CN116420392A

CN116420392A - Positioning method, positioning device, communication equipment and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN116420392A
Application number: CN202280006299.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 朱亚军; 洪伟; 赵金铭; 李勇
Original assignee: Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications; Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Current assignee: Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications; Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-19
Filing date: 2022-12-19
Publication date: 2023-07-11

Abstract

The embodiment of the disclosure relates to a positioning method, a device, a communication device and a storage medium, wherein a core network device determines inter-satellite link delay between satellites in a regenerated frame network and feeder link delay of the satellites, and determines to adopt a first positioning management function (LMF) of an access network device or a second LMF of the core network device to position User Equipment (UE) according to the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay.

Description

Positioning method, positioning device, communication equipment and storage medium

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, but is not limited to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular, to a positioning method, an apparatus, a communication device, and a storage medium.

Background

Non-terrestrial network (Non-terrestrial Network, NTN) communications, particularly satellite communications, have the characteristics of broad coverage, strong disaster resistance, and large capacity. NTN communication scenarios include those based on geostationary orbit (Geostationary Orbit, GEO) satellites and those based on Non-geostationary orbit (Non-Geostationary Orbit, NGSO) satellites. NTN network architecture as shown in fig. 1, the NTN network architecture includes: transparent frameworks and recycling frameworks. The transparent architecture, i.e. the satellite, has the function of transparent forwarding, i.e. the communication between the base station and the User Equipment (UE) is forwarded by the satellite, and the NTN gateway and the base station are usually considered to be very close together, and can be considered to be approximately the same location. The regenerated architecture, i.e. part of the structure of the base station, e.g. the Distributed Units (DUs) is arranged on the satellite, or the whole structure of the base station is arranged on the satellite, which has data processing capabilities. The satellites in the regenerative architecture may communicate using Inter-Satellite Links (ISLs).

Disclosure of Invention

In view of this, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a positioning method, apparatus, communication device, and storage medium.

According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a positioning method, which is applied to a core network device, including:

determining inter-satellite link time delay between satellites in a regenerated architecture network and feeder link time delay of the satellites;

and determining to adopt a first positioning management function (Location Management Function, LMF) of access network equipment or a second LMF of core network equipment to position User Equipment (UE) according to the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay.

In one embodiment, the determining to use one of the first LMF of the access network device or the second LMF of the core network device to perform the positioning of the UE according to the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay includes at least one of:

when the inter-satellite link time delay is smaller than the feeder link time delay, determining to adopt the first LMF to locate the UE;

and when the inter-satellite link time delay is larger than the feeder link time delay, determining to adopt the second LMF to locate the UE.

In one embodiment, the access network device comprises the satellite, wherein,

The first LMF is independent of a base station on the satellite;

or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the first LMF is an entity of a base station on the satellite.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

and when determining to adopt the first LMF to locate the UE, sending location indication information to the access network equipment, wherein the location indication information is used for indicating the first LMF to locate the UE.

In one embodiment, the sending positioning indication information to the access network device includes one of the following:

when the first LMF is determined to be located in the satellite and independent of a base station on the satellite, sending the positioning indication information to the first LMF of the access network equipment through the internal interface of the core network;

and when the first LMF is determined to be located in the satellite and is an entity of a base station on the satellite, sending the positioning indication information to the access network through an NG interface.

According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a positioning method, wherein the positioning method is performed by an access network device in a regenerated architecture network, wherein the access network device has a first positioning management function, LMF, the method comprising:

And determining whether to adopt a first positioning management function (LMF) of access network equipment to position User Equipment (UE) according to the inter-satellite link time delay between satellites in a regenerated architecture network and the feeder line link time delay of the satellites.

In one embodiment, the determining whether to use the first location management function LMF of the access network device to perform the location of the user equipment UE according to the inter-satellite link delay between satellites in the regenerated architecture network and the feeder link delay of the satellites includes:

receiving positioning indication information sent by core network equipment;

and determining to adopt the first LMF to locate the UE according to the location indication information, wherein the location indication information is determined by the core network equipment at least according to the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay.

In one embodiment, the receiving the positioning indication information sent by the core network device includes one of the following:

receiving the positioning indication information through the internal interface of the core network;

and receiving the positioning indication information sent by the core network equipment through an NG interface.

In one embodiment, the determining whether to use the first LMF of the access network device to locate the user equipment UE according to the inter-satellite link delay between satellites in the regenerated architecture network and the feeder link delay of the satellites includes:

And the inter-satellite link delay is smaller than the feeder link delay, and the positioning of the UE is determined by adopting the first LMF.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

and determining to adopt a second LMF to locate the UE, wherein the second LMF is positioned in core network equipment.

In one embodiment, the access network device comprises the satellite, wherein,

the first LMF is independent of a base station on the satellite;

or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the first LMF is an entity of a base station on the satellite.

In one embodiment, a positioning model for performing positioning of the UE is located at least at the access network device.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises at least one of:

transmitting first positioning configuration information with opposite-end access network equipment through an inter-satellite link, wherein the first positioning configuration information is related to the positioning of the UE;

and carrying second positioning configuration information through transmission signaling transmitted between the access network equipment and the UE, wherein the second positioning configuration information is related to the positioning of the UE.

In one embodiment, the transmission signaling includes at least one of:

Downlink control information DCI;

a radio resource control, RRC, message;

media access control unit MAC CE

Long term evolution positioning protocol, LPP, signaling.

According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a positioning apparatus, applied to a core network device, including:

a processing module configured to determine inter-satellite link delays between satellites in a regenerative architecture network and feeder link delays for the satellites;

the processing module is further configured to determine, according to the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay, to perform positioning of the UE by using one of a first LMF of an access network device or a second LMF of a core network device.

In one embodiment, the processing module is specifically configured to at least one of:

In one embodiment, the access network device comprises the satellite, wherein,

the first LMF is independent of a base station on the satellite;

Or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the first LMF is an entity of a base station on the satellite.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

and the receiving and transmitting module is configured to send positioning indication information to the access network equipment when determining to adopt the first LMF to perform the positioning of the UE, wherein the positioning indication information is used for indicating the first LMF to perform the positioning of the UE.

