WO2025175584A1

WO2025175584A1 - Device, method and computer readable medium for integrated sensing and communication

Info

Publication number: WO2025175584A1
Application number: PCT/CN2024/078456
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jin Yang; Gang Wang
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 2024-02-23
Filing date: 2024-02-23
Publication date: 2025-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-23

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to device, method and computer readable medium for ISAC. A first device determines whether to transmit a sensing signal on a first resource. The first resource is overlapping with a second resource in time domain or frequency domain, and the second resource is for transmission of a communication signal. Based on determining not to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource, the first device drops transmission of the sensing signal. Based on determining to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource, the first device determines first spatial information of the sensing signal on the first resource. In turn, the first device transmits the sensing signal based on the first spatial information.

Description

DEVICE, METHOD AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM FOR INTEGRATED SENSING AND COMMUNICATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication, and in particular, to device, method and computer readable medium for Integrated Sensing And Communication (ISAC) .

BACKGROUND

ISAC is listed as a new key feature of six scenarios in the sixth generation (6G) system. In the early stage of ISAC discussion in the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) , it may aim to build communication based sensing system.

In ISAC system, resources should be divided for a communication signal and a sensing signal by using frequency division multiplexing (FDM) , time division multiplexing (TDM) or space division multiplexing (SDM) . Based on large-scale antenna arrays, especially in higher frequency band, SDM based resource multiplexing in ISAC system is achievable. It is reasonable and beneficial to consider SDM schemes for communication signal and sensing signal multiplexing.

SUMMARY

In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device, method and computer readable medium for ISAC.

In a first aspect, there is provided a first device. The first device comprises a processor. The processor is configured to cause the first device to: determine whether to transmit a sensing signal on a first resource, wherein the first resource is overlapping with a second resource in time domain or frequency domain, and the second resource is for transmission of a communication signal; based on determining not to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource, drop transmission of the sensing signal; based on determining to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource, determine first spatial information of the sensing signal on the first resource; and transmit the sensing signal based on the first spatial information.

In a second aspect, there is provided a method for ISAC. The method comprises: determining whether to transmit a sensing signal on a first resource, wherein the first resource is overlapping with a second resource in time domain or frequency domain, and the second resource is for transmission of a communication signal; based on determining not to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource, dropping transmission of the sensing signal; based on determining to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource, determining first spatial information of the sensing signal on the first resource; and transmitting the sensing signal based on the first spatial information.

In a third aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon. The instructions, when executed on at least one processor of a device, cause the device to perform the method according to the second aspect.

It is to be understood that the summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C illustrate an example communication network in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented, respectively;

Fig. 2 illustrates a flowchart of an example method in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 3 to 7 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 8 illustrates an example of overlap between a resource for a sensing signal and a resource for a synchronization signal block (SSB) in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Figs. 9A and 9B illustrate an example of a signal pair in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively;

Fig. 10 illustrates an example of SDM of a sensing signal with a communication signal in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 11 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example method for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Figs. 12A, 12B and 12C illustrate an example of a beam guard in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively; and

Fig. 13 is a simplified block diagram of a device that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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

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

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

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

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

The terminal or the network device may work on several frequency ranges, e.g. FR1 (410 MHz –7125 MHz) , FR2 (24.25GHz to 71GHz) , frequency band larger than 100GHz as well as Tera Hertz (THz) . It can further work on licensed/unlicensed/shared spectrum. The terminal device may have more than one connection with the network devices under Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) application scenario. The terminal device or the network device can work on full duplex, flexible duplex and cross division duplex modes.

The network device may have the function of network energy saving, Self-Organizing Networks (SON) /Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT) . The terminal may have the function of power saving.

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed in test equipment, e.g. signal generator, signal analyzer, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, test terminal device, test network device, channel emulator

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed according to any generation communication protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Examples of the communication protocols include, but not limited to, the first generation (1G) , the second generation (2G) , 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G) , the fourth generation (4G) , 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, 5.5G, 5G-Advanced networks, or the 6G networks.

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

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

Fig. 1A illustrates a schematic diagram of an example communication network 100A in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. As shown in Fig. 1A, the communication network 100A may include a terminal device 110, a terminal device 120, and a network device 130.

It is to be understood that the number of devices in Fig. 1A is given for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations to the present disclosure. The communication network 100A may include any suitable number of devices adapted for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may comprise at least one of a sensing module and a communication module. For example, as shown in Fig. 1A, the terminal device 110 comprises a Uu sensing module 110-11, a sidelink sensing module 110-12 and a communication module 110-2.

In some embodiments, the Uu sensing module 110-11 may be configured to perform a Uu sensing function based on the network assistance or control, and the Uu sensing function may comprise at least one of a downlink sensing function and an uplink sensing function. The sidelink sensing module 110-12 may be configured to perform a sidelink sensing function.

Similarly, in some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may comprise at least one of a sensing module and a communication module. For example, as shown in Fig. 1A, the terminal device 120 comprises a Uu sensing module 120-11, a sidelink sensing module 120-12 and a communication module 120-2.

In some embodiments, the network device 130 may comprise at least one of a sensing module and a communication module. For example, as shown in Fig. 1A, the network device 130 comprises a sensing module 130-1 and a communication module 130-2.

In some embodiments, the network device 130 may be implemented as a gNB in NR.

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

In some embodiments, the communications in the communication network 100A may comprise ISAC. The communication network with ISAC may structure sharing hardware architectures, channel characteristics and signal processing, and integrate types of sensing information, such as sensory data from the environment and radar based sensing information, and communication information to achieve higher resource efficiency and provide more intelligent and integrated network solutions. The ISAC network can be applied to more extensive scenarios, including smart home, smart manufacturing, environmental monitoring, and so on.

In some embodiments, the network device 130 may comprise at least one of the following:

· an interface between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110, or

· an interface between the sensing module 130-1 and the communication module 130-2.

In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may comprise at least one of the following:

· the interface between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110,

· the interface between the terminal device 120 and the terminal device 110,

· an interface between the Uu sensing module 110-11 and the communication module 110-2,

· an interface between the sidelink sensing module 110-12 and the communication module 110-2, or

· an interface between the Uu sensing module 110-11 and the sidelink sensing module 110-12.

In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may comprise at least one of the following:

· the interface between the terminal device 120 and the terminal device 110,

· an interface between the Uu sensing module 120-11 and the communication module 120-2,

· an interface between the sidelink sensing module 120-12 and the communication module 120-2, or

· an interface between the Uu sensing module 120-11 and the sidelink sensing module 120-12.

In embodiments where the network device 130 is a gNB, the interface between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 may be a Uu interface. In some embodiments, between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110, sidelink sensing related information may be exchanged on the Uu interface.

In some embodiments, Uu sensing procedure may be performed between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110, and Uu sensing function related information may be exchanged, e.g., between the sensing module 130-1 of the network device 130 and the Uu sensing module 110-11 of the terminal device 110.

In some embodiments, the interface between the terminal device 110 and the terminal device 120 may be a Unified Air Interface, such as PC5 interface. In such embodiments, between the terminal device 110 and the terminal device 120, a sidelink sensing procedure may be performed and sidelink sensing function related information may be exchanged on the PC5 interface, i.e., between the sidelink sensing module 110-12 of the terminal device 110 and the sidelink sensing module 120-12 of the terminal device 120.

