Patent Description:
The following relates generally to location determination in beamformed communication, such as millimeter-wave (mmW) wireless communication, and more specifically to positioning in mmW communications.

Examples of such multiple-access systems include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, (e.g., a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system). A wireless multiple-access communications system may include a number of base stations, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE).

Wireless communication systems may operate in mmW frequency ranges, e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc. Wireless communications at these frequencies may be associated with increased signal attenuation (e.g., path loss), which may be influenced by various factors, such as temperature, barometric pressure, diffraction, etc. As a result, signal processing techniques, such as beamforming, may be used to coherently combine energy and overcome the path losses at these frequencies. Due to the increased amount of path loss in mmW communications systems, transmissions from the base station and/or the UE may be beamformed.

UEs may be mobile and traverse the coverage areas of different base stations of the wireless communications system. UE location may be important for various functions, e.g., location-based services, emergency response services, etc. Determining the location of UEs operating in wireless networks may be a challenge owing to the mobility of users and the dynamic nature of both the environment and radio signals. Traditional wireless networks may determine the UE location using dedicated signaling, e.g., by broadcasting positioning reference signals (PRSs) throughout a coverage area.

mmW communication promises to bring gigabit speeds to cellular networks, due to availability of large amounts of bandwidth. The unique challenges of heavy path-loss faced by mmW communication systems necessitate new techniques such as hybrid beamforming that is joint digital and analog beamforming, which are not present in third generation (<NUM>) and/or fourth generation (<NUM>) wireless communication systems. Hybrid beamforming may support beamformed signals having a more narrow width than using conventional beamforming techniques. Support for hybrid beamforming may additionally result in changes to the positioning procedures and the transmission of the reference signals used for positioning. <CIT> describes techniques utilising a reference signal and/or positioning. <CIT> describes techniques involving positioning reference signals and PRS transmission schedules.

The described techniques relate to improved methods and apparatuses that support positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications. The invention is defined in the claims to which reference is directed.

Some wireless communication systems (e.g., LTE) may use two types of positioning mechanisms - downlink-based (e.g., observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA)) and uplink-based (e.g., uplink time difference of arrival (UT-DOA)). In the downlink-based positioning, a PRS is transmitted with a certain periodicity on the downlink. The UE measures the difference between the arrival times of the PRS from multiple eNodeBs, and reports this back to the network. The network uses these reports and the known base station locations in order to determine the UE location. The PRS may be broadcast from each base station with strong enough power to be heard not only by the UEs in that cell, but also by those in neighboring cells. Accurate positioning may use reports from multiple base stations.

Uplink-based positioning may be transparent to the UE, and may include the network measuring a time-delay of arrival of the UE uplink at various base stations. This may be feasible because the UE transmit antenna pattern is usually omnidirectional, especially for the reference signals (e.g., sounding reference signal (SRS)) from which the uplink timing is measured. These reference signal transmissions from the UE may be received at multiple non-co-located base stations. However, in beamformed communication systems, such as mmW communication systems, due to use of uplink beamforming, the SRS may be heard reliably by one base station, e.g., heard by the base station in the direction of the beamformed signal.

Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of a wireless communications system. For example, in downlink-based location determination, a base station may transmit a measurement reference signal (MRS) to a UE and receive a measurement report from the UE. Signals used for measurement are referred to as MRS. Any one or combination of several physical reference signals may serve as the MRS (e.g., synchronization signals, beamforming reference signal (BRS), channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS), etc). The measurement report may indicate a measurement parameter for the MRS. The base station may additionally or alternatively receive additional measurement reports from the UE for other base stations. Each measurement report may indicate measurement parameters for MRSs associated with the other base stations. The base station may determine the location of the UE based on the measurement reports. For uplink-based location determination, the base station may receive a beamformed SRS (BSRS) from the UE and determine a measurement parameter associated with the BSRS. The base station may additionally or alternatively receive measurement reports from other base stations that indicate measurement parameters for BSRSs transmitted from the UE to the other base stations. In some examples, any location determination entity may receive measurement reports from additional base stations. In some examples, the location determination entity may be located elsewhere in the network and may receive measurement reports from the additional base stations, wherein the beamformed SRSs are transmitted to the additional base stations by the UE <NUM>. In some examples, the location determination entity may be a serving base station or another entity such as an enhanced serving mobile location center (E-SMLC). The base station may determine the location of the UE based on the measurement parameters, as determined by the base station and/or received in the measurement reports.

Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a wireless communications system <NUM> that includes a UE in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system <NUM> includes network access devices (e.g., base stations <NUM>, gNodeBs (gNBs), and/or radio heads (RHs)), UEs <NUM>, and a core network <NUM>. In some examples, the wireless communications system <NUM> may be a LTE (or LTE-Advanced) network. In some examples, the wireless communications system <NUM> may be an advanced wireless communication system using beamforming, such as a mmW wireless communication system (i.e., one operating in the millimeter wave spectrum).

Each base station <NUM> may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area <NUM>. Communication links <NUM> shown in wireless communications system <NUM> may include UL transmissions from a UE <NUM> to a base station <NUM>, or downlink (DL) transmissions, from a base station <NUM> to a UE <NUM>. A UE <NUM> may communicate with the core network <NUM> through communication link <NUM>. A UE <NUM> may additionally or alternatively be referred to as a mobile station, a subscriber station, a remote unit, a wireless device, an access terminal (AT), a handset, a user agent, a client, or like terminology. A UE <NUM> may additionally or alternatively be a cellular phone, a wireless modem, a handheld device, a personal computer, a tablet, a personal electronic device, a machine-type communication (MTC) device, etc..

In some examples, base stations <NUM> may additionally or alternatively be referred to gNBs.

Wireless communications system <NUM> may operate in an ultra high frequency (UHF) frequency region using frequency bands from <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM>), although in some cases wireless local area network (WLAN) networks may use frequencies as high as <NUM>. This region may also be known as the decimeter band, since the wavelengths range from approximately one decimeter to one meter in length. UHF waves may propagate mainly by line of sight, and may be blocked by buildings and environmental features. However, the waves may penetrate walls sufficiently to provide service to UEs <NUM> located indoors. Transmission of UHF waves is characterized by smaller antennas and shorter range (e.g., less than <NUM>) compared to transmission using the smaller frequencies (and longer waves) of the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrum. In some cases, wireless communications system <NUM> may also utilize extremely high frequency (EHF) portions of the spectrum (e.g., from <NUM> to <NUM>). This region may also be known as the millimeter band, since the wavelengths range from approximately one millimeter to one centimeter in length. Thus, EHF antennas may be even smaller and more closely spaced than UHF antennas. In some cases, this may facilitate use of antenna arrays within a UE <NUM> (e.g., for directional beamforming). However, EHF transmissions may be subject to even greater atmospheric attenuation and shorter range than UHF transmissions.

