WO2024230044A1

WO2024230044A1 - Method of ue selection for sensing measurement and devices thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2024230044A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/120500
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xiaojian YAN; Xuexin Ding
Original assignee: ZTE Corp
Current assignee: ZTE Corp
Priority date: 2023-09-21
Filing date: 2023-09-21
Publication date: 2024-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-21

Abstract

A wireless communication method for use in an access and mobility management function is disclosed. The method comprises: receiving, from at least one wireless terminal, at least one registration request, wherein each registration request comprises a sensing capability indication associated with a sensing measurement function.

Description

METHOD OF UE SELECTION FOR SENSING MEASUREMENT AND DEVICES THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document is directed generally to wireless communications and in particular to 5G communications.

BACKGROUND

In a network, an AF (application function) and/or NEF (network exposure function) and/or a UE (user equipment) may initiate sensing services for measuring performance via transmitting a sensing service request. In certain scenarios, the sensing service request may be transmitted without information (e.g., IDs (identifiers) ) of UE (user equipment) used for measuring performance. In such scenarios, the corresponding network function/node may need to select suitable UE (s) itself.

SUMMARY

This document relates to methods, systems, and devices for sensing measurements, and in particular to methods, systems, and devices for selecting terminals of performing the sensing measurements.

The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication method for use in an access and mobility management function. The method comprises:

receiving, from at least one wireless terminal, at least one registration request, wherein each registration request comprises a sensing capability indication associated with a sensing measurement function.

Various embodiments may preferably implement the following features:

Preferably, each registration request is received with a cell identifier of a cell in which the wireless terminal of the registration request camps.

Preferably, the sensing capability indication indicates at least one of: whether supports the sensing measurement function, a sensing distance of the wireless terminal, a distance resolution of the sensing distance, a speed range that the wireless terminal can sense, a speed resolution of a speed that the wireless terminal can sense, sensing angle accuracy of the wireless terminal, or at least one service type supported by the wireless terminal.

Preferably, the wireless communication method further comprises receiving, from a sensing function (SF) , a request for candidates which support the sensing measurement function and are in a target area.

Preferably, the wireless communication method further comprises transmitting, to the SF, information of the candidates which support the sensing measurement function and are in the target area based on the at least one registration request.

Preferably, the request is received with at least one cell identifier associated with the target area.

Preferably, the wireless communication method further comprises transmitting, to the SF, a sensing request of performing sensing measurements in the target area.

Preferably, the wireless communication method further comprises receiving, from a network exposure function (NEF) , an application function (AF) or a user terminal, the sensing request of performing the sensing measurements in the target area.

Preferably, the wireless communication method further comprises receiving, from the SF, a deactivating message of canceling the sensing measurements in the target area.

The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication method for use in a wireless terminal. The method comprises:

transmitting, to an access and mobility management function, a registration request comprising a sensing capability indication associated with a sensing measurement function.

Various embodiments may preferably implement the following feature:

The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication method for use in a sensing function. The method comprises:

transmitting, to an access and mobility management function (AMF) , a request for candidates which support a sensing measurement function and are in a target area, and

receiving, from the AMF, information of the candidates which support the sensing measurement function and are in the target area.

Various embodiments may preferably implement the following features:

Preferably, the wireless communication method further comprises: selecting at least one sensing terminal based on the information of the candidates which support the sensing measurement function and are in the target area, to perform sensing measurements in the target area.

Preferably, the request is transmitted with at least one cell identifier associated with the target area.

Preferably, the wireless communication method further comprises receiving, from the AMF, a network exposure function (NEF) , an application function (AF) or a wireless terminal, a sensing request for performing the sensing measurements in the target area.

Preferably, the wireless communication method further comprises transmitting, to the AMF, a deactivating message of canceling the sensing measurements in the target area.

The present disclosure relates to a wireless device (comprising an AMF) . The wireless device comprises:

a communication unit, configured to receive, from at least one wireless terminal, at least one registration request, wherein each registration request comprises a sensing capability indication associated with a sensing measurement function.

Various embodiments may preferably implement the following feature:

Preferably, the wireless device further comprises a processor configured to perform any of the aforementioned wireless communication methods.

The present disclosure relates to a wireless terminal. The wireless terminal comprises:

a communication unit, configured to transmit, to an access and mobility management function, a registration request comprising a sensing capability indication associated with a sensing measurement function.

Various embodiments may preferably implement the following feature:

Preferably, the wireless terminal further comprises a processor configured to perform any of the aforementioned wireless communication methods.

The present disclosure relates to a wireless device (comprising an SF) . The wireless device comprises:

a communication unit, configured to:

transmit, to an access and mobility management function (AMF) , a request for candidates which support a sensing measurement function and are in a target area, and

receive, from the AMF, information of the candidates which support the sensing measurement function and are in the target area.

Various embodiments may preferably implement the following feature:

The present disclosure relates to a computer program product comprising a computer-readable program medium code stored thereupon, the code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to implement a wireless communication method recited in any one of foregoing methods.

