Sensor network in telecommunication system

Abstract

A solution for utilizing a sensor in a wireless system is disclosed. The solution comprises: requesting the sensor arrangement to transmit information about an object detected by the sensor arrangement on a given one or more sensing areas; receiving, from the sensor arrangement, a message indicative of the detected object, the message including a sensing area in which the object is detected and an identifier for the object; and associating the identifier and the detected object as a communication system object detected by the device on a given sensing area, or if the object is not detected by the device, associating the identifier and the detected object as a non-communication system object.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication systems. The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure particularly relate to apparatus and methods in wireless communication networks. Background Art

[0002] In wireless telecommunications systems, high quality of service is always required. Reliability requirements are constantly rising, and methods and means to ensure reliable connections and data flows are constantly evolving.

[0003] In a cellular communication network with mobile terminals, for example, information about the location of the terminal can be used to enhance the quality of the connection between a base station or a transmission point and the terminal. The base station or the transmission point can obtain information about the location of the terminal, but external sensors can also be used to obtain more reliable and accurate location data of the terminal. The smooth cooperative operation of sensors and base stations or transmission points will help the communication system use sensor data in an efficient manner. Summary of the invention

[0004] A simplified overview of the present disclosure is presented below to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not a comprehensive overview of the present disclosure. It is not intended to identify the key / important elements of the present disclosure or to describe the scope of the present disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the present disclosure in a simplified form as a preface to a more detailed description presented later.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device in a communication system is provided, comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable the device to: request a sensor arrangement to send information about an object detected by the sensor arrangement on a given one or more sensing areas; receive a message indicating a detected object from the sensor arrangement, the message including the sensing area where the object is detected and an identifier for the object; associate the identifier and the detected object as a communication system object detected by the device on the given sensing area, or, if the object is not detected by the device, associate the identifier and the detected object as a non-communication system object.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a sensor arrangement is provided, comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the sensor arrangement to: receive a request to send information about an object detected by the sensor arrangement on a given one or more sensing areas from a transmission point of a communication system; detect the object on the given one or more sensing areas and mark the object with an identifier; and send a message indicating the detected object to the transmission point, the message comprising the sensing area where the object is detected and the identifier of the object.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device in a communication system is provided, comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable the device to: monitor messages from a network element of the communication system, the messages being directed to at least one communication system object in a sensing area of ​​a cell served by the network element, and based on detection of the messages, send one or more predefined uplink signals via predefined uplink resources, the predefined uplink signals indicating correct detection of the messages.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided, which includes a device and a sensor arrangement in a communication system, the device including at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable the device to: request the sensor arrangement to send information about an object detected by the sensor arrangement on a given one or more sensing areas; receive a message indicating the detected object from the sensor arrangement, the message including the sensing area where the object is detected and an identifier for the object; associate the identifier and the detected object as a communication system object detected by the device on the given sensing area, or, if the object is not detected by the device, associate the identifier and the detected object as a non-communication system object; the sensor arrangement includes one or more sensors and at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable the sensor arrangement to: receive a request from the device of the communication system to send information about an object detected by the sensor arrangement on a given one or more sensing areas; detect the object on the given one or more sensing areas and mark the object with an identifier; send a message indicating the detected object to the device, the message including the sensing area where the object is detected and the identifier of the object.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method in a device of a communication system is provided, comprising: requesting a sensor arrangement to send information about an object detected by the sensor arrangement on a given one or more sensing areas; receiving a message indicating the detected object from the sensor arrangement, the message including the sensing area where the object is detected and an identifier for the object; associating the identifier and the detected object as a communication system object detected by the device on the given sensing area, or, if the object is not detected by the device, associating the identifier and the detected object as a non-communication system object.

[0010] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method in a sensor arrangement is provided, comprising: receiving a request to send information about an object detected by the sensor arrangement on a given one or more sensing areas from a transmission point of a communication system; detecting the object on the given one or more sensing areas and marking the object with an identifier; and sending a message indicating the detected object to the transmission point, the message including the sensing area where the object is detected and the identifier of the object.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for an apparatus in a communication system is provided, the method comprising: monitoring a message from a network element of the communication system, the message being directed to at least one communication system object in a sensing area of ​​a cell served by the network element, the sensing area being a subset of the cell, and based on detection of the message, sending one or more predefined uplink signals via predefined uplink resources, the predefined uplink signals indicating correct detection of the message.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided, comprising instructions for causing a device to at least perform the following items: requesting a sensor arrangement to send information about an object detected by the sensor arrangement on a given one or more sensing areas; receiving a message indicating a detected object from the sensor arrangement, the message comprising the sensing area where the object is detected and an identifier for the object; associating the identifier and the detected object as a communication system object detected by the device on the given sensing area, or associating the identifier and the detected object as a non-communication system object if the object is not detected by the device.

[0013] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing a sensor arrangement to perform at least the following: receiving a request to send information about an object detected by the sensor arrangement at a given one or more sensing areas from a transmission point of a communication system; detecting the object at the given one or more sensing areas and marking the object with an identifier; and sending a message indicating the detected object to the transmission point, the message comprising the sensing area where the object was detected and the identifier of the object.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided, comprising instructions for causing a device to at least perform the following items: monitoring a message from a network element of a communication system, the message being directed to at least one communication system object in a sensing area of ​​a cell served by the network element, the sensing area being a subset of the cell, and based on detection of the message, sending one or more predefined uplink signals via predefined uplink resources, the predefined uplink signals indicating correct detection of the message.

[0015] An example embodiment provides an apparatus comprising: a component for requesting a sensor arrangement to send information about an object detected by the sensor arrangement on a given one or more sensing areas; a component for receiving a message indicating a detected object from the sensor arrangement, the message including the sensing area where the object is detected and an identifier for the object; and a component for associating the identifier and the detected object as a communication system object detected by the apparatus on the given sensing area, or associating the identifier and the detected object as a non-communication system object when the object is not detected by the apparatus.

[0016] An example embodiment provides a sensor arrangement comprising: means for receiving a request from a transmission point of a communication system to send information about an object detected by the sensor arrangement at a given one or more sensing areas; means for detecting the object at the given one or more sensing areas and marking the object with an identifier; means for sending a message indicating the detected object to the transmission point, the message comprising the sensing area at which the object was detected and the identifier of the object.

[0017] An example embodiment provides an apparatus comprising: a component for monitoring a message from a network element of a communication system, the message being directed to at least one communication system object in a sensing area of ​​a cell served by the network element, the sensing area being a subset of the cell; and a component for sending one or more predefined uplink signals via predefined uplink resources based on detection of the message, the predefined uplink signals indicating correct detection of the message.

[0018] An example embodiment provides a computer program embodied on a distribution medium, the computer program comprising program instructions which, when loaded into an electronic device, are configured to control the device to perform the above steps.

