WO2025227338A1

WO2025227338A1 - Sensing nodes, methods and computer readable medium for integrated sensing and communication

Info

Publication number: WO2025227338A1
Application number: PCT/CN2024/090696
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jin Yang; Gang Wang
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 2024-04-29
Filing date: 2024-04-29
Publication date: 2025-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-29

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to sensing nodes, methods and computer readable medium for ISAC. A first sensing node determines a reporting scheme for a sensing result based on at least one of a sensing mode or a type of the first sensing node. In turn, the first sensing node obtains the sensing result based on the reporting scheme.

Description

SENSING NODES, METHODS 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 sensing nodes, methods 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.

There is a need to define reporting schemes for a sensing result based on different sensing modes and/or types of sensing nodes.

SUMMARY

In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide sensing nodes, methods and computer readable medium for ISAC.

In a first aspect, there is provided a first sensing node. The first sensing node comprises a processor. The processor is configured to cause the first sensing node to: determine a reporting scheme for a sensing result based on at least one of a sensing mode or a type of the first sensing node; and obtain the sensing result based on the reporting scheme.

In a second aspect, there is provided a first sensing node. The first sensing node comprises a processor. The processor is configured to cause the first sensing node to: determine a reporting scheme for a sensing result; and indicate the reporting scheme for the sensing result.

In a third aspect, there is provided a method for ISAC. The method comprises: determining a reporting scheme for a sensing result based on at least one of a sensing mode or a type of the first sensing node; and obtaining the sensing result based on the reporting scheme.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method for ISAC. The method comprises: determining a reporting scheme for a sensing result; and indicating the reporting scheme for the sensing result.

In a fifth 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 third or fourth 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 an example sensing network in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

Fig. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a multi-static sensing mode in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a signaling chart illustrating an example process for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively;

Fig. 7 illustrates an example of a combined sensing mode in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 8 illustrates an example of a coordinated sensing mode in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate an example of determining the reporting scheme based on the type of the first sensing node in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively;

Figs. 12 and 13 illustrates an example of determining the reporting scheme based on the sensing mode and the type of the first sensing node in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively;

Fig. 14 illustrates a flowchart of a method for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Figs. 15, 16 and 17 illustrate a signaling chart illustrating an example process for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively; and

Fig. 18 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, a network device 130, an Access and Mobility management Function (AMF) 140 and a Sensing Function (SF) 150.

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.

In some embodiments, the AMF 140 may be a node in a core network. The AMF 140 may provide matching information about the network device 130 or the terminal device 110 according to sensing service requirement.

In some embodiments, the SF 150 may comprise no interface with the network device 130. Thus, the SF 150 indirectly exchanges information with the network device 130 through the AMF 140.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the SF 150 may comprise an interface with the network device 130. Thus, the SF 150 directly exchanges information with the network device 130.

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) 160 and a sensing TRP 170.

· 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 160, or

· an interface between the network device 130 and the sensing TRP 170.

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 160 or the sensing TRP 170.

In some embodiments, the sensing TRP 160 may comprise a sensing module 160-1. The sensing module 160-1 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 160 may comprise at least one of the following:

· the interface between the sensing TRP 160 and the network device 130, or

· an interface between the sensing TRP 160 and the terminal device 110.

In some embodiments, the interface between the sensing TRP 160 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 160.

Similarly, the sensing TRP 170 may comprise a sensing module 170-1. The sensing module 170-1 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 170 may comprise at least one of the following:

· the interface between the sensing TRP 170 and the network device 130, or

· an interface between the sensing TRP 170 and the terminal device 110.

In some embodiments, the interface between the sensing TRP 170 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 170.

· 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 160 and the terminal device 110, or

· the interface between the sensing TRP 170 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 160-1 of the sensing TRP 160 and the sensing module 170-1 of the sensing TRP 170 performs sensing management and control.

General procedures of reporting a sensing result are discussed and formed for ISAC system, and further details of the procedures should be analyzed. For each sensing mode, according to a type of a sensing node and sensing requirements, different procedures of reporting a sensing result may be used.

In view of the above, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for ISAC. In this solution, a first sensing node determines a reporting scheme for a sensing result based on at least one of a sensing mode or a type of the first sensing node. In turn, the first sensing node obtains the sensing result based on the reporting scheme. With this solution, different procedures of reporting a sensing result may be used based on at least one of the sensing mode or the type of the first sensing node.

Hereinafter, principle of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 18.

Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example sensing network 200 in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented.

As shown in Fig. 2, the sensing network 200 may comprise a first sensing node 210, a second sensing node 220 and a third sensing node 230.

In some embodiments, each of the first sensing node 210, the second sensing node 220 and the third sensing node 230 has sensing function, i.e., sensing signal transmission and/or receiving capability.

In some embodiments, each of the first sensing node 210, the second sensing node 220 and the third sensing node 230 may be implemented as a sensing TRP. For example, each of the first sensing node 210, the second sensing node 220 and the third sensing node 230 may be implemented as the sensing TRP 160 or 170 in Fig. 1B or 1C.

In some embodiments, each of the first sensing node 210, the second sensing node 220 and the third sensing node 230 may be implemented as a network device. For example, each of the first sensing node 210, the second sensing node 220 and the third sensing node 230 may be implemented as the network device 130 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C. Hereinafter, the network device 130 may be regarded as an embodiment of the sensing TRP 160 or 170, and all the descriptions of the sensing TRP 160 or 170 can be applied to the network device 130.

In some embodiments, each of the first sensing node 210, the second sensing node 220 and the third sensing node 230 may be implemented as a terminal device. For example, each of the first sensing node 210, the second sensing node 220 and the third sensing node 230 may be implemented as the terminal device 110 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C, or the terminal device 120 in Fig. 1A.

It is to be understood that the number of sensing nodes in Fig. 2 is given for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations to the present disclosure. The sensing network 200 may include any suitable number of sensing nodes adapted for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method 300 for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 300 can be implemented at a sensing node, such as the first sensing node 210 as shown in Fig. 2. For the purpose of discussion, the method 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 as performed by the first sensing node 210 without loss of generality.

As shown in Fig. 3, at 310, the first sensing node 210 determines a reporting scheme for a sensing result based on at least one of a sensing mode or a type of the first sensing node.

At 320, the first sensing node 210 obtains the sensing result based on the reporting scheme.