The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are directed to providing features that will become readily apparent by reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings. In accordance with various embodiments, exemplary systems, methods, devices and computer program products are disclosed herein. It is understood, however, that these embodiments are presented by way of example and not limitation, and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art who read the present disclosure that various modifications to the disclosed embodiments can be made while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.

Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and applications described and illustrated herein. Additionally, the specific order and/or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein are merely exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of steps of the disclosed methods or processes can be re-arranged while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or acts in a sample order, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented unless expressly stated otherwise.

The invention is specified by the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. In the following description, although numerous features may be designated as optional, it is nevertheless acknowledged that all features comprised in the independent claims are not to be read as optional.

The above and other aspects and their implementations are described in greater detail in the drawings, the descriptions, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a sensing procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a sensing procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a sensing procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a sensing procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a sensing procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows an example of a schematic diagram of a wireless terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows an example of a schematic diagram of a wireless network node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a network (architecture) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 1, the network comprises the following network functions/entities:

1) UE (User Equipment) :

The UE is configured to perform sensing measurements and sends measurement results to the SF, to compute final sensing results.

2) RAN (Radio Access Network) :

The RAN may also be called AN (Access network) , NG-RAN (next generation RAN) , RAN node or NG-RAN node. The (R) AN is involved in the handling of sensing procedures including performing sensing measurement and transferring sensing messages between an AMF or SF and the UE.

3) AMF (Access and Mobility Management function) :

The AMF contains functionality responsible for managing sensing (services) .

4) SF (Sensing Function) :

The SF is configured to manage overall co-ordination and scheduling of resources required for sensing (services) . The SF may also be configured to calculate the final sensing results.

5) NEF (Network Exposure Function) :

The NEF is configured to provide means for accessing sensing services by an external AF or internal AF.

6) AF (Application Function) :

The AF is configured to request the sensing services.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a sensing procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the sensing procedure shown in FIG. 2 comprises the following steps:

Step 201: In order to get aware of objects within an area, an external AF sends a Sensing Service Request for a target area to the NEF. The request may include the target area (e.g., a geographical area or a civic address) and may also include sensing QoS (quality-of-service) , object type and other attributes for sensing requirements.

In an embodiment, an internal AF can directly select the SF and send the Sensing Service Request to the SF. In this case, the request includes a (3GPP) network area as the target area (e.g., a list of tracking area ids and/or a list of cell ids (identifiers) and/or a list of the NG RAN nodes) .

Step 202: The NEF authorizes the AF request and maps the target area into a (3GPP) network area. If the AF sensing service request is authorized, the NEF selects an SF serving the (3GPP) network area. The selection may use a NRF query.

Step 203: The NEF sends the Sensing Request towards the SF to request sensing data for the network area. The NEF includes the network area, and if available, sensing QoS, object type and other attributes received from the AF.

Step 204: The SF selects an AMF serving the network area.

Step 205: The SF determines a sensing mode (e.g., RAN based, UE based, UE assisted) :

- for the RAN based sensing mode, the SF selects suitable NG-RAN node (s) and sends the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer request towards the AMF to request the transfer of a sensing message to the NG-RAN node (s) , and step 206 is performed;

- for the UE based sensing mode, the SF selects suitable UE (s) and sends Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer request towards the AMF to request the transfer of a Downlink (DL) sensing message to the UE (s) and step 207 is performed;

- for the UE assisted sensing mode, the SF selects a suitable NG-RAN node and a suitable UE, and sends the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer request towards the AMF, to request the transfer of a sensing message to the NG-RAN node and the transfer of a Downlink (DL) sensing message to the UE, and step 206 and step 207 are performed.

Step 206: The AMF forwards the sensing message to the NG-RAN node in an N2 Transport message.

Step 207: The AMF forwards the sensing message to the UE in a DL NAS TRANSPORT message.

Step 208: The UE and/or the NG-RAN performs sensing measurements.

Step 209: The UE obtains the sensing data and sends it to the AMF in the sensing message included in a NAS TRANSPORT message.

Step 210: The NG-RAN obtains the sensing data and sends it to the AMF in the sensing message included in an N2 Transport message.

Step 211: The AMF sends towards the SF the Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify if step 209 is received and/or the Namf_Communication_N2MessageNotify if step 210 is received to forward the sensing data.

Step 212: The SF calculates the final sensing result and sends it to the NEF using a Sensing Response.

Step 213: The NEF sends a Sensing Service Response to forward the sensing result to the AF.

In an embodiment, the AF/NEF may transmit, to the SF, a Sensing Service Request without UE information (e.g., UE IDs) used for performing sensing measurements, to initiate/request the sensing services. In this embodiment, the SF may need to select the UEs used for performing the sensing measurements itself. However, the SF may not be able to select the appropriate UE (s) because lacking sensing capability of the UEs.

In an embodiment, the UE indicates its sensing capability during a registration procedure, such that the SF can request the AMF to provide the UEs that support the sensing measurements in the target area when the SF receives the Sensing Service Request from the AF/NEF. Based on the UEs provided by the AMF, the SF is able to select UEs for performing the sensing measurements.