[0019] One or more examples of implementations are described in more detail in the drawings and the following description. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. Example embodiments and / or examples and features (if any) described in this specification that do not fall within the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples that aid in understanding the various example embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Example embodiments of the present disclosure are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0021] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An example of a simplified system architecture for a communication system is shown;

[0022] Figure 3A and Figure 3B Beam-based transmission and sensing areas are shown;

[0023] Figure 4 , Figure 5A and Figure 5B is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment;

[0024] Figure 6 is a signaling diagram illustrating an example embodiment;

[0025] Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 7C , Fig.7D and Fig. 7E shows the radiation pattern; and

[0026] Figure 8 , Fig.9A and Fig. 9B An example of an apparatus is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following example embodiments are merely examples. Although the specification may refer to "one", "an" or "some" embodiments in multiple places, this does not necessarily mean that each such reference is to the same (multiple) embodiments, or that the feature applies only to a single embodiment. Individual features of different example embodiments may also be combined to provide other example embodiments. In addition, the words "comprise" and "comprising" should be understood as not limiting the described example embodiments to only those features that have been mentioned, and such example embodiments may also include features, structures, units, modules, etc. that are not specifically mentioned.

[0028] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to user terminals, communication devices, base stations, eNodeBs, gNodeBs, distributed implementations of base stations, network elements of communication systems, corresponding components and / or any communication system or any combination of different communication systems that support the required functionality.

[0029] Particularly in wireless communications, the protocols used, the specifications of communication systems, servers and user equipment are rapidly evolving. Such developments may require additional changes to the embodiments. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly, and they are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the example embodiments.

[0030] In the following, different exemplary embodiments will be described using a radio access architecture based on Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE Advanced, LTE-A), New Radio (NR, 5G), 5G-Advanced or 6G as an example of an access architecture to which the exemplary embodiments may be applied, without limiting the exemplary embodiments to such an architecture. The exemplary embodiments may also be applied to other kinds of communication networks with suitable components by appropriately adjusting parameters and procedures. Some examples of other options for suitable systems are Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN or WiFi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Personal Communications Service (PCS), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), systems using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or any combination thereof.

[0031] Figure 1 An example of a simplified system architecture is depicted, wherein only some elements and functional entities are shown, all of which are logical units, the implementation of which may differ from what is shown. Figure 1 The connections shown in are logical connections; the actual physical connections may be different. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the system typically also includes Figure 1 The functions and structures are different from those shown.

[0032] However, the example embodiments are not limited to the systems given as examples, and a person skilled in the art may apply the scheme to other communication systems having the necessary properties.

[0033] Figure 1 The example of FIG. 1 shows a portion of an exemplary radio access network.

[0034] Figure 1 Devices 100 and 102 are shown. Devices 100 and 102 are configured to be in wireless connection with node 104 on one or more communication channels. Node 104 is also connected to core network 106. In one example, node 104 can be an access node, such as an (e / g)NodeB serving a device in a cell. In one example, node 104 can be a non-3GPP access node. The physical link from the device to the (e / g)NodeB is called an uplink or reverse link, and the physical link from the (e / g)NodeB to the device is called a downlink or forward link. It should be understood that the (e / g)NodeB or its functions can be implemented by using any node, host, server or access point entity suitable for such purpose.

[0035] The communication system typically includes more than one (e / g)NodeB, in which case the (e / g)NodeBs may also be configured to communicate with each other via wired or wireless links designed for this purpose. These links may be used for signaling purposes. (e / g)NodeB is a computing device configured to control the radio resources of the communication system to which it is coupled. NodeB may also be referred to as a base station, an access point, or any other type of interface device, including a relay station capable of operating in a wireless environment. (e / g)NodeB includes or is coupled to a transceiver. From the transceiver of the (e / g)NodeB, a connection is provided to an antenna unit, thereby establishing a bidirectional radio link to the device. The antenna unit may include multiple antennas or antenna elements. (e / g)NodeB is also connected to a core network 106 (CN or next generation core network NGC). Depending on the technology deployed, the (e / g)NodeB is connected to a Serving and Packet Data Network Gateway (S-GW+P-GW) or a User Plane Function (UPF) for routing and forwarding user data packets and for providing the device with connectivity to one or more external packet data networks and to a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or Access Mobility Management Function (AMF) for controlling access and mobility of the device.

[0036] Exemplary embodiments of an apparatus are a subscriber unit, user equipment, user equipment (UE), user terminal, terminal device, mobile station, mobile device, and the like.

[0037] Device generally refers to a mobile or static device (e.g., a portable or non-portable computing device), including wireless mobile communication devices that operate with or without a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), including but not limited to the following types of devices: mobile phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, devices using wireless modems (alarm or measuring devices, etc.), laptops and / or touch screen computers, tablet computers, game consoles, notebooks, and multimedia devices. It should be understood that a device can also be a device that is almost exclusively uplink, an example of which is a camera or video camera that loads images or video clips to a network. A device can also be a device with the ability to operate in an Internet of Things (IoT) network, in which an object is provided with the ability to transmit data over a network without the need for human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction, for example, for smart grids and connected vehicles. The device can also use the cloud. In some applications, the device can include a user-portable device with a radio component (such as a watch, headphones, or glasses), and the calculation is performed in the cloud.

[0038] The device illustrates a type of means to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, and thus any functionality described herein by the device may be implemented by a corresponding device (such as a relay node). An example of such a relay node is a layer 3 relay (self-backhaul relay) towards a base station. The device (or in some example embodiments, a layer 3 relay node) is configured to perform one or more of the user equipment functions.

[0039] The various techniques described herein can also be applied to cyber-physical systems (CPS) (systems where collaborative computing elements control physical entities). CPS can implement and utilize a large number of interconnected information and communication technology (ICT) devices (sensors, actuators, processors microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber-physical systems are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems, where the physical system in question has inherent mobility. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronic devices transported by humans or animals.

[0040] Additionally, although the apparatus has been depicted as a single entity, different units, processors and / or memory units may be implemented. Figure 1 not shown).

[0041] 5G supports the use of Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in collaborative operation with smaller stations and depending on service requirements, use cases and / or spectrum availability. 5G mobile communications supports a wide range of use cases and related applications including video streaming. Augmented reality is a different way of data sharing and various forms of machine-type applications (such as (massive) machine-type communications (mMTC), including vehicle safety, different sensors and real-time control. 5G is expected to have multiple radio interfaces. For example, below 6GHz or above 24GHz, cmWave and mmWave, and can also be integrated with existing traditional radio access technologies (such as LTE). The integration with LTE can be implemented as a system at least in the early stages, where macro coverage is provided by LTE, and 5G radio interface access comes from small cells by aggregation to LTE. In other words, 5G is planned to support inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as below 6GHz-cmWave, 6GHz-cmWave and mmWave). One of the concepts considered to be used in 5G networks is network slicing, in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual subnetworks (network instances) can be created within essentially the same infrastructure to run services with different requirements for latency, reliability, throughput and mobility.

