WO2025000541A1

WO2025000541A1 - Devices and methods for communication

Info

Publication number: WO2025000541A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/105381
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gang Wang
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 2023-06-30
Filing date: 2023-06-30
Publication date: 2025-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-30

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for service continuity of sensing. In a solution, a sensing function device communicates, with a plurality of sensing nodes associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets to be used by the plurality of sensing nodes for performing the sensing service are determined; and transmits, to a first sensing node of the plurality of sensing nodes, a first activation request used for activating the first sensing node associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

Description

DEVICES AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATION

FIELDS

Example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of communication techniques and in particular, to devices and methods for service continuity of sensing.

BACKGROUND

Technology of integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has been agreed to be supported in the 5th generation mobile communication technology (5G) and is expected to play a crucial role in the future of many industries. Recently, more studies and discussions have been made about the use cases and potential requirements for enhancement of the 5G system to provide ISAC services addressing different target verticals/applications, e.g., autonomous/assisted driving, vehicle to everything (V2X) , aviation/unmanned aerial vehicles (UVA) , three-dimensional (3D) map reconstruction, smart city/factories, public sectors, healthcare, smart home, maritime sector and so on.

SUMMARY

In general, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for service continuity of sensing.

In a first aspect, there is provided a sensing function device comprising: a processor configured to cause the sensing function device to: communicate, with a plurality of sensing nodes associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets to be used by the plurality of sensing nodes for performing the sensing service are determined; and transmit, to a first sensing node of the plurality of sensing nodes, a first activation request used for activating the first sensing node associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

In a second aspect, there is provided a first sensing node comprising: a processor configured to cause the first sensing node to: determine, a first resource set to be used by the first sensing node for performing a sensing service; receive, from a sensing function device, a first activation response used for activating the first sensing node; and activate the first resource set in response to the reception of the first activation response.

In a third aspect, there is provided a second sensing node comprising: a processor configured to cause the first device to: determine, a second resource set to be used by the second sensing node for performing a sensing service; receive, from a first sensing node associated with the at least sensing service or a sensing function device, a second activation request used for activating the second resource set; and activate the second resource set in response to receiving at least one of the following: a second activation request from a sensing function device, the second activation request used for activating the second sensing node, or a third activation request from a first sensing node associated with the sensing service, the third activation request used for activating the second sensing node.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a sensing function device comprising: a processor configured to cause the sensing function device to: communicate, with a first sensing node and a second sensing node which are associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets used for transmitting or receiving sensing signals are determined; receive, from a second sensing node, sensing results of the sensing service associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets; determine, based on the sensing results, whether a third condition for switching resource set is met; and in accordance with a determination that the third condition is met, transmit a first resource update message indicating the first sensing node to transmit the sensing signals by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a first sensing node comprising: a processor configured to cause the first sensing node to: determine, a plurality of resource sets for a sensing service, where the plurality of resource sets are used by the first sensing node to transmit sensing signals; perform the sensing service with a second sensing node by using a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets; perform the sensing service with a second sensing node by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets in response to receiving at least one of the following: a first resource update message from a sensing function device, the first resource update message indicating the first sensing node to perform the sensing service by using a second resource set, or a third resource update message from the second sensing node, wherein the first and second resource update messages indicate the first sensing node to transmit the sensing signals by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided a second sensing node comprising: a processor configured to cause the first sensing node to: determine, a plurality of resource sets for a sensing service, where the plurality of resource sets are used by the second sensing node to receiving sensing signals; perform the sensing service with a first sensing node by using a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets; perform the sensing service with the first sensing node by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets in response to at least one of the following: receiving a second resource update message from a sensing function device, the second resource update message indicating that the first sensing node is using the second resource set; or a determination that a fourth condition for switching resource set is met.

In a seventh aspect, there is provided a sensing function device comprising: a processor configured to cause the sensing function device to: determine, configuration information of a sensing service for a sensing node, the configuration information indicating a sensing period, wherein the sensing node performs the sensing service within the sensing period; and transmit the configuration information to the sensing node.

In an eighth aspect, there is provided a sensing node comprising: a processor configured to cause the sensing function device to: receive, from a sensing function device, configuration information of a sensing service, the configuration information indicating a sensing period for performing the sensing service; and perform the sensing service based on the configuration information.

In a ninth aspect, there is provided a first sensing node comprising: a processor configured to cause the first sensing node to: transmit, to a second sensing node, a handover request indicating sensing requirement of a sensing service; and receive, from the second sensing node, a handover failure response indicating the sensing requirement is not supported by the second sensing node.

In a tenth aspect, there is provided a second sensing node comprising: a processor configured to cause the second sensing node to: receive, from a first sensing node, a handover request indicating sensing requirement of a sensing service; and transmit, to the first sensing node, a handover failure response indicating the sensing requirement is not supported by the second sensing node.

In an eleventh aspect, there is provided a communication method performed by a sensing function device. The method comprises: communicating, with a plurality of sensing nodes associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets to be used by the plurality of sensing nodes for performing the sensing service are determined; and transmitting, to a first sensing node of the plurality of sensing nodes, a first activation request used for activating the first sensing node associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

In a twelfth aspect, there is provided a communication method performed by a first sensing node. The method comprises: determining, a first resource set to be used by the first sensing node for performing a sensing service; receiving, from a sensing function device, a first activation response used for activating the first sensing node; and activating the first resource set in response to the reception of the first activation response.

In a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a communication method performed by a second sensing node. The method comprises: determining, a second resource set to be used by the second sensing node for performing a sensing service; receiving, from a first sensing node associated with the at least sensing service or a sensing function device, a second activation request used for activating the second resource set; and activating the second resource set in response to receiving at least one of the following: a second activation request from a sensing function device, the second activation request used for activating the second sensing node, or a third activation request from a first sensing node associated with the sensing service, the third activation request used for activating the second sensing node.

In a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a communication method performed by a sensing function device. The method comprises: communicating, with a first sensing node and a second sensing node which are associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets used for transmitting or receiving sensing signals are determined; receiving, from a second sensing node, sensing results of the sensing service associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets; determining, based on the sensing results, whether a third condition for switching resource set is met; and in accordance with a determination that the third condition is met, transmitting a first resource update message indicating the first sensing node to transmit the sensing signals by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

In a fifteenth aspect, there is provided a communication method performed by a first sensing node. The method comprises: determining, a plurality of resource sets for a sensing service, where the plurality of resource sets are used by the first sensing node to transmit sensing signals; performing the sensing service with a second sensing node by using a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets; performing the sensing service with a second sensing node by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets in response to receiving at least one of the following: a first resource update message from a sensing function device, the first resource update message indicating the first sensing node to perform the sensing service by using a second resource set, or a third resource update message from the second sensing node, wherein the first and second resource update messages indicate the first sensing node to transmit the sensing signals by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

In a sixteenth aspect, there is provided a communication method performed by a second sensing node. The method comprises: determining, a plurality of resource sets for a sensing service, where the plurality of resource sets are used by the second sensing node to receiving sensing signals; performing the sensing service with a first sensing node by using a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets; performing the sensing service with the first sensing node by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets in response to at least one of the following: receiving a second resource update message from a sensing function device, the second resource update message indicating that the first sensing node is using the second resource set; or a determination that a fourth condition for switching resource set is met.

In a seventeenth aspect, there is provided a communication method performed by a sensing function device. The method comprises: determining, configuration information of a sensing service for a sensing node, the configuration information indicating a sensing period, wherein the sensing node performs the sensing service within the sensing period; and transmitting the configuration information to the sensing node.

In an eighteenth aspect, there is provided a communication method performed by a sensing node. The method comprises: receiving, from a sensing function device, configuration information of a sensing service, the configuration information indicating a sensing period for performing the sensing service; and performing the sensing service based on the configuration information.

In a nineteenth aspect, there is provided a communication method performed by a first sensing node. The method comprises: transmitting, to a second sensing node, a handover request indicating sensing requirement of a sensing service; and receiving, from the second sensing node, a handover failure response indicating the sensing requirement is not supported by the second sensing node.

In a twentieth aspect, there is provided a communication method performed by a second sensing node. The method comprises: receiving, from a first sensing node, a handover request indicating sensing requirement of a sensing service; and transmitting, to the first sensing node, a handover failure response indicating the sensing requirement is not supported by the second sensing node.

In a twenty-first aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to carry out the method according to the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, or twentieth aspect.

Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Through the more detailed description of some example embodiments of the present disclosure in the accompanying drawings, the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent, wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

FIG. 1B illustrates schematic diagrams of six example sensing modes in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate signaling flows for sensing in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A to 3C illustrate signaling flows for sensing in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate signaling flows for sensing in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate signaling flows for sensing in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate signaling flows for sensing in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a signaling flows for sensing in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a sensing function device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first sensing node according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second sensing node according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a sensing function device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first sensing node according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second sensing node according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a sensing function device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a sensing node according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first sensing node according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second sensing node according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an apparatus that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Embodiments described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

As used herein, the term ‘terminal device’ refers to any device having wireless or wired communication capabilities. Examples of the terminal device include, but not limited to, user equipment (UE) , personal computers, desktops, mobile phones, cellular phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) , portable computers, tablets, wearable devices, internet of things (IoT) devices, Ultra-reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, machine type communication (MTC) devices, devices on vehicle for V2X communication where X means pedestrian, vehicle, or infrastructure/network, devices for Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) , Space borne vehicles or Air borne vehicles in Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) including Satellites and High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) encompassing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) , eXtended Reality (XR) devices including different types of realities such as Augmented Reality (AR) , Mixed Reality (MR) and Virtual Reality (VR) , the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) commonly known as a drone which is an aircraft without any human pilot, devices on high speed train (HST) , or image capture devices such as digital cameras, sensors, gaming devices, music storage and playback appliances, or Internet appliances enabling wireless or wired Internet access and browsing and the like. The ‘terminal device’ can further has ‘multicast/broadcast’ feature, to support public safety and mission critical, V2X applications, transparent IPv4/IPv6 multicast delivery, IPTV, smart TV, radio services, software delivery over wireless, group communications and IoT applications. It may also incorporate one or multiple Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) as known as Multi-SIM. The term “terminal device” can be used interchangeably with a UE, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile terminal, a user terminal or a wireless device.

