Location Information in Communications Networks

Abstract

There is provided mechanisms for providing location information in a communications network. A method is performed by a first device. The first device supports positioning of other devices in the communications network. The method comprises acquiring positioning reference signal configuration from a radio network node in the communications network. The method comprises acquiring location information from a local positioning entity. The method comprises providing the location information to at least one of a radio network node and a second device in the communications network. The method comprises transmitting positioning reference signal according to the positioning reference signal configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method performed by a mobile station operating in a communications network, the method comprising:
 sending a capability indication to a network node of the communications network, indicating that the mobile station is operative to transmit positioning reference signals (PRSs) for use by other mobile stations in determining their positions;   receiving configuration information from the network node of the communication network, the configuration information sent in dependence on the capability indication and indicating a PRS configuration; and   with respect to another mobile station operating in the communications network:
 sending location information to the other mobile station via sidelink communications between the mobile station and the other mobile station, the location information indicating a current location of the mobile station, as determined from a local positioning entity included in the mobile station; and 
 transmitting a PRS according to the PRS configuration for positioning measurements by the other mobile station, for determining a position of the other mobile station relative to the current location of the mobile station. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein sending the capability indication to the network node comprises sending the capability indication responsive to receiving a capability enquiry from the network node. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the local positioning entity is operative to determine the current location of the mobile terminal based on receiving signals from a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting the PRS according to the PRS configuration comprises at least one of: transmitting, as the PRS, a sequence indicated by the PRS configuration, or transmitting the PRS on radio resources indicated by the PRS configuration. 
     
     
         5 . A method performed by a mobile station operating in a communications network, the method comprising:
 receiving a ranging request from another mobile station operating in the communications network;   transmitting a ranging response for the other mobile station, in reply to the ranging request;   determining a current location of the mobile station using a local positioning entity included in the mobile station and generating corresponding location information; and   transmitting the location information to the other station, for use by the other mobile station in using the ranging response to determine its position relative to the current location of the mobile station;   wherein all communications between the mobile station and the other mobile station is via sidelink communications between the mobile station and the other mobile station.   
     
     
         6 . A method performed by a mobile station operating in a communications network, the method comprising:
 receiving assistance information from a network node of the communications network, indicating a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration to be used by another mobile station for transmitting a PRS;   detecting and receiving the PRS, as transmitted by the other mobile station, according to the PRS configuration;   receiving location information from the other mobile station via sidelink communications between the mobile station and the other mobile station, the location information indicating a current location of the other mobile station; and   determining a position of the mobile station relative to the other mobile station, based on the location information and measurements made by the mobile station on the PRS, or sending the location information and the measurements made by the mobile station on the PRS to the same or another network node of the communications network, for use by the communications network in determining the position of the mobile station.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein determining the position of the mobile station relative to the other mobile station comprises determining the relative position based on, with respect to the PRS as received at the mobile station, at least one: a received signal strength, an angle of arrival, and a time of arrival. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein detecting and receiving the PRS comprises at least one of: monitoring for a particular sequence indicated by the assistance information, or monitoring on particular radio resources indicated by the assistance information.