[0042] The current architecture in LTE networks is completely distributed in the radio and completely concentrated in the core network. Low-latency applications and services in 5G require content to be close to the radio, which leads to local interruptions and multi-access edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analysis and knowledge generation to occur at the data source. This approach requires the use of resources that may be discontinuously connected to networks such as laptops, smart phones, tablet computers, and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service hosting. It also has the ability to store and process content in close proximity to cellular subscribers for faster response times. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data collection, mobile signature analysis, collaborative distributed peer-to-peer self-organizing networking and processing, which can also be classified as local cloud / fog computing and grid / grid computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, micro-cloud, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomous self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, Internet of Things (large-scale connectivity and / or latency critical), critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analysis, time-critical control, healthcare applications).

[0043] The communication system may also be capable of communicating with other networks 112, such as a public switched telephone network, or a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network, or the Internet, or a private network, or utilizing services provided by them. The communication network may also be capable of supporting the use of cloud services, for example, at least a portion of the core network operations may be performed as a cloud service (this is in the Figure 1 114). The communication system may also include a central control entity or the like, providing facilities for networks of different operators to collaborate, for example in spectrum sharing.

[0044] The technology of edge cloud can enter the radio access network (RAN) by leveraging network function virtualization (NFV) and software defined networking (SDN). Using the technology of edge cloud can mean performing access node operations at least partially in a server, host or node that is operably coupled to a remote radio head or base station including radio components. Node operations may also be distributed among multiple servers, nodes or hosts. The application of cloud RAN architecture enables RAN real-time functions to be performed at or near remote antenna sites (in distributed units DU 108), and non-real-time functions to be performed in a centralized manner (in centralized units CU 110).

[0045] It should also be understood that the distribution of lags between core network operations and base station operations may be different from that of LTE or even non-existent. Some other technological advances that may be used are big data and all-IP, which may change the way networks are being built and managed. 5G (or New Radio) NR) or 6G networks are designed to support multiple layers, where MEC servers can be placed between the core and the base stations or NodeBs (gNBs). It should be understood that MEC can also be applied in 4G networks.

[0046] 5G or 6G may also utilize satellite 116 communications to enhance or supplement the coverage of 5G or 6G services. For example, by providing backhaul. Possible use cases are providing service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices or passengers on board of a vehicle, mobile broadband (MBB) or ensuring service availability for critical communications and future rail / maritime / aeronautical communications. Satellite communications may utilize geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite systems, but may also utilize low earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, especially large constellations (systems deploying hundreds of (nano) satellites). At least one satellite in a large constellation may cover several satellite-supported network entities that create a cell on the ground. The cell on the ground may be created by a relay node on the ground or by a gNB located on the ground or in a satellite.

[0047] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the depicted system is only an example of a part of a radio access system, and in practice the system may include multiple (e / g)NodeBs, which may have access to multiple radio cells, and the system may also include other devices, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements. At least one of the (e / g)NodeBs may be a home (e / g)NodeB. In addition, in a geographical area of ​​the radio communication system, a plurality of different kinds of radio cells as well as a plurality of radio cells may be provided. A radio cell may be a macro cell (or umbrella cell), which is a large cell, typically having a diameter of up to tens of kilometers, or a smaller cell, such as a micro cell, a femto cell or a pico cell. Figure 1 (e / g) NodeBs can provide any kind of these cells. A cellular radio system can be implemented as a multi-layer network comprising several kinds of cells. Typically, in a multi-layer network, one access node provides a type of cell or cells, so multiple (e / g) NodeBs are needed to provide this network structure.

[0048] In order to meet the needs of improving the deployment and performance of communication systems, the concept of "plug and play" (e / g) NodeB is introduced. Generally, in addition to the home (e / g) NodeB (H(e / g) NodeB), the network that can use "plug and play" (e / g) NodeB includes the home NodeB gateway or HNB-GW ( Figure 1 The HNB gateway (HNB-GW) usually installed in the operator's network can aggregate services from a large number of HNBs back to the core network.

[0049] Figure 2 An example of a communication system based on 5G network components is shown. A terminal device, user terminal or user equipment 200 communicates with a data network 112 via a 5G network 202. The user terminal 200 is connected to a radio access network RAN ​​node, such as an (e / g)NodeB 206, which provides the user terminal with a connection to the network 112 via one or more user plane functions UPF 208. The user terminal 200 is also connected to a core access and mobility management function, AMF 210, which is the control plane core connector for the (radio) access network and, from this perspective, can be seen as a 5G version of the mobility management entity MME in LTE. The 5G network also includes a session management function SMF 212, which is responsible for subscriber sessions, such as session establishment, modification and release, and a policy control function PCF 214, which is configured to manage network behavior by providing policy rules to the control plane functions. The 5G network may also include a location management function LMF 216, which may be configured to determine the location of the terminal device 200 based on information received from the terminal device and / or gNB206.

[0050] Recently, research has been initiated on integrated sensing and communication in 3GPP 5G systems. Wireless sensors can be used to obtain information about remote objects and their characteristics without physical contact. The obtained data related to the detected objects and their surroundings can be analyzed.

[0051] Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) is a widely used wireless sensor technology in which radio waves are used to determine the distance, angle, or speed of moving objects. There are also various other sensing technologies that do not utilize radio frequency (RF) that have been used in other applications, such as Time of Flight (ToF) cameras, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR).

[0052] If the data obtained by the sensors can be effectively shared with the communication system, the data can be utilized to enhance the operation of the communication system.

[0053] Integrated sensing and communication in 3GPP 5G systems refers to the fact that sensor operations are provided by the 5G NR communication system and infrastructure for communication, and sensor data can be derived from RF-based and / or non-RF-based sensors. Sensing-assisted communication can be considered as an exemplary scenario for the use of sensors. As an example, one motivation for using (non) RF-based sensing is to improve the functionality of current (and future) communication systems or enhance certain features thereof (e.g., beam management, mobility management).

[0054] An example of a suitable non-RF sensor technology is LiDAR. LiDAR sensors utilize laser transmissions in a range and energy that is considered harmless to humans to measure the distance to an object based on time of flight. Such measurements can provide a detailed three-dimensional (3D) point cloud as output, which can be introduced as a digital twin of the physical environment.

[0055] The data obtained using the LiDAR sensor can be used in base stations or transmission points of wireless networks, for example, to determine user and obstruction locations instead of user-based sensing.

[0056] In the following examples, LiDAR is used as a sensing technology. However, example embodiments of the present invention are not limited to LiDAR or any particular sensing technology. Any RF or non-RF technology may be used, as is well known to those skilled in the art. As an example, the implemented sensor or sensor arrangement may be any RF (e.g., 3GPP / IEEE or any other radio system) or non-RF technology (e.g., LiDAR, camera).