The term “network device” refers to a device which is capable of providing or hosting a cell or coverage where terminal devices can communicate. Examples of a network device include, but not limited to, a Node B (NodeB or NB) , an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB) , a next generation NodeB (gNB) , a transmission reception point (TRP) , a remote radio unit (RRU) , a radio head (RH) , a remote radio head (RRH) , an IAB node, a low power node such as a femto node, a pico node, a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) , and the like.

The terminal device or the network device may have Artificial intelligence (AI) or Machine learning capability. It generally includes a model which has been trained from numerous collected data for a specific function, and can be used to predict some information.

The terminal or the network device may work on several frequency ranges, e.g., FR1 (e.g., 450 MHz to 6000 MHz) , FR2 (e.g., 24.25GHz to 71GHz) , frequency band larger than 100 GHz as well as Tera Hertz (THz) . It can further work on licensed/unlicensed/shared spectrum. The terminal device may have more than one connection with the network devices under Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) application scenario. The terminal device or the network device can work on full duplex, flexible duplex and cross division duplex modes.

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed in test equipment, e.g., signal generator, signal analyzer, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, test terminal device, test network device, channel emulator. In some embodiments, the terminal device may be connected with a first network device and a second network device. One of the first network device and the second network device may be a master node and the other one may be a secondary node. The first network device and the second network device may use different radio access technologies (RATs) . In some embodiments, the first network device may be a first RAT device and the second network device may be a second RAT device. In some embodiments, the first RAT device is eNB and the second RAT device is gNB. Information related with different RATs may be transmitted to the terminal device from at least one of the first network device or the second network device. In some embodiments, first information may be transmitted to the terminal device from the first network device and second information may be transmitted to the terminal device from the second network device directly or via the first network device. In some embodiments, information related with configuration for the terminal device configured by the second network device may be transmitted from the second network device via the first network device. Information related with reconfiguration for the terminal device configured by the second network device may be transmitted to the terminal device from the second network device directly or via the first network device.

As used herein, the singular forms ‘a’ , ‘an’ and ‘the’ are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term ‘includes’ and its variants are to be read as open terms that mean ‘includes, but is not limited to. ’ The term ‘based on’ is to be read as ‘at least in part based on. ’ The term ‘one embodiment’ and ‘an embodiment’ are to be read as ‘at least one embodiment. ’ The term ‘another embodiment’ is to be read as ‘at least one other embodiment. ’ The terms ‘first, ’ ‘second, ’ and the like may refer to different or same objects. Other definitions, explicit and implicit, may be included below.

In some examples, values, procedures, or apparatus are referred to as ‘best, ’ ‘lowest, ’ ‘highest, ’ ‘minimum, ’ ‘maximum, ’ or the like. It will be appreciated that such descriptions are intended to indicate that a selection among many used functional alternatives can be made, and such selections need not be better, smaller, higher, or otherwise preferable to other selections.

As used herein, the term “resource, ” “transmission resource, ” “uplink resource, ” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing a communication, such as a resource in time domain, a resource in frequency domain, a resource in space domain, a resource in code domain, or any other resource enabling a communication, and the like. In the following, unless explicitly stated, a resource in both frequency domain and time domain will be used as an example of a transmission resource for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

As discussed above, ISAC has been agreed to be supported in the 5G and is expected to play a crucial role in the future of many industries. So far, more studies and discussions have been made about the use cases (such as, behaviour recognition, gesture recognition, health monitor, fall detection, integration of automotive radar and localization and tracking) .

For some use cases, continuity is a fundamental requirement for a sensing service. One example use case may be the unobtrusive health monitoring. For example, a house has been installed with a new 5G system capable of providing communication and sensing capabilities. The deployed 5G system includes multiple sensing devices, e.g., base stations, providing connectivity and sensing capabilities. These sensing devices can perform wireless sensing of a target, in this case, health monitoring (such as, fall/activity detection or wireless sensing of vital signs such as heart rate or breathing rate of one or more persons) .

Another example use case may be autonomous mobile robot (AMR) collision avoidance in smart factories. For example, 5G base stations can be deployed in a factory not only to provide communication capabilities for equipments in the factory but also sense the surrounding environment e.g., obstacles or people in the trajectory of AMRs. Base stations transmit the sensing signals and receive the reflected signals to get sensing information, then reports the real-time sensing measurement data to the core network. The core network can process and analyse the sensing measurement data for outputting the sensing result.

A further example use case may be transportation. Specifically, transportation as a basic and essential industry plays one of the important roles in a human’s life. Making transportation smarter can make life more convenient and benefit economic development. Highways are an important part of smart transportation. Due to the strong road safety demand on smart transportation, it is necessary to monitor the road situation so as to make appropriate management of road traffic, give guidance or assistance information to vehicles and/or highway traffic safety administration.

The above example use case are only for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations. When performing a sensing service, if the sensing service is interrupted, the sensing performance would be decreased.

According to the present disclosure, a solution for service continuity of sensing is proposed. In the solution, a sensing function device communicates, with a plurality of sensing nodes associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets to be used by the plurality of sensing nodes for performing the sensing service are determined; and transmits, to a first sensing node of the plurality of sensing nodes, a first activation request used for activating the first sensing node associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

In this way, the sensing resource may be pre-configured and may be activated on demand. The service continuity of sensing is ensured accordingly.

For ease of discussion, some terms used in the following description are listed as below:

Sensing transmitter: a sensing transmitter is the entity that sends out the sensing signal which the sensing service will use in its operation. A sensing transmitter is an NR RAN/network device node or a UE/terminal device. A sensing transmitter can be located in the same or different entity as the sensing receiver.

Sensing receiver: a sensing receiver is an entity that receives the sensing signal which the sensing service will use in its operation. A sensing receiver is an NR RAN/network device node or a UE/terminal device. A sensing receiver can be located in the same or different entity as the Sensing transmitter.

Sensing measurement data: data collected about radio/wireless signals impacted (e.g., reflected, refracted, diffracted) by an object or environment of interest for sensing purposes.

Sensing result: processed 3GPP sensing data requested by a service consumer.

Sensing node: a sensing node may be either a sensing transmitter or a sensing receiver.

Sensing function device: a sensing function device is a device that may manage sensing services. The sensing function may be implemented at a terminal device, a network device (such as, a gNB) or a core network device (such as, a location management function, LMF, a sensing management function, SMF and so on) . In view of this, in some cases, the sensing function device and the sensing node (s) may be implemented as two separately devices. Alternatively, the sensing function device may be implemented at the sensing node.

Principles and implementations of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the figures.

Example Environments

FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic diagram of an example communication environment 100A in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. In the communication environment 100, a plurality of communication devices, including a sensing function device 110, and sensing nodes 120-1 to 120-5. The communication environment 100A also may comprise one or more sensing object 130.

In some embodiments, the sensing nodes 120-1 to 120-5 may be associated with a same sensing service. In the following, the sensing nodes 120-1 to 120-5 are individually or collectively referred to as the sensing node 120.

Further, in some embodiments, the sensing node 120-1 is performing the sensing service (that is, the sending node 120-1 is the serving sensing node) , and the sensing nodes 120-12 to 120-5 may perform sensing service in future. For ease of discussion, the sensing node 120-1 is referred to as the first/serving sensing node 120-1 and the sensing nodes 120-12 to 120-5 are individually or collectively referred to as the second/target sensing node 120.

Further, in some embodiments, the sensing object 130 and any sensing node 120 may move over time.

It is to be understood that the number of devices and their connections shown in FIG. 1A are only for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitation. The communication environment 100A may include any suitable number of devices configured to implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the following, for the purpose of illustration, some example embodiments are described with the sensing node 120-5 operating as a UE and the sensing nodes 120-1 to 120-4 operating as a base station. However, in some example embodiments, operations described in connection with a terminal device may be implemented at a network device or other device, and operations described in connection with a network device may be implemented at a terminal device or other device.

The communications in the communication environment 100A may conform to any suitable standards including, but not limited to, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) , Long Term Evolution (LTE) , LTE-Evolution, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) , New Radio (NR) , Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) , Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) , GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) , Machine Type Communication (MTC) and the like. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed according to any generation communication protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Examples of the communication protocols include, but not limited to, the first generation (1G) , the second generation (2G) , 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G) , the fourth generation (4G) , 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, 5.5G, 5G-Advanced networks, or the sixth generation (6G) networks.

At least the following six sensing modes may be supported in FIG. 1B, including gNB-based mono-static sensing mode, gNB1-to-gNB2-based bi-static sensing mode, gNB-to-UE-based bi-static sensing mode, UE-to-gNB-based bi-static sensing mode, UE-based mono-static sensing mode, and UE1-to-UE2-based bi-static sensing mode. Further, the above sensing modes may be used in any combination or separately.

Work Principle and Example Signaling for Communication

Reference is made to FIGS. 2A to 7, which will be discussed with reference to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, for example, by using the sensing function device 110, the sensing object 130 and the sensing nodes 120-1 to 120-5.

In the following, the any of the sensing nodes 120-1 to 120-5 may be a sensing signal transmitter and/or a sensing signal receiver. Further, any of the sensing nodes 120-1 to 120-5 may be a sensing network node or a sensing terminal device. In addition to the above, any of the sensing nodes 120-1 to 120-5 may be operated in any sensing mode as illustrated in FIG. 1B.

In the following descriptions, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Reference is made to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, which illustrate signaling flow 200A and 200B of sensing in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 2A and 2B, the first sensing node 120-1 is performing a sensing service, such as, tracing the sensing object 130. Next, due to such as the moving of the sensing object 130, the sensing object 130 may be moving out of the coverage of the first sensing node 120-1 and moving into the coverage (s) of the second sensing node (s) .

