Electronic device with time-division radio frequency communication and sensing

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device that can include a wireless circuit with a radio having an antenna that transmits wireless data with a wireless base station according to a communication schedule and performs sensing using the antenna. The sensing can involve transmitting a sensing signal and receiving a reflected signal during a sensing period. A control circuit can adjust timing of the sensing period to align with a scheduled inactive time for the radio based on network configuration information and current sensing requirements of the device. In this way, the radio can perform radio frequency sensing for adjusting wireless transmissions to meet radio frequency exposure requirements without substantially disrupting wireless data communications.

Description

[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 834801, filed June 7, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 247731, filed September 23, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates in general to electronic devices, and more specifically to electronic devices having wireless circuitry. Background Technology

[0003] Electronic devices may be equipped with wireless capabilities. Wireless-capable electronic devices have wireless circuitry that includes one or more antennas. The wireless circuitry is used to perform communication using radio frequency signals emitted by the antennas.

[0004] Regulatory restrictions on radio frequency (RF) energy exposure are typically applied to communications that use RF signals. In some scenarios, wireless circuits are also used to perform sensing to detect the presence of external objects near electronic devices. If not handled carefully, this sensing can unintentionally interfere with communications. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Electronic devices may include wireless circuitry. Wireless circuitry may include radio components that transmit wireless data to a wireless base station using one or more antennas according to communication scheduling implemented by the base station. The radio components may use one or more antennas to perform radio frequency (RF) sensing. RF sensing may involve transmitting RF sensing signals and receiving reflected RF sensing signals during a sensing period.

[0006] The control circuitry can adjust the timing of sensing periods based on network configuration information received from the base station and the device's current sensing requirements. When communication scheduling includes measurement gaps, the sensing period aligns with those gaps, and the sensing requirements are aligned with the measurement gaps, the control circuitry can align the sensing period with the measurement gaps. When communication scheduling does not contain measurement gaps, is configured for Connected Mode Data Receive (CDRX) cycles, and the CDRX cycles are aligned with the sensing requirements, the control circuitry can align the sensing period with the end of the CDRX. When communication scheduling is not configured for CDRX or the CDRX cycle is not aligned with the sensing requirements, the control circuitry can align the sensing period with flexible periods between uplink and downlink time slots or other portions of different time slots, or the control circuitry can force the sensing period to use a regular sensing periodicity. If necessary, when no wireless communication data is scheduled within the maximum delay time, the control circuitry can postpone one or more sensing periods within the maximum delay time of the nominal sensing time. In this way, the radio component can perform radio frequency sensing to adjust wireless transmissions to meet radio frequency exposure requirements without substantially disrupting wireless data communication.

[0007] One aspect of this disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device may include one or more antennas. The electronic device may include a radio component. The radio component may be configured to transmit radio frequency signals to a wireless base station via the one or more antennas according to a communication schedule. The radio component may be configured to perform radio frequency sensing of an external object using the one or more antennas during a sensing period, the sensing period being time-duplexed with the transmission of the radio frequency signals to the wireless base station. The radio component may be configured to receive network configuration information from the wireless base station. The electronic device may include one or more processors configured to adjust the timing of the sensing period based on the network configuration information.

[0008] One aspect of this disclosure provides a method for operating an electronic device. The method may include: using a radio component to transmit radio frequency signals to a wireless base station via one or more antennas during a first scheduled data block and during a second scheduled data block separated from the first scheduled data block by a measurement gap. The method may include: using the radio component to search for and / or measure another wireless base station during the measurement gap. The method may include: using the radio component to transmit radio frequency sensing signals and receive reflected radio frequency sensing signals via one or more antennas during the measurement gap. The method may include: using one or more processors to identify proximity to an external object based on the transmitted radio frequency sensing signals and the received reflected radio frequency sensing signals. The method may include: using one or more processors to adjust the transmission power level of a first radio component based on the identified proximity to the external object.

[0009] One aspect of this disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device may include one or more antennas. The electronic device may include a radio component. The radio component may be configured to transmit wireless data to a wireless base station using one or more antennas during an active period of a series of Connected Mode Discontinuous Reception (CDRX) cycles. The radio component may be configured to use one or more antennas to transmit radio frequency sensing signals and receive reflected radio frequency sensing signals during a sensing period aligned with the end of a CDRX cycle in the series of CDRX cycles. The electronic device may include one or more processors configured to detect proximity to an external object based on the radio frequency sensing signals transmitted by the radio component and based on the reflected radio frequency sensing signals received by the radio component. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 It is a functional block diagram of an exemplary electronic device according to some implementation schemes, having radio components for performing wireless transmission and for sensing the presence of external objects.

[0011] Figure 2 It is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation involving the control of radio components to perform sensing operations while minimizing disruption to wireless communication caused by sensing operations, according to some implementation schemes.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation involving adjusting the timing of sensing operations based on network settings used for wireless communication, according to some implementation schemes.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a timing diagram illustrating how exemplary sensing operations can be performed during the measurement gap transition period according to some implementation schemes.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a timing diagram illustrating how exemplary sensing operations can be performed during the end of a discontinuous reception cycle in a connected mode, according to some implementation schemes.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a timing diagram illustrating how exemplary sensing operations can be performed at different times in a communication schedule with no measurement gaps or discontinuous reception cycles in the connection mode, according to some implementation schemes.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a timing diagram illustrating how scheduled wireless communication can adaptively schedule exemplary sensing operations relative to a nominal sensing period, according to some implementation schemes.

[0017] Figure 8 It is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation involving scheduling-based wireless communication to adaptively schedule sensing operations relative to a nominal sensing period, according to some implementation schemes. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Figure 1 The electronic device 10 may be: a computing device, such as a laptop computer, desktop computer, computer monitor containing an embedded computer, tablet computer, cellular phone, media player, or other handheld or portable electronic device; a smaller device, such as a wristwatch, a wristband, a headset or handset, a device embedded in glasses; or other equipment worn on a user's head; or other wearable or micro-devices, televisions, computer monitors without an embedded computer, gaming devices, navigation devices, embedded systems (such as systems in which electronic equipment with a display is installed in a kiosk or vehicle), voice-controlled speakers connected to the wireless Internet, home entertainment devices, remote control devices, game controllers, peripheral user input devices, wireless base stations or access points, equipment that enables the functions of two or more of these devices; or other electronic equipment.

[0019] like Figure 1As shown in the functional block diagram, device 10 may include components located on or within an electronic device housing, such as housing 12. Housing 12 (sometimes referred to as a shell) may be formed of plastic, glass, ceramic, fiber composite material, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, metal alloys, etc.), other suitable materials, or combinations of these materials. In some cases, housing 12 may be partially or entirely formed of dielectric or other low-conductivity materials (e.g., glass, ceramic, plastic, sapphire, etc.). In other cases, housing 12 or at least some of the structures constituting housing 12 may be formed of metallic elements.

[0020] Device 10 may include control circuitry 14. Control circuitry 14 may include storage devices, such as storage circuitry 16. Storage circuitry 16 may include hard disk drive storage devices, non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory configured to form a solid-state drive or other electrically programmable read-only memory), volatile memory (e.g., static random access memory or dynamic random access memory), etc. Storage circuitry 16 may include storage devices and / or removable storage media integrated within device 10.

[0021] Control circuitry 14 may include processing circuitry, such as processing circuitry 18. Processing circuitry 18 may be used to control the operation of device 10. Processing circuitry 18 may include one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, host processors, baseband processor integrated circuits, application-specific integrated circuits, central processing units (CPUs), etc. Control circuitry 14 may be configured to perform operations in device 10 using hardware (e.g., dedicated hardware or circuitry), firmware, and / or software. Software code for performing operations in device 10 may be stored on storage circuitry 16 (e.g., storage circuitry 16 may include a non-transitory (tangible) computer-readable storage medium storing software code). This software code may sometimes be referred to as program instructions, software, data, commands, or code. The software code stored on storage circuitry 16 may be executed by processing circuitry 18.

