Reconfigurable intelligent surface (ris) assisted ue passive rf sensing

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed for determining the location of an object by using reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) assisted RF sensing. Radar techniques can be used in which one or more base stations act as a transmitter and a receiver device acts as a receiver in a bistatic or multistatic radar configuration, with a RIS directing signals transmitted by the one or more base stations to the receiver device. By comparing the time at which the receiver device receives a line-of-sight (LOS) signal (redirected to the receiver device by the RIS) with the time of an echo signal from a reflection of an RF signal off an object (redirected to the receiver device by the RIS), the location of the object can be determined. Depending on the desired functionality, the location can be determined by the receiver device or by a location server or other network entity.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Invention Field

[0002] This invention generally relates to the field of wireless communication, and more specifically to determining the position or location of an object using bistatic or multistatic radar technology via radio frequency (RF) signals.

[0003] Related technical descriptions

[0004] In wireless communication networks, RF sensing technology can be used to determine the location of objects. Some of these location technologies involve determining distance and / or angular information of RF signals transmitted by one or more base stations in the wireless communication network and received by one or more receiver devices. However, in some cases, obstructions can prevent one or more receiver devices from receiving such RF signals.

[0005] Brief Overview

[0006] The embodiments described herein provide a method for determining the location of an object using reconfigurable smart surfaces (RIS) to assist RF sensing. More specifically, radar technology can be used to detect objects in a wireless data communication network, where one or more base stations act as transmitters and a receiver device acts as a receiver in a bistatic or multistatic radar configuration, wherein the RIS directs signals transmitted by the one or more base stations to the receiver device. The location of the object can be determined by comparing the time when the receiver device receives the line-of-sight (LOS) signal (redirected to the receiver device by the RIS) with the time when the echo signal from the RF signal reflected from the object (redirected to the receiver device by the RIS). Depending on the desired functionality, this location can be determined by the receiver device or by a location server or other network entity.

[0007] An example method for performing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication system via a receiver device and a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) according to this disclosure includes configuring the RIS to reflect a line-of-sight (LOS) wireless signal toward the receiver device, wherein the LOS wireless signal may include a first wireless reference signal transmitted by a transmit-receive point (TRP) of the wireless communication system. The method also includes configuring the RIS to reflect an echo signal toward the receiver device, wherein the echo signal may include a reflection of a second wireless reference signal transmitted by the TRP of the wireless communication system from an object. The method further includes determining the location of the object based on: the location of the RIS relative to the TRP, and the time difference between a first time of arrival (ToA) of the LOS wireless signal at the receiver device and a second time of arrival (ToA) of the echo signal at the receiver device. The method also includes providing the location of the object.

[0008] According to this disclosure, an example device includes a transceiver, a memory, and one or more processing units communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory. The one or more processing units are configured to configure a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) to reflect line-of-sight (LOS) wireless signals toward a receiving device, wherein the LOS wireless signals may include a first wireless reference signal transmitted by a transmit-receive point (TRP) of a wireless communication system. The one or more processing units are also configured to configure the RIS to reflect an echo signal toward the receiving device, wherein the echo signal may include a reflection of a second wireless reference signal transmitted by the TRP of the wireless communication system from an object. The one or more processing units are further configured to determine the location of the object based on: the location of the RIS relative to the TRP, and the time difference between a first time of arrival (ToA) of the LOS wireless signal at the receiving device and a second time of arrival (ToA) of the echo signal at the receiving device. The one or more processing units are also configured to provide the location of the object.

[0009] According to this disclosure, another example device includes means for configuring a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) to reflect line-of-sight (LOS) wireless signals toward a receiving device, wherein the LOS wireless signals may include a first wireless reference signal transmitted by a transmit-receive point (TRP) of a wireless communication system. The device also includes means for configuring the RIS to reflect an echo signal toward the receiving device, wherein the echo signal may include a reflection of a second wireless reference signal transmitted by the TRP of the wireless communication system from an object. The device further includes means for determining the location of the object based on the positioning of the RIS relative to the TRP and a time difference between a first time of arrival (ToA) of the LOS wireless signal at the receiving device and a second time of arrival (ToA) of the echo signal at the receiving device. The device also includes means for providing the location of the object.

[0010] According to this disclosure, an example non-transient computer-readable medium stores instructions for performing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication system via a receiver device and a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS). The instructions include code for: configuring the RIS to reflect a line-of-sight (LOS) wireless signal toward the receiver device, wherein the LOS wireless signal may include a first wireless reference signal transmitted by a transmit-receive point (TRP) of the wireless communication system. The instructions include code for: configuring the RIS to reflect an echo signal toward the receiver device, wherein the echo signal may include a reflection of a second wireless reference signal transmitted by the TRP of the wireless communication system from an object. The instructions include code for: determining the location of the object based on: the location of the RIS relative to the TRP, and the time difference between a first time of arrival (ToA) of the LOS wireless signal at the receiver device and a second time of arrival (ToA) of the echo signal at the receiver device. The instructions include code for: providing the location of the object.

[0011] This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used alone to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood in reference to the appropriate portions of this disclosure, any or all drawings, and each claim. The foregoing, as well as other features and examples, will be described in more detail in the following description, claims, and drawings. Brief description of the attached diagram

[0013] Figure 1 This is a diagram of a positioning system according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating a fifth-generation (5G) new radio (NR) positioning system, explaining how positioning systems are implemented within 5G NR communication systems (e.g., Figure 1 An example of a positioning system.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating beamforming in a 5G NR positioning system.

[0016] Figure 4 A and 4B are simplified diagrams illustrating how a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) can be used to perform radio frequency (RF) sensing of a target according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5A and 5B These are illustrations of base stations, targets, and user equipment (UEs) provided to illustrate how beams can be used differently in different embodiments and / or situations depending on desired functionality.

[0018] Figure 6 and7 This explains how timing can be used to determine the relationship according to one embodiment. Figure 4 The time-distance diagram shown in A illustrates certain mathematical values ​​related to the configuration.

[0019] Figure 8 and 9 This is a call flow diagram of the process of using RIS to perform target location determination according to some embodiments.

[0020] Figure 10 This explains how RIS can be used to perform RF sensing of a target, according to another embodiment. Figure 4 Simplified diagrams of A and 4B.

[0021] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of a method for performing RF sensing according to some embodiments.

[0022] Figure 12 This is a block diagram of an embodiment of a receiving device that can be utilized in the embodiments described herein.

[0023] Figure 13 This is a block diagram of an embodiment of a computer system that can be utilized in the embodiments described herein.

[0024] Similar reference numerals in the various figures indicate similar elements according to certain examples. Additionally, multiple instances of an element can be indicated by appending a letter or hyphen followed by a second numeral after the first numeral. For example, multiple instances of element 110 may be indicated as 110-1, 110-2, 110-3, etc., or as 110a, 110b, 110c, etc. When only the first numeral is used to refer to such an element, it will be understood to refer to any instance of that element (e.g., element 110 in the previous examples would refer to elements 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3, or elements 110a, 110b, and 110c).

[0025] Detailed description

[0026] Several illustrative embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the embodiments. Although some embodiments that can implement one or more aspects of this disclosure are described below, other embodiments can be used and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0027] The following description is directed to certain implementations in order to illustrate aspects of the innovation of the various embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the teachings herein can be applied in many different ways. The described implementations can be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals according to any communication standard, such as any of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) IEEE 802.11 standards (including those identified as...). Those technical standards) Standard, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GSM / General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), Terrestrial Trunking Radio (TETRA), Wideband CDMA (W-CDMA), Evolved Data Optimized (EV-DO), 1xEV-DO, EV-DO Revision A, EV-DO Revision B, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed ​​Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Evolved High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA+), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced Mobile Phone Systems (AMPS), or other known signals used for communication in wireless, cellular, or Internet of Things (IoT) networks (such as systems utilizing 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, or further implementations thereof).

[0028] As used herein, an "RF signal" or "reference signal" refers to an electromagnetic wave that transmits information across the space between a transmitter (or transmitter equipment) and a receiver (or receiver equipment). As used herein, a transmitter may transmit a single "reference signal" or multiple "reference signals" to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels, a receiver (or different receivers) may receive multiple "reference signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same RF signal transmitted on different paths between the transmitter and receiver can be referred to as a "multipath" RF signal.

[0029] Figure 1This is a simplified explanation of a positioning system 100 according to one embodiment, wherein the user equipment (UE) 105, location server 160, and / or other components of the positioning system 100 may use the techniques provided herein for determining the estimated location of the UE 105 and further performing reconfigurable smart surface (RIS)-assisted passive RF sensing for the UE. However, it should be noted that the techniques described herein are not necessarily limited to the positioning system 100. The techniques described herein may be implemented by one or more components of the positioning system 100. The positioning system 100 may include: the UE 105; one or more satellites 110 (also referred to as spacecraft (SV)) for a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) (such as Global Positioning System (GPS), GLONASS, Galileo, or BeiDou); a base station 120; an access point (AP) 130; a location server 160; a network 170; and an external client 180. Generally, positioning system 100 can estimate the location of UE 105 based on RF signals received and / or transmitted by UE 105 and the known locations of other components transmitting and / or receiving RF signals (e.g., GNSS satellite 110, base station 120, AP 130). Reference Figure 2 Further details regarding location-specific estimation techniques will be discussed.

[0030] It should be noted that Figure 1 This provides only a general explanation of the various components, where any or all of them can be appropriately utilized, and each component can be repeated as needed. Specifically, although only one UE 105 is described, it will be understood that many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) can utilize positioning system 100. Similarly, positioning system 100 may include more than Figure 1 The illustrated number of base stations 120 and / or access points 130 may be greater or less. The illustrated connections to the various components in the positioning system 100 include data and signaling connections, which may include additional (intermediate) components, direct or indirect physical and / or wireless connections, and / or additional networks. Furthermore, components may be rearranged, combined, separated, replaced, and / or omitted depending on desired functionality. In some embodiments, for example, an external client 180 may be directly connected to the location server 160. Those skilled in the art will recognize numerous modifications to the illustrated components.

[0031] Depending on the desired functionality, network 170 may include any of a wide variety of wireless and / or wired networks. Network 170 may include, for example, any combination of public and / or private networks, local area networks (LANs) and / or wide area networks (WANs). Furthermore, network 170 may utilize one or more wired and / or wireless communication technologies. In some embodiments, network 170 may include, for example, cellular or other mobile networks, wireless local area networks (WLANs), wireless wide area networks (WWANs), and / or the Internet. Examples of network 170 include Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless networks, fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks (also known as New Radio (NR) wireless networks or 5G NR wireless networks), Wi-Fi WLANs, and the Internet. LTE, 5G, and NR are wireless technologies defined or being defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Network 170 may also include more than one network and / or more than one type of network.

[0032] Base station 120 and access point (AP) 130 can be communicatively coupled to network 170. In some embodiments, base station 120 may be owned, maintained, and / or operated by a cellular network provider and may employ any of a variety of wireless technologies as described below. Depending on the technology of network 170, base station 120 may include a B-node, evolved B-node (eNodeB or eNB), base transceiver station (BTS), radio base station (RBS), NR B-node (gNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), etc. In the case where network 170 is a 5G network, base station 120, as a gNB or ng-eNB, may be part of a next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN) that can connect to a 5G core network (5GC). For example, AP 130 may include a Wi-Fi AP or An access point (AP) or an AP with cellular capabilities (e.g., 4G LTE and / or 5G NR). Thus, UE 105 can send and receive information with network-connected devices (such as location server 160) via base station 120 accessing network 170 using a first communication link 133. Additionally or alternatively, because AP 130 can also be communicatively coupled to network 170, UE 105 can communicate with network-connected and Internet-connected devices (including location server 160) using a second communication link 135 or via one or more other UEs 145.

[0033] As used herein, the term "base station" generally refers to a single physical transmission point or multiple physical transmission points located at base station 120. A transmit / receive point (TRP) (also referred to as a transmit / receive point) corresponds to this type of transmission point, and the term "TRP" is used interchangeably with the terms "gNB," "ng-eNB," and "base station." In some cases, base station 120 may include multiple TRPs—for example, where each TRP is associated with a different antenna or a different antenna array of base station 120. A physical transmission point may include the antenna array of base station 120 (e.g., as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system and / or in the case of beamforming at the base station). The term "base station" may additionally refer to multiple non-co-located physical transmission points, which may be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected via a transmission medium to a shared source) or a remote radio headend (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station).

[0034] As used herein, the term "cell" generally refers to a logical communication entity used to communicate with base station 120 and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., Physical Cell Identifier (PCID), Virtual Cell Identifier (VCID)) used to distinguish adjacent cells operating via the same or different operators. In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells and may be configured with different protocol types (e.g., Machine-Type Communication (MTC), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), or other protocols) that can provide access for different types of devices. In some cases, the term "cell" may refer to a portion (e.g., a sector) of the geographic coverage area on which a logical entity operates.