In an embodiment, the AF/NEF directly selects SF for sensing, then SF requests the AMF to provide the UEs that can perform sensing measurement.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a sensing procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The sensing procedure shown in FIG. 3 comprises the following steps:

Step 300a: The UE initiates Registration Request towards the RAN. The UE indicates the sensing capability in the Registration Request. The RAN selects an AMF for the UE and forwards the Registration Request to the AMF. The RAN may also include a cell ID related to the cell in which the UE is camping.

Step 300b: The AMF accepts the UE registration and sends a Registration Accept message towards the UE.

Step 301: In order to get aware of objects within a target area, an external AF sends a Sensing Service Request for the target area to the NEF in an embodiment. The request may include the target area (e.g., a geographical area or a civic address) and may further include sensing QoS, object type and other attributes for/of sensing requirements.

In an embodiment, the internal AF can directly select the SF and send the Sensing Request to the SF. In this embodiment, the request includes the (3GPP) network area as the target area (e.g., a list of tracking area ids and/or a list of cell ids and/or a list of the NG RAN nodes) .

Step 302: The NEF authorizes the AF request and maps the target area into a (3GPP) network area. If the AF sensing service request is authorized, the NEF selects an SF serving the network area. The selection may use an NRF query.

Step 303: The NEF sends the Sensing Request towards the SF, to request the sensing data of the network area. The NEF includes the network area, and if available, the sensing QoS, the object type and other attributes received from the AF.

Step 304: The SF selects an AMF that serving the network area.

Step 305: The SF sends an Available UE Request to the AMF, to request available UEs that support the sensing measurements. The SF may also provide the list of cell ids mapped from the target area.

Step 306: The AMF returns the UEs which camp in the cells associated with the cell ids indicated by the SF and support the sensing measurements based on the sensing capability of the UE.

Step 307: The SF determines the sensing mode (i.e., RAN based, UE based, UE assisted) .

For the RAN based sensing mode, the SF selects the NG-RAN node (s) to perform the sensing measurements based on local configuration or NRF query and the SF sends the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer request towards the AMF to request the transfer of a sensing message to the NG-RAN node (s) . Next, step 308 is performed.

For the UE based sensing mode, the SF selects the UE (s) from the list of UE (s) provided by the AMF to perform the sensing measurements and the SF sends Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer request towards the AMF to request the transfer of a Downlink (DL) sensing message to the UE (s) . Then, step 309 is performed.

For the UE assisted sensing mode, the SF selects the NG-RAN node to perform the sensing measurement based on local configuration or NRF query. Meanwhile the SF selects the UE from the list of UE (s) provided by the AMF to perform the sensing measurement. The SF sends the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer request towards the AMF to request the transfer of a sensing message to the NG-RAN node and the transfer of a Downlink (DL) sensing message to the UE. Next, step 308 and step 309 are performed.

Step 308: The AMF forwards the sensing message to the NG-RAN node in an N2 Transport message.

Step 309: The AMF forwards the sensing message to the UE in a DL NAS TRANSPORT message.

Step 310: The UE and/or the NG-RAN perform the sensing measurements.

Step 311: The UE obtains the sensing data and sends it to the AMF in the sensing message included in a UL NAS TRANSPORT message.

Step 312: The NG-RAN obtains the sensing data and sends the sensing data to the AMF in the sensing message included in an N2 Transport message.

Step 313: The AMF sends towards the SF the Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify if step 311 is received and/or the Namf_Communication_N2MessageNotify if step 312 is received to forward the sensing data.

Step 314: Based on the sensing data received from the UE and/or NG-RAN, the SF calculates the final sensing result and sends it to NEF using a Sensing Response.

Step 315: The NEF sends a Sensing Service Response to forward the sensing result to the AF.

In an embodiment, the AF/NEF selects SF via the AMF for sensing and the SF requests the AMF to provide the UEs that can perform the sensing measurements.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a sensing procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The sensing procedure shown in FIG. 4 comprises the following steps:

Step 400a: The UE initiates a Registration Request towards the RAN. The UE indicates its sensing capability in the Registration Request. The RAN selects an AMF for the UE and forwards the Registration Request to the AMF. The RAN may also include the cell id related to the cell in which the UE camps.

Step 400b: The AMF accepts the UE registration and sends a Registration Accept message towards the UE.

Step 401: In order to get aware of the objects within a target area, the external AF sends a Sensing Service Request for the target area to the NEF in an embodiment. The request includes the target area (e.g., a geographical area or civic address) and may further include sensing QoS, object type and other attributes of sensing requirements.

In an embodiment, the internal AF can directly select the SF and send the Sensing Request to the SF.In this embodiment, the request includes the (3GPP) network area as the target area (e.g., a list of tracking area ids and/or a list of cell ids and/or a list of the NG RAN nodes) .

