Abstract: Uplink high efficiency location of a user equipment (UE) includes initiating periodic or triggered location in the UE by a location server (LS) in a wireless network. The UE enters an idle state and monitors for triggering events. After detecting an event, the UE transmits an uplink positioning signal (UPS) to a base station, where the UPS encodes UPS data comprising a UE ID, an ID for the LS, an authentication code (AC) and location measurements. UPS transmission occurs in an uplink positioning occasion shared with other UEs. The location measurements may be ciphered but other UPS data is unciphered. The base station obtains additional location measurements and transfers the UPS data and the location measurements to the LS. The LS authenticates the UE ID using the AC, determines the UE location using the location measurements and transfers the location to an external client.

Abstract: A method of wireless communication performs a public land mobile network (PLMN) search for a higher priority PLMN. The PLMN search includes a candidate PLMN having a different mobile country code (MCC) than a serving PLMN. The method switches to the higher priority PLMN when the PLMN search locates the higher priority PLMN. A method determines whether a user equipment (UE) has transitioned between an international area and a national area. The method triggers PLMN selection in response to the UE having transitioned between the international area and the national area.

Abstract: Techniques are described to support call routing and location for a user equipment (UE) with satellite wireless access to a serving PLMN. The UE sends a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) INVITE message to a network node, such as a P-CSCF, that includes an indication of satellite access for the UE. In response the network node sends a request to another network node for a cell ID for a fixed cell in which the UE is located. The fixed cell can be independent of satellite radio cells for the serving PLMN. The network node may receive the cell ID for the fixed cell and sends the SIP INVITE message to another network node (e.g., an E-CSCF or LRF) with the cell ID for the fixed cell. The other network node may use the cell ID to route the SIP INVITE message or obtain an approximate location of the UE.

Abstract: A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment comprises receiving, from a location management function (LMF), a user plane connection establishment command message comprising an identifier for associating the UE with a location services (LCS) secured user plane connection, establishing the LCS secured user plane connection between the UE and the LMF in response to the user plane connection establishment command message, transmitting, to the LMF via the LCS secured user plane connection, an LCS user plane connection binding request message comprising the identifier for associating the UE with the LCS secured user plane connection, transmitting, to the LMF, a user plane connection establishment complete message after successful LCS user plane connection binding procedure, and communicating uplink user plane transport-layer data, downlink user plane transport-layer data, or both, to or from the LMF via the LCS secured user plane connection.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for determining round-trip times (RTTs) between a user equipment (UE) and multiple base stations. In an aspect, the UE transmits an RTT measurement signal whose arrival time is measured by each of the base stations, and each of the base stations returns an RTT response signal whose arrival times are measured by the UE. In another aspect, the base stations each transmit an RTT measurement signal and the UE returns an RTT response signal. The receiver of the RTT measurement signal may include the measured arrival time in a payload of the RTT Response signal. Alternatively, the measured arrival time(s) of the RTT Measurement signal(s) and the transmission time(s) of the RTT Response signal(s) are sent in a separate message. The RTT signals can be wideband signals using low reuse resources.

Abstract: During a positioning session between a user equipment (UE) and a location server, the location server may send the base station a request to suspend the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection with the UE. For example, the location server may send a request to the base station recommending suspension of the connection or may provide an indication of the amount of time during which position related messages between the UE and the location server are not expected. The base station may determine whether to suspend the connection with the UE, thereby placing the UE in an inactive state based on the information provided. The base station may further determine whether to suspend the connection based on data activity of the UE. While in an inactive state, the UE and base station store UE connection context, which may be used to quickly resume the connection.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for performing positioning using a sidelink (SL) positioning protocol (SLPP). Techniques address SLPP issues related to conveying user equipment (UE) position method capabilities, SL PRS resource allocation, UE support of multiple other UEs, SLPP forward compatibility, SL PRS configuration reference, and SLPP common time reference. Techniques of enabling SLPP common time reference may further provide for the determination of propagation delay and/or relative location of UEs performing positioning using SLPP.

Abstract: Methods and techniques are described for enhancing positioning related protocols in order to indicate when one location session is different from another location session. One or more messages provided in a location session by a location server to a user equipment (UE) may include a session indication, such as a session identifier (ID), where a different session ID is provided for each location session. The session indication may be a new session indicator provided in an initial message in a location session or an end session indicator provided in a final message in a location session. An extra message may be sent by the location server indicating that the location session has ended. A correlation ID provided by a network entity to the location server may be included in messages as the session indication, e.g., where a different correlation ID is provided for each location session.

Abstract: The aspects described herein enable an apparatus (e.g., an autonomous user equipment (UE), such as an unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), an autonomous vehicle (AV), and an autonomous consumer Internet of things (CIoT) device, for example) to receive a notification message indicating a transmission of a high-priority message for one or more autonomous UEs, receive the high-priority message, wherein the high-priority message indicates at least one command associated with the one or more autonomous UEs, and perform the at least one command based on the high-priority message. In some examples, the high-priority message may be a new system information block (SIB) for autonomous UEs.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for positioning of a mobile device in a wireless network using directional positioning reference signals (PRS), also referred to as PRS beamforming. In an example method, a plurality of directional PRSs are generated for at least one cell for a base station, such that each of the plurality of directional PRSs comprises at least one signal characteristic and a direction of transmission, either or both of which may be distinct or unique. The plurality of directional PRSs is transmitted within the at least one cell, such that each of the plurality of directional PRSs is transmitted in the direction of transmission. A mobile device may acquire and measure at least one of the directional PRSs which may be identified using the associated signal characteristic. The measurement may be used to assist position methods such as OTDOA and ECID and to mitigate multipath.