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the sensing function device 110 communicates 210 with a plurality of sensing nodes 120 (including the sensing node 120-1, sensing node 120-2, …sensing node 120-N) associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets to be used by the plurality of sensing nodes for performing the sensing service may be determined. That is, the sensing resource at each sensing node 120 is pre-configured, such as, a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets may be pre-configured to the first sensing node 120-1 and the second resource set of the plurality of resource sets may be pre-configured to the second sensing node 120-2 and so on. As a result, the first sensing node 120-1 may determine a first resource set to be used by the first sensing node 120-1 for performing the sensing service and the second sensing node 120-2 may determine a second resource set to be used by the second sensing node 120-2 for performing a sensing service.

Some example processes about the commination procedure (i.e., with the commination procedure, a plurality of resource sets to be used by the plurality of sensing nodes for performing the sensing service may be determined by the sensing service) are discussed as below, by using the sensing function device 110 and the first sensing node 120-1.

In some embodiments, the sensing resource allocation is triggered by the sensing function device 110. Specifically, the sensing function device 110 may transmit a request for configuring resources (such as, a sensing service request) for the sensing service to the first sensing node 120-1, and the first sensing node 120-1 may determine the sensing resource accordingly. Then the first sensing node 120-1 may optionally transmit resource allocation result to the sensing function device 110.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the sensing resource allocation is triggered by the first sensing node 120-1. Specifically, the first sensing node 120-1 may transmit a sensing service request to the sensing function device 110. Then, the sensing function device 110 may transmit a request for configuring resources for the sensing service to the first sensing node 120-1 and the first sensing node 120-1 may determine the sensing resource accordingly. Then the first sensing node 120-1 may optionally transmit resource allocation result to the sensing function device 110.

Additionally, in some embodiments, when determining the sensing resources, the first sensing node 120-1 may further communicate with other function device (such as, location function device) to obtain resource allocation requirements.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the resource information may comprise a DL RS resource configuration and an UL RS resource configuration, and the DL RS resource configuration and the UL RS resource configuration may be handled separately. For example, the UL RS resource allocation is triggered by the sensing function device 110 and the UL RS resource allocation is triggered by the first sensing node 120-1.

In summary, the commination procedure between the sensing function device 110 and the sensing node 120 may be any suitable procedure. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

Further, the commination procedures between the sensing function device 110 and the other sensing node 120 are similar. For brevity, the same and or the similar contents are omitted here.

In addition, the commination procedure between the sensing function device 110 and the first sensing node 120-1 may be different from the commination procedure between the sensing function device 110 and the other sensing node 120. In this way, the sensing resources may be flexibly allocated.

The sensing function device 110 transmits 215 a first activation request used for activating the first sensing node 120-1 associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets to the first sensing node 120-1, and the first sensing node 120-1 may activate the first resource set in response to the reception of the first activation response. Additionally, in some embodiments, the first sensing node 120-1 may transmit 220 a first activation response indicating an activation of the first sensing node 120-1 to the sensing function device 110.

In some embodiments, the sensing function device 110 may receive 225 sensing results of the sensing service from the first sensing node 120-1. Based on the sensing results, the sensing function device 110 may determine 230 whether a first condition for activating at least one second sensing node 120-2 of the plurality of sensing nodes is met. In accordance with a determination that the first condition is met, the sensing function device 110 may transmit 235 a second activation request used for activating the second sensing node 120-2.

Additionally, the sensing function device 110 may determine more than one sensing node 120 to be activated. In this event, the sensing function device 110 may transmit the second activation request to each of the at least one the second sensing node (including the sensing node 120-2, sensing node 120-3, …, the sensing node 120-N as illustrated in FIG. 2A) .

In order to avoid the ping-pong effect, in some embodiments, the sensing function device 110 may transmit the second activation request to the second sensing node 120-2 (or the at least one second sensing node) only if a first period within which the first condition is met exceeds or equal to a first threshold period.

In some embodiments, the sensing function device 110 may receive 240 a second activation response (or at least one second activation response) from the second sensing node 120-2 (or the at least one second sensing node) .

As the second sensing node 120-2 has been activated, the sensing function device 110 may transmit 245 a first deactivation message used for deactivating the first sensing node 120-1 to the first sensing node 120-1.

Alternatively, whether to activate the second sensing node (s) may be determined by the first sensing node 120-1, which may be discussed by reference to FIG. 2B.

The sensing function device 110 transmits 215 a first activation request used for activating the first sensing node 120-1 associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets to the first sensing node 120-1, and the first sensing node 120-1 may activate the first resource set in response to the reception of the first activation response. Additionally, in some embodiments, the first sensing node 120-1 may transmit 220 a first activation response indicating an activation of the first sensing node 120-1.

In some embodiments, the sensing function device 110 may receive 225 sensing results of the sensing service from the first sensing node 120-1. Based on the sensing results.

the first sensing node 120-1 may determine 250 whether a second condition for activating at least one second sensing node 120-2 of the plurality of sensing nodes is met. In accordance with a determination that the second condition is met, the first sensing node 120-1 may transmit 255 a third activation request used for activating the second sensing node 120-2.

Additionally, the first sensing node 120-1 may determine more than one sensing node 120 to be activated. In this event, the first sensing node 120-1 may transmit the third activation request to each of the at least one the second sensing node (including the sensing node 120-2, sensing node 120-3, …, the sensing node 120-N as illustrated in FIG. 2A) .

In order to avoid the ping-pong effect, in some embodiments, the first sensing node 120-1 may transmit the third activation request to the second sensing node 120-2 (or the at least one second sensing node) only if a second period within which the second condition is met exceeds or equal to a second threshold period.

In some embodiments, the sensing function device 110 may receive 260 a third activation response (or at least one second activation response) from the second sensing node 120-2 (or the at least one second sensing node) .

As the second sensing node 120-2 has been activated, the first sensing node 120-1 may transmit 265 a first deactivation information to the sensing function device 110.

In some embodiments, first deactivation information may indicate at least one of the following: a deactivation of the first sensing node 120-1, or an activation of the second sensing node 120-2.

For a better understanding, reference is now made to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C, which illustrate signaling flows 300A, 300B and 300C of sensing in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 3A, the sensing function (SF, such as, the sensing function device 110) determines whether to activate a target node (such as, the second sensing node 120-2) based on sensing result and sends sensing activation request to the target node. Upon receiving activation response of the target node, the SF sends deactivation request to a serving node (such as, the first sensing node 120-1) to ensure service continuity.

In operation, the SF, the serving node and the target node may exchange 301, 302 the sensing capability. Specifically, the sensing capability may be reported by the sensing node (i.e., the serving node and the target node) . Alternatively, the sensing capability may be requested by the SF, and then the sensing nodes may report their sensing capability. Example sensing capability includes but is not limited to, supported sensing mode, supported sensing resolution and the processing capability of sensing information.

The SF may send 303 sensing service request (s) to the sensing node (s) (i.e., the serving node and the target node) , and the sensing node (i.e., the serving node and the target node) may determine sensing resource based on sensing requirement from the SF. The sensing resource may be either the sensing resource set (s) or the sensing resource.

In some embodiments, the SF may send 304 a sensing activation request to the serving node. In some embodiments, the sensing activation request may include the ID of the sensing resource set or sensing resource to be activated.

In some embodiments, upon receiving activation request, the serving node may activate the sensing resource set or sensing resource based on the indication of SF and/or the ID of the sensing resource set or sensing resource comprised in the sensing activation request and may send 305 sensing activation response to the SF.

In some embodiments, the serving node may measure the reflection signals and may send 306 the sensing results (i.e., sensing result reporting) to the SF.

In some embodiments, after the SF considers the target is at the edge of the serving node based on the sensing results (such as, a position of the sensing target and the movement speed of the sensing target) for a while, the SF may determine 307 to activate the target node. Once determined, the SF may send 308 a sensing activation request to the target node.

In some embodiments, upon receiving the sensing activation request, the target node may active the sensing resource based on the indication of SF and/or the ID of the sensing resource set or sensing resource comprised in the sensing activation request, and may send 309 a sensing activation response to the SF. Then the target node may start 311 measurements, and then the target node may send 312 the sensing results to the SF.

In some embodiments, the SF may send 310 a sensing deactivation request to the serving node. Upon receiving, the serving node may deactivate the sensing resource/release sensing resource.

In FIG. 3B, the serving node (such as, the first sensing node 120-1) determines whether to activate a target node (such as, the second sensing node 120-2) based on sensing measurement result and sends sensing activation request to target node. Upon receiving activation response of target node, the serving node sends sensing resource deactivation to SF to ensure service continuity.

In operation, the SF, the serving node and the target node may exchange 321 the sensing capability. Specifically, the sensing capability may be reported by the sensing node (i.e., the serving node and the target node) . Alternatively, the sensing capability may be requested by SF, then the sensing nodes may report their sensing capability. Example sensing capability includes but is not limited to, supported sensing mode, supported sensing resolution and the processing capability of sensing information.

The SF may send 322 sensing service request (s) to the sensing node (s) (i.e., the serving node and the target node) , and the sensing node (i.e., the serving node and the target node) may determine sensing resource based on sensing requirement from SF. Sensing resource may be either the sensing resource set (s) or the sensing resource.

In some embodiments, the SF may send 323 a sensing activation request to the serving node. In some embodiments, the sensing activation request may include ID of the sensing resource set or sensing resource to be activated.

In some embodiments, upon receiving activation request, the serving node may activate the sensing resource set or sensing resource based on the indication of SF and/or the ID of the sensing resource set or sensing resource comprised in the sensing activation request and may send 324 sensing activation response to the SF.

In some embodiments, the serving node may measure 325 the reflection signals and may send 326 the measurement results to SF.

In some embodiments, the serving node may determine 327 to activate the target node based on the sensing results (such as, a position of the sensing target and the movement speed of the sensing target) for a while, the serving node may determine 327 to activate the target node. Once determined, the serving node may send 328 a sensing activation request to the target node.

In some embodiments, upon receiving sensing activation request, the target node actives sensing resource, and sends sensing activation response to the serving node.

In some embodiments, the serving node may deactivate 330 sensing resource and may send 331 a sensing resource deactivation to SF including the current activated target node.