[0035] Location server 160 may include servers and / or other computing devices configured to determine the estimated location of UE 105 and / or provide data (e.g., “auxiliary data”) to UE 105 to facilitate location measurement and / or location determination. According to some embodiments, location server 160 may include a Home Secure User Plane Positioning (SUPL) location platform (H-SLP) that supports SUPL user plane (UP) positioning solutions defined by the Open Mobility Alliance (OMA) and can support location services for UE 105 based on subscription information about UE 105 stored in location server 160. In some embodiments, location server 160 may include a Discovery SLP (D-SLP) or an Emergency SLP (E-SLP). Location server 160 may also include an Enhanced Serving Mobility Location Center (E-SMLC) that uses a control plane (CP) positioning solution to support the positioning of UE 105 for LTE radio access of UE 105. Location server 160 may further include location management function (LMF) that uses a control plane (CP) positioning solution to support the positioning of UE 105 for NR or LTE radio access of UE 105.

[0036] In the CP positioning solution, from the perspective of network 170, signaling for controlling and managing the positioning of UE 105 can use existing network interfaces and protocols and be exchanged as signaling between the various components of network 170 and with UE 105. In the UP positioning solution, from the perspective of network 170, signaling for controlling and managing the positioning of UE 105 can be exchanged as data (e.g., data transmitted using Internet Protocol (IP) and / or Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)) between location server 160 and UE 105.

[0037] As previously mentioned (and discussed in more detail below), the estimated location of UE 105 can be based on measurements of RF signals transmitted from and / or received by UE 105. Specifically, these measurements can provide information about the relative distance and / or angle between UE 105 and one or more components of positioning system 100 (e.g., GNSS satellite 110, AP 130, base station 120). The estimated location of UE 105 can be estimated geometrically (e.g., using polygonal measurements and / or polygonal positioning) based on the distance and / or angle measurements along with the known locations of these one or more components.

[0038] While ground components (such as AP 130 and base station 120) may be fixed, the embodiments are not limited thereto. Mobile components may be used. For example, in some embodiments, the location of UE 105 may be estimated at least in part based on measurements of RF signals 140 transmitted between UE 105 and one or more other UEs 145 (which may be mobile or fixed). When one or more other UEs 145 are used in determining the location of a particular UE 105, the UE 105 whose location is to be determined may be referred to as the “target UE,” and each of the one or more other UEs 145 may be referred to as the “anchor UE.” For the location determination of the target UE, the respective locations of the one or more anchor UEs may be known and / or determined jointly with the target UE. Direct communication between the one or more other UEs 145 and UE 105 may include sidelinks and / or similar device-to-device (D2D) communication technologies. Sidelinks, as defined by 3GPP, are forms of D2D communication under cellular-based LTE and NR standards.

[0039] The estimated location of UE 105 can be used in various applications—for example, to assist the user of UE 105 in direction finding or navigation, or to assist (e.g., in the location of another user associated with external client 180) in locating UE 105. "Location" is also referred to herein as "location estimation," "estimated location," "location," "positioning," "location estimation," "location lock," "estimated location," "location lock," or "lock." The process of determining location may be referred to as "location," "location determination," "location determination," etc. The location of UE 105 may include the absolute location of UE 105 (e.g., latitude and longitude and possible altitude) or the relative location of UE 105 (e.g., expressed as a distance north or south, east or west, and possibly above or below from another known fixed location (including, for example, the location of base station 120 or AP 130) or another location (such as the location of UE 105 at a known previous time, or the location of another UE 145 at a known previous time)). Location can be specified as a geodetic location including coordinates, which can be absolute (e.g., latitude, longitude, and optionally altitude), relative (e.g., relative to a known absolute location), or local (e.g., X, Y, and optionally Z coordinates according to a coordinate system defined relative to a local area (such as a factory, warehouse, university campus, shopping mall, stadium, or conference center). Location can alternatively be a municipal location, and then may include one or more of the following: street address (e.g., including the name or label of country, state, county, city, road and / or street and / or road or street number) and / or location, building, part of a building, floor of a building and / or room within a building, etc. Location may further include indications of uncertainty or error, such as horizontal distances and possible vertical distances where errors are expected to exist in the location, or indications of the area or volume (e.g., a circle or ellipse) within which UE 105 is expected to be located at a certain confidence level (e.g., 95% confidence).

[0040] External client 180 may be a web server or remote application that can be associated with UE 105 in some way (e.g., accessible by a user of UE 105), or it may be a server, application, or computer system that provides location services to one or more other users, including obtaining and providing the location of UE 105 (e.g., to enable services such as friend or relative locator, asset tracking, or child or pet location). Additionally or alternatively, external client 180 may obtain the location of UE 105 and provide it to emergency service providers, government agencies, etc.

[0041] As previously mentioned, the example positioning system 100 can be implemented using a wireless communication network, such as an LTE-based or 5G NR-based network. 5G NR is a wireless RF interface being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). 5G NR promises to provide enhanced functionality over its predecessor (LTE) technology (such as significantly faster and more responsive mobile broadband), enhanced conduction through Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and more. Additionally, 5G NR implements new positioning technologies for UEs, including Angle of Arrival (AoA) / Angle of Departure (AoD) positioning, UE-based positioning, and multi-cell round-trip time (RTT) positioning. For RTT positioning, this involves performing RTT measurements between the UE and multiple base stations.

[0042] Figure 2 A diagram of a 5G NR positioning system 200 is shown, illustrating an embodiment of a 5G NR positioning system (e.g., positioning system 100). The 5G NR positioning system 200 can be configured to determine the location of a UE 105 using access nodes to implement one or more positioning methods. The access nodes may include NRB nodes (gNBs) 210-1 and 210-2 (collectively referred to herein as gNB 210), an ng-eNB 214, and / or a WLAN 216. gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214 can be connected to… Figure 1 Corresponding to base station 120, and WLAN 216 can be connected to... Figure 2 One or more access points 130 correspond to this. Optionally, the 5G NR positioning system 200 can also be configured to determine the location of the UE 105 using an LMF 220 (which may correspond to a location server 160) to implement one or more positioning methods. Here, the 5G NR positioning system 200 includes the UE 105 and various components of the 5G NR network, including a next-generation (NG) radio access network (RAN) (NG-RAN) 235 and a 5G core network (5G CN) 240. The 5G network may also be referred to as an NR network; the NG-RAN 235 may be referred to as a 5G RAN or NR RAN; and the 5G CN 240 may be referred to as an NG core network. The 5G NR positioning system 200 may further utilize information from GNSS satellites 110 from GNSS systems such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) or similar systems such as GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). Additional components of the 5G NR positioning system 200 are described below. The 5G NR positioning system 200 may include additional or replacement components.

[0043] It should be noted that Figure 2This document provides only a general description of the various components, where any or all of them may be utilized appropriately, and each component may be repeated or omitted as needed. Specifically, although only one UE 105 is described, it will be understood that many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) may utilize the 5G NR positioning system 200. Similarly, the 5G NR positioning system 200 may include a larger (or smaller) number of GNSS satellites 110, gNB 210, ng-eNB 214, wireless local area network (WLAN) 216, access and mobility management functions (AMF) 215, external clients 230, and / or other components. The described connections linking the various components in the 5G NR positioning system 200 include data and signaling connections, which may include additional (intermediate) components, direct or indirect physical and / or wireless connections, and / or additional networks. Furthermore, components may be rearranged, combined, separated, replaced, and / or omitted depending on the desired functionality.

[0044] UE 105 may include and / or be referred to as a device, mobile device, wireless device, mobile terminal, terminal, mobile station (MS), Secure User Plane Positioning Enabled (SUPL) terminal (SET), or some other name. Furthermore, UE 105 may correspond to a cellular phone, smartphone, laptop device, tablet device, personal data assistant (PDA), tracking device, navigation device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, or some other portable or mobile device. Typically, although not required, UE 105 may use one or more radio access technologies (RATs) such as GSM, CDMA, W-CDMA, LTE, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), IEEE 802.11, etc. Bluetooth and microwave access are globally interoperable (WiMAX) TM 5G NR (e.g., using NG-RAN 235 and 5G CN 240) etc.) can support wireless communication. UE 105 can also use WLAN216 (similar to one or more RATs, and as previously referenced) which can connect to other networks such as the Internet. Figure 1 (As mentioned) to support wireless communication. Using one or more of these RATs allows UE 105 (e.g., via...) Figure 2 The 5G CN 240 (not shown) may communicate with external client 230 via Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 225 and / or allow external client 230 (e.g., via GMLC 225) to receive location information about UE 105. When implemented in or coupled to a 5G NR network, Figure 2 The external client 230 can correspond to Figure 1 External client 180.

[0045] UE 105 may include a single entity or may include multiple entities, such as in a personal area network in which the user may employ audio, video, and / or data I / O devices, and / or body sensors, as well as separate wired or wireless modems. An estimate of the location of UE 105 may be referred to as location, location estimate, location lock, lock, positioning, location estimation, or location lock, and may be geodetic, providing location coordinates (e.g., latitude and longitude) of UE 105, which may or may not include an elevation component (e.g., altitude; height above or depth below ground level, floor level, or basement level). Alternatively, the location of UE 105 may be expressed as a municipal location (e.g., expressed as a postal address or designation of a point or smaller area within a building (such as a specific room or floor)). The location of UE 105 may also be expressed as an area or volume within which UE 105 is expected to be located with a certain probability or confidence level (e.g., 67%, 95%, etc.) (geodetically or municipally defined). The location of UE 105 may further be a relative location, which includes, for example, distance and direction defined relative to an origin at a known location, or relative to X, Y (and Z) coordinates, which may be defined geodetically, municipalally, or with reference to a point, area, or volume indicated on a map, floor plan, or building plan. In the description contained herein, the use of the term location may include any of these variations unless otherwise indicated. When calculating the location of the UE, local X, Y, and possibly Z coordinates are typically solved, and then, if necessary, the local coordinates are converted to absolute coordinates (e.g., with respect to latitude, longitude, and elevation above or below mean sea level).

[0046] Figure 2 The base station in the NG-RAN 235 shown can correspond to Figure 1 The base station 120 in the NG-RAN 235 may include gNB 210. Pairs of gNB 210 in the NG-RAN 235 may be interconnected (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 2 (The connection shown is either a direct connection or an indirect connection via another gNB 210). The communication interface between the base stations (gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214) may be referred to as the Xn interface 237. Access to the 5G network is provided to UE 105 via wireless communication between UE 105 and one or more gNBs 210, which may use 5G NR to provide wireless communication access to the 5G CN 240 on behalf of UE 105. The radio interface between the base station (gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214) and UE 105 may be referred to as the Uu interface 239. 5G NR radio access may also be referred to as NR radio access or 5G radio access. Figure 2In this context, it is assumed that the serving gNB of UE 105 is gNB 210-1, but other gNBs (e.g., gNB 210-2) may act as serving gNBs or as secondary gNBs to provide additional throughput and bandwidth to UE 105 if UE 105 moves to another location.

[0047] Figure 2 The base stations in the NG-RAN 235 shown may additionally or alternatively include next-generation evolved B nodes (also referred to as ng-eNBs) 214. The ng-eNB 214 may connect to one or more gNBs 210 in the NG-RAN 235—for example, directly or indirectly via other gNBs 210 and / or other ng-eNBs. The ng-eNB 214 may provide LTE radio access and / or evolved LTE (eLTE) radio access to the UE 105. Figure 2 Some gNBs 210 (e.g., gNB 210-2) and / or ng-eNBs 214 may be configured to act as location-only beacons, which may transmit signals (e.g., location reference signal (PRS)) and / or broadcast auxiliary data to assist in the location of UE 105, but may not receive signals from UE 105 or from other UEs. Some gNBs 210 (e.g., gNB 210-2 and / or another gNB not shown) and / or ng-eNBs 214 may be configured to act as detection-only nodes, which may scan for signals containing, for example, PRS data, auxiliary data, or other location data. Such detection-only nodes may not transmit signals or data to the UE, but may transmit signals or data (involving, for example, PRS, auxiliary data, or other location data) to other network entities (e.g., one or more components of the 5G CN 240, external client 230, or controller), which may receive and store the data or use the data to locate at least UE 105. Note that although in Figure 2 The diagram shows only one ng-eNB 214, but some embodiments may include multiple ng-eNBs 214. Base stations (e.g., gNBs 210 and / or ng-eNBs 214) may communicate directly with each other via the Xn communication interface. Additionally or alternatively, base stations may communicate directly or indirectly with other components of the 5G NR positioning system 200, such as LMF 220 and AMF 215.

[0048] The 5G NR positioning system 200 may also include one or more WLANs 216 that can connect to the non-3GPP interoperability function (N3IWF) 250 in the 5G CN 240 (e.g., in the case of an untrusted WLAN 216). For example, the WLAN 216 may support IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi access for UE 105 and may include one or more Wi-Fi APs (e.g., Figure 1 (AP 130). Here, N3IWF 250 can connect to other components in 5G CN 240, such as AMF 215. In some embodiments, WLAN 216 can support another RAT, such as Bluetooth. N3IWF 250 can provide support for secure access of UE 105 to other components in 5G CN 240 and / or can support interoperability between one or more protocols used by WLAN 216 and UE 105 and one or more protocols used by other components of 5G CN 240 (such as AMF 215). For example, N3IWF 250 can support: establishing an IPSec tunnel with UE 105, terminating IKEv2 / IPSec protocol with UE 105, terminating N2 and N3 interfaces to 5G CN 240 for control plane and user plane respectively, and relaying uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) control plane non-access stratum (NAS) signaling across N1 interface between UE 105 and AMF 215. In some other embodiments, WLAN 216 may be directly connected to components in 5G CN 240 (e.g., such as...). Figure 2 The AMF 215 (shown by the dashed line) does not pass through N3IWF 250. For example, a direct connection between WLAN 216 and 5GCN 240 can occur if WLAN 216 is a trusted WLAN to 5GCN 240, and a Trusted WLAN Interoperability (TWIF) function that can be used as an internal component of WLAN 216 can be employed. Figure 2 (Not shown in the image) to achieve this. Note that although in Figure 2 Only one WLAN 216 is shown, but some embodiments may include multiple WLANs 216.