[0057] In modern wireless communication systems, such as in 5G, for example, a base station, gNB or transmission point can utilize beam-based operation in transmission. This means that the gNB sends several beams in different directions over its coverage area.

[0058] Figure 3A An example is shown. Figure 3A A gNB 300 is shown that utilizes beam-based transmission. The gNB is configured to utilize L beams 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312 for transmission. On each beam, the gNB transmits a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block SSB. Each SSB beam covers a portion of the intended coverage area of ​​the cell served by the gNB 300. One or more transmission reception points TRPs can be used to cover the cell, where one or more TRPs can transmit one or more DL RS (e.g., SSBs) to cover the cell area. In some examples, the TRPs can be non-co-located, and thus the cell can have multiple reference points / reference locations to be associated with one or more sensors. In some examples, one or more sensors can be co-located or non-co-located with one or more TRPs covering the cell.

[0059] An SSB or SSB beam may be identified based on the SSB transmitted on the beam. The SSB may carry and identifier, which may be used to identify a particular SSB and the cell transmitting the SSB. Thus, when a mobile terminal arrives in a coverage area served by a gNB and communicates with the gNB, the gNB may determine the location of the mobile terminal based on the beam. Furthermore, the gNB may not obtain any further details of the mobile terminal or object attached to the terminal. Any aspect described herein is not limited to any particular reference signal type for identifying a beam.

[0060] On the other hand, a sensor arrangement such as a LiDAR system may be able to detect one or more different objects (e.g. people, cars, robots, devices) under the coverage area of ​​the gNB, but it has no understanding or knowledge of the radio domain operations handled by the gNB, i.e. whether the object is actually operating in the 3GPP domain or it is in a connected (or inactive) state (where the UE context is known at the gNB), or is an idle UE that is in the coverage area but has no active communications. It is also possible that the identified object is a subscriber of another network operator (than the network of interest). Furthermore, depending on the sensor / LiDAR capabilities or resolution, it may not generally be possible to detect a communication device as an "object". Vice versa, the LiDAR has information of the object, its (absolute or relative) position, but may not necessarily be able to handle any radio domain or wireless system specific operations, i.e. it may not be aware of any radio domain (e.g. radio system domain association of the detected object, such as a radio network identifier, etc.).

[0061] In addition, sensor arrangements such as LiDAR can identify objects with a much higher resolution in the spatial angle domain than the 5GNR beam resolution. Therefore, there may not be a direct correspondence between objects detected by LiDAR and "user equipment" in the RF domain. In addition, the detected object may be idle with respect to radio communication, that is, although the object is an object capable of radio network communication (such as a UE or an object carrying a UE or an object embedded with UE capabilities, such as a car), it may not have active communication and the UE is not identified in the radio network domain.

[0062] Figure 3B An example scenario is shown in which a sensor arrangement 320 is installed to cover a coverage area of ​​a gNB 300. In this example, the sensor arrangement 320 includes one or more sensors 322, and a controller 324 including at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code that controls the operation of the one or more sensors 322 and communicates with the gNB 300.

[0063] The sensor arrangement 320 may be fully co-located or non-co-located with the gNB 300. There may be multiple sensor units 322 associated with the gNB 300, or one or more sensor units may cover the coverage area of ​​one or more gNBs. In an embodiment, a single sensor entity may be visible to the gNB 300 (from a communication perspective), but may include multiple sensor units. As an example, one or more sensors may be co-located with one or more TRPs (of the radio network / gNB).

[0064] In an example embodiment, the controller 324 may handle all communications between the sensor arrangement and the gNB via the signaling interface 326. The gNB may not be aware of the actual structure of the sensor arrangement.

[0065] In an example embodiment, the sensor arrangement is separate from the gNB. In an embodiment, the sensor arrangement may be integrated with the gNB, or the controller 324 of the sensor arrangement may be integrated with the gNB. In one example, the sensor arrangement may be used by one or more gNBs. One or more gNBs may form an association with the sensor arrangement alone. In another scenario, the sensor arrangement may be used by one or more gNBs. One or more gNBs may form an association with the sensor arrangement alone. As another example, in another scenario, the sensor functionality may be implemented as part of the gNB (or the gNB may act as a gateway for the sensor interface). The gNB (interested in operating with sensor assistance) may communicate with a second gNB that provides sensor data. The second gNB may, for example, implement the sensor functionality (embedded LiDAR access point), or it may have other means (capabilities) of performing sensing, for example, RF sensing using radio frequency waves. The communication interface between gNBs may be, for example, an Xn interface (a network interface between NG-RAN (gNB) nodes) or other network interface between two network nodes.

[0066] exist Figure 3B In the example of , the sensor arrangement has detected four objects in the coverage area of ​​gNB 300. Figure 3BIn the example, the gNB 300 may use L SSBs (or other DL RSs) to cover the coverage area of ​​a cell or a portion of a cell. Each SSB1...SSB#L (or downlink reference signals DL-RS1 and DL_RS#L) may be beamformed, and each SSB / DLRS covers a portion of the cell. In another example, a single SSB or DL ​​RS may cover the cell coverage area. Object OBJ1 is in the area where SSB2 is transmitted, object OBJ2 is in the area where SSB3 is transmitted, object OBJ3 is in the area where SSB1 is transmitted, and object OBJ4 is in the area where SSBL is transmitted. The controller 324 of the sensor arrangement may be configured to send information about the object to the gNB.

[0067] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment. The flow chart illustrates an example of the operation of an apparatus. In an embodiment, the apparatus may be a gNB, a transmission point, or a portion of such a device.

[0068] In step 400, the apparatus is configured to request the sensor arrangement to send information about objects detected by the sensor arrangement at a given sensing area or areas.

[0069] In step 402, the apparatus is configured to receive a message from a sensor arrangement indicating a detected object, the message comprising a sensing area in which the object was detected and an identifier for the object.

[0070] In step 404, the apparatus is configured to associate the identifier and the detected object as a communication system object detected by the apparatus over a given sensing area, or as a non-communication system object if the object is not detected by the apparatus.

[0071] In an embodiment, the apparatus is configured to indicate one or more sensing areas to the sensor arrangement using a global coordinate system or a local coordinate system of the apparatus relative to the global coordinate system. The one or more sensing areas may correspond to coverage areas of one or more downlink reference signals sent by the apparatus. Figure 3A , Figure 3B In an example, the apparatus may indicate to the sensor arrangement one or more sensing areas 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, and 312 corresponding to beams transmitted by the gNB, each beam transmitting an SSB (or other DL RS).

[0072] In an example embodiment, the apparatus is configured to detect a communication system object over a given sensing area by communicating with the object, wherein the detection is performed before or after receiving a message from the sensor arrangement, the message comprising an identifier for the object.

[0073] In an example embodiment, the apparatus is configured to detect a communication system object over a given sensing area by communicating with the object and requesting the sensor arrangement to provide information about the object.