Fig. 1B illustrates a schematic diagram of another example communication network 100B in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. The example communication network 100B is similar to the example communication network 100A. The example communication network 100B is different from the example communication network 100A mainly in that in the example communication network 100B, the network device 130 does not comprise the sensing module 130-1 but comprises a sensing control module 130-3. In addition, the example communication network 100B further comprises a sensing transmission reception point (TRP) 140 and a sensing TRP 150.

· an interface between the sensing control module 130-3 and the communication module 130-2,

· an interface between the network device 130 and the sensing TRP 140, or

· an interface between the network device 130 and the sensing TRP 150.

In some embodiments, the sensing control module 130-3 of the network device 130 may be configured to perform sensing management and control. The sensing control module 130-3 may be also configured to generate a sensing control signal and transmit the sensing control signal to at least one of the sensing TRP 140 or the sensing TRP 150.

In some embodiments, the sensing TRP 140 may comprise a sensing module 140-1. The sensing module 140-1 may be configured to transmit, receive or measure a sensing signal based on the sensing control signal received from the network device 130.

In some embodiments, the sensing TRP 140 may comprise at least one of the following:

· the interface between the sensing TRP 140 and the network device 130, or

· an interface between the sensing TRP 140 and the terminal device 110.

In some embodiments, the interface between the sensing TRP 140 and the terminal device 110 may be a Uu interface. In other words, the interface may be transparent from the perspective of the terminal device 110. Alternatively, the interface may be a new interface for the sensing TRP 140.

Similarly, the sensing TRP 150 may comprise a sensing module 150-1. The sensing module 150-1 may be configured to transmit, receive or measure a sensing signal based on the sensing control signal received from the network device 130.

In some embodiments, the sensing TRP 150 may comprise at least one of the following:

· the interface between the sensing TRP 150 and the network device 130, or

· an interface between the sensing TRP 150 and the terminal device 110.

In some embodiments, the interface between the sensing TRP 150 and the terminal device 110 may be a Uu interface. In other words, the interface may be transparent from the perspective of the terminal device 110. Alternatively, the interface may be a new interface for the sensing TRP 150.

· the interface between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110,

· the interface between the terminal device 120 and the terminal device 110,

· the interface between the Uu sensing module 110-11 and the communication module 110-2,

· the interface between the Uu sensing module 110-12 and the communication module 110-2,

· the interface between the Uu sensing module 110-11 and the sidelink sensing module 110-12,

· the interface between the sensing TRP 140 and the terminal device 110, or

· the interface between the sensing TRP 150 and the terminal device 110.

Fig. 1C illustrates a schematic diagram of a further example communication network 100C in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. The example communication network 100C is similar to the example communication network 100B. The example communication network 100C is different from the example communication network 100B in that in the example communication network 100C, the network device 130 does not comprise the sensing control module 130-3. Each of the sensing module 140-1 of the sensing TRP 140 and the sensing module 150-1 of the sensing TRP 150 performs sensing management and control.

As described above, in ISAC system, a communication signal and a sensing signal may be spatial multiplexed. To avoid interference between the two types of signals and provide more efficient resource multiplexing, beam based SDM for the communication signal and the sensing signal should be considered.

In view of the above, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for ISAC. In this solution, a first device determines whether to transmit a sensing signal on a first resource. The first resource is overlapping with a second resource in time domain or frequency domain, and the second resource is for transmission of a communication signal. Based on determining not to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource, the first device drops transmission of the sensing signal. Based on determining to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource, the first device determines first spatial information of the sensing signal on the first resource. In turn, the first device transmits the sensing signal based on the first spatial information. With this solution, SDM for the communication signal and the sensing signal may be achieved.

Hereinafter, principle of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 13.

Fig. 2 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 200 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 200 can be implemented at a first device. For example, the first device may be implemented as the terminal device 110, the terminal device 120 or the network device 130 as shown in Fig. 1A. Alternatively, the first device may be implemented as the terminal device 110, the network device 130, the sensing TRP 140 or the sensing TRP 150 as shown in Fig. 1B or 1C.

At block 210, the first device determines whether to transmit a sensing signal on a first resource. The first resource is overlapping with a second resource in time domain or frequency domain. The second resource is for transmission of a communication signal.

If the first device determines not to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource, the first device drops transmission of the sensing signal at block 220.

On the other hand, if the first device determines to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource, the first device determines, at block 230, first spatial information of the sensing signal on the first resource.

In turn, the first device transmits, at block 240, the sensing signal based on the first spatial information of the sensing signal.

With the method 200, SDM for the communication signal and the sensing signal may be achieved.

In some embodiments, the first spatial information of the sensing signal may comprise information about at least one beam for the sensing signal.

In some embodiments, the first spatial information of the sensing signal may comprise at least one of the following:

· a first number of at least one beam for the sensing signal,

· a direction of the at least one beam,

· an angle of the at least one beam,

· a width of the at least one beam,

· 3dB beam width of the at least one beam,

· a transmission power of the at least one beam,

· a period of beam sweeping, or

· an antenna gain.

In some embodiments, the first spatial information of the sensing signal may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured. For example, the first spatial information of the sensing signal may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured in an ISAC system.

In some embodiments, the first device may determine the first spatial information of the sensing signal by obtaining the first spatial information from a second device. In other words, the first spatial information of the sensing signal may be exchanged between devices. For example, the first spatial information of the sensing signal may be exchanged between the network device 130 and the sensing TRP 140 or 150 in Fig. 1B or 1C. Alternatively, the first spatial information of the sensing signal may be exchanged between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C. Alternatively, the first spatial information of the sensing signal may be exchanged between the terminal device 110 and the sensing TRP 140 or 150 in Fig. 1C. This will be described with reference to Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process 300 for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The process 300 may be considered as an example implementation of the action 230 in Fig. 2. For the purpose of discussion, the process 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 1C. The process 300 may involve the terminal device 110 and the sensing TRP 140 in Fig. 1C.

Generally, in the process 300, the first device is implemented as the terminal device 110, and the second device is implemented as the sensing TRP 140 in Fig. 1C. The first spatial information of the sensing signal is exchanged between the sensing TRP 140 and the terminal device 110.

As shown in Fig. 3, the sensing TRP 140 determines 310 to transmit a sensing signal.

In turn, the sensing TRP 140 determines first spatial information of the sensing signal. Then, the sensing TRP 140 transmits 320 the first spatial information of the sensing signal to the terminal device 110.

Upon receiving the first spatial information of the sensing signal, the terminal device 110 may select a sensing resource for its sensing signal transmission and avoid potential conflict or interference caused by the sensing signal transmitted by the sensing TRP 140.

In some embodiments, the first spatial information of the sensing signal may be exchanged between a first sensing module and a second sensing module of the first device. For example, the first spatial information of the sensing signal may be exchanged between the Uu sensing module 110-11 of the terminal device 110 and the sidelink sensing module 110-12 of the terminal device 110 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C. This will be described with reference to Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process 400 for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The process 400 may be considered as an example implementation of the action 230 in Fig. 2. For the purpose of discussion, the process 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C. The process 400 may involve the Uu sensing module 110-11 of the terminal device 110 and the sidelink sensing module 110-12 of the terminal device 110 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C.

Generally, in the process 400, the first device is implemented as the terminal device 110 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C. The first spatial information of the sensing signal is exchanged between the Uu sensing module 110-11 of the terminal device 110 and the sidelink sensing module 110-12 of the terminal device 110.