Specifically, wireless communications system <NUM> may operate in mmW frequency ranges, e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc. Wireless communication at these frequencies may be associated with increased signal attenuation (e.g., path loss), which may be influenced by various factors, such as temperature, barometric pressure, diffraction, etc. As a result, signal processing techniques such as beamforming (i.e., directional transmission) may be used to coherently combine signal energy and overcome the path loss in specific beam directions. In some cases, a device, such as a UE <NUM>, may select a beam direction for communicating with a network by selecting the strongest beam from among a number of reference signals transmitted by a base station.

In some cases, base station antennas may be located within one or more antenna arrays. One or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be collocated at an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. A base station <NUM> may multiple use antennas or antenna arrays to conduct beamforming operations for directional communications with a UE <NUM>.

Wireless communications system <NUM> may be or include a multicarrier beamformed communication system, such as a mmW wireless communication system. Broadly, aspects of wireless communications system <NUM> may include a UE <NUM> and a base station <NUM> using MRSs for UE location determination. For downlink-based UE location determination, for example, a base station <NUM> may include a base station positioning manager <NUM> that may receive a measurement report from a UE <NUM> that indicates a measurement parameter for an MRS transmitted by the base station <NUM>. The base station positioning manager <NUM> may receive additional measurement reports from the UE for additional base stations (e.g., other base stations <NUM>) that indicate measurement parameters for MRSs from the additional base stations. The base station positioning manager <NUM> may identify or otherwise determine the location of the UE <NUM> based on the measurement reports. For uplink-based UE location determination, the base station positioning manager <NUM> may receive a BSRS from the UE <NUM> and determine a measurement parameter for the BSRS. The base station positioning manager <NUM> may receive measurement reports from additional base stations that indicate measurement parameters for the respective additional base stations with respect to the UE <NUM>. The base station positioning manager <NUM> may determine the location of the UE <NUM> based on the measurement parameters.

From the UE <NUM> perspective, the UE <NUM> may include a UE positioning manager <NUM> that may transmit BSRSs to base stations <NUM>. The BSRSs may be transmitted according to a sweeping pattern and, in some aspects, transmitted according to a timing offset. For example, each BSRS may be transmitted in a different TTI.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a wireless communications system <NUM> for positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, describing activity at a base station useful for understanding the invention but not covered by the claims. Wireless communications system <NUM> may be an example of aspects of wireless communications system <NUM> of <FIG>. Wireless communications system <NUM> may be a beamformed communication system, such as a mmW wireless communication system. Wireless communications system <NUM> may include a UE <NUM>-a, a base station <NUM>-a, a base station <NUM>-b, and/or a base station <NUM>-c, which may be examples of the corresponding devices of <FIG>. Broadly, wireless communications system <NUM> illustrates aspects of downlink based UE <NUM>-b location determination in a beamformed wireless communications system.

Base station <NUM>-a may be a serving base station for UE <NUM>-a. Base stations <NUM>-b and <NUM>-c may be neighbor base stations for UE <NUM>-a. Base stations <NUM>-a, <NUM>-b, and/or <NUM>-c may be mmW base stations that transmit beamformed signals. The transmissions from base stations <NUM>-a, <NUM>-b, and/or <NUM>-c may be beamformed transmissions that are directional towards UE <NUM>-a. For example, base station <NUM>-a may transmit MRSs <NUM>, base station <NUM>-b may transmit MRSs <NUM>, and base station <NUM>-c may transmit MRSs <NUM>.

MRSs <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> may be, according to an example provided for illustrative purposes and does not represent an embodiment unless when combined with all the features respectively defined in the independent claims, non-positioning beam management signals. Alternatively, according to the invention, MRSs <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> include PRSs piggy-backed to respective MRSs. That is, MRSs <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> include PRSs that are configured (e.g., scheduled, signaled, etc.) specifically for determining the location of UE <NUM>-a. In another example, provided for illustrative purposes and does not represent an embodiment unless when combined with all the features respectively defined in the independent claims, MRSs <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> may be beamformed signals that are not specifically configured for determining the location of UE <NUM>-a. For example, various beam management signals may be repurposed for UE <NUM>-a location determination. Moreover, the structure of the beam management signals may additionally or alternatively be adjusted to support positioning in beamformed wireless communication systems, e.g., the peak gain of the beam, the beam width, etc. Such beam management signals may be associated with channel measurement and reporting procedures, control information transmissions, etc. In some examples, UE <NUM>-a location determination may include using a combination of PRSs and non-positioning beam management signals.

In beamformed wireless communication systems (e.g., wireless communications system <NUM>), for MRSs <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> to penetrate long distances, the MRSs <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> may use high beamforming gain in order to overcome the relatively poor propagation environment at mmW carrier frequencies. Additionally or alternatively, MRSs <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> may cover a narrow angular portion of the coverage area of the respective base station <NUM>-a, <NUM>-b, and/or <NUM>-c. Thus, in each transmission window (e.g., TTI), the MRSs <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> beam direction may be swept to cover the entire coverage area of the base station. For example, base station <NUM>-a may transmit MRS <NUM>-a during a first TTI, transmit MRS <NUM>-b during a second TTI, and so on. Base station <NUM>-b may transmit MRS <NUM>-a during a first TTI, transmit MRS <NUM>-b during a second TTI, and so on. Similarly, base station <NUM>-c may transmit MRS <NUM>-a during a first TTI, transmit MRS <NUM>-b during a second TTI, etc. The MRS transmissions may continue in a sweeping pattern around the coverage area of each base station, e.g., each base station may transmit more than four MRSs so as to cover their respective coverage areas. MRSs <NUM>-c, <NUM>-c, and <NUM>-b may be directed towards UE <NUM>-a.

