Wireless device positioning capability in a wireless communication network
A network node ( 16 ) is configured for use in a wireless communication network ( 10 ). The network node ( 16 ) receives one or more positioning capabilities ( 18 ) of a wireless device ( 12 ), and stores the one or more positioning capabilities ( 18 ) in storage ( 24 ) that is at or accessible to the network node ( 16 ). After storing the one or more positioning capabilities ( 18 ) of the wireless device ( 12 ), the network node ( 16 ) receives a positioning request ( 28 ) for the wireless device ( 12 ). Responsive to receiving the positioning request ( 28 ), the network node ( 16 ) retrieves the one or more positioning capabilities ( 18 ) of the wireless device ( 12 ) from the storage ( 24 ), and sends, to a positioning server ( 20 ) in the wireless communication network ( 10 ), a message that comprises the positioning request ( 28 ) and that includes the one or more positioning capabilities ( 18 ) retrieved from the storage ( 24 ). The wireless device operates thus proactively, by rendering available the wireless device positioning capability at the network node before the positioning request is received and allowing the network node to reply in a reduced time.
1 . A method performed by a network node configured for use in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:
receiving one or more positioning capabilities of a wireless device;
storing the one or more positioning capabilities in storage that is at or accessible to the network node;
after storing the one or more positioning capabilities of the wireless device, receiving a positioning request for the wireless device;
responsive to receiving the positioning request, retrieving the one or more positioning capabilities of the wireless device from the storage; and
sending, to a positioning server in the wireless communication network, a message that comprises the positioning request and that includes the one or more positioning capabilities retrieved from the storage.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the one or more positioning capabilities comprises fetching the one or more positioning capabilities from the positioning server.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more positioning capabilities indicate at least one of any one or more of:
one or more positioning methods supported by the wireless device; and
capabilities of the wireless device to support an update of periodic assistance data; and
a positioning reference signal processing capability of the wireless device; and
a positioning reference signal resource capability of the wireless device; and
a capability related to a positioning protocol supported between the wireless device and a positioning server in the wireless communication network.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the positioning server implements a location management function (LMF).
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the network node is or implements an Access and Mobility Function (AMF).
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more positioning capabilities is categorized by the message as either:
a radio access technology (RAT) dependent positioning capability; or
a RAT-independent positioning capability.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving one or more positioning capabilities of a wireless device comprises receiving the one or more positioning capabilities of the wireless device in a message of a procedure for attaching the wireless device to or registering the wireless device with the wireless communication network.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more positioning capabilities indicate at least one of any one or more of:
one or more positioning methods supported by the wireless device; and
capabilities of the wireless device to support an update of periodic assistance data.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the storage is or is provided by a Unified Data Management (UDM) node.
10 . A network node configured for use in a wireless communication network, the network node comprising:
communication circuitry; and
processing circuitry configured to:
receive one or more positioning capabilities of a wireless device;
store the one or more positioning capabilities in storage that is at or accessible to the network node;
after storing the one or more positioning capabilities of the wireless device, receive a positioning request for the wireless device;
responsive to receiving the positioning request, retrieve the one or more positioning capabilities of the wireless device from the storage; and
send, to a positioning server in the wireless communication network, a message that comprises the positioning request and that includes the one or more positioning capabilities retrieved from the storage.
11 . The network node of claim 10 , the processing circuitry configured to receive the one or more positioning capabilities by fetching the one or more positioning capabilities from the positioning server.
12 . The network node of claim 10 , wherein the one or more positioning capabilities indicate at least one of any one or more of:
one or more positioning methods supported by the wireless device; and
capabilities of the wireless device to support an update of periodic assistance data; and
a positioning reference signal processing capability of the wireless device; and
a positioning reference signal resource capability of the wireless device; and
a capability related to a positioning protocol supported between the wireless device and a positioning server in the wireless communication network.
13 . The network node of claim 10 , wherein the positioning server implements a location management function (LMF).
14 . The network node of claim 10 , wherein the network node is or implements an Access and Mobility Function (AMF).
15 . The network node of claim 10 , wherein each of the one or more positioning capabilities is categorized by the message as either:
a radio access technology (RAT) dependent positioning capability; or
a RAT-independent positioning capability.
16 . The network node of claim 10 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to receive the one or more positioning capabilities of the wireless device in a message of a procedure for attaching the wireless device to or registering the wireless device with the wireless communication network.
17 . The network node of claim 10 , wherein the one or more positioning capabilities indicate at least one of any one or more of:
one or more positioning methods supported by the wireless device; and
capabilities of the wireless device to support an update of periodic assistance data.
18 . The network node of claim 10 , wherein the storage is or is provided by a Unified Data Management (UDM) node.