As shown in Fig. 4, the Uu sensing module 110-11 determines 410 to perform a sensing signal transmission scheduled by the network device 130, the sensing TRP 140, or the sensing TRP 150.

In turn, the Uu sensing module 110-11 determines first spatial information of the sensing signal. Then, the Uu sensing module 110-11 transmits 420 the first spatial information of the sensing signal to the sidelink sensing module 110-12.

Upon receiving the first spatial information of the sensing signal, the sidelink sensing module 110-12 may further select a sensing resource for its sidelink sensing signal transmission and avoid potential conflict or interference caused by the sensing signal transmission by the terminal device 110 which is scheduled by the network device 130, the sensing TRP 140, or the sensing TRP 150.

In some embodiments, the first spatial information of the sensing signal may be exchanged between a sensing module and a communication module of the first device.

In some embodiments, the first device may obtain second spatial information of the communication signal.

In some embodiments, the first device may determine whether to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource based on the second spatial information.

In some embodiments, the first device may determine the first spatial information of the sensing signal on the first resource based on the second spatial information.

In some embodiments, the second spatial information of the communication signal may comprise information about at least one beam for the communication signal.

In some embodiments, the second spatial information of the communication signal may comprise at least one of the following:

· a second number of at least one beam for the communication signal,

· a direction of the at least one beam,

· an angle of the at least one beam,

· a width of the at least one beam,

· 3dB beam width of the at least one beam,

· a transmission power of the at least one beam,

· a period of beam sweeping, or

· an antenna gain.

In some embodiments, the second spatial information of the communication signal may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured. For example, the second spatial information of the communication signal may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured in an ISAC system.

In some embodiments, the first device may obtain second spatial information of the communication signal from a second device. In other words, the second spatial information of the communication signal may be exchanged between devices. For example, the second spatial information of the communication signal may be exchanged between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C. Alternatively, the second spatial information of the communication signal may be exchanged between the terminal device 110 and the sensing TRP 140 or 150 in Fig. 1C. Alternatively, the second spatial information of the communication signal may be exchanged between the network device 130 and the sensing TRP 140 or 150 in Fig. 1B or 1C. This will be described with reference to Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process 500 for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The process 500 may be considered as an example implementation of the action 230 in Fig. 2. For the purpose of discussion, the process 500 will be described with reference to Fig. 1B or 1C. The process 500 may involve the network device 130 and the sensing TRP 140 in Fig. 1B or 1C.

Generally, in the process 500, the first device is implemented as the sensing TRP 140, and the second device is implemented as the network device 130 in Fig. 1B or 1C. The second spatial information of the communication signal may be indicated by the network device 130 to the sensing TRP 140.

As shown in Fig. 5, the network device 130 determines 510 to transmit a communication signal.

In turn, the network device 130 determines second spatial information of the communication signal. Then, the network device 130 transmits 520 the second spatial information of the communication signal to the sensing TRP 140.

Upon receiving the second spatial information of the communication signal, the sensing TRP 140 may determine whether to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource based on the second spatial information. Alternatively, the sensing TRP 140 may determine the first spatial information of the sensing signal based on the second spatial information. In this way, the sensing TRP 140 may avoid sensing signal transmission which may cause interference to the communication signal transmission.

In some embodiments, a sensing module of the first device may obtain the second spatial information of the communication signal from a communication module of the first device. In other words, the second spatial information of the communication signal may be indicated by the communication module to the sensing module of the first device. For example, the second spatial information of the communication signal may be indicated by the communication module 130-2 of the network device 130 to the sensing module 130-1 of the network device 130 in Fig. 1A. This will be described with reference to Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process 600 for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The process 600 may be considered as an example implementation of the action 230 in Fig. 2. For the purpose of discussion, the process 600 will be described with reference to Fig. 1A. The process 600 may involve the sensing module 130-1 of the network device 130 and the communication module 130-2 of the network device 130 in Fig. 1A.

Generally, in the process 600, the first device is implemented as the network device 130 in Fig. 1A. The second spatial information of the communication signal may be indicated by the communication module 130-2 of the network device 130 to the sensing module 130-1 of the network device 130.

As shown in Fig. 6, the communication module 130-2 determines 610 to transmit a communication signal.

In turn, the communication module 130-2 determines second spatial information of the communication signal. Then, the communication module 130-2 transmits 620 the second spatial information of the communication signal to the sensing module 130-1.

Upon receiving the second spatial information of the communication signal, the sensing module 130-1 may determine a sensing resource for sensing signal transmission and the sensing module 130-1 may further avoid sensing signal transmission which may cause interference to the communication signal transmission.

In some embodiments, the first device may determine whether the communication signal is a first communication signal. If the communication signal is the first communication signal, the first device may determine not to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource. The first resource is overlapping with the second resource in time domain or frequency domain, and the second resource is for transmission of the communication signal. Such embodiments may ensure key communication signal transmission without sensing signal interference.

It shall be noted that the communication signal may be identified as a communication channel. Thus, in the following description, the communication signal may also present as a communication channel.

In some embodiments, the first communication signal may have a high priority. For example, broadcast transmission or groupcast transmission of the first communication signal may be performed, or no beamforming is performed on the first communication signal. Thus, the first communication signal cannot be multiplexed with the sensing signal in an SDM manner.

In some embodiments, the first communication signal may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured. For example, the first communication signal may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured in an ISAC system.

In some embodiments, a resource for the first communication signal may be pre-defined or pre-configured.

In some embodiments, the resource for the first communication signal may be indicated by a second device to the first device.

In some embodiments, the resource for the first communication signal may be indicated by a communication module of the first device to a sensing module of the first device.

In some embodiments, the first communication signal may comprise a synchronization signal block (SSB) . This will be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 7 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process 700 for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The process 700 may be considered as an example implementation of the action 210 in Fig. 2. For the purpose of discussion, the process 700 will be described with reference to Fig. 1A. The process 700 may involve the sensing module 130-1 of the network device 130 and the communication module 130-2 of the network device 130 in Fig. 1A.

Generally, in the process 700, the first device is implemented as the network device 130 in Fig. 1A. SSB is defined as the first communication signal.

The communication module 130-2 indicates 710 allocation of resources for SSB to the sensing module 130-1.

Based on the allocation of resources for SSB, the sensing module 130-1 determines 720 the resources for SSB as unavailable resources for sensing. In other words, the sensing module 130-1 may determine not to transmit a sensing signal on the resources for SSB, as shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 illustrates an example of overlap between a resource for the sensing signal and a resource for SSB in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the example of Fig. 8, periodic sensing signal transmissions are independently configured by the sensing module 130-1. Thus, a resource for the sensing signal may overlap with a resource for SSB. For the periodic sensing signal transmissions, the sensing module 130-1 should drop transmission of the sensing signal on the resource overlapping with the resource for SSB.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first communication signal may comprise at least one of the following:

· a synchronization signal,

· a signal on physical broadcast channel (PBCH) ,

· a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) ,

· a signal on physical random access channel (PRACH) ,

· a sounding reference signal (SRS) , or

· a positioning reference signal (PRS) .

In some embodiments, the first device may determine whether the sensing signal is a first sensing signal. If the sensing signal is the first sensing signal, the first device may determine to transmit the sensing signal and drop transmission of the communication signal.

It shall be noted that the sensing signal may be identified as a sensing channel. Thus, in the following description, the sensing signal may also present as a sensing channel.

