIONING REFERENCE SIGNAL (PRS) RECEPTION IN WIRELESS NETWORKS,” both of which are assigned to the assignee hereof and are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to wireless communications and the like.

BACKGROUND

SUMMARY

A user equipment (UE) operating in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode may receive a wake-up signal indicating that the UE may skip the next ON duration of the DRX cycle, i.e., the UE is instructed to not wake up during a next ON time during the DRX cycle, to monitor for communication signals, such as data signals or control signals. The UE may also be configured to receive downlink (DL) positioning reference signals (PRSs), e.g., during the next ON duration of the DRX cycle. The UE may respond to the PRS configuration and the wake-up signal, by remaining in a DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS or transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS during which the UE may monitor or not monitor communication signals. The location server may receive indications of the wake-up signal configuration and status from, e.g., a serving base station or the UE. The response may depend on various factors, including the time domain behavior of the PRS, the transmission point of the PRS, whether the PRS measurement is inter-frequency or intra-frequency or whether it requires measurement gaps, whether the PRS configuration is defined for a specific option, or whether the UE1300is configured to respond in a specific manner based on the received wake-up signal or based on configuration from the serving base station or location server, e.g., in WUS configuration or PRS configuration message, respectively.

In one implementation, a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE) operating in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode, includes receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for receiving PRS; receiving a wake-up signal from a serving base station indicating that the UE is not to wake up during a next ON time during a DRX cycle to monitor for communication signals, the communication signals comprising data signals or control signals or both; in response to the PRS configuration and the wake-up signal, performing one of: A) remaining in a DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS; or B) transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for the communication signals; or C) transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for the communication signals.

In one implementation, a user equipment (UE) configured for wireless communication and operating in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode, includes a transceiver for wirelessly receiving and sending messages; at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the transceiver and the at least one memory, the at least one processor configured to: receive, via the transceiver, a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for receiving PRS; receive, via the transceiver, a wake-up signal from a serving base station indicating that the UE is not to wake up during a next ON time during a DRX cycle to monitor for communication signals, the communication signals comprising data signals or control signals or both; in response to the PRS configuration and the wake-up signal, perform one of: A) remain in a DRX sleep mode and not receive the PRS; or B) transition to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitor for the communication signals; or C) transition to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitor for the communication signals.

In one implementation, a user equipment (UE) configured for wireless communication and operating in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode, includes means for receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for receiving PRS; means for receiving a wake-up signal from a serving base station indicating that the UE is not to wake up during a next ON time during a DRX cycle to monitor for communication signals, the communication signals comprising data signals or control signals or both; means for performing, in response to the PRS configuration and the wake-up signal, one of: remaining in a DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS; or transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for the communication signals; or transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for the communication signals.

In one implementation, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium including program code stored thereon, the program code is operable to configure at least one processor in a user equipment (UE) configured for wireless communication and operating in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode, includes program code to receive a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for receiving PRS; program code to receive a wake-up signal from a serving base station indicating that the UE is not to wake up during a next ON time during a DRX cycle to monitor for communication signals, the communication signals comprising data signals or control signals or both; program code to perform, in response to the PRS configuration and the wake-up signal, one of: remaining in a DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS; or transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for the communication signals; or transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for the communication signals.

In one implementation, a method of wireless communication for a user equipment (UE) operating in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode performed by a base station in a wireless network serving the UE, includes transmitting a wake-up signal to the UE indicating that the UE is not to wake up during a next ON time during a DRX cycle to monitor for communication signals, the communication signals comprising data signals or control signals or both; wherein the UE is configured to receive positioning reference signals (PRSs), and in response to the configuration to receive PRS and the wake-up signal, the UE performs one of: A) remaining in a DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS; or B) transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for the communication signals; or C) transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for the communication signals; transmitting to a location server an indication of the wake-up signal indicating that the UE is not to wake up during the next ON time during the DRX cycle to monitor for the communication signals.

In one implementation, a base station in a wireless network serving a user equipment (UE), the UE configured for wireless communication and operating in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode, includes a transceiver for wirelessly receiving and sending messages with UEs; a communication interface for receiving and sending messages to entities within the wireless network; at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the transceiver, the communication interface, and the at least one memory, the at least one processor configured to: transmit to the UE, via the transceiver, a wake-up signal indicating that the UE is not to wake up during a next ON time during a DRX cycle to monitor for communication signals, the communication signals comprising data signals or control signals or both; wherein the UE is configured to receive positioning reference signals (PRSs), and in response to the configuration to receive PRS and the wake-up signal, the UE performs one of: A) remaining in a DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS; or B) transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for the communication signals; or C) transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for the communication signals; transmit to a location server, via the communications interface, an indication of the wake-up signal indicating that the UE is not to wake up during the next ON time during the DRX cycle to monitor for the communication signals.

In one implementation, a base station in a wireless network serving a user equipment (UE), the UE configured for wireless communication and operating in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode performed, includes means for transmitting to the UE a wake-up signal indicating that the UE is not to wake up during a next ON time during a DRX cycle to monitor for communication signals, the communication signals comprising data signals or control signals or both; wherein the UE is configured to receive positioning reference signals (PRSs), and in response to the configuration to receive PRS and the wake-up signal, the UE performs one of: A) remaining in a DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS; or B) transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for the communication signals; or C)transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for the communication signals; means for transmitting to a location server an indication of the wake-up signal indicating that the UE is not to wake up during the next ON time during the DRX cycle to monitor for the communication signals.

In one implementation, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium including program code stored thereon, the program code is operable to configure at least one processor in a base station in a wireless network serving a user equipment (UE), the UE configured for wireless communication and operating in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode performed, includes program code to transmit to the UE a wake-up signal indicating that the UE is not to wake up during a next ON time during a DRX cycle to monitor for communication signals, the communication signals comprising data signals or control signals or both; wherein the UE is configured to receive positioning reference signals (PRSs), and in response to the configuration to receive PRS and the wake-up signal, the UE performs one of: A) remaining in a DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS; or B) transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for the communication signals; or C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for the communication signals; program code to transmit to a location server an indication of the wake-up signal indicating that the UE is not to wake up during the next ON time during the DRX cycle to monitor for the communication signals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term “base station” may refer to a single physical transmission point or to multiple physical transmission points that may or may not be co-located. For example, where the term “base station” refers to a single physical transmission point, the physical transmission point may be an antenna of the base station corresponding to a cell of the base station. Where the term “base station” refers to multiple co-located physical transmission points, the physical transmission points may be an array of antennas (e.g., as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or where the base station employs beamforming) of the base station. Where the term “base station” refers to multiple non-co-located physical transmission points, the physical transmission points may be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transport medium) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, the non-co-located physical transmission points may be the serving base station receiving the measurement report from the UE and a neighbor base station whose reference RF signals the UE is measuring.

The base stations102may collectively form a RAN and interface with a core network170(e.g., an evolved packet core (EPC) or next generation core (NGC)) through backhaul links122, and through the core network170to one or more location servers172. In addition to other functions, the base stations102may perform functions that relate to one or more of transferring user data, radio channel ciphering and deciphering, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setup and release, load balancing, distribution for non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment trace, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations102may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through the EPC/NGC) over backhaul links134, which may be wired or wireless.

The communication links120between the base stations102and the UEs104may include UL (also referred to as reverse link) transmissions from a UE104to a base station102and/or downlink (DL) (also referred to as forward link) transmissions from a base station102to a UE104. The communication links120may use MIMO antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and/or transmit diversity. The communication links120may be through one or more carrier frequencies. Allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or less carriers may be allocated for DL than for UL).

The small cell base station102′ may operate in a licensed and/or an unlicensed frequency spectrum. When operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the small cell base station102′ may employ LTE or 5G technology and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum as used by the WLAN AP150. The small cell base station102′, employing LTE/5G in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, may boost coverage to and/or increase capacity of the access network. LTE in an unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as LTE-unlicensed (LTE-U), licensed assisted access (LAA), or MulteFire.

The wireless communications system100may further include a UE164that may communicate with a macro cell base station102over a communication link120and/or the mmW base station180over a mmW communication link184. For example, the macro cell base station102may support a PCell and one or more SCells for the UE164and the mmW base station180may support one or more SCells for the UE164. In an aspect, the UE164may include a PRS-Wake-Up Signal (WUS) interaction manager166that may enable the UE164to perform the UE operations described herein. Note that although only one UE inFIG.1is illustrated as having a PRS-WUS interaction manager166, any of the UEs inFIG.1may be configured to perform the UE operations described herein.