Step 402: The NEF authorizes the AF request and maps the target area into a 3GPP network area. If the AF sensing service request is authorized, the NEF selects an AMF serving the network area.

Step 403: The NEF sends the Sensing Request towards the selected AMF. The NEF includes the network area, and if available, sensing QoS, object type and other attributes received from the AF.

Step 404: The AMF selects an SF serving the network area. The selection may use a NRF query.

Step 405: The AMF sends the Sensing Request towards the selected SF.

Step 406: The SF sends an Available UE Request to the AMF to request the available UEs that support sensing measurement. The SF also provides the list of cell ids mapped from the target area.

Step 407: The AMF returns the UEs which camp in the cells associated with the cell ids indicated by the SF and support the sensing measurement based on the sensing capability of the UEs.

Step 408: The SF determines the sensing mode (i.e., the RAN based, the UE based or the UE assisted) .

For the RAN based sensing mode, the SF selects the NG-RAN node (s) to perform the sensing measurement based on local configuration or NRF query and the SF sends the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer request towards the AMF to request the transfer of a sensing message to the NG-RAN node (s) . Then, step 409 follows.

For the UE based sensing mode, the SF selects the UE (s) from the list of UE (s) provided by the AMF to perform the sensing measurement, and the SF sends Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer request towards the AMF to request the transfer of a Downlink (DL) sensing message to the UE (s) . Next, step 410 is performed.

For the UE assisted sensing mode, the SF selects the NG-RAN node to perform the sensing measurement based on local configuration or NRF query, meanwhile the SF selects the UE from the list of UE (s) provided by the AMF to perform the sensing measurement, and the SF sends the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer request towards the AMF to request the transfer of a sensing message to the NG-RAN node and the transfer of a Downlink (DL) sensing message to the UE. Next, step 409 and step 410 follow.

Step 409: The AMF forwards the sensing message to the NG-RAN node in an N2 Transport message.

Step 410: The AMF forwards the sensing message to the UE in a DL NAS TRANSPORT message.

Step 411: The UE and/or the NG-RAN perform sensing measurements.

Step 412: The UE obtains the sensing data and sends it to the AMF in the sensing message included in a NAS TRANSPORT message.

Step 413: The NG-RAN obtains the sensing data and sends it to the AMF in the sensing message included in an N2 Transport message.

Step 414: The AMF sends towards the SF the Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify if step 412 is received and/or the Namf_Communication_N2MessageNotify if step 413 is received to forward the sensing data.

Step 415: The SF calculates the final sensing result and sends it to NEF using a Sensing Response.

Step 416: The NEF sends a Sensing Service Response to forward the sensing result to the AF.

In an embodiment, the UE selects an SF via the AMF for sensing and the selected SF requests the AMF to provide the UEs that can perform the sensing measurements.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagrams of a sensing procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The sensing procedure shown in FIG. 5 comprises the following steps:

Step 500a: The UE2 initiates a Registration Request towards the NG-RAN. The UE2 indicates its sensing capability in the Registration Request. The RAN selects an AMF for the UE2 and forwards the Registration Request to the AMF. The RAN also includes the cell id related to the cell in which the UE2 camps.

Step 500b: The AMF accepts the UE registration and sends Registration Accept message towards the UE2.

Step 501: In order to get aware of the objects around, the UE1 sends a Sensing Service Request to the AMF via the NG-RAN. The request includes a target area (e.g., tracking area id, cell id, NG RAN node id) and may include sensing QoS, object type and other attributes for sensing requirements.

Step 502: The AMF selects an SF serving the target area. The selection may use a NRF query.

Step 503: The AMF sends the Sensing Request towards the selected SF.

Step 504: The SF sends an Available UE Request to the AMF to request the available UEs that support sensing measurement. The SF may also provide the cell id (s) mapped from the target area.

Step 505: The AMF returns the UEs which camp in the cells associated with the cell ids indicated by the SF and support the sensing measurements based on the sensing capability of the UEs. In this embodiment, the UEs reported by the AMF include the UE2.

Step 506: The SF determines the sensing mode (i.e., RAN based, UE based, UE assisted) .

For the RAN based sensing mode, the SF selects suitable NG-RAN node (s) and sends the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer request towards the AMF to request the transfer of a sensing message to the NG-RAN node (s) . Then, step 507 is performed.

For the UE based sensing mode, the SF selects suitable UE (s) and sends Namf _Communication _N1N2MessageTransfer request towards the AMF to request the transfer of a Downlink (DL) sensing message to the UE (s) . In this embodiment, the UE2 is selected. Next, step 508 follows.

For the UE assisted sensing mode, the SF selects a suitable NG-RAN node and a suitable UE, and sends the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer request towards the AMF to request the transfer of a sensing message to the NG-RAN node and the transfer of a Downlink (DL) sensing message to the UE. Next, step 507 and step 508 are performed.

Step 507: The AMF forwards the sensing message to the NG-RAN node in an N2 Transport message.

Step 508: The AMF forwards the sensing message to the UE in a DL NAS TRANSPORT message.

Step 509: The UE2 and/or the NG-RAN perform sensing measurements.