In some embodiments, the first sensing signal may have a high priority. For example, the first sensing signal may comprise the first sensing signal to be transmitted on a dedicated resource, or the first sensing signal is a sensing control signal.

In some embodiments, the first sensing signal may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured. For example, the first sensing signal may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured in an ISAC system.

In some embodiments, the dedicated resource for the first sensing signal may be pre-defined or pre-configured.

In some embodiments, the dedicated resource for the first sensing signal may be indicated by a second device to the first device.

In some embodiments, the dedicated resource for the first sensing signal may be indicated by a sensing module of the first device to a communication module of the first device.

In some embodiments, a signal pair which is allowed to be transmitted in an SDM manner may be set. The signal pair comprises a second sensing signal and a second communication signal. The second sensing signal and the second communication signal in the signal pair can use the same time and frequency domain resources (or overlapped resources in time or frequency domain) with different spatial features. Such embodiments provide a restriction on the type of signals of communication and sensing which can multiplex resources in spatial domain.

In some embodiments, if the communication signal is the second communication signal and the sensing signal is the second sensing signal, the first device may determine to transmit the sensing signal.

Alternatively, if the communication signal is the second communication signal and the sensing signal is not the second sensing signal, the first device may determine not to transmit the sensing signal.

Alternatively, if the communication signal is not the second communication signal and the sensing signal is the second sensing signal, the first device may determine not to transmit the sensing signal.

In some embodiments, the signal pair may be pre-defined or pre-configured. For example, the signal pair may be pre-defined or pre-configured in an ISAC system.

In some embodiments, the second sensing signal may comprise at least one of the following:

· a one-shot sensing signal,

· a periodic sensing signal,

· a dynamic sensing signal,

· a semi-static sensing signal,

· a downlink sensing signal,

· an uplink sensing signal,

· a sidelink sensing signal,

· the second sensing signal to be transmitted by a network device, a terminal device or a TRP,

· a sensing control signal,

· a signal on a sensing control channel,

· a sensing measurement signal, or

· a signal on a sensing measurement channel.

In some embodiments, the second communication signal may comprise at least one of the following:

· a one-shot communication signal,

· a periodic communication signal,

· a dynamic communication signal,

· a semi-static communication signal,

· a downlink communication signal,

· an uplink communication signal,

· a sidelink communication signal,

· the second communication signal to be transmitted by a network device or a terminal device,

· a communication control signal, or

· a communication data signal.

In some embodiments, any one of the second sensing signals as described above and one of the second communication signals as described above may be combined as the signal pair.

Fig. 9A illustrates an example of the signal pair in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the example of Fig. 9A will be described with reference to Fig. 1A or 1B.

In the example of Fig. 9A, a pair of a second communication channel and a second sensing channel is pre-defined in an ISAC system. The second communication channel is SSB, and the second sensing channel is a sensing measurement channel.

The communication module 130-2 of the network device 130 indicates spatial information of SSB to the sensing module 130-1 of the network device 130. The spatial information of SSB may comprise at least one of the following:

· time domain resources of SSB,

· frequency domain resources of SSB,

· the number of at least one beam for SSB,

· a direction of the at least one beam for SSB,

· an angle of the at least one beam for SSB, or

· a width of each of the at least one beam for SSB.

Based on the spatial information, the sensing module 130-1 determines transmission scheme of the paired sensing measurement channel.

The transmission scheme of the sensing measurement channel may comprise at least one of the following:

· time domain resources of the sensing measurement channel,

· frequency domain resources of the sensing measurement channel,

· a direction of at least one beam for the sensing measurement channel,

· an angle of the at least one beam for the sensing measurement channel,

· a width of each of the at least one beam for the sensing measurement channel, or

· a transmission power of the sensing measurement channel.

In this case, although SDM is supported between the second communication channel and the second sensing channel, the second communication channel has a higher priority than that of the second sensing channel. That is, for the resources used for the second communication channel, the sensing module 130-1 should further determine the transmission scheme of the second sensing channel to avoid interference to the second communication channel.

In the case that the time or frequency domain resources of the sensing measurement channel is the same or overlapped with the resources of SSB, i.e., the sensing measurement channel is SDM with SSB, the sensing module 130-1 should ensure the transmission of the sensing measurement channel should have different spatial features, such as non-overlapping direction or angle of the at least one beam for SSB.

Alternatively or additionally, the sensing module 130-1 should ensure the transmission power of the sensing measurement channel should not exceed a power threshold.

Fig. 9B illustrates an example of the signal pair in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the example of Fig. 9B will be described with reference to Fig. 1C.

In the example of Fig. 9B, a pair of a second communication channel and a second sensing channel is pre-defined in an ISAC system. The second communication channel is PUSCH, and the second sensing channel is a sidelink sensing channel.

The communication module 110-2 of the terminal device 110 indicates spatial information of the PUSCH to the sidelink sensing module 110-12 of the terminal device 110. The spatial information of the PUSCH may comprise at least one of the following:

· time domain resources of PUSCH,

· frequency domain resources of PUSCH,

· a direction of at least one beam for PUSCH,

· an angle of the at least one beam for PUSCH, or

· a transmission power of PUSCH.

Based on the spatial information, the sidelink sensing module 110-12 determines transmission scheme of the sidelink sensing channel.

The transmission scheme of the sidelink sensing channel may comprise at least one of the following:

· time domain resources of the sidelink sensing channel,

· frequency domain resources of the sidelink sensing channel,

· a direction of at least one beam for the sidelink sensing channel,

· an angle of the at least one beam for the sidelink sensing channel, or

· a transmission power of the sidelink sensing channel.

In this case, Uu communication signal (i.e., PUSCH) has a higher priority than that of the sidelink sensing signal.

In some embodiments, a priority threshold for SDM of a sensing signal and a communication signal may be set. With a configurable priority threshold, the resources may be shared by the communication signal and the sensing signal according to the requirement and scenarios.

In some embodiments, a first priority threshold may be set. The first device may determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on the first priority threshold. If a first priority of the sensing signal exceeds the first priority threshold, the first device may determine to transmit the sensing signal. In other words, if the first priority of the sensing signal exceeds the first priority threshold, the sensing signal can be SDM with the communication signal.

In some embodiments, an increasing priority value indicates a lower priority. In such embodiments, if the first priority of the sensing signal exceeds the first priority threshold, the first priority is equal to or higher than the first priority threshold and a value of the first priority is equal to or lower than a value of the first priority threshold. In other embodiments, if the first priority of the sensing signal exceeds the first priority threshold, the first priority is equal to or lower than the first priority threshold and a value of the first priority is equal to or higher than a value of the first priority threshold.

In some embodiments, the first priority threshold may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured. For example, the first priority threshold may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured in an ISAC system.

In some embodiments, the first priority of the sensing signal may comprise one of the following:

· a layer 1 (L1) priority,

· a media access control layer priority,

· ProSe per-packet priority (PPPP) , or

· a channel access priority class (CAPC) .

Consider an example. In the example, a first priority threshold is pre-configured. A value of the first priority threshold is equal to k for sidelink.

When a sidelink sensing signal with a priority higher than the first priority threshold, the terminal device 110 can use SDM manner to transmit the sidelink sensing signal using overlapping resources with a sidelink communication signal.

The communication module 110-2 of the terminal device 110 determines a period (P) and resources for periodical PSSCH transmissions, and a beam for the PSSCH transmissions.

