WO2025091277A1

WO2025091277A1 - Systems and methods for signaling and configuration in isac

Info

Publication number: WO2025091277A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/128687
Authority: WO
Inventors: Qi Yang; Chuangxin JIANG; Mengzhen LI; Zhiqiang Han; Junpeng LOU; Cong Wang
Original assignee: ZTE Corp
Current assignee: ZTE Corp
Priority date: 2023-10-31
Filing date: 2023-10-31
Publication date: 2025-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-30

Abstract

The present arrangement relates to systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for initiating, by a network entity or a wireless communication device of an integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) system, a sensing service by at least determining sensing related information and sensing measurement related information. The sensing related information at least includes sensing information provided by the network entity to a transmitting node, and sensing assistance information provided by the network entity to a receiving node. The sensing measurement related information at least includes sensing measurement request information provided by the network entity to the receiving node, and sensing measurement report information provided by the receiving node to the network entity. The wireless communication device can be the receiving node, or the transmitting node, or another node.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SIGNALING AND CONFIGURATION IN ISAC

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to a wireless communication system and, more particularly, to provision of a sensing service in an Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) system.

BACKGROUND

In an ISAC system, communication can be effective and/or lower latency using sensing. For example, a sensing reference signal can be utilized for determining a sensing service.

SUMMARY

The example arrangements disclosed herein are directed to solving the issues relating to one or more of the problems presented in the prior art, as well as providing additional features that will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings. In accordance with various arrangements, example systems, methods, devices and computer program products are disclosed herein. It is understood, however, that these arrangements are presented by way of example and are not limiting, and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art who read the present disclosure that various modifications to the disclosed arrangements can be made while remaining within the scope of this disclosure.

In some arrangements, a sensing service is initiated. A network entity or a wireless communication device of an integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) system may initiate a sensing service by at least determining sensing related information and sensing measurement related information. In some arrangements, the sensing related information at least includes sensing information provided by the network entity to a transmitting node, and sensing assistance information provided by the network entity to a receiving node. In some arrangements, the sensing measurement related information at least includes sensing measurement request information provided by the network entity to the receiving node, and sensing measurement report information provided by the receiving node to the network entity. In some arrangements, the wireless communication device can be the receiving node, or the transmitting node, or another node.

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

Various example arrangements of the present solution are described in detail below with reference to the following figures or drawings. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict example arrangements of the present solution to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present solution. Therefore, the drawings should not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the present solution. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration, these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example cellular communication system, according to some arrangements.

FIG. 2 illustrates block diagrams of an example base station and an example user equipment device, according to some arrangements.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example sensing configuration for signaling and configuration in ISAC, according to various arrangements.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example sensing configuration for signaling and configuration in ISAC, according to various arrangements.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating example sensing configurations for signaling and configuration in ISAC, according to various arrangements.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example sensing configuration for signaling and configuration in ISAC, according to various arrangements.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example sensing configuration for signaling and configuration in ISAC, according to various arrangements.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart diagram illustrating an example method for signaling and configuration in ISAC, according to various arrangements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various example arrangements of the present solution are described below with reference to the accompanying figures to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present solution. As would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, after reading the present disclosure, various changes or modifications to the examples described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the present solution. Thus, the present solution is not limited to the example arrangements and applications described and illustrated herein. Additionally, the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein are merely example 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 solution. 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 solution is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented unless expressly stated otherwise.

A wireless communications system may support positioning and location determinations. For example, a base station (BS) may transmit a DL-PRS to a user equipment (UE) . The receiving UE can obtain the positioning measurement by measuring DL-PRS and report the positioning measurement and location information to a location management function (LMF) . In uplink (UL) positioning, a UE may transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS) to a BS. The receiving BS can obtain the positioning measurement by measuring SRS and report the positioning measurement to an LMF.

ISAC is a unified design to achieve both communication and sensing function by radio signal. Some systems (as aforementioned) may lack in sensing service. For ISAC systems, an ISAC system can locate/track sensing target (s) , where the sensing target has no antenna and no capability of receiving signal. For DL sensing, sensing reference signal can be transmitted by a BS, and the sensing reference signal can be reflected by sensing target (s) , then the reflected sensing reference signal is received by a UE. For UL sensing, sensing reference signal can be transmitted by a UE, and the sensing reference signal can be reflected by sensing target (s) , then the reflected sensing reference signal is received by a BS. However, how to design the interactive signaling and configure parameters for transmitter and receiver, how to design the sensing reference signal, and configure parameters between network and UE for sensing purpose may not be determined for ISAC systems.

The arrangement disclosed herein provides systems and methods that support signaling and configuration in ISAC systems (e.g., designing interactive signaling and configuring parameters based on sensing reference signal for sensing purpose in ISAC systems) . For example, a network entity or a wireless communication device of an ISAC system may initiate a sensing service. In some cases, the network entity or the wireless communication device may initiate the sensing service by at least determining sensing related information and sensing measurement related information. In some cases, the sensing related information at least includes sensing information provided by the network entity to a transmitting node, and sensing assistance information provided by the network entity to a receiving node. In some cases, the sensing measurement related information at least includes sensing measurement request information provided by the network entity to the receiving node, and sensing measurement report information provided by the receiving node to the network entity. In some cases, the wireless communication device can be the receiving node, or the transmitting node, or another node.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system 100 in which techniques disclosed herein may be implemented, in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. In the following discussion, the wireless communication system 100 can implement any wireless network, such as a cellular network or a narrowband Internet of things (NB-IoT) network, and is herein referred to as system 100. Such an example system 100 includes a BS 102 and a UE 104 that can communicate with each other via a communication link 110 (e.g., a wireless communication channel) , and a cluster of cells 126, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138 and 140 overlaying a geographical area 101. In FIG. 1, the BS 102 and UE 104 are contained within a respective geographic boundary of cell 126. Each of the other cells 130, 132, 134, 136, 138 and 140 may include at least one BS operating at its allocated bandwidth to provide adequate radio coverage to its intended users.

For example, the BS 102 may operate at an allocated channel transmission bandwidth to provide adequate coverage to the UE 104. The BS 102 and the UE 104 may communicate via a downlink radio frame 118, and an uplink radio frame 124 respectively. Each radio frame 118/124 may be further divided into sub-frames 120/127 which may include data symbols 122/128. In the present disclosure, the BS 102 and UE 104 are described herein as non-limiting examples of “communication nodes, ” generally, which can practice the methods disclosed herein. Such communication nodes may be capable of wireless and/or wired communications, in accordance with various implementations of the present solution.

In some cases, a BS 102 can be or include a Next Generation (NG) -RAN node, a gNB, a ng-eNB, and/or a transmission reception point (TRP) . In some cases, the transmitting node can be a BS, or a UE. The receiving node can be a UE, or a BS. In some cases, Sensing Function (SF) is a network logical unit, which is used for control and configuration of radio resource and parameters, and computation of sensing results. SF can be integrated with LMF, or can be integrated with other network logical unit, or can be an independent network logical unit.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example wireless communication system 200 for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals, e.g., OFDM/OFDMA signals, in accordance with some implementations of the present solution. The system 200 may include components and elements configured to support known or conventional operating features that need not be described in detail herein. In one illustrative implementation, system 200 can be used to communicate (e.g., transmit and receive) data symbols in a wireless communication environment such as the wireless communication environment 100 of FIG. 1, as described above.