In one embodiment, the transceiver module is specifically configured to be one of the following:

According to a fourth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a positioning apparatus, wherein the positioning apparatus is performed by an access network device in a regeneration framework network, wherein the access network device has a first positioning management function, LMF, the apparatus comprising:

and the processing module is configured to determine whether to adopt a first positioning management function (LMF) of the access network equipment to position the User Equipment (UE) according to the inter-satellite link time delay between satellites in the regeneration framework network and the feeder line time delay of the satellites.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

the receiving and transmitting module is configured to receive positioning indication information sent by the core network equipment;

the processing module is specifically configured to determine, according to the positioning indication information, to use the first LMF to perform positioning of the UE, where the positioning indication information is determined by the core network device at least according to the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay.

In one embodiment, the processing module is configured to:

In one embodiment, the processing module is further configured to:

In one embodiment, the access network device comprises the satellite, wherein,

The first LMF is independent of a base station on the satellite;

or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the first LMF is an entity of a base station on the satellite.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a transceiver module configured to at least one of:

In one embodiment, the transmission signaling includes at least one of:

downlink control information DCI;

a radio resource control, RRC, message;

media access control unit MAC CE

Long term evolution positioning protocol, LPP, signaling.

According to a fifth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication device, wherein the communication device comprises:

a processor;

a memory for storing the processor-executable instructions;

wherein the processor is configured to: for implementing the positioning device according to the first or second aspect when the executable instructions are executed.

According to a sixth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer storage medium storing a computer executable program which when executed by a processor implements the positioning apparatus of the first or second aspect.

The embodiment of the disclosure provides a positioning method, a positioning device, communication equipment and a storage medium. The method comprises the steps that core network equipment determines inter-satellite link time delay between satellites in a regenerated framework network and feeder link time delay of the satellites; and determining to adopt a first Location Management Function (LMF) of access network equipment or a second LMF of core network equipment to locate User Equipment (UE) according to the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay. Therefore, the first LMF and the second LMF are selected for positioning based on the inter-satellite link time delay and the feeder link time delay, the inter-satellite link time delay and the feeder link time delay are used as a basis for selecting the first LMF and the second LMF for positioning, the rationality of selecting the first LMF and the second LMF is improved, and the positioning efficiency is improved.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of embodiments of the disclosure.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an NTN network architecture according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a positioning method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a positioning method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a positioning method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a positioning method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a positioning method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a positioning method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a positioning device, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a positioning device, according to an example embodiment;

fig. 11 is a block diagram of a UE, shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 12 is a block diagram of a base station, according to an example embodiment.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the accompanying drawings, the same numbers in different drawings refer to the same or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated. The implementations described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with embodiments of the invention. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with aspects of embodiments of the invention as detailed in the accompanying claims.

The terminology used in the embodiments of the disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the embodiments of the disclosure. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used in embodiments of the present disclosure to describe various information, these information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one type of information from another. For example, the first indication information may also be referred to as second information, and similarly, the second information may also be referred to as first indication information, without departing from the scope of embodiments of the present disclosure. The word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "at … …" or "at … …" or "responsive to a determination", depending on the context.

Referring to fig. 2, a schematic structural diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the disclosure is shown. As shown in fig. 2, the wireless communication system may include: at least one terminal 11 and at least one base station 12.

Where the terminal 11 may be a device providing voice and/or data connectivity to a user. The terminal 11 may communicate with one or more core network devices via a radio access network (Radio Access Network, RAN), and the terminal 11 may be an internet of things terminal such as a sensor device, a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone) and a computer with an internet of things terminal, for example, a stationary, portable, pocket, hand-held, computer-built-in or vehicle-mounted device. Such as a Station (STA), subscriber unit (subscriber unit), subscriber Station (subscriber Station), mobile Station (mobile Station), mobile Station (mobile), remote Station (remote Station), access point, remote terminal (remote terminal), access terminal (access terminal), user equipment (user terminal), user agent (user agent), user device (user equipment), or user terminal (UE). Alternatively, the terminal 11 may be an unmanned aerial vehicle device. Alternatively, the terminal 11 may be a vehicle-mounted device, for example, a car-driving computer having a wireless communication function, or a wireless communication device externally connected to the car-driving computer. Alternatively, the terminal 11 may be a roadside device, for example, a street lamp, a signal lamp, or other roadside devices having a wireless communication function.

The base station 12 may be a network device in a wireless communication system. Wherein the wireless communication system may be a fourth generation mobile communication technology (the 4th generation mobile communication,4G) system, also known as a long term evolution (Long Term Evolution, LTE) system; alternatively, the wireless communication system may be a 5G system, also known as a New Radio (NR) system or a 5G NR system. Alternatively, the wireless communication system may be a next generation system of the 5G system. Among them, the access network in the 5G system may be called NG-RAN (New Generation-Radio Access Network, new Generation radio access network). Or, an MTC system.

Wherein the base station 12 may be an evolved base station (eNB) employed in a 4G system. Alternatively, the base station 12 may be a base station (gNB) in a 5G system employing a centralized and distributed architecture. When the base station 12 employs a centralized and distributed architecture, it typically includes a Centralized Unit (CU) and at least two Distributed Units (DUs). A protocol stack of a packet data convergence protocol (Packet Data Convergence Protocol, PDCP) layer, a radio link layer control protocol (Radio Link Control, RLC) layer, and a medium access control (Media Access Control, MAC) layer is provided in the centralized unit; a Physical (PHY) layer protocol stack is provided in the distribution unit, and the specific implementation of the base station 12 is not limited by the embodiment of the present disclosure.

A wireless connection may be established between the base station 12 and the terminal 11 over a wireless air interface. In various embodiments, the wireless air interface is a fourth generation mobile communication network technology (4G) standard-based wireless air interface; or, the wireless air interface is a wireless air interface based on a fifth generation mobile communication network technology (5G) standard, for example, the wireless air interface is a new air interface; alternatively, the wireless air interface may be a wireless air interface based on a 5G-based technology standard of a next generation mobile communication network.

