WO2025159430A1 - Method and apparatus for requesting sensing signal for isac - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are a method by which a first device performs wireless communication and an apparatus supporting same. The method may comprise the steps of: acquiring information related to a target sensing area; transmitting, to a second device, information requesting transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing area; receiving the sensing signal; and on the basis of the sensing signal, performing sensing on the target sensing area.

Description

Method and device for requesting a sensing signal for ISAC

The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system.

5G NR, the successor to LTE (long-term evolution), is a new clean-slate mobile communications system characterized by high performance, low latency, and high availability. 5G NR can utilize all available spectrum resources, from low-frequency bands below 1 GHz, mid-frequency bands between 1 GHz and 10 GHz, and high-frequency (millimeter wave) bands above 24 GHz.

The 6G (wireless communication) system aims to achieve (i) very high data rates per device, (ii) a very large number of connected devices, (iii) global connectivity, (iv) very low latency, (v) low energy consumption for battery-free Internet of Things (IoT) devices, (vi) ultra-reliable connectivity, and (vii) connected intelligence with machine learning capabilities. The vision of the 6G system can be divided into four aspects: intelligent connectivity, deep connectivity, holographic connectivity, and ubiquitous connectivity, and the 6G system can satisfy the requirements as shown in Table 1 below. For example, Table 1 can represent an example of the requirements of a 6G system.

per device peak data rate 1 Tbps E2E latency 1 ms maximum spectral efficiency 100bps/Hz mobility support Up to 1000km/hr satellite integration Fully AI Fully autonomous vehicle Fully XR Fully haptic communication Fully

In one embodiment, a method for performing wireless communication by a first device is provided. The method may include: obtaining information related to a target sensing region; transmitting information requesting transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing region to a second device; receiving the sensing signal; and performing sensing of the target sensing region based on the sensing signal.

In one embodiment, a first device configured to perform wireless communication is provided. The first device may include at least one transceiver; at least one processor; and at least one memory connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions. For example, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the first device to: obtain information related to a target sensing region; transmit information requesting transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing region to a second device; receive the sensing signal; and perform sensing of the target sensing region based on the sensing signal.

In one embodiment, a processing device configured to control a first device is provided. The processing device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to: obtain information related to a target sensing region; transmit information requesting transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing region to a second device; receive the sensing signal; and perform sensing of the target sensing region based on the sensing signal.

In one embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having recorded thereon commands is provided. The commands, when executed, cause a first device to: obtain information related to a target sensing region; transmit information requesting transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing region to a second device; receive the sensing signal; and perform sensing of the target sensing region based on the sensing signal.

Figure 1 illustrates a device-to-device communication procedure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a radio protocol architecture according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates the structure of a wireless frame according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a slot structure of a frame according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a BWP according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a communication structure that can be provided in a 6G system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a communication scenario based on a 6G system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a sensing operation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method for requesting transmission of a sensing signal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method for requesting transmission of a sensing signal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method for a first device to perform wireless communication according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method for a second device to perform wireless communication according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates a communication system (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates a signal processing circuit for a transmission signal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates a wireless device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 illustrates a mobile device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 illustrates a vehicle or autonomous vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

In this disclosure, "A or B" can mean "only A," "only B," or "both A and B." In other words, "A or B" in this disclosure can be interpreted as "A and/or B." For example, "A, B or C" in this disclosure can mean "only A," "only B," "only C," or "any combination of A, B and C."

As used herein, a slash (/) or a comma may mean "and/or." For example, "A/B" may mean "A and/or B." Accordingly, "A/B" may mean "only A," "only B," or "both A and B." For example, "A, B, C" may mean "A, B, or C."

In the present disclosure, “at least one of A and B” may mean “only A,” “only B,” or “both A and B.” Additionally, in the present disclosure, the expressions “at least one of A or B” or “at least one of A and/or B” may be interpreted identically to “at least one of A and B.”

Additionally, in the present disclosure, “at least one of A, B and C” can mean “only A,” “only B,” “only C,” or “any combination of A, B and C.” Additionally, “at least one of A, B or C” or “at least one of A, B and/or C” can mean “at least one of A, B and C.”

Additionally, parentheses used in the present disclosure may mean "for example." Specifically, when indicated as "control information (PDCCH)", "PDCCH" may be proposed as an example of "control information." In other words, "control information" in the present disclosure is not limited to "PDCCH," and "PDCCH" may be proposed as an example of "control information." Furthermore, even when indicated as "control information (i.e., PDCCH)", "PDCCH" may be proposed as an example of "control information."

In the following explanation, ‘when, if, in case of’ can be replaced with ‘based on’.

Technical features individually described in one drawing in this disclosure may be implemented individually or simultaneously.

In the present disclosure, higher layer parameters may be parameters set for the terminal, preset, or predefined. For example, a base station or network may transmit higher layer parameters to the terminal. For example, the higher layer parameters may be transmitted via radio resource control (RRC) signaling or medium access control (MAC) signaling.

In the present disclosure, "setting or defining" may be interpreted as being set or preset to a device through predefined signaling (e.g., SIB, MAC, RRC) from a base station or a network. In the present disclosure, "setting or defining" may be interpreted as being preset to a device. In the present disclosure, "setting or defining" may be interpreted as being set or preset to a device through predefined signaling (e.g., MAC, RRC, SCI (sidelink control information), device-to-device signaling control information, etc.) from another device. In the present disclosure, "setting or defining" may be interpreted as being preset to a device.

In the present disclosure, a user equipment (UE) may refer to a device, a portable device, a wireless device, etc. In the present disclosure, a base station (BS) may refer to a radio access network (RAN) node, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell/node, a transmission reception point (TRP), a network, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a device, a portable device, a wireless device, etc.

The technology proposed in the present disclosure can be used in various wireless communication systems such as CDMA (code division multiple access), FDMA (frequency division multiple access), TDMA (time division multiple access), OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access), and SC-FDMA (single carrier frequency division multiple access). CDMA can be implemented with wireless technologies such as UTRA (universal terrestrial radio access) or CDMA2000. TDMA can be implemented with wireless technologies such as GSM (global system for mobile communications)/GPRS (general packet radio service)/EDGE (enhanced data rates for GSM evolution). OFDMA can be implemented with wireless technologies such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802-20, E-UTRA (evolved UTRA), LTE (long term evolution), and 5G NR.

The technology proposed in this disclosure can be implemented with 6G wireless technology and applied to various 6G systems. For example, 6G systems can have key factors such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC), massive machine-type communication (mMTC), artificial intelligence (AI) integrated communication, tactile internet, high throughput, high network capacity, high energy efficiency, low backhaul and access network congestion, and enhanced data security.

FIG. 1 illustrates a device-to-device communication procedure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of FIG. 1 may be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, in step S101, a first device and a second device can perform synchronization. For example, the first device can be a terminal and/or at least one of the devices proposed in the present disclosure. For example, the second device can be a base station, a network, a RAN node, an NTN node/cell, a TRP, a terminal and/or at least one of the devices proposed in the present disclosure. For example, the first device can perform an initial cell search operation. For example, the first device can detect at least one synchronization signal transmitted by the second device according to a predefined rule. Here, for example, the synchronization signal can include a plurality of synchronization signals classified according to a structure or purpose (e.g., a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, etc.). Through this, the first device can identify the boundaries of the frame, subframe, time unit, slot, and/or symbol of the second device, and the first device can obtain information about the second device (e.g., a cell identifier).

In step S103, the first device can obtain system information transmitted by the second device. For example, the system information may include information related to the properties, characteristics, and/or capabilities of the second device required to connect to the second device and use the service. For example, the system information may be classified according to content (e.g., whether it is essential for connection), transmission structure (e.g., the channel used, whether it is provided on-demand), etc. For example, the system information may be classified into a master information block (MIB) and a system information block (SIB). For example, if necessary, the first device may transmit a signal requesting system information before receiving the system information. For example, the request and provision of system information may be performed after a random access procedure described below.

In step S105, the first device and the second device can perform a random access procedure. For example, the first device can transmit and/or receive at least one message (e.g., a random access preamble, a random access response message, etc.) for the random access procedure based on information related to a random access channel of the second device obtained through system information (e.g., channel location, channel structure, structure of supported preamble, etc.). For example, the first device can transmit a preamble (e.g., Msg1) through the random access channel, the first device can receive a random access response message (e.g., Msg2), the first device can transmit a message (e.g., Msg3) including information related to the first device (e.g., identification information) to the second device using scheduling information included in the random access response message, and the first device can receive a message (e.g., Msg4) for contention resolution and/or connection establishment. For example, Msg1 and Msg3 can be sent and received as one message (e.g., MsgA), and/or Msg2 and Msg4 can be sent and received as one message (e.g., MsgB).

In step S107, the first device and the second device may perform signaling of control information. Here, for example, the control information may be defined in various layers, such as a layer that controls a connection (e.g., a radio resource control (RRC) layer), a layer that handles mapping between logical channels and transport channels (e.g., a media access control (MAC) layer), a layer that handles physical channels (e.g., a physical (PHY) layer), etc. For example, the first device and the second device may perform at least one of signaling for establishing a connection, signaling for determining settings related to communication, and/or signaling for indicating allocated resources. For example, the control information may be signaled/transmitted via a control channel. For example, the control information and/or the control channel may be used to schedule at least one of data, a data channel (e.g., a shared channel), and/or control information on the data channel.

In step S109, the first device and the second device may transmit and/or receive data. For example, the first device and the second device may process, transmit, and/or receive data based on signaling of control information. For example, when transmitting data, the first device or the second device may perform at least one of channel encoding, rate matching, scrambling, constellation mapping, layer mapping, waveform modulation, antenna mapping, and/or resource mapping on the information bits. For example, when receiving data, the first device or the second device may perform at least one of signal extraction from resources, waveform demodulation for each antenna, signal arrangement considering layer mapping, constellation demapping, descrambling, and/or channel decoding.