[0049] The access node may include any of a variety of network entities that enable communication between UE 105 and AMF 215. This may include gNB 210, ng-eNB 214, WLAN 216, and / or other types of cellular base stations. However, the access node providing the functionality described herein may additionally or alternatively include entities that enable communication with… Figure 2The entity communicating with any of the various RATs (which may include non-cellular technologies) not described herein. Therefore, as used in the embodiments described below, the term "access node" may include, but is not limited to, gNB 210, ng-eNB 214, or WLAN 216.

[0050] In some embodiments, access nodes (such as gNB 210, ng-eNB 214, and / or WLAN 216) (alone or in combination with other components of the 5G NR positioning system 200) may be configured to: in response to receiving a request for location information from LMF 220, obtain location measurements of uplink (UL) signals received from UE 105 and / or obtain DL location measurements from UE 105 obtained by UE 105 for downlink (DL) signals received by UE 105 from one or more access nodes. As mentioned, although Figure 2 The description depicts access nodes (gNB 210, ng-eNB 214, and WLAN 216) configured to communicate according to 5G NR, LTE, and Wi-Fi communication protocols, respectively. However, access nodes configured to communicate according to other communication protocols can be used, such as, for example, a B node using the Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) protocol for Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), an eNB using the LTE protocol for Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), or an access node using the WLAN protocol. The protocol's Bluetooth beacon station. For example, in a 4G Evolved Packet System (EPS) providing LTE radio access to UE 105, the RAN may include an E-UTRAN, which may include base stations containing eNBs supporting LTE radio access. The core network for the EPS may include an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). Thus, the EPS may include an E-UTRAN plus an EPC, where... Figure 2 In this context, E-UTRAN corresponds to NG-RAN 235 and EPC corresponds to 5GCN 240. The methods and techniques described herein for obtaining the municipal location of UE 105 are applicable to other networks of this type.

[0051] gNB 210 and ng-eNB 214 can communicate with AMF 215, and for positioning functionality, AMF 215 communicates with LMF 220. AMF 215 supports the mobility of UE 105, including cell changes and handovers from the access node of the first RAT (e.g., gNB 210, ng-eNB 214, or WLAN 216) to the access node of the second RAT. AMF 215 can also participate in supporting signaling connections to UE 105 and may support data and voice bearers for UE 105. The LMF 220 supports the use of the CP positioning solution to locate UE 105 when it accesses NG-RAN 235 or WLAN 216, and supports various positioning procedures and methods, including UE-assisted / UE-based and / or network-based procedures / methods, such as A-GNSS, Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) (which may be referred to as TDOA in NR), Real-Time Kinematics (RTK), Precise Point Positioning (PPP), Differential GNSS (DGNSS), Enhanced Cellular ID (ECID), Angle of Arrival (AoA), Angle of Departure (AoD), WLAN positioning, Round-Trip Propagation Delay (RTT), Multi-Cell RTT, and / or other positioning procedures and methods. The LMF 220 can also process location service requests for UE 105 received, for example, from AMF 215 or GMLC 225. The LMF 220 can be connected to AMF 215 and / or GMLC 225. In some embodiments, the network (such as 5GCN 240) may additionally or alternatively implement other types of location support modules, such as an evolved Serving Mobility Location Center (E-SMLC) or a SUPL Location Platform (SLP). It is noted that in some embodiments, at least a portion of the location functionality (including determining the location of UE 105) may be performed at UE 105 (e.g., by measuring downlink PRS (DL-PRS) signals transmitted by radio nodes (such as gNB 210, ng-eNB 214, and / or WLAN 216) and / or using auxiliary data, for example, provided to UE 105 by LMF 220).

[0052] Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 225 can support location requests for UE 105 received from external client 230 and can forward such location requests to AMF 215 for forwarding to LMF 220. A location response from LMF 220 (e.g., containing a location estimate for UE 105) can similarly be returned to GMLC 225 directly or via AMF 215, and GMLC 225 can then return the location response (e.g., containing the location estimate) to external client 230.

[0053] Network Open Function (NEF) 245 may be included in 5GCN 240. NEF 245 can support the secure opening of capabilities and events related to 5GCN 240 and UE 105 to external client 230. These capabilities and events can therefore be referred to as Access Functions (AF) and enable the secure provisioning of information from external client 230 to 5GCN 240. NEF 245 may be connected to AMF 215 and / or GMLC 225 for the purpose of obtaining the location of UE 105 (e.g., municipal location) and providing that location to external client 230.

[0054] like Figure 2 As further explained, the LMF 220 can communicate with the gNB 210 and / or the ng-eNB 214 using NR Location Protocol Annex (NRPPa) as defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455. NRPPa messages can be transmitted between the gNB 210 and the LMF 220 and / or between the ng-eNB 214 and the LMF 220 via the AMF 215. Figure 2 As further explained, LMF 220 and UE 105 can communicate using the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) as defined in 3GPP TS 37.355. Here, LPP messages can be passed between UE 105 and LMF 220 via AMF 215 and UE 105's serving gNB 210-1 or serving ng-eNB 214. For example, LPP messages can be passed between LMF 220 and AMF 215 using messages for service-based operations (e.g., based on Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)), and can be passed between AMF 215 and UE 105 using the 5G NAS protocol. The LPP protocol can be used to support positioning of UE 105 using UE-assisted and / or UE-based positioning methods (such as A-GNSS, RTK, TDOA, multi-cell RTT, AoD, and / or ECID). The NRPPa protocol can be used to support the location of UE 105 using network-based location methods such as ECID, AoA, and uplink TDOA (UL-TDOA) and / or can be used by LMF220 to obtain location-related information from gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214, such as defining parameters of DL-PRS transmissions from gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214.

[0055] In the case where UE 105 accesses WLAN 216, LMF 220 can use NRPPa and / or LPP to obtain the location of UE 105 in a manner similar to that described just for UE 105 accessing gNB 210 or ng-eNB 214. Thus, NRPPa messages can be transmitted between WLAN 216 and LMF 220 via AMF 215 and N3IWF 250 to support network-based location of UE 105 and / or to transmit other location information from WLAN 216 to LMF 220. Alternatively, NRPPa messages can be transmitted between N3IWF 250 and LMF 220 via AMF 215 to support network-based location of UE 105 based on location-related information and / or location measurements known or accessible to N3IWF 250 and transmitted from N3IWF 250 to LMF 220 using NRPPa. Similarly, LPP and / or LPP messages can be transmitted between UE105 and LMF 220 via AMF 215, N3IWF 250, and UE 105’s serving WLAN 216 to support UE-assisted or UE-based positioning of UE 105 by LMF 220.

[0056] In the 5G NR positioning system 200, the positioning method can be classified as "UE-assisted" or "UE-based." This depends on where the request to determine the location of UE 105 originates. For example, if the request originates from the UE (e.g., from an application or "app" executed by the UE), the positioning method can be classified as UE-based. On the other hand, if the request originates from an external client or other devices or services within the AF 230, LMF 220, or 5G network, the positioning method can be classified as UE-assisted (or "network-based").

[0057] Using a UE-assisted positioning method, UE 105 can obtain location measurements and send these measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 220) for calculating a location estimate for UE 105. For RAT-dependent positioning methods, location measurements may include one or more of the following for one or more access points: Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Round-Trip Time (RTT), Reference Received Power (RSRP), Reference Received Quality (RSRQ), Reference Time Difference (RSTD), Time of Arrival (TOA), AoA, Receive Time-Transmit Time Difference (Rx-Tx), Differential AoA (DAoA), AoD, or Timing Advance (TA). Additionally or alternatively, similar measurements may be performed on sidelink signals transmitted by other UEs, whose locations are known, and these other UEs may be used as anchor points for locating UE 105. Location measurements may additionally or alternatively include measurements for RAT-independent positioning methods, such as GNSS (e.g., GNSS pseudorange, GNSS code phase, and / or GNSS carrier phase with respect to GNSS satellite 110), WLAN, etc.

[0058] Using a UE-based positioning method, UE 105 can obtain a location measurement (e.g., which may be the same as or similar to the location measurement of a UE-assisted positioning method), and can further calculate the location of UE 105 (e.g., with the aid of auxiliary data received from a location server (such as LMF 220, SLP) or broadcast by gNB 210, ng-eNB 214 or WLAN 216).

[0059] Using a network-based positioning method, one or more base stations (e.g., gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214), one or more APs (e.g., APs in WLAN 216), or N3IWF 250 can obtain location measurements of signals transmitted by UE 105 (e.g., measurements of RSSI, RTT, RSRP, RSRQ, AOA, or TOA), and / or can receive measurements obtained by UE 105 or, in the case of N3IWF 250, by APs in WLAN 216, and can send these measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 220) for calculating a location estimate for UE 105.

[0060] The positioning of UE 105 can also be classified as UL-based, DL-based, or DL-UL-based depending on the type of signal used for positioning. For example, if positioning is based solely on signals received by UE 105 (e.g., from a base station or other UE), the positioning can be classified as DL-based. On the other hand, if positioning is based solely on signals transmitted by UE 105 (which may be received by, for example, a base station or other UE), the positioning can be classified as UL-based. DL-UL-based positioning includes positioning based on signals transmitted and received by UE 105, such as RTT-based positioning. Side-link (SL)-assisted positioning includes signals communicated between UE 105 and one or more other UEs. According to some embodiments, the UL, DL, or DL-UL positioning described herein can enable SL signaling to be used as a supplement to or replacement of SL, DL, or DL-UL signaling.

[0061] Depending on the positioning type (e.g., UL-based, DL-based, or DL-UL-based), the type of reference signal used may differ. For example, for DL-based positioning, these signals may include PRS (e.g., DL-PRS transmitted by the base station or SL-PRS transmitted by other UEs), which can be used for TDOA, AoD, and RTT measurements. Other reference signals that can be used for positioning (UL, DL, or DL-UL) may include: probe reference signal (SRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), synchronization signals (e.g., synchronization signal block (SSB) synchronization signal (SS)), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), etc. Furthermore, reference signals may be transmitted in Tx beams and / or received in Rx beams (e.g., using beamforming techniques), which can affect angle measurements such as AoD and / or AoA.

[0062] Figure 3 The explanation includes two base stations, 120-1 and 120-2, which generate directional beams for transmitting RF reference signals (which may correspond to...). Figure 1 Base station 120, and / or Figure 2The simplified environment 300 of the gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214) and UE 105. For each beam sweep, each of the directional beams is rotated, for example, by 120 or 360 degrees, which may be repeated periodically. Each directional beam may include an RF reference signal (e.g., PRS resource), wherein base station 120-1 generates a set of RF reference signals including Tx beams 305-a, 305-b, 305-c, 305-d, 305-e, 305-f, 305-g, and 305-h, and base station 120-2 generates a set of RF reference signals including Tx beams 309-a, 309-b, 309-c, 309-d, 309-e, 309-f, 309-g, and 309-h. Because UE 105 may also include an antenna array, the UE can use beamforming to form corresponding receive beams (Rx beams) 311-a and 311-b to receive RF reference signals transmitted by base stations 120-a and 120-2. Beamforming in this manner (by base station 120 and optionally by UE 105) can be used to make communication more efficient. It can also be used for other purposes, such as transmitting reference signals for RF sensing of objects. (Objects detected using the radar techniques described herein are also referred to herein as “targets”).

[0063] Tx beams 305 and 309 can be particularly useful for facilitating efficient communication between base station 120 and UE 105. And as described, the Tx beams can be used for angle measurements (e.g., AoD measurement) to locate UE 105. Tx beams 305 and 309 can also be used by UE 105 to perform RF sensing of a target, wherein an RF signal can be directed to the target via one or more beams, and UE 105 detects one or more echo signals generated by the RF signal reflected from the target. Based on the one or more echo signals detected by the UE, information about the target (e.g., location, object type, etc.) can be determined. More generally, this process can be used to perform RF sensing to detect one or more targets near UE 105. Furthermore, such RF sensing can be performed with or without Tx beams 305 and 309.

[0064] This type of RF sensing can be limited in the presence of one or more objects that could cause congestion in the RF channel between base station 120 and UE 105. That is, RF sensing may be difficult to perform in situations where one or more obstructions restrict the travel of RF signals between base station 120 and UE 105 and / or between the target and UE 105. The embodiments described herein address these and other problems by utilizing RIS to redirect RF signals, enabling RF sensing to proceed even in the presence of one or more obstructions. Figure 4Additional details on how this can be accomplished are provided in sections A and 4B and the following instructions.

[0065] Figure 4 A is a simplified diagram illustrating how RF sensing can be used to determine the location of target 410 according to one embodiment. Here, RF sensing is performed using a bistatic radar configuration, wherein base station 120 (which may include a serving base station for UE 105) functions as a radar transmitter and UE 105 functions as a radar receiver. However, in instances where obstruction 415-1 blocks signal path 420-1 from base station 120 to UE 105 and / or obstruction 415-2 blocks signal path 420-2 from target 410 to UE 105, RF sensing may be difficult or impossible for some reason without using RIS 425.