[0022] Control circuitry 14 can be used to run software on device 10, such as satellite navigation applications, internet browsing applications, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone calling applications, email applications, media playback applications, operating system functions, etc. To support interaction with external equipment, control circuitry 14 can be used to implement communication protocols. Communication protocols that can be implemented using control circuitry 14 include Internet Protocol, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocol—sometimes referred to as...). ), such as Protocols such as those used for other short-range wireless communication links, including wireless personal area network (WPAN) protocols, IEEE 802.11ad protocols (e.g., ultra-wideband protocols), cellular phone protocols (e.g., 3G protocols, 4G (LTE) protocols, 3GPP fifth-generation (5G) new radio (NR) protocols, etc.), antenna diversity protocols, satellite navigation system protocols (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) protocols, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) protocols, etc.), antenna-based spatial ranging protocols (e.g., radar protocols), or any other desired communication protocol. Each communication protocol may be associated with a corresponding radio access technology (RAT), which specifies the physical connection method used to implement the protocol.

[0023] Device 10 may include input-output circuitry 20. Input-output circuitry 20 may include input-output devices 22. Input-output devices 22 may be used to allow data to be supplied to device 10 and to allow data to be supplied from device 10 to external devices. Input-output devices 22 may include user interface devices, data port devices, and other input-output components. For example, input-output devices 22 may include touch sensors, displays (e.g., touch-sensitive displays and / or force-sensitive displays), light-emitting components such as displays without touch sensor capability, buttons (mechanical, capacitive, optical, etc.), scroll wheels, touchpads, keypads, keyboards, microphones, cameras, buttons, speakers, status indicators, audio jacks and other audio port components, digital data port devices, motion sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, and / or compasses for detecting motion), capacitive sensors, proximity sensors, magnetic sensors, force sensors (e.g., force sensors coupled to a display to detect pressure applied to the display), temperature sensors, etc. In some configurations, keyboards, headphones, displays, pointing devices such as touchpads, mice and joysticks, and other input-output devices may be coupled to device 10 via wired or wireless connections (e.g., some of the input-output devices 22 may be peripherals coupled to the main processing unit or other parts of device 10 via wired or wireless links).

[0024] Input-output circuitry 20 may include wireless circuitry 24 to support wireless communication and / or radio-based spatial ranging operations. Wireless circuitry 24 may include one or more antennas 34. Wireless circuitry 24 may also include one or more radio components 28. Each radio component 28 may include circuitry that operates on signals at baseband frequencies (e.g., baseband circuitry), signal generator circuitry, modulation / demodulation circuitry (e.g., one or more modems), radio frequency transceiver circuitry (e.g., radio frequency transmitter circuitry, radio frequency receiver circuitry, mixer circuitry for downconverting radio frequency signals to baseband frequencies or intermediate frequencies between radio frequency and baseband frequencies and / or for upconverting signals at baseband frequencies or intermediate frequencies to radio frequency), amplifier circuitry (e.g., one or more power amplifiers and / or one or more low-noise amplifiers (LNAs)), analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuitry, digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry, control paths, power paths, signal paths (e.g., radio frequency transmission lines, intermediate frequency transmission lines, baseband signal lines, etc.), switching circuitry, filter circuitry, and / or any other circuitry for transmitting and / or receiving radio frequency signals using antenna 34. Each component of radio component 28 can be mounted on a corresponding substrate or integrated into a corresponding integrated circuit, chip, package, or system-on-a-chip (SoC). If needed, components of multiple radio components 28 can share a single substrate, integrated circuit, chip, package, or SoC.

[0025] Antenna 34 can be formed using any desired antenna structure. For example, antenna 34 may include an antenna with a resonant element, formed from a loop antenna structure, patch antenna structure, inverted F-shaped antenna structure, slot antenna structure, planar inverted F-shaped antenna structure, helical antenna structure, monopole antenna, dipole, a combination of these designs, etc. Adjustable filter circuits, switching circuits, impedance matching circuits, and / or other antenna tuning components can be used to adjust the frequency response and wireless performance of antenna 34 over time.

[0026] The transceiver circuitry in radio component 28 may use one or more antennas 34 to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., antenna 34 may transmit RF signals for the transceiver circuitry). As used herein, the term "transmit RF signals" means the transmission and / or reception of RF signals (e.g., for performing one-way and / or two-way wireless communication with external wireless communication equipment). Antenna 34 may transmit RF signals by radiating them into free space (or through an intermediary device structure such as a dielectric overlay). Alternatively or in addition, antenna 34 may receive RF signals from free space (e.g., through an intermediary device structure such as a dielectric overlay). The transmission and reception of RF signals by antenna 34 each involve the current excitation or resonance of the antenna on the antenna resonant element in the antenna by the RF signals within the antenna's operating frequency band.

[0027] Each radio component 28 can be coupled to one or more antennas 34 via one or more RF transmission lines 36. RF transmission lines 36 may include coaxial cables, microstrip transmission lines, stripline transmission lines, edge-coupled microstrip transmission lines, edge-coupled stripline transmission lines, transmission lines formed by combinations of these types of transmission lines, etc. RF transmission lines 36 may be integrated into rigid and / or flexible printed circuit boards if desired. One or more RF lines 36 may be shared among multiple radio components 28 if desired. RF front-end (RFFE) modules may be inserted onto one or more RF transmission lines 36. RF front-end modules may include a substrate, integrated circuit, chip, or package separate from the radio component 28, and may include filter circuitry, switching circuitry, amplifier circuitry, impedance matching circuitry, RF coupler circuitry, and / or any other desired RF circuitry for operating on RF signals transmitted via the RF transmission lines 36.

[0028] Radio component 28 can use antenna 34 to transmit and / or receive radio frequency signals in different frequency bands (sometimes referred to herein as communication bands or simply "bands") on the radio frequency. The frequency bands processed by radio component 28 may include wireless local area network (WLAN) bands (e.g., (IEEE 802.11) or other WLAN communication bands) such as the 2.4 GHz WLAN band (e.g., 2400 MHz to 2480 MHz), the 5 GHz WLAN band (e.g., 5180 MHz to 5825 MHz), 6E band (e.g., 5925MHz to 7125MHz) and / or others Frequency bands (e.g., 1875MHz to 5160MHz); Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) frequency bands such as 2.4GHz Frequency bands or other WPAN communication bands; cellular telephone bands (e.g., bands from about 600 MHz to about 5 GHz, 3G bands, 4G LTE bands, 5G NR frequency range 1 (FR1) band below 10 GHz, 5G NR frequency range 2 (FR2) band between 20 GHz and 60 GHz, etc.); other centimeter or millimeter wave bands between 10 GHz and 300 GHz; near-field communication bands (e.g., 13.56 MHz); satellite navigation bands (e.g., GPS bands from 1565 MHz to 1610 MHz, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) bands, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) bands, etc.); ultra-wideband (UWB) bands operating under the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol and / or other ultra-wideband communication protocols; communication bands under the 3GPP wireless communication standard family; communication bands under the IEEE 802.XX standard family, and / or any other desired bands of interest.

[0029] Each radio component 28 can transmit and / or receive radio frequency signals according to a corresponding radio access technology (RAT) that determines the physical connection method for the components in the corresponding radio component. Multiple RATs can be implemented by one or more radio components 28 if desired. Radio components 28 can use antenna 34 to transmit and / or receive radio frequency signals 42 to transmit wireless communication data between device 10 and external wireless communication device 40 (e.g., a wireless base station, a wireless access point, one or more other devices such as device 10, etc.). The external wireless communication device 40 is a specific implementation of a wireless base station, described herein as an example. Therefore, external wireless communication device 40 may sometimes be referred to as base station 40 or gNB 40. Wireless communication data can be transmitted bidirectionally (e.g., in the uplink (UL) direction from device 10 to base station 40 and in the downlink (DL) direction from base station 40 to device 10) or unidirectionally (e.g., in the UL or DL ​​direction) via radio components 28 and radio frequency signals 42. Wireless communication data may include, for example, data encoded into corresponding data packets, such as wireless data associated with telephone calls, streaming media content, internet browsing, wireless data associated with software applications running on device 10, email messages, etc.

[0030] During radio frequency (RF) signal transmission, some RF signals 42 emitted by antenna 34 may be incident on an external object, such as external object 38. External object 38 may be, for example, the user of device 10 or another person or animal. In these scenarios, the amount of RF energy exposure at external object 38 can be characterized by one or more RF energy exposure measures. RF exposure (RFE) measures may include a specific absorption rate (SAR) (in W / kg) for RF signals at frequencies less than 6 GHz, and a maximum permissible exposure (MPE) (in mW / cm²) for RF signals at frequencies greater than 6 GHz. 2 (in units) and the total exposure ratio (TER) combining SAR and MPE.