System 200 generally includes a BS 202 and a UE 204. The BS 202 includes a Base Station (BS) transceiver module 210, a BS antenna 212, a BS processor module 214, a BS memory module 216, and a network communication module 218, each module being coupled and interconnected with one another as necessary via a data communication bus 220. The UE 204 includes a UE transceiver module 230, a UE antenna 232, a UE memory module 234, and a UE processor module 236, each module being coupled and interconnected with one another as necessary via a data communication bus 240. The BS 202 communicates with the UE 204 via a communication channel 250, which can be any wireless channel or other medium suitable for transmission of data as described herein.

The system 200 may further include any number of modules other than the modules shown in FIG. 2.Those skilled in the art will understand that the various illustrative blocks, modules, circuits, and processing logic described in connection with the implementations disclosed herein may be implemented in hardware, computer-readable software, firmware, or any practical combination thereof. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability and compatibility of hardware, firmware, and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are described generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software can depend upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those familiar with the concepts described herein may implement such functionality in a suitable manner for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

In accordance with some implementations, the UE transceiver 230 may be referred to herein as an uplink transceiver 230 that includes a Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter and a RF receiver each including circuitry that is coupled to the antenna 232. A duplex switch (not shown) may alternatively couple the uplink transmitter or receiver to the uplink antenna in time duplex fashion. Similarly, in accordance with some implementations, the BS transceiver 210 may be referred to herein as a "downlink" transceiver 210 that includes a RF transmitter and a RF receiver each including circuity that is coupled to the antenna 212. A downlink duplex switch may alternatively couple the downlink transmitter or receiver to the downlink antenna 212 in time duplex fashion. The operations of the two transceiver modules 210 and 230 can be coordinated in time such that the uplink receiver circuitry is coupled to the uplink antenna 232 for reception of transmissions over the wireless transmission link 250 at the same time that the downlink transmitter is coupled to the downlink antenna 212. In some implementations, there is close time synchronization with a minimal guard time between changes in duplex direction.

The UE transceiver 230 and the BS transceiver 210 are configured to communicate via the wireless data communication link 250, and cooperate with a suitably configured RF antenna arrangement 212/232 that can support a particular wireless communication protocol and modulation scheme. In some illustrative implementations, the UE transceiver 210 and the BS transceiver 210 are configured to support industry standards such as the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and emerging 5G and 6G standards, and the like. It is understood, however, that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited in application to a particular standard and associated protocols. Rather, the UE transceiver 230 and the BS transceiver 210 may be configured to support alternate, or additional, wireless data communication protocols, including future standards or variations thereof.

In accordance with various implementations, the BS 202 may be an evolved node B (eNB) , a serving eNB, a target eNB, a femto station, or a pico station, for example. In some implementations, the UE 204 can be various types of user devices such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) , tablet, laptop computer, wearable computing device, etc. The processor modules 214 and 236 may be implemented, or realized, with a general purpose processor a content addressable memory, a digital signal processor an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, any suitable programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described herein. In this manner, a processor may be realized as a microprocessor a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, or the like. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a digital signal processor core, or any other such configuration.

Furthermore, the methods described in connection with the implementations disclosed herein may be implemented directly in hardware, in firmware, in a software module executed by processor modules 214 and 236, respectively, or in any practical combination thereof. The memory modules 216 and 234 may be realized as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. In this regard, memory modules 216 and 234 may be coupled to the processor modules 210 and 230, respectively, such that the processors modules 210 and 230 can read information from, and write information to, memory modules 216 and 234, respectively. The memory modules 216 and 234 may also be integrated into their respective processor modules 210 and 230. In some implementations, the memory modules 216 and 234 may each include a cache memory for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor modules 210 and 230, respectively. Memory modules 216 and 234 may also each include non-volatile memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor modules 210 and 230, respectively.

The network communication module 218 generally represents the hardware, software, firmware, processing logic, and/or other components of the BS 202 that enable bi-directional communication between BS transceiver 210 and other network components and communication nodes configured to communication with the BS 202. For example, network communication module 218 may be configured to support internet or WiMAX traffic. In a typical deployment, without limitation, network communication module 218 provides an 802.3 Ethernet interface such that BS transceiver 210 can communicate with a conventional Ethernet based computer network. In this manner, the network communication module 218 may include a physical interface for connection to the computer network (e.g., Mobile Switching Center (MSC) ) . The terms “configured for” “configured to” and conjugations thereof, as used herein with respect to a specified operation or function, refer to a device, component, circuit, structure, machine, signal, etc., that is physically constructed, programmed, formatted and/or arranged to perform the specified operation or function.

Configuration of Sensing Assistance Information

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example sensing configuration 300 for signaling and configuration in ISAC, according to various arrangements. The configuration 300 may include a network, a UE, a network entity, or another network actor involved in wireless communication services. Any of the actors may be configured to initiate a sensing service 302 and/or determine sensing service related information 304.

In some arrangements, the sensing service can be initiated by network (e.g., a Location Management Function (LMF) or a Sensing Function (SF) ) . Also, the sensing service can be initiated by UE. To save power consumption, sensing service can be initiated by event triggering. Or, sensing service can be initiated periodically. Or, sensing service can be initiated constantly for some situation. That is, there are three types for sensing service initiation: event triggering, periodic and continuous. The sensing service initiation related information can be configured by network, e.g., LMF/SF. Or the sensing service initiation related information can be configured/determined by BS/UE. Or the sensing service initiation related information can be preconfigured.

The configuration of sensing service initiation related information at least includes one or more of the following:

· Sensing service initiation type: this information indicates the sensing service is initiated periodically or continuously or by event triggering.

· If the sensing service is initiated periodically, at least one or more of the following parameters can be configured:

· Period: this information indicates time period of any two adjacent sensing service;

· The number of sensing service initiation: this information indicates the number of sensing service periodically initiated.

· If the sensing service is initiated by event trigger, at least one or more triggering event (s) can be configured.

In some cases, the sensing service initiation related information 304 can be provided to the transmitting BS/UE and the receiving UE/BS.

For DL sensing service in ISAC system, DL-PRS can be reused as DL sensing reference signal. In this case, a BS can transmit DL-PRS to the sensing target, and DL-PRS is reflected on the sensing target, then the reflected DL-PRS is received by the receiving UE (s) . In sensing service, LMF/SF can provide the transmitting BS with sensing information. The sensing information at least includes one of the following:

· The configuration of sensing reference signal: this information element indicates the configuration of sensing reference signal used to be sensed in the desired sensing service.

· Sensing service initiation related information.

· Sensing zone: this information element indicates the sensing zone of the desired sensing service.

· Sensing zone can be represented by an expected zone and an uncertainty.

· Sensing zone can be expressed by global coordinate, e.g., latitude and longitude.

· Alternatively, sensing zone can be expressed by local coordinate relative to a reference point. For example, the reference point can be coordinate of a BS.

· Sensing zone ID: this information element indicates the identity of the sensing zone of the desired sensing service.

· The zone can be partitioned by SF/LMF/BS, and can be identified by a ID.