In turn, the communication module 110-2 indicates spatial information of PSSCH transmissions to the sidelink sensing module 110-12 of the terminal device 110,

Then, the sidelink sensing module 110-12 determines a sensing signal with a priority higher than the first priority threshold can be SDM with the PSSCH transmissions.

For example, on slot #n, the terminal device 110 can multiplex, in an SDM manner, the sidelink sensing signal with a priority value of k0 (where k0 < k, i.e., priority higher than the first priority threshold) with the sidelink communication signal on PSSCH with different beam indexes.

On slot #n+P, the terminal device 110 cannot multiplex, in an SDM manner, a sidelink sensing signal with a priority value of k1 (where k1 > k, i.e., priority lower than the first priority threshold) with the sidelink communication signal on PSSCH. Thus, the terminal device 110 drops transmission of the sidelink sensing signal, or transmits the sidelink sensing signal on a dedicated sensing resource which is not shared with a sidelink communication signal.

In some embodiments, a second priority threshold may be set. The first device may determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on the second priority threshold. If a second priority of the communication signal exceeds the second priority threshold, the first device may determine to transmit the sensing signal. In other words, if the second priority of the communication signal exceeds the second priority threshold, the sensing signal can be SDM with the communication signal. This will be described later with reference to Fig. 10.

In some embodiments, an increasing priority value indicates a lower priority. In such embodiments, if the second priority of the communication signal exceeds the second priority threshold, the second priority is equal to or higher than the second priority threshold and a value of the second priority is equal to or lower than a value of the second priority threshold. In other embodiments, if the second priority of the communication signal exceeds the second priority threshold, the second priority is equal to or lower than the second priority threshold and a value of the second priority is equal to or higher than a value of the second priority threshold.

In some embodiments, the second priority threshold may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured. For example, the second priority threshold may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured in an ISAC system.

In some embodiments, the second priority of the communication signal may comprise one of the following:

· a L1 priority,

· a media access control layer priority,

· a PPPP, or

· a CAPC.

Fig. 10 illustrates an example of SDM of a sensing signal with a communication signal in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the example of Fig. 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1B.

In the example of Fig. 10, a second priority threshold is pre-defined. A value of the second priority threshold is equal to k in L1 priority.

When a communication signal with a priority value lower than the value of the second priority threshold, the network device 130 can use an SDM manner to transmit the communication signal using overlapping resources with a sensing signal.

The sensing TRP 140 indicates spatial information of the sensing signal in a period to the network device 130. The spatial information of the sensing signal may comprise at least one of the following:

· a period of sensing signal transmission, or

· a beam sweeping pattern of the sensing signal, wherein the beam sweeping pattern may comprise the number of beam, beam width, beam direction, and the index of beam on each slot within a period.

Then, the network device 130 can reuse the resources for at least one communication signal with a priority value lower than the value of the second priority threshold.

For example, on each slot, the network device 130 may schedule PDSCH transmission with relevant spatial feature.

Based on the spatial information of the sensing signal from the sensing TRP 140, the PDSCH transmissions on slots #n, #n+1, #n+4 are with priority value lower than k, and with available beam direction which can SDM with the sensing signal on the same slot.

Then, the network device 130 transmits the communication signal on slots #n, #n+1, #n+4 with different spatial features of the sensing signal on the slots.

In some embodiments, a priority offset threshold may be set. The first device may determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on the priority offset threshold. If a difference between the first priority of the sensing signal and the second priority of the communication signal exceeds the priority offset threshold, the first device may determine to transmit the sensing signal. In other words, if the difference between the first priority of the sensing signal and the second priority of the communication signal is equal to or higher than a value of the priority offset threshold, the first device may determine to transmit the sensing signal. This will be described later with reference to Fig. 11. In other embodiments, if the difference between the first priority of the sensing signal and the second priority of the communication signal is equal to or lower than a value of the priority offset threshold, the first device may determine to transmit the sensing signal.

Fig. 11 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example method 1100 for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 1100 may be considered as an example implementation of the method 200 in Fig. 2. In some embodiments, the method 1100 can be implemented at the first device. The first device comprises a communication module and a sensing module. For example, the first device may be implemented as the terminal device 110, the terminal device 120 or the network device 130 as shown in Fig. 1A. Alternatively, the first device may be implemented as the terminal device 110 or the network device 130 as shown in Fig. 1B.

Generally, in the method 1100, a priority offset threshold between a sensing signal and communication signal is pre-configured in an ISAC system. The priority offset threshold is equal to s. A value of the first priority of the sensing signal is equal to s1. A value of the second priority of the communication signal is equal to s2. When a difference between s2 and s1 is equal to or larger than s, i.e., s2-s1 >=s, or s1-s2 >=s, the communication signal and the sensing signal can be SDM with overlapping resources.

Specifically, the communication module of the first device determines to transmit a communication signal. In turn, the communication module determines spatial information of the communication signal at block 1110.

The sensing module of the first device determines to transmit a sensing signal. In turn, the sensing module determines spatial information of the sensing signal at block 1120.

The communication module and the sensing module exchange the spatial information of the communication signal and the spatial information of the sensing signals at block 1130.

The communication module and the sensing module determines, at block 1140, whether the communication signal and the sensing signal are assigned with overlapping resources with different spatial features.

If the communication signal and the sensing signal are assigned with overlapping resources with different spatial features, the communication module and the sensing module determines, at block 1150, whether a difference between the first priority of the sensing signal and the second priority of the communication signal exceeds the priority offset threshold.

If the difference exceeds the priority offset threshold, the first device transmits the communication signal and the sensing signal respectively at block 1160. In other words, if the difference exceeds the priority offset threshold, the communication module transmits the communication signal and the sensing module transmits the sensing signal.

If the difference does not exceed the priority offset threshold, the first device transmits, at block 1170, one of the communication signal and the sensing signal with a higher priority and drops transmission of another one of the communication signal and the sensing signal with a lower priority.

On the other hand, if the communication signal and the sensing signal are not assigned with overlapping resources with different spatial features, the first device transmits the communication signal and the sensing signal respectively at block 1180. In other words, if the communication signal and the sensing signal are not assigned with overlapping resources with different spatial features, the communication module transmits the communication signal and the sensing module transmits the sensing signal.

In some embodiments, a power threshold for SDM between a sensing signal and a communication signal may be set.

In some embodiments, a first power threshold may be set. The first device may determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on the first power threshold. If a first transmission power of the sensing signal does not exceed the first power threshold, the first device may determine to transmit the sensing signal. In other words, if the first transmission power of the sensing signal is not higher than the first power threshold, the sensing signal can be SDM with the communication signal. Alternatively, if the first transmission power of the sensing signal is equal to or lower than the first power threshold, the sensing signal can be SDM with the communication signal. Setting the first power threshold may control the potential interference between transmission of the sensing signal and transmission of the communication signal.

In some embodiments, the first power threshold may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured. For example, the first power threshold may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured in an ISAC system.

As described above, in some embodiments, the second sensing signal may comprise at least one of the following:

· a one-shot sensing signal,

· a periodic sensing signal,

· a dynamic sensing signal,

· a semi-static sensing signal,

· a downlink sensing signal,

· an uplink sensing signal,

· a sidelink sensing signal,

· a sensing control signal,

· a signal on a sensing control channel,

· a sensing measurement signal, or

· a signal on a sensing measurement channel.