[0031] Regulatory requirements typically impose limits on the amount of RF energy exposure that an external object 38 within the vicinity of antenna 34 can be allowed to experience over a specified time period (e.g., SAR and MPE limits over a corresponding average time period). Such regulatory requirements may be imposed, for example, by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNEP) or the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Wireless circuitry 24 may include an RF exposure measurement manager, such as RF exposure manager 26, to ensure that radio components 28 comply with these regulatory requirements. Components of RF exposure manager 26 may be implemented in hardware (e.g., one or more processors, circuit components, logic gates, diodes, transistors, switching devices, arithmetic logic units (ALUs), registers, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, etc.) and / or software on device 10. RF exposure manager 26 may be coupled to each radio component 28 via a corresponding control path 30.

[0032] RF Exposure Manager 26 can generate an RF Exposure Budget (BGT) for radio component 28. RF Exposure Manager 26 can provide the RFE Budget (BGT) to radio component 28 via control path 30. Each RFE Budget (BGT) may include a corresponding SAR budget and / or a corresponding MPE budget (e.g., depending on whether the radio component subject to the budget is subject to SAR and / or MPE restrictions). Each SAR budget can specify the amount of SAR that may be generated in the radio signals transmitted by the corresponding radio component 28 during the regulatory average period while still meeting overall SAR regulatory restrictions. Each MPE budget can specify the amount of MPE that may be generated in the radio signals transmitted by the corresponding radio component 28 during the regulatory average period while still meeting overall MPE regulatory restrictions. Circuitry in radio component 28 can (e.g., using a Maximum Power Reduction (MPR) command, etc.) adjust the maximum transmit (TX) power level of its transmitted radio signals to ensure that the RF Exposure Budget (BGT) for that component radio remains compliant during the average period.

[0033] In some scenarios, each radio component or RAT in device 10 is allocated a fixed SAR / MPE budget, such that the distribution of the total available RF exposure budget across RATs remains static over time to meet overall SAR / MPE regulatory constraints on the operation of device 10 (e.g., over an average period). In these scenarios, each radio component uses a lookup table to derive the maximum transmit power level allowed by its fixed SAR / MPE budget and then maintains its transmit power level below that maximum transmit power level to meet SAR / MPE constraints. However, allocating the static SAR / MPE budget to radio components in this manner, without considering the radio requirements of the current operating state / environment of device 10, results in a suboptimal budget distribution between radio components / RATs. For example, a portion of the total RF exposure budget not used by one radio component cannot be reallocated to another radio component that may urgently need to transmit at higher power levels or increased duty cycles.

[0034] To mitigate these issues, the RF exposure manager 26 can dynamically allocate SAR and MPE budgets to the radio component 28 over time (e.g., over an average period). The RF exposure manager 26 can dynamically allocate SAR and MPE budgets to the radio component 28 based on feedback from the radio component 28. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, each radio component 28 can be coupled to the RF Exposure Manager 26 via feedback path 32. Each radio component 28 can generate a SAR / MPE Report RPT, which identifies the amount of allocated SAR budget and / or MPE budget consumed by the radio component during different sub-periods of the average time period. The radio component 28 can send the SAR / MPE Report RPT to the RF Exposure Manager 26 via feedback path 32. The RF Exposure Manager 26 can generate an updated RF Exposure Budget BGT for the radio component 28 based on the received SAR / MPE Report RPT and based on the current or anticipated communication needs of device 10, to ensure that the radio component 28 can continue to transmit radio frequency signals to meet the active and dynamic needs of device 10, while still meeting the SAR and MPE limits imposed on device 10 during the average time period. In this way, the RF Exposure Manager 26 can allocate SAR / MPE budgets across RATs while ensuring that SAR / MPE conforms to the overall RF exposure across RATs.

[0035] In addition to transmitting wireless communication data, wireless circuit 24 can also use antenna 34 to perform radio frequency sensing operations (sometimes referred to herein as spatial ranging operations, radio-based sensing operations, or simply sensing operations). This sensing operation allows device 10 to detect (e.g., sense or identify) the presence, location, orientation, and / or speed (motion) of an external object 38. The sensing operation can be performed over relatively short distances (such as a few centimeters from antenna 34) or over longer distances (such as tens of centimeters, meters, or tens of meters). To minimize the amount of hardware on device 10, wireless circuit 24 can use one or more of the same antennas 34 to transmit wireless communication data (e.g., using radio frequency signal 42) to base station 40 and perform sensing operations.

[0036] When performing a sensing operation, one or more antennas 34 may transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal 44. Wireless circuitry 24 may transmit the RF signal 44 in a corresponding RF frequency band (e.g., a band including frequencies greater than about 10 GHz, greater than about 20 GHz, and less than 10 GHz). As an example, the RF signal 44 may include a linearly modulated signal (e.g., a signal whose frequency periodically increases over time). The RF signal 44 may be reflected away from an object outside the device 10 (such as external object 38) as a reflected RF signal 46. One or more antennas 34 may receive the reflected signal 46. The reflected signal 46 may be a reflected form of the transmitted RF signal 44, which has been reflected away from external object 38 and returned to the device 10.

[0037] Control circuit 14 can process the transmitted radio frequency signal 44 and the received reflected signal 46 to detect or estimate the distance R between device 10 and external object 38. If needed, control circuit 14 can also process the transmitted and received signals to identify the two-dimensional or three-dimensional spatial position (azimuth) of external object 38, the velocity of external object 38, and / or the angle of arrival of reflected signal 46. In a specific implementation described herein as an example, wireless circuit 24 performs sensing operations using a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar scheme. This is merely illustrative, and other radar schemes or spatial ranging schemes (e.g., OFDM radar schemes, FSCW radar schemes, phase-coded radar schemes, etc.) can typically be used. In the implementation in which wireless circuit 24 uses an FMCW radar scheme, Doppler shift in the continuous wave signal can be detected and processed to identify the velocity of external object 38, and the time-correlated frequency difference between radio frequency signal 44 and reflected signal 46 can be detected and processed to identify the distance R and / or the position of external object 38. For example, using a continuous wave signal to estimate distance R allows the control circuit 10 to reliably distinguish external object 38 from other background or slower-moving objects.

[0038] Control circuitry 14 can use the detected presence, location, orientation, and / or velocity of an external object (e.g., distance R) to perform any desired device operation. As an example, control circuitry 14 can use the detected presence, location, orientation, and / or velocity of an external object to identify corresponding user input for one or more software applications running on device 10, such as gesture input performed by the user's hand or other body part, or by an external stylus, game controller, headset, or other peripheral device or accessory; determine when it is necessary to disable one or more antennas 34 or provide a maximum transmit power level with reduced power (e.g., to meet regulatory restrictions on radio frequency exposure); determine how to guide the radio frequency signal beam generated by antenna 34 (e.g., in a scenario where antenna 34 includes a phased array of antennas 34); map or model the environment around device 10 (e.g., to generate a software model of the room where device 10 is located for use by augmented reality applications, gaming applications, mapping applications, home design applications, engineering applications, etc.); detect obstacles in the vicinity of device 10 (e.g., its perimeter) or in the direction of movement of the user of device 10; and so on.

[0039] In the implementation described herein as an example, control circuitry 14 can use the detected distance R to determine when and how to back off the maximum transmit power level of one or more radio components 28 and / or when / how to disable UL transmission through radio component 28 to ensure compliance with regulatory limits on radio frequency exposure over time. When averaging over an average window of D seconds, a regulatory body imposing limits on RFE may, for example, require that the maximum exposure not exceed a given value (e.g., at any 4cm). 2 10W / m² within the area 2 The duration of the average window D can depend on the frequency of the radio frequency signal 42. For example, the average window D can be 30 seconds (for frequencies between 6 GHz and 10 GHz), 14 seconds (for frequencies between 10 GHz and 16 GHz), 8 seconds (for frequencies between 16 GHz and 24 GHz), 4 seconds (for frequencies between 24 GHz and 42 GHz), and 2 seconds (for frequencies between 42 GHz and 95 GHz). In other words, to meet MPE requirements, the transmit power and / or transmit duration need to be adjusted and cannot remain fixed.