In some embodiments, an E2E (End to End) connection may also be established between terminals 11. Such as V2V (vehicle to vehicle, vehicle-to-vehicle) communications, V2I (vehicle to Infrastructure, vehicle-to-road side equipment) communications, and V2P (vehicle to pedestrian, vehicle-to-person) communications among internet of vehicles communications (vehicle to everything, V2X).

In some embodiments, the above wireless communication system may further comprise a network management device 13.

Several base stations 12 are connected to a core network device 13, respectively. The core network device 13 may be a core network device in a wireless communication system, for example, the core network device 13 may be a mobility management entity (Mobility Management Entity, MME) in an evolved data packet core network device (Evolved Packet Core, EPC). Alternatively, the network management device may be other core network devices, such as a Serving GateWay (SGW), a public data network GateWay (Public Data Network GateWay, PGW), a policy and charging rules function (Policy and Charging Rules Function, PCRF) or a home subscriber server (Home Subscriber Server, HSS), etc. The embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the implementation form of the core network device 13.

For ease of understanding by those skilled in the art, the embodiments of the present disclosure enumerate a plurality of implementations to clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various embodiments provided in the embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented separately, may be implemented in combination with the methods of other embodiments of the disclosure, and may be implemented separately or in combination with some methods of other related technologies; the embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited.

The mobile communication system may be located by a downlink arrival Time difference (Downlink Time Difference Of Arrival, DL-TDOA), a multipath Trip Time (Multi-RTT), an uplink arrival Time difference (Uplink Time Difference Of Arrival, DL-TDOA), an uplink arrival angle (Uplink Angles of Arrival, UL-AOA), and a downlink arrival angle (Downlink Angles of Arrival, UL-AOA). The above positioning method transmits downlink positioning reference signal (Downlink positioning reference signal, DL-PRS) signals through a plurality of service transmission receiving nodes (Transmission Reception Point, TRP) and neighbor (neighbor) TRP, and then is received by the UE; or the UE transmits an uplink sounding reference signal (Uplink Sounding Reference Signal, UL-SRS) signal received by the TRP. The DL-PRS signal transmitted by the TRP is measured by the UE in the terrestrial network, or the UL-SRS signal transmitted by the UE is measured by the TRP.

For NTN of the regeneration architecture, UL-SRS may be measured by a base station (e.g., gNB) on the satellite and then sent to the LMF over a feeder link over which there is feeder link delay through NR positioning protocol a (NR positioning protocol a, NRPPa). A base station on the satellite (e.g., gNB) may send DL-PRS signals directly to the UE, which then measures the DL-PRS signals, and signaling between the LMF and the gNB during positioning still needs to experience delays of the feeder link.

In terrestrial networks the delay between the base station and the LMF is very small and negligible, and in NTN networks the delay between the base station and the LMF is also very small and negligible for transparent frameworks where the base station is located on the ground. For the regenerative architecture, however, the time delay (propagation delay of feeder link) between the satellite and the LMF may be large when the base station is located on the satellite, which may increase the time delay of the positioning process.

For a regenerated architecture where the base station is located on a satellite (gNB on board), there is a large delay (feeder link delay) when the LMF and the UE/gNB complete some of the signaling interactions required for positioning.

Therefore, how to reduce the delay in the positioning process for regenerating the frame NTN is a problem to be solved.

As shown in fig. 3, the positioning method of the present exemplary embodiment is applied to a core network device, and includes:

step 301: determining inter-satellite link time delay between satellites in a regenerated architecture network and feeder link time delay of the satellites;

step 302: and determining to adopt one of a first LMF of access network equipment or a second LMF of core network equipment to locate User Equipment (UE) according to the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay.

In one possible implementation, the core network device includes, but is not limited to: AMF.

In this embodiment, the core network device may be a core network device located on the ground, which is not specifically described. I.e. the first LMF is located on the satellite and the second LMF is located in the ground core network device.

In one possible implementation, the base station may be located on a satellite in the regenerated architecture network, i.e. the satellite may be used to transmit and/or receive positioning signals. Wherein the positioning signal includes, but is not limited to, at least one of: DL-PRS; CSI-RS; DMRS; UL-SRS.

The inter-satellite link delay may include a delay for data communications using inter-satellite links between satellites in a regenerative architecture network. For example, the inter-satellite link delay may be a delay when the serving satellite and the neighboring satellite transmit positioning-related information using an inter-satellite link. For example, when the distance between satellites is 835KM, dividing 835KM by the speed of light gives an inter-satellite link delay of 2.8ms.

In one possible implementation, the inter-satellite link delay is positively correlated with the distance between satellites. The farther the distance between satellites, the longer the inter-satellite link delay.

Feeder link delays may include delays in data communication with a terrestrial gateway using satellites in a regenerative architecture network.

In one possible implementation, the feeder link delay is positively correlated to the distance between the satellite and the terrestrial gateway. The farther the distance between the satellite and the terrestrial gateway, the longer the feeder link delay.

For example, when the satellite altitude is 550Km, dividing 550Km by the speed of light gives a feeder link delay of 1.8ms.

In one possible implementation, the access network device may include at least one of: satellites in the regenerated architecture network, base stations on satellites in the regenerated architecture network. By way of example, a satellite in a regenerated architecture network may be considered a base station.

Here, LMFs may be set on the access network device and the core network device, respectively, and the two LMFs may be the same or may be different. For example, a first LMF may be provided at the access network device. And a second LMF arranged in the core network equipment. The first LMF and the second LMF may have similar positioning capabilities. The first LMF and the second LMF may both be capable of locating the UE.

In one possible implementation, each satellite in the regenerated architecture network may be provided with a first LMF.

In one possible implementation, the first LMF that locates the UE may be located in a serving satellite of the UE (i.e., a satellite in which the serving base station is located).

In this embodiment, the satellite where the serving base station is located may be referred to as a serving satellite, and the satellite where the neighboring base station is located may be referred to as a neighboring satellite.