For example, the layers of a radio interface protocol between a first device and a second device can be divided into L1 (layer 1), L2 (layer 2), L3 (layer 3), etc. For example, a physical layer belonging to the first layer can provide an information transfer service using a physical channel, and an RRC (radio resource control) layer located in the third layer can play a role in controlling radio resources between the first device and the second device. For this purpose, for example, the RRC layer can exchange RRC messages between the first device and the second device.

FIG. 2 illustrates a radio protocol architecture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of FIG. 2 can be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, (a) of FIG. 2 may illustrate a radio protocol stack of a user plane for uplink communication or downlink communication, and (b) of FIG. 2 may illustrate a radio protocol stack of a control plane for uplink communication or downlink communication. For example, (c) of FIG. 2 may illustrate a radio protocol stack of a user plane for device-to-device communication, and (d) of FIG. 2 may illustrate a radio protocol stack of a control plane for device-to-device communication.

For example, the physical layer can provide information transmission services to upper layers using physical channels. For example, the physical layer can be connected to the upper layer, the medium access control (MAC) layer, through a transport channel. For example, data can be transmitted between the MAC layer and the physical layer through the transport channel. For example, transport channels can be classified according to how and with what characteristics data is transmitted over the wireless interface. For example, data can be transmitted between different physical layers (e.g., between the physical layers of a first device and a second device) through a physical channel. For example, the physical channel can be modulated using an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) scheme, and time and frequency can be utilized as radio resources.

For example, the MAC layer can provide services to the upper layer, the radio link control (RLC) layer, through logical channels. For example, the MAC layer can provide a mapping function from multiple logical channels to multiple transport channels. For example, the MAC layer can provide a logical channel multiplexing function by mapping multiple logical channels to a single transport channel. For example, the MAC sublayer can provide data transmission services on logical channels.

For example, the RLC layer can perform concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs). For example, to guarantee the various quality of service (QoS) required by radio bearers (RBs), the RLC layer can provide three operating modes: transparent mode (TM), unacknowledged mode (UM), and acknowledged mode (AM). For example, AM RLC can provide error correction through automatic repeat request (ARQ).

For example, the RRC (radio resource control) layer can be defined only in the control plane. For example, the RRC layer can be responsible for controlling logical channels, transport channels, and physical channels in relation to the configuration, re-configuration, and release of radio bearers. For example, an RB can mean a logical path provided by a first layer (e.g., a physical layer) and a second layer (e.g., a MAC layer, an RLC layer, a PDCP (packet data convergence protocol) layer, a SDAP (service data adaptation protocol) layer, etc.) for data transmission between a first device and a second device.

For example, the functions of the PDCP layer in the user plane may include forwarding of user data, header compression, and ciphering. For example, the functions of the PDCP layer in the control plane may include forwarding of control plane data and ciphering/integrity protection.

For example, establishing an RB can refer to the process of defining the characteristics of the radio protocol layer and channel to provide a specific service, and setting specific parameters and operating methods for each. For example, RBs can be divided into two types: signaling radio bearers (SRBs) and data radio bearers (DRBs). For example, SRBs can be used as a channel to transmit RRC messages in the control plane, while DRBs can be used as a channel to transmit user data in the user plane.

For example, a downlink transmission channel may include at least one of a broadcast channel (BCH) for transmitting system information, and/or a downlink shared channel (SCH) for transmitting user traffic or control messages. For example, traffic or control messages of a downlink multicast or broadcast service may be transmitted through the downlink SCH, or may be transmitted through a separate downlink multicast channel (MCH). Meanwhile, an uplink transmission channel may include at least one of a random access channel (RACH) for transmitting initial control messages, and/or an uplink shared channel (SCH) for transmitting user traffic or control messages. For example, a logical channel located above a transmission channel and mapped to the transmission channel may include at least one of a broadcast control channel (BCCH), a paging control channel (PCCH), a common control channel (CCCH), a multicast control channel (MCCH), and/or a multicast traffic channel (MTCH).

FIG. 3 illustrates the structure of a wireless frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of FIG. 3 can be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, for example, a radio frame may be used in uplink transmission, downlink transmission, and/or device-to-device transmission. For example, a radio frame may have a length of 10 ms and may be defined as two 5 ms half-frames (HF). For example, a half-frame may include five 1 ms subframes (SF). For example, a subframe may be divided into one or more slots, and the number of slots within a subframe may be determined according to a subcarrier spacing (SCS). For example, each slot may include 12 or 14 OFDM (A) symbols, depending on a cyclic prefix (CP).

For example, when normal CP is used, each slot can contain 14 symbols. For example, when extended CP is used, each slot can contain 12 symbols. Here, for example, the symbols can contain OFDM symbols (or CP-OFDM symbols), SC-FDMA (single carrier-FDMA) symbols (or DFT-s-OFDM (Discrete Fourier Transform-spread-OFDM) symbols).

Table 2 below illustrates the number of symbols per slot (N ^slot _symb ), the number of slots per frame (N ^frame,u slot ), and the number of slots per subframe (N ^subframe,u _slot ) depending on the SCS setting ( _u ) when normal CP or extended CP is used.

CP type SCS (15*2 ^u ) N ^slot _symb N ^frame,u _slot N ^{subframes, u} _slots Normal CP 15kHz (u=0) 14 10 1 30kHz (u=1) 14 20 2 60kHz (u=2) 14 40 4 120kHz (u=3) 14 80 8 240kHz (u=4) 14 160 16 Extended CP 60kHz (u=2) 12 40 4

For example, OFDM(A) numerology (e.g., SCS, CP length, etc.) may be set differently between multiple cells that are merged into a single terminal. Accordingly, the (absolute time) interval of time resources (e.g., subframes, slots, or transmit time intervals (TTIs)) composed of the same number of symbols may be set differently between the merged cells. For example, in the present disclosure, time resources such as subframes, slots, TTIs, etc. may be referred to as time units.

For example, multiple numerologies, or SCSs, may be supported to support various services. For example, a 15 kHz SCS may support wide areas in traditional cellular bands, while a 30 kHz/60 kHz SCS may support dense urban areas, lower latency, and wider carrier bandwidth. For example, a 60 kHz or higher SCS may support bandwidths greater than 24.25 GHz to overcome phase noise.

FIG. 4 illustrates a slot structure of a frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of FIG. 4 can be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, for example, a slot may include multiple symbols in the time domain. For example, a carrier may include multiple subcarriers in the frequency domain. For example, a resource block (RB) may be defined as multiple consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain. For example, a bandwidth part (BWP) may be defined as multiple consecutive (P)RBs ((physical) resource blocks) in the frequency domain, and may correspond to one numerology (e.g., SCS, CP length, etc.). For example, a carrier may include at most N BWPs (where N is a positive integer). For example, data communication may be performed through an activated BWP. For example, each element may be referred to as a resource element (RE) in the resource grid, and one complex symbol may be mapped to it.

For example, a BWP may be a contiguous set of PRBs in a given numerology. For example, a PRB may be selected from a contiguous subset of common resource blocks (CRBs) for a given numerology on a given carrier.

For example, the BWP may be at least one of an active BWP, an initial BWP, and/or a default BWP. For example, the UE may not monitor the downlink radio link quality in a DL BWP other than the active DL BWP on the PCell (primary cell). For example, the UE may not receive a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) (except for radio resource management (RRM)) outside of the active DL BWP. For example, the UE may not trigger channel state information (CSI) reporting for an inactive DL BWP. For example, the UE may not transmit a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) outside of the active UL BWP. For example, for downlink, the initial BWP can be given as a set of consecutive resource blocks (RBs) for the remaining minimum system information (RMSI) CORESET (control resource set) (set by the physical broadcast channel (PBCH)). For example, for uplink, the initial BWP can be given by the system information block (SIB) for the random access procedure. For example, the default BWP can be set by a higher layer. For example, the initial value of the default BWP can be the initial DL BWP. For energy saving, if the UE does not detect downlink control information (DCI) for a certain period of time, the UE can switch its active BWP to the default BWP.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a BWP according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of FIG. 5 can be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, it is assumed that there are three BWPs.

Referring to FIG. 5, for example, a common resource block (CRB) may be a carrier resource block numbered from one end of a carrier band to the other, and a PRB may be a numbered resource block within each BWP. For example, point A may indicate a common reference point for a resource block grid.

For example, the BWP can be set by a point A, an offset from point A (N ^start _BWP ), and a bandwidth (N ^size _BWP ). For example, point A can be an outer reference point of a PRB of a carrier where subcarrier 0 of all numerologies (e.g., all numerologies supported by the network on that carrier) aligns. For example, the offset can be the PRB spacing between the lowest subcarrier in a given numerology and point A. For example, the bandwidth can be the number of PRBs in a given numerology.

FIG. 6 illustrates a communication structure that can be provided in a 6G system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of FIG. 6 can be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

As core implementation technologies of the 6G system, technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), THz (terahertz) communication, optical wireless technology, free-space optical transmission (FSO) backhaul networks, massive MIMO (multiple input multiple output) technology, blockchain, 3D networking, quantum communication, unmanned aerial vehicles, cell-free communication, wireless information and energy transfer (WIET), integration of sensing and communication, integration of access backhaul networks, holographic beamforming, big data analysis, and large intelligent surface (LIS) can be adopted.

- Artificial Intelligence: Incorporating AI into communications can streamline and improve real-time data transmission. AI can use numerous analytics to determine how complex target tasks should be performed. For example, AI can increase efficiency and reduce processing delays. Time-consuming tasks such as handovers, network selection, and resource scheduling can be performed instantly using AI. AI can also play a crucial role in machine-to-machine (M2M), machine-to-human, and human-to-machine communications. AI can also facilitate rapid communication in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). AI-based communication systems can be supported by metamaterials, intelligent structures, intelligent networks, intelligent devices, intelligent cognitive radios, self-sustaining wireless networks, and machine learning.