[0040] For example, to meet these requirements for MPE, it may be necessary to reduce the average transmit power P according to the following equation. AVE : Where n = [D / T] S ], and T SThe average power reduction is the duration of the transmission opportunity (sometimes referred to herein as a time slot). The average power reduction can be a fixed value or can depend on the distance R measured by wireless circuit 24 during the sensing operation. For example, a larger average power reduction may be required when the distance R is relatively close (e.g., when an external object 38 is relatively close to antenna 34 and therefore more susceptible to RFE) than when the distance R is relatively far. When no external object 38 (e.g., a human body) is near device 10, the transmission power is unrestricted, and transmission is unimpeded within the constraints of the communication protocol controlling the radio frequency signal 42, thus allowing the maximum data throughput of device 10. The average power reduction can be achieved via fixed or distance-dependent transmission power backoff and / or by ensuring that the ratio of the sum of the transmission times to the duration of the average window D satisfies MPE and SAR limits.

[0041] In summary, wireless circuit 24 can perform sensing operations to measure distance R to ensure that the wireless circuit continues to meet regulatory restrictions on RFE for radio frequency signal 42. Ideally, wireless circuit 24 can always perform sensing operations to continuously track distance R. However, continuously tracking distance R may require wireless circuit 24 to have a dedicated antenna 34 for performing sensing operations. This may consume excessive space and resources on device 10. To minimize space and resource consumption on device 10, wireless circuit 24 can use the same antenna 34 used to transmit radio frequency signal 42 to perform sensing operations. However, wireless circuit 24 cannot always use the antenna 34, which is also used to transmit radio frequency signal 42, to perform sensing operations to continuously track distance R (e.g., because antenna 34 cannot simultaneously transmit radio frequency signal 42 and radio frequency signal 46 without sacrificing signal quality). Therefore, wireless circuit 24 can perform sensing operations (e.g., transmit radio frequency signal 44 and receive reflected signal 46) in a time-interleaved (duplex) manner with wireless communication operations (e.g., transmission and / or reception of radio frequency signal 42) via any given antenna 34. If not carefully monitored, sensing operations may unintentionally disrupt wireless communication operations, resulting in data errors or loss in the transmitted and / or received radio frequency signals 42.

[0042] To allow device 10 to perform time-duplex sensing and wireless communication operations via a given antenna 34 with minimal or no disruption to wireless communication operations, wireless circuit 24 can utilize quiet periods in the wireless communication data scheduling for device 10 to transmit radio frequency signal 44 and receive reflected signal 46. This utilization can schedule the transmission of radio frequency signal 44 and the reception of reflected signal 46 when the sensing operation will have no or minimal impact on wireless data communication using radio frequency signal 42.

[0043] To identify times when sensing operations will have no impact or statistically minimal impact on wireless data communication using radio frequency signal 42, wireless circuit 24 may include a sensing controller, such as sensing controller 48. Sensing controller 48 can identify the network settings controlling wireless communication between base station 40 and device 10. Sensing controller 48 can identify the network settings from network configuration information CONFIG received at sensing controller 48. Sensing controller 48 can receive the network configuration information CONFIG, for example, via downlink radio frequency signal 42 (e.g., control / configuration signal) transmitted by base station 40 and received at antenna 34 and radio component 28 (e.g., using radio link control (L2) layer). Sensing controller 48 can identify times when sensing operations will have no impact or statistically minimal impact on wireless data communication based on the network configuration information CONFIG and based on current or anticipated sensing requirements for wireless circuit 24. Sensing controller 48 can generate a control signal CTRL provided to radio component 28 and controlling radio component 28 to transmit radio frequency signal 44 and receive reflected signal 46 (e.g., to perform sensing operations) during these identified sensing times. The sensing controller 48 may operate, for example, in the physical (PHY) layer (L1) controller on the device 10.

[0044] Figure 1 The examples are merely illustrative. Although for clarity, in Figure 1 In the example, control circuitry 14 is shown separate from wireless circuitry 24, but wireless circuitry 24 may include processing circuitry (e.g., one or more processors) and / or storage circuitry, the processing circuitry forming part of processing circuitry 18, and the storage circuitry forming part of storage circuitry 16 of control circuitry 14 (e.g., portions of control circuitry 14 may be implemented on wireless circuitry 24). For example, control circuitry 14 may include baseband circuitry (e.g., one or more baseband processors), digital control circuitry, analog control circuitry, and / or other control circuitry forming part of sense controller 48, RF exposure manager 26, and / or radio components 28. Baseband circuitry may, for example, access the communication protocol stack on control circuitry 14 (e.g., storage circuitry 20) to: perform user plane functions at the PHY layer, MAC layer, RLC layer, PDCP layer, SDAP layer, and / or PDU layer; and / or perform control plane functions at the PHY layer, MAC layer, RLC layer, PDCP layer, RRC layer, and / or non-access layer. If necessary, PHY layer operations can be performed additionally or alternatively by the radio frequency (RF) interface circuitry in wireless circuitry 24.

[0045] Figure 2This is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation involving the use of wireless circuit 24 to perform a sensing operation by scheduling the transmission of radio frequency signal 44 and the reception of reflected signal 46 when the sensing operation will have no impact or minimal statistical impact on wireless data communication using radio frequency signal 42.

[0046] At operation 50, the sensing controller 48 can receive network configuration information CONFIG from the base station 40. For example, the wireless circuit 24 can receive a DL radio frequency signal 42, which includes the network configuration information CONFIG, and can transmit the network configuration information to the sensing controller 48.

[0047] At operation 52, the sensing controller 48 can identify network settings associated with base station 40 (e.g., communication between base station 40 and device 10) based on network configuration information CONFIG. As an example, the network configuration information may include communication scheduling for UL time slots and / or DL ​​time slots and / or data scheduled for device 10, measurement gap settings (e.g., information identifying whether wireless communication between device 10 and base station 40 is currently implemented or scheduled / allocated to implement periodic measurement gaps (MG),) and connected mode discontinuous reception (CDRX) reception settings (e.g., information identifying whether wireless communication between device 10 and base station 40 is currently implemented or scheduled / allocated to implement a CDRX scheme).

[0048] At operation 54, the sensing controller 48 can identify the current device sensing requirements. These sensing requirements may include sensing accuracy requirements (e.g., the accuracy that distance R needs to be met during the execution of a sensing operation), desired sensing periodicity (e.g., the required periodicity between sensing periods during the execution of a sensing operation, which may be related to the sensing accuracy requirements), etc. The sensing accuracy requirements and periodicity may be related to specific gestures or movements in the external object 38 that the control circuit 14 is searching for (e.g., to distinguish between people and other types of external objects 38 that may not be subject to RFE regulations). Generally, higher desired accuracy requires more total sensing time than lower accuracy.

[0049] At operation 56, the sensing controller 48 can generate timing (sometimes referred to herein as sensing timing) for a sensing operation to be performed by the wireless circuit 24 based on the identified network settings and current device sensing requirements. The sensing timing can, for example, identify the scheduled time when the wireless circuit 24 will perform a sensing operation (e.g., by transmitting radio frequency signal 44 and receiving reflected signal 46) that does not disrupt or minimally disrupts wireless data communication using radio frequency signal 42. Given the current network settings for transmitting radio frequency signal 42, the sensing timing allows the wireless circuit 24 to meet the current device sensing requirements.

[0050] At operation 58, wireless circuit 24 can transmit radio frequency signal 42 with base station 40 (e.g., according to network scheduling based on the identified network settings). Simultaneously, wireless circuit 24 can transmit radio frequency signal 44 and receive reflected signal 46 using the identified sensing timing. In this way, given the current network settings, wireless circuit 24 can perform time-division duplex wireless communication using radio frequency signal 42 and sensing operations using signals 44 and 46, simultaneously satisfying device sensing requirements without introducing disruption to wireless communication using radio frequency signal 42 or introducing statistically minimal disruption. The sensing timing can identify one or more sensing periods within the communication scheduling for radio frequency signal 42, during which wireless circuit 24 transmits radio frequency signal 44 and receives reflected signal 46. Control circuit 14 can process the transmitted radio frequency signal 44 and the received reflected signal 46 across one or more sensing periods to identify and / or track the distance R between device 10 and external object 38 (e.g., a target person).

