Energy saving RF sensing in communication network

Abstract

In some implementations, a base station may transmit a message to a user equipment (UE) indicating that an RF sensing signal is to be used for RF sensing, where the message indicates that the RF sensing signal includes an improved synchronization signal block (SSB) for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility, or the RF sensing signal comprises a non-SSB sensing reference signal (S-RS) of a secondary cell (Scell) and has a quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship with a root SSB of a primary cell (Pcell). The base station may also transmit the RF sensing signal.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. application No. 17 / 823,070, filed on August 29, 2022, and entitled “ENERGY SAVING RF SENSING IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK,” which is assigned to the assignee of this application and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art 1. Technical Field

[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of radio frequency (RF) based sensing (or simply "RF sensing"). More specifically, the present disclosure relates to RF sensing in cellular networks.

[0005] 2. Related technologies

[0006] As the complexity of cellular networks, such as fourth generation (4G) and fifth generation (5G) cellular networks, continues to increase, the functionality of such networks is expanding beyond data communications only. Cellular networks may, for example, provide positioning functionality to determine the geographic location of a cellular mobile device (referred to as "user equipment" (UE)) within the coverage area of ​​the cellular network. In addition, such networks are expanding into RF sensing to enable detection of objects (including their location and velocity) from reflections (or echoes) of RF signals off the objects. However, the signals are generally not able to facilitate both communication and RF sensing. Having a different signal for RF sensing than for communication may result in less than optimal energy usage. Summary of the invention

[0007] An example method for implementing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication network at a base station according to the present disclosure may include: transmitting a message from the base station to a user equipment (UE) indicating that an RF sensing signal is to be used for RF sensing, wherein the message indicates that the RF sensing signal includes an improved synchronization signal block (SSB) for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility, or the RF sensing signal includes a non-SSB sensing reference signal (S-RS) of a secondary cell (Scell) and has a quasi co-location (QCL) relationship with a root SSB of a primary cell (Pcell). The method may also include sending the RF sensing signal.

[0008] An example method at a user equipment (UE) implementing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication network according to the present disclosure may include receiving, at the UE, a message from a base station indicating that an RF sensing signal is to be used for RF sensing, wherein the message indicates that the RF sensing signal includes an improved synchronization signal block (SSB) for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility, or the RF sensing signal includes a non-SSB sensing reference signal (S-RS) of a secondary cell (Scell) and has a quasi co-location (QCL) relationship with a root SSB of a primary cell (Pcell). The method may also include performing measurements of the RF sensing signal.

[0009] An example base station for implementing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication network according to the present disclosure may include a transceiver, a memory, and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to transmit a message indicating that an RF sensing signal is to be used for RF sensing to a user equipment (UE) via the transceiver, wherein the message indicates that the RF sensing signal includes an improved synchronization signal block (SSB) for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility, or the RF sensing signal includes a non-SSB sensing reference signal (S-RS) of a secondary cell (Scell) and has a quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship with a root SSB of a primary cell (Pcell). The one or more processors may also be configured to send the RF sensing signal via the transceiver.

[0010] An example user equipment (UE) for implementing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication network according to the present disclosure may include a transceiver, a memory, and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive a message from a base station via the transceiver indicating that an RF sensing signal is to be used for RF sensing, wherein the message indicates that the RF sensing signal includes an improved synchronization signal block (SSB) for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility, or the RF sensing signal includes a non-SSB sensing reference signal (S-RS) of a secondary cell (Scell) and has a quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship with a root SSB of a primary cell (Pcell). The one or more processors may also be configured to perform measurements of the RF sensing signal.

[0011] This summary is neither intended to identify key features 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 by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of the disclosure, any or all of the drawings, and each claim. The foregoing and other features and examples will be described in more detail in the following description, claims, and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1is an illustration of a communication and positioning system according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 is a diagram of a 5G New Radio (NR) positioning system according to an implementation scheme.

[0014] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a frame structure for NR according to an implementation scheme.

[0015] Figure 4 is a diagram of a block structure of a synchronization signal block (SSB) according to an implementation scheme.

[0016] Figure 5 is an illustration of two diagrams showing a quasi co-location (QCL) relationship for downlink (DL) signals as currently defined in applicable cellular standards.

[0017] Figure 6 is an illustration showing the QCL relationships for a set of uplink (UL) signals as currently defined in applicable cellular standards.

[0018] 7A to 7C is a diagram illustrating how a QCL configuration according to an embodiment may be used for RF sensing using a non-SSB reference signal (RS) in a non-SSB carrier.

[0019] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a method of implementing RF sensing in a wireless communication network at a base station according to an embodiment.

[0020] Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a method of implementing RF sensing in a wireless communication network at a UE according to an embodiment.

[0021] Fig.10 is a block diagram of an implementation scheme of a UE.

[0022] Fig.11 is a block diagram of an implementation scheme of a base station.

[0023] Fig.12 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a computer system.

[0024] Similar reference symbols in the various drawings indicate similar elements according to certain example implementations. In addition, multiple instances of an element may be indicated by adding a letter or hyphen and a second digit after the first digit of the element. For example, multiple instances of element 110 may be indicated as 110-1, 110-2, 110-3, etc. or 110a, 110b, 110c, etc. When only the first digit is used to refer to such an element, any instance of the element should be understood (for example, element 110 in the previous example will refer to elements 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3 or to elements 110a, 110b, and 110c). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The following description is directed to certain specific implementations for the purpose of describing the innovative aspects of each embodiment. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the teachings herein can be applied in a variety of different ways. The described specific implementations can be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of sending and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals according to any communication standard, such as any of the following: the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15.4 standard for ultra-wideband (UWB), the IEEE 802.11 standard (including those identified as Wi-Fi 802.11, Wi-Fi 802.15.4 ... ® technology standards), Bluetooth ® 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 Trunked Radio (TETRA), Wideband CDMA (W-CDMA), Evolution-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 System (AMPS), or other known signals used to communicate within a wireless, cellular or Internet of Things (IoT) network, such as a system utilizing 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G or further implementations thereof.

[0026] As used herein, "RF signals" include electromagnetic waves that transmit information through the space between a transmitter (or transmitting device) and a receiver (or receiving device). As used herein, a transmitter may transmit a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of each RF signal through multiple channels or paths, a receiver may receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal.

[0027] Additionally, unless otherwise indicated, references to "reference signals," "positioning reference signals," "reference signals used for positioning," and the like may be used to refer to signals used to locate a user equipment (UE). As described in more detail herein, such signals may include any of a variety of signal types, but may not necessarily be limited to positioning reference signals (PRS) as defined in relevant wireless standards.

[0028] As previously described, RF sensing is contemplated for use in cellular networks, however, using different signals for communication and RF sensing may increase the energy usage of the network. According to embodiments herein, a synchronization signal block (SSB) may be improved to accommodate both traditional communication functionality (initial access / mobility) as well as RF sensing (e.g., for rough target area detection prior to using other signals to perform accurate range and speed detection). This improved SSB may be selectively used when RF sensing is required. Additionally or alternatively, in a configuration utilizing a non-SSB carrier (e.g., for carrier aggregation), a QCL relationship may be established between an SSB of an SSB carrier (e.g., a primary cell) and a sensing reference signal (S-RS) of the non-SSB carrier to enable RF sensing via the S-RS. Additional details will be provided following a review of applicable techniques.

