Enhanced ranging and positioning services in wireless networks

A device comprising:

• a processor circuit and a memory circuit, wherein the memory is arranged to store instructions for the processor circuit,
• wherein the processor circuit is arranged to request a ranging service from a ranging constellation,
• wherein the ranging constellation is formed by at least one ranging capable anchor devices of a wireless network,
• wherein the ranging constellation acts as a proxy for a positioning service provided in a geographical area,
• wherein the processor circuit is arranged to transmit ranging reference signals that can be received by at least one anchor device of the ranging constellation,
• wherein the processor circuit is arranged to receive at least one response message from the ranging constellation.

A method comprising:

• requesting a ranging service from a ranging constellation, wherein the ranging constellation formed by at least one ranging capable anchor devices of a wireless network;
• receiving at least one response message from the ranging constellation;
• performing a range or location estimate or a ranging measurement based on the at least one response message;
• and
• calculating the location of a target mobile device based on the range or location estimate or ranging measurement.

A method comprising:

• determining if an apparatus is able to act as an anchor device based on a set of criteria;
• performing a set of measurements on received signals to determine its position or retrieve its position;
• determining if the apparatus position is sufficiently stable according to the set of policies/criteria, and/or the apparatus is in coverage of an access device, and
• starting to operate as an anchor device based on the determination of the previous step and/or initiating procedures to request the apparatus becoming and/or configured as an anchor device.

A method comprising:

• requesting a ranging service from a ranging constellation, wherein the ranging constellation formed by at least one ranging capable anchor devices of a wireless network;
• receiving at least one response message from the ranging constellation;
• performing a range or location estimate or a ranging measurement based on the at least one response message;
• and
• forwarding the range or location estimate or a result of the ranging measurement to the ranging constellation to support a positioning service.