In sensing service, LMF/SF can provide the receiving UE with sensing assistance information. The sensing assistance information at least includes one of the following:

· Sensing indicator: this information element indicates whether to perform sensing operation by a UE, which can be indicated by 1 bit.

· Sensing service initiation related information.

· Sensing task type: this information element indicates the task type of sensing, such as location, tracking, imaging, gesture recognition and so on. Only when the sensing indicator indicates true, this information element is valid. Otherwise, this information element is invalid.

· The configuration of sensing reference signal: this information element indicates the configuration of sensing reference signal used to be sensed and received by a UE in the desired sensing service.

· Sensing zone can be represented by an expected zone and an uncertainty.

· The zone can be partitioned by SF/LMF/BS, and can be identified by a ID.

For UL sensing service in ISAC system, SRS can be reused as UL sensing reference signal. In this case, a UE can transmit SRS to the sensing target, and SRS is reflected on the sensing target, then the reflected SRS is received by the receiving BS (s) . In UL sensing service, LMF can provide the sensing information to the receiving BS (s) . The sensing information in UL sensing service at least includes one of the following:

· The configuration of sensing reference signal: this information element indicates the configuration of sensing reference signal used to be sensed and received by a BS in the desired UL sensing service.

· Sensing service initiation related information.

· Sensing indicator: this information element indicates whether to perform sensing operation by a BS, which can be indicated by 1 bit.

· Sensing zone: this information element indicates the sensing zone of the desired UL sensing service.

· Sensing zone can be represented by an expected zone and an uncertainty.

· Sensing zone ID: this information element indicates the identity of the sensing zone of the desired UL sensing service.

· The zone can be partitioned by SF/LMF/BS, and can be identified by a ID.

In UL sensing service, LMF/SF can provide the transmitting UE with sensing assistance information. The sensing assistance information at least includes one or more of: the configuration of sensing reference signal, sensing zone, sensing zone ID, and sensing service initiation related information.

Sensing Measurements and Results Report

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example sensing configuration 400 for signaling and configuration in ISAC, according to various arrangements. The configuration 400 may include a network, a UE, a network entity, or another network actor involved in wireless communication services. Any of the actors may be configured to obtain sensing measurements 402 and/or report sensing measurements 404.

In some arrangements, the sensing information provided from LMF to BS and the sensing assistance information provided from LMF to UE are configured. In DL sensing service, sensing measurements are obtained by a receiving UE. Then, the receiving UE can directly report the sensing measurements to LMF/SF and LMF/SF calculates the sensing results based on the reported sensing measurements. Or, the receiving UE can calculate the sensing results based on its sensing measurements, and then report both of the sensing measurements and sensing results to LMF/SF. In UL sensing service, sensing measurements are obtained by a receiving BS. Then, the receiving BS can directly report the sensing measurements to LMF/SF and LMF/SF calculates the sensing results based on the reported sensing measurements.

Obtain sensing measurements 402.

In some cases, the receiving UE/BS may detect multiple paths reflected from the sensing target. In a sensing service, the receiving UE/BS detects multiple paths and obtains the sensing measurements corresponding to these multiple paths.

· The multiple paths can be N paths satisfying some conditions.

· The multiple paths detected by the receiving UE/BS can be the first detected N paths. Or, the multiple paths detected by the receiving UE/BS can be N paths with the maximum Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) .

· Or, multiple paths can be N paths with measurements meeting some thresholds.

i. The measurements can be one or more of: RSRP, detected time, Time of Arrival (TOA) , distance between the transmitting BS/UE and/or the receiving UE/BS, Angle of Arrival (AOA) , and Doppler.

ii. The threshold can be one or more of: a RSRP threshold, a detected time threshold, a distance threshold, an angle threshold, and/or a Doppler threshold.

1. For example, multiple paths are N paths with RSRP larger than a RSRP threshold. Or, multiple paths are N paths with detected time less than a detected time threshold. Or, multiple paths are N paths with distance between the transmitter to receiver less than a distance threshold. Or, multiple paths are N paths with AOA larger/less than an angle threshold. Or, multiple paths are N paths with Doppler larger/less than a Doppler threshold. Or, multiple paths are N paths that needs to satisfy one or more thresholds.

iii. Alternatively, the threshold can be one or more of: a range of RSRP, a range of detected time, a range of distance, a range of angle, and/or a range of Doppler.

1. For example, multiple paths are N paths with RSRP belonging to the range of RSRP. Or, multiple paths are N paths with detected time belonging to the range of detected time. Or, multiple paths are N paths with distance between the transmitter and receiver belonging to the range of distance. Or, multiple paths are N paths with AOA belonging to the range of angle. Or, multiple paths are N paths with Doppler belonging to the range of Doppler. Or, multiple paths are N paths that needs to belong to one or more range.

iv. Alternatively, the threshold can be one or more of: a couple RSRP thresholds with a minimum RSRP threshold and a maximum RSRP threshold, a couple detected time thresholds with a minimum detected time threshold and a maximum detected time threshold, a couple distance thresholds with a minimum distance threshold and a maximum distance threshold, a couple angle thresholds with a minimum angle threshold and a maximum angle threshold, and/or a couple Doppler thresholds with a minimum Doppler threshold and a maximum Doppler threshold.

1. For example, multiple paths are N paths with RSRP larger than the minimum RSRP threshold and less than the maximum RSRP threshold. Or, multiple paths are N paths with detected time larger than the minimum detected time threshold and less than the maximum detected time threshold. Or, multiple paths are N paths with distance between the transmitter and receiver larger than the minimum distance threshold and less than the maximum distance threshold. Or, multiple paths are N paths with AOA larger than the minimum angle threshold and less than the maximum angle threshold. Or, multiple paths are N paths with Doppler larger than the minimum Doppler threshold and less than the maximum Doppler threshold. Or, multiple paths are N paths that needs to satisfy one or more couple thresholds.

v. The threshold can be configured by LMF/SF. Or, the threshold can be configured by BS. Or the threshold can be determined by the receiving UE/BS.

· N can be configured by BS. In details, N can configured by BS’s higher layer, e.g., BS’s RRC/MAC. Or, N can be indicated by Downlink Control Information (DCI) . Alternatively, N can be configured by LMF/SF. Alternatively, N can be determined by the receiving BS/UE. Alternatively, N can be preconfigured.

· The receiving UE/BS detects multiple paths with measurement satisfying some threshold.

· The measurements can be one or more of: RSRP, detected time, TOA, distance between the transmitting BS/UE and/or the receiving UE/BS, AOA, and Doppler.

· The threshold can be one or more of: a RSRP threshold, a detected time threshold, a distance threshold, an angle threshold, and/or a Doppler threshold.

i. For example, RSRP of multiple paths can be larger than a RSRP threshold. Or, detected time of multiple paths can be less than a detected time threshold. Or, distance between the transmitter to receiver of multiple paths can be less than a distance threshold. Or, AOA of multiple paths can be larger/less than an angle threshold. Or, Doppler of multiple paths can be larger/less than a Doppler threshold. Or, one or more measurements of multiple paths should satisfy one or more corresponding thresholds.