[0066] RIS (also known as software-controlled metasurfaces, smart reflective surfaces, or reconfigurable reflective arrays / metasurfaces) have recently gained attention in wireless communication applications as a means of enabling the propagation path of RF signals around obstructions. Although the RIS 425 can be a passive device, it can comprise an array and therefore can use beamforming to redirect RF signals. Thus, the RIS 425 can extend the wireless coverage of base station 120 (or more broadly, the wireless network of base station 120) to areas that would otherwise be inaccessible. The RIS 425 can do this by using software-controlled reflection / scattering profiles to redirect wireless signals to UE 105 in real time. Additionally or alternatively, the RIS 425 can act as a repeater by receiving signals transmitted by base station 120 and directing them to UE 105. (As used herein, "direction," "redirection," "reflection," and similar terms used to refer to the functionality of the RIS 425 can refer to the reflection and / or repeating functionality of the RIS). The functionality of the RIS 425 can be controlled by base station 120 using a control channel. This adds a controllable path to the channel between base station 120 and UE 105, which is useful in environments with severe obstructions 415. The RIS 425 can have a much higher array gain than UE 105 relative to RF sensing, and therefore can enhance the RF signal sensitivity of UE 105 by redirecting signals to UE 105. This functionality can be particularly helpful in RF sensing.

[0067] According to embodiments herein, RF sensing can be performed using a RIS 425 to redirect RF signals used for RF sensing to UE 105 (e.g., in instances where obstruction 415-1 blocks signal path 420-1 from base station 120 to UE 105 and / or obstruction 415-2 blocks signal path 420-2 from target 410 to UE 105). More specifically, the detection / localization of target 410 can be accomplished by transmitting one or more reference signals 450, 460 from base station 120, using RIS 425 to redirect line-of-sight (LOS) reference signal 460 and echo signal 470 to UE 105, and calculating the localization of target 410 based on the time difference between the received reflected echo signal 485 and the redirected LOS reference signal 490 at UE 105 and the known localization of RIS 425 and base station 120. This process can be facilitated using a location server 160. As discussed in more detail below, the UE 105 or location server 160 may determine the location of target 410 depending on the desired functionality.

[0068] It can be noted that, although in Figure 4 Section A describes a dual-base configuration, but embodiments are not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, a multi-base configuration can be used, in which multiple base stations 120 (transmitters), multiple RIS 425s, and / or multiple UEs 105 (receivers) exist. In such a configuration, for each transmitter / receiver (base station 120 / UE 105) pair, the location of target 410 can be determined as described herein, and the determinations for all transmitter / receiver pairs can then be combined. In such a configuration, this can improve the accuracy and / or reliability of the location determination of target 410.

[0069] Furthermore, it can be noted that the receiver device in a bistatic or multistatic configuration for RF sensing is not limited to UE 105. The receiver device may include, for example, another base station 120 (e.g., a conventional gNB or a small cell gNB). Additionally, in instances where multiple receiver devices are used, a single RIS can reflect signals to multiple receiver devices, multiple RIS can be used to reflect signals to multiple receiver devices, and / or some receiver devices may not require RIS to reflect signals for RF sensing.

[0070] The location of target 410 can be mathematically determined by using one or more reference signals 450, 460 to determine the distance R of target 410 from UE 105. R and angle θ R Solve for it. It can be noted that from its measured angle θ... R (and angle θ) TThe reference direction can be measured from true north or based on any coordinate system used by the network for positioning (e.g., geographic coordinates, East-North-Up (ENU), etc.). As described below, for R... R and θ R The solution can be performed based on the known location of RIS 425 relative to base station 120 (to determine the distance L).

[0071] Distance R R It can be determined based on the time difference between the LOS reference signal 460 and the echo signal 470 received at UE 105. sum It can be defined as follows:

[0072] R sum =R T +R R (1)

[0073] Where R T It is the distance between base station 120 and target 410, and R R This is the distance between target 410 and RIS 425. Using equation (1) and... Figure 4 The geometric shape explained in A, R R It can then be determined as follows:

[0074]

[0075] R sum The following can be used to determine: (i) the time difference between the LOS reference signal 460 and the echo signal 470, and (ii) the known distance between the base station 120 and the UE 105. This can be expressed mathematically as:

[0076] R sum =(T Rx_echo -T Rx_Los +Δ)*C+L, (3)

[0077] Where L is the distance between base station 120 and UE 105, and T Rx_echo The time when the echo signal is received at UE 105 at 470 (e.g., ToA), T Rx_LOS Let T be the time (e.g., ToA) at which the LOS reference signal 460 is received at UE 105, and let c be the velocity (e.g., speed of light) of the RF signals 450, 460, and 470. It can be noted that because the reflected echo signal 485 and the reflected LOS reference signal 490 travel along the same propagation path from RIS 425 to UE 105, these signals experience the same delay and have a time difference T in Equation (3). Rx_echo -T Rx_LOSThe distance is effectively offset. Similarly, since the location of RIS 425 is known, the distance L can be determined based on the difference between the known location of RIS 425 and the known location of base station 120. According to some embodiments, the almanac of the locations of base stations and / or RIS can be stored by location server 160 and / or UE 105.

[0078] The term Δ represents the time gap (if any) between the transmission of the LOS reference signal 460 and the transmission of the radar reference signal 450. As discussed in more detail below, in some instances, the LOS reference signal 460 and the radar reference signal 450 may be the same RF signal, in which case the value of the time gap Δ will be zero. In this case, UE 105 determines the difference T. Rx_echo -T Rx_LOS In this embodiment, the timing of the LOS reference signal 460 and the radar reference signal 450 can be provided to the UE 105 in advance (e.g., during a communication session with the location server 160 or in a configuration provided to the UE 105 by the serving base station 120). Because the difference depends only on when the signals arrive, rather than when they are transmitted, synchronization is not required between the transmitter (base station 120) and the receiver (UE 105). This can be advantageous in many cases.

[0079] Returning to equation (2), in order to adjust θ R Different techniques can be used in the various embodiments to perform the solution, depending on the desired functionality and other factors. θ R The AoA is at RIS 425. However, since RIS 425 may not have any processing capability for determining the AoA measurement of echo signal 470, this measurement can be determined by UE 105 based on the reflected echo signal 485. More specifically, UE 105 can determine the AoA measurement by determining which receive beam at RIS 425 has the highest RSRP value. UE 105 may optionally further perform super-resolution / interpolation techniques to determine a more accurate AoA. In this way, RIS 425 can be treated as effectively as the antenna of UE 105, enabling UE 105 to perform AoA measurements. Furthermore, because RIS 425 may be much larger than the antenna of UE 105, base station 120 may require less transmit power when transmitting LOS reference signal 460 and / or radar reference signal 450. Alternatively, multiple receivers (e.g., multiple UE105s) (or a single UE105 at multiple locations (if target 410 is static)) can be used to determine θ using multilateral positioning. R (The following text is about...) Figure 10 The location of target 410 can be determined using other methods, as discussed.

[0080] After determining L and R sum and θ R After the value of R R The value can be determined using equation (2), and the position of target 410 (relative to RIS 425) can be determined using R. R and θ R To determine this. Furthermore, if the absolute location of RIS 425 is known, then the absolute location of target 410 can be determined.

[0081] According to some embodiments, the Doppler frequency of target 410 can be determined when both the transmitter (base station 120) and receiver (UE 105) are static. (In the case where UE 105 includes a mobile device, this may mean that UE 105 is temporarily stationary at least during the duration of radar measurements, or that movement of UE 105 is otherwise taken into account. Movement at the location of UE 105 can be determined using sensor information, GNSS, or other positioning measurements.) Target bistatic Doppler frequency f D It can be determined as:

[0082]

[0083] The velocity v and angles β and δ are related to the target 410, the radar reference signal 450, and the echo signal 470, as shown in Figure 4 As explained in section A. Therefore, the techniques provided in this paper enable RF sensing of target 410, which can be used to determine the target's position and velocity.

[0084] It should also be noted that in some embodiments, the positioning of UE 105 may also use a previously referenced method. Figure 1-3 Any positioning techniques described (including GNSS-based decision-making and / or network-based positioning) may be used to determine this. For example, this could allow base station 120 to enable RIS 425 to reflect the reflected echo signal 485 and the reflected LOS reference signal 490 in a manner that can improve link quality more accurately than conventional methods using CSI-RS and / or SRS selection to improve link quality (e.g., using a narrower formed beam). This could contribute to improved power efficiency and reduced multipath probability, among other advantages.

[0085] Figure 4B It is an explanation Figure 4 A simplified diagram of the configuration variation explained in section A, where object 492 reflects signals to UE 105; embodiments can distinguish these signals from those reflected by RIS 425. Similar to... Figure 4A. RIS 425 reflects the first portion of echo signal 470 and LOS reference signal 460-1 toward UE 105, as shown by reflected echo signal 485 and reflected LOS reference signal 490, respectively. Additionally, object 492 reflects the second portion of the echo signal from radar reference signal 450 and LOS reference signal 460-2 toward UE 105, as shown by object-reflected echo signal 494 and object-reflected LOS reference signal 496, respectively. This may create ambiguity at UE 105 regarding which signals are reflected by RIS 425 (and thus can be used to determine the location of target 410 as described herein).

[0086] Embodiments can avoid this ambiguity by configuring the RIS 425 to include a “watermark” on the reflected signals 485 and / or the reflected LOS reference signal 490 by adjusting the phase and / or amplitude. Since adjusting only the amplitude may be insufficient to identify the watermark, in some embodiments, the RIS may adjust the phase and optionally the amplitude. The watermark may be unique to the RIS 425 (e.g., permanently, or at least relative to a first portion of the reflected LOS reference signal 460-1 and / or radar reference signal 450). More generally, the phase and / or amplitude of the reflections of the first portion of the LOS reference signal 460-1 and the echo signal 470 by the RIS 425 can be adjusted by the RIS to allow identification of the RIS channel (e.g., using channel estimation). For reference signals transmitted using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) schemes, such as 4G and 5G cellular communications, the phase and / or amplitude of the reflected echo signal 485 and / or the reflected LOS reference signal 490 can be adjusted on a per-slot or per-symbol basis depending on the desired functionality. According to some embodiments, the identification of the RIS reflected signals (reflected echo signal 485 and reflected LOS reference signal 490) can be performed by base station 120, UE 105, or location server 160, depending on the desired functionality.

[0087] It is also worth noting that the concept of watermarking can be extended to situations where the UE receives reflected signals from multiple RIS to allow differentiation of each RIS (and potentially for locating target 410). For example, if object 492 is a second RIS, the second RIS can be configured to reflect the reference signal transmitted by base station 120 with a second watermark different from the watermark used by RIS 425. This could allow the use of two (or more) RIS to determine the location of target 410, which could be beneficial in various situations.

[0088] As previously described, the embodiments may use a single reference signal or different reference signals for radar reference signal 450 and LOS reference signal 460. Figure 5Aand 5B Additional details are provided in the following instructions.

[0089] Figure 5A and 5B It is the configuration of base station 120, target 410, and RIS 425 (similar to...). Figure 4 The diagrams (shown in A and 4B) are provided to illustrate how beams can be used differently in different embodiments and / or situations depending on desired functionality. Figure 5A For example, a single reference signal beam 510 is wide enough to be reflected from the target 410 and received by the RIS 425 (and redirected to the UE), thus allowing its use in the previously described RF sensing process for the target 410. It can be seen that whether the reference signal beam 510 is wide enough depends not only on the width of the reference signal beam but also on how close the target 410 and the RIS 425 are to each other. (For example, in some cases, the target 410 and the RIS 425 can be close enough that a relatively narrow beam (e.g., as...) Figure 5B (The data interpreted in the middle) can be both reflected from target 410 and received by RIS 425. However, in Figure 5B In this configuration, target 410 is aligned with the first reference signal beam 520, and RIS 425 is further aligned with the second reference signal beam 530. In this case, even if RIS 425 is capable of receiving both the first and second reference signal beams 520, UE 105 may preferably perform ToA measurement on the second reference information beam 530 instead of the first reference information beam 520 (e.g., because the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value used for ToA measurement is more advantageous).

[0090] As described, although reference signals using reference signal beams 520 and 530 can be transmitted at different times, since the time difference between the transmission of the first reference signal beam 520 and the second reference signal beam 530 is known, this time difference can be accounted for in equation (3) by the time gap Δ. This allows R to be determined in cases where different reference signal beams transmitted at different times are used. sum .supply Figure 6 and 7 To help explain how the embodiments can determine R with or without time gap Δ, sum .

[0091] Figure 6 This is an explanation based on one embodiment. Figure 4 In the configuration shown in A, how can timing be used to determine R? sumThe time-range diagram. Here, base station 120 simultaneously transmits LOS reference signal 460 and radar reference signal 450. Therefore, in this case, LOS reference signal 460 and radar reference signal 450 may include the same signal (e.g., DL-PRS), which can be transmitted using a single reference signal beam, as in... Figure 5A The explanation in Figure 5 shows the reflections of the reference signal at different angles of 450° and 460°. Figure 4 The reference signals 450 and 460 in A follow different paths. Similarly, the reflected echo signal 485 and the reflected LOS reference signal 490 from RIS 425 to UE 105 travel along the same (or virtually the same) propagation path and therefore experience the same delay. Thus, these reflected signals do not affect T. Rx_echo -T Rx_LOS Time difference. (In addition, to avoid...) Figure 6 and 7 (The clutter in the signal means that these reflected signals are not interpreted.)