When the first LMF and the second LMF exist at the same time, the core network device may select one of them to perform positioning of the UE.

If the first LMF is used for positioning the UE, in the positioning process, the service satellite and the neighboring satellite need to transmit information (positioning signal measurement result, positioning signal configuration information, etc.) in the positioning process, so that inter-satellite link delay may be generated.

If the second LMF is used for positioning the UE, in the positioning process, the service satellite and the adjacent satellite need to transmit information (positioning signal measurement result, positioning signal configuration information, etc.) in the positioning process with the second LMF, so that a feeder link delay can be generated.

Because the configuration of satellites (including the number of satellites, the satellite orbit, etc.) in the regenerated architecture network is different, when the first LMF or the second LMF is adopted to perform UE positioning, the time delay in the whole positioning process is different. For example:

Case one (regeneration framework network 1): assuming that the circumference of the earth is 40076Km, 48 satellites are in total in the orbit of the regenerated frame network 1, and the interval between the two satellites is 835Km, the inter-satellite link time delay is 2.8ms; the satellite altitude is 1175Km, and assuming the satellite to second LMF distance is 1175Km, the feeder link delay is 3.9ms. If the first LMF is employed, the time delay that can be saved by communication between the primary LMF and the gNB is 1.1ms. Taking UL-TAOD as an example, 10 times of communication between LMF and gNB through NRPPa are required, if the first LMF is used for positioning UE, the delay of 4 feeder links can be reduced to inter-satellite link delay when 6 feeder links are propagated, and the delay of 27.8ms can be reduced in the whole process.

Example two (regeneration framework network 12): the space between two satellites is 404.8Km, the inter-satellite link time delay is 1.3ms, the satellite constellation has various heights (about 500-1000 Km), the lowest height 550Km is taken as an example, the distance between the satellite and the LMF is assumed to be 550Km, and the feeder link time delay is 1.8ms. If the first LMF is employed, the time delay that can be saved by communication between the primary LMF and the gNB is 0.5ms. Taking UL-TAOD as an example, 10 times of communication between LMF and gNB through NRPPa are required, if the first LMF is used for positioning UE, the delay of 4 feeder links can be reduced to inter-satellite link delay when 6 feeder links are propagated, and the delay of 12.8ms can be reduced in the whole process.

Example three (regeneration framework network 3): an orbit has 34 satellites in total, the distance between two satellites is 1178.7Km, the inter-satellite link time delay is 3.9ms, the height of the satellites in the constellation is 630Km, the feeder link time delay is 2.1ms assuming that the distance from the satellites to the LMF is 630Km, and the feeder link time delay is smaller than the inter-satellite link time delay, in this case, the first LMF is not applicable.

In one possible implementation, the core network device and/or the access network device may determine the inter-satellite link delay based on at least one of:

calculating inter-satellite link time delay based on the distance between satellites;

determining inter-satellite link delays based at least on time-of-flight of signals between satellites, etc.;

the inter-satellite link delay is obtained from outside. For example, the inter-satellite link delay may be determined during the design of the regenerated architecture network.

In one possible implementation, the core network device and the access network device may communicate with each other at least one of:

information for determining inter-satellite link delay (e.g., inter-satellite distance, signal time of flight, etc.);

inter-satellite link latency.

For example, the time of flight of the signal may be determined by the access network device, i.e. the satellite, determining the inter-satellite link delay and sending an indication information indicating the inter-satellite link delay to the core network device.

With respect to the specific manner of transmission, the transmission may be carried in existing signaling, or a single signaling carrying the above information may be sent, which is not limited by the present disclosure.

In one possible implementation, the core network device and/or the access network identification may determine the feeder link delay based on at least one of:

calculating feeder link delay based on the distance between the satellite and the ground gateway;

determining feeder link delay based at least on time of flight or the like of signals between the satellite and the ground gateway;

the feeder link delay is obtained from the outside. For example, feeder link delays may be determined during the design of the regenerated architecture network.

information for determining feeder link delay (e.g., ephemeris, satellite altitude, etc.);

delay of feeder line link;

the distance of the satellite from the ground gateway.

For example, the satellite altitude may be determined by the access network device, i.e. the satellite, the feeder link delay may be determined, and the indication information indicating the feeder link delay may be sent to the core network device.

The core network device may select the first LMF or the second LMF for positioning of the UE based at least on the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay determination.

In one possible implementation manner, the core network device may determine the time delay of positioning by using the first LMF and the second LMF based on the inter-satellite link time delay and the feeder link time delay, and select a mode with smaller time delay to perform positioning of the UE, so that the transmission time delay may be reduced, and the positioning efficiency may be improved.

Therefore, the first LMF or the second LMF is selected for positioning based on the inter-satellite link time delay and the feeder link time delay, the inter-satellite link time delay and the feeder link time delay are used as a basis for selecting the first LMF or the second LMF for positioning, the rationality of selecting the first LMF or the second LMF is improved, and the positioning efficiency is improved.

In one possible implementation, the access network device may select the first LMF or the second LMF to perform positioning based on the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay, and after the access network device determines that the first LMF or the second LMF is adopted, the access network device may indicate the LMF to perform positioning to the core network device through the selection indication information.

In one possible implementation manner, it may be determined to use one of the first LMF of the access network device or the second LMF of the core network device to perform positioning of the UE according to a comparison result of the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay.

If the first LMF is used for positioning the UE, during the positioning process of the UE, the number of data communications performed by the serving satellite (including the serving base station) and the neighboring satellite (including the neighboring base station) through the inter-satellite link is greater than the number of data communications performed through the feeder link.

If the second LMF is adopted to locate the UE, the number of data communication of the serving satellite (including the serving base station) and the adjacent satellite (including the adjacent base station) through the inter-satellite link is smaller than the number of data communication through the feeder link in the locating process of the UE.

The primary data communication may include, but is not limited to, at least one of: one complete signaling transmission; one complete transmission of information.

The data communication between the service satellite and the adjacent satellite through the inter-satellite link and/or the data communication between the service satellite and the adjacent satellite through the feeder link are at least used for transmitting positioning configuration information in the positioning process.