- THz communication (terahertz communication): Data rates can be increased by increasing the bandwidth. This can be achieved by using sub-THz communication with wide bandwidths and applying advanced massive MIMO technology. THz waves, also known as sub-millimeter waves, typically refer to the frequency range between 0.1 THz and 10 THz, with corresponding wavelengths ranging from 0.03 mm to 3 mm. The 100 GHz to 300 GHz band (sub-THz band) is considered a key part of the THz spectrum for cellular communications. Adding the sub-THz band to the mmWave band will increase the capacity of 6G cellular communications. Among the defined THz bands, 300 GHz to 3 THz lies in the far infrared (IR) frequency band. While part of the optical band, the 300 GHz to 3 THz band lies at the boundary of the optical band, immediately following the RF band. Therefore, this 300 GHz to 3 THz band exhibits similarities to RF. Key characteristics of THz communications include (i) the widely available bandwidth to support very high data rates and (ii) the high path loss that occurs at high frequencies (requiring highly directional antennas). The narrow beamwidths generated by highly directional antennas reduce interference. The small wavelength of THz signals allows for a significantly larger number of antenna elements to be integrated into devices and base stations operating in this band. This enables the use of advanced adaptive array technologies to overcome range limitations.

- Large-scale MIMO technology

- Hologram beamforming (HBF)

- Optical wireless technology

- Free-space optical transmission backhaul network (FSO backhaul network)

- Quantum communication

- Cell-free communication

- Integration of wireless information and power transmission

- Integration of wireless communication and sensing

- Integrated access and backhaul network

- Big data analysis

- Reconfigurable intelligent surface

- metaverse

- Block chain

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM): AAM can be a broad concept encompassing urban air mobility (UAM), regional air mobility (RAM), and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). For example, AAM can include UAM, RAM, UAS, and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).

- Autonomous driving (self-driving): V2X (vehicle to everything), a key element in building autonomous driving infrastructure, can be a technology that allows cars to communicate and share with various elements on the road for autonomous driving, such as vehicle to vehicle (V2V) wireless communication and vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) wireless communication.

Non-terrestrial network (NTN): NTN can refer to a network or network segment that utilizes radio frequency (RF) resources mounted on satellites (or UAS platforms). NTN services may be considered to secure wider coverage or provide wireless communication services in locations where the installation of wireless communication base stations is difficult.

- Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC)

- Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS): RIS can be used to manipulate and enhance signal propagation in wireless communication environments. For example, a RIS can be composed of many small antennas, or metasurfaces, arranged on a surface, each of which can actively control the phase, amplitude, polarization, etc. of the reflected signal. For example, a RIS can improve signal reception by controlling the path, phase, and/or intensity of the propagating signal. For example, in the case of a RIS, power consumption can be very low because power is consumed only for controlling the phase and amplitude of the small antennas. For example, because a RIS can be reconfigured to suit different environments, it can meet diverse communication requirements and operate effectively in dynamic network environments.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a communication scenario based on a 6G system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of FIG. 7 may be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, NTN communication can be performed based on satellite networks, high-altitude platform stations (HAPS) as international mobile telecommunications (IMT) base stations (BS), and terminals capable of aerial communication (e.g., AAMs). For example, to improve coverage, etc., devices such as satellite networks, HIBS, and terminals capable of aerial communication (e.g., AAMs) can act as relays. For example, an AAM can communicate with a base station, a satellite network, etc., and/or an AAM can communicate directly with a terminal, another AAM, etc.

Below, the integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) mentioned above is described in detail.

Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) is a technology that uses radio frequencies to determine the instantaneous linear velocity, angle, distance (range), etc. of an object, thereby obtaining information about the environment and/or the characteristics of objects within the environment. Because radio frequency sensing does not require a device to connect to the object through a network, it can provide services for object positioning without a device. The ability to obtain range, velocity, and angle information from radio frequency signals can enable a wide range of new capabilities, such as various object detection, object recognition (e.g., vehicles, humans, animals, UAVs), and high-precision localization, tracking, and activity recognition. Wireless sensing services can provide information to a variety of industries (e.g., unmanned aerial vehicles, smart homes, V2X, factories, railways, public safety, etc.), enabling applications such as intruder detection, assisted vehicle steering and navigation, trajectory tracking, collision avoidance, traffic management, and health and traffic management. In some cases, wireless sensing can utilize non-3GPP type sensors (e.g., radar, cameras) to further support 3GPP-based sensing. For example, the operation of a wireless sensing service (e.g., sensing operation) may depend on the transmission, reflection, and scattering of wireless sensing signals. Therefore, wireless sensing may provide an opportunity to enhance existing communication systems from a communication network to a wireless communication and sensing network. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a sensing operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of FIG. 8 may be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 8 (a) illustrates an example of sensing using a sensing receiver and a sensing transmitter located at the same location (e.g., monostatic sensing), and FIG. 8 (b) illustrates an example of sensing using a separated sensing receiver and sensing transmitter (e.g., bistatic sensing).

The present disclosure may be applied to operations for positioning and/or operations for integrated sensing and communications (ISAC).

In this disclosure, the following terms may be used.

For example, “PRS” or “SL PRS” below can be interpreted/applied as “sensing signal” or “sensing RS (reference signal)”.

- LMF: Location Management Function

- UE-triggered SL positioning: SL (sidelink) positioning where the procedure is triggered by the UE.

- SL positioning triggered by base station/LMF: SL positioning where the procedure is triggered by base station/LMF.

- UE-controlled SL positioning: SL positioning where the SL positioning group is created by the UE.

- SL positioning controlled by the base station: SL positioning where the SL positioning group is generated by the base station.

- UE-based SL positioning: SL positioning where the UE location is calculated by the UE.

- UE-assisted SL positioning: SL positioning where the UE position is calculated by the base station/LMF.

- SL positioning group: UEs participating in SL positioning

- T-UE (Target UE): UE whose position is calculated

- S-UE (Server UE): UE that assists T-UE's positioning

- Anchor UE: A UE that assists T-UE's positioning

- MG: Measurement gap where only SL PRS transmission is allowed

- MW: Measurement window where both SL data and SL PRS can be transmitted in a multiplexed way

- SL PRS: Sidelink positioning reference signal

- CCH: Control Channel

- IUC (Inter-UE coordination) message: A message received by a TX UE from other UEs, including a RX UE, that includes information about a set of resources suitable for transmission by the TX UE to the RX UE (preferred resources) and/or information about a set of resources not suitable for transmission (non-preferred resources).

- Sensing RS (reference signal): Reference signal used for measurement for sensing purposes

- BS-BS sensing: Sensing in which BS#1 transmits a sensing RS and BS#2 receives the sensing RS. For example, if BS#1 and BS#2 are separate BSs, this may mean a BS-BS bi-static sensing operation. For example, if BS#1 and BS#2 are the same BS, this may mean a BS-BS mono-static sensing operation. For example, the BS may be a base station or a transmission and reception point (TRP). For example, if BS#1 and/or BS#2 are one or more BSs, this may mean a BS-BS multi-static sensing operation.

- BS-UE sensing: Sensing in which a BS transmits a sensing RS and a UE receives the sensing RS. For example, the BS may be a base station or a transmission and reception point (TRP). For example, if the BS and/or the UE are one or more BSs and/or one or more UEs, this may refer to a BS-UE multi-static sensing operation.

- UE-BS sensing: Sensing in which a UE transmits a sensing RS and a BS receives the sensing RS. For example, the BS may be a base station or a transmission and reception point (TRP). For example, if the BS and/or the UE are one or more BSs and/or one or more UEs, this may refer to a UE-BS multi-static sensing operation.

- UE-UE sensing: Sensing in which UE#1 transmits a sensing RS and UE#2 receives the sensing RS. For example, if UE#1 and UE#2 are separate UEs, this may mean a UE-UE bi-static sensing operation. For example, if UE#1 and UE#2 are the same UE, this may mean a UE-UE mono-static sensing operation. For example, the BS may be a base station or a transmission and reception point (TRP). For example, if UE#1 and/or UE#2 are one or more UEs, this may mean a UE-UE multi-static sensing operation.

- SMF: Sensing Management Function

- TSA: Target Sensing Area

For example, an SL PRS transmission resource may be composed of an SL PRS resource set consisting of the following information:

- SL PRS resource set ID

- SL PRS Resource ID List: List of SL PRS resource IDs within the SL PRS resource set.

- SL PRS resource type: can be set to periodic or aperiodic or semi-persistent or on-demand

- Alpha for SL PRS power control

- P0 for SL PRS power control

- Path loss reference for SL PRS power control: Can be set to SL SSB or DL PRS or UL SRS or UL SRS for positioning or PSCCH DMRS or PSSCH DMRS or PSFCH or SL CSI RS, etc.

For example, the above SL PRS resource set may be composed of SL PRS resources composed of the following information.

- SL PRS resource ID

- SL PRS comb size: Interval between REs where SL PRS is transmitted within a symbol

- SL PRS comb offset: RE index where SL PRS is first transmitted within the first SL PRS symbol.

- SL PRS comb cyclic shift: A cyclic shift used to generate the sequence that constitutes the SL PRS.

- SL PRS start position: The index of the first symbol transmitting SL PRS within a slot.

- Number of SL PRS symbols: The number of symbols that make up the SL PRS in one slot.

- Frequency domain shift: The lowest frequency position (index) at which the SL PRS is transmitted in the frequency domain.

- SL PRS BW: Frequency bandwidth used for SL PRS transmission

- SL PRS resource type: can be set to periodic or aperiodic or semi-persistent or on-demand

- SL PRS periodicity: the period in the time domain between SL PRS resources, a unit of physical or logical slot in the resource pool where SL PRS is transmitted.

- SL PRS Offset: The offset in the time domain from the start of the first SL PRS resource to the reference timing, in units of physical or logical slots in the resource pool where the SL PRS is transmitted. The reference timing may be SFN=0 or DFN=0, or the time of successful reception or decoding of RRC/MAC-CE/DCI/SCI associated with the SL PRS resource.

