IP Library Granted Patent US 12,580,717
Granted Patent B2
US 12,580,717 · App. 17/793,568 · Granted Mar 17, 2026

Activation or deactivation of multiple downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) positioning reference signals (PRS) with a single MAC-CE command

Inventors: Alexandros Manolakos (Escondido, CA); Sony Akkarakaran (Poway, CA); Sven Fischer (Nuremberg, DE)
Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
H04L5/0098H04L5/0051H04W16/28H04W80/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,580,717
App. No.
17/793,568
Granted
Mar 17, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A user equipment (UE) receives configurations for multiple downlink (DL) positioning reference signals (PRS), multiple uplink (UL) PRS, or a combination thereof. A single Medium Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) block from a serving base station is provided that activates or deactivates in the UE the transmissions of the multiple UL PRS; reception of the multiple DL PRS, or a combination thereof, and in response the UE activates or deactivates the transmission and/or reception of the multiple UL PRS and/or DL PRS. The MAC-CE block, for example, may identify multiple UL PRS resource sets, each of which includes at least one PRS resource, for activation or deactivation. The MAC-CE block may additionally or alternatively, identify multiple DL PRS resources, multiple DL PRS resource sets, or multiple DL PRS frequency layers for activation or deactivation.

Claims (114)

1 . A method for a user equipment (UE) positioning performed by the UE, comprising:

receiving a configuration of downlink (DL) Positioning reference Signals (PRS) resource sets from a network entity;

receiving a single Medium Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) block from a serving base station that activates or deactivates receptions of multiple DL PRS resource sets; and

in response to the single MAC-CE block, activating or deactivating the receptions of the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a configuration of multiple uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity, wherein the single MAC-CE block activates or deactivates transmissions of the multiple UL PRS resource sets.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a resource set identifier (ID) for each of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets, and further comprises a single bandwidth part (BWP) ID and a single component carrier (CC) ID for all of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a configuration of multiple uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a resource set identifier (ID) for each of the multiple UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets, and further comprises a single activate/deactivate (A/D) bit for all of the multiple UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a resource set identifier (ID) for each of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets, and further comprises a single type or single case of spatial relation for all of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity,

receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message that includes an indication of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets;

wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises an identifier of one or more of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets indicated by the RRC message.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a resource set identifier (ID) for each of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets, and further comprises a single spatial relation information identifier for all of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity,

receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message that includes an indication of the UL PRS resource sets and the multiple DL PRS resource sets;

wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises an identifier of the UL PRS resource sets and the multiple DL PRS resource sets indicated by the RRC message, wherein at least one UL PRS and at least one DL PRS are jointly activated or deactivated using the single MAC-CE block.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a single Quasi Co-Location source that applies to the UL PRS resource sets and the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity, wherein the single MAC-CE block activates or deactivates transmissions of at least one UL Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) for positioning.

11 . A user equipment (UE) configured to perform positioning, comprising:

at least one wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless network; and

at least one processor coupled to the at least one wireless transceiver and configured to:

receive, via the at least one wireless transceiver, a configuration of downlink (DL) Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) resource sets from a network entity;

receive, via the at least one wireless transceiver, a single Medium Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) block from a serving base station that activates or deactivates receptions of multiple DL PRS resource sets; and

in response to the single MAC-CE block, activate or deactivate the receptions of the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

12 . The UE of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity, wherein the single MAC-CE block activates or deactivates transmissions of multiple UL PRS resource sets.

13 . The UE of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a resource set identifier (ID) for each of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets, and further comprises a single bandwidth part (BWP) ID and a single component carrier (CC) ID for all of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

14 . The UE of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a resource set identifier (ID) for each of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets, and further comprises a single activate/deactivate (A/D) bit for all of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

15 . The UE of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a resource set identifier (ID) for each of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets, and further comprises a single type or single case of spatial relation for all of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

16 . The UE of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity,

receive, via the at least one wireless transceiver, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message that includes an indication of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets;

wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises an identifier of one or more of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets indicated by the RRC message.

17 . The UE of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a resource set identifier (ID) for each of the UL PRS resource sets or the DL PRS resource sets, and further comprises a single spatial relation information identifier for all of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

18 . The UE of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity,

receive, via the at least one wireless transceiver, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message that includes an indication of the UL PRS resource sets and the multiple DL PRS resource sets;

wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises an identifier of the UL PRS resource sets and the multiple DL PRS resource sets indicated by the RRC message, wherein at least one UL PRS and at least one DL PRS are jointly activated or deactivated using the single MAC-CE block.

19 . The UE of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a single Quasi Co-Location source that applies to the UL PRS resource sets and the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

20 . The UE of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the network entity, wherein the single MAC-CE block activates or deactivates transmissions of at least one UL Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) for positioning.

21 . A method for a user equipment (UE) positioning performed by a serving base station for the UE, comprising:

providing a configuration of multiple downlink (DL) Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) resource sets to the UE;

transmitting a single Medium Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) block to the UE that activates or deactivates, in the UE, receptions of the multiple DL PRS resource sets; and

in response to transmitting the single MAC-CE block, transmitting or stop transmitting the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

22 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:

providing a configuration of multiple uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station, wherein the single MAC-CE block activates or deactivates, in the UE, transmission of the multiple UL PRS resource sets; and

in response to the single MAC-CE block, receiving or stop receiving from the UE the transmissions of the multiple UL PRS sets.