FIG.2Aillustrates an example wireless network structure200. For example, an NGC210(also referred to as a “5GC”) can be viewed functionally as control plane functions214(e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and user plane functions212, (e.g., UE gateway function, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.) which operate cooperatively to form the core network. User plane interface (NG-U)213and control plane interface (NG-C)215connect the gNB222to the NGC210and specifically to the control plane functions214and user plane functions212. In an additional configuration, an eNB224may also be connected to the NGC210via NG-C215to the control plane functions214and NG-U213to user plane functions212. Further, eNB224may directly communicate with gNB222via a backhaul connection223. In some configurations, the New RAN220may only have one or more gNBs222, while other configurations include one or more of both eNB s224and gNB s222. Either gNB222or eNB224may communicate with UEs204(e.g., any of the UEs depicted inFIG.1). Another optional aspect may include one or more location servers230a,230b(sometimes collectively referred to as location server230) (which may correspond to location server172), which may be in communication with the control plane functions214and user plane functions212, respectively, in the NGC210to provide location assistance for UEs204. The location server230can be implemented as a plurality of separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternately may each correspond to a single server. The location server230can be configured to support one or more location services for UEs204that can connect to the location server230via the core network, NGC210, and/or via the Internet (not illustrated). Further, the location server230may be integrated into a component of the core network, or alternatively may be external to the core network, e.g., in the New RAN220.

FIG.2Billustrates another example wireless network structure250. For example, an NGC260(also referred to as a “5GC”) can be viewed functionally as control plane functions, provided by an access and mobility management function (AMF)264, user plane function (UPF)262, a session management function (SMF)266, SLP268, and an LMF270, which operate cooperatively to form the core network (i.e., NGC260). User plane interface263and control plane interface265connect the ng-eNB224to the NGC260and specifically to UPF262and AMF264, respectively. In an additional configuration, a gNB222may also be connected to the NGC260via control plane interface265to AMF264and user plane interface263to UPF262. Further, eNB224may directly communicate with gNB222via the backhaul connection223, with or without gNB direct connectivity to the NGC260. In some configurations, the New RAN220may only have one or more gNBs222, while other configurations include one or more of both ng-eNBs224and gNBs222. Either ng-gNB222or eNB224may communicate with UEs204(e.g., any of the UEs depicted inFIG.1). The base stations of the New RAN220communicate with the AMF264over the N2 interface and the UPF262over the N3 interface.

The functions of the AMF include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transport for session management (SM) messages between the UE204and the SMF266, transparent proxy services for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transport for short message service (SMS) messages between the UE204and the short message service function (SMSF) (not shown), and security anchor functionality (SEAF). The AMF also interacts with the authentication server function (AUSF) (not shown) and the UE204, and receives the intermediate key that was established as a result of the UE204authentication process. In the case of authentication based on a UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system) subscriber identity module (USIM), the AMF retrieves the security material from the AUSF. The functions of the AMF also include security context management (SCM). The SCM receives a key from the SEAF that it uses to derive access-network specific keys. The functionality of the AMF also includes location services management for regulatory services, transport for location services messages between the UE204and the location management function (LMF)270(which may correspond to location server172), as well as between the New RAN220and the LMF270, evolved packet system (EPS) bearer identifier allocation for interworking with the EPS, and UE204mobility event notification. In addition, the AMF also supports functionalities for non-Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access networks.

Functions of the UPF include acting as an anchor point for intra-/inter-RAT mobility (when applicable), acting as an external protocol data unit (PDU) session point of interconnect to the data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., gating, redirection, traffic steering), lawful interception (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, quality of service (QoS) handling for the user plane (e.g., UL/DL rate enforcement, reflective QoS marking in the DL), UL traffic verification (service data flow (SDF) to QoS flow mapping), transport level packet marking in the UL and DL, DL packet buffering and DL data notification triggering, and sending and forwarding of one or more “end markers” to the source RAN node.

Another optional aspect may include an LMF270, which may be in communication with the NGC260to provide location assistance for UEs204. The LMF270can be implemented as a plurality of separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternately may each correspond to a single server. The LMF270can be configured to support one or more location services for UEs204that can connect to the LMF270via the core network, NGC260, and/or via the Internet (not illustrated).

FIG.3shows a block diagram of a design300of base station102and UE104, which may be one of the base stations and one of the UEs inFIG.1. Base station102may be equipped with T antennas334athrough334t, and UE104may be equipped with R antennas352athrough352r, where in general T≥1 and R≥1.

At base station102, a transmit processor320may receive data from a data source312for one or more UEs, select one or more modulation and coding schemes (MCS) for each UE based at least in part on channel quality indicators (CQIs) received from the UE, process (e.g., encode and modulate) the data for each UE based at least in part on the MCS(s) selected for the UE, and provide data symbols for all UEs. Transmit processor320may also process system information (e.g., for semi-static resource partitioning information (SRPI) and/or the like) and control information (e.g., CQI requests, grants, upper layer signaling, and/or the like) and provide overhead symbols and control symbols. Transmit processor320may also generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., the cell-specific reference signal (CRS)) and synchronization signals (e.g., the primary synchronization signal (PSS) and secondary synchronization signal (SSS)). A transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor330may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on the data symbols, the control symbols, the overhead symbols, and/or the reference symbols, if applicable, and may provide T output symbol streams to T modulators (MODs)332athrough332t. Each modulator332may process a respective output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM and/or the like) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modulator332may further process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and upconvert) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink signal. T downlink signals from modulators332athrough332tmay be transmitted via T antennas334athrough334t, respectively. According to various aspects described in more detail below, the synchronization signals can be generated with location encoding to convey additional information.

At UE104, antennas352athrough352rmay receive the downlink signals from base station102and/or other base stations and may provide received signals to demodulators (DEMODs)354athrough354r, respectively. Each demodulator354may condition (e.g., filter, amplify, down convert, and digitize) a received signal to obtain input samples. Each demodulator354may further process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM and/or the like) to obtain received symbols. A MIMO detector356may obtain received symbols from all R demodulators354athrough354r, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and provide detected symbols. A receive processor358may process (e.g., demodulate and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data for UE104to a data sink360, and provide decoded control information and system information to a controller/processor380. A channel processor may determine reference signal received power (RSRP), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), channel quality indicator (CQI), and/or the like. In some aspects, one or more components of UE104may be included in a housing.

On the uplink, at UE104, a transmit processor364may receive and process data from a data source362and control information (e.g., for reports comprising RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ, CQI, and/or the like) from controller/processor380. Transmit processor364may also generate reference symbols for one or more reference signals. The symbols from transmit processor364may be precoded by a TX MIMO processor366if applicable, further processed by modulators354athrough354r(e.g., for DFT-s-OFDM, CP-OFDM, and/or the like), and transmitted to base station102. At base station102, the uplink signals from UE104and other UEs may be received by antennas334, processed by demodulators332, detected by a MIMO detector336if applicable, and further processed by a receive processor338to obtain decoded data and control information sent by UE104. Receive processor338may provide the decoded data to a data sink339and the decoded control information to controller/processor340. Base station102may include communication unit344and communicate to network controller389via communication unit344. Network controller389may include communication unit394, controller/processor390, and memory392.

Controller/processor340of base station102, controller/processor380of UE104, and/or any other component(s) ofFIG.3may perform one or more techniques associated with interactions between wake-up signal (WUS) with downlink (DL) positioning reference signal (PRS) reception while the UE104is in a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, controller/processor340of base station102, controller/processor380of UE104, and/or any other component(s) ofFIG.3may perform or direct operations of, for example, process1100ofFIG.11, process1200ofFIG.12, and/or other processes as described herein. Memories342and382may store data and program codes for base station102and UE104, respectively. In some aspects, memory342and/or memory382may comprise a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions for wireless communication. For example, the one or more instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the base station102and/or the UE104, may perform or direct operations of, for example, process1100ofFIG.11, process1200ofFIG.12, and/or other processes as described herein. A scheduler346may schedule UEs for data transmission on the downlink and/or uplink.

FIG.4shows a structure of an exemplary subframe sequence400with positioning reference signal (PRS) positioning occasions, according to aspects of the disclosure. Subframe sequence400may be applicable to the broadcast of PRS signals from a base station (e.g., any of the base stations described herein) or other network node. The subframe sequence400may be used in LTE systems, and the same or similar subframe sequence may be used in other communication technologies/protocols, such as 5G and NR. InFIG.4, time is represented horizontally (e.g., on the X axis) with time increasing from left to right, while frequency is represented vertically (e.g., on the Y axis) with frequency increasing (or decreasing) from bottom to top. As shown inFIG.4, downlink and uplink radio frames410may be of 10 millisecond (ms) duration each. For downlink frequency division duplex (FDD) mode, radio frames410are organized, in the illustrated example, into ten subframes412of 1 ms duration each. Each subframe412comprises two slots414, each of, for example, 0.5 ms duration.

In the frequency domain, the available bandwidth may be divided into uniformly spaced orthogonal subcarriers416(also referred to as “tones” or “bins”). For example, for a normal length cyclic prefix (CP) using, for example, 15 kHz spacing, subcarriers416may be grouped into a group of twelve (12) subcarriers. A resource of one OFDM symbol length in the time domain and one subcarrier in the frequency domain (represented as a block of subframe412) is referred to as a resource element (RE). Each grouping of the 12 subcarriers416and the 14 OFDM symbols is termed a resource block (RB) and, in the example above, the number of subcarriers in the resource block may be written as NSCRB=12. For a given channel bandwidth, the number of available resource blocks on each channel422, which is also called the transmission bandwidth configuration422, is indicated as NRBDL. For example, for a 3 MHz channel bandwidth in the above example, the number of available resource blocks on each channel422is given by NRBDL=15. Note that the frequency component of a resource block (e.g., the 12 subcarriers) is referred to as a physical resource block (PRB).