- SL PRS sequence ID

- SL PRS spatial relation: can be set to SL SSB or DL PRS or UL SRS or UL SRS for positioning or PSCCH DMRS or PSSCH DMRS or PSFCH or SL CSI RS, etc.

- SL PRS CCH: SL PRS control channel. Can signal SL PRS resource configuration information and resource location, etc.

Meanwhile, in the prior art, a procedure for performing bi-static sensing based on designating a Tx entity has not been defined. Therefore, it is necessary to define a sensing operation that designates a Tx entity to transmit a sensing RS (reference signal). Furthermore, according to the prior art, the Rx entity performing sensing cannot determine the Tx entity to transmit the sensing RS (reference signal). In this case, the following problems may occur. For example, when considering the geographical or topographical relationship between each of a plurality of Tx entities and the TSA, even if it is expected that the reliability of sensing will be guaranteed when an Rx entity performs sensing based on a sensing RS transmitted by a first Tx entity, the Rx entity cannot request the first Tx entity to transmit a sensing RS, and thus the Rx entity may receive a sensing RS transmitted by a Tx entity other than the first Tx entity among the plurality of Tx entities, and thus the reception quality of the sensing RS of the Rx entity may be degraded, and it may be difficult to guarantee the reliability of sensing performed based thereon.

In the present disclosure, a sensing method and a device supporting the same are proposed, which are performed based on a designation of a Tx entity to transmit a sensing RS.

For example, in performing bi-static sensing, if the sensing is performed after the Tx entity that transmitted the sensing RS designates a target Rx entity that will receive the sensing RS reflected by the object, the Tx entity and the Rx entity can perform bi-static sensing according to the following method.

For example, a sensing management function (SMF) and/or an Rx entity (e.g., an Rx BS or an Rx UE) may request transmission of a sensing RS to a Tx entity (e.g., a Tx BS or a Tx UE) around a target sensing area (TSA) and/or around the Rx entity. For example, the Rx BS may request transmission of the sensing RS to a UE within the reception coverage of the Rx BS located around the TSA and/or a UE that has established RRC_CONNECTED_MODE with the Rx BS. For example, the Rx BS may request transmission of the sensing RS to a Tx BS located around the TSA. For example, the request for transmission of the sensing RS may be transmitted through a dedicated protocol used for sensing operations. For example, the Rx BS can transmit TSA information and ID information related to the Tx BS (e.g., cell ID or TRP ID, etc.) to the SMF, so that the SMF can request the Tx BS to transmit a sensing RS. For example, the SMF can determine a Tx BS to transmit a sensing RS based on the TSA information, and can transmit ID information related to the Tx BS to the Rx BS. For example, the Rx UE can request the BS with which it has established an RRC_CONNECTED_MODE to transmit a sensing RS. For example, the operation can be limited to a case where the distance between the TSA and the BS is within a threshold value. For example, the operation can be limited to a case where the distance between the TSA and the BS is shorter than and/or equal to a distance between the TSA and another BS. For example, the Rx UE may request transmission of a sensing RS to a neighbor BS (e.g., a cell or a TRP) with which it does not have an RRC_CONNECTED_MODE. For example, the operation may be limited to a case where the distance between the TSA and the neighbor BS is shorter than the distance between the TSA and a BS with which the Rx UE has an RRC_CONNECTED_MODE. For example, the Rx UE may transmit ID information related to the neighbor BS to the SMF, and the SMF may request transmission of a sensing RS to the neighbor BS. For example, the Rx UE may transmit ID information related to the neighbor BS to the BS with which it has established RRC_CONNECTED_MODE, and may request sensing RS transmission to the neighbor BS with which the Rx UE and the BS have established RRC_CONNECTED_MODE. For example, for the above operation, the location of the neighbor BS may be provided to the UE.

For example, an Rx entity (e.g., an Rx BS or an Rx UE) can request a Tx entity (e.g., a Tx BS or a Tx UE) around the Rx entity to transmit a sensing RS. For example, the Rx entity can request a Tx entity located within a threshold distance from its location to transmit the sensing RS. For example, the Rx entity can request a Tx entity located within the threshold distance and having line-of-sight (LOS) with the Rx entity to transmit the sensing RS. For example, the Rx entity may request transmission of the sensing RS to a Tx entity having a received signal strength indication (RSSI) and/or a reference signal received power (RSRP) associated with a signal and/or channel transmitted by the Tx entity that it has received above a threshold. For example, the Rx entity may request the SMF to determine and instruct the Tx entity to transmit the sensing RS. For example, the Rx entity may report an ID associated with the Rx entity itself to the SMF. For example, when the Rx entity is a BS, the ID associated with the Rx entity may be a cell ID or a TRP ID. For example, when the Rx entity is a UE, the ID associated with the Rx entity may be its source ID and/or a C-RNTI (cell radio network temporary identifier) value that the Rx UE is using for Uu communication in a serving cell operating in RRC_CONNECTED_MODE. For example, in the case described above (when the Rx entity requests the SMF to determine and indicate a Tx entity to transmit a sensing RS), the SMF may determine the Tx entity to transmit the sensing RS and transmit ID information associated with the Tx entity to the Rx entity. For example, when the Tx entity is a BS, the ID associated with the Tx entity may be a cell ID or a TRP ID. For example, if the Tx entity is a UE, the ID associated with the Tx entity may be its source ID and/or the C-RNTI value that the Tx UE is using for Uu communication in a serving cell operating in RRC_CONNECTED_MODE. For example, the above-described operation(s) may be limited to a case where no TSA for the bi-static sensing is designated and sensing is performed in all directions around the Tx entity and/or the Rx entity.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method for requesting transmission of a sensing signal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of FIG. 9 may be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, base station A (921) and base station B (922) may be Tx entities capable of transmitting a sensing RS (reference signal) for performing bi-static sensing. And, for example, an Rx entity (910) may receive a sensing RS (reference signal) transmitted from a Tx entity for performing bi-static sensing.

For example, an Rx entity (910) can obtain information related to a TSA (930). And, for example, the Rx entity (910) can transmit sensing RS request information (e.g., information requesting transmission of a sensing RS) (940) to at least one Tx entity (e.g., base station B (922)) among a plurality of Tx entities (e.g., base station A (921) and base station B (922)) in order to perform sensing for the TSA (930). In this case, for example, the plurality of Tx entities (e.g., base station A (921) and base station B (922)) may be Tx entities located around the TSA (930). Alternatively, for example, the plurality of Tx entities (e.g., base station A (921) and base station B (922)) may be Tx entities located around the Rx entity (910). Alternatively, for example, the plurality of Tx entities (e.g., base station A (921) and base station B (922)) may be Tx entities located around at least one of the TSA (930) and the Rx entity (910).

For example, the Rx entity (910) may determine at least one Tx entity among the plurality of Tx entities (e.g., base station A (921) and base station B (922)) that is determined to have good transmission and reception of sensing RS, and may transmit sensing RS request information (940) to the determined Tx entity (e.g., base station B (922)). In this case, for example, even if the Rx entity (910) establishes an RRC connection (960) only with base station A (921) among the plurality of Tx entities (e.g., base station A (921) and base station B (922)), the Rx entity (910) can transmit the sensing RS request information (940) to base station B (922) other than base station A (921) with which the RRC connection (960) is established. For example, if the Rx entity (910) determines that the reception quality of the sensing RS transmitted by the base station B (922) with which the RRC connection is established is higher than the reception quality of the sensing RS transmitted by the base station A (921) with which the RRC connection (960) is established, the Rx entity (910) may determine the base station B (922) other than the base station A (921) with which the RRC connection (960) is established as the Tx entity to transmit the sensing RS, and may transmit the sensing RS request information (940) to the corresponding base station B (922).

In addition, for example, the Rx entity (910) that has acquired information related to the TSA (930) may determine at least one Tx entity to transmit a sensing RS among the plurality of Tx entities (e.g., base station A (921) and base station B (922)) by considering geographical/topographical conditions related to the TSA (930), and may transmit sensing RS request information (940) to the determined Tx entity (e.g., base station B (922)). In this case, for example, the Rx entity (910) may determine the Tx entity to transmit the sensing RS by considering the distance between the TSA (930) and the Tx entity. For example, if the distance (970a) between base station A (921) and the TSA (930) among the plurality of Tx entities (e.g., base station A (921) and base station B (922)) is longer than the distance (970b) between base station B (922) and the TSA (930), the Rx entity (910) can transmit sensing RS request information (940) to base station B (922). For example, even if the Rx entity (910) establishes an RRC connection (960) only with the base station A (921), if the distance (970b) between the base station B (922) and the TSA (930) is shorter than the distance (970a) between the base station A (921) and the TSA (930), the Rx entity (910) can transmit sensing RS request information (940) to the base station B (922). Or, for example, if only base station B (922) among the plurality of Tx entities (e.g., base station A (921) and base station B (922)) is included within a threshold distance from the TSA (930), the Rx entity (910) can transmit sensing RS request information (940) to the base station B (922).

For example, in the case described above, the base station B (922) that received the sensing RS request information (940) from the Rx entity (910) can transmit the sensing RS (950) to the TSA (930). For example, the sensing RS (950) transmitted by the base station B (922) can be reflected from the TSA (930) and received by the Rx entity (910), and the Rx entity (910) can perform sensing based on the received sensing RS.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method for requesting transmission of a sensing signal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of FIG. 10 may be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, in step S1010a, the Rx entity can receive RS (reference signal) A transmitted by Tx entity A, and in step S1010b, the Rx entity can receive RS B transmitted by Tx entity B.

In step S1020, the Rx entity can perform measurements based on RSs received from each Tx entity. For example, the Rx entity can measure RSSI based on RS A transmitted by Tx entity A, and can measure RSSI based on RS B transmitted by Tx entity B. Alternatively, for example, the Rx entity can measure RSRP based on RS A transmitted by Tx entity A, and can measure RSRP based on RS B transmitted by Tx entity B.