· Alternatively, the threshold can be one or more of: a range of RSRP, a range of detected time, a range of distance, a range of angle, and/or a range of Doppler.

i. For example, RSRP of multiple paths can belong to the range of RSRP. Or, detected time of multiple paths can belong to the range of detected time. Or, distance between the transmitter and receiver of multiple paths can belong to the range of distance. Or, AOA of multiple paths can belong to the range of angle. Or, Doppler of multiple paths can belong to the range of Doppler. Or, one or more measurements of multiple paths should belong to one or more corresponding range.

· Alternatively, the threshold can be one or more of: a couple RSRP thresholds with a minimum RSRP threshold and a maximum RSRP threshold, a couple detected time thresholds with a minimum detected time threshold and a maximum detected time threshold, a couple distance thresholds with a minimum distance threshold and a maximum distance threshold, a couple angle thresholds with a minimum angle threshold and a maximum angle threshold, and/or a couple Doppler thresholds with a minimum Doppler threshold and a maximum Doppler threshold.

i. For example, RSRP of multiple paths can be larger than the minimum RSRP threshold and less than the maximum RSRP threshold. Or, detected time of multiple paths can be larger than the minimum detected time threshold and less than the maximum detected time threshold. Or, distance between the transmitter and receiver of multiple paths can be larger than the minimum distance threshold and less than the maximum distance threshold. Or, AOA of multiple paths can be larger than the minimum angle threshold and less than the maximum angle threshold. Or, Doppler of multiple paths can be larger than the minimum Doppler threshold and less than the maximum Doppler threshold. Or, one or more measurements of multiple paths can satisfy one or more corresponding couple thresholds.

· The threshold can be configured by LMF/SF. Or, the threshold can be configured by BS. Or the threshold can be determined by the receiving UE/BS.

The receiving UE/BS detects multiple paths satisfying conditions as described above, and obtain the measurements corresponding to these multiple paths. For UE-assisted sensing, UE reports the measurements corresponding to multiple detected paths to LMF/SF, and LMF/SF calculates sensing results of the sensing target based on the reported sensing measurements. For UE-based sensing, UE calculates sensing results of the sensing target based on the measured sensing measurements, then UE reports both sensing measurements and sensing results to LMF/SF.

In some cases, the receiving UE/BS may detect all paths reflected from the sensing target. In a sensing service, the receiving UE/BS can detect all paths reflected from the sensing target and obtain sensing measurements corresponding to these paths. For sensing measurement report, the receiving UE/BS can report sensing measurements corresponding to all paths. Alternatively, the receiving UE/BS can report sensing measurements only corresponding to multiple paths satisfying some conditions. The multiple paths related to reported sensing measurements can follow the conditions an configurations described above.

Report sensing measurements 404.

For different sensing services, the report requirements of sensing measurements and sensing results are different. The receiving UE/BS can periodically report sensing measurements and sensing results. Also, the receiving UE/BS can report sensing measurements and sensing results by event triggering. Also, the receiving UE/BS can constantly report sensing measurements and sensing results. For periodical report of sensing measurement and sensing result, the number of periodic reports and the interval between any two adjacent periodic reports can be configured by LMF/SF. For sensing measurement and sensing result report, LMF/SF shall request the receiving UE/BS to report sensing measurements and sensing estimates. The request information for sensing measurements and sensing estimates at least includes one or more of the following:

· Sensing report type related information: this information indicates the report type is sensing measurement or sensing result.

· Sensing report mode related information: this information indicates the sensing measurement/result report is periodic or event triggering or continuous. Also this information configures related information to associated report mode.

· If the sensing measurement/result report is periodic, the related configuration information at least includes one or more of: the number of period reports, and the interval between any two adjacent periodic report.

· If the sensing measurement/result report is event triggering, the related configuration information at least includes events triggering sensing measurement/result report.

In a sensing measurement report, at least one or more of the following is included:

· TOA measurement information: In a sensing measurement report, there shall include multiple TOA measurements corresponding to multiple paths.

· AOA measurement information: In a sensing measurement report, there shall include multiple AOA measurements corresponding to multiple paths.

· RSRP measurement information: In a sensing measurement report, there shall include multiple RSRP measurements corresponding to multiple paths.

· RSRPP measurement information: In a sensing measurement report, there shall include multiple RSRPP measurements corresponding to multiple paths.

· Doppler measurement information: In a sensing measurement report, there shall include multiple Doppler measurements corresponding to multiple paths.

· Rx-Tx time difference measurement information: In a sensing measurement report, there shall include multiple Rx-Tx time difference measurements corresponding to multiple paths.

· Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) measurement information: In a sensing measurement report, there shall include multiple TDOA measurements corresponding to multiple paths.

· Time stamp information: In a sensing measurement report, there shall include multiple time stamp corresponding to multiple paths. Each time stamp is the receiving time stamp corresponding to its associated path.

Measurement Gap and PPW Enhancement

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating example sensing configurations 500 and 501 for signaling and configuration in ISAC, according to various arrangements. The configurations 500 and 501 may include a network, a UE, a network entity, or another network actor involved in wireless communication services. Any of the actors may be configured to measure, sense, transmit, or receive one or more reference signals (e.g., DL-PRS) during a window 502 or a window 506, or at a time 504 or a time 508.

Measurement gap configuration.

In some cases, sensing reference signal receiving and DL-PRS receiving for positioning purpose shares same measurement gap. In current positioning technology, measurement gap is configured for receiving and measuring DL-PRS only. For DL sensing service in ISAC system, sensing reference signal can be received and measured in positioning measurement gap, that is, sensing reference signal receiving and DL-PRS receiving for positioning service shares the same measurement gap. Since sensing reference signal is transmitted from the transmitting BS, and through the sensing target, then to the receiving UE, its propagation time is longer than the propagation time of DL-PRS for positioning purpose. Besides, due to detection of multiple paths in sensing service, measuring time and processing time of sensing reference signal is longer than that of DL-PRS for positioning service. Thus, the length of measurement gap shall be configured to lager values.

In some cases, configurations for measurement gap for sensing service may be considered. For DL sensing service in ISAC system, a specific measurement gap can be configured for sensing reference signal receiving and measuring.

· Measurement gap for sensing purpose can be configured by LMF/SF. Alternatively, measurement gap for sensing purpose can be configured by BS. In details, measurement gap for sensing purpose can be configured by BS’s higher layer, e.g., RRC/MAC. Or measurement gap for sensing purpose can be indicated by DCI. Alternatively, measurement gap for sensing purpose can be preconfigured.

· The configuration of measurement gap for sensing purpose at least includes one or more of the following:

· ID of measurement gap for sensing purpose.

· Period of measurement gap for sensing purpose.

· Time offset of measurement gap for sensing purpose: this information indicates time offset of the measurement gap relative to a reference point, which is associated with period of measurement gap for sensing purpose.

· Length of measurement gap for sensing purpose.

PPW configuration.