Step 510: The UE2 obtains the sensing data and sends it to the AMF in the sensing message included in a NAS TRANSPORT message.

Step 511: The NG-RAN obtains the sensing data and sends it to the AMF in the sensing message included in an N2 Transport message.

Step 512: The AMF sends towards the SF the Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify if step 510 is received and/or the Namf_Communication_N2MessageNotify if step 511 is received to forward the sensing data.

Step 513: The SF calculates the final sensing result and sends it to the AMF using a Sensing Response.

Step 514: The NEF sends a Sensing Service Response to forward the sensing result to the UE1.

In an embodiment, the SF re-selects UEs to perform sensing measurement when/if the previous selected UEs are not suitable.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a sensing procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The sensing procedure shown in FIG. 6 comprises the following steps:

Step 600a: The UE initiates a Registration Request towards the RAN. The UE indicates its sensing capability in the Registration Request. The RAN selects an AMF for the UE and forwards the Registration Request to the AMF. The RAN may also include the cell id related to the cell in which the UE camps.

Step 600b: The AMF accepts the UE registration and sends a Registration Accept message towards the UE.

Step 601: In order to get aware of the objects within a target area, the external AF sends a Sensing Service Request for the target area to the NEF. The request includes the target area (e.g., a geographical area or civic address) and may include sensing QoS, object type and other attributes for sensing requirements.

Step 602: The NEF authorizes the AF request and maps the target area into a 3GPP network area. If the AF sensing service request is authorized, the NEF selects an SF serving the network area. The selection may use a NRF query.

Step 603: The NEF sends the Sensing Request towards the SF to request the sensing data for the network area. The NEF includes the network area, and if available, the sensing QoS, the object type and other attributes received from the AF.

Step 604: The SF selects an AMF that serving the network area.

Step 605: The SF sends an Available UE Request to the AMF to request the available UEs that support sensing measurement. The SF may also provide the list of cell ids mapped from the target area.

Step 606: The AMF returns the UEs which camp in the cells associated with the cell ids indicated by the SF and support the sensing measurements based on the sensing capability of the UEs.

Step 607: The SF determines the sensing mode (i.e., RAN based, UE based, UE assisted) . If UE (s) is selected for the UE based or the UE assisted sensing mode, the SF sends Namf_EventExposure_Subscribe request to the AMF, to subscribe the UE location change notification and/or UE reachability state.

Step 608: If needed, the AMF sends a Location Reporting Control message to the NG-RAN. The Location Reporting Control message identifies the UE for which reports are requested and includes Reporting Type and Location Reporting Level.

Step 609: The subsequent operations are performed based on the sensing mode determined by the SF:

For the RAN based sensing mode, the SF selects the NG-RAN node (s) to perform the sensing measurement based on local configuration or NRF query and the SF sends the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer request towards the AMF to request the transfer of a sensing message to the NG-RAN node (s) . Next, step 610 follows.

For the UE based sensing mode, the SF selects the UE (s) from the list of UE (s) provided by the AMF to perform the sensing measurement, and the SF sends Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer request towards the AMF to request the transfer of a Downlink (DL) sensing message to the UE (s) . Next, step 611 is performed.

For the UE assisted sensing mode, the SF selects the NG-RAN node to perform the sensing measurement based on local configuration or NRF query. The SF also selects the UE (s) from the list of UE (s) provided by the AMF to perform the sensing measurement, and the SF sends the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer request towards the AMF to request the transfer of a sensing message to the NG-RAN node and the transfer of a Downlink (DL) sensing message to the selected UE (s) . Then step 610 and step 611 are performed.

Step 610: The AMF forwards the sensing message to the NG-RAN node in an N2 Transport message.

Step 611: The AMF forwards the sensing message to the UE in a DL NAS TRANSPORT message.

Step 612: The UE and/or the NG-RAN performs the sensing measurements.

Step 613: During the sensing measurement performing procedure, if the UE location changes, then the NG-RAN sends a Location Report message informing the AMF about the location of the UE.

Step 614: When/after the AMF determines/gets aware that the changes of the UE location and/or that the UE becomes unreachable, the AMF sends Namf_EventExposure_Notify to the SF.

Step 615: When/after receiving Namf_EventExposure_Notify from the AMF, the SF decides/determines that the UE is not suitable to perform the sensing measurements and cancels the sensing measurement task by sending a Cancel Sensing message to the AMF.

For the UE based sensing mode, the SF sends the Cancel Sensing message towards the AMF, to cancel the sensing measurement task in the UE (s) . Step 616 follows.

For the UE assisted sensing mode, the SF sends the Cancel Sensing message towards the AMF, to cancel the sensing measurement task in the UE (s) and the NG-RAN. Steps 616 and 617 follow.

Step 616: The AMF forwards the Cancel Sensing message to the UE.

Step 617: The AMF forwards the Cancel Sensing message to the NG-RAN node.