In step S1030, the Rx entity may determine a Tx entity among a plurality of Tx entities that transmitted RSs to transmit the sensing RS based on a value measured based on the received RS. For example, the Rx entity may compare the RSSI measured based on RS A and the RSSI measured based on RS B in the above-described step S1020 with a threshold value, respectively. In this case, for example, if the RSSI measured based on RS A is greater than the threshold value and the RSSI measured based on RS B is less than the threshold value, the Rx entity may determine the Tx entity A that transmitted RS A as the Tx entity to transmit the sensing RS. Alternatively, for example, the Rx entity may compare the RSRP measured based on RS A and the RSRP measured based on RS B in the above-described step S1020 with a threshold value, respectively. In this case, for example, if the RSRP measured based on RS A is greater than the threshold value and the RSRP measured based on RS B is less than the threshold value, the Rx entity may determine the Tx entity A that transmitted the RS A as the Tx entity to transmit the sensing RS.

In step S1040, the Rx entity may request transmission of the sensing RS to the Tx entity A, which transmits the sensing RS determined in step S1030 described above. For example, the Rx entity may transmit information requesting transmission of the sensing RS to the Tx entity A.

In step S1050, the Rx entity can receive the sensing RS transmitted by the Tx entity A. For example, the Tx entity A can transmit the sensing RS in the direction of the TSA based on receiving information requesting transmission of the sensing RS from the Rx entity. For example, the sensing RS transmitted by the Tx entity A can be reflected from the TSA and received by the Rx entity.

In step S1060, the Rx entity can perform sensing for the TSA based on the received sensing RS.

For example, whether the rule applies and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed service type-specifically (or differently or independently). For example, whether the rule applies and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed (or differently or independently) (LCH or service) priority-specifically. For example, whether the rule applies and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed (or differently or independently) QoS requirements (e.g., latency, reliability, minimum communication range)-specifically. For example, whether the rule applies and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed PQI parameter-specifically (or differently or independently). For example, whether the rule applies and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed SL HARQ feedback ENABLED LCH/MAC PDU (transmission)-specifically (or differently or independently). For example, the rule application status and/or the proposed method/rule related parameter values of the present disclosure can be set/allowed specifically (or differently or independently) for SL HARQ feedback DISABLED LCH/MAC PDU (transmission). For example, the rule application status and/or the proposed method/rule related parameter values of the present disclosure can be set/allowed specifically (or differently or independently) for CBR measurement values of resource pools. For example, the rule application status and/or the proposed method/rule related parameter values of the present disclosure can be set/allowed specifically (or differently or independently) for SL cast types (e.g., unicast, groupcast, broadcast). For example, the rule application status and/or the proposed method/rule related parameter values of the present disclosure can be set/allowed specifically (or differently or independently) for SL groupcast HARQ feedback options (e.g., NACK only feedback, ACK/NACK feedback, NACK only feedback based on TX-RX distance). For example, whether the rule applies and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed specifically (or differently or independently) for an SL mode 1 CG type (e.g., SL CG type 1 or SL CG type 2). For example, whether the rule applies and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed specifically (or differently or independently) for an SL mode type (e.g., mode 1 or mode 2). For example, whether the rule applies and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed specifically (or differently or independently) for a resource pool. For example, whether the rule applies and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed specifically (or differently or independently) for a resource pool in which PSFCH resources are configured. For example, whether the rule applies and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed specifically (or differently or independently) for a source (L2) ID. For example, whether the rule applies and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed specifically (or differently or independently) for a destination (L2) ID. For example, whether the rule applies and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed specifically (or differently or independently) for a PC5 RRC connection link. For example, whether the rule applies and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed specifically (or differently or independently) for an SL link. For example, whether the rule applies and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed specifically (or differently or independently) for a connection state (with a base station) (e.g., RRC CONNECTED state, IDLE state, INACTIVE state). For example, whether the rule is applied and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed specifically (or differently or independently) for an SL HARQ process (ID). For example, whether the rule is applied and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed specifically (or differently or independently) for whether the SL DRX operation (of a TX UE or an RX UE) is performed. For example, whether the rule is applied and/or the parameter values related to the proposed method/rule of the present disclosure can be set/allowed specifically (or differently or independently) for whether the UE is power saving (of a TX or an RX). For example, whether the rule applies and/or the parameter values related to the proposed scheme/rule of the present disclosure may be specifically (or differently or independently) set/allowed when (from a specific UE perspective) PSFCH TX and PSFCH RX overlap (and/or multiple PSFCH TXs (which exceed UE capability)) (and/or when PSFCH TX (and/or PSFCH RX) are omitted). For example, whether the rule applies and/or the parameter values related to the proposed scheme/rule of the present disclosure may be specifically (or differently or independently) set/allowed when the RX UE actually (successfully) receives a PSCCH (and/or PSSCH) (re)transmission from the TX UE.

For example, in the present disclosure, the setting (or designation) wording can be extended to include a form in which a base station notifies a terminal through a predefined (physical layer or upper layer) channel/signal (e.g., SIB, RRC, MAC CE) (and/or a form provided through pre-configuration and/or a form in which a terminal notifies another terminal through a predefined (physical layer or upper layer) channel/signal (e.g., SL MAC CE, PC5 RRC)).

For example, in the present disclosure, the PSFCH wording can be extended to (NR or LTE) PSSCH (and/or (NR or LTE) PSCCH) (and/or (NR or LTE) SL SSB (and/or UL channel/signal)). In addition, the proposed method of the present disclosure can be extended (in a new form) by being combined with each other.

For example, in the present disclosure, a specific threshold value may mean a threshold value that is defined in advance, or set (in advance) by a higher layer (including an application layer) of a network or a base station or a terminal. For example, in the present disclosure, a specific setting value may mean a value that is defined in advance, or set (in advance) by a higher layer (including an application layer) of a network or a base station or a terminal. For example, an operation set by a network/base station may mean an operation that a base station sets (in advance) to a UE via a higher layer RRC signaling, sets/signals to the UE via MAC CE, or signals to the UE via DCI.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method for a first device to perform wireless communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of FIG. 11 may be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 11, in step S1110, the first device can obtain information related to a target sensing region. In step S1120, the first device can transmit information requesting transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing region to the second device. In step S1130, the first device can receive the sensing signal. In step S1140, the first device can perform sensing for the target sensing region based on the sensing signal.

For example, the second device may be a base station other than the base station with which an RRC (radio resource control) connection is established with the first device.

For example, information requesting transmission of the sensing signal may be transmitted to the second device based on the distance between the target sensing area and the second device, which is a base station, being shorter than the distance between the target sensing area and the first device and the base station with which an RRC connection is established.

For example, based on the fact that within a threshold distance from the target sensing area, a base station with which an RRC connection has been established with the first device is not included, and a second device, which is a base station other than the base station with which an RRC connection has been established with the first device, is included, information requesting transmission of the sensing signal may be transmitted to the second device.

For example, information requesting transmission of the sensing signal may be transmitted to the second device based on a measured RSSI (received signal strength indication) value being greater than or equal to a threshold value based on a RS (reference signal) received from the second device.

For example, information requesting transmission of the sensing signal may be transmitted to the second device based on the RSRP (reference signal received power) value measured based on the RS (reference signal) received from the second device being greater than or equal to a threshold value.

For example, information requesting transmission of the sensing signal may be transmitted to the second device based on the second device being within a threshold distance from the first device.

For example, information requesting transmission of the sensing signal may be transmitted to the second device based on a plurality of devices including the second device being within a threshold distance from the first device and a line-of-sight (LOS) being secured between the second device and the first device among the plurality of devices.

Additionally, for example, the first device may obtain information related to the location of the second device, which is a base station other than the base station with which the first device has established an RRC connection. For example, based on the information related to the location of the second device, information requesting transmission of the sensing signal may be transmitted to the second device.

For example, information requesting transmission of the sensing signal may be transmitted to the second device based on the second device being within a threshold distance from the target sensing area and being within the coverage of the first device.

For example, information requesting transmission of the sensing signal may be transmitted to the second device based on a dedicated protocol related to the sensing.

Additionally, for example, the first device may transmit information including a first ID associated with the first device to a sensing management function (SMF). And, for example, the first device may receive information including a second ID associated with the second device from the SMF. For example, the second device may be determined by the SMF based on the first ID.

The proposed method can be applied to devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. First, the processor (102) of the first device (100) can control the transceiver (106) to obtain information related to a target sensing area. Then, the processor (102) of the first device (100) can control the transceiver (106) to transmit information requesting transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing area to a second device. Then, the processor (102) of the first device (100) can control the transceiver (106) to receive the sensing signal. Then, the processor (102) of the first device (100) can perform sensing of the target sensing area based on the sensing signal.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first device configured to perform wireless communication may be provided. For example, the first device may include at least one transceiver; at least one processor; and at least one memory connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions. For example, the instructions, based on execution by the at least one processor, may cause the first device to: obtain information related to a target sensing region; transmit information requesting transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing region to a second device; receive the sensing signal; and perform sensing of the target sensing region based on the sensing signal.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a processing device configured to control a first device may be provided. For example, the processing device may include at least one processor; and at least one memory connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions. For example, the instructions, based on execution by the at least one processor, may cause the first device to: obtain information related to a target sensing region; transmit information requesting transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing region to a second device; receive the sensing signal; and perform sensing of the target sensing region based on the sensing signal.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions recorded thereon may be provided. For example, the instructions, when executed, may cause a first device to: obtain information related to a target sensing region; transmit information requesting transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing region to a second device; receive the sensing signal; and perform sensing of the target sensing region based on the sensing signal.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method for a second device to perform wireless communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of FIG. 12 may be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12, in step S1210, the second device can receive information related to a target sensing area from the first device. In step S1220, the second device can determine a base station related to transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing area. In step S1230, the second device can transmit information requesting transmission of the sensing signal to the base station. In step S1240, the second device can transmit information including an ID related to the base station to the first device.