[0051] At optional operation 60, control circuitry 14 (e.g., RF exposure manager 26) may adjust the transmission of UL radio frequency signal 42 via radio component 28 based on the distance R between the identified and / or tracked device 10 and external object 38 to ensure that device 10 continues to comply with any applicable RFE regulations. For example, control circuitry 14 may reduce the average or maximum transmit power level of antenna 34 and / or may reduce the amount of time that radio component 28 and antenna 34 actively transmit UL signals to ensure that device 10 continues to comply with applicable RFE regulations. If desired, control circuitry 14 may perform any other desired operation (e.g., recognize user input gestures, perform object tracking, or security functions, etc.) based on the identified distance R and / or any other desired sensing data collected from signals 44 and 46 indicating the presence, distance, location, orientation, and / or vicinity of external object 38. Optional operation 60 may be omitted if desired. Processing may loop back to operation 50 via path 62 to allow device 10 to update sensing timing when network settings change or are updated. Alternatively or additionally, path 62 can loop back to operation 54 to update the sensing timing when the current device sensing requirements change or are updated.

[0052] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of how the sensing controller 48 can change or set the sensing timing for the wireless circuit 24 based on the current device sensing requirements and the current network settings (e.g., in processing...). Figure 2 (Operation 56). Figure 3At operation 70, control circuit 14 can control wireless circuit 24 to start or enable sensing. As an example, sensing can be enabled when the network reconfigures device 10 (e.g., during a handover) or when the software running on device 10 decides to change the sensing settings.

[0053] At operation 72, the sensing controller 48 can determine whether the network (e.g., base station 40) has been configured for wireless data communication between base station 40 and device 10 to use the measurement gap (MG). The communication protocol controlling the radio frequency signal 42 (e.g., 3GPP 5G NR FR2 communication protocol) can describe the measurement gap MG. The communication protocol typically makes the use of the measurement gap MG optional, thus there will be some cases where base station 40 uses the measurement gap MG and some cases where base station 40 does not use the measurement gap MG.

[0054] Typically, when device 10 is located within the coverage area or cell of base station 40, device 10 communicates with base station 40 using radio frequency signal 42. A measurement gap MG is a time window (e.g., a gap in data communication where there is no UL or DL ​​data exchange) configured by the network (e.g., base station 40) for device 10 to measure or search for radio signals on frequencies that might be used in adjacent coverage areas or cells (e.g., as emitted by neighboring base stations). When the measurement gap MG is configured for use, for example, it may occur every 20ms-80ms. As an example, measurement gap MGs may each have a duration of 6ms or other durations. Device 10 can use the measurement gap to search for nearby cells, and if wireless communication shows better performance in one of the nearby cells, the device can initiate a handover with base station 40 to the nearby cell.

[0055] If the network configures a measurement gap MG for device 10 to communicate with base station 40, the process can proceed to operation 78 via path 74. At operation 78, the sense controller 48 can determine whether the current device sensing request is aligned with the measurement gap MG and whether the current sensing request is engaged within the measurement gap MG. The current device sensing request is considered to be engaged within the measurement gap MG when the duration of each sensing period (e.g., as determined by the current device sensing request) is less than or equal to the duration of a single measurement gap MG (e.g., the sense controller 48 can determine whether the duration of the sensing period is less than or equal to the duration of the measurement gap MG). The current device sensing request is considered to be aligned with the measurement gap MG if the sensing periodicity (e.g., as determined by the current device sensing request) is sufficiently close to the periodicity of the measurement gap MG (e.g., the sense controller 48 can determine whether the sensing periodicity is sufficiently close to the periodicity of the measurement gap MG). Mathematically, the current device sensing request can identify the target sensing periodicity P. SENSING_TARGETThe current network settings can identify periodic MGRP during measurement intervals (e.g., repetitive periods during measurement intervals). Make P SENSING_ACTUAL =[P SENSING_TARGET / MGRP]xMGRP. If P SENSING_ACTUAL / P SENSING_TARGET ≥MIN_ALIGNMENT MG If the current device sensing requirement is aligned with the measurement gap MG, then it is assumed that MIN_ALIGNMENT is used. MG It is a predetermined threshold close to 1 (e.g., 95%).

[0056] If the current device sensing request aligns with the measurement gap MG, and the current sensing request is within the measurement gap MG (e.g., the duration of the sensing period is less than or equal to the duration of the measurement gap), then the process can proceed to operation 82 via path 80. At operation 82, wireless circuit 24 can perform sensing during the transition period of every Nth measurement gap MG in the scheduled communication between device 10 and base station 40. In other words, the sensing controller 48 can set the sensing timing of wireless circuit 24 to align with the transition period of every Nth measurement gap MG. Then, the process can proceed to... Figure 2 Operation 58.

[0057] If the current device sensing request is not aligned with the measurement gap MG (e.g., misaligned) or the current sensing request does not fit within the measurement gap MG (e.g., the duration of the sensing period exceeds the duration of the measurement gap), then the transition period of every Nth measurement gap MP is not suitable for device 10 to meet its current device sensing request, and processing can proceed from operation 78 to operation 86 via paths 84 and 76. Similarly, if the network has not yet configured or scheduled communication between base station 40 and device 10 to include the measurement gap MG (e.g., if the network has not configured the measurement gap MG), processing can proceed from operation 72 to operation 86 via path 76.

[0058] At operation 86, the sensing controller 48 can determine whether the network (e.g., base station 40) has configured wireless data communication between base station 40 and device 10 to use Connected Mode Discontinuous Reception (CDRX) for radio frequency signal 42, and if so, determine whether the current device sensing request is aligned with the CDRX cycle. CDRX is a communication mode for radio frequency signal 42 (e.g., as described in the communication protocol controlling radio frequency signal 42), wherein if the header at the beginning of each time slot identifies that a particular device 10 will receive DL data in the upcoming time slot, the receiver of the radio component 28 on device 10 is active only (otherwise, the receiver will remain asleep in the upcoming time slot). Communication protocols typically make the use of CDRX optional, thus there will be some cases where base station 40 uses CDRX and some cases where base station 40 does not use CDRX. For example, using CDRX can help conserve battery life on device 10.

[0059] If the network is configured with CDRX for device 10 to communicate with base station 40, then the sensing controller 48 can determine whether the current device sensing request is aligned with the CDRX cycle (e.g., having the end or idle time of every Kth CDRX cycle). Mathematically, the current device sensing request can identify the target sensing periodicity P. SENSING_TARGET The current network settings can identify the CDRX cycle (DRX_CYCLE) (e.g., the periodicity of the DRX cycle). Make P SENSING_ACTUAL =[P SENSING_TARGET [ / DRX_CYCLE]xDRX_CYCLE. If P SENSING_ACTUAL / P SENSING_TARGET ≥MIN_ALIGNMENT DRX If so, it is assumed that the current device sensing requirements are aligned with the CDRX cycle, where MIN_ALIGNMENT DRX This is a predetermined threshold close to 1 (e.g., 95%). In this example, K equals the total sensing duration divided by the OFDM symbol duration. Sensing attempts are required for every K OFDM symbols prior to the "DRX enabled" period.

[0060] If the network is already configured for device 10 and base station 40 to perform wireless communication using CDRX (e.g., if the network is configured with CDRX) and if the current device sensing requires alignment with the CDRX cycle, the process can proceed to operation 90 via path 88. At operation 90, wireless circuit 24 can perform sensing at the end of each Kth CDRX cycle. This can occur, for example, during the DRX idle period of each Kth CDRX cycle. In other words, the sensing controller 48 can set the sensing timing of wireless circuit 24 to align with the end of each Kth CDRX cycle. The process can then proceed to... Figure 2 Operation 58.

[0061] If the network is not yet configured for device 10 and base station 40 to perform wireless communication using CDRX (e.g., if the network is not configured with CDRX) or if the current device sensing request is not aligned with the CDRX cycle (e.g., misaligned), processing can proceed to operation 94 via path 92. At operation 94, wireless circuit 24 begins sensing at a time that minimizes the impact of the sensing operation on the wireless data transmitted via radio frequency signal 42. In other words, the sensing controller 48 can set the sensing timing of wireless circuit 24 during wireless data communication to align with a time that minimizes disruption to wireless data communication introduced by the sensing operation. Such a time may include the first DL time slot in the time division duplex (TDD) mode of communication scheduling, the time within the TDD flexible (transition) period between UL transmission and DL reception at device 10 (and vice versa), the start of the first UL time slot after the TDD flexible period, etc. Additionally or alternatively, wireless circuit 24 may enforce sensing operation on a regular, periodic basis when current device sensing requirements are met, even if there is any corresponding disruption to wireless data communication (e.g., during the FR2 Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state RRC_CONNECTED and / or during RA pre-transmission on the FR2 frequency). If necessary, sensing controller 48 may optionally adapt / adjust one or more sensing periods on a regular, periodic basis based on future scheduling data.

