Low complexity reception (Rx) beamforming for uplink (UL) positioning

A first network apparatus, comprising:

• at least one memory storing computer-executable instructions;
• at least one transceiver;
• and
• at least one processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first network apparatus to at least perform:
• receiving a network assistance signaling comprising at least an expected angle of arrival of the first network apparatus with respect to a user device from a location management apparatus in a wireless communications system, wherein the expected angle of arrival being an angle, or range of angles, corresponding to a direction to which the user device is located relative to the first network apparatus, and wherein the expected angle of arrival is an angle determined based on a combination of the range of angles and a range of distance values between the user device and a serving network apparatus;
• performing positioning measurements on received uplink positioning reference signals based on the network assistance signaling;
• and
• sending a measurement report for positioning to the location management apparatus,
• wherein the measurement report for positioning is generated by using one or more reception beams selected by the first network apparatus based on the expected angle of arrival.

A location management apparatus in a wireless communications system, the location management apparatus comprising:

• at least one memory storing computer-executable instructions;
• at least one transceiver;
• and
• at least one processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the location management apparatus at least to perform:
• obtaining information indicating an approximate location of a user device;
• generating a network assistance signaling in response to the obtained information of the approximate location of the user device;
• and
• sending the network assistance signaling to a first network apparatus in the wireless communications system,
• wherein the determining of the network assistance signaling comprises determining at least an expected angle of arrival for the first network apparatus and including the expected angle of arrival in the network assistance signaling,
• wherein the expected angle of arrival being an angle, or a range of angles, corresponding to a direction to which the user device is located relative to the first network apparatus,
• wherein the obtaining information indicating an approximate location of a user device comprises receiving a measurement report from a serving network apparatus serving the user device determining the approximate location of the user device at least based on the measurement report and a location of the serving network apparatus, and
• wherein the measurement report comprises a measured angle of arrival indicating an angle, or range of angles, corresponding to a direction to which the user device is located relative to the serving network apparatus.