Network node, communication device and method for idle mode positioning configuration

A wireless communication device configured for operation in a wireless communication network, the wireless communication device comprising:

• a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that are executable by the processor whereby the wireless communication device is configured to:
• perform neighbor-cell measurements in an idle mode according to a triggering threshold defined for cell reselection during the idle mode, and trigger cell reselection in dependence on the neighbor-cell measurements;
• perform additional neighbor-cell measurements during the idle mode according to a modified or nullified version of the triggering threshold, wherein the additional neighbor-cell measurements support positioning of the wireless communication device and do not trigger cell reselection by the wireless communication device;
• and
• provide the additional neighbor-cell measurements to a first network node of the wireless communication network.

A method performed in a network node of a wireless communication network, the method comprising:

• transmitting signaling that indicates a triggering threshold to be used by a wireless communication device for performing neighbor-cell measurements for cell reselection during operation of the wireless communication device in an idle mode;
• receiving a request for positioning of the wireless communication device;
• transmitting further signaling that indicates a modified or nullified version of the triggering threshold to be used by the wireless device for performing additional neighbor-cell measurements during the idle mode, to support positioning of the wireless communication device, and wherein the additional neighbor-cell measurements do not trigger cell reselection by the wireless communication device;
• and
• receiving the additional neighbor-cell measurements from the wireless communication device, for use in determining a position of the wireless communication device.

A network node configured for operation in a wireless communication network, the network node comprising:

• a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that are executable by the processor whereby the network node is configured to:
• transmit signaling that indicates a triggering threshold to be used by a wireless communication device for performing neighbor-cell measurements for cell reselection during operation of the wireless communication device in an idle mode;
• receive a request for positioning of the wireless communication device;
• transmit further signaling that indicates a modified or nullified version of the triggering threshold to be used by the wireless device for performing additional neighbor-cell measurements during the idle mode, to support positioning of the wireless communication device, and wherein the additional neighbor-cell measurements do not trigger cell reselection by the wireless communication device;
• and
• receive the additional neighbor-cell measurements from the wireless communication device, for determining a position of the wireless communication device.