[0074] In an example embodiment, the apparatus is configured to send a communication request to a detected object, and if a response to the request is not received, determine that the object is a non-communication system object.

[0075] Figure 5A is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment. The flow chart illustrates an example of the operation of a sensor arrangement. In one embodiment, the sensor device comprises one or more sensors and at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code.

[0076] In step 500, the sensor arrangement is configured to receive a request from a transmission point of a communication system to send information about objects detected by the sensor arrangement over a given sensing area or areas.

[0077] In step 502 , a sensor arrangement is configured to detect an object at a given sensing region or regions and mark the object with an identifier.

[0078] In step 504, the sensor arrangement is configured to send a message indicating the detected object to the transmission point, the message comprising the sensing area where the object was detected and an identifier of the object.

[0079] Figure 5B is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment. The flow chart illustrates an example of the operation of an apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus may be a terminal device, a user device, or a part of such a device.

[0080] In step 510, the apparatus is configured to monitor a message from a network element of a communication system, the message being directed to at least one communication system object in a sensing area of ​​a cell served by the network element, the sensing area being a subset of the cells).

[0081] In step 512, the apparatus is configured to transmit, based on the detection of the message, one or more predefined uplink signals via predefined uplink resources, the predefined uplink signals indicating correct detection of the message.

[0082] In an example embodiment, the detected message is a request to send at least one of: a scheduling request, a sounding reference signal, a transmission on a physical random access channel.

[0083] Figure 6is a signaling diagram illustrating an embodiment. The figure shows an example of operation between a gNB 300 and a sensor arrangement 320 and a terminal device or UE 600. In an embodiment, the apparatus may be a network element, a transmission point or a part of such a device instead of a gNB. For simplicity, the term gNB is used hereinafter.

[0084] The gNB 300 and the sensor arrangement 320 may communicate using a signaling interface 326 of the apparatus. Information exchanged between the gNB and the sensor arrangement may relate to one or more objects identified by the sensor arrangement in accordance with a request sent by the gNB. The request may include parameters for the sensor arrangement to detect the object. Based on the parameters and the detection, an association may be formed between the gNB and the sensor arrangement to reference the object ID.

[0085] The gNB may determine that the detected object is a radio network object (i.e., an object capable of radio network communications, such as a terminal device or user equipment "UE"), and form an association between the identified object and the radio network object (a UE with a SIM card or a UE that can operate in a radio network, i.e., a UE that can be referenced in a radio network using a radio network identifier).

[0086] The order of the following steps can be changed in different combinations.

[0087] The apparatus gNB is configured to send a deployment configuration request message 602 to the sensor arrangement. With this message, the gNB may send the sensor arrangement a geographical location boundary in which the sensor arrangement is requested to provide sensing related information (such as objects, e.g. people / obstacles, cars, machines, etc.).

[0088] In an example embodiment, the area covered by the geographic location boundary may be close to the radiation pattern used by the gNB for transmission. Fig. 7A , Figure 7B and Figure 7C An example is shown. Circle 700 shows an antenna or group of antennas. Fig. 7A A theoretical antenna pattern is shown having a main lobe 702, side lobes 704A, 704B, and a back lobe 706. Figure 7B A three point approximation of the radiation pattern is shown, where the pattern is approximated by three points X0, X1 and X2. Figure 7CA six-point approximation of a radiation pattern is shown, where the pattern is approximated to six points X0, X1, X2, X3, X4, and X5. The pattern can be approximated for both the azimuth and elevation planes. In one example, the two-dimensional elevation and azimuth radio pattern approximation patterns can be linked / combined to generate a three-dimensional pattern. More approximation points can be used for more refined patterns. The methods described herein are not limited to any particular pattern type or number of approximation points or particular patterns. As an example, other types of shapes, such as circles, spheres, cylinders, cones, etc., can be used to approximate the radiation pattern in any combination. These patterns can be provided to the sensor.

[0089] In an example embodiment, these boundaries may be further divided into sub-regions. Each sub-region may be identified by an identifier (eg, sub-region 1, sub-region 2, sub-region 3, etc.). The sub-regions may also have overlapping coverage.

[0090] In an example embodiment, these sub-areas may correspond to estimated downlink reference signal (such as SSB, CSI-RS) coverage areas determined at the gNB / network. The configured sub-areas may be associated with specific DL RS (e.g., SSB or CSI-RS or both SSB and CSI-RS or other downlink reference signals). Figure 3B , the gNB may indicate the area covered by beams 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312 as a sensing area or sub-area. In each of these areas, a different SSB is used.

[0091] In any example embodiments herein, a sensing region or sub-region may refer to a 2D (two-dimensional) region. In another example, it may refer to a combination of two 2D regions forming a 3D volume (covering a specific region of the x, y, z axes).

[0092] In an example embodiment, a sub-area / region may be defined as the angular coverage area in azimuth and elevation when the angular coverage is observed from a reference point. Fig.7D and Fig.7D This example is shown. In this example, sub-area 1 may be defined as having an azimuth coverage of X1 degrees and an elevation coverage of Y1 degrees.

[0093] When sub-regions are utilized, the sensor arrangement may be requested to provide notifications when an object crosses / enters / leaves a sub-region boundary. Furthermore, any messages related to an object tracked by the sensor arrangement may include region or sub-region information.

[0094] In an example embodiment, the gNB may be configured to send information about the sensing area / sub-area boundaries using, for example, a global coordinate system, or in a local coordinate system relative to the gNB's global coordinate system. The gNB may request the sensor arrangement to provide information such as identified objects and their locations in the global or local coordinate system. In an embodiment, the gNB may provide an ID for each sensing area / sub-area in the message.

[0095] In an example embodiment, since the sub-areas may overlap, an object may be associated with one or more sub-areas at the same time. In another example, in case of overlapping sensing areas, the sensor arrangement may detect an object in one or more sensing areas. In case a detected object is associated with multiple sensing areas, the sensor may associate the object with one or more sensing areas and provide this information to a requesting entity (e.g., a gNB).

[0096] [It can be assumed that the downlink transmission radiation pattern is the same as the receive antenna pattern used to receive the uplink signal sent by the UE (thus, when the network receives the signal, the uplink transmission can be associated with a specific antenna pattern).

[0097] The sensor deployment may send a response to the deployment configuration request message 602 sent by the gNB, i.e., a deployment configuration response message 604, to the gNB. The sensor deployment may confirm the requested area / sub-area configuration requested by the gNB.

[0098] The gNB receives a response to the request. After the response, both the gNB 300 and the sensor arrangement 320 can reference a specific sensing area by using the sensing area ID.

[0099] The gNB 300 may be configured to send an object tracking configuration request message 606 to the sensor arrangement 320. In the message, the gNB may request the sensor arrangement to track and notify objects within the configured boundaries (area or sub-area accuracy). The request message may also include information to suspend tracking / notification of object(s).