[0029] Figure 1 is a simplified illustration of a communication and positioning system 100 according to an embodiment, in which a UE 105, a location server 160, and / or other components of the communication and positioning system 100 may use the energy-saving techniques for RF sensing provided herein. (That is, the embodiments are not necessarily limited to such a system). The techniques described herein may be implemented by one or more components of the communication and positioning system 100. The communication and positioning system 100 may include: a UE 105; one or more satellites 110 (also referred to as space vehicles (SVs)), which may include global navigation satellite system (GNSS) satellites (e.g., satellites of the Global Positioning System (GPS), GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, etc.) and / or non-terrestrial network (NTN) satellites; a base station 120; an access point (AP) 130; a location server 160; a network 170; and an external client 180. In general, the communication and positioning system 100 can estimate the location of the UE 105 based on RF signals received by and / or transmitted from the UE 105 and the known locations of other components that send and / or receive RF signals (e.g., GNSS satellites 110, base stations 120, APs 130). In addition, wireless devices such as UEs 105, base stations 120, and satellites 110 (and / or other NTN platforms that may be implemented on aircraft, drones, balloons, etc.) can be used for RF sensing.

[0030] It should be pointed out that Figure 1Only a generalized illustration of various components is provided, any or all of which may be utilized as appropriate, and each component may be repeated as needed. Specifically, although only one UE 105 is illustrated, it should be understood that many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) may utilize the communication and positioning system 100. Similarly, the communication and positioning system 100 may include more than one UE 105. Figure 1 100. The illustrated connections connecting the various components in the communication and 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. In addition, the components may be rearranged, combined, separated, replaced, and / or omitted depending on the desired functionality. In some embodiments, for example, the external client 180 may be directly connected to the location server 160. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize many modifications to the illustrated components.

[0031] Depending on the desired functionality, network 170 may include any one of a variety of wireless and / or wired networks. Network 170 may, for example, include any combination of public and / or private networks, local area networks and / or wide area networks, etc. In addition, 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 referred to 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] The base station 120 and the access point (AP) 130 may be communicatively coupled to the network 170. In some embodiments, the 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 the network 170, the base station 120 may include a node B, an evolved node B (eNodeB or eNB), a transceiver base station (BTS), a radio base station (RBS), an NR node B (gNB), a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), etc. In the case where the network 170 is a 5G network, the base station 120 as a gNB or ng-eNB may be part of a next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) that may be connected to a 5G core network (5GC). In view of the open radio access network (O-RAN) and / or virtualized radio access network (V-RAN or vRAN) in 5G or higher networks, the functionality performed by the base station 120 in the earlier networks (e.g., 3G and 4G) may be divided into different functional components (e.g., radio unit (RU), distributed unit (DU), central unit (CU)) and layers (e.g., L1 / L2 / L3), which may be executed on different devices at different locations connected, for example, via fronthaul connection, midhaul connection, and backhaul connection. As referred to herein, a "base station" (or ng-eNB, gNB, etc.) may include any or all of these functional components. For example, AP 130 may include a Wi-Fi AP or a Bluetooth AP. ® AP or an AP with cellular capabilities (e.g., 4G LTE and / or 5G NR). Thus, UE 105 can transmit and receive information with network-connected devices such as location server 160 by accessing network 170 via base station 120 using first communication link 133. Additionally or alternatively, because AP 130 can also be communicatively coupled with network 170, UE 105 can communicate with network-connected and Internet-connected devices (including location server 160) using second communication link 135 or via one or more other mobile devices 145.

[0033] As used herein, the term "base station" may generally refer to a single physical transmission point or multiple co-located physical transmission points that may be located at a 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" may be used interchangeably with the terms "gNB," "ng-eNB," and "base station" herein. In some cases, a base station 120 may include multiple TRPs—for example, where each TRP is associated with a different antenna or a different antenna array of the base station 120. As used herein, the transmit functionality of a TRP may be performed using a transmit point (TP), and / or the receive functionality of a TRP may be performed by a receive point (RP), which may be physically separate or distinct from the TP. That is, a TRP may include both a TP and an RP. A physical transmission point may include an antenna array of a base station 120 (for example, as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system and / or where the base station employs beamforming). In accordance with aspects of the applicable 5G cellular standard, base station 120 (e.g., gNB) is capable of transmitting different "beams" in different directions and performing "beam scanning," wherein signals are transmitted in different beams in different directions (e.g., one after another). 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 to a common source via a transmission medium) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station).

[0034] Satellite 110 may be used for positioning in communications in one or more ways. For example, satellite 110 (also referred to as space vehicle (SV)) may be part of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) such as a global positioning system (GPS), GLONASS, Galileo, or BeiDou. Positioning using RF signals from GNSS satellites may include measuring multiple GNSS signals at a GNSS receiver of UE 105 to perform code-based and / or carrier-based positioning, which may be highly accurate. Additionally or alternatively, satellite 110 may be used for NTN-based positioning, where satellite 110 may be functionally operated as a TRP (or TP) of a network (e.g., LTE and / or NR network) and may be communicatively coupled to network 170. Specifically, reference signals (e.g., PRS) sent by satellite 110 for NTN-based positioning may be similar to those sent by base station 120 and may be coordinated by location server 160. In some embodiments, satellites 110 used for NTN-based positioning may be different from those used for GNSS-based positioning. In some embodiments, NTN nodes may include non-ground vehicles, such as aircraft, balloons, drones, etc., which may be used in addition to or instead of NTN satellites. RF sensing may also be performed using NTN satellites 110 and / or other NTN platforms. As described in more detail below, the satellites may use JCS symbols in the OFDM waveform to allow both RF sensing and communication.

[0035] The location server 160 may include a server and / or other computing device configured to determine an estimated location of the UE 105 and / or provide data (e.g., “assistance data”) to the UE 105 to facilitate location measurement and / or location determination by the UE 105. According to some embodiments, the location server 160 may include a Home Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (H-SLP), which may support the SUPL User Plane (UP) location solution defined by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) and may support location services for the UE 105 based on subscription information of the UE 105 stored in the location server 160. In some embodiments, the location server 160 may include a Discovery SLP (D-SLP) or an Emergency SLP (E-SLP). The location server 160 may also include an enhanced serving mobile location center (E-SMLC) that supports positioning of the UE 105 using a control plane (CP) positioning solution for LTE radio access of the UE 105. The location server 160 may also include a location management function (LMF) that supports positioning of the UE 105 using a control plane (CP) positioning solution for NR or LTE radio access of the UE 105.

[0036] Although ground components (such as AP 130 and base station 120) can be fixed, embodiments are not limited to this. Mobile components can be used. For example, in some embodiments, the location of UE 105 can be estimated based at least in part on measurements of RF signals 140 communicated between UE 105 and one or more other mobile devices 145 (the one or more other mobile devices can be mobile or fixed). As illustrated, the other mobile devices can include, for example, mobile phones 145-1, vehicles 145-2, static communication / positioning devices 145-3, or other static and / or mobile devices capable of providing wireless signals for locating UE 105, or combinations thereof. The wireless signals from mobile devices 145 for locating UE 105 can include using, for example, Bluetooth ® (including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)), IEEE 802.11x (e.g., Wi-Fi ® ), ultra-wideband (UWB), IEEE 802.15x, or a combination thereof. The mobile device 145 may additionally or alternatively use non-RF wireless signals such as infrared signals or other optical techniques to locate the UE 105.