[0062] Typically, sensing timing aligned with the transition period of every Nth measurement gap MG (e.g., at operation 82) allows wireless circuit 24 to perform sensing operations without affecting wireless data communication on RF signal 42. Sensing timing aligned with the end of every Kth CDRX cycle (e.g., at operation 82) also allows wireless circuit 24 to perform sensing operations without affecting wireless data communication on RF signal 42, but introduces some probability of at least some disruption to wireless data communication (e.g., depending on the amount of data transmitted during the DRX “enabled” cycle of the Kth CDRX cycle). Sensing timing aligned with the end of every Kth CDRX cycle (operation 82) can introduce a greater probability of disruption to wireless data communication than other sensing timings that minimize the impact on wireless data (e.g., at operation 94). Finally, forcing sensing under regular periodicity (e.g., at operation 94) introduces the highest probability of disruption to wireless data communication. This probability can be reduced by optionally adapting the periodicity based on future scheduling data. The sensing controller 48 can switch the wireless circuit 24 between sensing timings of operations 82, 90 and 94 over time, as current device sensing requirements and / or network settings change over time.

[0063] Figure 4This is a timing diagram showing how wireless circuit 24 performs sensing during the transition period of every Nth measurement gap MG (e.g., in...). Figure 3 (82 operations). For example... Figure 4 As shown, device 10 and base station 40 can transmit wireless communication data in radio frequency signal 42 during data block 100. Base station 40 can schedule periodic measurement gaps, such as measurement gap MG between data blocks 100. Measurement gap MG may include a first transition period (block) 102, a neighboring cell measurement period (block) 104 after transition period 102, and a second transition period (block) 106 after neighboring cell measurement period 104.

[0064] During the neighboring cell measurement period 104, device 10 can search for radio signals transmitted by other base stations in other cells (e.g., on frequencies other than those used by base station 40 during data block 100). For example, the communication protocol controlling radio frequency signal 42 may determine that device 10 is not expected to detect synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) during transition periods 102 and 106.

[0065] Transition period 102 may have a transition period duration 108. The transition period duration 108 can be budgeted to allow time for switching the radio frequency components on device 10 from the frequency of data block 100 to a different frequency to be used during adjacent cell measurement period 104, as well as the corresponding settling time and antenna tuning time. As an example, the transition period duration 108 may be 250 microseconds. However, device 10 may be able to switch frequencies, settling and switching antenna tuning settings in a shorter time than transition period duration 108 (e.g., within 100 microseconds). Therefore, a large portion of transition period 102 may involve inactivity at the radio components 28 on device 10.

[0066] The sensing controller 48 can utilize this by controlling the radio component 28 to align the sensing period 112 within the transition period 102 (e.g., by setting a sensing timing so that the sensing period 112 begins and ends within the transition period 102). The radio circuit 24 can transmit an radio frequency signal 44 and can receive a reflected signal 46 within the sensing period 112. The sensing period 112 can have a duration 110. When the duration 110 is less than or equal to the transition period duration 108, the sensing timing is matched within the MG transition time (e.g., as in...). Figure 3(The operation is determined at point 78). When the periodicity of the sensing period 112 (e.g., as determined by the current device sensing requirements) is sufficiently close to the periodicity of the measurement gap, the sensing timing is aligned with the measurement gap. Since the radio component 28 is inactive during the transition period 102 (e.g., after frequency switching, stabilization, and tuning), aligning the sensing period 112 with the transition period 102 ensures that the sensing operations performed by the radio circuit 24 do not disrupt the wireless data communication of the device 10.

[0067] Figure 4 The example where the sensing period 112 is located within the transition period 102 before the start of the adjacent cell measurement period 104 is merely illustrative. If necessary, the sensing period 112 can be located within the transition period 106 after the end of the adjacent cell measurement period 104. During the transition period 106, the radio component 28 can switch from the frequency used during the adjacent cell measurement period 104 back to the carrier frequency used by the base station 40 during data block 100, which can be stabilized, and the antenna tuning settings can be adjusted during the transition period 106.

[0068] Figure 5 This is a timing diagram showing how wireless circuit 24 performs sensing at the end of every Kth CDRX cycle (e.g., in...). Figure 5 (90 operations). For example Figure 5 As shown, device 10 and base station 40 can transmit wireless communication data in radio frequency signal 42 during a series of data reception (DRX) cycles 120 (e.g., first DRX cycle 120-1, second DRX cycle 120-2, Kth DRX cycle 120-K, etc.). Each DRX cycle 120 may include a DRX “enabled” period 122 (sometimes referred to herein as active period 122) and a corresponding DRX idle period 124. The duration of the DRX enabled period 122 is configured (allocated / scheduled) by the network and can vary from 10 ms to 2.56 s (e.g., 40 ms–80 ms), depending on the amount of data that needs to be transmitted in each DRX cycle. The radio component 28 in device 10 remains on (e.g., active or wake-up) during the DRX enabled period 122 to check for incoming data and / or transmit data to the network.

[0069] Following the DRX enable period 122, each DRX cycle 120 includes a corresponding scheduled DRX idle period 124. During the DRX idle period 124, the radio components in device 10 are turned off or put to sleep to conserve power. The sensing controller 48 can utilize this by scheduling the sensing period 112 within the DRX idle period 124 (e.g., by activating radio component 28, which would otherwise be idle in CDRX mode, when scheduled by the network). The network can adjust the scheduling duration of the DRX idle period 124 based on the scheduling duration of the corresponding DRX enable period 122. For example, when there is a relatively large amount of data in the DRX enable period 122, the DRX enable period 122 can be extended into the DRX idle period 124, as indicated by arrow 126. To minimize the probability of the sensing period 112 interrupting wireless data communication, the sensing controller 48 can align the sensing period 112 with the end of the DRX idle period 124 (e.g., align the end of the sensing period 112 with the end of the corresponding DRX cycle 120). While some risk remains that DRX enable period 122 (e.g., UL retransmission, HARQ feedback transmission and reception, DL retransmission, etc.) will encroach on sensing period 112 when large amounts of data are transmitted during DRX enable period, placing sensing period 112 at the end of DRX idle period 124 minimizes this risk as well as the risk that sensing period 112 will disrupt wireless data communication for device 10.

[0070] For example, the sensing controller 48 can place the sensing period 112 at the end of the DRX idle period 124 of each Kth DRX cycle 120 (e.g., in Figure 5 (within DRX cycles 120-1 and 120-K). When the periodicity of sensing period 112 (e.g., as determined by current device sensing requirements) is sufficiently close to the periodicity of DRX cycle 120, the sensing timing is aligned with DRX idle period 124. Figure 5 The example of DRX idle period 124 at the end of each DRX cycle 120 is merely illustrative, and typically, DRX idle period 124 can be located anywhere within the corresponding DRX cycle 120.

[0071] Figure 6 This is a timing diagram illustrating how wireless circuit 24 performs sensing at times that minimize the impact on wireless data in RF signal 42 in scenarios where the network is not configured with measurement gap MG (or sensing period 112 is misaligned or not aligned within the measurement gap) and the network is not configured with CDRX (or sensing period 112 is not aligned with the DRX idle period in the DRX cycle). Figure 3 (94 operations).

[0072] like Figure 6 As shown, the network can schedule DL time slots and symbols 130 for transmitting DL signals from base station 40 to device 10 (e.g., between time TA and TB). The network can then schedule UL symbols and time slots 134 for transmitting UL signals from device 10 to base station 40 (e.g., after time TC). In other words, UL and DL transmissions can be time-division multiplexed in the communication scheduling for device 10 and base station 40. The network can also schedule a flexible time period 132 (sometimes referred to as transition period 132) between DL time slots / symbols 130 and UL symbols / time slots 134. Flexible time period 132 can be scheduled to allow the radio component 28 on device 10 time to switch between the frequency used for DL ​​time slots / symbols 130 and the frequency used for UL symbols / time slots 134, as well as the corresponding settling time and antenna tuning time. Flexible time period 132 can also be scheduled during the transition period from UL symbols / time slots to DL time slots / symbols.