[0100] In an example embodiment, the message may define the sensory region or sub-region in which tracking is to be performed. For example, the message may include the ID of the relevant sensory region or sub-region.

[0101] In an example embodiment, the gNB may request the sensor arrangement to notify objects of a particular type. Examples of types may include people, cars, devices, machines, or any type of object that may be considered capable of communicating with the radio network or considered a candidate for being able to communicate with the radio network.

[0102] In one embodiment, the 606 message may include the maximum number of objects (total, per sub-area, or per type) that the gNB is interested in receiving information about.

[0103] In an example embodiment, the gNB 300 may request objects for each sub-area (or region) based on need. For example, the gNB may request objects in sub-area_1 that it believes are covered by SSB1. In some example embodiments, when associating a DL RS (e.g., SSB / CSI-RS) with a particular sub-area, a sub-area may be mapped to one or more DL RSs and / or one DL RS may be mapped to one or more sub-areas.

[0104] In an example embodiment, the gNB may request one or more of the following for each object or group of objects (e.g., in an area / sub-area, a set of sub-areas, a set of areas, or per type or a combination of area and type):

[0105] - Line-of-sight / non-line-of-sight LOS / NLOS conditions between the object and the gNB estimated by the sensor (arrangement)

[0106] - The distance of the object from the gNB (e.g. from a specific antenna panel or group or TRP or antenna panels of a TRP or other reference point(s))

[0107] - The speed or trajectory of the object

[0108] - The geographical coordinates of the object (2D x,y or 3D x,y,z)

[0109] - The size of the object, e.g. the maximum size observed by the sensor arrangement

[0110] - Trajectory (e.g., trajectory in the past 1 second or N seconds)

[0111] - The distance (or the time of flight of the radio signal) of the object from a reference location, such as the gNB antenna (panel) location. The distance may be requested to be provided in quantized steps. The resolution of these steps may be the timing advance step value of the 5GNR / LTE system (e.g. N nanoseconds per step). The larger the (step) value index, the greater the distance from the reference point.

[0112] In an example embodiment, when the sensor arrangement utilizes LiDAR technology and more than one LiDAR angle bin, the gNB may request the sensor arrangement to provide the gNB with LiDAR angle bin index values ​​for more accurate positioning information. The LiDAR angle bins may be defined in 2D or 3D. If the angle bin is defined in 2D, it means an angle sector (angle value) in the azimuth (or elevation) plane. If in 3D, it contains volumes in both azimuth and elevation. Each LiDAR angle bin may have an index value that refers to a specific sector in a 2D plane or in 3D space. A sector or LiDAR angle bin that may be referenced with an index may have attributes of angle values ​​in the azimuth plane (2D) or in the azimuth and elevation planes (3D).

[0113] For example, a single beam (e.g., for transmitting SSB) may be used to cover Fig.7D and 7E The proposed angles cover sub-area 1 (X1 degree, Y1 degree). In LiDAR, coverage areas can be achieved by using multiple LiDAR angle bins. Therefore, one LiDAR angle bin coverage can be part of the coverage of the RF beam. The LiDAR can provide an index value for each LiDAR angle bin that it determines to be used for coverage of the sub-area. In an embodiment, the indexing can start from the lowest angle value of the azimuth and elevation (or based on a known / configured reference point), and the indexing can first run with the minimum value of the elevation (with a predefined or indicated step size, such as 1 degree or even 0.1 degree). After all azimuth angles are indexed for a specific elevation angle, the elevation angle is increased and the indexing continues. As known to those skilled in the art, there are other ways to perform indexing.

[0114] Let us assume that the sensor arrangement detects 608 a new object.

[0115] The sensor arrangement 320 issues 610 an identifier for the object (OBJ#1 in this example) and associates it with the ID of the sensing area (or in some cases, multiple sensing areas, for example if the areas at least partially overlap) where the object was detected (area ID#1 in this example), the coordinates (x, y, z), and any other information requested by the gNB.

[0116] The sensor arrangement 320 may be configured to send a message 612, an object tracking configuration response message, to the gNB. The message may include the information defined in step 610. The message may include data for more than one detected object if multiple detections occur simultaneously or close in time to each other.

[0117] The gNB receives a response message regarding an object identifying OBJ#1 with associated information. The gNB may be configured to determine 614 a mapping of OBJ#1 identified to a downlink reference signal (such as SSB) resource by a sensing area identifier (e.g., SSB#1->Area ID#1), and also determine the mapping of OBJ#1 as a candidate object for a specific radio network temporary identifier (RNTI). For example, if the object is a UE in connected mode, the network may have a rough idea of ​​which UE(s) OBJ#1 corresponds to (identified by the RNTI at the gNB). In an embodiment, the gNB may have determined the mapping already at this stage.

[0118] In an example embodiment, the gNB may determine to request 616 the UE to send an uplink transmission to perform a mapping of a UE identifier such as RNTI and OBJ#1. For example, some examples of uplink transmissions are a scheduling request SR, a sounding reference signal SRS, a transmission on a physical random access channel PRACH. The uplink signal may be received by the gNB via a receive antenna pattern used to send a downlink reference signal.

[0119] In an example embodiment, the identifier used to associate a detected object with a sensor may also be another identifier (in addition to the RNTI), for example a specific identifier linked to the RNTI or an identifier such as a TMSI (Temporary Mobile Subscription Identifier).

[0120] If there is no response to the transmission request from the object OBJ#1, the gNB does not perform association with the object. Therefore, the gNB may consider OBJ#1 as a non-mapped RAN object. In another example, it may determine that the object is not able to communicate with the gNB.

[0121] In an example embodiment, the gNB may detect a communication system object over a given sensing area by communicating with the object, wherein the detection is performed before or after receiving a message from the sensor arrangement, the message including an identifier of the object.

[0122] In an example embodiment, the gNB may detect a communication system object over a given sensing area by communicating 618 with the object. For example, the gNB may detect a new terminal device after a random access procedure for initial connection establishment to the communication system. The terminal device may be detected based on some other uplink transmissions, such as, for example, a scheduling request SR, a sounding reference signal SRS, a transmission on a physical random access channel PRACH, etc. After the uplink communication of the terminal device, the terminal device, its identifier, and the rough location of the terminal device in the RF domain (e.g., based on the receive beam at the gNB) are known at the gNB, and the terminal device has selected a specific downlink reference signal as a downlink reference for uplink transmission. The gNB may request the sensor to provide information about any object (OBJ#1) in a specific area ID that is mapped to a DL RS used by the terminal device to perform the random access procedure. The gNB may associate 620 a UE radio network identifier (e.g., RNTI) with OBJ#1.

[0123] Based on the detection, the gNB may request 622 the sensor arrangement to provide information about objects in the sensing area in which the terminal device is detected. The gNB receives a response 624 from the sensor arrangement and may associate the terminal device identification (such as RNTI) with the identification provided by the sensor arrangement.

