Method and apparatus for muting signaling in a wireless communication network

A method at a positioning node, for use within a wireless communication network, said method comprising:

• determining a muting configuration used by one or more base stations for controlling muting of positioning reference signals transmitted at recurring positioning occasions from the one or more base stations by receiving signaling from the one or more base stations, and determining the muting configuration of the one or more base stations from said received signaling;
• and
• sending the muting configuration information as higher-layer signaling for receipt by radio equipment receiving the positioning reference signals;
• wherein the muting configuration information includes one or more of:
• a bandwidth parameter identifying the portion of positioning reference signal bandwidth to which muting applies;
• a subframes parameter indicating the number of consecutive subframes within a positioning occasion to which muting applies;
• and a muting occasion parameter indicating positioning occasions to which muting applies.

A method in a radio apparatus of controlling measurement of positioning reference signals that are transmitted by a wireless communication network at recurring positioning occasions, said method comprising:

• receiving signaling from the wireless communication network that conveys the following muting parameters:
• a bandwidth parameter identifying the portion of positioning reference signal bandwidth to which muting applies, and a muting occasion parameter indicating positioning occasions to which muting applies;
• and
• controlling positioning reference signal measurement by the radio apparatus, in accordance with the received muting parameters.

A radio apparatus comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive positioning reference signals transmitted from a wireless communication network at recurring positioning occasions, and to receive signaling from the wireless communication network that conveys the following muting parameters that define a muting configuration used by the wireless communication network for muting the positioning reference signals in one or more cells of the wireless communication network, said one or more muting parameters including:
• a bandwidth parameter identifying the portion of positioning reference signal bandwidth to which muting applies;
• and a muting occasion parameter indicating positioning occasions to which muting applies;
• and
• one or more processing circuits that are operatively associated with the receiver and are configured to control positioning reference signal measurement by the radio apparatus, in accordance with the received muting parameters.