The beam sweep cycles from neighboring base stations <NUM>-b and/or <NUM>-c are coordinated to minimize collision between the beams. For example and during a first TTI, base station <NUM>-a may transmit MRS <NUM>-a, base station <NUM>-b may transmit <NUM>-d, and base station <NUM>-c may transmit an MRS in a direction opposite from the location of base stations <NUM>-a and <NUM>-b (not shown). One example of coordinating the beam sweep cycle includes timing offsets that may be reported between the base stations for multiple beams. The beam-index (e.g., an indicator of the beam number and/or direction of the beam transmission) may be included with the timing offset report, or could be inferred from a pre-specified order of reporting beams. Another example provided for illustrative purposes and does not represent an embodiment unless when combined with all the features respectively defined in the independent claims of coordinating the beam sweep cycle may include frequency offsets between the beams transmitted by different base stations, such as base stations <NUM>-a, <NUM>-b and/or <NUM>-c. For example, base station <NUM>-a may transmit using a first frequency where base stations <NUM>-b and/or <NUM>-c may transmit using a second frequency that is different from the first frequency. Some examples of coordinating the beam sweep cycle may include a combination of timing offsets and frequency offsets.

Thus, while the overhead associated with MRS transmissions may be increased due to beam-sweeping the MRS transmissions, the overhead additionally or alternatively results in improved positioning accuracy of multiple beam measurement reports. In some aspects, the improvement in positioning accuracy from multiple measurement reports is more significant when the base stations are not co-located, whereas multiple beams from the same base station are usually co-located. However, with multiple antenna panels and remote-radio-head deployments for base stations <NUM>-a, <NUM>-b, and/or <NUM>-c, it may be supported that even beams from the same base station are not co-located. Additionally or alternatively, even with co-located beams, some positioning accuracy improvement may be supported by averaging the reported timing differences across beams coming from co-located base stations.

The network may additionally or alternatively use information associated with the beam angular direction and spread in order to further improve the accuracy of the positioning. For example, the UE location may be identified based purely on MRS timing reports and the base station locations, without regard to beam directions. The boresight directions of the beams may be compared with the directions from the known base station locations to the computed UE location. If there is a significant mismatch between the boresight and the computed direction, it indicates an anomalous event, such as a reflected path, which could corrupt the location determination. The location may then be re-computed by disregarding the report from the suspected anomalous beam.

It may be noted that such an approach is possible even in legacy wireless communication systems (e.g., LTE), by beam-sweeping and creating a layout with several sectors, thus allowing increased accuracy from these approaches due to multiple beam measurements. For example, without any timing measurements, simply knowing the two strongest non-co-located cells seen by UE <NUM>-a may allow an approximate estimate of the UE <NUM>-a location, e.g., within the area of intersection of the beam patterns issuing from those two cells. However, by using narrow beams, the intersection area of the beams will be small and may thus give a more accurate position fix.

The beam-sweeping pattern of MRS transmissions <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> may be on an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol basis or on a subframe basis. Subframe-basis sweeping may indicate that the granularity of the number of OFDM symbol repetitions of each given beam direction corresponds to an integer number of subframes. This may provide the option to schedule other traffic in that subframe in a design where the MRS does not occupy the entire system bandwidth. OFDM symbol-basis sweeping may allow a finer granularity for the MRS repetition count, but add, at least to some degree, difficulty in scheduling other data during MRS transmission, since it may be preferred to send such data using a single beam over the entire subframe.

Thus, the described techniques include MRS transmissions <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> that are transmitted over the entire coverage area of a base station using a beam sweeping pattern. The MRSs <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> are specifically configured for or otherwise associated with UE <NUM>-a location identification, that is they are, PRSs.

An MRS <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> is transmitted by the base stations, <NUM>-a, <NUM>-b, <NUM>-c, meaning that, according to an example provided for illustrative purposes and does not represent an embodiment unless when combined with all the features respectively defined in the independent claim, non-positioning beam management signals are transmitted. In other examples, according to the invention, a separate or piggybacked PRS is used. A separate PRS may allow for more repetition of the PRS signal in each PRS transmission to improve the positioning accuracy. While this motivation also applies in mmW systems as well, such mmW systems may have much larger bandwidth (which may additionally or alternatively be increased by carrier-aggregation), and thus at least a portion of the repetition gains may be captured by repetition in the frequency domain rather than in the time domain.

A hybrid approach may additionally or alternatively be considered where the MRS is present but with reduced or low periodicity, and both non-positioning beam management signals and the PRS are used for UE <NUM>-a location determination. One example may include using unicast or multi-cast MRS, e.g., directing the PRS transmissions towards the UE <NUM>-a (or group of UEs) whose position is to be determined. This may avoid or reduce having to beam-sweep the MRS over the entire coverage area of the cell, e.g., may use a single beam or a small subset of beams from the serving base station <NUM>-a and/or the neighbor base stations <NUM>-b and/or <NUM>-c. The subset of beams may be identified based on previous beam-strength measurement reports of the UEs whose position is to be determined.

Thus, UE <NUM>-a location in a beamformed wireless communication system are determined based on UE <NUM>-a downlink timing (e.g., OTDOA) and strength measurements of multiple beams from multiple base stations, where a beam is formed by analog and/or digital beamforming. Channels associated with the location measurements may include MRS transmissions in a beamformed wireless communication system that are used for beam management and/or PRS transmissions. The MRS transmissions are coordinated to avoid interference between base stations <NUM>-a, <NUM>-b, and/or <NUM>-c. The location measurements may be made on a combination of reference signals transmitted for beam management and reference signals transmitted exclusively for positioning (e.g., PRS). The reference signals may be sent periodically or when needed. The presence of PRS may be known through prior signaling to the UE <NUM>-a that is making the measurement.

The MRS may be broadcast over the entire coverage area of a base station (or within a cell) according to a beam sweeping pattern or may include a subset of beams directed towards a particular UE (or groups of UEs) whose location is being measured. Thus, the MRS may be broadcast over the entire cell according to a beam sweeping and/or may be transmitted over a subset of beams directed towards a particular UE or a group of UEs whose position is being measured.

Determining the approximate set of beams for the UE <NUM>-a to measure may include identifying the subset of beams based on past beam-management reports for the serving base station and/or the neighbor base stations from the UE(s) whose position is being measured. The MRS transmission from neighboring base stations (e.g., MRSs <NUM> and <NUM>) are offset in time (e.g., staggered across consecutive subframes). The UE <NUM>-a may determine the beams to be measured based on an indication by the network (e.g., base station <NUM>-a) to the UE <NUM>-a.