With the method 300, different procedures of reporting a sensing result may be used based on at least one of the sensing mode or the type of the first sensing node 210.

In some embodiments, the sensing mode is a combination of at least two of the following: a first sensing mode, a second sensing mode, a third sensing mode, a fourth sensing mode, a fifth sensing mode, a sixth sensing mode, at least one combined sensing mode, or at least one coordinated sensing mode.

Hereinafter, to distinguish from the combined sensing mode and the coordinated sensing mode, each of the first sensing mode, the second sensing mode, the third sensing mode, the fourth sensing mode, the fifth sensing mode and the sixth sensing mode may be referred to as a basic sensing mode. For brevity, the first sensing mode, the second sensing mode, the third sensing mode, the fourth sensing mode, the fifth sensing mode and the sixth sensing mode may be referred to as a basic sensing mode #1, a basic sensing mode #2, a basic sensing mode #3, a basic sensing mode #4, a basic sensing mode #5, a basic sensing mode #6, respectively.

In some embodiments, in the first sensing mode, a first sensing signal is transmitted by a first sensing TRP and received or measured by the first sensing TRP itself. For example, the first sensing TRP may comprise the sensing TRP 160 or 170 in Fig. 1B or 1C.

In some embodiments, in the second sensing mode, the first sensing signal is transmitted by the first sensing TRP and received or measured by a first terminal device. For example, the first sensing TRP may comprise the sensing TRP 160 or 170 in Fig. 1B or 1C. The first terminal device may comprise the terminal device 110 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C, or the terminal device 120 in Fig. 1A.

In some embodiments, in the third sensing mode, in the third sensing mode, a second sensing signal is transmitted by a second sensing TRP and received or measured by the first sensing TRP. For example, the first sensing TRP may comprise the sensing TRP 160 in Fig. 1B or 1C, and the second sensing TRP may comprise the sensing TRP 170 in Fig. 1B or 1C.

In some embodiments, in the fourth sensing mode, a third sensing signal is transmitted by the first terminal device and received or measured by the first terminal device itself. For example, the first terminal device may comprise the terminal device 110 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C, or the terminal device 120 in Fig. 1A.

In some embodiments, in the fifth sensing mode, the third sensing signal is transmitted by the first terminal device and received or measured by the first sensing TRP. For example, the first sensing TRP may comprise the sensing TRP 160 or 170 in Fig. 1B or 1C. The first terminal device may comprise the terminal device 110 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C, or the terminal device 120 in Fig. 1A.

In some embodiments, in the sixth sensing mode, a fourth sensing signal is transmitted by a second terminal device and received or measured by the first terminal device. For example, the first terminal device may comprise the terminal device 110 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C, and the second terminal device may comprise the terminal device 120 in Fig. 1A. Alternatively, the first terminal device may comprise the terminal device 120 in Fig. 1A, and the second terminal device may comprise the terminal device 110 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C.

In some embodiments, in each of the at least one combined sensing mode, a fifth sensing signal is transmitted by at least one sensing transmitter and received or measured by multiple sensing receivers.

Hereinafter, a sensing transmitter is also referred to as a sensing signal transmitting (Tx) node, and a sensing receiver is also referred to as a sensing signal receiving (Rx) node. In some embodiments, the sensing signal Tx node may comprise a sensing TRP or a terminal device. Hereinafter, a network device may be regarded as an embodiment of a sensing TRP, and all the descriptions of the sensing TRP can be applied to the network device.

In some embodiments, the combined sensing mode may comprise a combination of the first sensing mode and the third sensing mode. In such embodiments, the combined sensing mode may be referred to as a combined sensing mode #1. In such embodiments, in the first sensing mode, a first sensing signal is transmitted by a first sensing TRP and received or measured by the first sensing TRP itself. In the third sensing mode, the first sensing signal is transmitted by the first sensing TRP and received or measured by a second sensing TRP.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the combined sensing mode may comprise a combination of the first sensing mode and the second sensing mode. In such embodiments, the combined sensing mode may be referred to as a combined sensing mode #2. In such embodiments, in the first sensing mode, a first sensing signal is transmitted by a first sensing TRP and received or measured by the first sensing TRP itself. In the second sensing mode, the first sensing signal is transmitted by the first sensing TRP and received or measured by a first terminal device.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the combined sensing mode may comprise a combination of the first sensing mode, the second sensing mode and the third sensing mode. In such embodiments, the combined sensing mode may be referred to as a combined sensing mode #3. In such embodiments, in the first sensing mode, a first sensing signal is transmitted by a first sensing TRP and received or measured by the first sensing TRP itself. In the second sensing mode, the first sensing signal is transmitted by the first sensing TRP and received or measured by a first terminal device. In the third sensing mode, the first sensing signal is transmitted by the first sensing TRP and received or measured by a second sensing TRP.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the combined sensing mode may comprise a combination of the second sensing mode and the third sensing mode. In such embodiments, the combined sensing mode may be referred to as a combined sensing mode #4. In such embodiments, in the second sensing mode, the first sensing signal is transmitted by the first sensing TRP and received or measured by a first terminal device. In the third sensing mode, the first sensing signal is transmitted by the first sensing TRP and received or measured by a second sensing TRP.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the combined sensing mode may comprise a combination of the fourth sensing mode and the fifth sensing mode. In such embodiments, the combined sensing mode may be referred to as a combined sensing mode #5. In such embodiments, in the fourth sensing mode, a second sensing signal is transmitted by the first terminal device and received or measured by the first terminal device itself. In the fifth sensing mode, the second sensing signal is transmitted by the first terminal device and received or measured by the first sensing TRP.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the combined sensing mode may comprise a combination of the fourth sensing mode and a sixth sensing mode. In such embodiments, the combined sensing mode may be referred to as a combined sensing mode #6. In such embodiments, in the fourth sensing mode, a second sensing signal is transmitted by the first terminal device and received or measured by the first terminal device itself. In the sixth sensing mode, the second sensing signal is transmitted by the first terminal device and received or measured by a second terminal device.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the combined sensing mode may comprise a combination of the fourth sensing mode, the fifth sensing mode and the sixth sensing mode. In such embodiments, the combined sensing mode may be referred to as a combined sensing mode #7. In such embodiments, in the fourth sensing mode, a second sensing signal is transmitted by the first terminal device and received or measured by the first terminal device itself. In the fifth sensing mode, the second sensing signal is transmitted by the first terminal device and received or measured by the first sensing TRP. In the sixth sensing mode, the second sensing signal is transmitted by the first terminal device and received or measured by a second terminal device.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the combined sensing mode may comprise a combination of the fourth sensing mode and the fifth sensing mode. In such embodiments, the combined sensing mode may be referred to as a combined sensing mode #8. In such embodiments, in the fourth sensing mode, a second sensing signal is transmitted by the first terminal device and received or measured by the first terminal device itself. In the fifth sensing mode, the second sensing signal is transmitted by the first terminal device and received or measured by the first sensing TRP.