In some embodiments, upon receiving the sensing activation request, the target node may active 332 the sensing resource based on the indication of SF and/or the ID of the sensing resource set or sensing resource comprised in the sensing activation request. Then the target node may start measurements, and then the target node may send 333 the sensing results to the SF.

In FIG. 3C, the sensing function (SF, such as, the sensing function device 110) determines whether to activate multiple target nodes (such as, the second sensing node 120-2, the second sensing node 120-3 and so on) based on sensing results and sends sensing activation request to multiple target nodes to ensure service continuity.

In operation, the SF, the serving node, the target node 1 and the target node 2 may exchange 341 the sensing capability. Specifically, the sensing capability may be reported by the sensing node (i.e., the serving node, the target node 1 and the target node 2) . Alternatively, the sensing capability may be requested by the SF, then the sensing node (s) may report their sensing capability. Example sensing capability includes but is not limited to, supported sensing mode, supported sensing resolution and the processing capability of sensing information.

The SF may send 342 sensing service request (s) to the sensing node (s) (i.e., the serving node, the target node 1 and the target node 2) , and the sensing node (i.e., the serving node, the target node 1 and the target node 2) may determine sensing resource based on sensing requirement from the SF. Sensing resource may be either the sensing resource set (s) or the sensing resource.

In some embodiments, the SF may send 343 a sensing activation request to the serving node. In some embodiments, the sensing activation request may include the ID of the sensing resource set or sensing resource to be activated.

In some embodiments, upon receiving activation request, the serving node may activate the sensing resource set or sensing resource based on the indication of SF and/or the ID of the sensing resource set or sensing resource comprised in the sensing activation request and may send 344 sensing activation response to SF.

In some embodiments, the serving node may measure the reflection signals and may send 325 the measurement results to SF.

In some embodiments, the SF may determine 346 more than one targe node based on t the sensing results (such as, a position of the sensing target and the movement speed of the sensing target) . Once determined, the SF may send 347 and 349 sensing activation requests to the target node 1 and the target node 2.

In some embodiments, upon receiving sensing activation request, the target node 1 and the target node 2 may active sensing resource based on the indication of SF and/or the ID of the sensing resource set or sensing resource comprised in the sensing activation request, and may send 348 and 350 sensing activation responses to the SF. Then the target node 1 and the target node 2 may start 352 and 353 measurements, and may send 354 and 355 sensing results to the SF.

In some embodiments, the SF may send 351 a sensing deactivation request to the serving node (s) . Upon receiving, the serving node (s) may deactivate sensing resource/release sensing resource.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4A and 4B, which illustrate signaling flow 400A and 400B of sensing in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first sensing node 120-1 and the second sensing node 120-2 are performing a same sensing service, where the first sensing node 120-1 may be a sensing signal transmitter and the second sensing node 120-2 may be a sensing signal receiver.

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the sensing function device 110 communicates 405 with a first sensing node 120-1 and a second sensing node 120-2 which are associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets used for transmitting or receiving sensing signals are determined. Specifically, the first sensing node 120-1 may determine, a plurality of resource sets for a sensing service, where the plurality of resource sets are used by the first sensing node 120-1 to transmit sensing signals, and the second sensing node 120-2 may determine a plurality of resource sets for a sensing service, where the plurality of resource sets are used by the second sensing node 120-2 to receiving sensing signals.

At first, the first sensing node 120-1 and the second sensing node 120-2 may perform 410 the sensing service by using a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

In some embodiments, the sensing function device 110 receives 415 sensing results of the sensing service associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets from a second sensing node 120-2. Based on the sensing results, the sensing function device 110 may determine 420 whether a third condition for switching resource set is met. In accordance with a determination that the third condition is met, the sensing function device 110 may transmit 425 a first resource update message to the first sensing node 120-1, where the first resource update message indicating the first sensing node 120-1 to transmit the sensing signals by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

As a result, the sensing function device 110 may receive 430 a resource confirmation for the second resource set from the first sensing node 120-1.

Further, the update of sensing resource should be synchronized to the second sensing node 120-2. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the sensing function device 110 may transmit 435 a second resource update message to the second sensing node 120-2, where the second resource update message indicates that the first sensing node 120-1 is using the second resource set.

After that, the first sensing node 120-1 and the second sensing node 120-2 may perform 440 the sensing service with the second resource set.

Further, as the second sensing node 120-2 may obtain the sensing results, and thus the second sensing node 120-2 also may determine whether to update the sensing resource, which will be discussed with reference to FIG. 4B.

As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the sensing function device 110 communicates 405 with a first sensing node 120-1 and a second sensing node 120-2 which are associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets used for transmitting or receiving sensing signals are determined. Specifically, the first sensing node 120-1 may determine, a plurality of resource sets for a sensing service, where the plurality of resource sets are used by the first sensing node 120-1 to transmit sensing signals, and the second sensing node 120-2 may determine a plurality of resource sets for a sensing service, where the plurality of resource sets are used by the second sensing node 120-2 to receiving sensing signals.

In some embodiments, the sensing function device 110 receives 415 sensing results of the sensing service associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets from a second sensing node 120-2.

Next, the second sensing node 120-2 may determine 455 whether a fourth condition for switching resource set is met. In accordance with a determination that the fourth condition is met, the second sensing node 120-2 may transmit 460 a third resource update message to the first sensing node 120-1, the third resource update messages indicating the first sensing node 120-1 to transmit the sensing signals by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets. Then the second sensing node 120 may receive 465 a resource confirmation for the second resource set from the first sensing node 120-1. After that, the first sensing node 120-1 and the second sensing node 120-2 may perform 440 the sensing service with the second resource set.

In this way, the power consumption and signaling overhead may be reduced.

For a better understanding, reference is now made to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, which illustrate signaling flows 500A and 500B of sensing in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 5A, the sensing function (SF, such as, the sensing function device 110) sends sensing resource update to the sensing node 1 (i.e., the transmitter, such as, the first sensing node 120-1) based on the current measurement result. The sensing node 1 deactivates the current sensing resource (set) and activate the indicated sensing resource (set) .

In some embodiments, one or more sensing resources or sensing resource sets may be configured. At the beginning, the dense detection is needed, i.e., short period sensing resource or sensing resource set may be used for intrusion detection. Upon receiving sensing results, if the SF may determine there is no intruder and the determination has been lasted for a while, a sparse detection should be used in order to reduce network power consumption, i.e., long period sensing resource or sensing resource set may be used.

In operation, the SF may transmit 501 the sensing service request to the sensing node 1 (and/or to the sensing node 2) . The sensing node 1 (and/or the sensing node 2) may determine 502 the sensing resource configuration and may transmit 503 the sensing service response to the SF. The SF may transmit 504 the sensing activation request to the sensing node 1 (and/or to the sensing node 2) . The sensing node 1 and/or the sensing node 2) may transmit 505 sensing activation response to the SF.

In some embodiments, the SF may transmit 506 the sensing measurement request to the sensing node 2 (and/or to the sensing node 1) and the sensing node 2 may perform 507 the sensing measurement, and then may transmit 508 sensing results to the SF.

In some embodiments, the SF may send 509 a sensing resource activation update request to the sensing node 1. The sensing resource activation update request (i.e., resource update message) may include the following information: the ID of sensing resource or sensing resource set to be activated. In some embodiments, upon receiving the sensing resource activation update request, for the sensing transmitter, the previous sensing resource or sensing resource set will be deactivated automatically/by default.

In some embodiments, the sensing node 1 may send 510 a sensing resource activation confirmation (i.e., resource confirmation) to the SF.

In some embodiments, if the transmitter and receiver are in the different nodes, the SF also may send 511 a sensing measurement update request to the receivers (i.e., the sensing node 2) , which may include the ID of sensing resource or sensing resource set to be activated, or sensing resource or sensing resource set to be activated (including time and frequency domain resource, period and so on) .

In FIG. 5B, the receiver (the sensing node 1, such as, the second sensing node 120-2) informs the transmitter (the sensing node 2, such as, the first sensing node 120-1) to update sensing resource based on the current measurement result. Upon receiving this indication, the transmitter (such as, the first sensing node 120-1) deactivates the current sensing resource (set) and activate the indicated sensing resource (set) .

In some embodiments, one or more sensing resources or sensing resource sets may be configured. At the beginning, the dense detection is needed, i.e., short period sensing resource or sensing resource set may be used for intrusion detection. The sensing receivers may judge/determine whether there is an intruder based on the measurement results. If there is no intruder for a while (duration) , a sparse detection should be used in order to reduce network power consumption, i.e., long period sensing resource or sensing resource set may be used.

In operation, the SF may transmit 521 the sensing service request to the sensing node 1 (and/or to the sensing node 2) . The sensing node 1 (and/or the sensing node 2) may determine 522 the sensing resource configuration and may transmit 523 the sensing service response to the SF. The SF may transmit 524 the sensing activation request to the sensing node 1 (and/or to the sensing node 2) . The sensing node 1 and/or the sensing node 2) may transmit 525 sensing activation response to the SF.

In some embodiments, the SF may transmit 526 the sensing measurement request to the sensing node 2 (and/or to the sensing node 1) and the sensing node 2 may perform 527 the sensing measurement, and then may transmit 528 sensing measurement result.

In some embodiments, the sensing node 2 may send 529 a sensing resource update request to the sensing node 1. In some embodiments, the sensing resource update request may include the following information: indicate whether there is intruder, for example, 0 refers to no intruder. In some embodiments, the sensing resource update request may include the ID of sensing resource or sensing resource set to be activated, or sensing resource or sensing resource set to be activated (including time and frequency domain resource, period and so on) .

In some embodiments, the sensing node 1 may send 530 a sensing resource activation confirmation to the sensing node 2. In some embodiments, the sensing resource activation confirmation may include the ID of sensing resource or sensing resource set to be activated, or sensing resource or sensing resource set to be activated (including time and frequency domain resource, period and so on) .