The proposed method can be applied to devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. First, the processor (202) of the second device (200) can control the transceiver (206) to receive information related to a target sensing area from the first device. Then, the processor (202) of the second device (200) can determine a base station related to transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing area. Then, the processor (202) of the second device (200) can control the transceiver (206) to transmit information requesting transmission of the sensing signal to the base station. Then, the processor (202) of the second device (200) can control the transceiver (206) to transmit information including an ID related to the base station to the first device.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a second device configured to perform wireless communication may be provided. For example, the second device may include at least one transceiver; at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions. For example, the instructions, based on execution by the at least one processor, may cause the second device to: receive information related to a target sensing area from a first device; determine a base station related to transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing area; transmit information requesting transmission of the sensing signal to the base station; and transmit information including an ID related to the base station to the first device.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a processing device configured to control a second device may be provided. For example, the processing device may include at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions. For example, the instructions, based on execution by the at least one processor, may cause the second device to: receive information related to a target sensing area from a first device; determine a base station related to transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing area; transmit information requesting transmission of the sensing signal to the base station; and transmit information including an ID related to the base station to the first device.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions recorded thereon may be provided. For example, the instructions, when executed, may cause a second device to: receive information related to a target sensing area from a first device; determine a base station related to transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing area; transmit information requesting transmission of the sensing signal to the base station; and transmit information including an ID related to the base station to the first device.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, sensing can be efficiently performed by designating a Tx entity that transmits a sensing RS. In addition, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an Rx entity can determine a Tx entity that will transmit a sensing RS and request the transmission of the sensing RS from the corresponding Tx entity. In this case, for example, the Rx entity can request transmission of the sensing RS from a Tx entity other than the Tx entity with which it has established an RRC connection, so that the range of an area that the Rx entity can sense can be expanded. In addition, for example, the Rx entity can request the determined Tx entity to transmit a sensing RS by considering the geographical/topographical environment between itself and the Tx entity or the geographical/topographical environment between the Tx entity and the TSA, so that the reception quality of the sensing RS of the Rx entity can be improved, and the reliability of sensing performed based on the sensing RS can be guaranteed.

The various embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined with each other.

Below, a description is given of devices to which various embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied.

Although not limited thereto, the various descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in this document may be applied to various fields requiring wireless communication/connectivity (e.g., 5G) between devices.

Hereinafter, more specific examples will be provided with reference to the drawings. In the drawings/descriptions below, the same drawing reference numerals may represent identical or corresponding hardware blocks, software blocks, or functional blocks, unless otherwise described.

FIG. 13 illustrates a communication system (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of FIG. 13 can be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 13, a communication system (1) to which various embodiments of the present disclosure are applied includes a wireless device, a base station, and a network. Here, the wireless device refers to a device that performs communication using a wireless access technology (e.g., 5G NR (New RAT), LTE (Long Term Evolution)) and may be referred to as a communication/wireless/5G device. Although not limited thereto, the wireless device may include a robot (100a), a vehicle (100b-1, 100b-2), an XR (eXtended Reality) device (100c), a hand-held device (100d), a home appliance (100e), an IoT (Internet of Things) device (100f), and an AI device/server (400). For example, the vehicle may include a vehicle equipped with a wireless communication function, an autonomous vehicle, a vehicle capable of performing vehicle-to-vehicle communication, etc. Here, the vehicle may include an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) (e.g., a drone) and/or an Aerial Vehicle (AV) (e.g., an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)). The XR device may include an Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR)/Mixed Reality (MR) device, and may be implemented in the form of a Head-Mounted Device (HMD), a Head-Up Display (HUD) equipped in a vehicle, a television, a smartphone, a computer, a wearable device, a home appliance, a digital signage, a vehicle, a robot, etc. The portable device may include a smartphone, a smart pad, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, smart glasses), a computer (e.g., a laptop, etc.), etc. The home appliance may include a TV, a refrigerator, a washing machine, etc. The IoT device may include a sensor, a smart meter, etc. For example, a base station and a network may also be implemented as a wireless device, and a specific wireless device (200a) may operate as a base station/network node to other wireless devices.

Here, the wireless communication technology implemented in the wireless devices (100a to 100f) of the present specification may include not only LTE, NR, and 6G, but also Narrowband Internet of Things for low-power communication. At this time, for example, NB-IoT technology may be an example of LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) technology, and may be implemented with standards such as LTE Cat NB1 and/or LTE Cat NB2, and is not limited to the above-described names. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless communication technology implemented in the wireless devices (100a to 100f) of the present specification may perform communication based on LTE-M technology. At this time, for example, LTE-M technology may be an example of LPWAN technology, and may be called by various names such as eMTC (enhanced Machine Type Communication). For example, LTE-M technology can be implemented by at least one of various standards such as 1) LTE CAT 0, 2) LTE Cat M1, 3) LTE Cat M2, 4) LTE non-BL (non-Bandwidth Limited), 5) LTE-MTC, 6) LTE Machine Type Communication, and/or 7) LTE M, and is not limited to the above-described names. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless communication technology implemented in the wireless devices (100a to 100f) of the present specification can include at least one of ZigBee, Bluetooth, and Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) considering low-power communication, and is not limited to the above-described names. For example, ZigBee technology can create personal area networks (PAN) related to small/low-power digital communication based on various standards such as IEEE 802.15.4, and can be called by various names.

Wireless devices (100a to 100f) can be connected to a network (300) via a base station (200). Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology can be applied to the wireless devices (100a to 100f), and the wireless devices (100a to 100f) can be connected to an AI server (400) via the network (300). The network (300) can be configured using a 3G network, a 4G (e.g., LTE) network, a 5G (e.g., NR) network, etc. The wireless devices (100a to 100f) can communicate with each other via the base station (200)/network (300), but can also communicate directly (e.g., sidelink communication) without going through the base station/network. For example, vehicles (100b-1, 100b-2) can communicate directly (e.g., V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle)/V2X (Vehicle to everything) communication). In addition, IoT devices (e.g., sensors) can communicate directly with other IoT devices (e.g., sensors) or other wireless devices (100a to 100f).

Wireless communication/connection (150a, 150b, 150c) can be established between wireless devices (100a~100f)/base stations (200), and base stations (200)/base stations (200). Here, wireless communication/connection can be achieved through various wireless access technologies (e.g., 5G NR) such as uplink/downlink communication (150a), sidelink communication (150b) (or D2D communication), and base station-to-base station communication (150c) (e.g., relay, IAB (Integrated Access Backhaul). Through wireless communication/connection (150a, 150b, 150c), wireless devices and base stations/wireless devices, and base stations and base stations can transmit/receive wireless signals to each other. For example, wireless communication/connection (150a, 150b, 150c) can transmit/receive signals through various physical channels. To this end, at least some of various configuration information setting processes for transmitting/receiving wireless signals, various signal processing processes (e.g., channel encoding/decoding, modulation/demodulation, resource mapping/demapping, etc.), and resource allocation processes can be performed based on various proposals of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of FIG. 14 may be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14, the first wireless device (100) and the second wireless device (200) can transmit and receive wireless signals via various wireless access technologies (e.g., LTE, NR). Here, {the first wireless device (100), the second wireless device (200)} can correspond to {the wireless device (100x), the base station (200)} and/or {the wireless device (100x), the wireless device (100x)} of FIG. 13.

A first wireless device (100) includes one or more processors (102) and one or more memories (104), and may further include one or more transceivers (106) and/or one or more antennas (108). The processor (102) controls the memories (104) and/or the transceivers (106), and may be configured to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in this document. For example, the processor (102) may process information in the memory (104) to generate first information/signal, and then transmit a wireless signal including the first information/signal via the transceiver (106). Furthermore, the processor (102) may receive a wireless signal including second information/signal via the transceiver (106), and then store information obtained from signal processing of the second information/signal in the memory (104). The memory (104) may be connected to the processor (102) and may store various information related to the operation of the processor (102). For example, the memory (104) may perform some or all of the processes controlled by the processor (102), or may store software code including commands for performing the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and/or operation flowcharts disclosed in this document. Here, the processor (102) and the memory (104) may be part of a communication modem/circuit/chip designed to implement a wireless communication technology (e.g., LTE, NR). The transceiver (106) may be connected to the processor (102) and may transmit and/or receive wireless signals via one or more antennas (108). The transceiver (106) may include a transmitter and/or a receiver. The transceiver (106) may be used interchangeably with an RF (Radio Frequency) unit. In the present disclosure, a wireless device may also mean a communication modem/circuit/chip.

A second wireless device (200) includes one or more processors (202), one or more memories (204), and may further include one or more transceivers (206) and/or one or more antennas (208). The processor (202) controls the memories (204) and/or the transceivers (206), and may be configured to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in this document. For example, the processor (202) may process information in the memory (204) to generate third information/signals, and then transmit a wireless signal including the third information/signals via the transceivers (206). In addition, the processor (202) may receive a wireless signal including fourth information/signals via the transceivers (206), and then store information obtained from signal processing of the fourth information/signals in the memory (204). The memory (204) may be connected to the processor (202) and may store various information related to the operation of the processor (202). For example, the memory (204) may perform some or all of the processes controlled by the processor (202), or may store software code including commands for performing the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and/or operation flowcharts disclosed in this document. Here, the processor (202) and the memory (204) may be part of a communication modem/circuit/chip designed to implement wireless communication technology (e.g., LTE, NR). The transceiver (206) may be connected to the processor (202) and may transmit and/or receive wireless signals via one or more antennas (208). The transceiver (206) may include a transmitter and/or a receiver. The transceiver (206) may be used interchangeably with an RF unit. In the present disclosure, a wireless device may also mean a communication modem/circuit/chip.