A base station may transmit radio frames (e.g., radio frames410), or other physical layer signaling sequences, supporting PRS signals (i.e. a downlink (DL) PRS) according to frame configurations either similar to, or the same as that, shown inFIG.4, which may be measured and used for a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein) position estimation. Other types of wireless nodes (e.g., a distributed antenna system (DAS), remote radio head (RRH), UE, AP, etc.) in a wireless communications network may also be configured to transmit PRS signals configured in a manner similar to (or the same as) that depicted inFIG.4.

A collection of resource elements that are used for transmission of PRS signals is referred to as a “PRS resource.” The collection of resource elements can span multiple PRBs in the frequency domain and N (e.g., 1 or more) consecutive symbol(s) within a slot414in the time domain. For example, the cross-hatched resource elements in the slots414may be examples of two PRS resources. A “PRS resource set” is a set of PRS resources used for the transmission of PRS signals, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource identifier (ID). In addition, the PRS resources in a PRS resource set are associated with the same transmission-reception point (TRP). A PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set is associated with a single beam transmitted from a single TRP (where a TRP may transmit one or more beams). Note that this does not have any implications on whether the TRPs and beams from which signals are transmitted are known to the UE.

PRS may be transmitted in special positioning subframes that are grouped into positioning occasions. A PRS occasion is one instance of a periodically repeated time window (e.g., consecutive slot(s)) where PRS are expected to be transmitted. Each periodically repeated time window can include a group of one or more consecutive PRS occasions. Each PRS occasion can comprise a number NPRSof consecutive positioning subframes. The PRS positioning occasions for a cell supported by a base station may occur periodically at intervals, denoted by a number TPRSof milliseconds or subframes. As an example,FIG.4illustrates a periodicity of positioning occasions where NPRSequals 4418and TPRSis greater than or equal to 20420. In some aspects, TPRSmay be measured in terms of the number of subframes between the start of consecutive positioning occasions. Multiple PRS occasions may be associated with the same PRS resource configuration, in which case, each such occasion is referred to as an “occasion of the PRS resource” or the like.

A PRS may be transmitted with a constant power. A PRS can also be transmitted with zero power (i.e., muted). Muting, which turns off a regularly scheduled PRS transmission, may be useful when PRS signals between different cells overlap by occurring at the same or almost the same time. In this case, the PRS signals from some cells may be muted while PRS signals from other cells are transmitted (e.g., at a constant power). Muting may aid signal acquisition and time of arrival (TOA) and reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement, by UEs, of PRS signals that are not muted (by avoiding interference from PRS signals that have been muted). Muting may be viewed as the non-transmission of a PRS for a given positioning occasion for a particular cell. Muting patterns (also referred to as muting sequences) may be signaled (e.g., using the LTE positioning protocol (LPP)) to a UE using bit strings. For example, in a bit string signaled to indicate a muting pattern, if a bit at position j is set to ‘0’, then the UE may infer that the PRS is muted for a jthpositioning occasion.

To further improve hearability of PRS, positioning subframes may be low-interference subframes that are transmitted without user data channels. As a result, in ideally synchronized networks, PRS may be interfered with by other cells' PRS with the same PRS pattern index (i.e., with the same frequency shift), but not from data transmissions. The frequency shift may be defined as a function of a PRS ID for a cell or other transmission point (TP) (denoted as NIDPRS) or as a function of a physical cell identifier (PCI) (denoted as NIDcellif no PRS ID is assigned, which results in an effective frequency re-use factor of six (6).

To also improve hearability of a PRS (e.g., when PRS bandwidth is limited, such as with only six resource blocks corresponding to 1.4 MHz bandwidth), the frequency band for consecutive PRS positioning occasions (or consecutive PRS subframes) may be changed in a known and predictable manner via frequency hopping. In addition, a cell supported by a base station may support more than one PRS configuration, where each PRS configuration may comprise a distinct frequency offset (vshift), a distinct carrier frequency, a distinct bandwidth, a distinct code sequence, and/or a distinct sequence of PRS positioning occasions with a particular number of subframes (NPRS) per positioning occasion and a particular periodicity (TPRS) In some implementation, one or more of the PRS configurations supported in a cell may be for a directional PRS and may then have additional distinct characteristics, such as a distinct direction of transmission, a distinct range of horizontal angles, and/or a distinct range of vertical angles.

A PRS configuration, as described above, including the PRS transmission/muting schedule, is signaled to the UE to enable the UE to perform PRS positioning measurements. The UE is not expected to blindly perform detection of PRS configurations.

Note that the terms “positioning reference signal” and “PRS” may sometimes refer to specific reference signals that are used for positioning in LTE systems. However, as used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “positioning reference signal” and “PRS” refer to any type of reference signal that can be used for positioning, such as but not limited to, PRS signals in LTE, navigation reference signals (NRS), transmitter reference signals (TRS), cell-specific reference signals (CRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), primary synchronization signals (PSS), secondary synchronization signals (SSS), etc.

Even when there is no traffic being transmitted from the network170to a UE104, the UE104is expected to monitor every downlink subframe on the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). This means that the UE104has to be “on,” or active, all the time, even when there is no traffic, since the UE104does not know exactly when the network170will transmit data for it. However, being active all the time is a significant power drain for a UE.

To address this issue, a UE104may implement discontinuous reception (DRX) and/or connected-mode discontinuous reception (CDRX) techniques. DRX and CDRX are mechanisms in which a UE104goes into a “sleep” mode for a certain periods of time and “wakes up” for other periods of time. During the wake, or active, periods, the UE104checks to see if there is any data coming from the network, and if there is not, goes back into sleep mode.

To implement DRX and CDRX, the UE104and the network170need to be synchronized. In a worst case scenario, the network170may attempt to send some data to the UE104when it is in sleep mode, and the UE104may wake up when there is no data to be received. To prevent such scenarios, the UE104and the network170should have a well-defined agreement about when the UE104can be in sleep mode and when the UE104should be awake/active. This agreement is defined, e.g., in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 36.321 Section 5.7 for UEs in connected mode (CDRX), and 3GPP TS 36.304 Section 7.1 for UEs in idle mode (DRX). Both of these documents are publicly available and are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Note that DRX includes CDRX, and thus, references to DRX refer to both DRX and CDRX, unless otherwise indicated.

The network (e.g., serving cell102) can configure the UE104with the DRX/CDRX timing using an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message (for CDRX) or an RRC Connection Setup message (for DRX). The network can signal the following DRX configuration parameters to the UE104:

TABLE 1DRX ParameterDescriptionDRX CycleThe duration of one ‘ON time’ plus one ‘OFF time’.(This value is not explicitly specified in RRCmessages. This is calculated by the subframe time and“long DRX cycle start offset”)ON DurationThe duration of ‘ON time’ within one DRX cycleTimerDRX InactivitySpecifies how long a UE should remain ‘ON’ after theTimerreception of a PDCCH. When this timer is on, the UEremains in the ‘ON state,’ which may extend the ONperiod into the period that would be the ‘OFF’ periodotherwise.DRXSpecifies the maximum number of consecutiveRetransmissionPDCCH subframes the UE should remain active toTimerwait for an incoming retransmission after the firstavailable retransmission timeShort DRXDRX cycle that can be implemented within the ‘OFF’Cycleperiod of a long DRX CycleDRX ShortThe consecutive number of subframes the UE shallCycle Timerfollow the short DRX cycle after the DRX inactivitytimer has expired

FIGS.5A to5Cillustrate exemplary DRX configurations, according to aspects of the disclosure.FIG.5Aillustrates an exemplary DRX configuration500A in which a long DRX cycle (the time from the start of one ON duration to the start of the next ON duration) is configured and no PDCCH is received during the cycle.FIG.5Billustrates an exemplary DRX configuration500B in which a long DRX cycle is configured and a PDCCH is received during an ON duration510of the second DRX cycle illustrated. Note that the ON duration510ends at time512. However, the time that the UE is awake/active (the “active time”) is extended to time514based on the length of the DRX inactivity timer and the time at which the PDCCH is received. Specifically, when the PDDCH is received, the UE starts the DRX inactivity timer and stays in the active state until the expiration of that timer (which is reset each time a PDDCH is received during the active time).

FIG.5Cillustrates an exemplary DRX configuration500C in which a long DRX cycle is configured and a PDCCH and a DRX command MAC control element (CE) are received during an ON duration520of the second DRX cycle illustrated. Note that the active time beginning during ON duration520would normally end at time524due to the reception of the PDCCH at time522and the subsequent expiration of the DRX inactivity timer at time524, as discussed above with reference toFIG.5B. However, in the example ofFIG.5C, the active time is shortened to time526based on the time at which the DRX command MAC CE, which instructs the UE to terminate the DRX inactivity timer and the ON duration timer, is received.