In some aspects, the network may indicate beams from cells which the UE <NUM>-a has not previously detected or measured as strong beams, but which may be determined as likely to improve positioning accuracy based on previous reports from the UE <NUM>-a. Aspects of the present disclosure are used in a multicarrier beamformed wireless communication systems. According to the invention, in a multicarrier system, the MRS from multiple carriers that share the same antenna panel are aligned in time and use the same beam. The UE <NUM>-a combines the MRS across carriers to determine the timing parameter, and transmits a single measurement report for the group of carriers.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a process flow <NUM> for positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, with activity at the UE in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure and activity at the base station not covered by the claims but useful for understanding the invention. Process flow <NUM> may implement aspects of wireless communications system <NUM> and/or <NUM> of <FIG> and/or <NUM>. Process flow <NUM> may include a UE <NUM>, a base station <NUM>, and at least one additional base station <NUM>, which may be examples of the corresponding devices of <FIG> and/or <NUM>. It is to be understood that the process flow <NUM> is not limited to one additional base station <NUM>. Base station <NUM> may be a serving base station for UE <NUM>.

At <NUM>, base station <NUM> transmits an MRS to UE <NUM>. The MRS may be a non-positioning beam management signal and/or may optionally include a PRS. In the example where the MRS includes or is a PRS, the base station <NUM> may transmit control signaling associated with the PRS before transmitting the MRS. In some examples, the control signaling may specify one or more time instances at which the PRS from various base stations are present, such that the UE <NUM> may measure them. In some examples, the control signaling may additionally or alternatively specify that base station <NUM> will guarantee that during those time instances, the UE <NUM> will not be scheduled any other data, so that the UE <NUM> can focus only on measuring the PRS. In some examples, the PRS, especially from other base stations, may be present simultaneously with data from the serving base station <NUM>. If the UE <NUM> has capability to simultaneously receive on multiple beams, then the guarantee from the base station <NUM> can be relaxed. In some examples, instead of not scheduling any other data, the base station <NUM> may reduce the rank of data transmission to allow the UE <NUM> to simultaneously perform both data reception and measurement of the one or more PRS.

The MRS (and/or PRS when applicable) may be broadcast to UE <NUM> via beam sweeping. The MRS (and/or PRS when applicable) may be transmitted over a subset of beams directed towards UE <NUM>. The subset of beams may be selected based on historical beam management reports received from UE <NUM>. The subset of beams may be selected based on a prediction that UE <NUM> is located in a location that is different from location(s) suggested by the historical beam management report received from UE <NUM>.

AT <NUM>, UE <NUM> determines a measurement parameter associated with the MRS. The measurement parameter may include or be based on a timing parameter or measurement (e.g., OTDOA, time of arrival, angle of arrival, angle of departure at the UE <NUM>, etc.). The measurement parameter may include or be based on a signal strength parameter, e.g., received power level, received power level relative to a reference power level, etc. At <NUM>, the UE <NUM> transmits a measurement report to base station <NUM>. The measurement report may include an indication (e.g., a value, an index, a pointer to a look-up table, etc.) of the measurement parameter associated with the MRS (and optional PRS) transmitted at <NUM>.

The MRS may be transmitted according to a periodic schedule, an aperiodic schedule, an as-needed basis, etc. When the PRS is transmitted in a multicarrier system, the base station <NUM> transmits the PRS for each of the carriers that share a same beam by sharing an antenna panel and being aligned in time. Accordingly, the measurement report may be a single measurement report that provides an indication of the measurement parameters associated with each of the carriers.

At <NUM>, the additional base station <NUM> (and other additional base stations neighboring UE <NUM>) transmits an MRS to UE <NUM>. The MRS may be a non-positioning beam management signal and/or may optionally include a PRS. In the example where the MRS includes or is a PRS, the additional base station <NUM> may transmit control signaling associated with the PRS before transmitting the MRS. The MRS (and/or PRS when applicable) may be broadcast to UE <NUM> via beam sweeping. The MRS (and/or PRS when applicable) may be transmitted over a subset of beams directed towards UE <NUM>. The subset of beams may be selected based on historical beam management reports received from UE <NUM> and/or a network entity. The subset of beams may be selected based on a prediction that UE <NUM> is located in a location that is different from location (s) suggested by the historical beam management report received from UE <NUM>.

The MRS transmitted at <NUM> and the additional MRSs transmitted at <NUM> may be associated with different RATs. For example, the base station <NUM> may use a cellular RAT (e.g., a mmW wireless communication system RAT) where the additional base station <NUM> may be associated with a Wi-Fi RAT, a New Radio (NR) RAT, etc..

At <NUM>, the UE <NUM> determines measurement parameter associated with the MRS received from additional base station <NUM>. The measurement parameter may include or be based on a timing parameter and/or a signal strength parameter.

At <NUM>, UE <NUM> transmits an additional measurement report to base station <NUM> (e.g., the serving base station of UE <NUM>). The additional measurement report from the UE <NUM> may be or include an indication of measurement parameter associated with the MRS transmitted at <NUM> from the additional base station <NUM>. When there are more than one additional base station, the additional measurement report may provide an indication of the measurement parameters for MRSs received from each of the additional base stations. The additional measurement reports may include a separate additional measurement report for each additional base station and/or may include one additional measurement report (e.g., a comprehensive measurement report) that provides an indication of the measurement parameters for the additional base stations. The indicated measurement parameters is associated with PRSs that are transmitted at different times according to a time offset schedule.

At <NUM>, the base station <NUM> identifies the location of UE <NUM> based on the measurement report received at <NUM> and the additional measurement reports received at <NUM>. For example, the base station <NUM> may use the measurement parameters indicated in the measurement report of <NUM> and the additional measurement reports of <NUM> to determine the location of UE <NUM> using a timing parameter, a strength parameter, or both. In some aspects, the base station <NUM> may identify the location of the UE <NUM> independently and/or may identify the location of the UE <NUM> by forwarding the measurement parameters to the network (e.g., mobility management entity (MME), core network function, etc.) and receiving the UE <NUM> location information from the network.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a wireless communications system <NUM> for positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, according to an example provided for illustrative purposes and does not represent an embodiment unless when combined with all the features respectively defined in the independent claim. Wireless communications system <NUM> may be an example of aspects of wireless communications systems <NUM> and/or <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. Wireless communications system <NUM> may be a mmW wireless communication system. Wireless communications system <NUM> may include a UE <NUM>-b, a base station <NUM>-d, a base station <NUM>-f, and/or a base station <NUM>-f, which may be examples of the corresponding devices of <FIG>. Broadly, wireless communications system <NUM> illustrates aspects of uplink based UE <NUM>-b location determination in a beamformed wireless communication system.