In some cases, sensing reference signal receiving and DL-PRS receiving for positioning purpose shares same PPW. When DL-PRS is inside the active DL Bandwidth Part (BWP) and has the same numerology as the active DL BWP and is within the DL-PRS Processing Window (PPW) , DL-PRS can be measured outside measurement gap and inside PPW. For DL sensing service, if sensing reference signal is inside the active BWP and has the same numerology as the active DL BWP and is within the DL-PRS PPW, sensing reference signal can be received and measured in DL-PRS PPW. That is, sensing reference signal measuring and DL-PRS measuring can share the same SL-PRS PPW. Since sensing reference signal is transmitted from the transmitting BS, and through the sensing target, then to the receiving UE, its propagation time is longer than the propagation time of DL-PRS for positioning purpose. Besides, due to detection of multiple paths in sensing service, measuring time and processing time of sensing reference signal is longer than that of DL-PRS for positioning service. Thus, the length of DL-PRS PPW shall be configured to lager values. In addition, period and associated time offset of DL-PRS PPW can be configured to larger values, so as to save power consumption when sensing service is initiated. FIG. 5A may indicate an example DL-PRS PPW with larger length shared by positioning and sensing.

In some cases, configurations for separate PPW for sensing service may be considered.

For DL sensing service in ISAC system, PPW for positioning purpose and PPW for sensing purpose are configured separately. That is, a PPW for sensing can be configured for sensing reference signal measuring and data receiving.

· PPW for sensing can be configured by LMF/SF. Alternatively, PPW for sensing can be configured by BS. In details, PPW for sensing can be configured by BS’s higher layer, e.g., RRC/MAC. Or PPW for sensing can be indicated by DCI. Alternatively, PPW for sensing can be preconfigured.

· The configuration of PPW for sensing at least includes one or more of the following:

· ID of PPW for sensing.

· Period of PPW for sensing.

· Time offset of PPW for sensing: this information indicates time offset of the PPW relative to a reference point, which is associated with period of PPW for sensing.

· Length of PPW for sensing.

When sensing reference signal is inside the active DL BWP and has the same numerology as the active DL BWP and is within the configured/preconfigured PPW for sensing, sensing reference signal can be measured in PPW for sensing. FIG. 5B may indicate an example on PPW for sensing separately from PPW for positioning.

DL QCL and UL Spatial Relation Enhancement

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example sensing configuration 600 for signaling and configuration in ISAC, according to various arrangements. The configuration 600 may include a network, a UE, a network entity, or another network actor involved in wireless communication services. Any of the actors may be configured to receive or transmit sensing reference signals 602. If the actors receive the sensing reference signals 602, then quasi co-location related information 604 can be configured or preconfigured. If the actors transmit the sensing reference signals 602, then spatial relation information 606 can be configured or preconfigured.

In DL sensing service, sensing reference signal is received by the receiving UE. To facilitate sensing reference signal receiving, Quasi co-location (QCL) related information can be configured or preconfigured.

· QCL related information of sensing reference signal can be configured by BS. In details, QCL related information of sensing reference signal can be configured by BS’s higher layer, e.g., RRC/MAC. Or QCL related information of sensing reference signal can be indicated by DCI. Alternatively, QCL related information of sensing reference signal can be preconfigured. Alternatively, QCL related information of sensing reference signal can be configured by LMF/SF.

· QCL source of sensing reference signal shall be the reference signal reflected/transmitted from the same sensing zone, which may be transmitted by serving BS or neighbor BSs.

· The configuration of QCL related information of sensing reference signal at least includes one or more of the following:

· QCL source Reference signal ID related information: this information indicates QCL source reference signal and QCL source reference signal ID.

· Transmission Reception Point (TRP) ID: this information indicates ID of TRP transmitting QCL source reference signal.

· Sensing zone related information: this information indicates sensing zone or sensing zone ID.

· For example, if DL-PRS is reused as sensing reference signal, QCL source of DL-PRS for sensing purpose is DL-PRS reflected from the same sensing zone, which can be transmitted by serving BS or neighbor BS.That is, QCL relation is between two DL-PRS resources for sensing purpose. In this case, QCL related information of DL-PRS resource for sensing purpose at least includes one or more of the following:

· DL-PRS resource set ID;

· DL-PRS resource ID;

· TRP ID;

· Sensing zone/sensing zone ID.

In UL sensing service, sensing reference signal is transmitted by the transmitting UE. To facilitate UL sensing reference signal transmission, spatial relation information can be configured/preconfigured.

· Spatial relation information of UL sensing reference signal can be configured by BS. In details, spatial relation information of UL sensing reference signal can be configured by BS’s higher layer, e.g., RRC/MAC. Or spatial relation information of UL sensing reference signal can be indicated by DCI. Alternatively, spatial relation information of UL sensing reference signal can be preconfigured. Alternatively, spatial relation information of sensing reference signal can be configured by LMF/SF.

· The reference signal of spatial relation of UL sensing reference signal can be the reference signal reflected/transmitted from the same sensing zone, which may be transmitted by serving BS or neighbor BSs. Or, the reference signal of spatial relation of UL sensing reference signal can be UL sensing reference signal transmitted previously for the same sensing zone.

· If the reference signal of spatial relation of UL sensing reference signal is the reference signal reflected/transmitted from the same sensing zone, the configuration of reference signal at least includes one or more of the following:

· Spatial relation reference signal ID related information: this information indicates spatial relation reference signal and spatial relation reference signal ID.

· TRP ID: this information indicates ID of TRP transmitting spatial relation reference signal.

· If the reference signal of spatial relation of UL sensing reference signal is the UL sensing reference signal transmitted previously for the same sensing zone, the configuration of reference signal at least includes one or more of the following:

· For example, if SRS is reused as UL sensing reference signal, the spatial relation reference signal can be DL-PRS reflected from the same sensing zone and SRS transmitted previously for the same sensing zone. In this case, if the spatial relation reference signal is DL-PRS reflected from the same sensing zone, the configuration of the spatial relation information at least includes one or more of: DL-PRS resource set ID, DL-PRS resource ID, TRP ID, and sensing zone/sensing zone ID. If the spatial relation reference signal is SRS transmitted previously for the same sensing zone, the configuration of the spatial relation information at least includes one or more of: SRS resource set ID, SRS resource ID, and sensing zone/sensing zone ID.

On-Demand Sensing Reference Signal

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example sensing configuration 700 for signaling and configuration in ISAC, according to various arrangements. The configuration 700 may include a network, a UE, a network entity, or another network actor involved in wireless communication services. Any of the actors may be configured to obtain sensing measurements 702 (e.g., measurements and/or results) by sending an on-demand sensing reference signal request 704.

For more flexible and effective for sensing, the receiving UE and LMF/SF can request on-demand sensing reference signal and associated configuration. On-demand reference signal shall be requested based on sensing measurements and sensing results. The receiving UE can initiate on-demand sensing reference signal procedure based on its sensing capability and sensing measurements/results. Alternatively, the receiving UE reports its sensing capability and sensing measurements/results to LMF/SF, then LMF/SF can initiate on-demand sensing reference signal procedure based on sensing capability of the receiving UE and sensing measurements/results.

For on-demand sensing reference signal procedure initiated by the receiving UE, LMF/SF may provide pre-configured/pre-defined sensing reference signal configurations to the receiving UE. The receiving UE can send a on-demand sensing reference signal request to LMF/SF. The on-demand sensing reference signal request can be a request for pre-configured/pre-defined sensing reference signal configuration or explicit parameters for sensing reference signal configuration. Or/And, the on-demand sensing reference signal request can be a request for sensing reference signal transmission or change to the sensing reference signal transmission characteristics for sensing measurements. Then, LMF determines the need for new sensing reference signal transmission or change to transmission characteristics for ongoing sensing reference signal transmission. Then, LMF/SF request the serving BS or/and the neighbor BS (s) for new sensing reference signal transmission or ongoing sensing reference signal transmission with changes to the sensing reference signal configuration. If BS (s) successfully configure (s) or update (s) the sensing reference signal based on on-demand request of LMF/SF, BS (s) send (s) the updated sensing reference signal configuration to LMF/SF, and LMF/SF provides the updated sensing reference signal configuration to the receiving UE in sensing assistance information.

