Otdoa (observed time difference of arrival) positioning enhancement by using heterogeneous reference signals

A method to be employed within a network device, the method comprising:

• generating, by a processor, a plurality of reference signals (RSs) comprising a set of one or more RSs of each of at least two distinct types of RSs;
• transmitting, by transmitter circuitry, a configuration message to a user equipment (UE), wherein the configuration message facilitates reference signal time difference (RSTD) computation based on the at least two distinct types of RSs;
• and
• transmitting, by the transmit circuitry, the plurality of RSs to the UE;
• and
• receiving, by receiver circuitry, a set of RSTD measurements for estimating a position of the UE from the UE.

An apparatus configured to be employed within a network device, the apparatus comprising:

• a memory;
• a processor coupled to the memory and configured to generate a position reference signal (PRS) and a cell-specific reference signal (CRS);
• transmitter circuitry configured to transmit the PRS and the CRS to a user equipment (UE);
• and
• receiver circuitry configured to receive, from the UE, a set of reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements based on the PRS and the CRS.