In some examples, base station <NUM>-d may be a serving base station for UE <NUM>-b. Base stations <NUM>-e and <NUM>-f may be neighbor base stations for UE <NUM>-b. Base stations <NUM>-d, <NUM>-e, and/or <NUM>-f may be mmW base stations that transmit beamformed signals. UE <NUM>-b may be a mmW UE that transmits beamformed reference signals, such as BSRSs <NUM>. The transmissions from UE <NUM>-b may be beamformed transmissions that are directional towards a particular base station and/or other UE.

In some aspects, UE <NUM>-b may transmit BSRSs <NUM> according to a beam sweep pattern that covers all or a portion of the directions from UE <NUM>-b. Moreover, the BSRS <NUM> transmissions may be time offset. For example, UE <NUM>-b may transmit BSRS <NUM>-a during a first TTI and in a first direction, may transmit BSRS <NUM>-b during a second TTI and in a second direction, and so on. BSRS <NUM>-c may for example be directed toward neighboring base station <NUM>-f, BSRS <NUM>-e may for example be directed toward serving base station <NUM>-d, and BSRS <NUM>-I may for example be directed toward neighboring base station <NUM>-e. Thus, UE <NUM>-b may support beamforming transmissions in a plurality of beam directions.

In some aspects, a described uplink-based positioning may reduce or avoid the complexities of PRS design and of UE measurement and reporting, as is discussed above. However, due to radio frequency and hardware limitations at the UE, the uplink beamforming gain may not be sufficient to transmit the SRS to a sufficient number of non-co-located base stations to obtain a reliable uplink measurement for positioning. As with the described downlink-based approach, this reliability may be increased to some extent by repeating in the frequency domain (i.e., SRS spanning the entire bandwidth, and also across multiple carriers).

In some aspects, UE location in a beamformed wireless communication system, such as a mmW wireless communication system, may be based on UE <NUM>-b uplink timing and strength measurements at multiple base stations, such as base stations <NUM>-d, <NUM>-e, and/or <NUM>-f. The network (e.g., core network and/or serving base station <NUM>-d) may instruct UE <NUM>-b to beamform an uplink reference signal to each of these base stations during a different TTI.

In some aspects, selection of the multiple base stations (e.g., base stations <NUM>-e and/or <NUM>-f) may be determined by the network or serving base station <NUM>-d based on previous beam management reports from the UE <NUM>-b. The selection may be based on previously reported strong neighbor base station beams. Selection may be based on beams from base stations that were not previously reported as strong neighbors, but which the network identifies as likely to improve position accuracy, based on previous reports and/or on a tentative UE <NUM>-b location computed based on those previous reports.

In the example of a multicarrier system, the network may directing UE <NUM>-b to beamform the BSRS <NUM> to a particular base station may apply to the multiple carriers in the same TTI, and the base station may combine the BSRS <NUM> across carriers.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a process flow <NUM> for positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, according to an example provided for illustrative purposes and does not represent an embodiment unless when combined with all the features respectively defined in the independent claim. Process flow <NUM> may implement aspects of wireless communications system <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>. Process flow <NUM> may include a UE <NUM>, a base station <NUM>, and at least one additional base station <NUM>, which may be examples of the corresponding devices of <FIG>. It is to be understood that the process flow <NUM> is not limited to one additional base station <NUM>. Base station <NUM> may be a serving base station for UE <NUM>.

At <NUM>, UE <NUM> may transmit a BSRS to base station <NUM>. The BSRS may be transmitted in a beam direction directed towards base station <NUM>. Thus, base station <NUM> may receive the BSRS from UE <NUM>. In some examples, the BSRS transmitted may include multiple BSRSs from the UE <NUM> where each BSRS is associated with different carriers and are transmitted in the same TTI.

At <NUM>, base station <NUM> may determine a measurement parameter associated with the BSRS received at <NUM>. The measurement parameter may include a timing parameter and/or a strength parameter. In the multicarrier example, base station <NUM> may combine the multiple BSRSs to determine the measurement parameter.

At <NUM>, UE <NUM> may transmit a BSRS to additional base station <NUM>. The BSRS may be transmitted in a beam direction directed towards additional base station <NUM>. Thus, additional base station <NUM> may receive the BSRS from UE <NUM>. At <NUM>, additional base station <NUM> may determine a measurement parameter associated with the BSRS received at <NUM>. The measurement parameter may include a timing parameter and/or a strength parameter.

Base station <NUM> may transmit to UE <NUM> an indication of which additional base stations to be used by UE <NUM> for transmissions of the additional BSRS. The additional base stations may be selected based on historical beam management reports received from the UE <NUM>. In some examples, the additional base stations may be selected based on a prediction that the UE <NUM> is located in a location that is different from location(s) suggested by the historical beam management reports received from UE <NUM>.

The BSRS transmitted at <NUM> and the additional BSRS transmitted at <NUM> may be associated with different RATs, as is discussed above.

At <NUM>, base station <NUM> may receive an additional measurement report from additional base station <NUM>, e.g., via backhaul link S1, S2, etc. The additional measurement report may include an indication of the measurement parameters associated with the BSRS received at <NUM>. At <NUM>, base station <NUM> may identify the UE <NUM> location based on the measurement parameter determined at <NUM> and the additional measurement parameters indicated in the additional measurement reports received at <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a wireless device <NUM> that supports positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, according to an example provided for illustrative purposes and does not represent an embodiment unless when combined with all the features respectively defined in the independent claim. Wireless device <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a base station <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>. Wireless device <NUM> may include receiver <NUM>, positioning manager <NUM>, and transmitter <NUM>. Wireless device <NUM> may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Receiver <NUM> may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, etc.). Information may be passed on to other components of the device. The receiver <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the transceiver <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

Positioning manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the base station positioning manager <NUM> and/or positioning manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG> and/or <NUM>. Positioning manager <NUM> may receive a first measurement report from a UE, the first measurement report indicating a measurement parameter associated with a first beamformed reference signal, receive additional measurement reports from the UE for additional base stations, the additional measurement reports each indicating measurement parameters associated with additional beamformed reference signals transmitted by the additional base stations, and identify a location of the UE based on the first measurement report and the additional measurement reports.

The positioning manager <NUM> may additionally or alternatively receive a first BSRS from a UE, determine a measurement parameter associated with the first BSRS, receive measurement reports from additional base stations, the measurement reports each indicating measurement parameters associated with additional BSRSs beamformed and transmitted by the UE to the additional base stations, and identify a location of the UE based on the determined measurement parameter and the additional measurement reports.