[0124] Figure 8 An example embodiment is shown. The figure shows a simplified example of an apparatus to which an example embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. In some example embodiments, the apparatus may be a controller 324 of a sensor arrangement 320 .

[0125] It should be understood that the apparatus is depicted herein as an example illustrating some example embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the network element apparatus may also include other functions and / or structures, and not all described functions and structures are required. Although the apparatus is depicted as one entity, different modules and memories may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0126] The apparatus 300 of this example includes a control circuit 800 configured to control at least a portion of the operation of the apparatus.

[0127] The apparatus may comprise a memory 802 for storing data. Furthermore, the memory may store software 804 executable by the control circuit 800. The memory may be integrated in the control circuit.

[0128] The apparatus may include one or more interface circuits 806. The interface circuits are operably connected to the control circuit 800. The one or more interface circuits 806 may connect the apparatus to one or more sensors 322 in a wired or wireless manner. The one or more interface circuits 806 may also connect the apparatus to the gNB 300.

[0129] In one embodiment, the software 804 may include a computer program including program code means configured to cause the control circuit 800 of the apparatus to implement at least some of the exemplary embodiments described above.

[0130] Fig.9A An example embodiment is shown. The figure shows a simplified example of an apparatus to which an example embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. In some example embodiments, the apparatus may be a gNB 300 or part of a gNB of a communication system.

[0131] It should be understood that the apparatus is depicted herein as an example illustrating some example embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the network element may also include other functions and / or structures, and not all described functions and structures are required. Although the apparatus is depicted as one entity, different modules and memories may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0132] The apparatus 300 of this example includes a control circuit 900 configured to control at least part of the operation of the apparatus.

[0133] The apparatus may comprise a memory 902 for storing data. Furthermore, the memory may store software 904 executable by the control circuit 900. The memory may be integrated in the control circuit.

[0134] The apparatus may include one or more interface circuits 906, 908. The interface circuits are operably connected to the control circuit 900. The interface circuits 906 may be a set of transceivers configured to communicate with a terminal device. The interface circuits may be connected to an antenna arrangement (not shown). The apparatus may also include a connection to a transmitter instead of a transceiver.

[0135] The interface circuit 908 may connect the device to other network elements and to the sensor arrangement 320 in a wired or wireless manner (eg using an E2, X2 or Xn interface).

[0136] In one embodiment, the software 904 may comprise a computer program including program code means configured to cause the control circuitry 900 of the network element to implement at least some of the example embodiments described above.

[0137] In an example embodiment, if Fig. 9BAs shown, Fig. 9B At least some of the functions of the apparatus may be shared between two physically separate devices, thereby forming an operational entity. Therefore, it can be seen that the apparatus depicts an operational entity including one or more physically separate devices for performing at least some of the processes described. Therefore, the use of such a shared architecture Fig. 9B The apparatus may include a remote control unit RCU 920, such as a host computer or a server computer, which is operatively coupled (e.g., via a wireless or wired network) to a remote distributed unit RDU 922 located in a base station. In an embodiment, at least some of the described processes may be performed by the RCU 920. In an embodiment, the execution of at least some of the described processes may be shared between the RDU 922 and the RCU 920.

[0138] In an example embodiment, the RCU 920 may generate a virtual network through which the RCU 920 communicates with the RDU 922. In general, virtual networking may involve the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functions into a single software-based management entity, a virtual network. Network virtualization may involve platform virtualization, typically combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization may be classified as external virtual networking, which combines many networks or portions of networks into a server computer or host computer (e.g., to an RCU). External network virtualization is for optimized network sharing. Another category is internal virtual networking, which provides network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. Virtual networks may also be used to test terminal devices.

[0139] In an example embodiment, the virtual network can provide a flexible allocation of operations between the RDU and the RCU. In practice, any digital signal processing task can be performed in the RDU or the RCU, and the boundaries for transferring responsibilities between the RDU and the RCU can be selected according to the implementation.

[0140] There is no absolute chronological order for the steps and related functions described above and in the accompanying drawings, and some steps may be performed simultaneously or in a different order than the given steps. Other functions may also be performed between steps or within steps. Some steps may also be omitted or replaced with corresponding steps.

[0141] The device or controller capable of performing the above steps can be implemented as an electronic digital computer, a processing system or a circuit that can include a working memory (random access memory, RAM), a central processing unit (CPU) and a system clock. The CPU may include a set of registers, an arithmetic logic unit and a controller. The processing system, controller or circuit is controlled by a sequence of program instructions transmitted from the RAM to the CPU. The controller may contain a plurality of microinstructions for basic operations. The implementation of the microinstructions may vary depending on the CPU design. The program instructions may be encoded in a programming language, which may be a high-level programming language such as C, Java, etc., or a low-level programming language such as a machine language or an assembler. The electronic digital computer may also have an operating system that may provide system services to a computer program written with program instructions.

[0142] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to all of the following: (a) hardware circuit implementations only, such as implementations in analog and / or digital circuits only, and (b) combinations of circuits and software (and / or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of a processor or (ii) portions of a processor / software including a digital signal processor, software, and memory, which work together to enable the device to perform various functions; and (c) circuits, such as a microprocessor or a portion of a microprocessor, that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present.

[0143] This definition of 'circuitry' applies to all uses of this item in this application. As another example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular element, a baseband integrated circuit or an application processor integrated circuit for use in a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or another network device.

[0144] A computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some carrier, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, such carriers include recording media, computer memories, read-only memories, and software distribution packages. Depending on the required processing power, a computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer, or it may be distributed among several computers.

[0145] The device may also be implemented as one or more integrated circuits, such as an application specific integrated circuit ASIC. Other hardware example embodiments are also possible, such as circuits constructed from separate logic components. Mixtures of these different implementations are also possible. When selecting a method of implementation, one skilled in the art will consider, for example, the size and power consumption of the device, the necessary processing power, the production cost, and the set of requirements for production volume.

[0146] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The present disclosure and its exemplary embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus in a communication system, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory comprises computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: requesting a sensor arrangement to send information about objects detected by the sensor arrangement at a given sensing area or areas; receiving a message from the sensor arrangement indicating a detected object, the message comprising the sensing area at which the object was detected and an identifier for the object; The identifier and the detected object are associated as a communication system object detected by the device over the given sensing area, or as a non-communication system object if the object is not detected by the device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, to further cause the apparatus to: A communication system object is detected at a given sensing area by communicating with the object, wherein the detection is performed before or after receiving a message from the sensor arrangement, the message comprising an identifier for the object.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, to further cause the apparatus to: detecting a communication system object at a given sensing area by communicating with the object; The sensor arrangement is requested to provide information about the object.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, to further cause the apparatus to: sending a communication request to the detected object; If a response to the request is not received, it is determined that the object is a non-communication system object.