[0037] The estimated position of UE 105 may be used in a variety of applications, such as to assist a user of UE 105 with direction finding or navigation or to assist another user (e.g., associated with external client 180) in locating UE 105. "Position" is also referred to herein as "position estimate," "estimated position," "position," "position estimate," "position fix," "estimated position," "position fix," or "fix." The process of determining a position may be referred to as "positioning," "position determination," "position determination," or the like. The position of UE 105 may include an absolute position of UE 105 (e.g., latitude and longitude, and possibly altitude) or a relative position of UE 105 (e.g., expressed as a position at a distance north or south, east or west, and possibly above or below some other known fixed position (including, for example, the position of base station 120 or AP 130) or some other location (such as the position of UE 105 at some known previous time, or the position of mobile device 145 (e.g., another UE) at some known previous time). The location may be specified as a geodetic location including coordinates that may be absolute (e.g., latitude, longitude, and optionally altitude), relative (e.g., relative to some 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 convention center). The location may alternatively be a city location, and may then include one or more of a street address (e.g., including a country, state, county, city, road and / or street name or label, and / or road or street number) and / or a label or name of a place, a building, a portion of a building, a floor of a building, and / or a room within a building, etc. The location may also include an uncertainty or error indication, such as a horizontal distance and possibly a vertical distance over which the location is expected to have error, or an indication of an area or volume (e.g., a circle or ellipse) within which the UE 105 is expected to be located with a certain confidence level (e.g., 95% confidence).

[0038] The external client 180 may be a web server or remote application that may have some association with the UE 105 (e.g., accessible by a user of the UE 105), or may be a server, application, or computer system that provides location services to one or more other users, which may include obtaining and providing the location of the UE 105 (e.g., to enable services such as friend or relative locating, or child or pet locating). Additionally or alternatively, the external client 180 may obtain the location of the UE 105 and provide it to emergency service providers, government agencies, etc.

[0039] As previously noted, the example communication and positioning system 100 may be implemented using a wireless communication network such as an LTE-based or 5G NR-based network or a future 6G network. Figure 2 A diagram of a 5G NR communication and positioning system 200 is shown, which illustrates an embodiment of a positioning system (e.g., communication and positioning system 100) that implements 5G NR. The 5G NR communication and positioning system 200 can be configured to determine the location of the UE 105 by using access nodes to implement one or more positioning methods. These access nodes can include NR Node Bs (gNBs) 210-1 and 210-2 (collectively referred to herein as gNBs 210), ng-eNBs 214, and / or WLANs 216. The gNBs 210 and / or ng-eNBs 214 can communicate with the UE 105 to determine the location of the UE 105. Figure 1 The base station 120 corresponds to the WLAN 216, and the WLAN 216 can be connected to the Figure 1 130. Optionally, the 5G NR communication and positioning system 200 may be additionally configured to determine the location of the UE 105 by using the LMF 220 (which may correspond to the location server 160) to implement one or more positioning methods. Here, the 5G NR communication and positioning system 200 includes the UE 105, and components of a 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 an NR RAN; and the 5G CN 240 may be referred to as an NG core network. Additional components of the 5G NR communication and positioning system 200 are described below. The 5G NR communication and positioning system 200 may include additional or alternative components.

[0040] The 5G NR communication and positioning system 200 may also utilize information from satellites 110. As previously indicated, satellites 110 may include GNSS satellites from a GNSS system such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) or a similar system such as GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). Additionally or alternatively, satellites 110 may include NTN satellites that may be communicatively coupled with LMF 220 and operable to serve as TRPs (or TPs) in NG-RAN 235. Thus, satellites 110 may communicate with one or more gNBs 210.

[0041] It should be pointed out that Figure 2Only a generalized illustration of various components is provided, any or all of which may be utilized as appropriate, and each component may be repeated or omitted as desired. Specifically, although only one UE 105 is illustrated, it should be understood that many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) may utilize the 5G NR communication and positioning system 200. Similarly, the 5G NR communication and positioning system 200 may include a larger (or smaller) number of satellites 110, gNBs 210, ng-eNBs 214, wireless local area networks (WLANs) 216, access and mobility management functions (AMFs) 215, external clients 230, and / or other components. The illustrated connections connecting the various components in the 5G NR communication and 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. In addition, the components may be rearranged, combined, separated, replaced, and / or omitted depending on the desired functionality.

[0042] UE 105 may include and / or be referred to as a device, a mobile device, a wireless device, a mobile terminal, a terminal, a mobile station (MS), a terminal (SET) enabled with secure user plane location (SUPL), or some other name. In addition, UE 105 may correspond to a cellular phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a personal data assistant (PDA), a navigation device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, or some other portable or mobile device. Typically, although not necessarily, UE 105 may support the use of one or more radio access technologies (RATs) such as GSM, CDMA, W-CDMA, LTE, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi ® , Bluetooth, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX ™ ), 5G NR (e.g., using NG-RAN 235 and 5G CN 240). UE 105 may also support wireless communications using WLAN 216, which is similar to one or more RATs and as previously described with respect to Figure 1 The use of one or more of these RATs may allow the UE 105 (e.g., via Figure 2 Elements of the 5G CN 240, not shown, communicate with external clients 230, or possibly via a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 225, and / or allow external clients 230 to receive location information about UE 105 (e.g., via GMLC 225). When implemented in or communicatively coupled with a 5G NR network, Figure 2 The external client 230 may correspond to Figure 1 External client 180.

[0043] UE 105 may include a single entity or may include multiple entities, such as in a personal area network in which a user may employ audio, video, and / or data I / O devices, and / or body sensors and separate wired or wireless modems. The estimate of the location of UE 105 may be referred to as location, location estimate, location fix, fix, position, position estimate, or position fix, and may be geodetic, providing location coordinates (e.g., latitude and longitude) for UE 105, which may or may not include an altitude component (e.g., height above sea level; 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., a postal address or a designation of a point or smaller area in a building, such as a specific room or floor). The location of UE 105 may also be expressed as an area or volume (geographically or municipally defined) within which UE 105 is expected to be located with a certain probability or confidence level (e.g., 67%, 95%, etc.). The location of the UE 105 may also be a relative location, including, for example, a distance and direction or relative X, Y (and Z) coordinates defined relative to some origin at a known location, which may be defined geodetically, municipally, or with reference to a point, area, or volume indicated on a map, floor plan, or building plan. In the descriptions 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 the local coordinates are converted to absolute coordinates (e.g., with respect to latitude, longitude, and altitude above or below mean sea level) if necessary.

[0044] Figure 2 The base stations in the NG-RAN 235 shown may correspond to Figure 1 The base stations 120 in the NG-RAN 235 may include gNBs 210. Pairs of gNBs 210 in the NG-RAN 235 may be connected to each other (e.g., Figure 2 210, or indirectly connected via other gNBs 210). The communication interface between base stations (gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214) may be referred to as an Xn interface 237. Access to the 5G network is provided to the UE 105 via wireless communication between the UE 105 and one or more gNBs 210, which may provide wireless communication access to the 5G CN 240 on behalf of the UE 105 using 5G NR. The wireless interface between the base station (gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214) and the UE 105 may be referred to as an Uu interface 239. 5G NR radio access may also be referred to as NR radio access or 5G radio access. Figure 2, it is assumed that the serving gNB for UE 105 is gNB 210-1, but other gNBs (e.g., gNB 210-2) may act as serving gNBs if UE 105 moves to another location, or may act as secondary gNBs to provide additional throughput and bandwidth to UE 105.