In some examples, the transmitter <NUM> may be collocated with a receiver <NUM> in a transceiver. The transmitter <NUM> may include a single antenna, or it may include a set or panel of antennas.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a Wireless device <NUM> that supports positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, with activity at the UE in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure and activity at the base station not covered by the claims but useful for understanding the invention. Wireless device <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a wireless device <NUM> or a base station <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>. Wireless device <NUM> may include receiver <NUM>, positioning manager <NUM>, and transmitter <NUM>. Wireless device <NUM> may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Positioning manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the positioning manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. Positioning manager <NUM> may also include measurement report component <NUM>, location component <NUM>, and BSRS component <NUM>.

Measurement report component <NUM> may, in a downlink-based approach, receive a first measurement report from a UE, the first measurement report indicating a measurement parameter associated with a first beamformed reference signal, and receive additional measurement reports from the UE for additional base stations, the additional measurement reports each indicating measurement parameters associated with additional beamformed reference signals transmitted by the additional base stations. Measurement report component <NUM> may additionally or alternatively, in an uplink-based approach, receive measurement reports from additional base stations, the measurement reports each indicating measurement parameters associated with additional BSRSs beamformed and transmitted by the UE to the additional base stations. The measurement parameter(s), for the downlink-approach and/or the uplink-based approach, may include or be based on a timing parameter or measurement (e.g., OTDOA (for downlink), uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) (for uplink), time of arrival, angle of arrival, angle of departure at the UE, etc.). The measurement parameter(s) may include or be based on a signal strength parameter, e.g., received power level, received power level relative to a reference power level, etc..

Receiving additional measurement reports from the UE includes: receiving additional measurement reports indicating measurement parameters associated with PRSs that are transmitted at different times in accordance to a time offset schedule. Receiving the first measurement report further includes receiving, from the UE, a single first measurement report indicating measurement parameters associated with each of the multiple carriers. In some cases, the measurement parameters are associated with timing measurements of the first beamformed reference signal and the additional reference signals, strength measurements of the first beamformed reference signal and the additional reference signals, or combinations thereof. In some cases, at least one of the additional beamformed reference signals is associated with a RAT that is different from a RAT associated with the first beamformed reference signal.

Location component <NUM> may identify a location of the UE based on the first measurement report and the additional measurement reports. In some cases, identifying the location of the UE additionally or alternatively includes computing the location of the UE based on the determined measurement parameter and the additional measurement reports.

BSRS component <NUM> may receive a first BSRS from a UE and determine a measurement parameter associated with the first BSRS. In some cases, receiving the first BSRS from the UE additionally or alternatively includes: receiving multiple first BSRSs from the UE, each of the first BSRSs being associated with different carriers and being transmitted by the UE in a same TTI. In some cases, at least one of the additional BSRSs is associated with a RAT that is different from a RAT associated with the first BSRS.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a positioning manager <NUM> that supports positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, with activity at the UE in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure and activity at the base station not covered by the claims but useful for understanding the invention. The positioning manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a positioning manager <NUM>, a positioning manager <NUM>, or a positioning manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The positioning manager <NUM> may include measurement report component <NUM>, location component <NUM>, BSRS component <NUM>, reference signal component <NUM>, control signaling component <NUM>, beam selection component <NUM>, additional base station component <NUM>, and BSRS combining component <NUM>. Each of these components may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Measurement report component <NUM> may, in a downlink-based scenario, receive a first measurement report from a UE, the first measurement report indicating a measurement parameter associated with a first beamformed reference signal, and receive additional measurement reports from the UE for additional base stations, the additional measurement reports each indicating measurement parameters associated with additional beamformed reference signals transmitted by the additional base stations. Measurement report component <NUM> may additionally or alternatively, in an uplink-based scenario, receive measurement reports from additional base stations, the measurement reports each indicating measurement parameters associated with additional BSRSs beamformed and transmitted by the UE to the additional base stations.

Location component <NUM> may identify a location of the UE based on the first measurement report and the additional measurement reports. BSRS component <NUM> may receive a first BSRS from a UE and determine a measurement parameter associated with the first BSRS.

Reference signal component <NUM> may transmit the first beamformed reference signal as a non-positioning beam management signal or a measurement reference signal, transmit the first beamformed reference signal as a PRS piggybacked to an MRS, broadcast the PRS via beam sweeping, transmit the PRS over a subset of beams directed towards the UE, and transmit the first beamformed reference signal according to a periodic schedule, an aperiodic schedule, on an as-needed basis, or combinations thereof. In some cases, transmitting the PRS additionally or alternatively includes: transmitting the PRS for each of multiple carriers that share a same beam by sharing a same antenna panel and by being aligned in time.

Control signaling component <NUM> may transmit, to the UE, control signaling associated with the PRS prior to transmitting the first beamformed reference signal.

Beam selection component <NUM> may select the subset of beams based on a historical beam management report received from the UE and select the subset of beams based on a prediction that the UE is located in a location that is different from one or more locations suggested by a historical beam management report received from the UE.

Additional base station component <NUM> may transmit to the UE an indication of the additional base stations to be used by the UE for transmission of the additional BSRSs and select the additional base stations based on historical beam management reports received from the UE. In some cases, selecting the additional base stations additionally or alternatively includes: selecting the additional base stations based on a prediction that the UE is located in a location that is different from one or more locations suggested by the historical beam management report received from the UE.

BSRS combining component <NUM> may combine the multiple first BSRSs to determine the measurement parameter associated with the first BSRS.

<FIG> shows a diagram of a system <NUM> including a device <NUM> that supports positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, with activity at the UE in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure and activity at the base station not covered by the claims but useful for understanding the invention. Device <NUM> may be an example of or include the components of wireless device <NUM>, wireless device <NUM>, or a base station <NUM> as described above, e.g., with reference to <FIG>. Device <NUM> may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including positioning manager <NUM>, processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, software <NUM>, transceiver <NUM>, antenna <NUM>, network communications manager <NUM>, and base station communications manager <NUM>.

Processor <NUM> may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor <NUM> may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into processor <NUM>. Processor <NUM> may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications).

In some cases, the memory <NUM> may contain, among other things, a Basic Input-Output system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware and/or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

Software <NUM> may include code to implement aspects of the present disclosure, including code to support positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications. Software <NUM> may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or other memory. In some cases, the software <NUM> may not be directly executable by the processor but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein.