Hereinafter, the hardware elements of the wireless device (100, 200) will be described in more detail. Although not limited thereto, one or more protocol layers may be implemented by one or more processors (102, 202). For example, one or more processors (102, 202) may implement one or more layers (e.g., functional layers such as PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC, SDAP). One or more processors (102, 202) may generate one or more Protocol Data Units (PDUs) and/or one or more Service Data Units (SDUs) according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and/or operation flowcharts disclosed in this document. One or more processors (102, 202) may generate messages, control information, data, or information according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and/or operation flowcharts disclosed in this document. One or more processors (102, 202) can generate signals (e.g., baseband signals) including PDUs, SDUs, messages, control information, data or information according to the functions, procedures, proposals and/or methods disclosed herein, and provide the signals to one or more transceivers (106, 206). One or more processors (102, 202) can receive signals (e.g., baseband signals) from one or more transceivers (106, 206) and obtain PDUs, SDUs, messages, control information, data or information according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed herein.

One or more processors (102, 202) may be referred to as a controller, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or a microcomputer. One or more processors (102, 202) may be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), one or more Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), one or more Digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs), one or more Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), or one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) may be included in one or more processors (102, 202). The descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in this document may be implemented using firmware or software, and the firmware or software may be implemented to include modules, procedures, functions, etc. The descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operation flowcharts disclosed in this document may be implemented using firmware or software configured to perform one or more processors (102, 202) or stored in one or more memories (104, 204) and executed by one or more processors (102, 202). The descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operation flowcharts disclosed in this document may be implemented using firmware or software in the form of codes, instructions and/or sets of instructions.

One or more memories (104, 204) may be coupled to one or more processors (102, 202) and may store various forms of data, signals, messages, information, programs, codes, instructions, and/or commands. The one or more memories (104, 204) may be configured as ROM, RAM, EPROM, flash memory, hard drives, registers, cache memory, computer-readable storage media, and/or combinations thereof. The one or more memories (104, 204) may be located internally and/or externally to the one or more processors (102, 202). Additionally, the one or more memories (104, 204) may be coupled to the one or more processors (102, 202) via various technologies, such as wired or wireless connections.

One or more transceivers (106, 206) can transmit user data, control information, wireless signals/channels, etc., as mentioned in the methods and/or flowcharts of this document, to one or more other devices. One or more transceivers (106, 206) can receive user data, control information, wireless signals/channels, etc., as mentioned in the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods and/or flowcharts of this document, from one or more other devices. For example, one or more transceivers (106, 206) can be connected to one or more processors (102, 202) and can transmit and receive wireless signals. For example, one or more processors (102, 202) can control one or more transceivers (106, 206) to transmit user data, control information, or wireless signals to one or more other devices. Additionally, one or more processors (102, 202) may control one or more transceivers (106, 206) to receive user data, control information, or wireless signals from one or more other devices. Additionally, one or more transceivers (106, 206) may be coupled to one or more antennas (108, 208), and one or more transceivers (106, 206) may be configured to transmit and receive user data, control information, wireless signals/channels, or the like, as referred to in the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and/or operational flowcharts disclosed herein, via one or more antennas (108, 208). In this document, one or more antennas may be multiple physical antennas or multiple logical antennas (e.g., antenna ports). One or more transceivers (106, 206) may convert received user data, control information, wireless signals/channels, etc. from RF band signals to baseband signals in order to process the received user data, control information, wireless signals/channels, etc. using one or more processors (102, 202). One or more transceivers (106, 206) may convert processed user data, control information, wireless signals/channels, etc. from baseband signals to RF band signals using one or more processors (102, 202). For this purpose, one or more transceivers (106, 206) may include an (analog) oscillator and/or a filter.

FIG. 15 illustrates a signal processing circuit for a transmission signal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of FIG. 15 may be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 15, the signal processing circuit (1000) may include a scrambler (1010), a modulator (1020), a layer mapper (1030), a precoder (1040), a resource mapper (1050), and a signal generator (1060). Although not limited thereto, the operations/functions of FIG. 15 may be performed in the processor (102, 202) and/or the transceiver (106, 206) of FIG. 14. The hardware elements of FIG. 15 may be implemented in the processor (102, 202) and/or the transceiver (106, 206) of FIG. 14. For example, blocks 1010 to 1060 may be implemented in the processor (102, 202) of FIG. 14. Additionally, blocks 1010 to 1050 may be implemented in the processor (102, 202) of FIG. 14, and block 1060 may be implemented in the transceiver (106, 206) of FIG. 14.

The codeword can be converted into a wireless signal through the signal processing circuit (1000) of FIG. 15. Here, the codeword is an encoded bit sequence of an information block. The information block can include a transport block (e.g., an UL-SCH transport block, a DL-SCH transport block). The wireless signal can be transmitted through various physical channels (e.g., a PUSCH or a PDSCH).

Specifically, the codeword can be converted into a bit sequence scrambled by a scrambler (1010). The scramble sequence used for scrambling is generated based on an initialization value, and the initialization value may include ID information of the wireless device, etc. The scrambled bit sequence can be modulated into a modulation symbol sequence by a modulator (1020). The modulation method may include pi/2-BPSK (pi/2-Binary Phase Shift Keying), m-PSK (m-Phase Shift Keying), m-QAM (m-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), etc. The complex modulation symbol sequence can be mapped to one or more transmission layers by a layer mapper (1030). The modulation symbols of each transmission layer can be mapped to the corresponding antenna port(s) by a precoder (1040) (precoding). The output z of the precoder (1040) can be obtained by multiplying the output y of the layer mapper (1030) by a precoding matrix W of N*M. Here, N is the number of antenna ports, and M is the number of transmission layers. Here, the precoder (1040) can perform precoding after performing transform precoding (e.g., DFT transform) on complex modulation symbols. In addition, the precoder (1040) can perform precoding without performing transform precoding.

The resource mapper (1050) can map modulation symbols of each antenna port to time-frequency resources. The time-frequency resources can include multiple symbols (e.g., CP-OFDMA symbols, DFT-s-OFDMA symbols) in the time domain and multiple subcarriers in the frequency domain. The signal generator (1060) generates a wireless signal from the mapped modulation symbols, and the generated wireless signal can be transmitted to another device through each antenna. To this end, the signal generator (1060) can include an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) module, a Cyclic Prefix (CP) inserter, a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), a frequency uplink converter, etc.

The signal processing process for receiving signals in a wireless device can be configured in reverse order of the signal processing process (1010 to 1060) of FIG. 15. For example, a wireless device (e.g., 100, 200 of FIG. 14) can receive wireless signals from the outside through an antenna port/transceiver. The received wireless signals can be converted into baseband signals through a signal restorer. For this purpose, the signal restorer can include a frequency downlink converter, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a CP remover, and a fast Fourier transform (FFT) module. Thereafter, the baseband signal can be restored to a codeword through a resource demapper process, a postcoding process, a demodulation process, and a descrambling process. The codewords can be restored to the original information blocks through decoding. Accordingly, a signal processing circuit (not shown) for a received signal may include a signal restorer, a resource de-mapper, a postcoder, a demodulator, a de-scrambler, and a decoder.

Figure 16 illustrates a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless device may be implemented in various forms depending on the use case/service (see Figure 13). The embodiment of Figure 16 may be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 16, the wireless device (100, 200) corresponds to the wireless device (100, 200) of FIG. 14 and may be composed of various elements, components, units/units, and/or modules. For example, the wireless device (100, 200) may include a communication unit (110), a control unit (120), a memory unit (130), and an additional element (140). The communication unit may include a communication circuit (112) and a transceiver(s) (114). For example, the communication circuit (112) may include one or more processors (102, 202) and/or one or more memories (104, 204) of FIG. 14. For example, the transceiver(s) (114) may include one or more transceivers (106, 206) and/or one or more antennas (108, 208) of FIG. 14. The control unit (120) is electrically connected to the communication unit (110), the memory unit (130), and the additional elements (140) and controls the overall operation of the wireless device. For example, the control unit (120) may control the electrical/mechanical operation of the wireless device based on the program/code/command/information stored in the memory unit (130). In addition, the control unit (120) may transmit information stored in the memory unit (130) to an external device (e.g., another communication device) via a wireless/wired interface through the communication unit (110), or store information received from an external device (e.g., another communication device) via a wireless/wired interface in the memory unit (130).

The additional element (140) may be configured in various ways depending on the type of the wireless device. For example, the additional element (140) may include at least one of a power unit/battery, an input/output unit (I/O unit), a driving unit, and a computing unit. Although not limited thereto, the wireless device may be implemented in the form of a robot (Fig. 13, 100a), a vehicle (Fig. 13, 100b-1, 100b-2), an XR device (Fig. 13, 100c), a portable device (Fig. 13, 100d), a home appliance (Fig. 13, 100e), an IoT device (Fig. 13, 100f), a digital broadcasting terminal, a hologram device, a public safety device, an MTC device, a medical device, a fintech device (or a financial device), a security device, a climate/environmental device, an AI server/device (Fig. 13, 400), a base station (Fig. 13, 200), a network node, etc. Wireless devices may be mobile or stationary depending on the use/service.

In FIG. 16, various elements, components, units/parts, and/or modules within the wireless device (100, 200) may be interconnected entirely via a wired interface, or at least some may be wirelessly connected via a communication unit (110). For example, within the wireless device (100, 200), the control unit (120) and the communication unit (110) may be wired, and the control unit (120) and the first unit (e.g., 130, 140) may be wirelessly connected via the communication unit (110). In addition, each element, component, unit/part, and/or module within the wireless device (100, 200) may further include one or more elements. For example, the control unit (120) may be composed of one or more processor sets. For example, the control unit (120) may be composed of a set of a communication control processor, an application processor, an electronic control unit (ECU), a graphics processing processor, a memory control processor, etc. As another example, the memory unit (130) may be composed of a random access memory (RAM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and/or a combination thereof.