For on-demand sensing reference signal procedure initiated by LMF/SF, the receiving UE may provide its sensing capability and sensing measurements to LMF/SF. Then, LMF/SF determines the need for new sensing reference signal transmission or change to transmission characteristics for ongoing sensing reference signal transmission based on sensing capability of the receiving UE and sensing measurements. Then, LMF/SF request the serving BS or/and the neighbor BS (s) for new sensing reference signal transmission or ongoing sensing reference signal transmission with changes to the sensing reference signal configuration. If BS (s) successfully configure (s) or update (s) the sensing reference signal based on on-demand request of LMF/SF, BS (s) send (s) the updated sensing reference signal configuration to LMF/SF, and LMF/SF provides the updated sensing reference signal configuration to the receiving UE in sensing assistance information.

Various Embodiments

In some arrangements, configuring sensing information provided by LMF/SF to the transmitting BS/UE and sensing assistance information provided by LMF/SF to the receiving UE/BS may be considered.

· The sensing information provided to the transmitting BS in DL sensing at least includes one or more of: the configuration of sensing reference signal, sensing service initiation related information, sensing zone/sensing zone ID.

· The sensing assistance information provided to the receiving UE in DL sensing at least includes one or more of: sensing indicator, sensing task type, the configuration of sensing reference signal, sensing service initiation related information, sensing zone/sensing zone ID.

· The sensing information provided to the receiving BS in UL sensing at least includes one or more of:the configuration of sensing reference signal, sensing indicator, sensing service initiation related information, sensing zone/sensing zone ID.

· The sensing assistance information provided to the transmitting UE in UL sensing at least includes one or more of: the configuration of sensing reference signal, sensing service initiation related information, sensing zone/sensing zone ID.

Where the configuration of sensing service initiation related information:

· The configuration of sensing service initiation related information at least includes: sensing service initiation type, where sensing service initiation type can be periodic, event triggering, and/or continuous.

· The configuration of sensing service initiation related information further at least includes one or more of: period and number of sensing service initiation if sensing service initiation type is periodic.

· The configuration of sensing service initiation related information further at least includes triggering events if sensing service initiation type is event triggering.

In some arrangements, configuring and reporting sensing measurement and sensing result. Sensing measurement can be based on multiple detection paths may be considered. The multiple detection paths are paths with sensing measurements satisfying some conditions. The sensing measurements can be one or more of: RSRP, detected time, Time of Arrival (TOA) , distance between the transmitting BS/UE and/or the receiving UE/BS, Angle of Arrival (AOA) , and Doppler. The conditions can be at least one or more of: one or more threshold (s) , one or more range (s) of allowed measurements, one or more couple (s) of thresholds. The threshold can be one or more of: a RSRP threshold, a detected time threshold, a distance threshold, an angle threshold, and/or a Doppler threshold. The range of allowed measurement can be one or more of: a range of RSRP, a range of detected time, a range of distance, a range of angle, and/or a range of Doppler. The couple of thresholds can be one or more of: a couple RSRP thresholds with a minimum RSRP threshold and a maximum RSRP threshold, a couple detected time thresholds with a minimum detected time threshold and a maximum detected time threshold, a couple distance thresholds with a minimum distance threshold and a maximum distance threshold, a couple angle thresholds with a minimum angle threshold and a maximum angle threshold, and/or a couple Doppler thresholds with a minimum Doppler threshold and a maximum Doppler threshold. The threshold, the range of allowed measurement and the couple of threshold can be configured by LMF/SF or BS or determined by the transmitting UE/BS. Alternatively, multiple detection paths can be N paths with sensing measurements satisfying the conditions. Alternatively, multiple detection paths can be the first detected N paths. Alternatively, multiple detection paths can be N paths with the maximum RSRP. N can be configured by LMF/SF or BS or determined by the transmitting UE/BS or preconfigured.

Sensing measurement and result request information is received by the receiving UE/BS from LMF/SF. The Sensing measurement and result request information at least includes one or more of: sensing report type related information, and sensing report mode related information. Sensing report type related information can be sensing measurement related information, and/or sensing result related information. Sensing report mode related information includes sensing report mode and related parameters configurations. The sensing report mode can be periodic, event triggering or continuous. If the sensing report mode is periodic, the related parameter configuration at least includes one or more of: the number of period reports, and the interval between any two adjacent periodic report. If the sensing report mode is event triggering, the related parameter configuration at least includes triggering events.

In a sensing measurement report, at least one or more of the information is included: TOA measurement information corresponding to multiple detection paths, AOA measurement information corresponding to multiple detection paths, RSRP measurement information corresponding to multiple detection paths, RSRPP measurement information corresponding to multiple detection paths, TDOA measurement information corresponding to multiple detection paths, Rx-Tx time difference measurement information corresponding to multiple detection paths, Doppler measurement information corresponding to multiple detection paths, receiving time stamp information corresponding to multiple detection paths.

In some arrangements, receiving and measuring DL sensing reference signal in a measurement gap may be considered. The measurement gap for sensing can be same as the measurement gap for positioning. The length of the shared measurement gap shall be configured to larger values. Alternatively, the measurement gap for sensing can be configured separately from the measurement gap for positioning. Measurement gap for sensing can be configured by LMF/SF or by BS or preconfigured. The configurations of measurement gap for sensing at least include one or more of: measurement gap ID, period, time offset, length.

DL sensing reference signal is measured in PPW when DL sensing reference signal is inside the active BWP and has the same numerology as the active DL BWP. The PPW for sensing can be same as PPW for positioning. The length, period and associated time offset of the shared PPW shall be configured to larger values. Alternatively, PPW for sensing can be configured separately from PPW for positioning. PPW for sensing can be configured by LMF/SF or by BS or preconfigured. The configurations of PPW for sensing at least include one or more of: measurement gap ID, period, time offset, length.

In some arrangements, configuring QCL related information of DL sensing reference signal and spatial relation of UL sensing reference signal may be considered.

· QCL related information of DL sensing reference signal can be configured by BS or LMF/SF or preconfigured. QCL related information of DL sensing reference signal at least includes QCL source. QCL source of DL sensing reference signal shall be the reference signal reflected/transmitted from the same sensing zone, which may be transmitted by serving BS or neighbor BSs. Further, QCL related information of DL sensing reference signal at least includes one or more of: QCL source Reference signal ID related information, TRP ID, and sensing zone/sensing zone ID.