23 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:

providing a configuration of multiple uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station, wherein the single MAC-CE block activates or deactivates, in the UE, transmissions of the multiple UL PRS resource sets for positioning and reception of the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

24 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:

providing a configuration of multiple uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a resource set identifier (ID) for each of the multiple UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets, and further comprises a single bandwidth part (BWP) ID and a single component carrier (CC) ID for all of the multiple UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

25 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:

providing a configuration of multiple uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a resource set identifier (ID) for each of the multiple UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets, and further comprises a single activate/deactivate (A/D) bit for all of the multiple UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

26 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:

providing a configuration of multiple uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a resource set identifier (ID) for each of the multiple UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets, and further comprises a single type or a single case of spatial relation for all of the multiple UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

27 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:

providing a configuration of multiple uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station,

transmitting a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message that includes an indication of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets;

wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises an identifier of one or more of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets indicated by the RRC message.

28 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:

providing a configuration of multiple uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a resource set identifier (ID) for each of the multiple UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets, and further comprises a single spatial relation information identifier for all of the multiple UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

29 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:

providing a configuration of multiple uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station,

transmitting a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message that includes an indication of the multiple UL PRS resource sets and the multiple DL PRS resource sets;

wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises an identifier of the multiple UL PRS resource sets and the multiple DL PRS resource sets indicated by the RRC message, wherein at least one UL PRS and at least one DL PRS are jointly activated or deactivated using the single MAC-CE block.

30 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:

providing a configuration of multiple uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a single Quasi Co-Location source that applies to the multiple UL PRS resource sets and the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

31 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:

providing a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station, wherein the single MAC-CE block activates or deactivates transmissions of at least one UL Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) for positioning.

32 . A serving base station for a user equipment (UE) configured for positioning for the UE, comprising:

at least one wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the UE; and

at least one processor coupled to the at least one wireless transceiver and configured to:

provide, via the at least one wireless transceiver, a configuration of multiple downlink (DL) Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) resource sets to the UE;

transmit, via the at least one wireless transceiver, a single Medium Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) block to the UE that activates or deactivates, in the UE, receptions of the multiple DL PRS resource sets; and

in response to the single MAC-CE block, transmit or stop transmitting the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

33 . The serving base station of claim 32 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

provide a configuration of multiple uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station, wherein the single MAC-CE block activates or deactivates, in the UE, transmissions of the multiple UL PRS resource sets, wherein each UL PRS resource set in the UL PRS resource sets comprises at least one PRS resource, and in response, the at least one processor is configured to receive or stop receiving the transmissions of the multiple UL PRS resource sets; and

in response to the single MAC-CE block, receive or stop receiving from the UE the transmissions of the multiple UL PRS resource sets.

34 . The serving base station of claim 32 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

provide a configuration of multiple uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station, wherein the single MAC-CE block activates or deactivates, in the UE, transmission of the multiple UL PRS resource sets for positioning and reception of the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

35 . The serving base station of claim 32 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

provide a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a resource set identifier (ID) for each of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets, and further comprises a single bandwidth part (BWP) ID and a single component carrier (CC) ID for all of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

36 . The serving base station of claim 32 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

provide a configuration of multiple uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a resource set identifier (ID) for each of the multiple UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets, and further comprises a single activate/deactivate (A/D) bit for all of the multiple UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

37 . The serving base station of claim 32 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

provide a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a resource set identifier (ID) for each of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets, and further comprises a single type or a single case of spatial relation for all of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

38 . The serving base station of claim 32 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

provide a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station,

transmit, via the at least one wireless transceiver, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message that includes an indication of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets;

wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises an identifier of one or more of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets indicated by the RRC message.

39 . The serving base station of claim 32 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

provide a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a resource set identifier (ID) for each of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets, and further comprises a single spatial relation information identifier for all of the UL PRS resource sets or the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

40 . The serving base station of claim 32 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

provide a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station,

transmit, via the at least one wireless transceiver, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message that includes an indication of the UL PRS resource sets and the multiple DL PRS resource sets;

wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises an identifier of the UL PRS resource sets and the multiple DL PRS resource sets indicated by the RRC message, wherein at least one UL PRS and at least one DL PRS are jointly activated or deactivated using the single MAC-CE block.

41 . The serving base station of claim 32 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

provide a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station, wherein the single MAC-CE block comprises a single Quasi Co-Location source that applies to the UL PRS resource sets and the multiple DL PRS resource sets.

42 . The serving base station of claim 32 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

provide a configuration of uplink (UL) PRS resource sets for positioning from the serving base station, wherein the single MAC-CE block activates or deactivates transmissions of at least one UL Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) for positioning.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2022
From: MANOLAKOS, ALEXANDROS; AKKARAKARAN, SONY; FISCHER, SVEN
To: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 060537/0235 →
Priority Claims (1)
GR 20200100070 · Feb 12, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230076043A1 · Mar 9, 2023
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