Table 1 gives an example of the above combined sensing modes #1 to #8.

Table 1

In some embodiments, in each of the at least one coordinated sensing mode, a sixth sensing signal is transmitted by multiple sensing transmitters and received or measured by at least one sensing receiver.

In some embodiments, a coordinated sensing mode may be a combination of the first sensing mode and the third sensing mode. In such embodiments, the coordinated sensing mode may be referred to as a coordinated sensing mode #1.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, a coordinated sensing mode may be a combination of the third sensing mode and another third sensing mode. In another third sensing mode, a seventh sensing signal is transmitted by a third sensing TRP and received or measured by the first sensing TRP. In such embodiments, the coordinated sensing mode may be referred to as a coordinated sensing mode #2.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, a coordinated sensing mode may be a combination of the first sensing mode and the fifth sensing mode. In such embodiments, the coordinated sensing mode may be referred to as a coordinated sensing mode #3.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, a coordinated sensing mode may be a combination of the third sensing mode and the fifth sensing mode. In such embodiments, the coordinated sensing mode may be referred to as a coordinated sensing mode #4.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, a coordinated sensing mode may be a combination of the fifth sensing mode and another fifth sensing mode. In another fifth sensing mode, the fourth sensing signal is transmitted by the second terminal device and received or measured by the first sensing TRP. In such embodiments, the coordinated sensing mode may be referred to as a coordinated sensing mode #5.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, a coordinated sensing mode may be a combination of the second sensing mode and another second sensing mode. In another second sensing mode, the second sensing signal is transmitted by the second sensing TRP and received or measured by the first terminal device. In such embodiments, the coordinated sensing mode may be referred to as a coordinated sensing mode #6.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, a coordinated sensing mode may be a combination of the second sensing mode and the fourth sensing mode. In such embodiments, the coordinated sensing mode may be referred to as a coordinated sensing mode #7.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, a coordinated sensing mode may be a combination of the second sensing mode and the sixth sensing mode. In such embodiments, the coordinated sensing mode may be referred to as a coordinated sensing mode #8.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, a coordinated sensing mode may be a combination of the fourth sensing mode and the sixth sensing mode. In such embodiments, the coordinated sensing mode may be referred to as a coordinated sensing mode #9.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, a coordinated sensing mode may be a combination of the sixth sensing mode and another sixth sensing mode. In another sixth sensing mode, an eighth sensing signal is transmitted by a third terminal device and received or measured by the first terminal device. In such embodiments, the coordinated sensing mode may be referred to as a coordinated sensing mode #10.

In some embodiments, the sensing signal Rx node may comprise a sensing TRP. In such embodiments, the coordinated sensing mode may be one of the coordinated sensing modes #1 to #5.

In some embodiments, the sensing signal Rx node may comprise a terminal device. In such embodiments, the coordinated sensing mode may be one of the coordinated sensing modes #6 to #10.

Table 2 gives an example of the above coordinated sensing modes #1 to #10.

Table 2

In some embodiments, a multi-static sensing may refer to sensing where there are multiple sensing transmitters and/or multiple sensing receivers, for a sensing target or for a sensing procedure.

In some embodiments, a multi-static sensing mode may be a combination of at least one of the following: at least one basic sensing mode, at least one combined sensing mode, or at least one coordinated sensing mode.

Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a multi-static sensing mode in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example of Fig. 4, the sensing TRP 160 and the terminal device 120 act as both sensing signal Tx nodes and sensing signal Rx nodes, and the terminal device 110 acts as a sensing signal Rx node.

In the example of Fig. 4, the multi-static sensing mode may be a combination of the first basic sensing mode, the second basic sensing mode, the fourth basic sensing mode, the fifth basic sensing mode and the sixth basic sensing mode.

Specifically, in the first basic sensing mode, a sensing signal 410 is transmitted by the sensing TRP 160 and an echo signal 412 of the sensing signal 410 is received or measured by the sensing TRP 160 itself.

In the second basic sensing mode, the sensing signal 410 is transmitted by the sensing TRP 160 and a reflected signal 414 of the sensing signal 410 is received or measured by the terminal device 120.

In the fourth sensing mode, a sensing signal 420 is transmitted by the terminal device 120 and an echo signal 422 of the sensing signal 420 is received or measured by the terminal device 120 itself.

In the fifth sensing mode, the sensing signal 420 is transmitted by the terminal device 120 and a reflected signal 424 of the sensing signal 420 is received or measured by the sensing TRP 160.

In the sixth sensing mode, the sensing signal 420 is transmitted by the terminal device 120 and a reflected signal 426 of the sensing signal 420 is received or measured by the terminal device 110.

Alternatively, in the example of Fig. 4, the multi-static sensing mode may be a combination of the first basic sensing mode, the second basic sensing mode and the combined sensing mode #7.

Alternatively, in the example of Fig. 4, the multi-static sensing mode may be a combination of the combined mode #2 and the combined sensing mode #7.

Alternatively, in the example of Fig. 4, the multi-static sensing mode may be a combination of the coordinated mode #3 and the combined sensing mode #6.

In some embodiments, the type of the first sensing node 210 may be determined based on a device type of the first sensing node 210. In such embodiments, based on the device type of the first sensing node 210, the type of the first sensing node 210 may be determined as a sensing TRP, or a terminal device.

Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the type of the first sensing node 210 may be determined based on sensing capability of the first sensing node 210. In such embodiments, based on the sensing capability of the first sensing node 210, the type of the first sensing node 210 may be determined as a sensing node with sensing transmitting capability, a sensing node with sensing receiving capability, or a sensing node with the sensing transmitting capability and the sensing receiving capability.

Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the type of the first sensing node 210 may be determined based on a location of the first sensing node 210. In such embodiments, based on the location of the first sensing node 210, the type of the first sensing node 210 may be determined as a sensing node which is in coverage of a network device, or a sensing node which is out of coverage of the network device. In such embodiments, the first sensing node 210 may be a terminal device.

Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the type of the first sensing node 210 may be determined based on role of the first sensing node 210 in a sensing procedure. In such embodiments, based on the role of the first sensing node 210 in the sensing procedure, the type of the first sensing node 210 may be determined as an initiating node of the sensing procedure or a responding node of the sensing procedure. The initiating node is a node that initiates or triggers the sensing procedure, and aims to obtain a sensing result. The sensing result may be obtained by measuring at least one sensing signal by the initiating node itself or reported from at least one responding node of the sensing procedure. The responding node is a node involved in the sensing procedure which is initiated by the initiating node. Both the initiating node and the responding node may be a sensing signal Tx node or a sensing signal Rx node, i.e., there is no restriction that the initiating node should be a sensing signal Tx node.

Alternatively, based on the role of the first sensing node 210 in the sensing procedure, the type of the first sensing node 210 may be determined as a sensing transmitter in the sensing procedure or a sensing receiver in the sensing procedure. Alternatively, the type of the first sensing node 210 may be determined as a sensing assistance node of the sensing procedure, or a sensing control node of the sensing procedure.

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 considered as an example implementation of the method 300.

The process 500 may involve an initiating node 502 of a sensing procedure as well as responding nodes 504 and 506 of the sensing procedure. For example, the first sensing node 210 may be implemented as the initiating node 502, the second sensing node 220 and the third sensing node 230 may be implemented as the responding nodes 504 and 506.

In the process 500, the initiating node 502 acts as a sensing signal Tx node, the responding nodes 504 and 506 act as sensing signal Rx nodes.

As shown in Fig. 5, the initiating node 502 triggers 510 a sensing procedure.

Then, the initiating node 502 transmits 520 a sensing signal.

Accordingly, the responding node 504 performs 530 sensing signal detection and measurement, and the responding node 506 performs 540 sensing signal detection and measurement.

In turn, the responding node 504 transmits 550 a sensing result report to the initiating node 502, and the responding node 506 transmits 560 a sensing result report to the initiating node 502.

Then, the initiating node 502 obtains 570 a sensing result based on the received sensing result reports.

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 considered as an example implementation of the method 300. The process 600 may involve the initiating node 502 as well as the responding nodes 504 and 506 in Fig. 5.

In the process 600, the initiating node 502 acts as a sensing signal Rx node, the responding nodes 504 and 506 act as sensing signal Tx nodes.

As shown in Fig. 6, the initiating node 502 triggers 610 a sensing procedure.

Then, the initiating node 502 transmits 620 a sensing configuration. Accordingly, the responding nodes 504 and 506 receive the sensing configuration.

Then, the responding node 504 transmits 630 a sensing signal based on the sensing configuration.

Accordingly, the initiating node 502 performs 640 sensing signal detection and measurement, and the responding node 506 performs 650 sensing signal detection and measurement.

In turn, the responding node 506 transmits 660 a sensing result report to the initiating node 502.

Then, the initiating node 502 obtains 670 a sensing result based on the received sensing result report and the sensing signal measurement performed by the initiating node 502.

Hereinafter, some embodiments for determining a reporting scheme for a sensing result will be described.

In some embodiments, the reporting scheme for the sensing result may define whether to report the sensing result for the sensing procedure and which node comprised in the sensing procedure may report the sensing result. Suitable and concrete reporting schemes for the sensing result may be applied for different cases.

In some embodiments, the sensing result may be the measurement of received sensing signal.

In some embodiments, the sensing result may be transmitted through radio interface, e.g., between at least one sensing signal Tx node and at least one sensing signal Rx node. That is, transmission of the sensing result may not comprise the information transmission between a sensing TRP or terminal device and core network nodes like SF/AMF and so on.

In some embodiments, the reporting scheme for the sensing result may comprise reporting from a terminal device to a sensing TRP.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the reporting scheme for the sensing result may comprise reporting from a sensing node with sensing receiving capability to a sensing node with sensing transmitting capability.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the reporting scheme for the sensing result may comprise reporting from a sensing node which is out of coverage of a network device to a sensing node which is in coverage of the network device.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the reporting scheme for the sensing result may comprise reporting from a responding node of a sensing procedure to an initiating node of the sensing procedure.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the reporting scheme for the sensing result may comprise reporting from a sensing assistance node of the sensing procedure to a sensing control node of the sensing procedure. For example, a terminal device may report the sensing result to a control terminal device or control TRP. For another example, a first sensing TRP may report the sensing result to a second sensing TRP.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the reporting scheme for the sensing result may comprise reporting from a sensing receiver of a sensing signal to the sensing transmitter of the sensing signal.

In some embodiments, in order to determine the reporting scheme based on the sensing mode, the first sensing node 210 may determine the reporting scheme based on pre-defined association between the sensing mode and at least one reporting scheme for the sensing result. In such embodiments, for each basic sensing mode, each combined sensing mode or each coordinated sensing mode, at least one reporting scheme for the sensing result may be pre-defined. Such embodiments may provide suitable and concrete reporting schemes for the sensing result according to the sensing mode.

In some embodiments, the at least one reporting scheme may comprise a default reporting scheme associated with the sensing mode. For example, the default reporting scheme may comprise reporting from a sensing signal Rx node to a sensing signal Tx node.

In some embodiments, the first sensing node 210 may determine the reporting scheme further based on at least one of the following: pre-definition, pre-configuration, the type of the first sensing node 210, an indication from a sensing control node, or an indication from an initiating node of a sensing procedure.

In some embodiments, for a multi-static sensing mode, the reporting scheme may be determined based on the sensing modes comprised in the multi-static sensing mode.

Table 3 gives an example of default reporting schemes associated with the basic sensing modes.

Table 3

As shown in Table 3, the basic sensing modes #1 and #4 are mono-static sensing modes, and no reporting is needed ( “None” in Table 3) .

For the basic sensing modes #2, #3, #5 and #6, the default reporting scheme is reporting from a sensing signal Rx node to a sensing signal Tx node, or no reporting is needed. In the case that the sensing result is not required by the sensing signal Tx node, no reporting is needed.