In some embodiments, upon receiving the sensing resource activation confirmation, for the sensing node 2, the previous sensing resource or sensing resource set will be deactivated or released automatically/by default. Then in the following, the sensing node 2 will measure based on the new indicated sensing resource or sensing resource set. In some embodiments, the sensing duration value may be indicated by the SF.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the sensing function device 110 may transmit configuration information to the sensing node 120. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, which illustrates a signaling flow 600A of sensing in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In operation, the sensing function device 110 may determine configuration information of a sensing service for a sensing node (such as, the first sensing node 120-1 or the second sensing node 120-2) . Then the sensing function device 110 may transmit 510-1 the configuration information to the first sensing node 120-1 or transmit 510-2 the configuration information to the second sensing node 120-2.

In some embodiments, the configuration information may indicate at least one of the following:

a first identity used for identifying the sensing service,

a second identity used for identifying a sensing object associated with the sensing service,

a set of characteristics of the sensing object,

a sensing function device 110 identity of the sensing function device 110,

a service identity of the sensing service, or

a session identity associated with the sensing service.

As the sensing target (i.e., the sensing object 130) may move over time, identifying the sensing measurements associated with the same sensing target/the same service request needs more discussions.

In some embodiments, a same SF ID may be configured for one service request (i.e., a same sensing service) . In some embodiments, as for one service request, the same SF ID may be indicated to sensing nodes 120. The sensing results may be reported to the SF and the sensing results may be identified by the SF ID.

In some embodiments, a session ID may be used to identify the same service request. In some embodiments, the characteristic of the sensing target may be used to identify the same sensing target (such as, the speed of the sensing object) . In some embodiments, one dedicated/unique/global ID may be used to identify one target/service request, i.e., sensing target ID.

Alternatively, or in addition, the configuration information may indicate a sensing period, wherein the sensing node performs the sensing service within the sensing period.

In some embodiments, the configuration information may indicate the sensing period by at least one of the following:

a starting time point of the sensing period,

a duration of the sensing period, or

an ending time point of the sensing period.

a first parameter set comprising at least one of a timestamp, a time offset or a duration of the sensing period,

a second parameter set comprising at least one of a starting time point of the sensing period or a duration of the sensing period, or

a third parameter set comprising at least one of the starting time point or an ending time point of the sensing period.

In some use cases, the SF may know moving speed and moving trajectory of the sensing target based on the history information. Once such information is known to the SF, when SF sends service request to the sensing node, the activation time and activation duration of sensing resource (set) of this sensing node may be indicated. In the following, the sensing node mat activate the related sensing resource based on the indicated time autonomously. Once the activation duration passed, the sensing resource will be deactivated autonomously.

In some embodiments, the activation starting time and duration may be indicated by at least one of: a timestamp, time offset and sensing time (especially there are multiple sensing nodes) . The sensing node may activate the sensing resource at the time point that the time stamp plus time offset. In some embodiments, the activation starting time and duration may be indicated by at least one of: the sensing start time and sensing time. In some embodiments, the activation starting time and duration may be indicated by at least one of: the sensing start time and the sensing end time. In some embodiments, the sensing node may activate the related sensing resource at an absolute time.

In some embodiments, if sensing signals are measured by other sensing node, the activation time and duration also need to be indicated to the other sensing node that performs the sensing measurement.

In some embodiments, multiple nodes may be indicated simultaneously, or be indicated at the different time, which is up to implementation.

For a better understanding, reference is now made to FIG. 6B, which illustrates a signaling flows 600B of sensing in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 6B, the sensing function (SF, such as, the sensing function device 110) predicts sensing time (i.e., sensing period) of each sensing node 120 based on the prediction of big data and sends the predicted sensing time to each node. And each sensing node performs sensing based on the indicated sensing time.

As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the SF, the serving node 1, the serving node 2 and the serving node 3 may exchange 651 the sensing capability.

The SF may transmit 652 a sensing service request to the sensing node 1, where the sensing service request may indicate the activation starting time and duration corresponding to the sensing node 1. Accordingly, the SF may transmit 653 a sensing service request to the sensing node 2, where the sensing service request may indicate the activation starting time and duration corresponding to the sensing node 2, and the SF may transmit 654 a sensing service request to the sensing node 3, where the sensing service request may indicate the activation starting time and duration corresponding to the sensing node 3.

Then the sensing node 1 may transmit 655 a sensing service response to the SF, and the sensing node 2 and sensing node 3 also may transmit 656 and 567 a sensing service response to the SF, respectively.

According to the sensing service request, the sensing node 1/2/3 may perform 658/660/662 sensing measurement and transmit 659/661/663 a sensing result reporting to the SF.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which illustrates a signaling flow 700 of sensing in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As an example scenario, the sensing node 120-5 is communicating with first sensing node 120-1. As the sensing node 120-5 is moving, the sensing node 120-5 may need to communicate with a further sensing node (such as, the sensing node 120-2) to continue the sensing service. According to some embodiments of the present discourse, the first sensing node 120-1 may determine whether the further sensing node may support the sensing service.

In operation, the first sensing node 120-1 may transmit 710 a handover request indicating sensing requirement of a sensing service to a second sensing node 120-2. Then, the second sensing node 120-2 may transmit 720 a handover failure response indicating the sensing requirement is not supported by the second sensing node 120-2.

In some embodiments, the handover failure response may comprise a failure cause indicating at least one of the following: a sensing-related failure, failing to meet the sensing requirement, or failing to support the sensing service.

In some embodiments, after the first sensing node 120-1 selects some candidate nodes based on reported measurement results, the first sensing node 120-1 may send handover request to candidate nodes with sensing requirement. If the candidate nodes have no sensing capability or does not meet the sensing requirement comprised in the handover request, the candidate node may send the handover preparation failure message to the first sensing node 120-1.

In some embodiments, a failure cause may be indicated. That is, if the handover preparation failure is caused by sensing-related reason, a cause for sensing needs to be introduced. In some embodiments, only one cause for sensing is introduced, such as sensing failure. Alternatively, in some embodiments, multiple causes for sensing are introduced, such as not supporting sensing, not meeting sensing requirements.

The cause comprised in the handover preparation failure message may be: cell not available, handover desirable for radio resource, not existing NG-RAN measurement ID, insufficient UE capabilities, normal release, value out of allowed range, secondary cell group (SCG) activation deactivation failure, SCG activation deactivation failure due to data transmission, not supporting sensing, not meeting sensing requirements and so on.

Example Methods

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method 800 implemented at a sensing function device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 800 will be described from the perspective of the sensing function device 110 in FIG. 1A.

At block 810, the sensing function device communicates, with a plurality of sensing nodes associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets to be used by the plurality of sensing nodes for performing the sensing service are determined.

At block 820, the sensing function device transmits, to a first sensing node of the plurality of sensing nodes, a first activation request used for activating the first sensing node associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

In some example embodiments, the sensing function device may receive, from the first sensing node, a first activation response indicating an activation of the first sensing node.

In some example embodiments, the sensing function device may receive sensing results of the sensing service from the first sensing node; determine, based on the sensing results, whether a first condition for activating at least one second sensing node of the plurality of sensing nodes is met; and in accordance with a determination that the first condition is met, transmit, to the at least one second sensing node, at least one second activation request used for activating the at least one the second sensing node.

In some example embodiments, if a first period within which the first condition is met exceeds or equal to a first threshold period, the sensing function device may transmit the at least one second activation request to the at least one second sensing node.

In some example embodiments, the sensing function device may receive, from a second sensing node of the at least one second sensing node, a second activation response indicating an activation of the second sensing node.

In some example embodiments, the sensing function device may transmit, to the first sensing node, a first deactivation message used for deactivating the first sensing node.

In some example embodiments, the sensing function device may receive, from the first sensing node, first deactivation information indicating at least one of the following: a deactivation of the first sensing node, or an activation of the second sensing node.

In some example embodiments, the sensing function device may transmit, to the plurality of sensing nodes, configuration information indicating at least one of the following: a first identity used for identifying the sensing service, a second identity used for identifying a sensing object associated with the sensing service, a set of characteristics of the sensing object, a sensing function device identity of the sensing function device, a service identity of the sensing service, or a session identity associated with the sensing service.

In some example embodiments, each of the plurality of sensing nodes is a sensing signal transmitter and/or a sensing signal receiver, or wherein each of the plurality of sensing nodes is a sensing network node.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method 900 implemented at a first sensing node in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 900 will be described from the perspective of the first sensing node 120-1 in FIG. 1A.

At block 910, the first sensing node determines, a first resource set to be used by the first sensing node for performing a sensing service.

At block 920, the first sensing node receives, from a sensing function device, a first activation response used for activating the first sensing node.

At block 930, the first sensing node activates the first resource set in response to the reception of the first activation response.

In some example embodiments, after activating the first resource set, the first sensing node may transmit, to the sensing function device, a first activation response indicating an activation of the first sensing node.

In some example embodiments, after activating indicating an activation of the first sensing node, the first sensing node may receive, from the sensing function device, a first deactivation request used for deactivating the first sensing node.

In some example embodiments, after activating the first resource set, the first sensing node may perform the sensing service based on the first resource set; determine, based on sensing results of the sensing service, whether a second condition for activate a second sensing node associated with the sensing service is met; and in accordance with a determination that the second condition is met, transmit, to the second sensing node, a third activation request used for activating the second sensing node.

In some example embodiments, if a second period within which the second condition is met exceeds or equal to a second threshold period, the first sensing node may transmit the third activation request to the second sensing node.

In some example embodiments, the first sensing node may receive, from the second sensing node, a third activation response indicating an activation of the second sensing node.

In some example embodiments, the first sensing node may transmit, to the sensing function device, first deactivation information indicating at least one of the following: a deactivation of the first sensing node, or an activation of the second sensing node.

In some example embodiments, t the first sensing node may receive, from the sensing function device, configuration information indicating at least one of the following: a first identity used for identifying the sensing service, a second identity used for identifying a sensing object associated with the sensing service, a set of characteristics of the sensing object, a sensing function device identity of the sensing function device, a service identity of the sensing service, or a session identity associated with the sensing service.

In some example embodiments, the first sensing node is a sensing signal transmitter or receiver, and the second sensing node is a sensing signal transmitter or receiver.

In some example embodiments, the first sensing node and the second sensing node are sensing network nodes.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method 1000 implemented at a second sensing node in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1000 will be described from the perspective of the second sensing node 120-2 in FIG. 1A.