However, in some cases the device may have more than one antenna <NUM> or one or more antenna panels, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

Base station communications manager <NUM> may manage communications with other base station <NUM>, and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with UEs <NUM> in cooperation with other base stations <NUM>. For example, the base station communications manager <NUM> may coordinate scheduling for transmissions to UEs <NUM> for various interference mitigation techniques such as beamforming or joint transmission. In some examples, base station communications manager <NUM> may provide an X2 interface within an LTE/LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communication between base stations <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a wireless device <NUM> that supports positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, with activity at the UE in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure and activity at the base station not covered by the claims but useful for understanding the invention. Wireless device <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a UE <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>. Wireless device <NUM> may include receiver <NUM>, UE positioning manager <NUM>, and transmitter <NUM>. Wireless device <NUM> may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

UE positioning manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a UE positioning manager <NUM>, a UE positioning manager <NUM>, or a UE positioning manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. UE positioning manager <NUM> may transmit by a UE to a base station, a first measurement report, the first measurement report indicating a measurement parameter associated with a first beamformed reference signal, and transmit by the UE to the base station, additional measurement reports for additional base stations, the additional measurement reports each indicating measurement parameters associated with additional beamformed reference signals that are transmitted at different times in accordance to a time offset schedule by the additional base stations, wherein the first measurement report and the additional measurement reports are configured to allow the base station to identify a location of the UE.

The transmitter <NUM> may include a single antenna, or it may include a set of antennas or antenna panels.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a wireless device <NUM> that supports positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a wireless device <NUM> or a UE <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. Wireless device <NUM> may include receiver <NUM>, UE positioning manager <NUM>, and transmitter <NUM>. Wireless device <NUM> may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

UE positioning manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a UE positioning manager <NUM>, a UE positioning manager <NUM>, or a UE positioning manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. UE positioning manager <NUM> may additionally or alternatively include measurement report component <NUM>.

Measurement report component <NUM>, in an downlink-based approach, transmits a first measurement report from a UE to a base station, the first measurement report indicating a measurement parameter associated with a first beamformed reference signal, and transmits additional measurement reports by the UE for additional base stations, the additional measurement reports each indicating measurement parameters associated with additional beamformed reference signals that are transmitted at different times in accordance to a time offset schedule by the additional base stations. The measurement parameter(s), for downlink-approach and/or uplink-based approach, may include or be based on a timing parameter or measurement (e.g., OTDOA (for downlink), UL-TDOA (for uplink), time of arrival, angle of arrival, angle of departure at the UE, etc.). The measurement parameter(s) may include or be based on a signal strength parameter, e.g., received power level, received power level relative to a reference power level, etc..

Transmitting the first measurement report includes transmitting, by the UE, a single first measurement report indicating measurement parameters associated with each of the multiple carriers. In some cases, the measurement parameters are associated with timing measurements of the first beamformed reference signal and the additional reference signals, strength measurements of the first beamformed reference signal and the additional reference signals, or combinations thereof. In some cases, at least one of the additional beamformed reference signals is associated with a RAT that is different from a RAT associated with the first beamformed reference signal.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a UE positioning manager <NUM> that supports positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. UE positioning manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a UE positioning manager <NUM>, a UE positioning manager <NUM>, or a UE positioning manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. UE positioning manager <NUM> may include measurement report component <NUM>, reference signal component <NUM>, and control signaling component <NUM>. Each of these components may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Measurement report component <NUM>, in an downlink-based scenario, transmits by a UE to a base station, a first measurement report, the first measurement report indicating a measurement parameter associated with a first beamformed reference signal, and transmits by the UE to the base station, additional measurement reports for additional base stations, the additional measurement reports each indicating measurement parameters associated with additional beamformed reference signals that are transmitted at different times in accordance to a time offset schedule by the additional base stations, wherein the first measurement report and the additional measurement reports are configured to allow the base station to identify a location of the UE.

Reference signal component <NUM> may receive the first beamformed reference signal as a non-positioning beam management signal or a measurement reference signal, receive the first beamformed reference signal as a PRS, receive from the base station, the PRS over a subset of beams directed towards the UE, and receiving the PRS includes: receiving the PRS for each of multiple carriers that share a same beam by sharing a same antenna panel and by being aligned in time.

Control signaling component <NUM> may receive, from the base station, control signaling associated with the PRS prior to receiving the first beamformed reference signal.

<FIG> shows a diagram of a system <NUM> including a device <NUM> that supports positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Device <NUM> may be an example of or include the components of UE <NUM> as described above, e.g., with reference to <FIG>. Device <NUM> may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including UE positioning manager <NUM>, processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, software <NUM>, transceiver <NUM>, antenna <NUM>, and I/O controller <NUM>.

Processor <NUM> may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, a FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor <NUM> may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into processor <NUM>. Processor <NUM> may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications).

In some cases the device may have one or more antenna panels that may be used for beamformed transmission.