Step 618: While cancelling the sensing measurement task in the UE and/or NG-RAN, the SF re-selects the UE (s) by sending the Available UE Request to the AMF. The SF may also provide the list of cell ids mapped from the target area.

Step 619: The AMF returns the UEs which camp in the cells associated with the cell ids indicated by the SF and support the sensing measurements based on the sensing capability of the UEs.

Step 620: The same steps as steps 307 to 315 in FIG. 3 are performed.

FIG. 7 relates to a schematic diagram of a wireless terminal 70 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless terminal 70 may be a user equipment (UE) , a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet computer, an electronic book or a portable computer system and is not limited herein. The wireless terminal 70 may include a processor 700 such as a microprocessor or Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) , a storage unit 710 and a communication unit 720. The storage unit 710 may be any data storage device that stores a program code 712, which is accessed and executed by the processor 700. Embodiments of the storage unit 710 include but are not limited to a subscriber identity module (SIM) , read-only memory (ROM) , flash memory, random-access memory (RAM) , hard-disk, and optical data storage device. The communication unit 720 may a transceiver and is used to transmit and receive signals (e.g., messages or packets) according to processing results of the processor 700. In an embodiment, the communication unit 720 transmits and receives the signals via at least one antenna 722 shown in FIG. 7.

In an embodiment, the storage unit 710 and the program code 712 may be omitted and the processor 700 may include a storage unit with stored program code.

The processor 700 may implement any one of the steps in exemplified embodiments on the wireless terminal 70, e.g., by executing the program code 712.

The communication unit 720 may be a transceiver. The communication unit 720 may as an alternative or in addition be combining a transmitting unit and a receiving unit configured to transmit and to receive, respectively, signals to and from a wireless network node (e.g., a base station) .

FIG. 8 relates to a schematic diagram of a wireless network node 80 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless network node 80 may be a satellite, a base station (BS) , a network entity, a Mobility Management Entity (MME) , Serving Gateway (S-GW) , Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (P-GW) , a radio access network (RAN) node, a next generation RAN (NG-RAN) node, a gNB, an eNB, a gNB central unit (gNB-CU) , a gNB distributed unit (gNB-DU) a data network, a core network or a Radio Network Controller (RNC) , and is not limited herein. In addition, the wireless network node 80 may comprise (perform) at least one network function such as an access and mobility management function (AMF) , a session management function (SMF) , a user place function (UPF) , a policy control function (PCF) , an application function (AF) , etc. The wireless network node 80 may include a processor 800 such as a microprocessor or ASIC, a storage unit 810 and a communication unit 820. The storage unit 810 may be any data storage device that stores a program code 812, which is accessed and executed by the processor 800. Examples of the storage unit 810 include but are not limited to a SIM, ROM, flash memory, RAM, hard-disk, and optical data storage device. The communication unit 820 may be a transceiver and is used to transmit and receive signals (e.g., messages or packets) according to processing results of the processor 800. In an example, the communication unit 820 transmits and receives the signals via at least one antenna 822 shown in FIG. 8.

In an embodiment, the storage unit 810 and the program code 812 may be omitted. The processor 800 may include a storage unit with stored program code.

The processor 800 may implement any steps described in exemplified embodiments on the wireless network node 80, e.g., via executing the program code 812.

The communication unit 820 may be a transceiver. The communication unit 820 may as an alternative or in addition be combining a transmitting unit and a receiving unit configured to transmit and to receive, respectively, signals to and from a wireless terminal (e.g., a user equipment or another wireless network node) .

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method shown in FIG. 9 may be used in an AMF (e.g., a wireless device, a wireless device comprising the AMF, or a wireless device performing at least part of functionalities of the AMF) and comprises the following step:

Step 900: Receive, from wireless terminal (s) , registration request (s) , wherein each registration request comprises a sensing capability indication associated with a sensing measurement function.

In FIG. 9, the AMF receives registration request (s) from wireless terminal (s) (e.g., UE (s) ) ) . The registration request comprises a sensing capability indication associated with a sensing measurement function, e.g., for sensing network performance and/or ambient information. For example, the sensing measurement function may be (similar with) a radar function. That is the wireless terminal indicates its sensing capability in its registration request.

In an embodiment, a cell id of a cell in which the wireless terminal of the registration request camps may be also included in the registration request. For example, a wireless network node (e.g., BS) may transmit the sensing capability indication together with the cell id to the AMF.

In an embodiment, the sensing capability indication indicates at least one of:

- whether supports the sensing measurement function,

- a sensing distance of the wireless terminal,

- a distance resolution of the sensing distance,

- a speed range that the wireless terminal can sense,

- a speed resolution of a speed that the wireless terminal can sense,

- sensing angle accuracy of the wireless terminal, or

- service type (s) supported by the wireless terminal.

In an embodiment, the AMF receives a request for candidates which support the sensing measurement function and are in a target area (e.g., a geographical area or an address) from an SF. Based on the received registration request and/or the sensing capability of the registered wireless terminals, the AMF reports/returns/feedbacks information of the candidates which support the sensing measurement function and are in the target area.