In one possible implementation, the positioning configuration information includes, but is not limited to, at least one of: configuration information of positioning signals and positioning control information.

If the inter-satellite link delay is smaller than the feeder link delay, when the first LMF is used to locate the UE, the time delay in the locating process can be reduced because the number of data communications performed by the inter-satellite link is greater than the number of data communications performed by the feeder link.

If the inter-satellite link delay is greater than the feeder link delay, when the positioning of the UE is performed with the second LMF, the delay in the positioning process may be reduced because the number of data communications performed by the inter-satellite link is less than the number of data communications performed by the feeder link.

Thus, when the access network device and the core network device have LMFs, different LMFs can be adopted for positioning according to the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay. To reduce transmission delay in the positioning process.

As shown in fig. 4, the positioning method of the present exemplary embodiment is applied to a core network device, and includes:

step 401: and when determining to adopt the first LMF to locate the UE, sending location indication information to the access network equipment, wherein the location indication information is used for indicating the first LMF to locate the UE.

Step 401 may be implemented alone or in combination with step 302 and/or step 303.

After the core network device determines that the first LMF is used for positioning the UE, the core network device may instruct the first LMF to perform positioning of the UE.

In one embodiment, the access network device comprises the satellite, wherein,

the first LMF is independent of a base station on the satellite;

or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the first LMF is an entity of a base station on the satellite.

In one possible implementation, the first LMF is independent of the base station on the satellite, and the connection between the first LMF and the base station on the satellite may be made through a connection inside the satellite. The first LMF may include, but is not limited to, a base station on-satellite independent: the hardware and/or software of the first LMF is located at the satellite, and other network elements of the core network may still communicate with the first LMF via the core network internal protocol.

In one possible implementation, the entity of the first LMF as the base station on the satellite may include, but is not limited to: the hardware implementation and/or the software implementation of the first LMF is located within the base station. I.e. the base station performs the signalling process in the UE position calculation and positioning procedure.

If the first LMF on the satellite is independent of the base station on the satellite, the core network equipment instructs the first LMF on the satellite to perform positioning processing through an interface inside the core network.

If the positioning is performed by the first LMF entity belonging to the entity of the base station on the satellite, the core network equipment indicates to the access network to perform positioning through the NG interface between the core network and the access network, and the access network (namely the base station on the satellite) can indicate the first LMF to perform positioning through the information transmission mode inside the base station.

As shown in fig. 5, the positioning method according to the present exemplary embodiment is performed by an access network device in a regenerated architecture network, where the access network device has a first positioning management function LMF, and the method includes:

step 501: and determining whether to adopt a first LMF of access network equipment to position User Equipment (UE) according to the inter-satellite link delay between satellites in the regenerated architecture network and the feeder link delay of the satellites.

In one possible implementation, the access network device may include at least one of: regenerating the satellites in the skeleton network, and regenerating the base stations on the satellites in the skeleton network. By way of example, a satellite in a regenerated architecture network may be considered a base station.

In this embodiment, the core network device may be a core network device located on the ground, which is not specifically described. I.e. the first LMF is located on the satellite and the second LMF is located in the ground core network device. In one possible implementation, the base station may be located in a satellite in the regenerated architecture network, i.e. the satellite may be used to transmit and/or receive positioning signals. Wherein the positioning signal includes, but is not limited to, at least one of: DL-PRS; CSI-RS; DMRS; UL-SRS.

In one possible implementation, the feeder link delay is positively correlated to the distance between the satellite and the terrestrial gateway. The farther the distance between the satellite and the terrestrial gateway, the longer the feeder link delay. For example, when the satellite altitude is 550Km, dividing 550Km by the speed of light gives a feeder link delay of 1.8ms.

When the first LMF and the second LMF are both present, the access network device and/or the core network device may select one of them to perform positioning of the UE.

In one possible implementation, the access network device and/or the core network device may determine the inter-satellite link delay based on at least one of:

inter-satellite link latency.

In one possible implementation, the access network device and/or the core network device may determine the feeder link delay based on at least one of:

delay of feeder line link;

the distance of the satellite from the ground gateway.

The access network device and/or the core network device may select the first LMF or the second LMF for positioning of the UE based at least on the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay determination.

In one possible implementation manner, the access network device and/or the core network device may determine the time delay of positioning by using the first LMF and the second LMF based on the inter-satellite link time delay and the feeder link time delay, and select a mode with a smaller time delay to perform positioning of the UE, so that the transmission time delay may be reduced, and the positioning efficiency may be improved.

In one possible implementation, when the core network device determines to use the first LMF for positioning, the first LMF may be instructed to perform positioning.

In one possible implementation, whether to employ the first LMF for positioning may be independently determined by the access network device.

Therefore, whether the first LMF is selected for positioning is determined based on the inter-satellite link time delay and the feeder link time delay, the inter-satellite link time delay and the feeder link time delay are used as a basis for selecting the first LMF for positioning, the rationality of selecting the first LMF is improved, and the positioning efficiency is improved.

receiving positioning indication information sent by core network equipment;

In one embodiment, the access network device comprises the satellite, wherein,

the first LMF is independent of a base station on the satellite;

or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the first LMF is an entity of a base station on the satellite.

In one possible implementation, the first LMF is independent of the base station on the satellite, and the connection between the first LMF and the base station on the satellite may be made through a connection inside the satellite. The first LMF may be independent of the base station on the satellite, including but not limited to the following: the hardware and/or software of the first LMF is located at the satellite, and other network elements of the core network may still communicate with the first LMF via the core network internal protocol.

In one possible implementation, the entity of the first LMF as the base station on the satellite may include, but is not limited to, the following: the hardware implementation and/or the software implementation of the first LMF is located within the base station. I.e. the base station performs the signalling process in the UE position calculation and positioning procedure.

If the entity is the first LMF entity belonging to the entity of the base station on the satellite, the core network equipment indicates to the access network to position the entity through the NG interface between the core network and the access network, and the access network (namely the base station on the satellite) can indicate the first LMF to position through the information transmission mode inside the base station.