In such embodiments, the first power threshold may pre-defined, configured or pre-configured independently for each type of the second sensing signal as described above.

Consider an example. In the example, a first power threshold is pre-configured. The first power threshold is equal to M dBm for transmission of a sensing signal by a terminal device (such as the terminal device 110 or 120) .

When the terminal device is scheduled or the terminal device itself determines to transmit a sensing signal, and transmission of the sensing signal is SDM with uplink or sidelink communication signal, the transmission power of the sensing signal should not be higher than M dBm.

In some embodiments, a second power threshold may be set. The first device may determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on the second power threshold. If a second transmission power of the communication signal does not exceed the second power threshold, the first device may determine to transmit the sensing signal. In other words, if the second transmission power of the communication signal is not higher than the second power threshold, the sensing signal can be SDM with the communication signal. Alternatively, if the second transmission power of the communication signal is equal to or lower than the second power threshold, the sensing signal can be SDM with the communication signal. Setting the second power threshold may control the potential interference between transmission of the sensing signal and transmission of the communication signal.

In some embodiments, if the second transmission power of the communication signal is not lower than the second power threshold, the sensing signal can be SDM with the communication signal. Alternatively, if the second transmission power of the communication signal is equal to or higher than the second power threshold, the sensing signal can be SDM with the communication signal.

In some embodiments, the second power threshold may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured. For example, the second power threshold may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured in an ISAC system.

As described above, in some embodiments, the second communication signal may comprise at least one of the following:

· a one-shot communication signal,

· a periodic communication signal,

· a dynamic communication signal,

· a semi-static communication signal,

· a downlink communication signal,

· an uplink communication signal,

· a sidelink communication signal,

· a communication control signal, or

· a communication data signal.

In such embodiments, the second power threshold may pre-defined, configured or pre-configured independently for each type of the second communication signal as described above.

In some embodiments, a power offset threshold may be set. The first device may determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on the power offset threshold. If a difference between a first transmission power of the sensing signal and a second transmission power of the communication signal does not exceed the power offset threshold, the first device may determine to transmit the sensing signal. In other words, if the difference is not higher than the power offset threshold, the sensing signal can be SDM with the communication signal. Alternatively, if the difference is equal to or lower than the power offset threshold, the sensing signal can be SDM with the communication signal. Setting the power offset threshold may control the potential interference between transmission of the sensing signal and transmission of the communication signal.

In some embodiments, if a difference between a first transmission power of the sensing signal and a second transmission power of the communication signal does not exceed the power offset threshold, the first device may determine to transmit the sensing signal. In other words, if the difference is not lower than the power offset threshold, the sensing signal can be SDM with the communication signal. Alternatively, if the difference is equal to or higher than the power offset threshold, the sensing signal can be SDM with the communication signal.

In some embodiments, the power offset threshold may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured. For example, the power offset threshold may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured in an ISAC system.

Consider an example. In the example, a power offset threshold is pre-configured. The power offset threshold is equal to m0 dB for a terminal device (such as the terminal device 110 or 120) . The power offset threshold is equal to m1 for a network device (such as the network device 130) .

When the terminal device transmits a sensing signal and a communication signal in SDM on uplink, the difference of transmission powers of the two types of signals should not be higher than m0 dB.

When the network device transmits a sensing signal and a communication signal in SDM, the difference of transmission powers of the two types of signals should not be higher than m1 dB.

In some embodiments, when rules of the power threshold are satisfied, the transmission powers of the communication signal and the sensing signal should meet at least one additional rule as described below.

In some embodiments, if a sum of a first transmission power of the sensing signal and a second transmission power of the communication signal is below a maximum transmission power of the first device, the first device may determine to transmit the sensing signal.

Hereinafter, the first transmission power of the sensing signal is represented by P_sen, and the second transmission power of the communication signal is represented by P_com.

In some embodiments, if a sum of a first target transmission power of the sensing signal and a second target transmission power of the communication signal is above the maximum transmission power of the first device, the first device may determine whether a first priority of the sensing signal is higher than a second priority of the communication signal.

Hereinafter, the first target transmission power of the sensing signal is represented by P_sen-init, the second target transmission power of the communication signal is represented by P_com-init, and the maximum transmission power of the first device is represented by P_max.

If the first priority is higher than the second priority, the first device may determine the first transmission power as the first target transmission power and determine the second transmission power as a difference between the maximum transmission power and the first transmission power.

If the first priority is lower than the second priority, the first device may determine the second transmission power as the second target transmission power and determine the first transmission power as a difference between the maximum transmission power and the second transmission power.

For example, if P_sen-init + P_com-init > P_max and the sensing signal is set with a higher priority, P_sen = P_sen-init, and P_com = P_max -P_sen.

If P_sen-init + P_com-init > P_max and the communication signal is set with a higher priority, P_com = P_com-init, and P_sen = P_max -P_com.

Alternatively, if the sensing signal and the communication signal are not set with priorities, the first device may determine the first transmission power and the second transmission power based on implementation of the first device.

In some embodiments, the first device may determine the first spatial information of the sensing signal based on a beam guard between a first beam for the sensing signal and a second beam for the communication signal.

In some embodiments, the beam guard may be defined as at least one of the following:

· a first angle between the first beam and the second beam,

· a second angle between a first central direction of the first beam and a second central direction of the second beam,

· an offset between a first index of the first beam and a second index of the second beam, or

· a difference of a first width of the first beam and a second width of the second beam.

In some embodiments, a threshold for the beam guard may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured. Hereinafter, the threshold for the beam guard is also referred to as a beam guard threshold.

In some embodiments, relative to the second beam for the communication signal, the first beam for the sensing signal should be transmitted with a beam guard that is equal to or greater than the threshold for the beam guard. Such embodiments may ensure sufficient spatial isolation between the communication signal and the sensing signal and control the interference to each other in an acceptable range.

In some embodiments, the beam guard may be used for the first beam for the sensing signal and the second beam for the communication signal transmitted by a single device. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the beam guard may be used for the first beam for the sensing signal and the second beam for the communication signal transmitted by different devices.

For the above two types of embodiments, independent thresholds for the beam guard may be pre-defined, configured or pre-configured, respectively.

Figs. 12A, 12B and 12C illustrate an example of a beam guard in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively.

In the example of Fig. 12A, a beam guard threshold is pre-configured for a first beam for a sensing signal and a second beam for a communication signal transmitted by a single device. For example, the beam guard may be pre-configured for the first beam for the sensing signal transmitted by the sensing module 130-1 of the network device 130 and the second beam for the communication signal transmitted by the communication module 130-2 of the network device 130.

The beam guard is defined as a first angle between the first beam and the second beam. The first angle may be equal to an angle between a boundary 1210 of the first beam and a boundary 1212 of the second beam. The beam guard threshold is equal to 30 degree.

In the example of Fig. 12B, a beam guard threshold is pre-configured for a first beam for a sensing signal and a second beam for a communication signal transmitted by different devices. For example, the beam guard threshold may be pre-configured for the first beam for the sensing signal transmitted by the sensing TRP 140 and the second beam for the communication signal transmitted by the network device 130.

A beam guard is defined as a second angle between a first central direction 1220 of the first beam and a second central direction 1222 of the second beam and a width of the first beam and the second beam.