[0092] As described, location server 160 can coordinate the transmission and measurement of reference signals 450 and 460 by providing base station 120 with information on how to transmit reference signals 450 and 460 and providing UE 105 with information on when to measure reference signals 450 and 460. Furthermore, depending on the desired functionality, a single reference beam can be used to determine distance R. sum , as reference Figure 4 Described by A and 5A.

[0093] Figure 7 It is provided according to an embodiment of the method for... Figure 4 In the configuration shown in A, how can timing be used to determine R? sum Another interpretation of the time-distance graph (similar to) Figure 6 In this scenario, base station 120 transmits LOS reference signal 460 and radar reference signal 450 at different times: radar reference signal 450 is transmitted after LOS reference signal 460. Figure 5B As explained, these reference signals can be transmitted using two beams. The time gap Δ represents the amount of time between the transmission of radar reference signal 450 and the transmission of LOS reference signal 460. Similarly, location server 160 can coordinate the transmission and measurement of reference signals 450 and 460 by providing information to base station 120 about how to transmit reference signals 450 and 460 and to UE 105 about when to measure reference signals 450 and 460. Therefore, the time gap Δ can be derived by UE 105 based on the configuration received from the location server, which can be relayed to UE 105 by base station 120.

[0094] Location and / or distance R of target 410T and angle θ R The calculations can be performed by different entities, depending on the desired functionality. For example, this could depend on whether the request for location of target 410 originates from UE 105 or from the network or other entities (such as...). Figure 1 External client 180 or Figure 2 (External client 230). Therefore, different processes can be used to determine the location of target 410. Figure 8 and 9 Two example processes have been explained. However, it can be noted that the embodiments are not limited to the "localization" of the object itself. RF sensing in the manner described herein can be performed to obtain additional or alternative types of information about one or more objects / targets (e.g., object detection, identification, motion / object tracking, etc.).

[0095] Figure 8 This is a call flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of using RIS to perform UE-based (or UE-initiated) RF sensing of target 410. (This is in conjunction with other appendices provided herein.) Figure 1 Sample, Figure 8 Provided as a non-limiting example. As discussed in more detail below, alternative embodiments may perform certain functions in a different order, simultaneously, etc. It can be noted that... Figure 8 The arrows between the various components explained illustrate messages or information sent from one component to another. Furthermore (although not explicitly stated in...) Figure 8 (As explicitly indicated in the text), communication between base station 120 and UE 105 can be performed using the following operation: by RIS 425 with... Figure 4 A similar process to that described in A (e.g., also applied to UL signals from UE 105 to base station 120) is used to reflect / redirect communication signals.

[0096] Compared to Figure 8 The communication between components explained in the text will make it clear that any number of intermediary devices, servers, etc., can relay such messages, including Figure 8 Other components in the system. (For example, a message from UE 105 to location server 160 may pass through base station 120, which may be the serving base station for UE 105.) Additionally, although the radio reference signal is referred to as a PRS resource (e.g., a DL-PRS transmitted by base station 102), alternative embodiments may utilize other radio reference signal types. As described, in some embodiments, the radar reference signal (e.g., radar reference signal 450) may be a reference signal specifically designed to facilitate radar detection, which may be a signal not explicitly defined under 5G (or other 3GPP) standards.

[0097] In box 805, target 410 receives a location request. This location request can originate from, for example, an application (or app) executed by target 410. This can be the result of user interaction with target 410 based on a determined schedule or other triggers, including user input. Additionally or alternatively, the location request can originate from a separate device. In some instances, for example, target 410 itself is capable of communicating with UE 105 and requesting its location. However, in other instances, the target may be unable to communicate and / or be passive for some reason.

[0098] In response, target 410 may generate a location request notification. As indicated by arrow 810, this request may be sent to location server 160, which may coordinate the transmission of PRS resources (or other reference signals) by base station 120 to determine the location of target 410. According to some embodiments, additional communication may be performed between target 410 and location server 160 to determine the capabilities of target 410 (including, for example, the ability of UE 105 to detect the location of target 410). In some embodiments, communication between location server 160 and target 410 may be performed via an LPP location session.

[0099] In block 815, UE 105 may optionally determine its location. As described, determining the location of UE 105 enables base station 120 to control RIS 425 so that RIS efficiently reflects one or more radio reference signals and / or other signals for UE 105. The location of UE 105 can be performed in any of a variety of ways, including GNSS and / or other non-network means. Additionally or alternatively, the location determination of UE 105 may be network-based and may involve location server 160. In such instances, the UE may provide its location to base station 120 and / or location server 160, as indicated by arrow 820.

[0100] As indicated by arrow 835, the location server can then schedule the transmission and reception of PRS resources by base station 120 and UE 105. More specifically, the scheduling of PRS resources may involve location server 160 configuring base station 120 to transmit one or more PRS resources and / or location server 160 or base station 120 configuring UE 105 to measure the one or more PRS resources.

[0101] In block 840, base station 120 may configure / control RIS 425 to help ensure that subsequently transmitted PRS resources are directed to UE 105. According to some embodiments, this may be based on a determination of UE location made in block 815 and provided by UE 105 at arrow 820. In some embodiments, the location of UE 105 may be provided directly by UE 105 to base station 120 or may be provided by location server 160. According to some embodiments and / or instances, base station 120 may have been involved in real-time control of RIS 425 to reflect signals from base station 120 to UE 105 (and vice versa) for communication and / or other purposes. In such instances, base station 120 may not necessarily rely on the determined location of UE 105 (e.g., as determined at block 815), but may instead rely on the technology used in the communication (e.g., CSI-RS / SRS beam selection as described above). Alternatively, according to some embodiments, location server 160 and / or UE 105 may control RIS 425.

[0102] Arrow 845 indicates that base station 120 transmits one or more PRS resources. As described in previous embodiments, one or more PRS resources may include a single RF signal transmitted using a wide beam (e.g., such as...). Figure 5A (as shown) or a separate RF signal transmitted using a separate name (e.g., such as Figure 5B (As shown). In either case, RIS 425 can reflect the PRS resources(s) to UE 105, as indicated in box 847, and UE 105 can measure the ToA of both PRS resources (e.g., LOS reference signal 460 and echo signal 470). Measurements of these ToA are shown in box 850. As previously mentioned, UE 105 can also use the reflected reference signal (e.g., reflected echo signal 485) to perform AoA measurements at RIS 425 on signals reflected from the target (e.g., echo signal 470) to determine the target angle θ. R .

[0103] To help UE 105 determine the RIS from which it reflects PRS resources from base station 120, base station 120 may include a RIS identifier (e.g., RIS ID) associated with the PRS resource. This is particularly useful in cases where UE 105 can receive reflected PRS resources from multiple RIS 425s, as described in more detail below. In these cases, base station 120 may use different beams and different PRS identifiers to reflect PRS resources to different RIS 425s.

[0104] In box 855, UE 105 determines the target's distance and angle. This can be done using the methods described above for determining distance (R). R ) and angle (θ)R The process is completed using the method described above. Similarly, the angle of target 410 can be determined using AoA measurement or multi-location. In the case of multi-location, additional measurements (e.g., ToA measurements of echo signals from a PRS resource transmitted at arrow 845 or from another PRS resource) can be obtained by UE 105 itself at different times and locations. The distance (or baseline) L between RIS 425 and base station 120 can be stored at UE 105 (which UE 105 may have previously received from location server 160 upon entering the area where base station 120 and RIS 425 are located). Additionally or alternatively, as... Figure 8 As part of the explanation process, location server 160 can provide the distance and / or the known location of base station 120 and / or RIS 425. For example, this location can be provided to UE 105 by location server 160 when it provides scheduling information at arrow 835. Alternatively, location server 160 can provide the location along with a separate message.

[0105] In box 860, UE 105 determines the location of target 410. This can be done by using equations (1)-(3) in the manner previously described. More specifically, using the angle and distance of target 410 determined at box 855 and the known location of RIS 425, UE 105 can determine the location of target 410. The determined location can then be provided by UE 105, as indicated in box 865.

[0106] The manner in which the location of target 410 is provided in box 865 may depend on how the location was requested in box 805. For example, if the location of target 410 has been requested by an application performing at UE 105, providing the location may therefore include (e.g., from a lower layer that determines the location of the target) providing the location to the application layer. If requested by a user of UE 105, UE 105 may provide the location visually and / or audibly (e.g., using the display and / or speakers of UE 105). If the location of target 410 has been requested by target 410 itself, UE 105 may relay the location back to target 410.

[0107] Figure 9 This is a call flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of using RIS 420 to perform UE-assisted (or network-initiated) RF sensing of target 410. Here, calculation and location determination are performed at location server 160 based on information received from UE 105 and target 410. Figure 9 Many of the operations performed during the process can be similar to those performed in Figure 8 The operations performed during the process are as previously described.

[0108] The process may begin with a location request being received at location server 160, as indicated in box 905. As previously indicated, UE-assisted (or network-based) location may be based on a request from an external client (e.g., Figure 1 External clients 180 and / or Figure 2 The request comes from an external client (230). Alternatively, the request may originate from a service within the wireless network that may require the location of target 410 to provide specific functionality.

[0109] In response to a location request, location server 160 may notify UE 105 of the location request via a location request notification, as indicated by arrow 910. In some embodiments, this may include initiating a communication session between location server 160 and UE 105. In particular, the location request notification at arrow 910 may notify UE 105 to prepare it for subsequent ToA measurements of one or more PRS resources transmitted by base station 120.

[0110] Similar to Figure 8 The process described above, in which the determination of the UE's location can be made in box 915. However, here, this determination can be made by the location server. For this purpose, the location server 160 can participate in a location session with the UE 105 to determine the location of the UE 105 using network-based positioning. Alternatively, if the UE 105 knows or can obtain its location independently of the network (e.g., using GNSS positioning), the UE 105 can provide its location to the location server 160. This location can be associated with the base station 120, as indicated by arrow 920.

[0111] Elements 935-950 can be similar to Figure 8 The corresponding features are as previously described.

[0112] Once UE 105 measures ToA in box 950, it can send location information to location server 160, as indicated in action 953. This location information may include the measurement itself and / or information indicating the time difference between ToA.

[0113] Elements 955-965 can be similar to Figure 9 The corresponding element in. However, Figure 9 The difference lies in the fact that these operations are performed at location server 160. That is, using the location information sent by UE 105 at action 953, the location server can determine the distance and angle of target 410 and ultimately use the techniques described above or similar to determine the location of target 410. Providing the location of target 410 at box 965 may include conveying that location to the requesting entity (e.g., the entity that provides the location request at box 905).

[0114] Figure 10 This explanation can be performed according to the various embodiments. Figure 4 A simplified diagram of the configuration variants explained in section A. Here, multiple UEs 105-1, 105-2, and 105-3 (collectively and generally referred to herein as UE 105) are used, rather than a single UE 105. Similarly, the embodiments are not limited thereto, and the receiving device may include any number of devices, including devices and / or device types that complement or replace UE 105. To reduce confusion, [the following has been omitted]. Figure 10 Location server 160 has been removed, although as shown below, it can be accessed by referring to... Figure 4 Location server 160 is used in a manner similar to that described in A. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, in addition to RIS 425 directing signals from target 410 and base station 120 to the first UE 105-1, RIS 425 and / or other RIS (not shown) may also direct similar signals to other UEs (e.g., UE 105-2 and / or UE 105-3). Additionally or alternatively, according to some embodiments, multiple RIS 425s may forward signals to a single UE 105.

[0115] The process of determining the location of target 410 can usually be similar to Figure 4 A explains and combines Figure 4 The process described in A-9. However, since multiple UE 105s are used, angle information is not required. That is, as a reference to the distance R... R and angle θ R To determine the location of target 410, alternatives (or supplements) to using multilateral positioning can be employed instead. For this purpose, each UE 105 can receive a corresponding echo signal 470 from target 410, and a direct reference signal (similar to) from base station 120. Figure 4 The LOS reference signal 460 in A is used to determine the corresponding R using equation (3). sum (To reduce clutter, in) Figure 10 (No explanation is provided for the direct reference signal.) Because R sum It's for the RIS 425. T and corresponding R R The sum of, therefore R sum The value can be used to form the corresponding ellipse 480-1 for RIS 425. For R... sum Similar calculations can be performed for each of the other UEs (105-2 and 105-3) to generate corresponding ellipses 480-2 and 480-3. For each ellipse, base station 120 and RIS 425 or UE 105 are the foci of the corresponding ellipse. (Similarly, to reduce clutter, in...) Figure 10The text only explains the applicable portion of ellipse 480) and describes the device (e.g., any / all UEs 105 and / or location server 160) that determines the location of target 410. Figure 10 (This is not explained in the text) This can be done by determining the point where the ellipse 480 converges. Therefore, it may not be necessary to determine AoA or other angles to determine the position of the target 410.