In greater detail, the active time of a DRX cycle is the time during which the UE104is considered to be monitoring the PDCCH. The active time may include the time during which the ON duration timer is running, the DRC inactivity timer is running, the DRX retransmission timer is running, the MAC contention resolution timer is running, a scheduling request has been sent on the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and is pending, an uplink grant for a pending hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) retransmission can occur and there is data in the corresponding HARQ buffer, a PDCCH indicating a new transmission addressed to the cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) of the UE104has not been received after successful reception of a random access response (RAR) for the preamble not selected by the UE104, and in the non-contention based random access (RA), after receiving the RAR, the UE104should be in an active state until the PDCCH indicating new transmission addressed to the C-RNTI of the UE104is received.

In some aspects, the base station102may configure the UE104to perform DRX operation, such as connected mode DRX operation (e.g., DRX operation while the UE104is in a connected mode with the base station102), idle mode DRX operation (e.g., DRX operation while the UE104is in an idle mode), and/or the like. The DRX operation of the UE104may include short DRX cycle operation and long DRX cycle operation. Moreover, the UE104may be configured to transition between short DRX cycle operation and long DRX cycle operation.

The base station102may transmit to the UE104, a WUS monitoring configuration to configure the UE104for WUS monitoring for short DRX cycle operation and long DRX cycle operation. In some aspects, the WUS monitoring configuration may be transmitted to the UE104during a random access channel (RACH) procedure between the UE104and the base station102, prior to the UE104and the base station102establishing a connection, after the UE104and the base station102establish a connection, and/or the like. In some aspects, the WUS configuration may be included in a radio resource control (RRC) communication, a medium access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE) communication, a downlink control information (DCI) communication, system information (e.g., a system information block (SIB), other system information (OSI), remaining minimum system information (RMSI), a synchronization signal block (SSB), and/or the like), and/or the like.

In some aspects, the WUS monitoring configuration may include one or more first WUS monitoring parameters for monitoring for a WUS during short DRX cycle operation of the UE104and may include one or more second WUS monitoring parameters for monitoring for a WUS during long DRX cycle operation of the UE104. In some aspects, the one or more first WUS monitoring parameters may identify a WUS occasion duration for WUS occasions during short DRX cycle operation of the UE104.

The base station102may transmit a WUS to the UE104based at least in part on the WUS monitoring configuration. For example, the base station102may transmit a WUS to the UE104based at least in part on the one or more first WUS monitoring parameters when the UE104is in short DRX cycle operation. As another example, the base station102may transmit a WUS to the UE104based at least in part on the one or more second WUS monitoring parameters when the UE104is in long DRX cycle operation.

The UE104may monitor for the WUS based at least in part on the WUS monitoring configuration. For example, if the UE104is in short DRX cycle operation, the UE104may monitor for the WUS based at least in part on the one or more first WUS monitoring parameters. In this case, the UE104may monitor for a WUS during a WUS occasion (e.g., may start monitoring for the WUS at the beginning of a WUS occasion) and at a periodicity of WUS occasions indicated by the one or more first WUS monitoring parameters, may identify a WUS indicator and wakeup information in the WUS based at least in part on the one or more first WUS monitoring parameters, may monitor for the WUS in one or more time-domain and/or frequency-domain resources based at least in part on the one or more first WUS monitoring parameters, and/or the like.

As another example, if the UE104is in long DRX cycle operation, the UE104may monitor for the UE104based at least in part on the one or more second WUS monitoring parameters. In this case, the UE104may monitor for a WUS during a WUS occasion and at a periodicity of WUS occasions indicated by the one or more second WUS monitoring parameters, may identify a WUS indicator and wakeup information in the WUS based at least in part on the one or more second WUS monitoring parameters, may monitor for the WUS in one or more time-domain and/or frequency-domain resources based at least in part on the one or more second WUS monitoring parameters, and/or the like.

FIG.6illustrates examples600of a WUS configuration for short DRX cycle operation and a WUS configuration for long DRX cycle operation. In some aspects, the UE104may be configured with other WUS configurations, other short DRX cycle operation configurations, other long DRX cycle operation configurations, and/or the like.

As shown inFIG.6, the periodicity of WUS occasions602for short DRX cycle operation may be shorter than the periodicity of WUS occasions for long DRX cycle operation, such that short DRX cycle operation includes a greater quantity of WUS occasions relative to long DRX cycle operation to accommodate for the greater quantity of DRX on durations604of short DRX cycle operation. In some aspects, other WUS monitoring parameters of short DRX cycle operation and long DRX cycle operation may be different, such as the WUS occasion duration of WUS occasions, the offset duration between WUS occasions and DRX on durations, time-domain resources and/or frequency-domain resources allocated to the WUS occasions, and/or other WUS monitoring parameters.

While the DRX cycles illustrated inFIG.6show a DRX on duration followed by a DRX sleep duration, the DRX cycles may alternatively include a DRX sleep duration followed by a DRX on duration.

In this way, the base station102may transmit a WUS monitoring configuration to the UE104. The WUS monitoring configuration may identify one or more first WUS monitoring parameters associated with short DRX cycle operation of the UE104and one or more second WUS monitoring parameters associated with long DRX cycle operation of the UE104. The UE104may monitor for a WUS during short DRX cycle operation based at least in part on the one or more first WUS monitoring parameters, and may monitor for a WUS during long DRX cycle operation based at least in part on the one or more second WUS monitoring parameters. In this way, the WUS monitoring configuration may configure WUS occasions for the UE104such that WUS occasions occur at a particular offset duration prior to an associated DRX on duration, regardless of whether the UE104is in short DRX cycle operation or long DRX cycle operation.

FIGS.7A and7Billustrate respective an example700of a PDCCH-based WUS, where there is no DL grant (i.e., WUS indicates UE104is to remain in inactive mode) and an example750a PDCCH-based WUS, where there is an instance of a DL grant (i.e., WUS indicates that the UE104is to wake-up at the next ON mode of the DRX cycle).

InFIG.7A, for example, the UE is in DRX mode701and illustrates a WUS monitoring occasion702during which a WUS704is received. The WUS704, in this instance indicates that the UE104is not to wake up during the ON duration of the next DRX cycle. Consequently, as illustrated, UE104remains inactive during the ON duration of the next DRX cycle, which occurs after a pre-wakeup gap duration.

InFIG.7Bthe UE104is also in DRX mode711and illustrates a WUS monitoring occasion712during which a WUS714is received. The WUS714inFIG.7B, however, indicates that the UE is to awaken at the ON duration of the next DRX cycle. Thus, after the pre-wakeup gap715after detecting WUS714, the UE104becomes active and detects, e.g., downlink control information (DCI)716and PDCCH718. The UE104remains on as indicated by bars720after reception of the PDCCH718for the length of the inactivity timer. In this instance, the ON period is extended into the period that the UE104would otherwise be OFF due to the inactivity timer. At the expiration of the inactivity timer, the UE104because inactive and the process continues.

The two-stage wake-up facilitates low power implementation for PDCCH-WUS detection, because during the first stage wake-up, several optimizations are possible. For example, a minimal set of hardware is required to be brought online for PDCCH-only processing. Further, the operating point in terms of the voltage levels and clock frequencies of the hardware is reduced. The PDCCH processing timeline is relaxed due to the WUS offset, i.e., pre-wakeup gap, enabling (e.g. offline processing). Moreover, the reception bandwidth, the number of candidates and/or aggregation levels for PDCCH-WUS may potentially be reduced.

A WUS may be a bit in a WUS DCI that is assigned to a particular UE104. For example, if the bit is, e.g., a “1” it indicates that the UE104is to monitor the next (i.e., upcoming) ON duration, while a “0” indicates that the UE104is not to monitor the next ON duration and may remain in inactive or sleep mode. If the WUS indicates that the UE104is to wake-up, the UE104starts the ON Duration Timer for the next single occurrence, and otherwise the ON Duration Timer does not start.

Several power saving channel principles apply to a WUS. For example, the WUS is configured to be transmitted to a UE by a primary base station, e.g., from the primary cell (PCell) or primary secondary cell (PSCell) only. More than one WUS monitoring occasion per DRX cycle may be configured within one or multiple slots. The WUS does not impact the BWP Inactivity Timer, the data Inactivity Timer, or the sCell Deactivation Timer. The UE is not expected to monitor WUS during DRX Active Time. If the current active BWP during DRX operation does not have a WUS configuration, or the WUS monitoring occasion is invalid, the UE starts DRX ON Duration Timer for the next ON occurrence. When WUS is not detected, for example, due to discontinuous transmission (DTX) from the base station102or misdetection at the UE104, the UE104behavior, e.g., whether to start or not to start the DRX ON Duration Timer for the next occurrence, is configurable. Further, if both Short and Long DRX cycles are configured, WUS is applied only for Long DRX cycles.

FIG.8illustrates an example of a WUS monitoring occasion800. As illustrated, the WUS monitoring occasion800includes a PS_offset parameter802that is a per-cell-group parameter. The PS_offset parameter802indicates the earliest potential starting point of a WUS monitoring occasion relative to the start of a DRX cycle. The PS_offset parameter802has milliseconds unit and a range of values [0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, . . . , [15]] ms.