At block 1010, the second sensing node determines, a second resource set to be used by the second sensing node for performing a sensing service.

At block 1020, the second sensing node receives, from a first sensing node associated with the at least sensing service or a sensing function device, a second activation request used for activating the second resource set.

At block 1030, the second sensing node activates the second resource set in response to receiving at least one of the following: a second activation request from a sensing function device, the second activation request used for activating the second sensing node, or a third activation request from a first sensing node associated with the sensing service, the third activation request used for activating the second sensing node.

In some example embodiments, after activating the second resource set, the second sensing node may transmit at least one of the following: a second activation response to the sensing function device, the second activation response indicating an activation of the second sensing node, or a third activation response to the first sensing node, the third activation response indicating the activation of the second sensing node.

In some example embodiments, the second sensing node may receive, from the sensing function device, configuration information indicating at least one of the following: a first identity used for identifying the sensing service, a second identity used for identifying a sensing object associated with the sensing service, a set of characteristics of the sensing object, a sensing function device identity of the sensing function device, a service identity of the sensing service, or a session identity associated with the sensing service.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method 1100 implemented at a sensing function device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1100 will be described from the perspective of the sensing function device 110 in FIG. 1A.

At block 1110, the sensing function device communicates, with a first sensing node and a second sensing node which are associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets used for transmitting or receiving sensing signals are determined.

At block 1120, the sensing function device receives, from a second sensing node, sensing results of the sensing service associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

At block 1130, the sensing function device determines, based on the sensing results, whether a third condition for switching resource set is met.

At block 1140, in accordance with a determination that the third condition is met, the sensing function device transmits a first resource update message indicating the first sensing node to transmit the sensing signals by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

In some example embodiments, the sensing function device may receive a resource confirmation for the second resource set from the first sensing node.

In some example embodiments, the sensing function device may transmit, to the second sensing node, a second resource update message indicating that the first sensing node is using the second resource set.

In some example embodiments, the first sensing node is a sensing signal transmitter and the second sensing node is a sensing signal receiver.

FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method 1200 implemented at a first sensing node in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1200 will be described from the perspective of the first seconding node 120-1 in FIG. 1A.

At block 1210, the first seconding node determines, a plurality of resource sets for a sensing service, where the plurality of resource sets are used by the first sensing node to transmit sensing signals.

At block 1220, the first seconding node performs the sensing service with a second sensing node by using a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

At block 1230, the first seconding node performs the sensing service with a second sensing node by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets in response to receiving at least one of the following: a first resource update message from a sensing function device, the first resource update message indicating the first sensing node to perform the sensing service by using a second resource set, or a third resource update message from the second sensing node.

In some embodiments, the first and second resource update messages may indicate the first sensing node to transmit the sensing signals by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

In some example embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to: transmit, to the second sensing node or the sensing function device, a resource confirmation for the second resource set.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method 1300 implemented at a second sensing node in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1300 will be described from the perspective of the second sensing node 120-2 in FIG. 1A.

At block 1310, the second sensing node determines, a plurality of resource sets for a sensing service, where the plurality of resource sets are used by the second sensing node to receiving sensing signals.

At block 1320, the second sensing node performs the sensing service with a first sensing node by using a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

At block 1330, the second sensing node performs the sensing service with the first sensing node by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets in response to at least one of the following: receiving a second resource update message from a sensing function device, the second resource update message indicating that the first sensing node is using the second resource set; or a determination that a fourth condition for switching resource set is met.

In some example embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the fourth condition is met, the second sensing node transmit a third resource update message to the first sensing node, the third resource update messages indicating the first sensing node to transmit the sensing signals by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

In some example embodiments, the second sensing node receive a resource confirmation for the second resource set from the first sensing node.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method 1400 implemented at a sensing function device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1400 will be described from the perspective of the sensing function device 110 in FIG. 1A.

At block 1410, the sensing function device determines, configuration information of a sensing service for a sensing node, the configuration information indicating a sensing period, wherein the sensing node performs the sensing service within the sensing period.

At block 1420, the sensing function device transmits the configuration information to the sensing node.

In some example embodiments, the configuration information indicating the sensing period by at least one of the following: a starting time point of the sensing period, a duration of the sensing period, or an ending time point of the sensing period.

In some example embodiments, the configuration information indicating the sensing period by at least one of the following: a first parameter set comprising at least one of a timestamp, a time offset or a duration of the sensing period, a second parameter set comprising at least one of a starting time point of the sensing period or a duration of the sensing period, or a third parameter set comprising at least one of the starting time point or an ending time point of the sensing period.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method 1500 implemented at a sensing node in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1500 will be described from the perspective of the sensing node 120 in FIG. 1A.

At block 1510, the sensing node receives, from a sensing function device, configuration information of a sensing service, the configuration information indicating a sensing period for performing the sensing service.

At block 1520, the sensing node performs the sensing service based on the configuration information.

FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method 1600 implemented at a first sensing node in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1600 will be described from the perspective of the first sensing node 120-1 in FIG. 1A.

At block 1610, the first sensing node transmits, to a second sensing node, a handover request indicating sensing requirement of a sensing service.

At block 1620, the first sensing node receives, from the second sensing node, a handover failure response indicating the sensing requirement is not supported by the second sensing node.

In some example embodiments, the handover failure response comprises a failure cause indicating at least one of the following: a sensing-related failure, failing to meet the sensing requirement, or failing to support the sensing service.

FIG. 17 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method 1700 implemented at a second sensing node in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1700 will be described from the perspective of the second sensing node 120-2 in FIG. 1A.

At block 1710, the second sensing node receives, from a first sensing node, a handover request indicating sensing requirement of a sensing service.

At block 1720, the second sensing node transmits, to the first sensing node, a handover failure response indicating the sensing requirement is not supported by the second sensing node.

Example Devices and Apparatus

FIG. 18 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1800 that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 1800 can be considered as a further example implementation of any of the devices as shown in FIG. 1A. Accordingly, the device 1800 can be implemented at or as at least a part of the sensing function device 110 or the sensing node 120.

As shown, the device 1800 includes a processor 1810, a memory 1820 coupled to the processor 1810, a suitable transceiver 1840 coupled to the processor 1810, and a communication interface coupled to the transceiver 1840. The memory 1820 stores at least a part of a program 1830. The transceiver 1840 may be for bidirectional communications or a unidirectional communication based on requirements. The transceiver 1840 may include at least one of a transmitter 1842 and a receiver 1844. The transmitter 1842 and the receiver 1844 may be functional modules or physical entities. The transceiver 1840 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication, though in practice an Access Node mentioned in this application may have several ones. The communication interface may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements, such as X2/Xn interface for bidirectional communications between eNBs/gNBs, S1/NG interface for communication between a Mobility Management Entity (MME) /Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) /SGW/UPF and the eNB/gNB, Un interface for communication between the eNB/gNB and a relay node (RN) , or Uu interface for communication between the eNB/gNB and a terminal device.

The program 1830 is assumed to include program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 1810, enable the device 1800 to operate in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, as discussed herein with reference to FIGS. 1A to 18. The embodiments herein may be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 1810 of the device 1800, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The processor 1810 may be configured to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, a combination of the processor 1810 and memory 1820 may form processing means 1850 adapted to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure.

The memory 1820 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory, as non-limiting examples. While only one memory 1820 is shown in the device 1800, there may be several physically distinct memory modules in the device 1800. The processor 1810 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 1800 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a sensing function device comprising a circuitry is provided. The circuitry is configured to: communicate, with a plurality of sensing nodes associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets to be used by the plurality of sensing nodes for performing the sensing service are determined; and transmit, to a first sensing node of the plurality of sensing nodes, a first activation request used for activating the first sensing node associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuitry may be configured to perform any method implemented by the sensing function device as discussed above.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a first sensing node comprising a circuitry is provided. The circuitry is configured to: determine, a first resource set to be used by the first sensing node for performing a sensing service; receive, from a sensing function device, a first activation response used for activating the first sensing node; and activate the first resource set in response to the reception of the first activation response. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuitry may be configured to perform any method implemented by the first sensing node as discussed above.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a second sensing node comprising a circuitry is provided. The circuitry is configured to: determine, a second resource set to be used by the second sensing node for performing a sensing service; receive, from a first sensing node associated with the at least sensing service or a sensing function device, a second activation request used for activating the second resource set; and activate the second resource set in response to receiving at least one of the following: a second activation request from a sensing function device, the second activation request used for activating the second sensing node, or a third activation request from a first sensing node associated with the sensing service, the third activation request used for activating the second sensing node. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuitry may be configured to perform any method implemented by the second sensing node as discussed above.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a sensing function device comprising a circuitry is provided. The circuitry is configured to: communicate, with a first sensing node and a second sensing node which are associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets used for transmitting or receiving sensing signals are determined; receive, from a second sensing node, sensing results of the sensing service associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets; determine, based on the sensing results, whether a third condition for switching resource set is met; and in accordance with a determination that the third condition is met, transmit a first resource update message indicating the first sensing node to transmit the sensing signals by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuitry may be configured to perform any method implemented by the sensing function device as discussed above.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a first sensing node comprising a circuitry is provided. The circuitry is configured to: determine, a plurality of resource sets for a sensing service, where the plurality of resource sets are used by the first sensing node to transmit sensing signals; perform the sensing service with a second sensing node by using a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets; perform the sensing service with a second sensing node by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets in response to receiving at least one of the following: a first resource update message from a sensing function device, the first resource update message indicating the first sensing node to perform the sensing service by using a second resource set, or a third resource update message from the second sensing node, wherein the first and second resource update messages indicate the first sensing node to transmit the sensing signals by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuitry may be configured to perform any method implemented by the first sensing node as discussed above.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a second sensing node comprising a circuitry is provided. The circuitry is configured to: determine, a plurality of resource sets for a sensing service, where the plurality of resource sets are used by the second sensing node to receiving sensing signals; perform the sensing service with a first sensing node by using a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets; perform the sensing service with the first sensing node by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets in response to at least one of the following: receiving a second resource update message from a sensing function device, the second resource update message indicating that the first sensing node is using the second resource set; or a determination that a fourth condition for switching resource set is met. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuitry may be configured to perform any method implemented by the second sensing node as discussed above.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a sensing function device comprising a circuitry is provided. The circuitry is configured to: determine, configuration information of a sensing service for a sensing node, the configuration information indicating a sensing period, wherein the sensing node performs the sensing service within the sensing period; and transmit the configuration information to the sensing node. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuitry may be configured to perform any method implemented by the sensing function device as discussed above.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a sensing node comprising a circuitry is provided. The circuitry is configured to: receive, from a sensing function device, configuration information of a sensing service, the configuration information indicating a sensing period for performing the sensing service; and perform the sensing service based on the configuration information. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuitry may be configured to perform any method implemented by the sensing node as discussed above.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a first sensing node comprising a circuitry is provided. The circuitry is configured to: transmit, to a second sensing node, a handover request indicating sensing requirement of a sensing service; and receive, from the second sensing node, a handover failure response indicating the sensing requirement is not supported by the second sensing node. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuitry may be configured to perform any method implemented by the first sensing node as discussed above.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a second sensing node comprising a circuitry is provided. The circuitry is configured to: receive, from a first sensing node, a handover request indicating sensing requirement of a sensing service; and transmit, to the first sensing node, a handover failure response indicating the sensing requirement is not supported by the second sensing node. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuitry may be configured to perform any method implemented by the second sensing node as discussed above.