[0116] The number of UEs 105 (or other receiving devices) used to determine the location of target 410 in this manner can vary depending on the circumstances. For example, a number of UEs 105 (or other receiving devices) can be used. Figure 10 The number of UEs 105 interpreted may be greater or less. In some cases, such as when two UEs 105 are used, ambiguity may exist in the localization of target 410 (e.g., multiple convergence points). In this case, other data can be used to resolve the ambiguity. This other data may include, for example, tracking information of target 410, other (previous and / or simultaneous) localization determinations of target 410, etc. As previously mentioned, multiple RIS 425s can direct signals to a single UE 105. In this case, multiple RISs can be used as a supplement or replacement for multiple UEs 105, and an ellipse can be calculated for each RIS 425, and multilateral localization can be performed based on the ellipses from multiple RIS 425s. (As previously mentioned, the RIS ID can be included in and / or associated with the radio reference signal transmitted by base station 120, so that a UE 105 receiving redirected signals from multiple RIS 425s can individually determine the corresponding ellipse for each RIS.)

[0117] It can be noted that it is used to Figure 10 The embodiment of determining the position of target 410 by the method of interpretation can follow the same principle as... Figure 8-9 The processes described in the text are similar. Because multiple UE 105s are used, therefore... Figure 8-9 The functionality of UE 105 described herein can be replicated for all UE 105s. That is, it can be performed by a single UE 105 if needed. Figure 8 The determination of the target location at frame 860. To this end, UE 105 can perform multilateral positioning calculations based on positioning information received from other UEs (e.g., ToA measurement and / or time difference determination). This information can be received directly from other UEs (e.g., using sidelink communication) or indirectly via location server 160 and / or base station 120.

[0118] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of a method 1100 for performing RF sensing in a wireless communication network via a receiver device and a RIS, according to an embodiment. Here, the receiver device may correspond to UE 105 and the RIS may correspond to RIS 425, as in... Figure 4 As described in A-10. Depends on the desired functionality. Figure 11 The various operations described herein can correspond to the functionality of a RIS, UE, base station, or location server as taught in the previously described embodiments. Therefore, aspects of method 1100 can correspond to reference to Figure 8-9 Describes the functionality of the different components. Used for execution. Figure 11 The functional means described in one or more of the boxes shown can be implemented by hardware and / or software components of the receiving device or computer system. Example components of the receiving device or computer system are described in more detail below. Figure 12 and 13 Chinese explanation.

[0119] In block 1110, functionality includes configuring the RIS to reflect a LOS radio signal toward a receiving device, wherein the LOS radio signal includes a first radio reference signal transmitted by a TRP of the wireless communication system. As described in the above embodiments, the TRP may include a base station (including, for example, a gNB or eNB). When the network entity includes a base station or a TRP, the radio reference signal may include downlink (DL) reference signals such as PRS, SSB, tracking reference signal (TRS), channel state information reference signal (CSIRS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), etc.

[0120] According to some embodiments, Figure 11 The operations described in the middle can be performed in response to a request for the location of an object or target at the receiving device. For example, using... Figure 8 As indicated by arrow 810, the receiving device can then respond by sending a location request to location server 160. Therefore, some embodiments of method 1100 may include sending a request to the server to perform RF sensing before receiving configuration from the server.

[0121] As indicated in the above embodiments, the RIS can reflect LOS radio signals toward the receiving device based on configuration or control by another device. For example, configuration / control can be provided by a TRP (e.g., a base station), a receiving device (e.g., a UE), or a server (e.g., a location server) communicatively coupled to the RIS. This can be provided directly to the RIS from the TRP or the receiving device, or indirectly from the server or the receiving device via the TRP. As described, the direction in which the RIS reflects the LOS radio signal (e.g., the beam of the reflected LOS radio signal) can be indicated by the location of the receiving device. This helps improve efficiency and reduce the likelihood of multipath propagation.

[0122] The means for performing the functionality at block 1110 may include bus 1205, wireless communication interface 1230, digital signal processor (DSP) 1220, processing unit(s) 1210, memory 1260, and / or other components of receiver device 1200, such as Figure 12 As explained herein, additionally or alternatively, means for performing the functionality at block 1110 may include bus 1305, communication subsystem 1330, (various) processing units 1310, and / or other components of computer system 1300, such as Figure 13 As explained in the text.

[0123] In block 1120, functionality includes configuring the RIS to reflect an echo signal toward a receiving device, wherein the echo signal includes a reflection of a second radio reference signal transmitted by the TRP of the wireless communication system from an object. Here, the reflected echo signal can be substantially similar to the reflection of the LOS radio signal at block 1110, although the locations of the signal sources (TRP and object) can differ. According to some embodiments, the RIS can also be configured to adjust the phase, amplitude, or both of one or both of the LOS radio signal or the echo signal. That is, when reflecting one or both of the LOS radio signal or the echo signal, the RIS can adjust the phase (and / or amplitude) to provide a watermark, as referenced. Figure 4B The subject of discussion.

[0124] The means for performing the functionality at block 1120 may include bus 1205, wireless communication interface 1230, digital signal processor (DSP) 1220, processing unit(s) 1210, memory 1260, and / or other components of receiver device 1200, such as Figure 12 As explained herein. Additionally or alternatively, means for performing the functionality at block 1120 may include bus 1305, communication subsystem 1330, (various) processing units 1310, and / or other components of computer system 1300, such as Figure 13 As explained in the text.

[0125] In block 1130, functionality includes determining the location of the object based on (i) the location of the RIS relative to the TRP, and (ii) the time difference between a first ToA of the LOS radio signal at the receiving device and a second ToA of the echo signal at the receiving device. As explained in the above embodiments, the location of the RIS relative to the TRP may include determining the location of the object. sum And finally determined R RThe distance L. According to some embodiments, this distance can be determined by a location server or the receiving device and can be derived from known locations of TRP and RIS. These locations can be stored in an almanac, or an index of these network entities can be accessed and / or maintained by the location server and can also be provided to the receiving device.

[0126] The means for performing the functionality at block 1130 may include bus 1205, wireless communication interface 1230, digital signal processor (DSP) 1220, processing unit(s) 1210, memory 1260, and / or other components of receiver device 1200, such as Figure 12 As explained herein, additionally or alternatively, means for performing the functionality at block 1130 may include bus 1305, communication subsystem 1330, (various) processing units 1310, and / or other components of computer system 1300, such as Figure 13 As explained in the text.

[0127] In box 1140, functionality includes providing the location of an object to the receiving device. As previously described, the manner in which the location is provided may vary depending on the circumstances. According to some embodiments, the determination of the object's location may be performed using a dedicated application or a lower-level function, in which case providing the object's location may include providing the object's location to the application performed by the receiving device.

[0128] The means for performing the functionality at block 1140 may include bus 1205, wireless communication interface 1230, digital signal processor (DSP) 1220, processing unit(s) 1210, memory 1260, and / or other components of receiver device 1200, such as Figure 12 As explained herein. Additionally or alternatively, means for performing the functionality at block 1140 may include bus 1305, communication subsystem 1330, (various) processing units 1310, and / or other components of computer system 1300, such as Figure 13 As explained in the text.

[0129] As discussed in the above embodiments, additional operations can be performed according to the desired functionality. For example, in some embodiments of method 1100, configuring the RIS to reflect LOS radio signals and echo signals toward the receiving device may partially include controlling the RIS using a TRP or a server. In the server-controlled RIS embodiment, the server may further determine the location of the receiving device and configure the RIS to reflect LOS radio signals and echo signals toward the receiving device based on the location of the receiving device. As described, the determination of the location of the receiving device may be performed by the server (e.g., using network-based positioning technology), or it may be performed by the receiving device, which may provide the determined location information to the server.

[0130] As described, the RIS identifier can be used to identify the RIS of the reflected LOS and / or echo signal. This can be particularly useful if multiple RISs are used in the detection / localization of an object. Therefore, some embodiments of method 1100 may include the RIS identifier in the first wireless reference signal and the second wireless reference signal.

[0131] Other embodiments may include additional or alternative variations. According to some embodiments, for example, the receiving device may include a mobile device or another TRP. According to some embodiments, the receiving device may determine the location of an object. This determination may be performed in different ways depending on desired functionality. For example, according to some embodiments, method 1100 further includes determining a reception angle by the receiving device, the reception angle including the angle at which an echo signal is received at the RIS, and wherein the receiving device additionally determines the location of the object based on the reception angle. According to some embodiments, method 1100 may also include determining a time gap by the receiving device, the time gap including the difference between the time when the TRP transmits a first radio reference signal and the time when the TRP transmits a second radio reference signal, wherein the determination of the object's location is further based on the time gap. According to some embodiments, determining the time gap may include receiving an indication of the time gap from a server. In embodiments where the receiving device determines the location of the object, providing the object's location may include providing the object's location to an application performed by the receiving device. Additionally or alternatively, method 1100 may include sending information from the server to the receiving device indicating the location of the RIS relative to the TRP.

[0132] According to some embodiments, the server can determine the location of an object. Such embodiments may further include receiving information indicating a first ToA and a second ToA from a receiving device at the server, and determining, via the server, the time difference between the first ToA and the second ToA from the information indicating the first ToA and the second ToA. The information indicating the first ToA and the second ToA includes the time difference between the ToAs. According to some embodiments, method 1100 may further include determining a reception angle from information received from a plurality of receiving devices based on multilateral positioning by the server, the reception angle including the angle at which the echo signal is received at the RIS. In such embodiments, the server may additionally determine the location of the object based on the reception angle. Additionally or alternatively, embodiments may include determining a time gap by the server, the time gap including the difference between the time when the TRP transmits the first radio reference signal and the time when the TRP transmits the second radio reference signal, wherein the determination of the object's location is further based on this time gap.

[0133] Figure 12This is a block diagram of an embodiment of receiver device 1200, which can be used as a target, UE, as described above herein (e.g., with...). Figure 1-11 Other UEs (associatedly). For example, receiver device 1200 may perform... Figure 11 The method shown has one or more functions. It should be noted that... Figure 12 This is intended only to provide a general explanation of the various components, which may be appropriately utilized by any or all of them. Note that in some instances, [the components are...]. Figure 12 The components described can be localized to a single physical device and / or distributed among various networked devices that can be located in different physical locations. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, the functionality of the UE discussed in the previously described embodiments can be provided by… Figure 12 To perform the operation, one or more of the hardware and / or software components shown are used.

[0134] The receiving device 1200 is shown to include hardware elements electrically coupled (or otherwise appropriately in communication) via bus 1205. The hardware elements may include processing units 1210, which may include, but are not limited to, one or more general-purpose processors (e.g., application processors), one or more special-purpose processors (such as digital signal processor (DSP) chips, graphics accelerator processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.), and / or other processing structures or means. Figure 12 As shown, some embodiments may have a separate DSP 1220 depending on the desired functionality. Location determination and / or other determinations based on wireless communication may be provided in the processing unit 1210 and / or the wireless communication interface 1230 (discussed below). The receiver device 1200 may also include one or more input devices 1270 and one or more output devices 1215, the input devices 1270 including, but not limited to, one or more keyboards, touchscreens, touchpads, microphones, buttons, dial pads, switches, etc.; the output devices 1215 including, but not limited to, one or more displays (e.g., touchscreens), light-emitting diodes (LEDs), speakers, etc.

[0135] The receiving device 1200 may also include a wireless communication interface 1230, which may include, but is not limited to, a modem, a network card, an infrared communication device, a wireless communication device, and / or a chipset (such as...). The receiving device 1200 can communicate with other devices as described in the above embodiments, including devices such as IEEE 802.11 devices, IEEE 802.15.4 devices, Wi-Fi devices, WiMAX devices, WAN devices, and / or various cellular devices. The wireless communication interface 1230 can permit the transmission (e.g., sending and receiving) of data and signaling via a network's TRP (e.g., including eNB, gNB, ng-eNB), access point, various base stations, and / or other access node types, and / or other network components, computer systems, and / or any other electronic device (UE / mobile device, etc.) communicatively coupled to a TRP as described herein. Communication can be performed via one or more wireless communication antennas 1234 that transmit and / or receive wireless signals 1232. According to some embodiments, the wireless communication antennas 1232 may include a plurality of discrete antennas, antenna arrays, or any combination thereof. The antennas 1232 may be able to transmit and receive wireless signals using beams (e.g., Tx beams and Rx beams). Beamforming can be performed using digital and / or analog beamforming techniques with corresponding digital and / or analog circuit systems. The wireless communication interface 1230 may include such circuit systems.

[0136] Depending on the desired functionality, the wireless communication interface 1230 may include separate receivers and transmitters, or any combination of transceivers, transmitters, and / or receivers, to communicate with TRPs (e.g., ng-eNBs and gNBs) and other terrestrial transceivers (such as wireless devices and access points). The receiver device 1200 may communicate with various data networks, which may include a variety of network types. For example, a wireless wide area network (WWAN) may be a CDMA network, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) network, a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) network, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) network, a Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) network, a WiMAX (IEEE 802.16) network, and so on. A CDMA network may implement one or more RATs, such as CDMA2000, WCDMA, etc. CDMA2000 includes the IS-95, IS-2000, and / or IS-856 standards. A TDMA network may implement GSM, Digital Advanced Mobile Phone Systems (D-AMPS), or some other RAT. OFDMA networks can utilize LTE, LTE-Advanced, 5G NR, and more. 5G NR, LTE, LTE-Advanced, GSM, and WCDMA are described in documents from 3GPP. This is described in documents from an organization called "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2). 3GPP and 3GPP2 documents are publicly available. A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) can also be an IEEE 802.11x network, while a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) can be a Bluetooth network, IEEE 802.15x, or some other type of network. The technologies described herein can also be used in any combination of WWAN, WLAN, and / or WPAN.