Abstract: Techniques are described to support call routing and location for a user equipment (UE) with satellite wireless access to a serving PLMN. The UE sends a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) INVITE message to a network node, such as a P-CSCF, that includes an indication of satellite access for the UE. In response the network node sends a request to another network node for a cell ID for a fixed cell in which the UE is located. The fixed cell can be independent of satellite radio cells for the serving PLMN. The network node may receive the cell ID for the fixed cell and sends the SIP INVITE message to another network node (e.g., an E-CSCF or LRF) with the cell ID for the fixed cell. The other network node may use the cell ID to route the SIP INVITE message or obtain an approximate location of the UE.

Abstract: Location services for a user equipment (UE) are supported with a Network Exposure Function (NEF) serving as a focal point for any location request. An entity that needs the location of the UE sends a location request to the NEF in the home PLMN or Visited PLMN for the UE. The location request includes, e.g., a type of location request, a required location accuracy, a required response time or some combination of these. The NEF determines whether to use a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) or a serving Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) for the UE to obtain the UE location based on the content of the location request and sends the location request to the GMLC or serving AMF accordingly. Additionally, if the serving AMF is used, a serving base station may obtain the UE location and send the UE location to the serving AMF.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for wireless position estimation of a user equipment (UE) involving one or more uplink (UL) relays. The UL relay(s) receives UL data communications from UEs, and relay the UL data communications to a serving network component (e.g., gNB) via a backhaul connection (wired or wireless). In an aspect, uplink relay(s) are selected by a network component for a position estimation session of a target UE. The uplink relay(s) measure UL SRS for positioning from the target UE, and report UL SRS measurement information to the network component and/or the serving network component.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus. The apparatus may be configured to receive a first request to report a list of UEs satisfying a set of restriction criteria, the first request being associated with an AF. The apparatus may further be configured to receive a set of UE IDs associated with the AF. The apparatus may also be configured to identify a subset of the set of UE IDs that satisfy the set of restriction criteria. The apparatus may further be configured to transmit an indication of the subset of the set of UE IDs.

Abstract: Location services for a user equipment (UE) are supported with a Network Exposure Function (NEF) serving as a focal point for any location request. An entity that needs the location of the UE sends a location request to the NEF in the home PLMN or Visited PLMN for the UE. The location request includes, e.g., a type of location request, a required location accuracy, a required response time or some combination of these. The NEF determines whether to use a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) or a serving Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) for the UE to obtain the UE location based on the content of the location request and sends the location request to the GMLC or serving AMF accordingly. Additionally, if the serving AMF is used, a serving base station may obtain the UE location and send the UE location to the serving AMF.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for handling uplink based positioning during demodulated reference signal (DMRS) bundling. An example method for transmitting positioning reference signals and demodulated reference signal bundles includes determining a first transmit power for transmitting an uplink positioning reference signal, determining a second transmit power for transmitting a demodulated reference signal bundle, determining a common transmit power based at least in part on the first transmit power and the second transmit power, wherein the common transmit power is configured to maintain phase continuity in the demodulated reference signal bundle, and transmitting the uplink positioning reference signal and the demodulated reference signal bundle with the common transmit power.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for transmitting Positioning Reference Signals (PRSs) in cells supporting two different Radio Access Technologies (RATs), where the two RATs (e.g. 4G LTE and 5G NR) employ dynamic spectrum sharing. To avoid interference between the PRSs and between the two RATs, the PRSs may be time aligned to the same set of PRS positioning occasions, and may be assigned orthogonal characteristics such as different muting patterns, orthogonal code sequences, different frequency shifts or different frequency hopping. UEs supporting both RATs may be enabled to measure PRSs for both RATs. UEs supporting only one RAT (e.g. 4G LTE) may be enabled to measure PRSs for just this RAT. A location server such as an LMF, E-SMLC or SLP may provide assistance data to UEs, and request measurements from UEs, for PRSs in one or both RATs.

Abstract: A UE may include IoT NTN device, and the UE may acquire the GNSS location to perform the time/frequency pre-compensation. A NAS layer of the UE may initiate a connection request procedure based on the GNSS fix procedure at one or more lower layer of the UE. A network may transmit a paging request to the UE, and manage a paging response timer based on the GNSS fix procedure at the UE.

Abstract: A user equipment (UE) communicates with remote endpoints by accessing a space vehicle (SV) in a store and forward (S&F) mode when the SV has no feeder link to a network. The SV includes RAN and CN capability to enable the UE to communicate with an on board proxy. The UE sends mobile originated voice and data to the remote endpoints via the proxy and a second proxy in an S&F center (SFC) and similarly receives mobile terminated data from the remote endpoints. Secure access by the UE to the SV and by the second proxy to a ground network is enabled by providing, to the SV and SFC, UE security key data derived non-reversibly from a security key on the UE USIM. The derived security key data avoids exposing the USIM security key and enables SV access without pre-subscription to an SV operator.

Abstract: Techniques are described to enable a user equipment (UE) to communicate with remote endpoints by accessing a space vehicle (SV) in a store and forward (S&F) mode when the SV does not have a feeder link to a ground based network. The SV can include on board radio access network and core network capability which can enable the UE to communicate with an on board proxy for the remote endpoints. The proxy stores mobile originated (MO) voice and data sent by the UE and returns mobile terminated (MT) voice and data sent by the remote endpoints. When the SV has a feeder link, the proxy forwards MO data to a second proxy in an S&F center for forwarding to the remote endpoints and can receive MT data from the second proxy for the UE. UEs can access SVs without restriction and are registered only while accessing an SV.