[0045] Figure 2 The base stations in the illustrated NG-RAN 235 may additionally or alternatively include a next generation evolved Node B (also referred to as ng-eNB) 214. The ng-eNB 214 may be connected to one or more gNBs 210 in the NG-RAN 235—e.g., 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 of the gNBs 210 (e.g., gNB 210-2) and / or ng-eNBs 214 may be configured to function as positioning-only beacons that may transmit signals (e.g., positioning reference signals (PRS)) and / or may broadcast assistance data to assist in positioning UE 105, but may not receive signals from UE 105 or other UEs. Some of the gNBs 210 (e.g., gNB 210-2 and / or another gNB not shown) and / or ng-eNBs 214 may be configured to function as detection-only nodes that may scan for signals containing, for example, PRS data, assistance data, or other location data. Such detection-only nodes may not transmit signals or data to the UE, but may transmit signals or data (related to, for example, PRS, assistance data, or other location data) to other network entities (e.g., one or more components of 5G CN 240, external clients 230, or a controller), which may receive and store the data or use the data to locate at least UE 105. It should be noted that although Figure 2 Only one ng-eNB 214 is shown in FIG, but some embodiments may include multiple ng-eNBs 214. Base stations (e.g., gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214) may communicate directly with each other via an Xn communication interface. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may communicate directly or indirectly with other components of the 5G NR communication and positioning system 200 (such as LMF 220 and AMF 215).

[0046] The 5G NR communication and positioning system 200 may also include one or more WLANs 216 that may be connected to a non-3GPP interworking 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 the UE 105 and may include one or more Wi-Fi APs (e.g., Figure 1 Here, the N3IWF 250 may be connected to other elements in the 5G CN 240, such as the AMF 215. In some embodiments, the WLAN 216 may support another RAT, such as Bluetooth. The N3IWF 250 may provide support for secure access of the UE 105 to other elements in the 5GCN 240 and / or may support interworking of one or more protocols used by the WLAN 216 and the UE 105 with one or more protocols used by other elements of the 5G CN 240 (such as the AMF 215). For example, the N3IWF 250 may support: IPSec tunnel establishment with the UE 105, termination of the IKEv2 / IPSec protocol with the UE 105, termination of the N2 and N3 interfaces with the 5G CN 240 for the control plane and the user plane, respectively, and relay of uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) control plane non-access stratum (NAS) signaling across the N1 interface between the UE 105 and the AMF 215. In some other embodiments, the WLAN 216 may be directly connected to elements in the 5G CN 240 (e.g., Figure 2 215) and not via the N3IWF 250. For example, a direct connection of the WLAN 216 to the 5GCN 240 may occur when the WLAN 216 is a trusted WLAN to the 5GCN 240 and may use a trusted WLAN interworking function (TWIF) ( Figure 2 It should be noted that although Figure 2 Only one WLAN 216 is shown in FIG. 2 , but some embodiments may include multiple WLANs 216 .

[0047] The access node may include any of a variety of network entities that enable communication between the UE 105 and the AMF 215. As noted, this may include a gNB 210, an ng-eNB 214, a WLAN 216, and / or other types of cellular base stations. However, the access node providing the functionality described herein may additionally or alternatively include a cellular network entity that enables communication with the UE 105. Figure 2Thus, as used in the embodiments described below, the term "access node" may include, but is not necessarily limited to, a gNB 210, an ng-eNB 214, or a WLAN 216.

[0048] In some embodiments, an access node (such as a gNB 210, ng-eNB 214, and / or WLAN 216) (alone or in combination with other components of the 5G NR communication and positioning system 200) may be configured to, in response to receiving a request for location information from LMF 220, obtain a location measurement for uplink (UL) signals received from UE 105 and / or obtain a DL location measurement obtained by UE 105 for downlink (DL) signals received by UE 105 from one or more access nodes. As noted, although Figure 2 The access nodes (gNB 210, ng-eNB 214, and WLAN 216) are depicted as being configured to communicate in accordance with 5G NR, LTE, and Wi-Fi communication protocols, respectively, but access nodes configured to communicate in accordance with other communication protocols may be used, such as, for example, a Node B using a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) protocol for a Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), an eNB using a LTE protocol for an Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), or a Bluetooth protocol for a WLAN. ® For example, in a 4G Evolved Packet System (EPS) that provides LTE radio access to UE 105, the RAN may include an E-UTRAN, which may include base stations including eNBs that support LTE radio access. The core network for the EPS may include an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). The EPS may then include the E-UTRAN plus the EPC, where Figure 2 , 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 may be applicable to such other networks.

[0049] The gNB 210 and ng-eNB 214 may communicate with the AMF 215, which communicates with the LMF 220 for positioning functionality. The AMF 215 may support mobility of the UE 105, including cell change and handover of the UE 105 from an access node of a first RAT (e.g., a gNB 210, ng-eNB 214, or WLAN 216) to an access node of a second RAT. The AMF 215 may also be involved in supporting signaling connections with the UE 105 and possibly supporting data and voice bearers for the UE 105. The LMF 220 may support positioning the UE 105 using a CP positioning solution when the UE 105 accesses the NG-RAN 235 or the WLAN 216, and may support positioning procedures and methods, including UE-assisted / UE-based and / or network-based procedures / methods, such as Assisted GNSS (A-GNSS), Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) (which may be referred to as Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) in NR), Frequency Difference of Arrival (FDOA), Real-Time Kinematics (RTK), Precise Point Positioning (PPP), Differential GNSS (DGNSS), Enhanced Cell ID (ECID), Angle of Arrival (AoA), Angle of Departure (AoD), WLAN positioning, Round Trip Signal Propagation Delay (RTT), Multi-Cell RTT, and / or other positioning procedures and methods. The LMF 220 may also process a location service request for the UE 105 received, for example, from the AMF 215 or from the GMLC 225. The LMF 220 may be connected to the AMF 215 and / or the 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 Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC) or a SUPL Location Platform (SLP). It should be noted that in some embodiments, at least a portion of the positioning functionality (including determining the location of UE 105) may be performed at UE 105 (e.g., by measuring downlink PRS (DL-PRS) signals sent by wireless nodes (such as gNB 210, ng-eNB 214 and / or WLAN 216), and / or using assistance data provided to UE 105 by, for example, LMF 220).

[0050] The Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 225 may support location requests for the UE 105 received from the external client 230, and may forward such location requests to the AMF 215 for forwarding by the AMF 215 to the LMF 220. A location response (e.g., including a location estimate for the UE 105) from the LMF 220 may similarly be returned to the GMLC 225 directly or via the AMF 215, and the GMLC 225 may then return the location response (e.g., including the location estimate) to the external client 230.

[0051] A network exposure function (NEF) 245 may be included in the 5GCN 240. The NEF 245 may support secure exposure of capabilities and events regarding the 5GCN 240 and the UE 105 to the external client 230, which may therefore be referred to as an access function (AF) and may enable secure provisioning of information from the external client 230 to the 5GCN 240. The NEF 245 may be connected to the AMF 215 and / or the GMLC 225 for obtaining a location (e.g., a municipal location) of the UE 105 and providing the location to the external client 230.