5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, together with the at least one processor, to further cause the apparatus to: The one or more sensing regions are indicated to the sensor arrangement using a global coordinate system or a local coordinate system of the device relative to the global coordinate system.

6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is a transmission point of a communication system, and the one or more sensing areas correspond to coverage areas of one or more downlink reference signals sent by the apparatus.

7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the request to send information about an object comprises one or more of: The type of the object, the distance of the object relative to the device, the distance of the object relative to a given reference position, motion data of the object, the position of the object, and the size of the object.

8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the request to send information about an object comprises one or more of: The line-of-sight / non-line-of-sight condition between the object and the gNB, and the angular direction of the object relative to the device.

9. A sensor arrangement comprising one or more sensors and at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause the sensor arrangement to: receiving, from a transmission point of the communication system, a request to transmit information about an object detected by the sensor arrangement over a given one or more sensing areas; detecting an object at a given sensing region or regions and marking the object with an identifier; A message indicating the detected object is sent to the transmission point, the message including the sensing area where the object is detected and the identifier of the object.

10. The sensor arrangement of claim 9, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, together with the at least one processor, to further cause the apparatus to: Information about the one or more sensing regions is received from the transmission point using a global coordinate system or a local coordinate system of the transmission point relative to the global coordinate system.

11. The sensor arrangement of claim 9, wherein the message to the transmission point indicating the detected object comprises one or more of: The type of the object, the distance of the object relative to the transmission point, the distance of the object relative to a given reference position, the motion data of the object, the position of the object, the size of the object, the line-of-sight / non-line-of-sight condition between the object and the transmission point, and the angular direction of the object relative to the transmission point.

12. A sensor arrangement according to claim 9, configured to utilize more than one light detection and ranging beam when detecting an object over the given one or more sensing areas, wherein the message to the transmission point indicating the detected object includes an identification of the one or more beams that detected the object.

13. An apparatus in a communication system, comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: monitoring a network element of the communication system for messages directed to at least one communication system object in a sensing area of ​​a cell served by the network element, Based on the detection of the message, one or more predefined uplink signals are sent via predefined uplink resources, the predefined uplink signals indicating correct detection of the message.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the message is a request to send at least one of: a scheduling request, a sounding reference signal, a transmission on a physical random access channel.

15. A system comprising an apparatus and a sensor arrangement in a communication system, The apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: requesting the sensor arrangement to send information about objects detected by the sensor arrangement at a given sensing area or areas; receiving a message from the sensor arrangement indicating a detected object, the message comprising the sensing area at which the object was detected and an identifier for the object; associating the identifier and the detected object as a communication system object detected by the device over the given sensing area, or as a non-communication system object if the object is not detected by the device; The sensor arrangement comprises one or more sensors and at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause the sensor arrangement to: receiving, from said device of the communication system, a request to transmit information about an object detected by said sensor arrangement at a given one or more sensing areas; detecting an object at a given sensing region or regions and marking the object with an identifier; A message indicating the detected object is sent to the device, the message including the sensing area where the object was detected and the identifier of the object.

16. A method in an apparatus of a communication system, comprising: requesting a sensor arrangement to send information about objects detected by the sensor arrangement at a given sensing area or areas; receiving a message from the sensor arrangement indicating a detected object, the message comprising the sensing area at which the object was detected and an identifier for the object; The identifier and the detected object are associated as a communication system object detected by the device over the given sensing area, or as a non-communication system object if the object is not detected by the device.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: A communication system object is detected at a given sensing area by communicating with the object, wherein the detection is performed before or after receiving a message from the sensor arrangement, the message comprising an identifier for the object.

18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: detecting a communication system object at a given sensing area by communicating with the object; The sensor arrangement is requested to provide information about the object.

19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: sending a communication request to the detected object; If a response to the request is not received, it is determined that the object is a non-communication system object.

20. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 16 to 19, further comprising: The one or more sensing regions are indicated to the sensor arrangement using a global coordinate system or a local coordinate system of the device relative to the global coordinate system.

21. The method of any preceding claim 16 to 20, wherein the apparatus is a transmission point of a communication system, and the one or more sensing areas correspond to coverage areas of one or more downlink reference signals sent by the apparatus.

22. The method of any one of the preceding claims 16 to 21, wherein the request to send information about an object comprises one or more of: The type of the object, the distance of the object relative to the device, the distance of the object relative to a given reference position, motion data of the object, the position of the object, the size of the object, the line-of-sight / non-line-of-sight condition between the object and the gNB, and the angular direction of the object relative to the device.

23. A method for a sensor arrangement comprising one or more sensors, the method comprising: receiving, from a transmission point of the communication system, a request to transmit information about an object detected by the sensor arrangement over a given one or more sensing areas; detecting an object at a given sensing region or regions and marking the object with an identifier; A message indicating the detected object is sent to the transmission point, the message including the sensing area where the object is detected and the identifier of the object.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising: Information about the one or more sensing regions is received from the transmission point using a global coordinate system or a local coordinate system of the transmission point relative to the global coordinate system.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the message to the transmission point indicating the detected object comprises one or more of: The type of the object, the distance of the object relative to the transmission point, the distance of the object relative to a given reference position, the motion data of the object, the position of the object, the size of the object, the line-of-sight / non-line-of-sight condition between the object and the transmission point, and the angular direction of the object relative to the transmission point.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising: More than one light detection and ranging beam is utilized when detecting an object over the given one or more sensing regions, wherein the message to the transmission point indicating the detected object includes an identification of the one or more beams that detected the object.

27. A method for an apparatus in a communication system, the method comprising: monitoring a message from a network element of the communication system, the message being directed to at least one communication system object in a sensing area of ​​a cell served by the network element, the sensing area being a subset of the cell, Based on the detection of the message, one or more predefined uplink signals are sent via predefined uplink resources, the predefined uplink signals indicating correct detection of the message.

28. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform the following: requesting a sensor arrangement to send information about objects detected by the sensor arrangement at a given sensing area or areas; receiving a message from the sensor arrangement indicating a detected object, the message comprising the sensing area at which the object was detected and an identifier for the object; The identifier and the detected object are associated as a communication system object detected by the device over the given sensing area, or as a non-communication system object if the object is not detected by the device.

29. A computer program comprising instructions for causing a sensor device to at least: receiving, from a transmission point of the communication system, a request to transmit information about an object detected by the sensor arrangement over a given one or more sensing areas; detecting an object at a given sensing region or regions and marking the object with an identifier; A message indicating the detected object is sent to the transmission point, the message including the sensing area where the object is detected and the identifier of the object.

30. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform the following: monitoring a message from a network element of the communication system, the message being directed to at least one communication system object in a sensing area of ​​a cell served by the network element, the sensing area being a subset of the cell, Based on the detection of the message, one or more predefined uplink signals are sent via predefined uplink resources, the predefined uplink signals indicating correct detection of the message.

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