In some embodiments, for the combined sensing modes, the relevant reporting schemes may be as below:

· a default reporting scheme and additional reporting scheme are pre-configured for each combined sensing mode; and

· without extra indication, the default reporting scheme is used for a given combined sensing mode.

Table 4 gives an example of default reporting schemes and additional reporting schemes associated with the combined sensing modes.

Table 4

Fig. 7 illustrates an example of the combined sensing mode #3 in Table 4. In the example of Fig. 7, the default reporting scheme associated with the combined sensing mode #3 is used.

As shown in Fig. 7, the first sensing TRP 160 transmits a sensing signal. Reflected signals of the sensing signal are received or measured by the first terminal device 110 and the second sensing TRP 170.

Each of the first terminal device 110 and the second sensing TRP 170 should report a sensing result to the first sensing TRP 160. Reporting from the second sensing TRP 170 to the first sensing TRP 160 may through radio interface between the TRPs, or through Xn interface.

In some embodiments, for the coordinated sensing modes, the relevant reporting schemes may be as below:

· pre-defined default reporting scheme is no sensing result reporting for coordinated sensing modes; and

· reporting from a sensing signal Rx node report to at least one sensing signal Tx node may be used as additional reporting schemes for each coordinated sensing mode.

Table 5 gives an example of default reporting schemes and additional reporting schemes associated with the coordinated sensing modes.

Table 5

Fig. 8 illustrates an example of the coordinated sensing mode #9 in Table 5. In the example of Fig. 8, the default reporting scheme associated with the coordinated sensing mode #9 is used. That is, no reporting scheme is used for the coordinated sensing mode #9.

As shown in Fig. 8, each of the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 120 transmits a sensing signal. The first terminal device 110 can receive an echo signal of the sensing signal transmitted by the first terminal device 110. The first terminal device 110 can also receive a reflected signal of the sensing signal from the second terminal device 120. Thus, the first terminal device 110 can obtain a sensing result based on the received signals.

In some embodiments, in order to determine a reporting scheme for a sensing result based on the type of the first sensing node 210, if the type of the first sensing node 210 is determined based on a device type of the first sensing node 210, the reporting scheme may comprise reporting from a terminal device to a sensing TRP, or reporting from the sensing TRP to the terminal device. The embodiments of determining the reporting scheme based on the type of the first sensing node 210 may provide suitable and concrete schemes of sensing result reporting according to types of sensing nodes. In addition, the reporting scheme may be pre-defined with higher efficiency and less resource consumption and latency.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, if the type of the first sensing node 210 is determined based on sensing capability of the first sensing node 210, the reporting scheme may comprise reporting from a sensing node with receiving capability to a sensing node with (only) sensing transmitting capability.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, if the type of the first sensing node 210 is determined based on the location of the first sensing node 210, the reporting scheme may comprise reporting from a sensing node which is out of coverage of a network device to a sensing node which is in coverage of the network device, or reporting from a sensing node which is in coverage of the network device to a sensing node which is out of coverage of the network device.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, if the type of the first sensing node 210 is determined based on the role of the first sensing node 210 in a sensing procedure, the reporting scheme may comprise reporting from a responding node to an initiating node, or reporting from the initiating node to the responding node. Alternatively, the reporting scheme may comprise reporting from a sensing signal Rx node to a sensing signal Tx node, or reporting from a sensing signal Tx node to a sensing signal Rx node.

Fig. 9 illustrates an example of determining the reporting scheme based on the type of the first sensing node 210. In the example of Fig. 9, the type of the first sensing node 210 is determined based on the device type of the first sensing node 210. Thus, the reporting scheme may be determined based on the device type of the first sensing node 210. The device type of the first sensing node 210 may comprise a sensing TRP or a terminal device. A multi- static sensing mode is performed among the sensing TRP 160, the terminal devices 110, 120 and 180.

As shown in Fig. 9, a sensing signal 910 is transmitted by the sensing TRP 160 and reflected signals 912 and 914 of the sensing signal 910 are received or measured by the terminal device 120 and the terminal device 180, respectively.

A sensing signal 920 is transmitted by the terminal device 110 and reflected signals 922 and 924 of the sensing signal 920 are received or measured by the terminal device 120 and the terminal device 180, respectively.

Because there is the sensing TRP 160 in the sensing procedure, the terminal devices 120 and 180 detecting the sensing signal from the sensing TRP 160 should report their measurement results to the sensing TRP 160 as well as the measurement of the sensing signal from the terminal device 110.

Fig. 10 illustrates another example of determining the reporting scheme based on the type of the first sensing node 210. In the example of Fig. 10, the type of the first sensing node 210 is determined based on the location of the first sensing node 210. Thus, the reporting scheme may be determined based on the location of the first sensing node 210. The location of the first sensing node 210 may comprise in coverage of a network device, or out of coverage of the network device.

For a sidelink sensing procedure aiming to a sensing target which is out of coverage of the sensing TRP 160, sensing signals are transmitted and received by terminal devices on sidelink.

As shown in Fig. 10, a sensing target may be an illegal intruder, and a sensing result should be reported to the sensing TRP 160 finally.

The terminal device 110 is in coverage of the sensing TRP 160, and the terminal device 120 is out of coverage of the sensing TRP 160.

The terminal device 110 transmits a sensing signal on sidelink, and receives its echo signal. The terminal device 120 detects a reflected signal of the sensing signal transmitted from the terminal device 110.

As the terminal device 120 is out of coverage of the sensing TRP 160 and it cannot get connection with the sensing TRP 160, the terminal device 120 should report its measurement result to the terminal device 110.

Further, the terminal device 110 integrates the sensing result from the terminal device 120 and its own measurement result together as a final sensing result of the sensing target to report it to the sensing TRP 160.

Fig. 11 illustrates a further example of determining the reporting scheme based on the type of the first sensing node 210. In the example of Fig. 11, the type of the first sensing node 210 is determined based on the role of the first sensing node 210 in the sensing procedure. Thus, the reporting scheme may be determined based on the role of the first sensing node 210 in the sensing procedure. The role of the first sensing node 210 in the sensing procedure may comprise an initiating node of the sensing procedure or a responding node of the sensing procedure.

As shown in Fig. 11, for a sensing procedure initiated by the terminal device 110 and executed with the coordinated sensing mode #6 and basic sensing mode #4, sensing signals 1110 and 1120 are transmitted by the sensing TRP 160 and the sensing TRP 170 respectively. A reflected signal 1112 of the sensing signal 1110 and a reflected signal 1122 of the sensing signal 1120 are measured by the terminal device 110. Besides, the terminal device 110 transmits a sensing signal 1130 and measures the echo signal 1132 of the sensing signal 1130.