[0052] like Figure 2 As further illustrated, LMF 220 may communicate with gNB 210 and / or with ng-eNB 214 using NR Positioning Protocol Annex (NRPPa) as defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455. NRPPa messages may be transmitted between gNB 210 and LMF 220 and / or between ng-eNB 214 and LMF 220 via AMF 215. Figure 2 As further illustrated, the LMF 220 and the UE 105 may communicate using the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) as defined in 3GPP TS 37.355. Here, LPP messages may be transmitted between the UE 105 and the LMF 220 via the AMF 215 and the serving gNB 210-1 or the serving ng-eNB 214 of the UE 105. For example, the LPP messages may be transmitted between the LMF 220 and the AMF 215 using messages for service-based operations (e.g., based on the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)), and may be transmitted between the AMF 215 and the UE 105 using the 5G NAS protocol. The LPP protocol may be used to support positioning of the 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 may be used to support positioning of UE 105 using network-based positioning methods such as ECID, AoA, uplink TDOA (UL-TDOA), and / or may be used by LMF 220 to obtain location-related information from gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214, such as parameters defining DL-PRS transmissions from gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214.

[0053] In the case where the UE 105 accesses the WLAN 216, the LMF 220 may use NRPPa and / or LPP to obtain the location of the UE 105 in a manner similar to that just described for the UE 105 accessing the gNB 210 or ng-eNB 214. Thus, NRPPa messages may be transmitted between the WLAN 216 and the LMF 220 via the AMF 215 and the N3IWF 250 to support network-based positioning of the UE 105 and / or to transmit other location information from the WLAN 216 to the LMF 220. Alternatively, NRPPa messages may be transmitted between the N3IWF 250 and the LMF 220 via the AMF 215 to support network-based positioning of the UE 105 based on location-related information and / or location measurements that are known or accessible to the N3IWF 250 and transmitted from the N3IWF 250 to the LMF 220 using NRPPa. Similarly, LPP and / or LPP messages may be transmitted between the UE 105 and the LMF 220 via the AMF 215, the N3IWF 250, and the serving WLAN 216 of the UE 105 to support UE-assisted or UE-based positioning of the UE 105 by the LMF 220.

[0054] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a frame structure for NR and associated terminology, which may serve as the basis for physical layer communications between a UE and a base station / TRP. The transmit timeline for each of the downlink and uplink may be divided into units of radio frames. Each radio frame may have a predetermined duration (e.g., 10 ms) and may be divided into 10 subframes of 1 ms each with indices 0 to 9. Depending on the subcarrier spacing, each subframe may include a variable number of slots. Depending on the subcarrier spacing, each slot may include a variable number of symbol periods (e.g., 7 or 14 symbols). An index may be assigned to the symbol period in each slot. A microslot may include a subslot structure (e.g., 2, 3, or 3 symbols). In Figure 3 Additionally shown in FIG. 1 is the full orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) of a subframe, showing how a subframe can be divided into multiple resource blocks (RBs) across both time and frequency. A single RB can include a grid of resource elements (REs) spanning 14 symbols and 12 subcarriers.

[0055] Each symbol in a slot may be associated with a link direction (e.g., downlink (DL), uplink (UL), or flexible) data transmission, and the link direction for each subframe may be switched dynamically. The link direction may be based on the slot format. Each slot may include DL / UL data and DL / UL control information. In NR, a synchronization signal (SS) block is transmitted to provide OFDM synchronization and physical cell ID. The SS block or SSB includes a primary SS (PSS), a secondary SS (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The SS blocks may be sent in fixed slot positions, such as Figure 4 Symbols 0-3 are shown. PSS and SSS can be used by UE for cell search and cell acquisition. PSS can provide half-frame timing, and SS can provide cyclic prefix (CP) length and frame timing. PBCH carries some basic system information, such as downlink system bandwidth, timing information within a radio frame, SS burst set periodicity, system frame number, etc., which can be included in the master information block (MIB). An SS burst set includes a group of SSBs, each of which can potentially be sent on a different beam (for example, during beam scanning). An SSB can be sent in the first symbol of a time slot, such as Figure 3 shown.

[0056] Figure 4 is a diagram of the block structure of the SSB (SS / PBCH block). With respect to frequency, the SSB may span 20 RBs (240 subcarriers) in frequency, with the PSS and SSS centered on the frequency block spanned by the SSB. With respect to time, the SSB may span four consecutive OFDM symbols: the PSS and SSS may appear at symbols 0 and 2, respectively, and the PBCH may appear at OFDM symbols 1-3. The SSB may be sent at different periodicities; the default periodicity is 20ms. Other aspects of the SSB (which may have an impact on RF sensing capabilities) may vary depending on factors such as the center frequency (e.g., 3.5 GHz, 13 GHz, etc.) and / or the subcarrier spacing (SCS).

[0057] According to embodiments herein, SSBs, which are widely used in communication systems for synchronization and other purposes, can also be used to perform RF sensing for coarse target area detection before using other signals to perform accurate range and speed detection. For example, this can be done in a dual-static configuration, such as when a base station (e.g., gNB) sends a signal received by a UE and / or vice versa. In addition, in some embodiments, SS burst sets without beam scanning can be used for speed detection. Reusing existing communication SSBs for RF sensing in this manner can result in time and / or power savings compared to specific implementations that utilize separate signals to perform coarse target area detection.

[0058] As mentioned above, the RF sensing capability can vary depending on the center frequency and SCS. Table 1 below provides the SCS at 15kHz and 30kHz ( ) where the center frequency ( ) is 3.5GHz.

[0059]

[0060] Table 1: F c =RF sensing capability at 3.5GHz

[0061] In Table 1, is the CP duration, is the BW of SSB, is the duration of SSB, and is the OFDM symbol duration.

[0062] Table 2 below provides SCS at 120kHz and 240kHz similar to Table 1 ( ) sensing capability, and the center frequency ( ) is 13GHz.

[0063]

[0064] Table 2: F c =RF sensing capability at 13 GHz

[0065] It may be noted that in carrier aggregation (CA), some carriers (e.g., secondary cells or Scells) may not have SSB transmissions, and the time / frequency / spatial information is obtained from the anchor carrier (e.g., primary cell or Pcell). This feature was introduced in the relevant 3GPP wireless standard (Rel-15) for intra-band CA, and inter-band CA under Rel-18 NW energy saving is now being discussed. However, a cell may ultimately require SSB to transmit any channel / signal because all channels / signals have a quasi-co-location (QCL) that is ultimately rooted at SSB. Therefore, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the embodiments may utilize a QCL configuration for RF sensing in a carrier without SSB (herein, a "SSB-free carrier") to enable RF sensing using a reference signal (RS) such as a PRS.

[0066] Because SSB is a cell-based broadcast signal, from a network power saving perspective, an implementation may adopt a sensing procedure that may start with SSB-based target detection before transmitting dense sensing RSs for accurate target parameter estimation. To this end, an implementation may define two types of SSB, where Type 1 is a traditional or legacy SSB, and Type 2 is an enhanced SSB that can be used to support both RF sensing and initial access / mobility. Type 2 SSB may be configured to enhance target detection performance, where (i) each SS burst set may be transmitted without beam scanning, (ii) multiple SS burst sets may be configured with different beams, (iii) phase continuity may be guaranteed (at least within an SS burst), (iv) a longer burst duration is used for Doppler estimation (relative to Type 1 SSB), or any combination thereof. Therefore, relative to Type 1 SSB (legacy SSB), Type 2 SSB may allow better RF sensing, including better velocity estimation.