The term “circuitry” used herein may refer to hardware circuits and/or combinations of hardware circuits and software. For example, the circuitry may be a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuits with software/firmware. As a further example, the circuitry may be any portions of hardware processors with software including digital signal processor (s) , software, and memory (ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a terminal device or a network device, to perform various functions. In a still further example, the circuitry may be hardware circuits and or processors, such as a microprocessor or a portion of a microprocessor, that requires software/firmware for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. As used herein, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (s) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor (s) and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a sensing function device is provided. The sensing function device comprises means for communicating, with a plurality of sensing nodes associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets to be used by the plurality of sensing nodes for performing the sensing service are determined; and means for transmitting, to a first sensing node of the plurality of sensing nodes, a first activation request used for activating the first sensing node associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets. In some embodiments, the first apparatus may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 800. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus may further comprise means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 800. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a first sensing node is provided. The first sensing node comprises means for determining, a first resource set to be used by the first sensing node for performing a sensing service; means for receiving, from a sensing function device, a first activation response used for activating the first sensing node; and means for activating the first resource set in response to the reception of the first activation response. In some embodiments, the second apparatus may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 900. In some example embodiments, the second apparatus may further comprise means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 900. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a second sensing node is provided. The second sensing node comprises means for determining, a second resource set to be used by the second sensing node for performing a sensing service; means for receiving, from a first sensing node associated with the at least sensing service or a sensing function device, a second activation request used for activating the second resource set; and means for activating the second resource set in response to receiving at least one of the following: means for a second activation request from a sensing function device, the second activation request used for activating the second sensing node, or means for a third activation request from a first sensing node associated with the sensing service, the third activation request used for activating the second sensing node. In some embodiments, the third apparatus may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1000. In some example embodiments, the third apparatus may further comprise means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 1000. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a sensing function device is provided. The sensing function device comprises means for communicating, with a first sensing node and a second sensing node which are associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets used for transmitting or receiving sensing signals are determined; means for receiving, from a second sensing node, sensing results of the sensing service associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets; means for determining, based on the sensing results, whether a third condition for switching resource set is met; and means for in accordance with a determination that the third condition is met, transmitting a first resource update message indicating the first sensing node to transmit the sensing signals by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets. In some embodiments, the fourth apparatus may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1100. In some example embodiments, the fourth apparatus may further comprise means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 1100. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a first sensing node is provided. The first sensing node comprises means for determining, a plurality of resource sets for a sensing service, where the plurality of resource sets are used by the first sensing node to transmit sensing signals; means for performing the sensing service with a second sensing node by using a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets; means for performing the sensing service with a second sensing node by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets in response to receiving at least one of the following: means for a first resource update message from a sensing function device, the first resource update message indicating the first sensing node to perform the sensing service by using a second resource set, or means for a third resource update message from the second sensing node, wherein the first and second resource update messages indicate the first sensing node to transmit the sensing signals by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets. In some embodiments, the fifth apparatus may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1200. In some example embodiments, the fifth apparatus may further comprise means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 1200. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a second sensing node is provided. The second sensing node comprises means for determining, a plurality of resource sets for a sensing service, where the plurality of resource sets are used by the second sensing node to receiving sensing signals; means for performing the sensing service with a first sensing node by using a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets; means for performing the sensing service with the first sensing node by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets in response to at least one of the following: means for receiving a second resource update message from a sensing function device, the second resource update message indicating that the first sensing node is using the second resource set; or means for a determination that a fourth condition for switching resource set is met. In some embodiments, the sixth apparatus may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1300. In some example embodiments, the sixth apparatus may further comprise means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 1300. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a sensing function device is provided. The sensing function device comprises means for determining, configuration information of a sensing service for a sensing node, the configuration information indicating a sensing period, wherein the sensing node performs the sensing service within the sensing period; and means for transmitting the configuration information to the sensing node. In some embodiments, the seventh apparatus may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1400. In some example embodiments, the seventh apparatus may further comprise means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 1400. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a sensing node is provided. The sensing node comprises means for receiving, from a sensing function device, configuration information of a sensing service, the configuration information indicating a sensing period for performing the sensing service; and means for performing the sensing service based on the configuration information. In some embodiments, the eighth apparatus may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1500. In some example embodiments, the eighth apparatus may further comprise means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 1500. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a first sensing node is provided. The first sensing node comprises means for transmitting, to a second sensing node, a handover request indicating sensing requirement of a sensing service; and means for receiving, from the second sensing node, a handover failure response indicating the sensing requirement is not supported by the second sensing node. In some embodiments, the ninth apparatus may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1600. In some example embodiments, the ninth apparatus may further comprise means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 1600. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a second sensing node is provided. The second sensing node comprises means for receiving, from a first sensing node, a handover request indicating sensing requirement of a sensing service; and means for transmitting, to the first sensing node, a handover failure response indicating the sensing requirement is not supported by the second sensing node. In some embodiments, the tenth apparatus may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1700. In some example embodiments, the tenth apparatus may further comprise means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 1700. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

In summary, embodiments of the present disclosure provide the following aspects.

In an aspect, it is proposed a sensing function device comprising: a processor configured to cause the sensing function device to: communicate, with a plurality of sensing nodes associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets to be used by the plurality of sensing nodes for performing the sensing service are determined; and transmit, to a first sensing node of the plurality of sensing nodes, a first activation request used for activating the first sensing node associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to: receive, from the first sensing node, a first activation response indicating an activation of the first sensing node.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to: receive sensing results of the sensing service from the first sensing node; determine, based on the sensing results, whether a first condition for activating at least one second sensing node of the plurality of sensing nodes is met; and in accordance with a determination that the first condition is met, transmit, to the at least one second sensing node, at least one second activation request used for activating the at least one the second sensing node.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to: if a first period within which the first condition is met exceeds or equal to a first threshold period, transmit the at least one second activation request to the at least one second sensing node.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to: receive, from a second sensing node of the at least one second sensing node, a second activation response indicating an activation of the second sensing node.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to: transmit, to the first sensing node, a first deactivation message used for deactivating the first sensing node.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to: receive, from the first sensing node, first deactivation information indicating at least one of the following: a deactivation of the first sensing node, or an activation of the second sensing node.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to: transmit, to the plurality of sensing nodes, configuration information indicating at least one of the following: a first identity used for identifying the sensing service, a second identity used for identifying a sensing object associated with the sensing service, a set of characteristics of the sensing object, a sensing function device identity of the sensing function device, a service identity of the sensing service, or a session identity associated with the sensing service.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of sensing nodes is a sensing signal transmitter and/or a sensing signal receiver, or wherein each of the plurality of sensing nodes is a sensing network node.

In an aspect, it is proposed a first sensing node comprising: a processor configured to cause the first sensing node to: determine, a first resource set to be used by the first sensing node for performing a sensing service; receive, from a sensing function device, a first activation response used for activating the first sensing node; and activate the first resource set in response to the reception of the first activation response.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the first sensing node to: after activating the first resource set, transmit, to the sensing function device, a first activation response indicating an activation of the first sensing node.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the first sensing node to: after activating indicating an activation of the first sensing node, receive, from the sensing function device, a first deactivation request used for deactivating the first sensing node.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the first sensing node to: after activating the first resource set, perform the sensing service based on the first resource set; determine, based on sensing results of the sensing service, whether a second condition for activate a second sensing node associated with the sensing service is met; and in accordance with a determination that the second condition is met, transmit, to the second sensing node, a third activation request used for activating the second sensing node.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause first sensing node to: if a second period within which the second condition is met exceeds or equal to a second threshold period, transmit the third activation request to the second sensing node.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the first sensing node to: receive, from the second sensing node, a third activation response indicating an activation of the second sensing node.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the first sensing node to: transmit, to the sensing function device, first deactivation information indicating at least one of the following: a deactivation of the first sensing node, or an activation of the second sensing node.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the first sensing node to: receive, from the sensing function device, configuration information indicating at least one of the following: a first identity used for identifying the sensing service, a second identity used for identifying a sensing object associated with the sensing service, a set of characteristics of the sensing object, a sensing function device identity of the sensing function device, a service identity of the sensing service, or a session identity associated with the sensing service.

In some embodiments, the first sensing node is a sensing signal transmitter or receiver, and the second sensing node is a sensing signal transmitter or receiver.

In some embodiments, the first sensing node and the second sensing node are sensing network nodes.