[0073] To minimize the probability of sensing operation disrupting wireless data transmission between device 10 and base station 40, sensing controller 48 can control radio component 28 to initiate a sensing period at the beginning of flexible period 132 (e.g., sensing period 112 starting at time TB), at the first DL timeslot in DL timeslot / symbol 130 (e.g., sensing period 112 starting at time TA), or at the first UL timeslot in UL symbols / timeslots 134 (e.g., sensing period 112 starting at time TC). When a sensing period begins at time TB, in some cases, the sensing period can be extended past time TC to the scheduling time for UL symbols / timeslots 134. However, initiating a sensing period at time TB may involve less disruption to wireless communication than initiating a sensing period at time TA or time TC. Initiating a sensing period at any of these times may involve less disruption to wireless communication than forcing sensing operation during regular periodicity.

[0074] Figure 7 This is a timing diagram illustrating how the sensing controller 48 forces sensing under regular periodicity in scenarios where the network is not configured with a measurement gap MG (or the sensing period 112 is misaligned or does not fit within the measurement gap) and the network is not configured with a CDRX (or the sensing period 112 is not aligned with the DRX idle period in the DRX cycle). Figure 3 (94 operations).

[0075] like Figure 7 As shown, the sensing controller 48 can control the radio component 28 to perform sensing operations during regularly spaced sensing periods beginning at sensing time 140, regardless of wireless data communications scheduled for device 10 by the network. In other words, sensing period 112 (for simplicity, Figure 7 (Only one sensing period is shown in the image) and the sensing time 140 may have a nominal sensing periodicity 144 (e.g., 200 ms). For example, the sensing periodicity 144 may be a sensing periodicity that best meets the current device sensing requirements (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 2 (The operation 54 is identified). While ensuring that the sensing requirements of device 10 are met, forcing regular sensing periods in this way may involve the most disruption to wireless data communication.

[0076] To help mitigate this disruption, the sensing controller 48 can dynamically adapt (adjust) the periodicity at one or more nominal sensing times 140 based on future scheduled wireless communication data for the device 10, if needed. For example, at any given nominal sensing time 140 (e.g., in... Figure 7 The advance time T before the nominal sensing time 140 at time TD) ADVANCE At this point, the sensing controller 48 can handle communication scheduling for device 10 to determine whether, within a delay time T from the nominal sensing time 140... MAX_DELAY Memory is used for any scheduled data communication (e.g., lead time T). ADVANCE With delay time T MAX_DELAY The time window between the two points. If there is no scheduled data communication during this time window (e.g., during idle time for radio component 28, such as when UL is muted due to duty cycle), the sensing controller 48 can control radio component 28 to start sensing period 112 at some other time within the timing window (e.g., the delay time T of the nominal sensing time 140 at time TD). MAX_DELAY (Inner), so that the sensing period is aligned with the idle period for radio component 28.

[0077] This adaptive sensing timing can also be used to adapt to high-priority activities scheduled by the network for device 10. Such high-priority activities may include DL / UL Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) acknowledgment / non-acknowledgment (ACK / NACK), Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) TX / RX, and / or beam management measurements. When such high-priority tasks are present in the communication schedule, the high-priority tasks may be moved up in time (e.g., closer to the nominal sensing time 140 at time TD) or may be allowed to complete, while the sensing period 112 is postponed until after those high-priority tasks have completed (e.g., as long as the sensing period 112 is within a delay time T of the nominal sensing time 140). MAX_DELAY (Starting from inside).

[0078] Figure 8This is a flowchart illustrating periodic operations that can be executed by the sensing controller 48 to dynamically adapt (adjust) at one or more nominal sensing times 140 based on future scheduling of wireless communication data for device 10. For example, the sensing controller 48 can perform... Figure 8 The operation, while processing Figure 3 Operation 94.

[0079] At operation 150, the sensing controller 48 may control (e.g., force) the radio component 28 to perform a sensing cycle 112 that begins at a sensing time 140 separated by the sensing cycle 144 (e.g., allowing the radio component 28 to obtain a sensing cycle with a predetermined sensing accuracy).

[0080] At operation 152, the advance time T before the nominal sensing time 140 is... ADVANCE (for example, in) Figure 7 At time TD), the sensing controller 48 can check the network configuration information to determine the delay time T at the nominal sensing time 140. MAX_DELAY Does the scheduled (authorized) data exist within the time limit T? MAX_DELAY There is no data available, or if any exists, it can be used to postpone the sensing period until the delay time T is still in progress. MAX_DELAY For high-priority data with different start times within the same data set, processing can proceed to operation 160 via path 158.

[0081] At operation 160, the sensor controller 48 can control the radio component 28 in advance time T. ADVANCE and delay time T MAX_DELAY At some other time between (e.g., the delay time T of the nominal sensing time 140). MAX_DELAY The sensing period 112 begins at some other time within the nominal sensing time. If necessary, this adjustment to the nominal sensing time can be used to accommodate delays for high-priority tasks of the radio component 28. If the nominal sensing time is delayed by a time T... MAX_DELAY If data is present in memory, processing can proceed from operation 152 to operation 156 via path 154.

[0082] At operation 156, the sensing controller 48 can continue to control (e.g., force) the radio component 28 to begin sensing period 112 at nominal sensing time 140 (e.g., without delay). This can be repeated for each nominal sensing time 140 or for any desired number of nominal sensing times 140. Dynamically adapting the nominal sensing time 140 from regular sensing periods, compared to scenarios where no dynamic adaptation is performed, can help reduce disruption to wireless data transmitted between device 10 and base station 40, while also accommodating high-priority tasks.

[0083] Device 10 may collect and / or use personally identifiable information. It is well known that the use of personally identifiable information should comply with privacy policies and practices generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for protecting user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly explained to the user.

[0084] The above combination Figures 1 to 8 The described methods and operations can be performed by components of device 10 using software, firmware, and / or hardware (e.g., dedicated circuitry or hardware). The software code for performing these operations can be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a tangible computer-readable storage medium) stored on one or more components of device 10 (e.g., ...). Figure 1 The storage circuit 16). This software code may sometimes be referred to as software, data, instructions, program instructions, or code. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media may include drives, non-volatile memory such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), removable flash drives or other removable media, other types of random access memory, etc. The software stored on the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be processed by processing circuitry on one or more components of device 10 (e.g., Figure 1 The processing circuitry (e.g., 18) performs the execution. The processing circuitry may include a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with processing circuitry, or other processing circuitry.

[0085] According to an embodiment, an electronic device is provided, comprising: one or more antennas; a radio component configured to transmit radio frequency signals to a wireless base station via the one or more antennas according to a communication schedule, perform radio frequency sensing of an external object using the one or more antennas during a sensing period in which time duplex transmission of the radio frequency signals to the wireless base station is performed, and receive network configuration information from the wireless base station; and one or more processors configured to adjust the timing of the sensing period based on the network configuration information.

[0086] According to another embodiment, one or more processors are configured to align the timing of a sensing period with the transition time of a measurement gap in the communication schedule when network configuration information identifies that the communication schedule includes a measurement gap.

[0087] According to another embodiment, one or more processors are configured to align the timing of a sensing period with the end of a connection mode discontinuous reception (CDRX) cycle in the communication schedule when network configuration information indicates that the communication schedule does not contain a measurement gap, when the timing of a sensing period is not aligned with a measurement gap, or when a sensing period in the sensing period does not coincide with a measurement gap in the measurement gap.

[0088] According to another embodiment, one or more processors are configured to align the timing of the sensing period with the flexible time slots between the uplink and downlink time slots in the communication schedule when the network configuration information indicates that the communication schedule does not contain a CDRX cycle or the timing of the sensing period is not aligned with the CDRX cycle.

[0089] According to another embodiment, one or more processors are configured to align the timing of the sensing period with the end of the flexible period when the network configuration information indicates that the communication schedule does not contain a CDRX cycle or the timing of the sensing period is not aligned with the CDRX cycle.