[0137] The receiving device 1200 may further include sensors 1240. Sensors 1240 may include, but are not limited to, one or more inertial sensors and / or other sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, cameras, magnetometers, altimeters, microphones, proximity sensors, light sensors, barometers, etc.), some of which may be used to obtain measurements and / or other information related to positioning.

[0138] Embodiments of receiver device 1200 may also include a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver 1280, which is capable of receiving signals 1284 from one or more GNSS satellites using antenna 1282 (which may be the same as antenna 1232). Positioning based on GNSS signal measurements may be used to supplement and / or incorporate the techniques described herein. GNSS receiver 1280 may use conventional techniques to extract the positioning of receiver device 1200 from GNSS satellites 110 of GNSS systems such as Global Positioning System (GPS), Galileo, GLONASS, Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) over Japan, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) over India, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) over China, etc. In addition, the GNSS receiver 1280 can be used with various augmentation systems (e.g., satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS)) that can be associated with or otherwise enabled to be used with one or more global and / or regional navigation satellite systems, such as, for example, the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), the European Geostationary Navigation Coverage Service (EGNOS), the Multifunctional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), and the Geographic Augmentation Navigation System (GAGAN).

[0139] It can be noted that, although in Figure 12The GNSS receiver 1280 is described herein as a distinct component, but embodiments are not limited thereto. As used herein, the term "GNSS receiver" can include hardware and / or software components configured to acquire GNSS measurements (measurements from GNSS satellites). Thus, in some embodiments, the GNSS receiver may include a measurement engine executed by one or more processing units (such as processing unit 1210, DSP 1220, and / or processing units within wireless communication interface 1230 (e.g., in a modem)) (as software). The GNSS receiver may also optionally include a positioning engine that can use GNSS measurements from the measurement engine to determine the GNSS receiver's location using an extended Kalman filter (EKF), weighted least squares (WLS), a hatch filter, a particle filter, etc. The positioning engine may also be executed by one or more processing units (such as processing unit 1210 or DSP 1220).

[0140] The receiving device 1200 may further include a memory 1260 and / or be in communication with the memory 1260. The memory 1260 may include, but is not limited to, local and / or network-accessible storage, disk drives, drive arrays, optical storage devices, solid-state storage devices (such as random access memory (RAM) and / or read-only memory (ROM)), which may be programmable, flash-updatable, etc. Such storage devices can be configured to implement any suitable data storage, including but not limited to various file systems, database structures, etc.

[0141] The memory 1260 of the receiving device 1200 may also include software elements ( Figure 12 (Not shown in the text), these software elements include operating systems, device drivers, executable libraries, and / or other code (such as one or more applications). These software elements may include computer programs provided by various embodiments, and / or may be designed to implement methods provided by other embodiments, and / or configure systems provided by other embodiments, as described herein. By way of example only, one or more procedures described with respect to the methods discussed above may be implemented as code and / or instructions in memory 1260 executable by receiving device 1200 (and / or processing units 1210 or DSP 1220 within receiving device 1200). In one aspect, such code and / or instructions may then be used to configure and / or adapt a general-purpose computer (or other device) to perform one or more operations according to the described methods.

[0142] Figure 13 This is a block diagram of an embodiment of computer system 1300, which can be used, in whole or in part, to provide one or more network components as described in the embodiments herein (e.g., Figure 1 ,4 The location servers 160 (positions 8 and 9) have functionality. It should be noted that... Figure 13 This is merely intended to provide a general explanation of the various components, which can be appropriately utilized by any or all of them. Therefore, Figure 13 It broadly explains how individual system components can be implemented in a relatively separate or relatively more integrated manner. Additionally, it can be noted that... Figure 13 The components of the explanation can be localized into a single device and / or distributed among various networked devices that can be deployed in different geographical locations.

[0143] Computer system 1300 is shown as including hardware elements electrically coupled (or otherwise communicatively connected) via bus 1305. The hardware elements may include processing units 1310, which may include, but are not limited to, one or more general-purpose processors, one or more special-purpose processors (such as digital signal processing chips, graphics accelerator processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.), and / or other processing structures or means configured to perform one or more methods described herein. Computer system 1300 may also include: one or more input devices 1315, which may include, but are not limited to, a mouse, keyboard, camera, microphone, etc.; and one or more output devices 1320, which may include, but are not limited to, display devices, printers, etc.

[0144] Computer system 1300 may further include one or more non-transient storage devices 1325 (and / or in communication with said one or more non-transient storage devices 1425), which may include, but are not limited to, local and / or network-accessible storage, and / or may include, but are not limited to, disk drives, drive arrays, optical storage devices, solid-state storage devices (such as RAM and / or ROM), which may be programmable, flash-updatable, etc. Such storage devices may be configured to implement any suitable data storage, including but not limited to various file systems, database structures, etc. Such data storage may include databases and / or other data structures for storing and managing messages and / or other information to be transmitted via a central hub to one or more devices, as described herein.

[0145] Computer system 1300 may also include a communication subsystem 1330, which may include wireless communication technologies managed and controlled by wireless communication interface 1333, as well as wired technologies (such as Ethernet, coaxial communication, Universal Serial Bus (USB), etc.). Wireless communication interface 1333 may include one or more wireless transceivers that can transmit and receive wireless signals 1350 (e.g., signals according to 5G NR or LTE) via wireless antenna 1355. Thus, communication subsystem 1330 may include modems, network interface cards (wireless or wired), infrared communication devices, wireless communication devices, and / or chipsets, etc., which enable computer system 1300 to communicate with any device (including UE / mobile device, base station and / or other TRP, and / or any other electronic device described herein) on any or all of the communication networks described herein. Therefore, communication subsystem 1330 can be used to receive and transmit data as described in the embodiments herein.

[0146] In many embodiments, the computer system 1300 will further include working memory 1335, which may include RAM or ROM devices as described above. Software elements shown to reside within working memory 1335 may include operating system 1340, device drivers, executable libraries, and / or other code (such as one or more applications 1345), which may include computer programs provided by various embodiments and / or may be designed to implement methods provided by other embodiments and / or configure systems provided by other embodiments, as described herein. By way of example only, one or more procedures described with respect to the methods discussed above may be implemented as code and / or instructions executable by a computer (and / or processing units within a computer); in one respect, such code and / or instructions may then be used to configure and / or adapt a general-purpose computer (or other device) to perform one or more operations according to the described methods.

[0147] These sets of instructions and / or code may be stored on a non-transient computer-readable storage medium (such as storage device(s) 1325 described above). In some cases, the storage medium may be incorporated into a computer system (such as computer system 1300). In other embodiments, the storage medium may be separate from the computer system (e.g., a removable medium, such as an optical disc), and / or may be provided in an installation package so that the storage medium can be used to program, configure, and / or adapt a general-purpose computer storing the instructions / code. These instructions may take the form of executable code (which can be executed by computer system 1300) and / or may take the form of source code and / or installable code, which takes the form of executable code when compiled and / or installed on computer system 1300 (e.g., using various general-purpose compilers, installers, compression / decompression utilities, etc.).

[0148] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that substantial modifications can be made to suit specific requirements. For example, custom hardware may be used, and / or specific elements may be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software such as applets), or both. Furthermore, connectivity to other computing devices (such as network input / output devices) may be employed.

[0149] Referring to the accompanying drawings, components that may include memory may include non-transient machine-readable media. As used herein, the terms "machine-readable media" and "computer-readable media" refer to any storage medium that participates in providing data that enables a machine to operate in a particular manner. In the embodiments provided above, various machine-readable media may be involved in providing instructions / code to processing units and / or other devices for execution. Additionally or alternatively, machine-readable media may be used to store and / or carry such instructions / code. In many implementations, computer-readable media are physical and / or tangible storage media. Such media can take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile and volatile media. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example: magnetic and / or optical media, any other physical media with a hole pattern, RAM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or memory cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read instructions and / or code.

[0150] The methods, systems, and devices discussed herein are examples. Various procedures or components may be appropriately omitted, substituted, or added to the various embodiments. For example, features described with reference to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of embodiments may be combined in a similar manner. Various components of the accompanying drawings provided herein may be embodied in hardware and / or software. Moreover, technology evolves, and therefore many elements are examples that do not limit the scope of this disclosure to those particular examples.

[0151] Primarily for reasons of common use, referring to such signals as bits, information, values, elements, symbols, characters, variables, items, quantities, numbers, etc., has proven convenient in some cases. However, it should be understood that all such terms, or similar terms, are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantity and are merely convenient labels. Unless otherwise specifically stated, as is apparent from the foregoing discussion, it should be understood that throughout this specification, discussions using terms such as “processing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “identifying,” “ascertaining,” “identifying,” “associating,” “measuring,” “performing,” etc., refer to the actions or processes of a particular device (such as a dedicated computer or similar dedicated electronic computing device). Therefore, in the context of this specification, a dedicated computer or similar dedicated electronic computing device is capable of manipulating or transforming signals of physical, electronic, electrical, or magnetic quantities typically represented in the memory, registers, or other information storage, transmission, or display devices of that dedicated computer or similar dedicated electronic computing device.

[0152] As used herein, the terms “and” and “or” can include a variety of meanings, which are also contemplated to depend at least in part on the context in which such terms are used. Generally, “or,” when used in relation to a list such as A, B, or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C (in the inclusive sense) and A, B, or C (in the exclusive sense). Additionally, the term “one or more” as used herein can be used to describe any feature, structure, or property in the singular form, or can be used to describe some combination of features, structures, or properties. However, it should be noted that this is merely an illustrative example, and the claimed subject matter is not limited to this example. Furthermore, the term “at least one of” when used in relation to a list such as A, B, or C can be interpreted as meaning any combination of A, B, and / or C, such as A, AB, AA, AAB, AABBCCC, etc.

[0153] Several embodiments have been described, and various modifications, substitutions, constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. For example, the above elements may be components of a larger system, and other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the various embodiments. Furthermore, several steps may be taken before, during, or after considering the above elements. Accordingly, the above description does not limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0154] In view of this specification, various embodiments may include different combinations of features. Examples of implementations are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0155] Clause 1. A method for performing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication system via a receiver device and a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the method comprising: configuring the RIS to reflect a line-of-sight (LOS) wireless signal toward the receiver device, wherein the LOS wireless signal includes a first wireless reference signal transmitted by a transmit-receive point (TRP) of the wireless communication system; configuring the RIS to reflect an echo signal toward the receiver device, wherein the echo signal includes a reflection of a second wireless reference signal transmitted by the TRP of the wireless communication system from an object; determining the location of the object based on: the location of the RIS relative to the TRP, and a time difference between a first time of arrival (ToA) of the LOS wireless signal at the receiver device and a second time of arrival (ToA) of the echo signal at the receiver device; and providing the location of the object.

[0156] Clause 2. The method of Clause 1, wherein configuring the RIS to reflect the LOS wireless signal and the echo signal toward the receiving device includes controlling the RIS via the TRP or server.

[0157] Clause 3. The method of Clause 1 or 2, wherein the server controls the RIS, and wherein the server further: determines the location of the receiving device; and configures the RIS to reflect the LOS wireless signal and the echo signal toward the receiving device based on the location of the receiving device.

[0158] Clause 4. The method of any of Clauses 1-3 further includes including the identifier of the RIS in the first radio reference signal and the second radio reference signal.

[0159] Clause 5. The method of any of Clauses 1-4, wherein the receiving device includes a mobile device or another TRP.

[0160] Clause 6. The method of any of Clauses 1-5, wherein the receiving device determines the location of the object.

[0161] Clause 7. The method of any of Clauses 1-6 further includes determining a receiving angle by the receiving device, the receiving angle including the angle at which the echo signal is received at the RIS, and wherein the receiving device additionally determines the location of the object based on the receiving angle.

[0162] Clause 8. The method of any of Clauses 1-7 further includes determining a time gap by the receiving device, the time gap including the difference between the time when the TRP transmits the first radio reference signal and the time when the TRP transmits the second radio reference signal, wherein determining the location of the object is further based on the time gap.

[0163] Clause 9. The method of any of Clauses 1-8, wherein determining the time gap includes receiving an indication of the time gap from the server.

[0164] Clause 10. The method of any of Clauses 1-9, wherein providing the location of the object includes providing the location of the object to an application performed by the receiving device.

[0165] Clause 11. The method of any of Clauses 1-10 further includes sending information from the server to the receiving device indicating the location of the RIS relative to the TRP.

[0166] Clause 12. The method of any of Clauses 1-5, wherein the server determines the location of the object.

[0167] Clause 13. The method of any of Clauses 1-5 or 12 further comprises: receiving information indicating the first ToA and the second ToA from the receiving device at the server; and determining, by the server, the time difference between the first ToA and the second ToA from the information indicating the first ToA and the second ToA.

[0168] Clause 14. The method of any of Clauses 1-5, 12 or 13 further comprises: determining a receiving angle by the server based on multilateral positioning from information received from a plurality of receiving devices, the receiving angle including the angle at which the echo signal is received at the RIS; wherein the server additionally determines the positioning of the object based on the receiving angle.