In an aspect, it is proposed a second sensing node comprising: a processor configured to cause the first device to: determine, a second resource set to be used by the second sensing node for performing a sensing service; receive, from a first sensing node associated with the at least sensing service or a sensing function device, a second activation request used for activating the second resource set; and activate the second resource set in response to receiving at least one of the following: a second activation request from a sensing function device, the second activation request used for activating the second sensing node, or a third activation request from a first sensing node associated with the sensing service, the third activation request used for activating the second sensing node.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the second sensing node to: after activating the second resource set, transmit at least one of the following: a second activation response to the sensing function device, the second activation response indicating an activation of the second sensing node, or a third activation response to the first sensing node, the third activation response indicating the activation of the second sensing node.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the second sensing node to: receive, from the sensing function device, configuration information indicating at least one of the following: a first identity used for identifying the sensing service, a second identity used for identifying a sensing object associated with the sensing service, a set of characteristics of the sensing object, a sensing function device identity of the sensing function device, a service identity of the sensing service, or a session identity associated with the sensing service.

In an aspect, it is proposed a sensing function device comprising: a processor configured to cause the sensing function device to: communicate, with a first sensing node and a second sensing node which are associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets used for transmitting or receiving sensing signals are determined; receive, from a second sensing node, sensing results of the sensing service associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets; determine, based on the sensing results, whether a third condition for switching resource set is met; and in accordance with a determination that the third condition is met, transmit a first resource update message indicating the first sensing node to transmit the sensing signals by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to: receive a resource confirmation for the second resource set from the first sensing node.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to: transmit, to the second sensing node, a second resource update message indicating that the first sensing node is using the second resource set.

In some embodiments, the first sensing node is a sensing signal transmitter and the second sensing node is a sensing signal receiver.

In an aspect, it is proposed a first sensing node comprising: a processor configured to cause the first sensing node to: determine, a plurality of resource sets for a sensing service, where the plurality of resource sets are used by the first sensing node to transmit sensing signals; perform the sensing service with a second sensing node by using a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets; perform the sensing service with a second sensing node by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets in response to receiving at least one of the following: a first resource update message from a sensing function device, the first resource update message indicating the first sensing node to perform the sensing service by using a second resource set, or a third resource update message from the second sensing node, wherein the first and second resource update messages indicate the first sensing node to transmit the sensing signals by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to: transmit, to the second sensing node or the sensing function device, a resource confirmation for the second resource set.

In an aspect, it is proposed a second sensing node comprising: a processor configured to cause the first sensing node to: determine, a plurality of resource sets for a sensing service, where the plurality of resource sets are used by the second sensing node to receiving sensing signals; perform the sensing service with a first sensing node by using a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets; perform the sensing service with the first sensing node by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets in response to at least one of the following: receiving a second resource update message from a sensing function device, the second resource update message indicating that the first sensing node is using the second resource set; or a determination that a fourth condition for switching resource set is met.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the second sensing node to: in accordance with a determination that the fourth condition is met, transmit a third resource update message to the first sensing node, the third resource update messages indicating the first sensing node to transmit the sensing signals by using a second resource set of the plurality of resource sets.

In an aspect, it is proposed a sensing function device comprising: a processor configured to cause the sensing function device to: determine, configuration information of a sensing service for a sensing node, the configuration information indicating a sensing period, wherein the sensing node performs the sensing service within the sensing period; and transmit the configuration information to the sensing node.

In some embodiments, the configuration information indicating the sensing period by at least one of the following: a starting time point of the sensing period, a duration of the sensing period, or an ending time point of the sensing period.

In some embodiments, the configuration information indicating the sensing period by at least one of the following: a first parameter set comprising at least one of a timestamp, a time offset or a duration of the sensing period, a second parameter set comprising at least one of a starting time point of the sensing period or a duration of the sensing period, or a third parameter set comprising at least one of the starting time point or an ending time point of the sensing period.

In an aspect, it is proposed a sensing node comprising: a processor configured to cause the sensing function device to: receive, from a sensing function device, configuration information of a sensing service, the configuration information indicating a sensing period for performing the sensing service; and perform the sensing service based on the configuration information.

In an aspect, it is proposed a first sensing node comprising: a processor configured to cause the first sensing node to: transmit, to a second sensing node, a handover request indicating sensing requirement of a sensing service; and receive, from the second sensing node, a handover failure response indicating the sensing requirement is not supported by the second sensing node.

In some embodiments, the handover failure response comprises a failure cause indicating at least one of the following: a sensing-related failure, failing to meet the sensing requirement, or failing to support the sensing service.

In an aspect, it is proposed a second sensing node comprising: a processor configured to cause the second sensing node to: receive, from a first sensing node, a handover request indicating sensing requirement of a sensing service; and transmit, to the first sensing node, a handover failure response indicating the sensing requirement is not supported by the second sensing node.

In an aspect, a sensing function device comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions thereon, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the device to perform the method implemented by the sensing function device discussed above.

In an aspect, a first sensing node comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions thereon, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the device to perform the method implemented by the first sensing node discussed above.

In an aspect, a second sensing node comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions thereon, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the device to perform the method implemented by the second sensing node discussed above.

In an aspect, a sensing node comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions thereon, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the device to perform the method implemented by the sensing node discussed above.

In an aspect, a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the sensing function device discussed above.

In an aspect, a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the first sensing node discussed above.

In an aspect, a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the second sensing node discussed above.

In an aspect, a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the sensing node discussed above.

In an aspect, a computer program comprising instructions, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the sensing function device discussed above.

In an aspect, a computer program comprising instructions, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the first sensing node discussed above.

In an aspect, a computer program comprising instructions, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the second sensing node discussed above.

In an aspect, a computer program comprising instructions, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the sensing node discussed above.

Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. While various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representation, it will be appreciated that the blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor, to carry out the process or method as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program codes, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions/operations specified in the flowcharts and/or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

The above program code may be embodied on a machine readable medium, which may be any tangible medium that may contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The machine readable medium may be a machine readable signal medium or a machine readable storage medium. A machine readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the machine readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM) , a read-only memory (ROM) , an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) , an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) , an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Further, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

A sensing function device comprising:

a processor configured to cause the sensing function device to:

communicate, with a plurality of sensing nodes associated with a same sensing service, such that a plurality of resource sets to be used by the plurality of sensing nodes for performing the sensing service are determined; and

transmit, to a first sensing node of the plurality of sensing nodes, a first activation request used for activating the first sensing node associated with a first resource set of the plurality of resource sets.
The sensing function device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to:

receive, from the first sensing node, a first activation response indicating an activation of the first sensing node.
The sensing function device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to:

receive sensing results of the sensing service from the first sensing node;

determine, based on the sensing results, whether a first condition for activating at least one second sensing node of the plurality of sensing nodes is met; and

in accordance with a determination that the first condition is met, transmit, to the at least one second sensing node, at least one second activation request used for activating the at least one the second sensing node.
The sensing function device of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to:

if a first period within which the first condition is met exceeds or equal to a first threshold period, transmit the at least one second activation request to the at least one second sensing node.
The sensing function device of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to:

receive, from a second sensing node of the at least one second sensing node, a second activation response indicating an activation of the second sensing node.
The sensing function device of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to:

transmit, to the first sensing node, a first deactivation message used for deactivating the first sensing node.
The sensing function device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to:

receive, from the first sensing node, first deactivation information indicating at least one of the following:

a deactivation of the first sensing node, or

an activation of the second sensing node.
The sensing function device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the sensing function device to:

transmit, to the plurality of sensing nodes, configuration information indicating at least one of the following:

a first identity used for identifying the sensing service,

a second identity used for identifying a sensing object associated with the sensing service,

a set of characteristics of the sensing object,

a sensing function device identity of the sensing function device,

a service identity of the sensing service, or

a session identity associated with the sensing service.
The sensing function device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of sensing nodes is a sensing signal transmitter and/or a sensing signal receiver, or

wherein each of the plurality of sensing nodes is a sensing network node.
A first sensing node comprising:

a processor configured to cause the first sensing node to:

determine, a first resource set to be used by the first sensing node for performing a sensing service;

receive, from a sensing function device, a first activation response used for activating the first sensing node; and

activate the first resource set in response to the reception of the first activation response.
The first sensing node of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the first sensing node to:

after activating the first resource set, transmit, to the sensing function device, a first activation response indicating an activation of the first sensing node.
The first sensing node of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the first sensing node to:

after activating indicating an activation of the first sensing node, receive, from the sensing function device, a first deactivation request used for deactivating the first sensing node.
The first sensing node of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the first sensing node to:

after activating the first resource set, perform the sensing service based on the first resource set;

determine, based on sensing results of the sensing service, whether a second condition for activate a second sensing node associated with the sensing service is met; and

in accordance with a determination that the second condition is met, transmit, to the second sensing node, a third activation request used for activating the second sensing node.
The first sensing node of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to cause first sensing node to:

if a second period within which the second condition is met exceeds or equal to a second threshold period, transmit the third activation request to the second sensing node.
The first sensing node of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the first sensing node to:

receive, from the second sensing node, a third activation response indicating an activation of the second sensing node.
The first sensing node of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the first sensing node to:

transmit, to the sensing function device, first deactivation information indicating at least one of the following:

a deactivation of the first sensing node, or

an activation of the second sensing node.
The first sensing node claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the first sensing node to:

receive, from the sensing function device, configuration information indicating at least one of the following:

a first identity used for identifying the sensing service,

a second identity used for identifying a sensing object associated with the sensing service,

a set of characteristics of the sensing object,

a sensing function device identity of the sensing function device,

a service identity of the sensing service, or

a session identity associated with the sensing service.
The first sensing node of claim 13, wherein the first sensing node is a sensing signal transmitter or receiver, and the second sensing node is a sensing signal transmitter or receiver.
The first sensing node of claim 13, wherein the first sensing node and the second sensing node are sensing network nodes.
A second sensing node comprising:

a processor configured to cause the first device to:

determine, a second resource set to be used by the second sensing node for performing a sensing service;

receive, from a first sensing node associated with the at least sensing service or a sensing function device, a second activation request used for activating the second resource set; and

activate the second resource set in response to receiving at least one of the following:

a second activation request from a sensing function device, the second activation request used for activating the second sensing node, or

a third activation request from a first sensing node associated with the sensing service, the third activation request used for activating the second sensing node.