Input/output control component <NUM> may additionally or alternatively manage peripherals not integrated into device <NUM>. In some cases, input/output control component <NUM> may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating a method <NUM> for positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, according to an example provided for illustrative purposes and does not represent an embodiment unless when combined with all the features respectively defined in the independent claim. The operations of method <NUM> may be implemented by a base station <NUM> or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method <NUM> may be performed by a positioning manager as described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, a base station <NUM> may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station <NUM> may perform aspects the functions described below using special-purpose hardware. The operations of method <NUM> may represent downlink-based positioning.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> may receive a first measurement report from a UE, the first measurement report indicating a measurement parameter associated with a first beamformed reference signal. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the techniques described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a measurement report component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> may receive additional measurement reports from the UE for additional base stations, the additional measurement reports each indicating measurement parameters associated with additional beamformed reference signals transmitted by the additional base stations. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the techniques described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a measurement report component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> may identify a location of the UE based on the first measurement report and the additional measurement reports. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the techniques described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a location component as described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating a method <NUM> for positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method <NUM> may be implemented by a base station <NUM> or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method <NUM> may be performed by a positioning manager as described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, a base station <NUM> may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station <NUM> may perform aspects the functions described below using special-purpose hardware. The operations of method <NUM> may represent downlink-based positioning.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> transmits the first beamformed reference signal as a non-positioning beam management signal or a measurement reference signal. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the techniques described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a reference signal component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> receives a first measurement report from a UE, the first measurement report indicating a measurement parameter associated with a first beamformed reference signal. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the techniques described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a measurement report component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> receives additional measurement reports from the UE for additional base stations, the additional measurement reports each indicating measurement parameters associated with additional beamformed reference signals transmitted by the additional base stations. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the techniques described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a measurement report component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> identifies a location of the UE based on the first measurement report and the additional measurement reports. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the techniques described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a location component as described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating a method <NUM> for positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, according to an example provided for illustrative purposes and does not represent an embodiment unless when combined with all the features respectively defined in the independent claim. The operations of method <NUM> may be implemented by a base station <NUM> or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method <NUM> may be performed by a positioning manager as described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, a base station <NUM> may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station <NUM> may perform aspects the functions described below using special-purpose hardware. The operations of method <NUM> may represent uplink-based positioning.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> may receive a first beamformed SRS from a UE. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the techniques described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a SRS component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> may determine a measurement parameter associated with the first beamformed SRS. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the techniques described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a SRS component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> may receive measurement reports from additional base stations, the measurement reports each indicating measurement parameters associated with additional beamformed SRSs beamformed and transmitted by the UE to the additional base stations. In some examples, any location determination entity may receive measurement reports from additional base stations. In some examples, the location determination entity may be located elsewhere in the network and may receive measurement reports from the additional base stations, wherein the beamformed SRSs are transmitted to the additional base stations by the UE <NUM>. In some examples, the location determination entity may be a serving base station or another entity such as an E-SMLC. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the techniques described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a measurement report component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> may identify a location of the UE based on the determined measurement parameter and the additional measurement reports. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the techniques described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a location component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> may transmit to the UE an indication of the additional base stations to be used by the UE for transmission of the additional beamformed SRSs. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the techniques described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by an additional base station component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> may receive measurement reports from additional base stations, the measurement reports each indicating measurement parameters associated with additional beamformed SRSs beamformed and transmitted by the UE to the additional base stations. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a measurement report component as described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating a method <NUM> for positioning in beamformed communications, such as mmW communications, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method <NUM> may be implemented by a UE <NUM> or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method <NUM> may be performed by a UE positioning manager as described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, a UE <NUM> may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE <NUM> may perform aspects the functions described below using special-purpose hardware. The operations of method <NUM> may represent downlink-based positioning.

At block <NUM> the UE <NUM> transmits to a base station, a first measurement report, the first measurement report indicating a measurement parameter associated with a first beamformed reference signal. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the techniques described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a measurement report component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the UE <NUM> transmits to the base station, additional measurement reports for additional base stations, the additional measurement reports each indicating measurement parameters associated with additional beamformed reference signals that are transmitted at different times in accordance to a time offset schedule by the additional base stations, wherein the first measurement report and the additional measurement reports are configured to allow the base station to identify a location of the UE. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the techniques described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a measurement report component as described with reference to <FIG>.

Techniques described herein may be used for various wireless communications systems such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA), and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably.

An OFDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) <NUM> (Wi-Fi), IEEE <NUM> (WiMAX), IEEE <NUM>, Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunications system (UMTS). 3GPP LTE and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) are new releases of UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, and GSM are described in documents from the organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP). While aspects an LTE system may be described for purposes of example, and LTE terminology may be used in much of the description, the techniques described herein are applicable beyond LTE applications.

In LTE/LTE-A networks, including such networks described herein, the term eNB may for example be used to describe the base stations. The wireless communications system or systems described herein may include a heterogeneous LTE/LTE-A network in which different types of eNBs provide coverage for various geographical regions. For example, each eNB or base station may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a small cell, or other types of cell. The term "cell" may be used to describe a base station, a carrier or component carrier associated with a base station, or a coverage area (e.g., sector, etc.) of a carrier or base station, depending on context.

Base stations may include or may be referred to by those skilled in the art as a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a NodeB, eNB, Home NodeB, a Home eNodeB, or some other suitable terminology. The geographic coverage area for a base station may be divided into sectors making up a portion of the coverage area. The wireless communications system or systems described herein may include base stations of different types (e.g., macro or small cell base stations). The UEs described herein may be able to communicate with various types of base stations and network equipment including macro eNBs, small cell eNBs, relay base stations, and the like. There may be overlapping geographic coverage areas for different technologies.

A femto cell may additionally or alternatively cover a small geographic area (e.g., a home) and may provide restricted access by UEs having an association with the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs for users in the home, and the like). A gNB for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro gNB. A gNB for a small cell may be referred to as a small cell gNB, a pico gNB, a femto gNB, or a home gNB. A gNB may support one or multiple (e.g., two, three, four, and the like) cells (e.g., component carriers). A UE may be able to communicate with various types of base stations and network equipment including macro eNBs, small cell eNBs, macro gNBs, small cell gNBs, relay base stations, and the like.

The downlink transmissions described herein may additionally or alternatively be called forward link transmissions while the uplink transmissions may additionally or alternatively be called reverse link transmissions. Each communication link described herein-including, for example, wireless communications system <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>-may include one or more carriers, where each carrier may be a signal made up of multiple sub-carriers (e.g., waveform signals of different frequencies).

The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes examples and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims.

The various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such example).

Features implementing functions may be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, "or" as used in a list of items (for example, a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a phrase referring to "at least one of" a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, "at least one of: A, B, or C" is intended to cover A, B, C, A-B, A-C, B-C, and A-B-C. , as well as any combination with multiples of the same element (e.g., A-A A-A-A, A-A-B, A-A-C, A-B-B, A-C-C, B-B, B-B-B, B-B-C, C-C, and C-C-C or any other ordering of A, B, and C).

As used herein, the phrase "based on" shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary operation that is described as "based on condition A" may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
A method for location determination in beamformed communication, comprising:
receiving a first beamformed reference signal as a positioning reference signal, PRS, wherein the PRS is received over a subset of beams directed towards the UE, and receiving the PRS further comprises receiving the PRS for each of multiple carriers that share a same beam by sharing a same antenna panel and by being aligned in time;
transmitting (<NUM>) by a user equipment, UE, to a base station, a first measurement report, the first measurement report indicating a measurement parameter associated with the first beamformed reference signal; and
transmitting (<NUM>) by the UE to the base station, additional measurement reports for additional base stations, the additional measurement reports each indicating measurement parameters associated with additional beamformed reference signals that are transmitted at different times in accordance to a coordinated time offset schedule by the additional base stations, the additional beamformed reference signals being according to beam sweep cycles of neighboring base stations coordinated to minimize collision between the beams using the coordinated time offset schedule;
wherein the first measurement report and the additional measurement reports are configured to allow the base station to identify a location of the UE; and
wherein transmitting the first measurement report further comprises: transmitting, by the UE, a single first measurement report indicating measurement parameters associated with each of the multiple carriers.