[0067] The use of these different classes of SSBs may vary depending on the desired functionality. According to one option, the UE may measure only Class 1 SSBs (legacy SSBs) by default. However, when the UE intends to perform RF sensing (e.g., alone or with a group of other UEs), the UE can request Class 2 SSBs from the network on demand to initiate a sensing session. According to another option, the UE may again measure only Class 1 SSBs (legacy SSBs), but may collect transmissions of Class 2 SSBs that are alerted by legacy SSBs. The UE can then decide whether to monitor Class 2 SSBs. Because Class 1 SSBs provide energy savings for the network, the default operation in either option provides energy savings in typical operation. According to these options, Class 2 SSBs may be sent as needed to perform RF sensing.

[0068] For non-SSB carriers, implementations may utilize QCL configurations to utilize RS for sensing (or positioning). In various aspects of wireless communication networks, including positioning and RF sensing, communicating QCL relationships to wireless devices enables wireless devices to effectively determine various wireless characteristics. Specifically, the QCL relationship indicates whether two signals (or functional channels) share common large-scale wireless properties (e.g., average delay, delay spread, Doppler shift, Doppler spread) and / or the same RX spatial filter. The QCL "type" may indicate what type of properties are shared. Current QCL types include QCL Type A (average delay, delay spread, Doppler shift, Doppler spread), QCL Type B (Doppler shift, Doppler spread), QCL Type C (average delay, Doppler shift), and QCL Type D (spatial RX relationship). Two signals that share a QCL relationship (e.g., one or more QCL types) may be described as "QCL's". In cellular networks (e.g., 5G networks), a Transmit Configuration Indication (TCI) may be used to indicate a QCL relationship.

[0069] Figure 5 is an illustration of two diagrams showing QCL relationships for DL ​​signals as currently defined in applicable cellular (5G) standards. Arrows pointing from one signal type to another indicate QCL relationships, with a particular type of QCL relationship being indicated by a labeled arrow label. For example, arrow 510 illustrates how SSB 520 acts as the default QCL reference for Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), and Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) signals. Figure 5 , the first group 530 illustrates how SSB 520 acts as a QCL reference for various non-SSB signals, including PDCCH, PDSCH, DMRS, channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) with tracking reference signal (TRS or trs)-Info (which indicates that the antenna port used for all non-zero power CSI-RS (NZP-CSI-RS) resources in the CSI-RS resource set is the same), CSI-RS with rep, and CSI RS without trs-Info or repetition ("rep."). The second group 540 shows a similar relationship between SSB 550 and non-SSB signals, including CSI-RS with repetition, periodic CSI-RS with trs-Info, and aperiodic CSI-RS with trs-Info. As shown, some non-SSB signals can act as QCLs for other non-SSB signals. However, the QCL relationships of all non-SSB signals in groups 530 and 540 can be traced back to the "root" SSBs 520 and 550, respectively.

[0070] Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5 , which shows the QCL relationship of a set of UL signals. Figure 5 For the group of DL signals shown, the QCL relationship of the non-SSB signals can be traced back to a "root" SSB 610. In this example, the non-SSB signals include CSI-RS, periodic sounding reference signal (SRS), semi-persistent SRS, aperiodic SRS, physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).

[0071] As described elsewhere herein, the non-SSB RS used for sensing or positioning herein may include Figure 5 (for DL ​​RS) or Figure 6 (for UL RS). That is, implementations are not necessarily limited to these types of non-SSB RS.

[0072] In the case where a wireless node (e.g., a base station or UE) in a wireless communication network utilizes both SSB carriers (Pcell) and non-SSB carriers (Scell) (e.g., for carrier aggregation), embodiments may use a QCL configuration to utilize RSs in the non-SSB carriers for sensing or positioning. In such embodiments, the RSs may include, for example, Figure 5 and Figure 6 Any of the non-SSB signals shown below. 7A to 7C Additional details are described on how this can be accomplished.

[0073] Fig. 7A is a diagram illustrating how a QCL relationship may be established to enable RF sensing or positioning using a non-SSB carrier according to some embodiments. Here, a Pcell 710 includes an SSB 720. However, a sensing RS (S-RS) 730 to be used for sensing or positioning is in an Scell ​​740. Thus, according to this example, the SSB 720 in the Pcell 710 may serve as a QCL reference for the S-RS 730 (in a manner similar to Figure 5 to Figure 6 According to some embodiments, S-RS 730 includes Figure 5 to Figure 6 Any non-SSB signal type as illustrated.

[0074] Figure 7B is similar to Fig. 7A , which illustrates an alternative implementation that some embodiments may employ. In this implementation, a periodic TRS (P-TRS) 760 in Scell ​​740 is used as an intermediate signal (or, in other words, an intermediate QCL reference) that acts as a QCL reference for S-RS 730, while also using SSB 720 of Pcell 710 as a QCL reference. It can be noted that, although Figure 7B The P-TRS 760 is illustrated as an intermediate signal, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Other non-SSB signal types (eg, other CSI-RS) in the Scell ​​740 may serve as intermediate signals.

[0075] Figure 7C is similar to Fig. 7A and Figure 7B , which illustrates another alternative implementation that some embodiments may employ. Here, the implementation utilizes an intermediate signal in Pcell 710 instead of using an intermediate signal in Scell ​​740. That is, P-TRS 770 (or other intermediate signal) in Pcell 710 is used as a QCL reference for S-RS 730, and SSB 720 is also used as a QCL reference.

[0076] It may be noted that the embodiments are not necessarily limited to 7A to 7C For example, some embodiments may utilize more than one intermediate signal, which may or may not be the same signal type. In addition, different intermediate signals may be in different cells. For example, one or more intermediate signals may be present in Pcell 710 and / or one or more intermediate signals may be present in Scell ​​740.

[0077] It may be noted that utilizing the SSB 720 in the Pcell 710 as a QCL reference for signals in the Scell ​​740 may be applicable in some cases and not applicable in other cases. The QCL relationship may be limited to certain QCL types based on the different frequencies used and / or the different locations between the Pcell 710 and the Scell ​​740. For example, when the Pcell 710 and the Scell ​​740 are co-located (e.g., at the same cellular tower of a base station), the QCL reference may be applicable to ensure correlation of channel characteristics, thereby allowing a QCL relationship to be established between the signals in the Pcell 710 and the Scell ​​740. In addition, because the wireless channel may change over time, the SSB 720 may serve as a QCL reference for the S-RS 730 (directly or indirectly through an intermediate signal) within a specific time threshold with respect to at least some QCL types.

[0078] It may be noted that coordination of the use of SSB and / or non-SSB signals for RF sensing may be coordinated in different ways, depending on the desired functionality. According to some embodiments, RF sensing may be performed by a server (e.g., Figure 1 Server 160 or Figure 2 In such an embodiment, the server may provide a sensing configuration to a base station (e.g., a gNB) to perform RF sensing (e.g., via a protocol such as NRPPa). The sensing configuration may include parameters such as a time period during which RF sensing is to be performed, an area that may be sensed by RF sensing, one or more quality metrics (spatial and / or Doppler resolution, etc.). In such an embodiment, the base station may forward the sensing configuration to the UE.