A minimum time gap804is defined as the duration before the start of a DRX cycle806, within which the UE104is not required to monitor WUS. The minimum time gap804is defined based on UE104capability and in unit of slots (subcarrier spacing (SCS) dependent). For a UE capability report, two candidate values per SCS are supported: the largest value is no larger than3ms. The existing SearchSpace IE is used for the configuration of WUS. For example, all parameters, e.g., (duration, monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot, monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset) may be used without modification. The UE104monitors only the first “full duration” at or after the PS_offset802but before the DRX ON-duration is monitored for the WUS.

FIG.9illustrates an example of a DCI format900for WUS. The DCI format and Power Saving-Radio Network Temporary Identifier (PS-RNTI) may be defined for monitoring WUS. The DCI format900may support multiplexing of one or more UEs and is monitored only in common search space (CSS), such as Type-3 CSS. The DCI format900is similar to UE-specific configuration DCI format 2_x. For example, DCI format900for WUS may include the same total DCI payload size in number of bits, and may include a starting bit position for the UE-specific field in the DCI. A UE-specific field902starts with 1-bit wake-up indicator, immediately followed by a content field904with X-bit (configurable) additional information. For example, a SCell dormancy behavior indication may be included in the X-bit information content field904. Other information, such as triggering A-CSI, BWP id, etc., may also be included in the content field904. In some implementations, the content field may include a channel state information (CSI) request and/or CSI-reference signal (RS) triggering information.

Thus, while in DRX mode, a WUS may be transmitted by a primary cell to a UE104to indicate whether the UE should monitor communication signals, e.g., control signals and/or data signals, during the next ON duration or to not monitor communication signals during the next ON duration in an upcoming DRX cycle. The UE104, however, may be configured to monitor DL positioning reference signals (PRS) for positioning. If the UE104receives a WUS indicating that it is remain inactive during the next ON duration of the DRX cycle and to not to monitor communication signals, e.g., control signals and/or data signals, during that period, the UE104may not receive DL PRS that the UE104is expected to receive during that period. The reception of the DL PRS by the UE104may be important or may be unimportant in various scenarios.

In some implementations, the UE104may be configured to receive DL PRS while it is in DRX mode. The UE104may receive a WUS indicating that the UE104is to not to wake-up during the next ON time to monitor communications, such as control signals and data signals. In response to the PRS configuration and the receipt of the WUS, the UE104may: A) remain in a DRX sleep mode and not receive the PRS; B) transition to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS, but the UE104does not monitor for communication signals (control signals and data signals); or C) transition to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitor for communication signals (control signals and data signals).

Whether the UE104states in sleep mode or transitions to a DRX ON mode, and whether, the UE104monitors for communication signals while it is in DRX ON mode, may depend on various factors. For example, the UE104response may depend on the time domain behavior of the PRS, such as whether the PRS is periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic. For example, if the PRS is periodic or semi-periodic, the UE104may remain in the DRX sleep mode and not receive the PRS (option A), as the PRS may be obtained later. However, if the PRS is aperiodic, the UE104may transition to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS (and either not monitor or monitor communication signals) (options B or C).

In another implementation, the UE104response may depend on the transmission point of the PRS. For example, if the PRS is configured to be transmitted from a serving base station, the UE104may remain in the DRX sleep mode and not receive the PRS (option A). However, if the PRS is configured to be transmitted by a neighboring transmission reception point (TRP), the UE104may transition to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS (and either not monitor or monitor communication signals) (options B or C). In another example, if the PRS is configured to be transmitted from a reference base station, e.g., for OTDOA measurements, the UE104may transition to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS (and either not monitor or monitor communication signals) (options B or C). However, if the PRS is configured to be transmitted by a neighboring TRP, the UE104may remain in the DRX sleep mode and not receive the PRS (option A).

In another implementation, the UE104response may depend on whether the UE is performing inter-frequency or intra-frequency measurements of the PRS and/or a measurement gap configuration. For example, if the PRS is configured to be intra-frequency with an active bandwidth part and requires a measurement gap, the UE104may transition to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS, but not monitor for communication signals (control signals and data signals) (option B). If, however, the PRS is configured to be inter-frequency with an active bandwidth part and does not require a measurement gap, the UE104may transition to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitor for communication signals (control signals and data signals) (option C).

In another implementation, the UE104response may depend on whether the PRS is part of a configured subset of PRS, such as a subset of PRS resources, sets, frequency layers, or transmission reception points (TRPs), or a combination thereof. For example, the PRS may be part of a configured subset of PRS for which the UE is expected to respond with a particular option, e.g., PRS resources 1, 5 and 10 are configured for option B, while other PRS resources are configured for option A.

In another implementation, the UE104response may depend on information included in the WUS DCI message, e.g., DCI900. For example, information associated with the WUS in the DCI message may be a dedicated bitfield or a joint bitfield, e.g., with a channel state information (CSI) request or CSI-reference signal (RS) triggering or a combination thereof, that indicates whether the UE response should be option A, B, or C. For example, if a bitfield used for aperiodic channel state information (A-CSI) indicates that the UE104is not expected to monitor CSI-RS and/or report CSI parameters, the bitfield may be an indication that the UE104may remain in the DRX sleep mode and not receive the PRS (option A).

Additionally, the UE104response may be configurable by the serving base station, e.g., through an RRC message, by the location server (location server172), e.g., through an LPP message, or by both the serving base station and the location server. For example, the location server may configure the UE104to transition to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS (options B or C), while the serving base station may configure the UE104such that if the UE104is going to respond by transitioning to DRX ON mode to receive the PRS, the UE104will not monitor for communication signals (control signals and data signals) (option B) or the UE104will monitor for communication signals (control signals and data signals) (option C). Thus, the response of the UE104may be determined based on separate signaling from different protocols and may originate from different network entities.

In some implementations, the WUS configuration that is provided to the UE104by the serving base station, also may be provided to the location server by the serving base station. Additionally, the DRX configuration provided to the UE104by the serving base station, may also be provided to the location server by the serving base station. Thus, the serving base station may signal to the location for each UE104separately (e.g. by adding a time-stamp with slot/subframe/frame) when the UE104is configured to monitor a WUS, and when the WUS indicates whether the UE104is to wake up or not during a next ON time during the DRX cycle.

In some implementations, the UE may report to the location server receipt of a WUS, e.g., including timestamps, indicating that the UE104is to not wake up during a next ON time during the DRX cycle. The report may be included in a positioning measurement report provided to the location server, e.g., through LPP signaling.

FIG.10is a message flow1000with various messages sent between components of the communication system100depicted inFIG.1, illustrating the interaction of a WUS with DL PRS reception. Location server1002may be, e.g., location server172shown inFIG.1, location server230a,230bofFIG.2Aor LMF270ofFIG.2B. The UE104may be configured to perform UE assisted positioning or UE based positioning, in which the UE itself determines its location using, for example, assistance data provided to it. In the message flow1000, it is assumed that the UE104and location server1002communicate using the LPP positioning protocol referred to earlier, although use of NPP or a combination of LPP and NPP or other future protocol, such as NRPPa, is also possible.

At stage 1, the UE104may receive a DRX configuration from the base station102, e.g., via RRC messaging. The base station102may simultaneously or shortly thereafter provide the DRX configuration for the UE104to the location server1002.

At stage 2, the UE104may receive a WUS configuration from the base station102, e.g., via RRC messaging. The base station102may simultaneously or shortly thereafter provide the WUS configuration for the UE104to the location server1002.

At stage 3, the UE104may receive a PRS configuration for one or more base stations, such as base station102, from the location server1002, e.g., via LPP messaging. Based on the PRS schedule, the UE104may determine when PRS are scheduled to be received during ON times of DRX cycles.

At stage 4, the UE104enters a DRX inactive mode during which the UE104will monitor for WUS during WUS occasions.

At stage 5, the base station102, which may be the serving base station for the UE104sends and the UE104receives a WUS message indicating that the UE104is to remain in inactive mode, e.g., not to wake up during a next ON time during the DRX cycle to monitor for data signals or control signals. The base station102may simultaneously or shortly thereafter provide an indication of the WUS message to the location server1002.

At stage 6, in response to the PRS configuration and the WUS, the UE104determines how to respond to the WUS, e.g., by A) remaining in a DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS; B) transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS, but not monitoring for communication signals (e.g., data signals, or control signals, or both); or C) transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and to monitor for communication signals (e.g., data signals, or control signals, or both). As discussed above, how the UE104responds may depend on various factors, including the time domain behavior of the PRS, the transmission point of the PRS, whether the PRS measurement is inter-frequency or intra-frequency or whether it requires measurement gaps, whether the PRS configuration is defined for a specific option, or whether the UE104is configured to respond in a specific manner based on the WUS message in stage 5 or by the base station102or location server1002.

At stage 7, depending on how the UE104determines how to respond to the WUS in stage 6, the UE104may transition to a DRX ON mode, i.e., DRX ON duration.

At stage 8, the base station102transmits DL PRS. Depending on how the UE104determined how to respond to the WUS in stage 6 and whether it transitioned to the DRX ON mode in stage 7, the UE104may receive the DL PRS, despite having received the WUS message in stage 5 to stay in inactive mode (e.g., in options B and C). If the UE104determined to remain in inactive mode (option A) and did not transition to DRX ON mode in stage 7, the UE104will not receive the DL PRS from base station102.