In an embodiment, the request from the SF may be received with cell id (s) of associated with the target area.

In an embodiment, the AMF transmits a sensing request of performing sensing measurements in a target area to the SF. In this embodiment, the AMF may transmit the sensing request if/when receiving the sensing request from the NEF, the AF or the UE.

In an embodiment, the AMF receives a deactivating message of canceling the sensing measurements in the target area from the SF. In response to the deactivating message, the AMF may transmit the deactivating message to the wireless network node (s) and/or the wireless terminal (s) associated with the sensing measurements, to cancel/deactivate the sensing measurements. In addition, the AMF may further receive request for candidates which support the sensing measurement function and are in the same or different target area from the SF if/when the sensing measurements remain needed.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method shown in FIG. 10 may be used in a wireless terminal (e.g., UE) and comprises the following step:

Step 1001: Transmit, to an AMF, a registration request comprising a sensing capability indication associated with a sensing measurement function.

In FIG. 10, when/if performing registration to the network, the wireless terminal includes a sensing capability indication associated with a sensing measurement function in the registration request transmitted to an AMF. The sensing measurement function may be associated with sensing network performance and/or ambient information. For example, the sensing measurement function may be (similar with) a radar function.

In an embodiment, the sensing capability indication indicates at least one of:

- whether supports the sensing measurement function,

- a sensing distance of the wireless terminal,

- a distance resolution of the sensing distance,

- a speed range that the wireless terminal can sense,

- a speed resolution of a speed that the wireless terminal can sense,

- sensing angle accuracy of the wireless terminal, or

- service type (s) supported by the wireless terminal.

In an embodiment, the wireless terminal may receive a deactivating message of canceling the sensing measurements in the target area from the AMF.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method shown in FIG. 11 may be used in an SF (e.g., a wireless device, a wireless device comprising the SF, or a wireless device performing at least part of functionalities of the SF) and comprises the following step:

Step 1101: Transmit, to an AMF, a request for candidates which support a sensing measurement function and are in a target area.

Step 1102: Receive, from the AMF, information of the candidates which support the sensing measurement function and are in the target area.

Step 1103: Selecting sensing terminal (s) based on the information of the candidates which support the sensing measurement function and are in the target area, to perform sensing measurements in the target area.

In FIG. 11, in order to perform sensing measurements in a target area, the SF transmits a request for candidates which support a sensing measurement function and are in the target area to the AMF and receives related information of the candidates from the AMF. Based on the received information, the SF selects sensing terminal (s) for performing the sensing measurements in the target area (e.g., transmits sensing message to the AMF) .

In an embodiment, the request for the candidates is transmitted together with cell id (s) associated with the target area.

In an embodiment, the SF receives a sensing request of performing the sensing measurements in the target area from an NEF, an AF or a UE.

In an embodiment, the SF may transmit a deactivating message of canceling the sensing measurements in the target area, e.g., if receiving from the AMF an indication of the selected sensing terminal (s) is no longer suitable for the sensing measurements in the target area and/or the selected sensing terminal (s) is unreachable.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or configuration, which are provided to enable persons of ordinary skill in the art to understand exemplary features and functions of the present disclosure. Such persons would understand, however, that the present disclosure is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Additionally, as would be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, one or more features of one embodiment can be combined with one or more features of another embodiment described herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any one of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

It is also understood that any reference to an element herein using a designation such as "first, " "second, " and so forth does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, these designations can be used herein as a convenient means of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, a reference to first and second elements does not mean that only two elements can be employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in some manner.

Additionally, a person having ordinary skill in the art would understand that information and signals can be represented using any one of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits and symbols, for example, which may be referenced in the above description can be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

A skilled person would further appreciate that any one of the various illustrative logical blocks, units, processors, means, circuits, methods and functions described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware (e.g., a digital implementation, an analog implementation, or a combination of the two) , firmware, various forms of program or design code incorporating instructions (which can be referred to herein, for convenience, as "software" or a "software unit” ) , or any combination of these techniques.

To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware, firmware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, units, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware or software, or a combination of these techniques, depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans can implement the described functionality in various ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions do not cause a departure from the scope of the present disclosure. In accordance with various embodiments, a processor, device, component, circuit, structure, machine, unit, etc. can be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein. The term “configured to” or “configured for” as used herein with respect to a specified operation or function refers to a processor, device, component, circuit, structure, machine, unit, etc. that is physically constructed, programmed and/or arranged to perform the specified operation or function.

Furthermore, a skilled person would understand that various illustrative logical blocks, units, devices, components and circuits described herein can be implemented within or performed by an integrated circuit (IC) that can include a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP) , an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof. The logical blocks, units, and circuits can further include antennas and/or transceivers to communicate with various components within the network or within the device. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration to perform the functions described herein. If implemented in software, the functions can be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Thus, the steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein can be implemented as software stored on a computer-readable medium.

Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that can be enabled to transfer a computer program or code from one place to another. A storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

In this document, the term "unit" as used herein, refers to software, firmware, hardware, and any combination of these elements for performing the associated functions described herein. Additionally, for purpose of discussion, the various units are described as discrete units; however, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, two or more units may be combined to form a single unit that performs the associated functions according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Additionally, memory or other storage, as well as communication components, may be employed in embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that, for clarity purposes, the above description has described embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of functionality between different functional units, processing logic elements or domains may be used without detracting from the present disclosure. For example, functionality illustrated to be performed by separate processing logic elements, or controllers, may be performed by the same processing logic element, or controller. Hence, references to specific functional units are only references to a suitable means for providing the described functionality, rather than indicative of a strict logical or physical structure or organization.

Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other implementations without departing from the scope of the claims. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the novel features and principles disclosed herein, as recited in the claims below.

Claims

A wireless communication method for use in an access and mobility management function, the method comprising:

receiving, from at least one wireless terminal, at least one registration request, wherein each registration request comprises a sensing capability indication associated with a sensing measurement function.
The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein each registration request is received with a cell identifier of a cell in which the wireless terminal of the registration request camps.
The wireless communication method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensing capability indication indicates at least one of:

whether supports the sensing measurement function;

a sensing distance of the wireless terminal;

a distance resolution of the sensing distance;

a speed range that the wireless terminal can sense;

a speed resolution of a speed that the wireless terminal can sense;

sensing angle accuracy of the wireless terminal; or

at least one service type supported by the wireless terminal.
The wireless communication method of any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

receiving, from a sensing function (SF) ; a request for candidates which support the sensing measurement function and are in a target area; and

transmitting, to the SF; information of the candidates which support the sensing measurement function and are in the target area based on the at least one registration request.
The wireless communication method of claim 4, wherein the request is received with at least one cell identifier associated with the target area.
The wireless communication method of claim 4 or 5, further comprising:

transmitting, to the SF, a sensing request of performing sensing measurements in the target area.
The wireless communication method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving, from a network exposure function (NEF) , an application function (AF) or a user terminal, the sensing request of performing the sensing measurements in the target area.
The wireless communication method of any of claims 4 to 7, further comprising:

receiving, from the SF, a deactivating message of canceling the sensing measurements in the target area.
A wireless communication method for use in a wireless terminal, the method comprising:

transmitting, to an access and mobility management function, a registration request comprising a sensing capability indication associated with a sensing measurement function.
The wireless communication method of claim 9, wherein the sensing capability indication indicates at least one of:

whether supports the sensing measurement function;

a sensing distance of the wireless terminal;

a distance resolution of the sensing distance;

a speed range that the wireless terminal can sense;

a speed resolution of a speed that the wireless terminal can sense;

sensing angle accuracy of the wireless terminal; or

at least one service type supported by the wireless terminal.
A wireless communication method for use in a sensing function, the method comprising:

transmitting, to an access and mobility management function (AMF) , a request for candidates which support a sensing measurement function and are in a target area;

receiving, from the AMF, information of the candidates which support the sensing measurement function and are in the target area; and

selecting at least one sensing terminal based on the information of the candidates which support the sensing measurement function and are in the target area, to perform sensing measurements in the target area.
The wireless communication method of claim 11, wherein the request is transmitted with at least one cell identifier associated with the target area.
The wireless communication method of claim 11 or 12, further comprising:

receiving, from the AMF, a network exposure function (NEF) , an application function (AF) or a wireless terminal, a sensing request for performing the sensing measurements in the target area.
The wireless communication method of any of claims 11 to 13, further comprising:

transmitting, to the AMF, a deactivating message of canceling the sensing measurements in the target area.
A wireless device, comprising:

a communication unit, configured to receive, from at least one wireless terminal, at least one registration request, wherein each registration request comprises a sensing capability indication associated with a sensing measurement function.
The wireless device of claim 15, further comprising a processor configured to perform the wireless communication method of any of claims 2 to 8.
A wireless terminal, comprising:

a communication unit, configured to transmit, to an access and mobility management function, a registration request comprising a sensing capability indication associated with a sensing measurement function.
The wireless terminal of claim 17, wherein the sensing capability indication indicates at least one of:

whether supports the sensing measurement function;

a sensing distance of the wireless terminal;

a distance resolution of the sensing distance;

a speed range that the wireless terminal can sense;

a speed resolution of a speed that the wireless terminal can sense;

sensing angle accuracy of the wireless terminal; or

at least one service type supported by the wireless terminal.
A wireless device, comprising:

a communication unit, configured to:

transmit, to an access and mobility management function (AMF) , a request for candidates which support a sensing measurement function and are in a target area; and

receive, from the AMF, information of the candidates which support the sensing measurement function and are in the target area; and

a processor, configured to select at least one sensing terminal based on the information of the candidates which support the sensing measurement function and are in the target area, to perform sensing measurements in the target area.
The wireless device of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured to perform the wireless communication method of any of claims 12 to 14.
A computer program product comprising a computer-readable program medium code stored thereupon, the code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to implement a wireless communication method recited in any one of claims 1 to 14.