As the terminal device 110 is the initiating node of the sensing procedure, and measures all sensing signals by itself to obtain a sensing result, no sensing result reporting is needed.

In some embodiments, the first sensing node 210 may determine the reporting scheme further based on at least one of following: a type of the second sensing node 220, an indication from a sensing control node, or an indication from an initiating node of a sensing procedure.

In some embodiments, the first sensing node 210 may determine the reporting scheme based on the sensing mode and the type of the first sensing node 210. In such embodiments, for a given sensing procedure, there may be more than one reporting schemes based on the sensing mode or the type of the sensing node. The first sensing node 210 may determine one suitable reporting scheme for the sensing procedure by taking the two factors into account together. For example, the determined reporting scheme is involved in the available reporting schemes based on the sensing mode, or involved in the available reporting schemes based on the type of the sensing node. Such embodiments may provide suitable and concrete reporting schemes for a sensing result according to both the sensing mode and the type of the sensing nodes. In addition, such embodiments may reduce complexity of sensing result reporting as well as signaling overhead and latency for sensing management.

Fig. 12 illustrates an example of determining the reporting scheme based on the sensing mode and the type of the first sensing node 210. In the example of Fig. 12, a multi- static sensing mode is performed between the sensing TRP 160 and the terminal device 110. The multi-static sensing mode is a combination of the combined sensing modes #2 and #5.

As shown in Fig. 12, the terminal device 110 initiates a sensing service to require a sensing result of a given sensing target.

Each of the sensing TRP 160 and the terminal device 110 acts as a sensing signal Tx node and a sensing signal Rx node. The sensing TRP 160 transmits a sensing signal to a sensing target. The sensing TRP 160 receives an echo signal from the sensing target and a reflected signal of a sensing signal transmitted by the terminal device 110. The terminal device 110 also transmits a sensing signal. The terminal device 110 receives an echo signal from the sensing target and a reflected signal of the sensing signal transmitted by the sensing TRP 160.

Based on the sensing mode, the available reporting schemes for a sensing result comprise reporting from the sensing TRP 160 to the terminal device 110, or reporting from the terminal device 110 to the sensing TRP 160.

Based on the device type of the sensing node (i.e., the terminal device 110) , the available reporting scheme for the sensing result comprises reporting from the terminal device 110 to the sensing TRP 160.

Based on the role of the sensing node in the sensing procedure, as the terminal device 110 is the initiating node, the available reporting scheme for the sensing result comprises reporting from the sensing TRP 160 to the terminal device 110.

Fig. 13 illustrates another example of determining the reporting scheme based on the sensing mode and the type of the first sensing node 210. In the example of Fig. 13, within a smart factory, sensing TRP 160, 170, 190 and 195 are located as shown in Fig. 13.

Each of the sensing TRP 160, 170, 190 and 195 periodically transmits a sensing signal. Each of the sensing TRP 160, 170, 190 and 195 acts as both a sensing signal Tx node and a sensing signal Rx node.

For each of the sensing TRP 160, 170, 190 and 195, it may use the basic sensing mode #1 and/or the basic sensing mode #3 to set a multi-static sensing mode. In the multi-static sensing mode, one of the sensing TRP 160, 170, 190 and 195 transmits a sensing signal to a sensing target area or a sensing target object, and may receive an echo signal from the sensing target area or sensing target object, and/or the signal transmitted by other sensing TRPs and reflected from the sensing target area or sensing target object.

Based on the role of sensing nodes (i.e., the sensing TRP 160, 170, 190 and 195) , the sensing TRP 160, 170, 190 and 195 determine whether to provide their sensing results to other sensing TPRs.

For example, when the sensing TRP 160 is the initiating node of a sensing procedure which aims to a sensing target object, the sensing TRP 170, 190 and 195 may report their sensing results to the sensing TRP 160 if valid sensing results are derived.

For example, when the sensing TRP 160 receives multiple reflected signals associated with a sensing target object, i.e., the sensing TRP 160 acts as a sensing signal Rx node for the sensing procedure with sufficient measurement result, no reporting from other TRPs are needed.

Fig. 14 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1400 for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 1400 can be implemented at a sensing node, such as the first sensing node 210 as shown in Fig. 2. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1400 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 as performed by the first sensing node 210 without loss of generality.

As shown in Fig. 14, at 1410, the first sensing node 210 determines a reporting scheme for a sensing result.

At 1420, the first sensing node 210 indicates the reporting scheme for the sensing result.

The method 1400 provides flexible determination of reporting scheme for a sensing result. In addition, the method 1400 may avoid complexity of pre-defined association or rules for a sensing mode or sensing node and reporting.

In some embodiments, the first sensing node 210 may comprise a sensing control node of a sensing procedure. For the sensing procedure managed by the sensing control node, the reporting scheme for the sensing result, as well as the sensing mode and sensing resources are determined by the sensing control node.

In some embodiments, the sensing control node may comprise a sensing TRP or a terminal device. For example, the terminal device may act as a sensing control node in case of sidelink sensing.

In some embodiments, the first sensing node 210 may indicate the second sensing node 220 involved in the sensing procedure to report the sensing result to the first sensing node 210. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first sensing node 210 may indicate the second sensing node 220 to report the sensing result to the third sensing node 230 involved in the sensing procedure. In such embodiments, the sensing node (i.e., the first sensing node 210) determining the reporting scheme may be different from the sensing node (i.e., the third sensing node 230) obtaining the sensing result.

In some embodiments, the first sensing node 210 may indicate the reporting scheme for the sensing result by indicating a terminal device as the second sensing node 220, and a sensing TRP as the third sensing node 230.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first sensing node 210 may indicate the reporting scheme for the sensing result by indicating a sensing node with sensing receiving capability as the second sensing node 220, and a sensing node with sensing transmitting capability as the third sensing node 230.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first sensing node 210 may indicate the reporting scheme for the sensing result by indicating a sensing node which is out of coverage of a network device as the second sensing node 220, and a sensing node which is in coverage of the network device as the third sensing node 230.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first sensing node 210 may indicate the reporting scheme for the sensing result by indicating a sensing assistance node of the sensing procedure as the second sensing node 220, and a sensing control node of the sensing procedure as the third sensing node 230.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first sensing node 210 may indicate the reporting scheme for the sensing result by indicating a sensing receiver of a sensing signal as the second sensing node 220, and the sensing transmitter of the sensing signal as the third sensing node 230.