As shown in fig. 6, the positioning method according to the present exemplary embodiment is performed by an access network device in a regenerated architecture network, and includes:

step 601: and when the inter-satellite link delay is larger than the feeder link delay, determining to use a second LMF to locate the UE, wherein the second LMF is located in core network equipment.

Step 601 may be implemented alone or in combination with step 501.

In one possible implementation manner, the access network device may select the first LMF or the second LMF to perform positioning based on the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay, and after the access network device determines that the first LMF or the second LMF is adopted, the access network device may indicate the LMF to perform positioning to the core network device through the selection indication information.

The positioning model includes, but is not limited to, a machine learning model.

In one possible implementation, at least the access network device is located (i.e. in the base station located on the satellite) in response to the first LMF being an entity of the base station on the satellite, a positioning model of the positioning of the UE

For NTN, the positioning model is located at the base station side, and meanwhile, the base station has LMF, when the base station can decide to perform functions such as signal measurement and transmission, namely, the gNB completely has LMF, the position of the UE can be calculated through the positioning model, and signal configuration and signal transmission can be decided, so that time delay in the positioning process can be reduced.

As shown in fig. 7, the positioning method according to the present exemplary embodiment is performed by an access network device in a regenerated architecture network, and includes at least one of the following:

step 701a: transmitting first positioning configuration information with opposite-end access network equipment through an inter-satellite link, wherein the first positioning configuration information is related to the positioning of the UE;

step 701b: and carrying second positioning configuration information through transmission signaling transmitted between the access network equipment and the UE, wherein the second positioning configuration information is related to the positioning of the UE.

In one possible implementation, the access network device performs step 701a or step 701b in response to the first LMF being an entity of the base station on the satellite.

Step 701a or step 701b may be performed alone or in combination with step 501 and/or step 601.

Here, the first positioning configuration information may be transmitted over an Xn interface between inter-satellite links carrying base stations (i.e., satellites).

In one possible implementation, the access network device may be a service satellite and the opposite access network device may be a neighbor satellite.

In one possible implementation, the access network device may be a neighboring satellite and the opposite access network device may be a service satellite.

The first positioning configuration information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of: configuration information of positioning signals and positioning control information.

For example, the first positioning configuration information may include at least one of: configuration information of TRP, request configuration information of TRP, measurement request information, measurement response information.

Here, the second positioning configuration information may be carried by transmission signaling transmitted between the access network device and the UE.

In one possible implementation, the second location configuration information includes configuration information transmitted between the first LMF and the UE.

The second positioning configuration information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of: UE positioning capability information; positioning signal (DL-PRS and/or UL-SRS) configuration information positioning signal activation information.

In one embodiment, the transmission signaling includes at least one of:

downlink control information DCI;

a radio resource control, RRC, message;

media access control unit MAC CE

Long term evolution positioning protocol, LPP, signaling.

The first LMF can carry the second positioning configuration information through transmission signaling transmitted between the access network equipment and the UE, namely, the original feeder line link time delay is changed into inter-satellite link time delay, and the time delay in the positioning process is reduced.

The embodiment of the disclosure provides a positioning method executed by a core network device side, and a positioning method executed by an access network device side in a regeneration framework network; the core network device side and the access network device side are corresponding to each other. Therefore, the same explanation or features will not be repeated, and embodiments on each side may be referred to each other.

A specific example is provided below in connection with any of the embodiments described above:

in order to reduce the latency of the communication between the gNB and the LMF in the regeneration framework, the invention proposes that both the access Network device (NG-RAN) and the Core Network device (CN) side have LMF functions (i.e. the access Network device has a first LMF and the Core Network device has a second LMF). Different regenerated architecture constellations employ different LMFs (NG-RAN side/CN side) to reduce propagation delay during positioning.

The NG-RAN and the CN are respectively provided with an LMF, and the LMF at the NG-RAN side can be that an LMF entity is positioned on the gNB, namely the gNB performs signaling processing in the process of UE position calculation and positioning; the LMF on the NG-RAN side may also be that the LMF and the gNB are independent of each other, i.e. only the LMF functional module is added to the satellite.

For a regenerated architecture satellite structure, the specific steps of the positioning method capable of reducing time delay are as follows:

1. when a high layer such as AMF (advanced mechanical fiber) and the like require positioning, the NG-RAN and the CN can decide to use the LMF of the NG-RAN side or the LMF of the CN side according to the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay so as to reduce the delay of the positioning process. The CN (such as AMF) can decide whether to perform UE positioning by LMF on CN side or LMF on NG-RAN side by calculating the time delay of inter-satellite link and feeder link.

2. The CN can decide which side LMF is used for UE positioning, if the positioning processing is performed by the CN side LMF, the positioning processing is consistent with the related art protocol flow; if the positioning processing is performed by the LMF on the satellite, namely the LMF and the gNB are mutually independent, the CN can instruct the LMF on the satellite to perform the positioning processing through an internal interface; if the location is performed by the LMF entity of the base station, the location is performed by indicating the location to the NG-RAN through the NG interface.

3. If the positioning is performed by the LMF entity of the base station:

for NTN, the positioning artificial intelligence model AI model, that is, the positioning model is located at the gNB side, so that the delay of the positioning process can be reduced when the gNB also has functions of signal measurement, transmission, etc. of the LMF (the gNB completely has the function of the LMF, not only can calculate the UE position, but also can determine signal configuration, signal transmission, etc.).

For multi-star positioning, the LMF of the serving base station or the LMF of the neighbor base station may be used in the UE positioning, and since the positioning may involve signal configuration, such as UL-SRS configuration, the LMF of the serving base station is preferably used.

When the LMF function is located at the serving base station, the LMF and the gNB communicate over an inter-satellite link, an Xn interface.