· Spatial relation information of UL sensing reference signal can be configured by BS or LMF/SF or preconfigured. Spatial relation related information of UL sensing reference signal at least includes spatial relation reference signal. The reference signal of spatial relation of UL sensing reference signal can be the reference signal reflected/transmitted from the same sensing zone, which may be transmitted by serving BS or neighbor BSs. Or, the reference signal of spatial relation of UL sensing reference signal can be UL sensing reference signal transmitted previously for the same sensing zone. Further, if the reference signal of spatial relation of UL sensing reference signal is the reference signal reflected/transmitted from the same sensing zone, spatial relation related information of UL sensing reference signal at least includes one or more of: spatial relation reference signal ID, TRP ID, and sensing zone related information. If reference signal of spatial relation of UL sensing reference signal is the UL sensing reference signal transmitted previously for the same sensing zone, spatial relation related information of UL sensing reference signal at least includes one or more of: spatial relation reference signal ID, and sensing zone related information.

In some arrangements, designing on-demand sensing reference signal procedure may be considered. On-demand sensing reference signal procedure can be initiated by LMF/SF or UE based on UE’s sensing capability and sensing measurements.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart diagram illustrating an example method 800 for signaling and configuration in ISAC, according to various arrangements. In some cases, the method 800 may include initiating a sensing service. At 802, a network entity or a wireless communication device of an ISAC system may initiate a sensing service by at least determining sensing related information and sensing measurement related information. At 804, the sensing related information at least includes sensing information provided by the network entity to a transmitting node, and sensing assistance information provided by the network entity to a receiving node. At 806, the sensing measurement related information at least includes sensing measurement request information provided by the network entity to the receiving node, and sensing measurement report information provided by the receiving node to the network entity. At 808, the wireless communication device can be the receiving node, or the transmitting node, or another node.

In some embodiments, the sensing service is initiated periodically, continuously, or by event triggering. In some embodiments, the sensing information, provided to the transmitting node, includes at least one of: a configuration of sensing reference signal, sensing service initiation related information, a sensing zone, or a sensing zone ID. In some embodiments, the sensing assistance information, provided to the receiving node, includes at least one of: a sensing indicator, sensing service initiation related information, a sensing task type, a configuration of sensing reference signal, a sensing zone, or a sensing zone ID. In some embodiments, the sensing reference signal includes a DL-PRS sent by the transmitting node to a sensing target and then reflected by the sensing target to the receiving node, or a SRS sent by the transmitting node to a sensing target and then reflected by the sensing target to the receiving node.

In some embodiments, the sensing service initiation related information includes a sensing service initiation type, and wherein the sensing service initiation type is periodic, event triggering, or continuous. In some embodiments, if the sensing service initiation type is periodic, the sensing service initiation related information further includes at least one of: a period or and a number of sensing service initiation. In some embodiments, if the sensing service initiation type is event triggering, the sensing service initiation related information further includes triggering events. In some embodiments, the sensing measurement request information at least includes one of: sensing report type related information, and sensing report mode related information, wherein the sensing report type related information at least includes one of sensing measurement report related information, and sensing result report related information, and the sensing report mode related information at least include sensing report mode and corresponding parameters. In some embodiments, the sensing report mode is periodic, continuous, or event triggering. In some embodiments, if the sensing report mode is periodic, the corresponding parameter at least includes one of: a period or a number of the sensing report, and if the sensing report mode is event triggering, the corresponding parameter at least includes triggering events.

In some embodiments, the sensing measurement report related information at least includes one of: multiple TOA measurement information corresponding to a plurality of detection paths, multiple AOA measurement information corresponding to a plurality of detection paths, multiple RSRP measurement information corresponding to a plurality of detection paths, multiple RSRPP measurement information corresponding to a plurality of detection paths, multiple TDOA measurement information corresponding to a plurality of detection paths, multiple Rx-Tx time difference measurement information corresponding to a plurality of detection paths, multiple Doppler measurement information corresponding to a plurality of detection paths, or multiple receiving time stamp information corresponding to a plurality of detection paths.

In some embodiments, the plurality of detection paths are paths with sensing measurements satisfying some conditions. In some embodiments, the sensing measurements at least include one of: RSRP, detected time, TOA, distance between the transmitting node and the receiving node, AOA, or Doppler. In some embodiments, the conditions are at least one of: one or more threshold (s) , one or more range (s) of allowed sensing measurements, or one or more couple (s) of thresholds. In some embodiments, the threshold (s) , the range (s) , or/and the couple (s) of thresholds is/are configured by the network entity, or determined by the receiving node. In some embodiments, the plurality of detection paths include first detected N paths. In some embodiments, the plurality of detection paths include N paths with a maximum RSRP. In some embodiments, the plurality of detection paths include N paths with their respective sensing measurements satisfying some conditions.

In some embodiments, the sensing reference signal for the sensing service is measured in a common measurement gap sharing with positioning. In some embodiments, the sensing reference signal for sensing service is measured in a specific measurement gap separately from the measurement gap for positioning. In some embodiments, the specific measurement gap for the sensing service is configured by the network entity, or a BS. In some embodiments, a configuration of the specific measurement gap for the sensing service at least includes one of: an ID of the specific measurement gap, a period of the specific measurement gap, a time offset of the specific measurement gap, or a length of the specific measurement gap.

In some embodiments, the sensing reference signal for the sensing service is measured in a common PPW sharing with positioning. In some embodiments, the sensing reference signal for the sensing service is measured in a PPW separately from the PPW for positioning. In some embodiments, the PPW for sensing service is configured by the network entity, or a BS. In some embodiments, a configuration of the PPW for sensing service at least includes one of: an ID of the PPW, a period of the PPW, a time offset of the PPW, or a length of the PPW.

In some embodiments, if the sensing reference signal is downlink signal, the configuration of sensing reference signal includes Quasi Co-Location (QCL) related information. If the sensing reference signal is uplink signal, the configuration of sensing reference signal includes spatial relation information. In some embodiments, the QCL related information is configured by a base station, preconfigured, or configured by the network entity. In some embodiments, the QCL related information includes at least one of: a configuration of QCL source reference signal, a TRP ID, or sensing zone related information. In some embodiments, the QCL source reference signal is a downlink reference signal reflected/transmitted from the same sensing zone.

In some embodiments, the configuration of QCL source reference signal at least includes QCL source reference signal ID related information. In some embodiments, the spatial relation information is configured by a base station, preconfigured, or configured by the network entity. In some embodiments, the spatial relation information includes at least one of: the configuration of spatial relation reference signal, or sensing zone related information. In some embodiments, the spatial relation reference signal is a downlink reference signal reflected/transmitted from the same sensing zone, or an uplink sensing reference signal transmitted previously for the same sensing zone.

In some embodiments, the network entity or the wireless communication device may request on-demand configuration for a sensing reference signal based on a sensing measurement and sensing capability of the receiving node. In some embodiments, the configuration of spatial relation reference signal includes at least one of: spatial relation reference signal ID related information and a TRP ID, if the spatial relation reference signal is a downlink reference signal reflected/transmitted from the same sensing zone. In some embodiments, the configuration of spatial relation reference signal includes at least spatial relation reference signal ID related information, if the spatial relation reference signal is a uplink sensing reference signal transmitted previously for the same sensing zone.

While various arrangements of the present solution 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 example features and functions of the present solution. Such persons would understand, however, that the solution 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 some arrangements can be combined with one or more features of another arrangement described herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described illustrative arrangements.

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 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 person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, 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 module) , or any combination of these techniques. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware, firmware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, 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.

