Method and apparatus for muting signaling in a wireless communication network

A base station for use in a wireless communication network that transmits positioning reference signals, the base station comprising:

• a transmitter configured to transmit positioning reference signals at recurring positioning occasions for use in making positioning reference signal measurements at receiving radio equipment;
• and
• a processing circuit operatively associated with the transmitter and configured to:
• mute the positioning reference signals in certain ones of the positioning occasions in accordance with a muting configuration;
• and
• transmit, via the transmitter, muting configuration information indicating the muting configuration to inform the receiving radio equipment of the muting;
• wherein the muting configuration information comprises a muting occasion parameter indicating positioning occasions to which muting applies, wherein each of the positioning occasions comprises two or more consecutive subframes and the positioning occasions recur at a pre-set periodicity.

A method, in a radio apparatus, of controlling measurement of positioning reference signals that are transmitted by a base station in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:

• receiving signaling, from a positioning node in the wireless communication network, that conveys muting configuration information indicating a muting configuration applied by the base station when transmitting positioning reference signals at recurring positioning occasions, wherein:
• the muting configuration information comprises a muting occasion parameter indicating positioning occasions to which muting applies;
• and
• each of the positioning occasions comprises two or more consecutive subframes and the positioning occasions recur at a pre-set periodicity;
• receiving positioning reference signals from the base station for use in making positioning reference signal measurements, in accordance with the muting configuration;
• and
• making the positioning reference signal measurements using the positioning reference signals received in accordance with the muting configuration.

A radio apparatus comprising:

• control circuitry and receiver circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to:
• receive signaling, via the receiver circuitry and from a positioning node in a wireless communication network, that conveys muting configuration information indicating a muting configuration applied by a base station when transmitting positioning reference signals at recurring positioning occasions, wherein:
• the muting configuration information comprises a muting occasion parameter indicating positioning occasions to which muting applies;
• and
• each of the positioning occasions comprises two or more consecutive subframes and the positioning occasions recur at a pre-set periodicity;
• receive positioning reference signals, via the receiver circuitry and from the base station, for use in making positioning reference signal measurements, in accordance with the muting configuration;
• and
• make the positioning reference signal measurements using the positioning reference signals received in accordance with the muting configuration.