Below, the implementation example of Fig. 16 is described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 17 illustrates a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The mobile device may include a smartphone, a smart pad, a wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch, smartglasses), or a portable computer (e.g., a laptop, etc.). The mobile device may be referred to as a Mobile Station (MS), a User Terminal (UT), a Mobile Subscriber Station (MSS), a Subscriber Station (SS), an Advanced Mobile Station (AMS), or a Wireless Terminal (WT). The embodiment of FIG. 17 may be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 17, the portable device (100) may include an antenna unit (108), a communication unit (110), a control unit (120), a memory unit (130), a power supply unit (140a), an interface unit (140b), and an input/output unit (140c). The antenna unit (108) may be configured as a part of the communication unit (110). Blocks 110 to 130/140a to 140c correspond to blocks 110 to 130/140 of FIG. 16, respectively.

The communication unit (110) can transmit and receive signals (e.g., data, control signals, etc.) with other wireless devices and base stations. The control unit (120) can control components of the mobile device (100) to perform various operations. The control unit (120) can include an AP (Application Processor). The memory unit (130) can store data/parameters/programs/codes/commands required for operating the mobile device (100). In addition, the memory unit (130) can store input/output data/information, etc. The power supply unit (140a) supplies power to the mobile device (100) and can include a wired/wireless charging circuit, a battery, etc. The interface unit (140b) can support connection between the mobile device (100) and other external devices. The interface unit (140b) can include various ports (e.g., audio input/output ports, video input/output ports) for connection with external devices. The input/output unit (140c) can input or output video information/signals, audio information/signals, data, and/or information input from a user. The input/output unit (140c) may include a camera, a microphone, a user input unit, a display unit (140d), a speaker, and/or a haptic module.

For example, in the case of data communication, the input/output unit (140c) obtains information/signals (e.g., touch, text, voice, image, video) input by the user, and the obtained information/signals can be stored in the memory unit (130). The communication unit (110) converts the information/signals stored in the memory into wireless signals, and can directly transmit the converted wireless signals to other wireless devices or to a base station. In addition, the communication unit (110) can receive wireless signals from other wireless devices or base stations, and then restore the received wireless signals to the original information/signals. The restored information/signals can be stored in the memory unit (130) and then output in various forms (e.g., text, voice, image, video, haptic) through the input/output unit (140c).

FIG. 18 illustrates a vehicle or autonomous vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle or autonomous vehicle may be implemented as a mobile robot, a car, a train, a manned or unmanned aerial vehicle (AV), a ship, or the like. The embodiment of FIG. 18 may be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 18, a vehicle or autonomous vehicle (100) may include an antenna unit (108), a communication unit (110), a control unit (120), a driving unit (140a), a power supply unit (140b), a sensor unit (140c), and an autonomous driving unit (140d). The antenna unit (108) may be configured as a part of the communication unit (110). Blocks 110/130/140a to 140d correspond to blocks 110/130/140 of FIG. 16, respectively.

The communication unit (110) can transmit and receive signals (e.g., data, control signals, etc.) with external devices such as other vehicles, base stations (e.g., base stations, road side units, etc.), and servers. The control unit (120) can control elements of the vehicle or autonomous vehicle (100) to perform various operations. The control unit (120) can include an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The drive unit (140a) can drive the vehicle or autonomous vehicle (100) on the ground. The drive unit (140a) can include an engine, a motor, a power train, wheels, brakes, a steering device, etc. The power supply unit (140b) supplies power to the vehicle or autonomous vehicle (100) and can include a wired/wireless charging circuit, a battery, etc. The sensor unit (140c) can obtain vehicle status, surrounding environment information, user information, etc. The sensor unit (140c) may include an IMU (inertial measurement unit) sensor, a collision sensor, a wheel sensor, a speed sensor, an incline sensor, a weight detection sensor, a heading sensor, a position module, a vehicle forward/backward sensor, a battery sensor, a fuel sensor, a tire sensor, a steering sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an illuminance sensor, a pedal position sensor, etc. The autonomous driving unit (140d) may implement a technology for maintaining a driving lane, a technology for automatically controlling speed such as adaptive cruise control, a technology for automatically driving along a set path, a technology for automatically setting a path and driving when a destination is set, etc.

For example, the communication unit (110) can receive map data, traffic information data, etc. from an external server. The autonomous driving unit (140d) can generate an autonomous driving route and driving plan based on the acquired data. The control unit (120) can control the drive unit (140a) so that the vehicle or autonomous vehicle (100) moves along the autonomous driving route according to the driving plan (e.g., speed/direction control). During autonomous driving, the communication unit (110) can irregularly/periodically acquire the latest traffic information data from an external server and can acquire surrounding traffic information data from surrounding vehicles. In addition, during autonomous driving, the sensor unit (140c) can acquire vehicle status and surrounding environment information. The autonomous driving unit (140d) can update the autonomous driving route and driving plan based on newly acquired data/information. The communication unit (110) can transmit information regarding the vehicle location, autonomous driving route, driving plan, etc. to the external server. External servers can predict traffic information data in advance using AI technology or other technologies based on information collected from vehicles or autonomous vehicles, and provide the predicted traffic information data to the vehicles or autonomous vehicles.

The claims set forth in this specification may be combined in various ways. For example, the technical features of the method claims of this specification may be combined and implemented as a device, and the technical features of the device claims of this specification may be combined and implemented as a method. Furthermore, the technical features of the method claims and the technical features of the device claims of this specification may be combined and implemented as a device, and the technical features of the method claims and the technical features of the device claims of this specification may be combined and implemented as a method.

Claims (20)

In terms of method, A step in which a first device acquires information related to a target sensing area; A step of transmitting information requesting transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing area to a second device; A step of receiving the sensing signal; and A method comprising: performing sensing for the target sensing area based on the sensing signal; In the first paragraph, A method wherein the second device is a base station other than a base station with which an RRC (radio resource control) connection is established with the first device. In the first paragraph, A method in which information requesting transmission of the sensing signal is transmitted to the second device based on the distance between the target sensing area and the second device, which is a base station, being shorter than the distance between the target sensing area and the first device and the base station with which an RRC connection is established. In the first paragraph, A method in which information requesting transmission of the sensing signal is transmitted to the second device based on the fact that, within a threshold distance from the target sensing area, a base station with which an RRC connection has been established with the first device is not included, and a second device that is a base station other than the base station with which an RRC connection has been established with the first device is included. In the first paragraph, A method in which information requesting transmission of the sensing signal is transmitted to the first base station based on the RSSI (received signal strength indication) value measured based on the RS (reference signal) received from the second device being greater than or equal to a threshold value. In the first paragraph, A method in which information requesting transmission of the sensing signal is transmitted to the first base station based on the RSRP (reference signal received power) value measured based on the RS (reference signal) received from the second device being greater than or equal to a threshold value. In the first paragraph, A method in which information requesting transmission of the sensing signal is transmitted to the second device based on the second device being within a threshold distance from the first device. In the first paragraph, A method in which information requesting transmission of the sensing signal is transmitted to the second device based on a plurality of devices including the second device being within a threshold distance from the first device and a line-of-sight (LOS) being secured between the second device and the first device among the plurality of devices. In the first paragraph, A step of obtaining information related to the location of the second device, which is a base station other than the base station with which the RRC connection is established with the first device; further comprising: A method in which information requesting transmission of the sensing signal is transmitted to the second device based on information related to the location of the second device. In the first paragraph, A method in which information requesting transmission of the sensing signal is transmitted to the second device based on the second device being within a threshold distance from the target sensing area and being within the coverage of the first device. In the first paragraph, A method in which information requesting transmission of the sensing signal is transmitted to the second device based on a dedicated protocol related to the sensing. In the first paragraph, A step of transmitting information including a first ID related to the first device to a sensing management function (SMF); and Further comprising: a step of receiving information including a second ID related to the second device from the SMF; A method wherein the second device is determined by the SMF based on the first ID. In the first paragraph, A method in which the sensing signal transmitted by the second device is reflected from the target sensing area and received by the first device. In the first device, At least one transmitter/receiver; at least one processor; and At least one memory connected to said at least one processor and storing instructions, said instructions being executed by said at least one processor, wherein said first device causes: Acquire information related to the target sensing area; Transmit information requesting transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing area to a second device; To receive the above sensing signal; and A first device that performs sensing for the target sensing area based on the sensing signal. In a processing device set to control a first device, at least one processor; and At least one memory connected to said at least one processor and storing instructions, said instructions being executed by said at least one processor, wherein said first device causes: Acquire information related to the target sensing area; Transmit information requesting transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing area to a second device; To receive the above sensing signal; and A processing device that performs sensing for the target sensing area based on the sensing signal. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that records commands, The above commands, when executed, cause the first device to: Acquire information related to the target sensing area; Transmit information requesting transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing area to a second device; To receive the above sensing signal; and A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that performs sensing for the target sensing area based on the sensing signal. In terms of method, A step in which a second device receives information related to a target sensing area from a first device; A step of determining a base station related to transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the target sensing area; A step of transmitting information requesting transmission of the sensing signal to the base station; and A method comprising the step of transmitting information including an ID associated with the base station to the first device. In the second device, At least one transmitter/receiver; at least one processor; and At least one memory connected to said at least one processor and storing instructions, said instructions being executed by said at least one processor, wherein said second device causes: Receive information related to a target sensing area from a first device; Determine a base station related to transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the above target sensing area; Transmitting information requesting transmission of the sensing signal to the base station; and A second device that transmits information including an ID associated with the base station to the first device. In a processing device set to control a second device, at least one processor; and At least one memory connected to said at least one processor and storing instructions, said instructions being executed by said at least one processor, wherein said second device causes: Receive information related to a target sensing area from a first device; Determine a base station related to transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the above target sensing area; Transmitting information requesting transmission of the sensing signal to the base station; and A processing device that transmits information including an ID associated with the base station to the first device. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that records commands, The above commands, when executed, cause the second device to: Receive information related to a target sensing area from a first device; Determine a base station related to transmission of a sensing signal for sensing the above target sensing area; Transmitting information requesting transmission of the sensing signal to the base station; and A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that transmits information including an ID associated with the base station to the first device.