[0079] In some embodiments, the UE and the base station may communicate directly (e.g., via radio resource control (RRC), uplink control information (UCI) / downlink control information (DCI), medium access control-control element (MAC-CE), etc.). As noted, the UE may, for example, request a Class 2 SSB from the base station, in which case the base station may transmit an acknowledgment (ACK) and / or information indicating when the Class 2 SSB will be sent. For embodiments utilizing non-SSB signals for RF sensing, communications between the UE and the base station may include an indication of an S-RS for RF sensing (which may be a DL signal sent by the base station or a UL signal sent by the UE) and a QCL reference (e.g., an SSB or an intermediate signal), which may also include a QCL type.

[0080] The manner of reporting RF sensing measurements may also vary depending on the desired functionality. For embodiments in which a server coordinates RF sensing between a base station and a UE (which may include DL and / or UL signaling), a receiving device may (e.g., a UE or a base station) transmit measurement information to a server, wherein the measurement information is obtained by measuring an RF sensing signal (e.g., an SSB or S-RS as described in the embodiments herein). The transmitting device (base station or UE) may also transmit information about the transmitted signal to the server. The server may then process the information to identify the sensed object, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the receiving device may process the information and forward the information to the server. If a server is not involved, the receiving device may process the information to perform RF sensing, or report the measurement information to the transmitting device to enable the transmitting device to perform RF sensing (e.g., identify the sensed object, etc.).

[0081] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that alternative implementations may employ various combinations of the techniques described herein for sending sensing configuration information, reporting measurement information, and / or processing measurement information.

[0082] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a method for implementing RF sensing in a wireless communication network at a base station according to an embodiment. Figure 8 The functional components illustrated in one or more of the illustrated blocks may be performed by hardware and / or software components of a base station. Example components of a base station are illustrated in Fig.11 These example components are described in more detail below.

[0083] At block 810, functionality includes transmitting from a base station to a UE a message indicating that an RF sensing signal is to be used for RF sensing, wherein the message indicates that (i) the RF sensing signal includes an improved SSB for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility, or (ii) the RF sensing signal includes a non-SSB S-RS of the Scell ​​and has a QCL relationship with a root SSB of the Pcell. As previously noted, the improved SSB for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility may include Class 2 SSBs as previously described herein, wherein Class 1 SSBs may include legacy (non-improved) SSBs. Modifications to the improved SSBs may vary depending on the desired functionality. According to some embodiments, the improved SSBs may include SS burst sets transmitted without beam scanning, multiple SS burst sets in which each SSB is transmitted using a different beam for each SS burst set, SS burst sets in which phase continuity is guaranteed, or SS burst sets having a longer burst duration (e.g., tens of ms or longer) than a legacy SS burst set (e.g., 5 ms), or any combination thereof.

[0084] Means for performing the functionality at block 810 may include a bus 1105, a processor 1110, a digital signal processor (DSP) 1120, a wireless communication interface 1130, a memory 1160, and / or other components of the base station 1100, such as Fig.11 exemplified.

[0085] At box 810, functionality includes sending an RF sensing signal. As previously mentioned, the sending of the RF sensing signal may be in response to a request from the UE for such a signal (e.g., to improve SSB). Thus, according to some embodiments of method 800, the RF sensing signal may include improving SSB, and transmitting the RF transmit signal is in response to receiving a request for improving SSB from the UE at the base station. Additionally or alternatively, the transmission of the RF sensing signal may be triggered by a request and / or sensing configuration received from a server. As noted, in such embodiments, the base station may also provide information about the RF sensing signal to the server (e.g., timing, power, and / or other parameters) to enable the server to perform RF sensing based on measurements provided by the UE.

[0086] The means for performing the functionality at block 820 may include bus 1105, processor 1110, DSP 1120, wireless communication interface 1130, memory 1160, and / or other components of base station 1100, such as Fig.11 exemplified.

[0087] As described in detail elsewhere herein, embodiments may include one or more additional features, depending on the desired functionality. 7A to 7CAs indicated in the diagram of FIG. 1 , in the case of utilizing S-RS in a non-SSB carrier, the QCL relationship between the S-RS and the root SSB may be direct (e.g., as Fig. 7A ) or indirectly (e.g., via an intermediate signal, such as Figure 7B and Figure 7C ). Thus, for embodiments of method 800 in which the RF sensing signal includes an S-RS, the QCL relationship with the root SSB may include a QCL relationship with at least one intermediate signal having a QCL relationship with the root SSB. According to some embodiments, the at least one intermediate signal may include a periodic tracking reference signal (P-TRS). Additionally or alternatively, the at least one intermediate signal includes a signal of a Pcell, a signal of an Scell, or both.

[0088] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of a method for implementing RF sensing in a wireless communication network at a UE according to an embodiment. Figure 8 The method 800 may be performed by a base station, Fig. 9 Method 900 may represent corresponding functionality at a UE. Fig. 9 Means of functionality illustrated by one or more of the illustrated blocks may be performed by hardware and / or software components of the UE. Fig.10 Example components of a UE are illustrated in FIG. 4 , and are described in more detail below.

[0089] At block 910, functionality includes receiving, at a UE, a message from a base station indicating that an RF sensing signal is to be used for RF sensing, wherein the message indicates that (i) the RF sensing signal includes an improved SSB for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility, or (ii) the RF sensing signal includes a non-SSB S-RS of an Scell ​​and has a QCL relationship with a root SSB of a Pcell. Again, the improved SSB for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility may include Class 2 SSBs as previously described herein, wherein Class 1 SSBs may include legacy (non-improved) SSBs. According to some embodiments, the improved SSBs may include SS burst sets transmitted without beam scanning, multiple SS burst sets in which each SSB is transmitted using a different beam for each SS burst set, SS burst sets in which phase continuity is guaranteed, or SS burst sets having a longer burst duration (e.g., tens of ms or longer) than a legacy SS burst set (e.g., 5 ms), or any combination thereof.

[0090] Means for performing the functionality at block 910 may include bus 1005, processor 1010, DSP 1020, wireless communication interface 1030, memory 1060, and / or other components of UE 1000, such as Fig.10exemplified.

[0091] At box 920, functionality includes performing measurements of RF sensing signals. Specifically, the UE may perform a measurement to achieve RF sensing of one or more objects by measuring signals reflected from one or more objects. This may include, for example, channel impulse response (CIR), power, and / or other measurements of RF sensing signals (or more precisely, reflections of RF sensing signals from one or more objects) to determine the presence (and possible range and / or distance) of one or more objects. Therefore, some embodiments of method 900 may also include determining the presence of one or more objects based on measurements of RF sensing signals. In addition, as noted, the UE may report measurements and / or RF sensing determinations to another device such as a base station or a server. Thus, some embodiments of method 900 may also include transmitting a report indicating the presence of one or more objects to a base station, to a server, or to both. Some embodiments may also include transmitting a report indicating measurements to a base station, to a server, or to both.

[0092] Means for performing the functionality at block 920 may include bus 1005, processor 1010, DSP 1020, wireless communication interface 1030, memory 1060, and / or other components of UE 1000, such as Fig.10 exemplified.

[0093] As detailed in the embodiments provided herein, one or more additional features may be implemented depending on the desired functionality. For example, according to some embodiments in which the RF sensing signal includes an improved SSB, method 900 may also include transmitting a request for an improved SSB to a base station before receiving the message. According to some embodiments in which the RF sensing signal includes an S-RS, the QCL relationship with the root SSB may include a QCL relationship with at least one intermediate signal having a QCL relationship with the root SSB. In such embodiments, the at least one intermediate signal may include a periodic tracking reference signal (P-TRS). Additionally or alternatively, the at least one intermediate signal includes a signal of a Pcell, a signal of an Scell, or both.