At stage 9, the base station102may transmit communication signals, such as control signals or data signals. Depending on how the UE104determined how to respond to the WUS in stage 6 and whether it transitioned to the DRX ON mode in stage 7, the UE104may receive the communication signals, despite having received the WUS message in stage 5 to stay in inactive mode (e.g., in option C). If the UE104determined to remain in inactive mode (option A) and did not transition to DRX ON mode in stage 7, or if the transitioned to the DRX ON mode in stage 7 but is not monitoring for communication signals (option B), the UE104will not receive the communication signals from base station102.

At stage 10, assuming the UE104transitioned to the DRX ON mode in stage 7 to receive the DL PRS in stage 8, the UE104may perform position measurements using the received DL PRS. For example, using the DL PRS from stage 8, and in some implementations using additional PRS from other base stations (not shown) or UL PRS transmitted by the UE104, the UE104may perform positioning methods such as time of arrival (TOA), reference signal time difference (RSTD), time difference of arrival (TDOA), reference signal received power (RSRP), time difference between reception and transmission of signals (Rx-Tx), multi-Round Trip Time (M-RTT), etc. In UE based positioning methods, the UE may further determine a position estimate using the position measurements, e.g., using positions of base stations, which may be provided in an assistance data message (not shown). If the UE104did not transition to the DRX ON mode in stage 7, the UE104cannot perform position measurements on the DL PRS from stage 8, but may perform position measurements using later acquired PRS signals.

At stage 11, the UE104may transmit a position measurement report to the location server1002, e.g., using LPP messaging. The position measurement report may provide the position measurements and/or position estimate, if determined, from stage 10. The UE104may include in the position measurement report an indication (e.g., using time stamps) of when it received any WUS message to not to wake up during a next ON time during the DRX cycle.

At stage 12, the location server1002may determine the UE location based on any PRS based positioning measurements received at stage 11, or may verify the UE location received at stage 11. The location server1002may use WUS information from the UE104provided at stage 11, and/or information related to the DRX configuration from stage 1, the WUS configuration at stage 2, the WUS message from stage 5 or a combination thereof, to assist in determining the UE location. For example, with knowledge of whether the UE did or did not wake up to receive PRS, the location server1002may perform various appropriate actions. For example, the location server1002may trigger or schedule additional PRS for the UE104, increase the uncertainty of the measurements and propagate this information to the final consumer of the positioning estimation/measurements, and/or report to the serving base station that the UE104is required to monitor more PRS.

FIG.11shows a flowchart for an exemplary method1100for wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), such as UE104, operating in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode and the interaction of a wake-up signal with DL PRS reception, in a manner consistent with disclosed implementation.

At block1102, the UE receives a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for receiving PRS, e.g., as discussed at stage 3 ofFIG.10. At block1104, a wake-up signal is received from a serving base station indicating that the UE is not to wake up during a next ON time during a DRX cycle to monitor for communication signals, the communication signals comprising data signals or control signals or both, e.g., as discussed at stage 5 ofFIG.10. At block1106, in response to the PRS configuration and the wake-up signal, the UE performs one of: A) remaining in a DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS; or B) transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for communication signals, or both; or C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for communication signals, e.g., as discussed at stages 6, 7, 8, and 9 ofFIG.10.

In one implementation, the PRS may be scheduled to be received during the next ON time during the DRX cycle, e.g., as discussed at stage 3 ofFIG.10.

In one implementation, the performance of A) remaining in the DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS, B) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for communication signals, or C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for communication signals is dependent on time domain behavior of the PRS, wherein time-domain behavior comprises the PRS being periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic. For example, the UE may perform A) remaining in the DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS when the PRS is configured to be periodic or semi-periodic, and the UE may perform B) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for communication signals or C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for communication signals when the PRS is configured to be aperiodic.

In one implementation, the performance of A) remaining in the DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS, B) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for communication signals, or C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for communication signals is dependent on a transmission point of the PRS. For example, the UE may perform A) remaining in the DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS when the PRS is configured to be transmitted by the serving base station, and the UE may perform B) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for communication signals or C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for communication signals when the PRS is configured to be transmitted by a neighboring TRP. In another example, the UE may perform B) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for communication signals or C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for communication signals when the PRS is configured to be transmitted by a reference base station, and the UE may perform A) remaining in the DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS when the PRS is configured to be transmitted by a neighboring TRP.

In one implementation, the performance of A) remaining in the DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS, B) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for communication signals, or C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for communication signals is dependent on one or more of the UE performing inter-frequency or intra-frequency measurement of the PRS or a measurement gap configuration. For example, the UE may perform B) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for communication signals when the PRS is configured to be intra-frequency with an active bandwidth part and requires a measurement gap or the UE may perform C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for communication signals when the PRS is configured to be inter-frequency with the active bandwidth part and does not require the measurement gap.

In one implementation, the PRS is part of a subset of PRS for which the UE is configured to perform A) remaining in the DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS, B) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for communication signals, or C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for communication signals. For example, the subset of PRS may comprise a subset of PRS resources, PRS sets, PRS frequency layers, or PRS transmitted by transmission reception points (TRPs), or combination thereof.

In one implementation, the wake-up signal is an indicator in a downlink control information (DCI) message, wherein the UE may perform A) remaining in the DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS, B) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for communication signals, or C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for communication signals based on information associated with the wake-up signal in the DCI message. For example, the information associated with the wake-up signal in the DCI message may be a joint bitfield with a channel state information (CSI) request or CSI-reference signal (RS) triggering or a combination thereof, or may be a dedicated bitfield for indicating whether the UE may perform A) remaining in the DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS, B) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for communication signals, or C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for communication signals.

In one implementation, the UE may further receive one or more of a message from the serving base station, a message from a location server, or a combination thereof, that configures the UE to perform A) remaining in the DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS, B) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for communication signals, or C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for communication signals. For example, the message from the location server may configure the UE to transition to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS in response to a wake-up signal indicating that the UE is not to wake up, and the message from the serving base station may configure the UE to not monitor for communication signals or to monitor for communication signals.

In one implementation, the wake-up signal indicating that the UE is not to wake up during the next ON time during the DRX cycle to monitor for data signals or control signals may be provided to a location server from the serving base station. The UE may further receive a DRX configuration from the serving base station, wherein the DRX configuration is provided to a location server from the serving base station, e.g., as discussed at stage 1 ofFIG.10. For example, the serving base station may provide to the location server when the UE is configured to monitor a wake-up signal and when the wake-up signal is ON or OFF, e.g., as discussed at stages 2 and 5 ofFIG.10.

In one implementation, the UE may transmit a report to a location server of the receipt of the wake-up signal indicating that the UE is not to wake up during the next ON time during the DRX cycle, e.g., as discussed at stage 11 ofFIG.10. For example, the report of the receipt of the wake-up signal may be in a positioning measurement report, e.g., as discussed at stage 11 ofFIG.10.

FIG.12shows a flowchart for an exemplary method1200performed by a base station, such as base station102, for wireless communication for a user equipment (UE), such as UE104, operating in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode and the interaction of a wake-up signal with DL PRS reception, in a manner consistent with disclosed implementation.

At block1202, the base station transmit a wake-up signal to the UE indicating that the UE is not to wake up during a next ON time during a DRX cycle to monitor for communication signals, the communication signal comprising data signals or control signals, e.g., as discussed at stage 5 ofFIG.10. At block1204, the UE is configured to receive positioning reference signals (PRSs), and in response to the configuration to receive PRS and the wake-up signal, the UE performs one of: A) remaining in a DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS; or B) transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for communication signals; or C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for communication signals, e.g., as discussed at stages 6, 7, 8, and 9 ofFIG.10. At block1206, the base station transmits to a location server an indication of the wake-up signal indicating that the UE is not to wake up during the next ON time during the DRX cycle to monitor for the communication signals, e.g., as discussed at stage 5 ofFIG.10.

In one implementation, the base station may further transmit a DRX configuration to the UE, e.g., as discussed at stage 1 ofFIG.10. The base station may transmit the DRX configuration to the location server, e.g., as discussed at stage 1 ofFIG.10.

In one implementation, the base station further transmits to the location server an indication of when the UE is configured to monitor the wake-up signal and when the wake-up signal is ON or OFF, e.g., as discussed at stages 2 and 5 ofFIG.10.

FIG.13shows a schematic block diagram illustrating certain exemplary features of a UE1300, e.g., which may be UE104shown inFIG.1, enabled to support positioning while operating in DRX mode and receiving DL PRS after receiving a WUS, as described herein. UE1300may, for example, include one or more processors1302, memory1304, an external interface such as a transceiver1310(e.g., wireless network interface), which may be operatively coupled with one or more connections1306(e.g., buses, lines, fibers, links, etc.) to non-transitory computer readable medium1320and memory1304. The UE1300may further include additional items, which are not shown, such as a user interface that may include e.g., a display, a keypad or other input device, such as virtual keypad on the display, through which a user may interface with the UE, or a satellite positioning system receiver. In certain example implementations, all or part of UE1300may take the form of a chipset, and/or the like. Transceiver1310may, for example, include a transmitter1312enabled to transmit one or more signals over one or more types of wireless communication networks and a receiver1314to receive one or more signals transmitted over the one or more types of wireless communication networks.