[0090] According to another embodiment, one or more processors are configured to align the timing of the sensing period with the start of the flexible period when the network configuration information indicates that the communication schedule does not contain a CDRX cycle or the timing of the sensing period is not aligned with the CDRX cycle.

[0091] According to another embodiment, one or more processors are configured to align the timing of the sensing period with the start of the downlink time slot in the communication schedule when the network configuration information indicates that the communication schedule does not contain a CDRX cycle or the timing of the sensing period is not aligned with the CDRX cycle.

[0092] According to another embodiment, one or more processors are configured to delay the sensing period from the nominal sensing time to the maximum delay time of the nominal sensing time when the communication scheduling identifier indicates that there is no data to be transmitted between the nominal sensing time and the maximum delay time.

[0093] According to another embodiment, one or more processors are configured to align the timing of the sensing period with the end of the connection mode discontinuous reception (CDRX) cycle in the communication schedule.

[0094] According to an embodiment, a method for operating an electronic device is provided, the method comprising: using a radio component to transmit radio frequency signals to a wireless base station via one or more antennas during a first scheduled data block and during a second scheduled data block separated from the first scheduled data block in time by a measurement gap; and using the radio component to transmit radio frequency sensing signals via one or more antennas and receive reflected radio frequency sensing signals during the measurement gap; using one or more processors to identify proximity to an external object based on the transmitted radio frequency sensing signals and the received reflected radio frequency sensing signals; and using one or more processors to adjust the transmission power level of the radio component based on the identified proximity to the external object.

[0095] According to another embodiment, transmitting the radio frequency sensing signal and receiving the reflected radio frequency sensing signal includes: transmitting the radio frequency sensing signal and receiving the reflected radio frequency sensing signal during the transition period of the measurement gap.

[0096] According to another embodiment, the measurement gap includes the adjacent cell measurement period after the transition period and an additional transition period after the adjacent cell measurement period.

[0097] According to another embodiment, the measurement gap includes the adjacent cell measurement period before the transition period and an additional transition period before the adjacent cell measurement period.

[0098] According to another embodiment, the method includes: using one or more processors to adjust the frequency of a radio component and to adjust the tuning settings of one or more antennas during a transition period.

[0099] According to another embodiment, transmitting radio frequency sensing signals and receiving reflected radio frequency sensing signals through one or more antennas during the measurement gap includes: transmitting radio frequency sensing signals and receiving reflected radio frequency sensing signals during a sensing period shorter than the transition period.

[0100] According to an embodiment, an electronic device is provided, comprising: one or more antennas; a radio component configured to use the one or more antennas to transmit wireless data with a wireless base station during an active period of a series of Connected Mode Discontinuous Reception (CDRX) cycles, and to use the one or more antennas to transmit radio frequency sensing signals and receive reflected radio frequency sensing signals during a sensing period aligned with the end of a CDRX cycle in a series of CDRX cycles; and one or more processors configured to detect proximity to an external object based on the radio frequency sensing signals transmitted by the radio component and based on the reflected radio frequency sensing signals received by the radio component.

[0101] According to another implementation, the sensing period at least partially overlaps with the idle period in the CDRX cycle.

[0102] According to another implementation, the idle period is after the active period of the CDRX cycle.

[0103] According to another embodiment, the radio component is configured to transmit additional radio frequency sensing signals and receive additional reflected radio frequency sensing signals during an additional sensing period aligned with the end of each Kth CDRX cycle in a series of CDRX cycles, using one or more antennas.

[0104] According to another implementation, one or more processors are configured to adjust the transmission of radio frequency signals to a wireless base station based on the detected proximity to an external object.

[0105] The foregoing description is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described implementation scheme. The described implementation scheme can be implemented independently or in any combination.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising: One or more antennas; Radio component, the radio component being configured to: According to the communication schedule, radio frequency signals are transmitted to the wireless base station through one or more antennas. During a sensing period, radio frequency (RF) sensing of an external object is performed using the one or more antennas, the sensing period being time-duplexed with the transmission of the RF signal to the wireless base station, the RF sensing including transmitting RF sensing signals through the one or more antennas and receiving reflected RF sensing signals, and Receive network configuration information from the wireless base station; and One or more processors are configured to identify proximity to the external object based on transmitted radio frequency sensing signals and received reflected radio frequency sensing signals, and to adjust the timing of the sensing period based on the network configuration information.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: align the timing of the sensing period with the transition time of the measurement gap in the communication schedule when the network configuration information identifies that the communication schedule includes a measurement gap.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: align the timing of the sensing period with the end of a discontinuous reception CDRX cycle in the communication schedule when the network configuration information indicates that the communication schedule does not contain a measurement gap, when the timing of the sensing period is not aligned with the measurement gap, or when a sensing period in the sensing period does not coincide with a measurement gap in the measurement gap.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: when the network configuration information identifies that the communication schedule does not contain a CDRX cycle or the timing of the sensing period is not aligned with the CDRX cycle, align the timing of the sensing period with a flexible time slot between the uplink and downlink time slots in the communication schedule.

5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: align the timing of the sensing period with the end of the flexible period when the network configuration information identifies that the communication schedule does not contain a CDRX cycle or the timing of the sensing period is not aligned with the CDRX cycle.

6. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: align the timing of the sensing period with the start of the flexible period when the network configuration information identifies that the communication schedule does not contain a CDRX cycle or the timing of the sensing period is not aligned with the CDRX cycle.

7. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: align the timing of the sensing period with the start of the downlink time slot in the communication schedule when the network configuration information indicates that the communication schedule does not contain a CDRX cycle or the timing of the sensing period is not aligned with the CDRX cycle.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: when the communication scheduling identifier has no data to be transmitted between the nominal sensing time and the maximum delay time, postpone the sensing period from the nominal sensing time to a delay time within the maximum delay time of the nominal sensing time.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to align the timing of the sensing period with the end of a discontinuous CDRX cycle in the connection mode of the communication schedule.

10. A method of operating an electronic device, comprising: Using radio components, radio frequency signals are transmitted to a wireless base station via one or more antennas during a first scheduling data block and during a second scheduling data block that is separated from the first scheduling data block in time by a measurement gap; Using the radio component, radio frequency sensing signals are transmitted through the one or more antennas and reflected radio frequency sensing signals are received during the measurement interval; Using one or more processors, proximity to external objects is identified based on transmitted radio frequency sensing signals and received reflected radio frequency sensing signals; as well as Using the one or more processors, the transmit power level of the radio component is adjusted based on the identified proximity to the external object.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein transmitting the radio frequency sensing signal and receiving the reflected radio frequency sensing signal comprises: The radio frequency sensing signal is transmitted and the reflected radio frequency sensing signal is received during the transition period of the measurement gap.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the measurement gap includes a neighboring cell measurement period following the transition period and a further transition period following the neighboring cell measurement period.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the measurement gap includes an adjacent cell measurement period prior to the transition period and an additional transition period prior to the adjacent cell measurement period.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising: Using the one or more processors, the frequency of the radio component and the tuning settings of the one or more antennas are adjusted during the transition period.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein transmitting the radio frequency sensing signal through the one or more antennas and receiving the reflected radio frequency sensing signal during the measurement gap comprises: The radio frequency sensing signal is transmitted and the reflected radio frequency sensing signal is received during a sensing period shorter than the transition period.

16. An electronic device comprising: One or more antennas; Radio component, the radio component being configured to: The one or more antennas are used to transmit wireless data with the wireless base station during active periods of a series of connection modes that discontinuously receive CDRX cycles. The one or more antennas are used to transmit radio frequency sensing signals and receive reflected radio frequency sensing signals during a sensing period, the sensing period being aligned with the end of a CDRX cycle in the series of CDRX cycles; and One or more processors are configured to detect proximity to an external object based on radio frequency sensing signals emitted by the radio component and reflected radio frequency sensing signals received by the radio component.

17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the sensing period at least partially overlaps with an idle period in the CDRX cycle.

18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the idle period follows the active period of the CDRX cycle.

19. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the radio component is configured to: The one or more antennas are used to transmit additional radio frequency sensing signals and receive additional reflected radio frequency sensing signals during additional sensing periods, which are aligned with the end of each Kth CDRX cycle in the series of CDRX cycles.

20. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: adjust the transmission of the wireless data with the wireless base station via the radio component based on the detected proximity to the external object.

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