The beam guard threshold is equal to 90 degree. That is, a threshold for the second angle is equal to 90 degree. Thus, the second angle should be equal to or greater than 90 degree.

A threshold for the width of the first beam and the second beam is equal to 30 degree. Thus, the width of the first beam should not be greater than 30 degree, and the width of the second beam should not be greater than 30 degree.

In the example of Fig. 12C, a beam guard threshold is pre-defined for a first beam for a sensing signal and a second beam for a communication signal transmitted by a single device. For example, the beam guard threshold may be pre-defined for the first beam for the sensing signal transmitted by the sensing module 130-1 of the network device 130 and the second beam for the communication signal transmitted by the communication module 130-2 of the network device 130.

The same beam pattern is used for both the communication signal and the sensing signal, i.e., each of the first beam and the second beam is identified with an index.

The beam guard is defined as an offset between a first index of the first beam and a second index of the second beam, and a threshold for the offset is equal to 2. It means a difference or the offset between the first index of the first beam and the second index of the second beam should be equal to or greater than the threshold.

The network device 130 should transmit the first beam and the second beam with an offset of at least 2. For example, in case (1) of Fig. 12C, the network device 130 should transmit beams with indexes #4, 5 and 6 for the communication signal and a beam with an index #2 for the sensing signal, where the offset >=2.

In case (2) of Fig. 12C, the network device 130 should transmit beams with indexes #1 and 6 for the communication signal and beams with indexes #3 and 4 for the sensing signal, where the offset >=2.

In case (3) of Fig. 12C, the network device 130 should transmit a beam with an index #1 for the communication signal and beams with indexes #4, 5 and 6 for the sensing signal, where the offset >2.

Fig. 13 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1300 that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 1300 can be considered as a further example embodiment of the first device. Accordingly, the device 1300 can be implemented at or as at least a part of the first device.

As shown, the device 1300 includes a processor 1310, a memory 1320 coupled to the processor 1310, a suitable transceiver 1340 coupled to the processor 1310, and a communication interface coupled to the transceiver 1340. The memory 1310 stores at least a part of a program 1330. The transceiver 1340 may be for bidirectional communications or a unidirectional communication based on requirements. The transceiver 1340 may include at least one of a transmitter 1342 and a receiver 1344. The transmitter 1342 and the receiver 1344 may be functional modules or physical entities. The transceiver 1340 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication, though in practice an Access Node mentioned in this application may have several ones. The communication interface may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements, such as X2/Xn interface for bidirectional communications between eNBs/gNBs, S1/NG interface for communication between a Mobility Management Entity (MME) /Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) /SGW/UPF and the eNB/gNB, Un interface for communication between the eNB/gNB and a relay node (RN) , or Uu interface for communication between the eNB/gNB and a terminal device.

In summary, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide the following solutions.

In some embodiments, the first spatial information comprises at least one of the following: a first number of at least one beam for the sensing signal, a direction of the at least one beam, an angle of the at least one beam, a width of the at least one beam, 3dB beam width of the at least one beam, a transmission power of the at least one beam, a period of beam sweeping, or an antenna gain.

In some embodiments, the first spatial information is pre-defined, configured or pre-configured.

In some embodiments, the first device is caused to determine the first spatial information of the sensing signal by obtaining the first spatial information from a second device.

In some embodiments, the first device is further caused to: obtain second spatial information of the communication signal. In such embodiments, the second spatial information comprises at least one of the following: a second number of at least one beam for the communication signal, a direction of the at least one beam, an angle of the at least one beam, a width of the at least one beam, 3dB beam width of the at least one beam, a transmission power of the at least one beam, a period of beam sweeping, or an antenna gain.

In some embodiments, the first device is caused to: determine whether to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource based on the second spatial information; or determine the first spatial information of the sensing signal on the first resource based on the second spatial information.

In some embodiments, the second spatial information is pre-defined, configured or pre-configured.

In some embodiments, the first device comprises at least one of the following: a first sensing module, a second sensing module, or a communication module.

In some embodiments, the first sensing module is caused to obtain second spatial information of the communication signal from the communication module; or the first sensing module is caused to obtain the second spatial information of the communication signal from the second sensing module; or the first device is caused to obtain the second spatial information of the communication signal from a second device.

In some embodiments, the first sensing module is caused to provide the first spatial information of the sensing signal to the communication module; or the first sensing module is caused to provide the first spatial information of the sensing signal to the second sensing module; or the first device is caused to provide the first spatial information of the sensing signal to a second device.

In some embodiments, the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal by: based on determining that the communication signal is a first communication signal, determining not to transmit the sensing signal.

In some embodiments, the first communication signal comprises at least one of the following: a synchronization signal block (SSB) , a synchronization signal, a signal on physical broadcast channel (PBCH) , a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) , a signal on physical random access channel (PRACH) , a sounding reference signal (SRS) , or a positioning reference signal (PRS) .

In some embodiments, the first communication signal is pre-defined, configured or pre-configured.

In some embodiments, a resource for the first communication signal is pre-defined or pre-configured.

In some embodiments, the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal by: based on determining that the sensing signal is a first sensing signal, determining to transmit the sensing signal and dropping transmission of the communication signal.

In some embodiments, the first sensing signal comprises the first sensing signal to be transmitted on a dedicated resource, or the first sensing signal is a sensing control signal.

In some embodiments, the first sensing signal is pre-defined, configured or pre-configured.

In some embodiments, the dedicated resource for the first sensing signal is pre-defined or pre-configured.

In some embodiments, the first device is further caused to: obtain a signal pair comprising a second sensing signal and a second communication signal. In such embodiments, the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal by: based on determining that the communication signal is the second communication signal and the sensing signal is the second sensing signal, determining to transmit the sensing signal; or based on determining that the communication signal is the second communication signal and the sensing signal is not the second sensing signal, determining not to transmit the sensing signal; or based on determining that the communication signal is not the second communication signal and the sensing signal is the second sensing signal, determining not to transmit the sensing signal.

In some embodiments, the signal pair is pre-defined or pre-configured.

In some embodiments, the second sensing signal comprises at least one of the following: a one-shot sensing signal, a periodic sensing signal, a dynamic sensing signal, a semi-static sensing signal, a downlink sensing signal, an uplink sensing signal, a sidelink sensing signal, the second sensing signal to be transmitted by a network device, a terminal device or a transmission reception point (TRP) , a sensing control signal, a signal on a sensing control channel, a sensing measurement signal, or a signal on a sensing measurement channel.

In some embodiments, the second communication signal comprises at least one of the following: a one-shot communication signal, a periodic communication signal, a dynamic communication signal, a semi-static communication signal, a downlink communication signal, an uplink communication signal, a sidelink communication signal, the second communication signal to be transmitted by a network device or a terminal device, a communication control signal, or a communication data signal.

In some embodiments, the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on a first priority threshold by: based on determining that a first priority of the sensing signal exceeds the first priority threshold, determining to transmit the sensing signal.

In some embodiments, the first priority threshold is pre-defined, configured or pre-configured.

In some embodiments, the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on a second priority threshold by: based on determining that a second priority of the communication signal exceeds the second priority threshold, determining to transmit the sensing signal.

In some embodiments, the second priority threshold is pre-defined, configured or pre-configured.

In some embodiments, the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on a priority offset threshold by: based on determining that a difference between a first priority of the sensing signal and a second priority of the communication signal exceeds the priority offset threshold, determining to transmit the sensing signal.