In some embodiments, UE1300may include antenna1311, which may be internal or external. UE antenna1311may be used to transmit and/or receive signals processed by transceiver1310. In some embodiments, UE antenna1311may be coupled to transceiver1310. In some embodiments, measurements of signals received (transmitted) by UE1300may be performed at the point of connection of the UE antenna1311and transceiver1310. For example, the measurement point of reference for received (transmitted) RF signal measurements may be an input (output) terminal of the receiver1314(transmitter1312) and an output (input) terminal of the UE antenna1311. In a UE1300with multiple UE antennas1311or antenna arrays, the antenna connector may be viewed as a virtual point representing the aggregate output (input) of multiple UE antennas. In some embodiments, UE1300may measure received signals including signal strength and TOA measurements and the raw measurements may be processed by the one or more processors1302.

The one or more processors1302may be implemented using a combination of hardware, firmware, and software. For example, the one or more processors1302may be configured to perform the functions discussed herein by implementing one or more instructions or program code1308on a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as medium1320and/or memory1304. In some embodiments, the one or more processors1302may represent one or more circuits configurable to perform at least a portion of a data signal computing procedure or process related to the operation of UE1300.

The medium1320and/or memory1304may store instructions or program code1308that contain executable code or software instructions that when executed by the one or more processors1302cause the one or more processors1302to operate as a special purpose computer programmed to perform the techniques disclosed herein. As illustrated in UE1300, the medium1320and/or memory1304may include one or more components or modules that may be implemented by the one or more processors1302to perform the methodologies described herein. While the components or modules are illustrated as software in medium1320that is executable by the one or more processors1302, it should be understood that the components or modules may be stored in memory1304or may be dedicated hardware either in the one or more processors1302or off the processors.

A number of software modules and data tables may reside in the medium1320and/or memory1304and be utilized by the one or more processors1302in order to manage both communications and the functionality described herein. It should be appreciated that the organization of the contents of the medium1320and/or memory1304as shown in UE1300is merely exemplary, and as such the functionality of the modules and/or data structures may be combined, separated, and/or be structured in different ways depending upon the implementation of the UE1300.

The medium1320and/or memory1304may include DRX configuration module1322that when implemented by the one or more processors1302configures the one or more processors1302to receive a DRX configuration message via transceiver1310, e.g., from a serving base station via an RRC message.

The medium1320and/or memory1304may include a WUS configuration module1324that when implemented by the one or more processors1302configures the one or more processors1302to receive a WUS configuration message via transceiver1310, e.g., from a serving base station via an RRC message. For example, the WUS configuration module1324may configure the one or more processors1302to receive a message from a serving base station indicating how to respond to a wake-up signal indicating to remain inactive during the next DRX ON duration if a DL PRS is configured to be received during that period.

The medium1320and/or memory1304may include a PRS configuration module1326that when implemented by the one or more processors1302configures the one or more processors1302to receive the PRS configuration for DL PRS transmissions from one or more base station via transceiver1310, from a location server via an LPP message. For example, the PRS configuration module1326may configure the one or more processors1302to receive a message from a location server indicating how to respond to a wake-up signal indicating to remain inactive during the next DRX ON duration if a DL PRS is configured to be received during that period.

The medium1320and/or memory1304may include a DRX ON/OFF module1328that when implemented by the one or more processors1302configures the one or more processors1302to transition between an ON mode or an OFF mode during a DRX cycle pursuant to the DRX configuration, as discussed herein.

The medium1320and/or memory1304may include a WUS module1330that when implemented by the one or more processors1302configures the one or more processors1302to receive a wake-up signal from a serving base station via the transceiver1310. The wake-up signal indicating whether the UE is to wake up or not during a next ON time during the DRX cycle to monitor for communication signals, such as data signals or control signals.

The medium1320and/or memory1304may include a WUS/PRS response module1332that when implemented by the one or more processors1302configures the one or more processors1302how to respond to a received wake-up signal in light of the PRS configuration. For example, where a wake-up signal is received indicating that the UE1300is not to wake up during a next ON time during a DRX cycle to monitor communication signals, and that a PRS is configured to be transmitted during the next ON time, the WUS/PRS response module1332may configure the one or more processors to A) remain in a DRX sleep mode and not receive the PRS; B) transition to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS, but not monitor for communication signals, e.g., data signals, or control signals, or both; or C) transition to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitor for communication signals, e.g., data signals, or control signals, or both. As discussed herein, the response may depend on various factors, including the time domain behavior of the PRS, the transmission point of the PRS, whether the PRS measurement is inter-frequency or intra-frequency or whether it requires measurement gaps, whether the PRS configuration is defined for a specific option, or whether the UE1300is configured to respond in a specific manner based on the received wake-up signal or based on configuration from the serving base station or location server, e.g., in WUS configuration or PRS configuration message, respectively.

The medium1320and/or memory1304may include a PRS module1334that when implemented by the one or more processors1302configures the one or more processors1302to receive DL PRS from one or more base stations.

The medium1320and/or memory1304may include a communications module1335that when implemented by the one or more processors1302configures the one or more processors1302to receive communication signals from one or more base stations.

The medium1320and/or memory1304may include a position measurement module1336that when implemented by the one or more processors1302configures the one or more processors1302to perform positioning measurements using received DL PRS from one or more base stations. For example, the positioning measurements may be, e.g., TOA, RSTD, OTDOA, Rx-Tx, RSRP, or RTT if uplink reference signals are used.

The medium1320and/or memory1304may include a position estimate module1338that when implemented by the one or more processors1302configures the one or more processors1302to estimate a position of the UE1300in a UE based positioning process using the position measurements and the locations of base stations, e.g., received in assistance data.

The medium1320and/or memory1304may include a position report module1340that when implemented by the one or more processors1302configures the one or more processors1302to transmit position measurement report based on the positioning measurements and/or position estimate via the transceiver1310, e.g., to a location server via an LPP message. Along with a position information, the position measurement report may include information regarding received wake-up signals, including timing and whether the UE was instructed to wake up or not during the next ON time during the DRX cycle.

For a firmware and/or software implementation, the methodologies may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. Any machine readable medium tangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing the methodologies described herein. For example, software codes may be stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium1320or memory1304that is connected to and executed by the one or more processors1302. Memory may be implemented within the one or more processors or external to the one or more processors. As used herein the term “memory” refers to any type of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, or other memory and is not to be limited to any particular type of memory or number of memories, or type of media upon which memory is stored.

If implemented in firmware and/or software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or program code1308on a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as medium1320and/or memory1304. Examples include computer readable media encoded with a data structure and computer readable media encoded with a computer program1308. For example, the non-transitory computer readable medium including program code1308stored thereon may include program code1308to support OTDOA measurements in a manner consistent with disclosed embodiments. Non-transitory computer readable medium1320includes physical computer storage media. A storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such non-transitory computer readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code1308in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer; disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

In addition to storage on computer readable medium1320, instructions and/or data may be provided as signals on transmission media included in a communication apparatus. For example, a communication apparatus may include a transceiver1310having signals indicative of instructions and data. The instructions and data are configured to cause one or more processors to implement the functions outlined in the claims. That is, the communication apparatus includes transmission media with signals indicative of information to perform disclosed functions.

Memory1304may represent any data storage mechanism. Memory1304may include, for example, a primary memory and/or a secondary memory. Primary memory may include, for example, a random access memory, read only memory, etc. While illustrated in this example as being separate from one or more processors1302, it should be understood that all or part of a primary memory may be provided within or otherwise co-located/coupled with the one or more processors1302. Secondary memory may include, for example, the same or similar type of memory as primary memory and/or one or more data storage devices or systems, such as, for example, a disk drive, an optical disc drive, a tape drive, a solid state memory drive, etc.

In certain implementations, secondary memory may be operatively receptive of, or otherwise configurable to couple to a non-transitory computer readable medium1320. As such, in certain example implementations, the methods and/or apparatuses presented herein may take the form in whole or part of a computer readable medium1320that may include computer implementable code1308stored thereon, which if executed by one or more processors1302may be operatively enabled to perform all or portions of the example operations as described herein. Computer readable medium1320may be a part of memory1304.

A user equipment (UE) configured for wireless communication and operating in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode, may include a means for receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for receiving PRS, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver1310and one or more processors1302with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in memory1320such as the PRS configuration module1326. A means for receiving a wake-up signal from a serving base station indicating that the UE is not to wake up during a next ON time during a DRX cycle to monitor for communication signals, the communication signals comprising data signals or control signals or both may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver1310and one or more processors1302with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in memory1320such as the WUS module1330. The UE includes a means for performing, in response to the PRS configuration and the wake-up signal, one of: A) remaining in a DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS; or B) transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for the communication signals; or C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for the communication signals, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver1310and one or more processors1302with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in memory1320such as the WUS/PRS Response module1332, the PRS module1334, and the communications module1335.