Fig. 15 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process 1500 for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The process 1500 may considered as an example implementation of the method 1400. The process 1500 may involve the sensing TRP 160 in Fig. 1B or 1C as well as the terminal devices 110 and 120 in Fig. 1A.

Generally, in the process 1500, a reporting scheme for a sensing result is determined by a sensing control node. The sensing TRP 160 acts as the sensing control node.

As shown in Fig. 15, the terminal device 110 triggers 1510 a sensing procedure. Then, the terminal device 110 transmits 1520 a sensing service requirement message to the sensing TRP 160.

According to the sensing service requirement message from the terminal device 110, the sensing TRP 160 schedules a sensing procedure. The sensing TRP 160 determines 1530 the terminal device 110 and the terminal device 120 as sensing nodes. In addition, the sensing TRP 160 determines a sensing mode and a reporting scheme for a sensing result. The reporting scheme comprises reporting from the terminal device 120 to the terminal device 110. That is, no reporting to the sensing TRP 160 is needed.

The sensing TRP 160 transmits 1540 a sensing configuration to the terminal devices 110 and 120. The sensing configuration may comprise the reporting scheme for the sensing result.

Then, sensing signal transmission, reception and measurement are performed 1550 among the sensing TRP 160 as well as the terminal device 110 and the terminal device 120.

In turn, the terminal device 120 transmits 1560 the sensing result to the terminal device 110.

In some embodiments, the first sensing node 210 may comprise an initiating node of a sensing procedure. In such embodiments, the initiating node determines the reporting scheme for the sensing result. For example, the initiating node may determine the reporting scheme for the sensing result during setup of the sensing procedure.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first sensing node 210 may indicate the reporting scheme for the sensing result by indicating a responding node of a sensing procedure as the second sensing node 220, and an initiating node of the sensing procedure as the third sensing node 230.

Fig. 16 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process 1600 for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The process 1600 may considered as an example implementation of the method 1400. The process 1600 may involve the sensing TRP 160 in Fig. 1B or 1C as well as the terminal devices 110 and 120 in Fig. 1A.

Generally, in the process 1600, a reporting scheme for a sensing result is determined by an initiating node of a sensing procedure. The terminal device 110 acts as the initiating node. The sensing TRP 160 acts as a sensing control node of the sensing procedure.

As shown in Fig. 16, the terminal device 110 triggers 1610 a sensing procedure. Then, the terminal device 110 transmits 1620 sensing service requirement message to the sensing TRP 160. The sensing service requirement message comprises the reporting scheme for the sensing result. The reporting scheme comprises reporting of processed sensing result from the sensing TRP 160.

According to the sensing service requirement message from the terminal device 110, the sensing TRP 160 schedules a sensing procedure. The sensing TRP 160 determines 1630 the terminal device 110 and the terminal device 120 as sensing nodes. In addition, the sensing TRP 160 determines a sensing mode.

The sensing TRP 160 transmits 1640 a sensing configuration to the terminal devices 110 and 120. The sensing configuration may indicate the terminal device 110 and the terminal device 120 to report a sensing measurement report to the sensing TRP 160.

Then, sensing signal transmission, reception and measurement are performed 1650 among the sensing TRP 160 as well as the terminal device 110 and the terminal device 120.

In turn, the terminal device 110 transmits 1660 a sensing measurement result to the sensing TRP 160. The terminal device 120 transmits 1670 a sensing measurement result to the sensing TRP 160.

Then, the sensing TRP 160 determines 1680 a final sensing result based on the sensing measurement reports from the terminal device 110 and the terminal device 120.

The sensing TRP 160 transmits 1690 the sensing result to the terminal device 110. The terminal device 110 obtains the sensing result.

Fig. 17 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process 1700 for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The process 1700 may considered as an example implementation of the method 1400. The process 1700 may involve the terminal devices 110 and 120 in Fig. 1A as well as a terminal device 180 which is not shown in Figs. 1A, 1B or 1C.

Generally, in the process 1700, a reporting scheme for a sensing result is determined by a sensing control node. The terminal device 110 acts as both the sensing control node and an initiating node of the sensing procedure.

As shown in Fig. 17, the terminal device 110 triggers 1710 a sensing procedure.

Then, the terminal device 110 discovers 1720 and determines assistant sensing nodes, i.e., the terminal devices 120 and 180. In addition, the terminal device 110 determines a sensing mode and reporting scheme for a sensing result. The reporting scheme comprises reporting from the terminal devices 120 and 180 to the terminal device 110, respectively.

The terminal device 110 transmits 1730 a sensing configuration to the terminal devices 120 and 180. The sensing configuration may comprise the reporting scheme for the sensing result.

Then, sensing signal transmission, reception and measurement are performed 1740 among the terminal device 110, the terminal device 120 and the terminal device 180 on sidelink.

In turn, the terminal device 120 transmits 1750 a sensing result to the terminal device 110. The terminal device 180 transmits 1760 a sensing result to the terminal device 110.

Fig. 18 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1800 that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 1800 can be considered as a further example embodiment of the first sensing node 210. Accordingly, the device 1800 can be implemented at or as at least a part of the first sensing node 210.

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

The 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 sensing node, comprising:

a processor configured to cause the first sensing node to:

determine a reporting scheme for a sensing result based on at least one of a sensing mode or a type of the first sensing node; and

obtain the sensing result based on the reporting scheme.
The first sensing node of claim 1, wherein the sensing mode is a combination of at least two of the following:

a first sensing mode, wherein in the first sensing mode, a first sensing signal is transmitted by a first sensing transmission reception point (TRP) and received or measured by the first sensing TRP itself;

a second sensing mode, wherein in the second sensing mode, the first sensing signal is transmitted by the first sensing TRP and received or measured by a first terminal device;

a third sensing mode, wherein in the third sensing mode, a second sensing signal is transmitted by a second sensing TRP and received or measured by the first sensing TRP;

a fourth sensing mode, wherein in the fourth sensing mode, a third sensing signal is transmitted by the first terminal device and received or measured by the first terminal device itself;