In some embodiments, each of the first priority of the sensing signal or the second priority of the communication signal comprises one of the following: a layer 1 priority, a media access control layer priority, ProSe per-packet priority (PPPP) , or a channel access priority class (CAPC) .

In some embodiments, the priority offset threshold is pre-defined, configured or pre-configured.

In some embodiments, the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on a first power threshold by: based on determining that a first transmission power of the sensing signal does not exceed the first power threshold, determining to transmit the sensing signal.

In some embodiments, the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on a second power threshold by: based on determining that a second transmission power of the communication signal does not exceed the second power threshold, determining to transmit the sensing signal.

In some embodiments, the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal by: based on determining that a sum of a first transmission power of the sensing signal and a second transmission power of the communication signal is below a maximum transmission power of the first device, determining to transmit the sensing signal.

In some embodiments, the first device is further caused to: based on determining that a sum of a first target transmission power of the sensing signal and a second target transmission power of the communication signal is above a maximum transmission power of the first device, determining whether a first priority of the sensing signal is higher than a second priority of the communication signal; based on determining that the first priority is higher than the second priority, determine the first transmission power as the first target transmission power and determine the second transmission power as a difference between the maximum transmission power and the first transmission power; and based on determining that the first priority is lower than the second priority, determine the second transmission power as the second target transmission power and determine the first transmission power as a difference between the maximum transmission power and the second transmission power.

In some embodiments, the first power threshold is pre-defined, configured or pre-configured.

In some embodiments, the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on a power offset threshold by: based on determining that a difference between a first transmission power of the sensing signal and a second transmission power of the communication signal does not exceed the power offset threshold, determining to transmit the sensing signal.

In some embodiments, the power offset threshold is pre-defined, configured or pre-configured.

In some embodiments, the first device is caused to determine the first spatial information of the sensing signal based on a beam guard between a first beam for the sensing signal and a second beam for the communication signal.

In some embodiments, the beam guard is defined as at least one of the following: a first angle between the first beam and the second beam, a second angle between a first central direction of the first beam and a second central direction of the second beam, an offset between a first index of the first beam and a second index of the second beam, or a difference of a first width of the first beam and a second width of the second beam.

In some embodiments, a threshold for the beam guard is pre-defined, configured or pre-configured.

The components included in the apparatuses and/or devices of the present disclosure may be implemented in various manners, including software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, one or more units may be implemented using software and/or firmware, for example, machine-executable instructions stored on the storage medium. In addition to or instead of machine-executable instructions, parts or all of the units in the apparatuses and/or devices may be implemented, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) , Application-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) , Application-specific Standard Products (ASSPs) , System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs) , Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs) , and the like.

Claims

A first device, comprising:

a processor configured to cause the first device to:

determine whether to transmit a sensing signal on a first resource, wherein the first resource is overlapping with a second resource in time domain or frequency domain, and the second resource is for transmission of a communication signal;

based on determining not to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource, drop transmission of the sensing signal;

based on determining to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource, determine first spatial information of the sensing signal on the first resource; and

transmit the sensing signal based on the first spatial information.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the first spatial information comprises at least one of the following:

a first number of at least one beam for the sensing signal,

a direction of the at least one beam,

an angle of the at least one beam,

a width of the at least one beam,

3dB beam width of the at least one beam,

a transmission power of the at least one beam,

a period of beam sweeping,

an antenna gain.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is further caused to:

obtain second spatial information of the communication signal; and

wherein the second spatial information comprises at least one of the following:

a second number of at least one beam for the communication signal,

a direction of the at least one beam,

an angle of the at least one beam,

a width of the at least one beam,

3dB beam width of the at least one beam,

a transmission power of the at least one beam,

a period of beam sweeping, or

an antenna gain.
The second device of claim 3, wherein the first device is caused to:

determine whether to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource based on the second spatial information; or

determine the first spatial information of the sensing signal on the first resource based on the second spatial information.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal by:

based on determining that the communication signal is a first communication signal, determining not to transmit the sensing signal.
The first device of claim 5, wherein the first communication signal comprises at least one of the following:

a synchronization signal block (SSB) ,

a synchronization signal,

a signal on physical broadcast channel (PBCH) ,

a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) ,

a signal on physical random access channel (PRACH) ,

a sounding reference signal (SRS) , or

a positioning reference signal (PRS) .
The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal by:

based on determining that the sensing signal is a first sensing signal, determining to transmit the sensing signal and dropping transmission of the communication signal.
The first device of claim 7, wherein the first sensing signal comprises the first sensing signal to be transmitted on a dedicated resource, or the first sensing signal is a sensing control signal.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is further caused to:

obtain a signal pair comprising a second sensing signal and a second communication signal, and

wherein the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal by:

based on determining that the communication signal is the second communication signal and the sensing signal is the second sensing signal, determining to transmit the sensing signal; or

based on determining that the communication signal is the second communication signal and the sensing signal is not the second sensing signal, determining not to transmit the sensing signal; or

based on determining that the communication signal is not the second communication signal and the sensing signal is the second sensing signal, determining not to transmit the sensing signal.
The first device of claim 9, wherein the second sensing signal comprises at least one of the following:

a one-shot sensing signal,

a periodic sensing signal,

a dynamic sensing signal,

a semi-static sensing signal,

a downlink sensing signal,

an uplink sensing signal,

a sidelink sensing signal,

the second sensing signal to be transmitted by a network device, a terminal device or a transmission reception point (TRP) ,

a sensing control signal,

a signal on a sensing control channel,

a sensing measurement signal, or

a signal on a sensing measurement channel.
The first device of claim 9, wherein the second communication signal comprises at least one of the following:

a one-shot communication signal,

a periodic communication signal,

a dynamic communication signal,

a semi-static communication signal,

a downlink communication signal,

an uplink communication signal,

a sidelink communication signal,

the second communication signal to be transmitted by a network device or a terminal device,

a communication control signal, or

a communication data signal.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on a first priority threshold by:

based on determining that a first priority of the sensing signal exceeds the first priority threshold, determining to transmit the sensing signal.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on a second priority threshold by:

based on determining that a second priority of the communication signal exceeds the second priority threshold, determining to transmit the sensing signal.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on a priority offset threshold by:

based on determining that a difference between a first priority of the sensing signal and a second priority of the communication signal exceeds the priority offset threshold, determining to transmit the sensing signal.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on a first power threshold by:

based on determining that a first transmission power of the sensing signal does not exceed the first power threshold, determining to transmit the sensing signal.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal based on a second power threshold by:

based on determining that a second transmission power of the communication signal does not exceed the second power threshold, determining to transmit the sensing signal.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to determine whether to transmit the sensing signal by:

based on determining that a sum of a first transmission power of the sensing signal and a second transmission power of the communication signal is below a maximum transmission power of the first device, determining to transmit the sensing signal.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to determine the first spatial information of the sensing signal based on a beam guard between a first beam for the sensing signal and a second beam for the communication signal.
A method, comprising:

determining whether to transmit a sensing signal on a first resource, wherein the first resource is overlapping with a second resource in time domain or frequency domain, and the second resource is for transmission of a communication signal;

based on determining not to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource, dropping transmission of the sensing signal;

based on determining to transmit the sensing signal on the first resource, determining first spatial information of the sensing signal on the first resource; and

transmitting the sensing signal based on the first spatial information.
A computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor of a device, causing the device to carry out the method according to claim 19.