When the LMF function is located at the serving base station, the LMF and UE communication uses communication between the base station and the UE, signaling that may be used includes, but is not limited to, at least one of:

downlink DCI/MAC CE/RRC

Uplink UCI/MAC CE/RRC IE

Long term evolution positioning protocol LPP

Taking the positioning method of UL-TDOA as an example, as shown in fig. 8, the specific steps of the positioning method include:

step 801: the serving base station (serving gNB) requests configuration information of TRP from the neighbor base station (neighbor gNB) through an inter-satellite link ISL (Xn), and the neighbor base station provides the serving base station with the requested TRP information (original feeder link time delay is changed into inter-satellite link time delay).

Step 802: the serving base station requests UE location capability information from the UE (positioning capabilities).

Step 803: the serving base station determines UL-SRS resources, i.e., configures UL-SRS.

Step 804: the serving base station transmits the resource configuration of the UL-SRS to the UE, which may be DCI/MAC CE/RRC/LPP.

Step 805: the serving base station activates the UL-SRS transmission, and the UE starts to transmit the UL-SRS according to the resource configuration of the UL-SRS.

Step 806: the serving base station sends a measurement request carrying the UL-SRS configuration to the neighbor base station through an ISL (Xn). The message includes all the information needed to enable the gNB/TRP to perform the UL measurements.

Step 807: the serving base station/neighbor base station performs measurements on the UL-SRS.

Step 808: and the neighbor base station carries the measurement result to a measurement response through ISL (Xn) and sends the measurement response to the service base station.

Step 809: the serving base station calculates the location of the UE.

As shown in fig. 9, the present exemplary embodiment provides a positioning apparatus 100, which is applied to a core network device, and includes:

a processing module 110 configured to determine inter-satellite link delays between satellites in a regenerative architecture network and feeder link delays for the satellites;

the processing module 110 is further configured to determine, according to the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay, to perform positioning of the UE using one of a first LMF of an access network device or a second LMF of a core network device.

In one embodiment, the processing module 110 is specifically configured to at least one of:

In one embodiment, the access network device comprises the satellite, wherein,

the first LMF is independent of a base station on the satellite;

or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the first LMF is an entity of a base station on the satellite.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

and the transceiver module 120 is configured to determine that the first LMF is used for positioning the UE, and send positioning indication information to the access network device, where the positioning indication information is used for indicating the first LMF to perform positioning of the UE.

In one embodiment, the transceiver module 120 is specifically configured to be one of the following:

As shown in fig. 10, the present exemplary embodiment provides a positioning apparatus 200, wherein the positioning apparatus is executed by an access network device in a regenerated architecture network, wherein the access network device has a first positioning management function LMF, the apparatus comprising:

the processing module 210 is configured to determine whether to use the first positioning management function LMF of the access network device to perform positioning of the user equipment UE according to inter-satellite link delay between satellites in the regeneration architecture network and feeder link delay of the satellites.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

a transceiver module 220 configured to receive positioning indication information sent by the core network device;

the processing module 210 is specifically configured to determine, according to the positioning indication information, to perform positioning of the UE by using the first LMF, where the positioning indication information is determined by the core network device at least according to the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay.

In one embodiment, the transceiver module 220 is specifically configured to be one of the following:

In one embodiment, the processing module 210 is configured to:

In one embodiment, the processing module 210 is further configured to:

In one embodiment, the access network device comprises the satellite, wherein,

the first LMF is independent of a base station on the satellite;

or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the first LMF is an entity of a base station on the satellite.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a transceiver module 220 configured to at least one of:

In one embodiment, the transmission signaling includes at least one of:

downlink control information DCI;

a radio resource control, RRC, message;

media access control unit MAC CE

Long term evolution positioning protocol, LPP, signaling.

The embodiment of the disclosure provides a communication device, comprising:

a processor;

a memory for storing processor-executable instructions;

wherein the processor is configured to: the positioning method of any embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented when the executable instructions are executed.

In one embodiment, the communication device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of: UE and network device. The network device may here comprise a core network or an access network device, etc. Here, the access network device may include a base station; the core network may comprise AMF, SMF.

The processor may include, among other things, various types of storage media, which are non-transitory computer storage media capable of continuing to memorize information stored thereon after a power failure of the user device.

The processor may be coupled to the memory via a bus or the like for reading an executable program stored on the memory, for example, at least one of the methods shown in fig. 3-8.

The embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a computer storage medium storing a computer executable program, which when executed by a processor, implements the positioning method of any embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, at least one of the methods shown in fig. 3 to 8.

The specific manner in which the respective modules perform the operations in relation to the apparatus or storage medium of the above-described embodiments has been described in detail in relation to the embodiments of the method, and will not be described in detail herein.

The specific manner in which the respective components perform the operations in relation to the communication system in the above-described embodiments has been described in detail in relation to the embodiments of the method, and will not be described in detail here.

Fig. 11 illustrates a block diagram of a user device 3000, according to an example embodiment. For example, user device 3000 may be a mobile phone, computer, digital broadcast user device, messaging device, game console, tablet device, medical device, exercise device, personal digital assistant, or the like.

Referring to fig. 11, the user device 3000 may include one or more of the following components: a processing component 3002, a memory 3004, a power component 3006, a multimedia component 3008, an audio component 3010, an input/output (I/O) interface 3012, a sensor component 3014, and a communication component 3016.

The processing component 3002 generally controls overall operation of the user device 3000, such as operations associated with display, phone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations. The processing assembly 3002 may include one or more processors 3020 to execute instructions to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described above. Further, the processing component 3002 may include one or more modules to facilitate interactions between the processing component 3002 and other components. For example, the processing component 3002 may include a multimedia module to facilitate interaction between the multimedia component 3008 and the processing component 3002.

The memory 3004 is configured to store various types of data to support operations at the user device 3000. Examples of such data include instructions for any application or method operating on the user device 3000, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, video, and the like. The memory 3004 may be implemented by any type or combination of volatile or non-volatile memory devices, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, magnetic or optical disk.

The power supply assembly 3006 provides power to the various components of the user device 3000. The power supply components 3006 may include a power management system, one or more power supplies, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power for the user device 3000.

