Configuration framework and positioning reference signal (PRS) association mechanisms and triggering for reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-aided positioning and object sensing

A method of wireless positioning performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising:

• engaging in a positioning session or a sensing session;
• and
• receiving, from a network entity, assistance data for at least one positioning reference signal (PRS) resource transmitted by a transmission point, the assistance data including a PRS resource location field indicating a geographic location of the transmission point, the assistance data further including reflection point object (RPO) information for at least one RPO that is capable of reflecting a waveform associated with the at least one PRS resource, the RPO information including at least location information for the at least one RPO,
• wherein:
• a geographic location of the at least one RPO is not known to the network entity, and
• the location information for the at least one RPO is an estimated location of the at least one RPO.

A method of wireless positioning performed by a network entity, comprising:

• engaging in a positioning session or a sensing session with a user equipment (UE);
• determining reflection point object (RPO) information for at least one RPO that is capable of reflecting a waveform, the RPO information including at least location information for the at least one RPO, wherein the RPO information further includes an RPO identifier, and wherein the RPO information further includes a frequency band, a frequency range, or both in which the at least one RPO operates;
• and
• transmitting the RPO information to the UE.

A user equipment (UE), comprising:

• a memory;
• at least one transceiver;
• and
• at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to:
• engage in a positioning session or a sensing session;
• and
• receive, via the at least one transceiver, from a network entity, assistance data for at least one positioning reference signal (PRS) resource transmitted by a transmission point, the assistance data including a PRS resource location field indicating a geographic location of the transmission point, the assistance data further including reflection point object (RPO) information for at least one RPO that is capable of reflecting a waveform associated with the at least one PRS resource, the RPO information including at least location information for the at least one RPO, wherein the RPO information further includes an RPO identifier, and the PRS resource location field includes the geographic location of the transmission point and the RPO identifier, and wherein the RPO information further includes a frequency band, a frequency range, or both in which the at least one RPO operates.

A user equipment (UE), comprising:

• a memory;
• at least one transceiver;
• and
• at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to:
• engage in a positioning session or a sensing session;
• and
• receive, via the at least one transceiver, from a network entity, assistance data for at least one positioning reference signal (PRS) resource transmitted by a transmission point, the assistance data including a PRS resource location field indicating a geographic location of the transmission point, the assistance data further including reflection point object (RPO) information for at least one RPO that is capable of reflecting a waveform associated with the at least one PRS resource, the RPO information including at least location information for the at least one RPO,
• wherein:
• a geographic location of the at least one RPO is not known to the network entity, and
• the location information for the at least one RPO is an estimated location of the at least one RPO.

A network entity, comprising:

• a memory;
• at least one transceiver;
• and
• at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to:
• engage in a positioning session or a sensing session with a user equipment (UE);
• determine reflection point object (RPO) information for at least one RPO that is capable of reflecting a waveform, the RPO information including at least location information for the at least one RPO, wherein the RPO information further includes an RPO identifier, and wherein the RPO information further includes a frequency band, a frequency range, or both in which the at least one RPO operates;
• and
• cause the at least one transceiver to transmit the RPO information to the UE.