Methods and arrangements in a telecommunication system

Abstract

There is provided a method in a cellular telecommunications network, the cellular telecommunications network comprising at least a first cell and a second cell. The method comprises the steps of transmitting first periodic physical signals, usable by a device to determine its location, to the first cell; and transmitting second periodic physical signals, usable by a device to determine its location, to the second cell. The second periodic physical signals are synchronized with the first periodic physical signals and have a timing offset, such that the first periodic physical signals and the second periodic physical signals are not transmitted simultaneously. The method is characterized in that transmission of data or control signals to the first cell is inhibited when the second periodic physical signals are transmitted to the second cell.

1 . A method in a cellular telecommunications network, the cellular telecommunications network comprising at least a first cell and a second cell, the method comprising:
 transmitting first periodic physical signals, usable by a device to determine its location, to the first cell; and   transmitting second periodic physical signals, usable by a device to determine its location, to the second cell, said second periodic physical signals being synchronized with said first periodic physical signals and having a timing offset, such that said first periodic physical signals and said second periodic physical signals are not transmitted simultaneously,   characterized in that   transmission of data or control signals to the first cell is inhibited when said second periodic physical signals are transmitted to the second cell.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said transmission of first periodic physical signals occurs within a first set of resource elements, and wherein said transmission of second periodic physical signals occurs within a second set of resource elements, the first and second sets being substantially simultaneous. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein transmission of data or control signals is inhibited for the resource elements of said first and second sets in which said first and second periodic physical signals are not transmitted. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second periodic physical signals are transmitted by a single radio base station. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first periodic physical signals are transmitted by a first radio base station and said second periodic physical signals are transmitted by a second radio base station. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving an indication that an attempt is being made to locate a terminal in an area including said first cell and said second cell;   wherein said inhibiting of data or control signal transmission occurs in response to said indication.   
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said indication is received from said terminal. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said indication is received from a core network of the cellular telecommunications network. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said periodic physical signals comprise one or more of: reference signals, synchronization signals and dedicated positioning reference signals. 
     
     
         10 . A cellular telecommunication system, comprising:
 a first radio base station, for transmitting first periodic physical signals, usable by a device to determine its location, to a first cell; and   a second radio base station, for transmitting second periodic physical signals, usable by a device to determine its location, to a second cell, said second periodic physical signals being synchronized with said first periodic physical signals and having a timing offset, such that said first periodic physical signals and said second periodic physical signals are not transmitted simultaneously,   characterized in that   transmission of data or control signals by the first radio base station to the first cell is inhibited when said second periodic physical signals are transmitted to the second cell.   
     
     
         11 . A telecommunication system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said transmission of first periodic physical signals occurs within a first set of resource elements, and wherein said transmission of second periodic physical signals occurs within a second set of resource elements, the first and second sets being substantially simultaneous. 
     
     
         12 . A telecommunication system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein transmission of data or control signals is inhibited for the resource elements of said first and second sets in which said first and second periodic physical signals are not transmitted. 
     
     
         13 . A radio base station for a cellular telecommunication network, the radio base station serving at least a first cell and a second cell, the radio base station comprising at least one antenna, the antenna being configured to transmit first periodic physical signals, usable by a device to determine its location, to the first cell; and to transmit second periodic physical signals, usable by a device to determine its location, to the second cell, said second periodic physical signals being synchronized with said first periodic physical signals and having a timing offset, such that said first periodic physical signals and said second periodic physical signals are not transmitted simultaneously,
 characterized in that   transmission of data or control signals by the antenna to the first cell is inhibited when said second periodic physical signals are transmitted to the second cell.   
     
     
         14 . A radio base station as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said transmission of first periodic physical signals occurs within a first set of resource elements, and wherein said transmission of second periodic physical signals occurs within a second set of resource elements, the first and second sets being substantially simultaneous. 
     
     
         15 . A radio base station as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein transmission of data or control signals is inhibited for the resource elements of said first and second sets in which said first and second periodic physical signals are not transmitted.