Furthermore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that various illustrative logical blocks, modules, 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, modules, 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 “module” 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 modules are described as discrete modules; however, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, two or more modules may be combined to form a single module that performs the associated functions according to arrangements of the present solution.

Additionally, memory or other storage, as well as communication components, may be employed in arrangements of the present solution. It will be appreciated that, for clarity purposes, the above description has described arrangements of the present solution 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 solution. 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 this disclosure. 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, comprising:

initiating, by a network entity or a wireless communication device of an integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) system, a sensing service by at least determining sensing related information and sensing measurement related information;

wherein the sensing related information at least includes sensing information provided by the network entity to a transmitting node, and sensing assistance information provided by the network entity to a receiving node;

wherein the sensing measurement related information at least includes sensing measurement request information provided by the network entity to the receiving node, and sensing measurement report information provided by the receiving node to the network entity; and

wherein the wireless communication device can be the receiving node, or the transmitting node, or another node.
The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the sensing service is initiated periodically, continuously, or by event triggering.
The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the sensing information, provided to the transmitting node, includes at least one of: a configuration of sensing reference signal, sensing service initiation related information, a sensing zone, or a sensing zone identification (ID) .
The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the sensing assistance information, provided to the receiving node, includes at least one of: a sensing indicator, sensing service initiation related information, a sensing task type, a configuration of sensing reference signal, a sensing zone, or a sensing zone ID.
The wireless communication method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the sensing reference signal includes:

a Downlink Positioning Reference Signal (DL-PRS) sent by the transmitting node to a sensing target and then reflected by the sensing target to the receiving node, or

a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) sent by the transmitting node to a sensing target and then reflected by the sensing target to the receiving node.
The wireless communication method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the sensing service initiation related information includes a sensing service initiation type, and wherein the sensing service initiation type is periodic, event triggering, or continuous.
The wireless communication method of claim 6, wherein if the sensing service initiation type is periodic, the sensing service initiation related information further includes at least one of: a period or and a number of sensing service initiation.
The wireless communication method of claim 6, wherein if the sensing service initiation type is event triggering, the sensing service initiation related information further includes triggering events.
The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the sensing measurement request information at least includes one of: sensing report type related information, and sensing report mode related information, wherein the sensing report type related information at least includes one of sensing measurement report related information, and sensing result report related information, and wherein the sensing report mode related information at least include sensing report mode and corresponding parameters.
The wireless communication method of claim 9, wherein the sensing report mode is periodic, continuous, or event triggering.
The wireless communication method of claim 9, wherein if the sensing report mode is periodic, the corresponding parameter at least includes one of: a period or a number of the sensing report, and if the sensing report mode is event triggering, the corresponding parameter at least includes triggering events.
The wireless communication method of claim 9, wherein the sensing measurement report related information at least includes one of: multiple TOA measurement information corresponding to a plurality of detection paths, multiple AOA measurement information corresponding to a plurality of detection paths, multiple RSRP measurement information corresponding to a plurality of detection paths, multiple RSRPP measurement information corresponding to a plurality of detection paths, multiple TDOA measurement information corresponding to a plurality of detection paths, multiple Rx-Tx time difference measurement information corresponding to a plurality of detection paths, multiple Doppler measurement information corresponding to a plurality of detection paths, or multiple receiving time stamp information corresponding to a plurality of detection paths.
The wireless communication method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of detection paths are paths with sensing measurements satisfying some conditions.
The wireless communication method of claim 13, wherein the sensing measurements at least include one of: RSRP, detected time, TOA, distance between the transmitting node and the receiving node, AOA, or Doppler.
The wireless communication method of claim 13, wherein the conditions are at least one of: one or more threshold (s) , one or more range (s) of allowed sensing measurements, or one or more couple (s) of thresholds.
The wireless communication method of claim 15, wherein the threshold (s) , the range (s) , or/and the couple (s) of thresholds is/are configured by the network entity, or determined by the receiving node.
The wireless communication method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of detection paths include first detected N paths.
The wireless communication method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of detection paths include N paths with a maximum Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) .
The wireless communication method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of detection paths include N paths with their respective sensing measurements satisfying some conditions.
The wireless communication method of claim 5, wherein the sensing reference signal for the sensing service is measured in a common measurement gap sharing with positioning.
The wireless communication method of claim 5, wherein the sensing reference signal for sensing service is measured in a specific measurement gap separately from the measurement gap for positioning.
The wireless communication method of claim 21, wherein the specific measurement gap for the sensing service is configured by the network entity, or a base station (BS) .
The wireless communication method of claim 22, wherein a configuration of the specific measurement gap for the sensing service at least includes one of: an ID of the specific measurement gap, a period of the specific measurement gap, a time offset of the specific measurement gap, or a length of the specific measurement gap.
The wireless communication method of claim 5, wherein the sensing reference signal for the sensing service is measured in a common PRS Processing Window (PPW) sharing with positioning.
The wireless communication method of claim 5, wherein the sensing reference signal for the sensing service is measured in a PPW separately from the PPW for positioning.
The wireless communication method of claim 25, wherein the PPW for sensing service is configured by the network entity, or a base station (BS) .
The wireless communication method of claim 26, wherein a configuration of the PPW for sensing service at least includes one of: an ID of the PPW, a period of the PPW, a time offset of the PPW, or a length of the PPW.
The wireless communication method of claim 3 or 4, wherein if the sensing reference signal is downlink signal, the configuration of sensing reference signal includes Quasi Co-Location (QCL) related information; if the sensing reference signal is uplink signal, the configuration of sensing reference signal includes spatial relation information.
The wireless communication method of claim 28, wherein the QCL related information is configured by a base station, preconfigured, or configured by the network entity.
The wireless communication method of claim 29, wherein the QCL related information includes at least one of: a configuration of QCL source reference signal, a Transmission Reception Point (TRP) ID, or sensing zone related information.
The wireless communication method of claim 30, wherein the QCL source reference signal is a downlink reference signal reflected/transmitted from the same sensing zone.
The wireless communication method of claim 30, wherein the configuration of QCL source reference signal at least includes QCL source reference signal ID related information.
The wireless communication method of claim 28, wherein the spatial relation information is configured by a base station, preconfigured, or configured by the network entity.
The wireless communication method of claim 33, wherein the spatial relation information includes at least one of: the configuration of spatial relation reference signal, or sensing zone related information.
The wireless communication method of claim 34, wherein the spatial relation reference signal is a downlink reference signal reflected/transmitted from the same sensing zone, or an uplink sensing reference signal transmitted previously for the same sensing zone.
The wireless communication method of claim 34, wherein the configuration of spatial relation reference signal includes at least one of: spatial relation reference signal ID related information and a TRP ID, if the spatial relation reference signal is a downlink reference signal reflected/transmitted from the same sensing zone.
The wireless communication method of claim 34, wherein the configuration of spatial relation reference signal includes at least spatial relation reference signal ID related information, if the spatial relation reference signal is a uplink sensing reference signal transmitted previously for the same sensing zone.
The wireless communication method of claim 1, further comprising requesting, by the network entity or the wireless communication device, on-demand configuration for a sensing reference signal based on a sensing measurement and sensing capability of the receiving node.
A wireless communications apparatus comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is configured to read code from the memory and implement a method recited in any of claims 1 to 38.
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 method recited in any of claims 1 to 38.