a fifth sensing mode, wherein in the fifth sensing mode, the third sensing signal is transmitted by the first terminal device and received or measured by the first sensing TRP;

a sixth sensing mode, wherein in the sixth sensing mode, a fourth sensing signal is transmitted by a second terminal device and received or measured by the first terminal device;

at least one combined sensing mode, wherein in each of the at least one combined sensing mode, a fifth sensing signal is transmitted by at least one sensing transmitter and received or measured by multiple sensing receivers; or

at least one coordinated sensing mode, wherein in each of the at least one coordinated sensing mode, a sixth sensing signal is transmitted by multiple sensing transmitters and received or measured by at least one sensing receiver.
The first sensing node of claim 2, wherein each of the at least one coordinated sensing mode is one of the following:

a combination of the first sensing mode and the third sensing mode,

a combination of the third sensing mode and another third sensing mode in which a seventh sensing signal is transmitted by a third sensing TRP and received or measured by the first sensing TRP,

a combination of the first sensing mode and the fifth sensing mode,

a combination of the third sensing mode and the fifth sensing mode,

a combination of the fifth sensing mode and another fifth sensing mode in which the fourth sensing signal is transmitted by the second terminal device and received or measured by the first sensing TRP,

a combination of the second sensing mode and another second sensing mode in which the second sensing signal is transmitted by the second sensing TRP and received or measured by the first terminal device,

a combination of the second sensing mode and the fourth sensing mode,

a combination of the second sensing mode and the sixth sensing mode,

a combination of the fourth sensing mode and the sixth sensing mode, or

a combination of the sixth sensing mode and another sixth sensing mode in which an eighth sensing signal is transmitted by a third terminal device and received or measured by the first terminal device.
The first sensing node of claim 1, wherein the type of the first sensing node is determined based on at least one of the following:

a device type of the first sensing node,

sensing capability of the first sensing node,

a location of the first sensing node, or

role of the first sensing node in a sensing procedure.
The first sensing node of claim 4, wherein the type of the first sensing node is determined as one of the following based on the device type of the first sensing node:

a sensing transmission reception point (TRP) , or

a terminal device.
The first sensing node of claim 4, wherein the type of the first sensing node is determined as one of the following based on the sensing capability of the first sensing node:

a sensing node with sensing transmitting capability,

a sensing node with sensing receiving capability, or

a sensing node with the sensing transmitting capability and the sensing receiving capability.
The first sensing node of claim 4, wherein the type of the first sensing node is determined as one of the following based on the location of the first sensing node:

a sensing node which is in coverage of a network device, or

a sensing node which is out of coverage of the network device.
The first sensing node of claim 4, wherein the type of the first sensing node is determined as one of the following based on the role of the first sensing node in the sensing procedure:

an initiating node of the sensing procedure,

a responding node of the sensing procedure,

a sensing transmitter in the sensing procedure,

a sensing receiver in the sensing procedure,

a sensing assistance node of the sensing procedure, or

a sensing control node of the sensing procedure.
The first sensing node of claim 1, wherein the first sensing node is caused to determine the reporting scheme based on the sensing mode by:

determine the reporting scheme based on pre-defined association between the sensing mode and at least one reporting scheme for the sensing result.
The first sensing node of claim 9, wherein the at least one reporting scheme comprises a default reporting scheme associated with the sensing mode.
The first sensing node of claim 9, wherein the first sensing node is caused to determine the reporting scheme further based on at least one of the following:

pre-definition,

pre-configuration,

the type of the first sensing node,

an indication from a sensing control node, or

an indication from an initiating node of a sensing procedure.
The first sensing node of claim 1, wherein the first sensing node is caused to determine the reporting scheme further based on at least one of following:

a type of a second sensing node,

an indication from a sensing control node, or

an indication from an initiating node of a sensing procedure.
The first sensing node of claim 1, wherein the reporting scheme for the sensing result comprises one of the following:

reporting from a terminal device to a sensing transmission reception point (TRP) ,

reporting from a sensing node with sensing receiving capability to a sensing node with sensing transmitting capability,

reporting from a sensing node which is out of coverage of a network device to a sensing node which is in coverage of the network device,

reporting from a responding node of a sensing procedure to an initiating node of the sensing procedure,

reporting from a sensing assistance node of the sensing procedure to a sensing control node of the sensing procedure, or

reporting from a sensing receiver of a sensing signal to the sensing transmitter of the sensing signal.
A first sensing node, comprising:

a processor configured to cause the first sensing node to:

determine a reporting scheme for a sensing result; and

indicate the reporting scheme for the sensing result.
The first sensing node of claim 14, wherein the first sensing node comprises a sensing control node of a sensing procedure.
The first sensing node of claim 15, wherein the sensing control node comprises a sensing transmission reception point (TRP) or a terminal device.
The first sensing node of claim 14, wherein the first sensing node comprises an initiating node of a sensing procedure.
The first sensing node of claim 17, wherein the first sensing node is caused to determine the reporting scheme for the sensing result during setup of the sensing procedure.
The first sensing node of claim 15 or 17, wherein the first sensing node is caused to indicate the reporting scheme for the sensing result by:

indicating a second sensing node involved in the sensing procedure to report the sensing result to the first sensing node or a third sensing node involved in the sensing procedure.
The first sensing node of claim 19, wherein the first sensing node is caused to indicate the reporting scheme for the sensing result by one of the following:

indicating a terminal device as the second sensing node, and a sensing transmission reception point (TRP) as the third sensing node,

indicating a sensing node with sensing receiving capability as the second sensing node, and a sensing node with sensing transmitting capability as the third sensing node,

indicating a sensing node which is out of coverage of a network device as the second sensing node, and a sensing node which is in coverage of the network device as the third sensing node,

indicating a responding node of a sensing procedure as the second sensing node, and an initiating node of the sensing procedure as the third sensing node,

indicating a sensing assistance node of the sensing procedure as the second sensing node, and a sensing control node of the sensing procedure as the third sensing node, or

indicating a sensing receiver of a sensing signal as the second sensing node, and the sensing transmitter of the sensing signal as the third sensing node.
A method for communications, comprising:

determining a reporting scheme for a sensing result based on at least one of a sensing mode or a type of the first sensing node; and

obtaining the sensing result based on the reporting scheme.
A method for communications, comprising:

determining a reporting scheme for a sensing result; and

indicating the reporting scheme for the sensing result.
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 21 or 22.