[0169] Clause 15. The method of any of Clauses 1-5 or 12-14 further includes determining a time gap by the server, the time gap including the difference between the time when the TRP transmits the first radio reference signal and the time when the TRP transmits the second radio reference signal, wherein determining the location of the object is further based on the time gap.

[0170] Clause 16. The method of any of Clauses 1-15 further includes configuring the RIS to adjust the phase, amplitude, or both of the LOS radio signal or the echo signal.

[0171] Clause 17. An apparatus comprising: a transceiver; a memory; and one or more processing units communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, the one or more processing units being configured to: configure a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) to reflect line-of-sight (LOS) wireless signals toward a receiving device, wherein the LOS wireless signals include a first wireless reference signal transmitted by a transmit-receive point (TRP) of a wireless communication system; configure the RIS to reflect echo signals toward the receiving device, wherein the echo signals include reflections of a second wireless reference signal transmitted by the TRP of the wireless communication system from an object; determine the location of the object based on: the location of the RIS relative to the TRP, and a time difference between a first time of arrival (ToA) of the LOS wireless signals at the receiving device and a second time of arrival (ToA) of the echo signals at the receiving device; and provide the location of the object.

[0172] Clause 17. The device of Clause 17, wherein: the device includes the TRP or server; and in order to configure the RIS to reflect the LOS wireless signal and the echo signal toward the receiving device, the one or more processing units are configured to control the RIS via the transceiver.

[0173] Clause 19. An apparatus as described in Clause 17 or 18, wherein the apparatus includes the server, and wherein the one or more processing units are further configured to: determine the location of the receiving device; and configure the RIS to reflect the LOS wireless signal and the echo signal toward the receiving device based on the location of the receiving device.

[0174] Clause 20. An apparatus of any of Clauses 17-19, wherein the one or more processing units are further configured to include the identifier of the RIS in the first radio reference signal and the second radio reference signal.

[0175] Clause 21. The device of any of Clauses 17-20, wherein the receiving device includes a mobile device or another TRP.

[0176] Clause 22. The equipment of any of Clauses 17-21, wherein the equipment includes the receiving equipment.

[0177] Clause 23. The device of any of Clauses 17-22, wherein the one or more processing units are further configured to determine a receiving angle, the receiving angle including the angle at which the echo signal is received at the RIS, and wherein the one or more processing units are additionally configured to determine the location of the object based on the receiving angle.

[0178] Clause 24. The device of any of Clauses 17-23, wherein the one or more processing units are further configured to determine a time gap, the time gap including the difference between the time when the TRP transmits the first radio reference signal and the time when the TRP transmits the second radio reference signal, and wherein the one or more processing units are further configured to determine the location of the object based on the time gap.

[0179] Clause 25. The device of any of Clauses 17-24, wherein, in order to determine the time gap, the one or more processing units are configured to receive an indication of the time gap from a server.

[0180] Clause 26. The device of any of Clauses 17-25, wherein, in order to provide the location of the object, the one or more processing units are configured to provide the location of the object to an application executed by the receiving device.

[0181] Clause 27. An apparatus of any of Clauses 17-26, wherein the one or more processing units are configured to receive information from a server via the transceiver indicating the location of the RIS relative to the TRP.

[0182] Clause 28. Equipment of any of the provisions of Clauses 17-21, wherein said equipment includes servers.

[0183] Clause 29. An apparatus of any of Clauses 17-21 or 28, wherein the one or more processing units are configured to: receive information indicating the first ToA and the second ToA from the receiving apparatus via the transceiver; and determine the time difference between the first ToA and the second ToA from the information indicating the first ToA and the second ToA.

[0184] Clause 30. An apparatus of any of Clauses 17-21, 28, or 29, wherein the one or more processing units are configured to: determine a receiving angle based on multilateral positioning from information received from a plurality of receiving devices, the receiving angle including the angle at which the echo signal is received at the RIS; and additionally determine the positioning of the object based on the receiving angle.

[0185] Clause 31. An apparatus of any of Clauses 17-21 or 28-30, wherein the one or more processing units are configured to: determine a time gap, the time gap including the difference between the time when the TRP transmits the first radio reference signal and the time when the TRP transmits the second radio reference signal; and additionally determine the location of the object based on the time gap.

[0186] Clause 32. An apparatus of any of Clauses 17-31, wherein the one or more processing units are configured to configure the RIS to adjust the phase, amplitude, or both of the LOS radio signal or the echo signal.

[0187] Clause 33. An apparatus comprising: means for configuring a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) to reflect a line-of-sight (LOS) wireless signal toward a receiving device, wherein the LOS wireless signal includes a first wireless reference signal transmitted by a transmit-receive point (TRP) of a wireless communication system; means for configuring the RIS to reflect an echo signal toward the receiving device, wherein the echo signal includes a reflection of a second wireless reference signal transmitted by the TRP of the wireless communication system from an object; means for determining the location of the object based on: the location of the RIS relative to the TRP, and a time difference between a first time of arrival (ToA) of the LOS wireless signal at the receiving device and a second time of arrival (ToA) of the echo signal at the receiving device; and means for providing the location of the object.

[0188] Clause 34. The apparatus of Clause 33, wherein the means for configuring the RIS to reflect the LOS wireless signal and the echo signal toward the receiving device includes means for controlling the RIS via the TRP or server.

[0189] Clause 34. The device as described in Clause 33 or 34, wherein the device includes the receiving device.

[0190] Clause 35. Equipment as described in Clause 34 or any of Clause 34, wherein said equipment includes a server.

[0191] Clause 36. A non-transient computer-readable medium storing instructions for performing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication system via a receiver device and a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the instructions comprising code for: configuring the RIS to reflect a line-of-sight (LOS) wireless signal toward the receiver device, wherein the LOS wireless signal includes a first wireless reference signal transmitted by a transmit-receive point (TRP) of the wireless communication system; configuring the RIS to reflect an echo signal toward the receiver device via the RIS, wherein the echo signal includes a reflection of a second wireless reference signal transmitted by the TRP of the wireless communication system from an object; determining the location of the object based on: the location of the RIS relative to the TRP, and the time difference between a first time of arrival (ToA) of the LOS wireless signal at the receiver device and a second time of arrival (ToA) of the echo signal at the receiver device; and providing the location of the object.

Claims

1. A method for performing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication system using a receiver device and a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the method comprising: The RIS is configured to reflect line-of-sight (LOS) wireless signals toward the receiving device, wherein the LOS wireless signals include a first wireless reference signal transmitted by the transmit-receive point (TRP) of the wireless communication system. The RIS is configured to reflect an echo signal toward the receiving device, wherein the echo signal includes a reflection of a second wireless reference signal transmitted by the TRP of the wireless communication system from the object; The location of the object is determined based on the following: The positioning of the RIS relative to the TRP, and The time difference between the first arrival time ToA of the LOS wireless signal at the receiving device and the second ToA of the echo signal at the receiving device; as well as Provides the location of the object.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the RIS to reflect the LOS wireless signal and the echo signal toward the receiving device includes controlling the RIS via the TRP or server.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the server controls the RIS, and wherein the server further: Determine the location of the receiving device; and The RIS is configured to reflect the LOS wireless signal and the echo signal toward the receiver device based on the location of the receiver device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising including the identifier of the RIS in the first wireless reference signal and the second wireless reference signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving device comprises a mobile device or another TRP.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving device determines the location of the object.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining a receiving angle by the receiving device, the receiving angle including the angle at which the echo signal is received at the RIS, and wherein the receiving device additionally determines the location of the object based on the receiving angle.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining a time gap by the receiving device, the time gap including the difference between the time when the TRP transmits the first radio reference signal and the time when the TRP transmits the second radio reference signal, wherein determining the location of the object is further based on the time gap.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the time gap includes receiving an indication of the time gap from a server.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein providing the location of the object comprises providing the location of the object to an application executed by the receiving device.

11. The method of claim 6, further comprising sending information from the server to the receiving device indicating the location of the RIS relative to the TRP.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the server determines the location of the object.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: The server receives information indicating the first ToA and the second ToA from the receiving device. as well as The server determines the time difference between the first ToA and the second ToA from the information indicating the first ToA and the second ToA.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: The server determines the reception angle based on multilateral positioning from information received from multiple receiving devices, the reception angle including the angle at which the echo signal is received at the RIS; The server further determines the location of the object based on the receiving angle.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining a time gap via the server, the time gap including the difference between the time when the TRP transmits the first radio reference signal and the time when the TRP transmits the second radio reference signal, wherein determining the location of the object is further based on the time gap.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the RIS to adjust the phase, amplitude, or both of the LOS wireless signal or the echo signal.

17. An apparatus comprising: transceiver; Memory; as well as One or more processing units communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, the one or more processing units being configured to: The reconfigurable smart surface RIS is configured to reflect line-of-sight (LOS) wireless signals toward the receiving device, wherein the LOS wireless signals include a first wireless reference signal transmitted by the transmit-receive point (TRP) of the wireless communication system. The RIS is configured to reflect an echo signal toward the receiving device, wherein the echo signal includes a reflection of a second wireless reference signal transmitted by the TRP of the wireless communication system from the object; The location of the object is determined based on the following: The positioning of the RIS relative to the TRP, and The time difference between the first arrival time ToA of the LOS wireless signal at the receiving device and the second ToA of the echo signal at the receiving device; as well as Provides the location of the object.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein: The device includes the TRP or server; and In order to configure the RIS to reflect the LOS wireless signal and the echo signal toward the receiving device, the one or more processing units are configured to control the RIS via the transceiver.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus includes the server, and wherein the one or more processing units are further configured to: Determine the location of the receiving device; and The RIS is configured to reflect the LOS wireless signal and the echo signal toward the receiver device based on the location of the receiver device.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more processing units are further configured to include the identifier of the RIS in the first wireless reference signal and the second wireless reference signal.

21. The device of claim 17, wherein the receiving device comprises a mobile device or another TRP.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus includes the receiving device.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the one or more processing units are further configured to determine a receiving angle, the receiving angle including the angle at which the echo signal is received at the RIS, and wherein the one or more processing units are additionally configured to determine the location of the object based on the receiving angle.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein the one or more processing units are further configured to determine a time gap, the time gap including the difference between the time the TRP transmits the first radio reference signal and the time the TRP transmits the second radio reference signal, and wherein the one or more processing units are further configured to determine the location of the object based on the time gap.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein, in order to determine the time gap, the one or more processing units are configured to receive an indication of the time gap from a server.

26. The device of claim 22, wherein, in order to provide the location of the object, the one or more processing units are configured to provide the location of the object to an application executed by the receiving device.

27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more processing units are configured to receive information from the server via the transceiver indicating the location of the RIS relative to the TRP.

28. The device of claim 17, wherein the device includes a server.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the one or more processing units are configured to: Receive information indicating the first ToA and the second ToA from the receiving device via the transceiver; and The time difference between the first ToA and the second ToA is determined from the information indicating the first ToA and the second ToA.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the one or more processing units are configured to: The reception angle is determined based on multilateral positioning from information received from multiple receiver devices, the reception angle including the angle at which the echo signal is received at the RIS; and The object's location is further determined based on the receiving angle.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the one or more processing units are configured to: Determine a time gap, the time gap including the difference between the time the TRP transmits the first radio reference signal and the time the TRP transmits the second radio reference signal; and The object's location is further determined based on the time interval.

32. The device of claim 17, wherein the one or more processing units are configured to configure the RIS to adjust the phase, amplitude, or both of the LOS wireless signal or the echo signal.

33. An apparatus comprising: A means for configuring a reconfigurable smart surface RIS to reflect line-of-sight (LOS) wireless signals toward a receiving device, wherein the LOS wireless signals include a first wireless reference signal transmitted by a transmit-receive point (TRP) of a wireless communication system. A means for configuring the RIS to reflect an echo signal toward the receiving device, wherein the echo signal includes a reflection of a second wireless reference signal transmitted by the TRP of the wireless communication system from an object; A device for determining the position of the object based on the following: The positioning of the RIS relative to the TRP, and The time difference between the first arrival time ToA of the LOS wireless signal at the receiving device and the second ToA of the echo signal at the receiving device; as well as A device for providing the positioning of the object.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the means for configuring the RIS to reflect the LOS wireless signal and the echo signal toward the receiving device includes means for controlling the RIS via the TRP or server.

35. The device of claim 33, wherein the device includes the receiving device.

36. The device of claim 33, wherein the device includes a server.

37. A non-transient computer-readable medium storing instructions for performing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication system via a receiver device and a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the instructions including code for the following operations: The RIS is configured to reflect line-of-sight (LOS) wireless signals toward the receiving device, wherein the LOS wireless signals include a first wireless reference signal transmitted by the transmit-receive point (TRP) of the wireless communication system. The RIS is configured to reflect an echo signal toward the receiving device, wherein the echo signal includes a reflection of a second wireless reference signal transmitted by the TRP of the wireless communication system from the object; The location of the object is determined based on the following: The positioning of the RIS relative to the TRP, and The time difference between the first arrival time ToA of the LOS wireless signal at the receiving device and the second ToA of the echo signal at the receiving device; as well as Provides the location of the object.

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