In one implementation, the UE may include a means for receiving one or more of a message from the serving base station, a message from a location server, or a combination thereof, that configures the UE to perform A) remaining in the DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS, B) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for the communication signals, or C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for the communication signals, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver1310and one or more processors1302with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in memory1320such as the WUS configuration module1324, the PRS configuration module1326, the WUS/PRS Response module1332, the PRS module1334, and the communications module1335.

In one implementation, the UE may include a means for receiving a DRX configuration from the serving base station, wherein the DRX configuration is provided to the location server from the serving base station, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver1310and one or more processors1302with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in memory1320such as the DRX configuration module1322.

In one implementation, the UE may include a means for transmitting a report to a location server of the receipt of the wake-up signal indicating that the UE is not to wake up during the next ON time during the DRX cycle, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver1310and one or more processors1302with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in memory1320such as the position report module1340.

FIG.14shows a schematic block diagram illustrating certain exemplary features of a base station1400, e.g., base station102inFIG.1, enabled to support positioning of a UE that is operating in DRX mode and receiving DL PRS after receiving a WUS, as described herein. Base station1400may, for example, include one or more processors1402, memory1404, an external interface, which may include a transceiver1410(e.g., wireless network interface) and a communications interface1416(e.g., wireline or wireless network interface to other base stations and/or the core network), which may be operatively coupled with one or more connections1406(e.g., buses, lines, fibers, links, etc.) to non-transitory computer readable medium1420and memory1404. The base station1400may further include additional items, which are not shown, such as a user interface that may include e.g., a display, a keypad or other input device, such as virtual keypad on the display, through which a user may interface with the UE, or a satellite positioning system receiver. In certain example implementations, all or part of base station1400may take the form of a chipset, and/or the like. Transceiver1410may, for example, include a transmitter1412enabled to transmit one or more signals over one or more types of wireless communication networks and a receiver1414to receive one or more signals transmitted over the one or more types of wireless communication networks. The communications interface1416may be a wired or wireless interface capable of connecting to other base stations in the RAN or network entities, such as a location server172shown inFIG.1.

In some embodiments, base station1400may include antenna1411, which may be internal or external. Antenna1411may be used to transmit and/or receive signals processed by transceiver1410. In some embodiments, antenna1411may be coupled to transceiver1410. In some embodiments, measurements of signals received (transmitted) by base station1400may be performed at the point of connection of the antenna1411and transceiver1410. For example, the measurement point of reference for received (transmitted) RF signal measurements may be an input (output) terminal of the receiver1414(transmitter1412) and an output (input) terminal of the antenna1411. In a base station1400with multiple antennas1411or antenna arrays, the antenna connector may be viewed as a virtual point representing the aggregate output (input) of multiple antennas. In some embodiments, base station1400may measure received signals including signal strength and TOA measurements and the raw measurements may be processed by the one or more processors1402.

The one or more processors1402may be implemented using a combination of hardware, firmware, and software. For example, the one or more processors1402may be configured to perform the functions discussed herein by implementing one or more instructions or program code1408on a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as medium1420and/or memory1404. In some embodiments, the one or more processors1402may represent one or more circuits configurable to perform at least a portion of a data signal computing procedure or process related to the operation of base station1400.

The medium1420and/or memory1404may store instructions or program code1408that contain executable code or software instructions that when executed by the one or more processors1402cause the one or more processors1402to operate as a special purpose computer programmed to perform the techniques disclosed herein. As illustrated in base station1400, the medium1420and/or memory1404may include one or more components or modules that may be implemented by the one or more processors1402to perform the methodologies described herein. While the components or modules are illustrated as software in medium1420that is executable by the one or more processors1402, it should be understood that the components or modules may be stored in memory1404or may be dedicated hardware either in the one or more processors1402or off the processors.

A number of software modules and data tables may reside in the medium1420and/or memory1404and be utilized by the one or more processors1402in order to manage both communications and the functionality described herein. It should be appreciated that the organization of the contents of the medium1420and/or memory1404as shown in base station1400is merely exemplary, and as such the functionality of the modules and/or data structures may be combined, separated, and/or be structured in different ways depending upon the implementation of the base station1400.

The medium1420and/or memory1404may include a DRX configuration module1422that when implemented by the one or more processors1402configures the one or more processors1402to transmit a DRX configuration message via transceiver1410, e.g., to a UE via an RRC message. The DRX configuration module1422may further configure the one or more processors to transmit the DRX configuration for the UE to a location server, via communications interface1416.

The medium1420and/or memory1404may include a WUS configuration module1424that when implemented by the one or more processors1402configures the one or more processors1402to transmit a WUS configuration message via transceiver1410, e.g., to a UE via an RRC message. The WUS configuration module1424may further configure the one or more processors to transmit the WUS configuration for the UE to a location server, via communications interface1416.

The medium1420and/or memory1404may include a WUS module1426that when implemented by the one or more processors1402configures the one or more processors1402to transmit a wake-up signal to a UE via the transceiver1410. The wake-up signal indicating whether the UE is to wake up or not during a next ON time during the DRX cycle to monitor for communication signals, such as data signals or control signals. The WUS module1426may further configure the one or more processors to transmit the wake-up signal for the UE to a location server, via communications interface1416.

The medium1420and/or memory1404may include a PRS module1428that when implemented by the one or more processors1402configures the one or more processors1402to transmit DL PRS to the UE.

For a firmware and/or software implementation, the methodologies may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. Any machine readable medium tangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing the methodologies described herein. For example, software codes may be stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium1420or memory1404that is connected to and executed by the one or more processors1402. Memory may be implemented within the one or more processors or external to the one or more processors. As used herein the term “memory” refers to any type of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, or other memory and is not to be limited to any particular type of memory or number of memories, or type of media upon which memory is stored.

If implemented in firmware and/or software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or program code1408on a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as medium1420and/or memory1404. Examples include computer readable media encoded with a data structure and computer readable media encoded with a computer program1408. For example, the non-transitory computer readable medium including program code1408stored thereon may include program code1408to support OTDOA measurements in a manner consistent with disclosed embodiments. Non-transitory computer readable medium1420includes physical computer storage media. A storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such non-transitory computer readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code1408in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer; disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

In addition to storage on computer readable medium1420, instructions and/or data may be provided as signals on transmission media included in a communication apparatus. For example, a communication apparatus may include a transceiver1410having signals indicative of instructions and data. The instructions and data are configured to cause one or more processors to implement the functions outlined in the claims. That is, the communication apparatus includes transmission media with signals indicative of information to perform disclosed functions.

Memory1404may represent any data storage mechanism. Memory1404may include, for example, a primary memory and/or a secondary memory. Primary memory may include, for example, a random access memory, read only memory, etc. While illustrated in this example as being separate from one or more processors1402, it should be understood that all or part of a primary memory may be provided within or otherwise co-located/coupled with the one or more processors1402. Secondary memory may include, for example, the same or similar type of memory as primary memory and/or one or more data storage devices or systems, such as, for example, a disk drive, an optical disc drive, a tape drive, a solid state memory drive, etc.

In certain implementations, secondary memory may be operatively receptive of, or otherwise configurable to couple to a non-transitory computer readable medium1420. As such, in certain example implementations, the methods and/or apparatuses presented herein may take the form in whole or part of a computer readable medium1420that may include computer implementable code1408stored thereon, which if executed by one or more processors1402may be operatively enabled to perform all or portions of the example operations as described herein. Computer readable medium1420may be a part of memory1404.

A base station in a wireless network serving a user equipment (UE), the UE configured for wireless communication and operating in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode, may include a means for transmitting to the UE a wake-up signal indicating that the UE is not to wake up during a next ON time during a DRX cycle to monitor for communication signals, the communication signals comprising data signals or control signals or both, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver1410and one or more processors1402with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in memory1420such as the WUS module1426. The UE may be configured to receive positioning reference signals (PRSs), and in response to the configuration to receive PRS and the wake-up signal, the UE performs one of: A) remaining in a DRX sleep mode and not receiving the PRS; or B) transitioning to a DRX ON mode to receive the PRS but not monitoring for the communication signals; or C) transitioning to the DRX ON mode to receive the PRS and monitoring for the communication signals. A means for transmitting to a location server an indication of the wake-up signal indicating that the UE is not to wake up during the next ON time during the DRX cycle to monitor for the communication signals may be, e.g., the communications interface1416and one or more processors1402with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in memory1420such as the WUS module1426.

In one implementation, the base station may include a means for transmitting a DRX configuration to the UE, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver1410and one or more processors1402with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in memory1420such as the DRX configuration module1422. A means for transmitting the DRX configuration to the location server may be, e.g., the communications interface1416and one or more processors1402with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in memory1420such as the DRX configuration module1422.

In one implementation, the base station may include a means for transmitting to the location server an indication of when the UE is configured to monitor the wake-up signal and when the wake-up signal is ON or OFF, which may be, e.g., the communications interface1416and one or more processors1402with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions in memory1420such as the WUS configuration module1424and the WUS module1426.