The multimedia component 3008 comprises a screen between said user device 3000 and the user providing an output interface. In some embodiments, the screen may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and a Touch Panel (TP). If the screen includes a touch panel, the screen may be implemented as a touch screen to receive input signals from a user. The touch panel includes one or more touch sensors to sense touches, swipes, and gestures on the touch panel. The touch sensor may sense not only the boundary of a touch or slide action, but also the duration and pressure associated with the touch or slide operation. In some embodiments, the multimedia assembly 3008 includes a front camera and/or a rear camera. The front camera and/or the rear camera may receive external multimedia data when the user device 3000 is in an operation mode, such as a photographing mode or a video mode. Each front camera and rear camera may be a fixed optical lens system or have focal length and optical zoom capabilities.

The audio component 3010 is configured to output and/or input audio signals. For example, the audio component 3010 includes a Microphone (MIC) configured to receive external audio signals when the user device 3000 is in an operational mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signals may be further stored in the memory 3004 or transmitted via the communication component 3016. In some embodiments, the audio component 3010 further comprises a speaker for outputting audio signals.

The I/O interface 812 provides an interface between the processing component 3002 and peripheral interface modules, which may be keyboards, click wheels, buttons, etc. These buttons may include, but are not limited to: homepage button, volume button, start button, and lock button.

The sensor assembly 3014 includes one or more sensors for providing status assessment of various aspects for the user device 3000. For example, the sensor component 3014 may detect the on/off state of the device 3000, the relative positioning of components, such as the display and keypad of the user device 3000, the sensor component 3014 may also detect the change in position of the user device 3000 or a component of the user device 3000, the presence or absence of user contact with the user device 3000, the orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the user device 3000, and the change in temperature of the user device 3000. The sensor assembly 3014 may include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of nearby objects in the absence of any physical contact. The sensor assembly 3014 may also include a light sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor, for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly 3014 may also include an acceleration sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

The communication component 3016 is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between the user device 3000 and other devices. The user equipment 3000 may access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as WiFi,4G or 5G, or a combination thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the communication component 3016 receives broadcast signals or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In one exemplary embodiment, the communication component 816 further includes a Near Field Communication (NFC) module to facilitate short range communications. For example, the NFC module may be implemented based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, infrared data association (IrDA) technology, ultra Wideband (UWB) technology, bluetooth (BT) technology, and other technologies.

In an exemplary embodiment, the user device 3000 may be implemented by one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), digital Signal Processors (DSPs), digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs), programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic elements for executing the above method.

In an exemplary embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium is also provided, such as memory 3004, comprising instructions executable by processor 3020 of user device 3000 to perform the above-described method. For example, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium may be ROM, random Access Memory (RAM), CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, etc.

Fig. 12 shows a structure of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, base station 900 may be provided as a network device. Referring to fig. 12, base station 900 includes a processing component 922 that further includes one or more processors and memory resources represented by memory 932 for storing instructions, such as applications, executable by processing component 922. The application programs stored in memory 932 may include one or more modules that each correspond to a set of instructions. Further, processing component 922 is configured to execute instructions to perform any of the methods described above as applied at the base station.

Base station 900 may also include a power component 926 configured to perform power management for base station 900, a wired or wireless network interface 950 configured to connect base station 900 to a network, and an input output (I/O) interface 958. The base station 900 may operate based on an operating system stored in memory 932, such as Windows Server TM, mac OS XTM, unixTM, linuxTM, freeBSDTM, or the like.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the disclosure pertains. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, which have been described above, and that various modifications and changes may be effected without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A positioning method applied to a core network device, wherein the method comprises:

and determining to adopt one of a first Location Management Function (LMF) of access network equipment or a second LMF of core network equipment to locate User Equipment (UE) according to the inter-satellite link time delay and the feeder link time delay.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining to use one of a first location management function, LMF, of an access network device or a second LMF of a core network device for locating the UE according to the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay comprises at least one of:

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the access network device comprises the satellite, wherein,

the first LMF is independent of a base station on the satellite;

or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the first LMF is an entity of a base station on the satellite.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method further comprises:

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sending positioning indication information to the access network device comprises one of:

6. A positioning method, wherein the positioning is performed by an access network device in a regenerated architecture network, wherein the access network device has a first positioning management function, LMF, the method comprising:

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the determining whether to use the first positioning management function LMF of the access network device for positioning the user equipment UE according to the inter-satellite link delay between satellites in the regenerated architecture network and the feeder link delay of the satellites comprises:

receiving positioning indication information sent by core network equipment;

and positioning the UE by adopting the first LMF according to the positioning indication information, wherein the positioning indication information is determined by the core network equipment at least according to the inter-satellite link delay and the feeder link delay.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the receiving the positioning indication information sent by the core network device includes one of:

9. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein said determining whether to use the first LMF of the access network device for positioning the user equipment UE based on inter-satellite link delays between satellites in the regenerated architecture network and feeder link delays of said satellites comprises:

And when the inter-satellite link time delay is smaller than the feeder link time delay, determining to adopt the first LMF to locate the UE.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises:

and when the inter-satellite link delay is larger than the feeder link delay, determining to use a second LMF to locate the UE, wherein the second LMF is located in core network equipment.

11. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the access network device comprises the satellite, wherein,

the first LMF is independent of a base station on the satellite;

or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the first LMF is an entity of a base station on the satellite.

12. The method according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein a positioning model for performing positioning of the UE is located at least in the access network device.

13. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the method further comprises at least one of:

14. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting signaling comprises at least one of:

downlink control information DCI;

a radio resource control, RRC, message;

media access control unit MAC CE

Long term evolution positioning protocol, LPP, signaling.

15. A positioning apparatus applied to a core network device, wherein the positioning apparatus comprises:

16. A positioning apparatus, wherein the positioning apparatus is performed by an access network device in a regeneration framework network, wherein the access network device has a first positioning management function, LMF, the apparatus comprising:

17. A communication device, wherein the communication device comprises:

a processor;

a memory for storing the processor-executable instructions;

wherein the processor is configured to: for implementing the positioning device of any of claims 1 to 5, or 6 to 14 when said executable instructions are executed.

18. A computer storage medium storing a computer executable program which when executed by a processor implements the positioning apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, or 6 to 14.