[0094] Fig.10 is a block diagram of an embodiment of UE 1000, which may be utilized as described above (eg, in conjunction with the aforementioned figures). It should be noted that Fig.10 It is intended only to provide a generalized illustration of the various components, any or all of which may be utilized as appropriate. In addition, the functionality of the UE discussed herein may be provided by Fig.10 One or more of the illustrated hardware and / or software components execute.

[0095] UE 1000 is shown as including hardware elements that may be electrically coupled via bus 1005 (or may communicate in other ways as appropriate). The hardware elements may include a processor 1010, which may include, but is 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 acceleration processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.), and / or other processing structures or components. Processor 1010 may include one or more processing units, which may be housed in a single integrated circuit (IC) or multiple ICs. Fig.10 As shown, some embodiments may have a separate DSP 1020, depending on the desired functionality. Position determination and / or other determinations based on wireless communication (discussed below) may be provided in the processor 1010 and / or the wireless communication interface 1030. The UE 1000 may also include one or more input devices 1070, which may include but are not limited to one or more keyboards, touch screens, touch pads, microphones, buttons, dials, switches, etc.; and one or more output devices 1015, which may include but are not limited to one or more displays (e.g., touch screens), light emitting diodes (LEDs), speakers, etc.

[0096] UE 1000 may also include a wireless communication interface 1030, 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 a Bluetooth ® Device, IEEE 802.11 device, IEEE 802.15.4 device, Wi-Fi device, WiMAX device, WAN device and / or various cellular devices, etc.), etc., the wireless communication interface may enable UE 1000 to communicate with other devices as described in the above embodiments. The wireless communication interface 1030 may allow the TRP of the network to communicate (e.g., send and receive) data and signaling, such as via 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 communicatively coupled to the TRP, as described herein. Communication may be performed via one or more wireless communication antennas 1032 that transmit and / or receive wireless signals 1034. According to some embodiments, the wireless communication antenna 1032 may include multiple discrete antennas, antenna arrays, or any combination thereof. The antenna 1032 may be capable of using beams (e.g., Tx beams and Rx beams) to send and receive wireless signals. Beamforming may be performed using digital and / or analog beamforming techniques with corresponding digital and / or analog circuitry. Wireless communication interface 1030 may include such circuitry.

[0097] Depending on the desired functionality, the wireless communication interface 1030 may include separate receivers and transmitters, or any combination of transceivers, transmitters, and / or receivers to communicate with base stations (e.g., ng-eNBs and gNBs) and other terrestrial transceivers (such as wireless devices and access points). The UE 1000 may communicate with different data networks, which may include various network types. For example, one such network type may include a wireless wide area network (WWAN), which may be a code division multiple access (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 the like. A CDMA network may implement one or more radio access technologies (RATs), such as CDMA2000. ® , Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), etc. CDMA2000 ® Includes IS-95, IS-2000, and / or IS-856 standards. A TDMA network may implement Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System (D-AMPS), or some other RAT. An OFDMA network may employ Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE, Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR), and the like. 5G NR, LTE, Advanced LTE, GSM, and WCDMA are described in documents from the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). CDMA2000 ® Described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2). 3GPP and 3GPP2 documents are publicly available. A wireless local area network (WLAN) may also be an IEEE 802.11x network, while a wireless personal area network (WPAN) may be a Bluetooth network, IEEE 802.15x, or some other type of network. The techniques described herein may also be used for any combination of WWAN, WLAN, and / or WPAN.

[0098] UE 1000 may also include sensors 1040. Sensors 1040 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 location-related measurements and / or other information.

[0099] Embodiments of UE 1000 may also include a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver 1080 that is capable of receiving signals 1084 from one or more GNSS satellites using antenna 1082 (which may be the same as antenna 1032). Positioning based on GNSS signal measurements may be used to supplement and / or incorporate the techniques described herein. GNSS receiver 1080 may use conventional techniques to extract the positioning of UE 1000 from GNSS satellites of GNSS systems such as Global Positioning System (GPS), Galileo, GLONASS, Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) covering Japan, IRNSS covering India, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) covering China, etc. In addition, the GNSS receiver 1080 may be used with various augmentation systems, such as a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS), which may be associated with or otherwise enabled for use 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 Overlay Service (EGNOS), the Multifunction Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), and the Geographic Augmentation Navigation System (GAGAN), among others.

[0100] It may be pointed out that although Fig.10 1080 is illustrated as a different component, but the embodiments are not limited thereto. As used herein, the term "GNSS receiver" may include hardware and / or software components configured to obtain GNSS measurements (measurements from GNSS satellites). Therefore, in some embodiments, the GNSS receiver may include (as software) a measurement engine executed by one or more processors (such as processor 1010, DSP 1020, and / or a processor within wireless communication interface 1030 (e.g., in a modem)). The GNSS receiver may also optionally include a positioning engine that can use GNSS measurements from the measurement engine to determine the positioning of the GNSS receiver using an extended Kalman filter (EKF), weighted least squares (WLS), a particle filter, etc. The positioning engine may also be executed by one or more processors such as processor 1010 or DSP 1020.

[0101] UE 1000 may also include and / or be in communication with memory 1060. Memory 1060 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 may be configured to implement any suitable data storage, including but not limited to various file systems, database structures, etc.

[0102] The memory 1060 of the UE 1000 may also include software elements ( Fig.10 1000 ), including an operating system, device drivers, executable libraries, and / or other code (such as one or more applications), which 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 1060 that can be executed by UE 1000 (and / or processor 1010 or DSP 1020 within UE 1000). Then, in some embodiments, such code and / or instructions may 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.

[0103] Fig.11 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a base station 1100, which may be utilized as described above (with respect to a base station and / or a transmit reception point (TRP)). It should be noted that Fig.11 It is intended only to provide a generalized illustration of the various components, any or all of which may be utilized as appropriate. In some embodiments, the base station 1100 may correspond to a gNB, an ng-eNB, and / or (more generally) a TRP. In some cases, the base station 1100 may include multiple TRPs—for example, where each TRP is associated with a different antenna or a different antenna array (e.g., 1132) of the base station 1100. As used herein, the transmit functionality of the TRP may be performed using a transmit point (TP), and / or the receive functionality of the TRP may be performed by a receive point (RP), which may be physically separate or distinct from the TP. That is, the TRP may include both a TP and an RP.

[0104] In view of the open radio access network (O-RAN) and / or virtualized radio access network (V-RAN or vRAN) in 5G or higher networks, the functionality performed by the base station 1100 in earlier networks (e.g., 3G and 4G) may be divided into different functional components (e.g., radio unit (RU), distributed unit (DU), and central unit (CU)) and layers (e.g., L1 / L2 / L3), which may be executed on different devices at different locations connected, for example, via fronthaul connections, midhaul connections, and backhaul connections. As referred to herein, a "base station" (or ng-eNB, gNB, etc.) may include any or all of these functional components. The functionality of these functional components may be performed by Fig.11 One or more of the illustrated hardware and / or software components execute.

[0105] Base station 1100 is shown as including hardware elements that may be electrically coupled via bus 1105 (or may communicate in other ways as appropriate). The hardware elements may include a processor 1110, which may include, but is not limited to, one or more general-purpose processors, one or more special-purpose processors (such as digital signal processor (DSP) chips, graphics acceleration processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.), and / or other processing structures or components. Fig.11 As shown, some embodiments may have a separate DSP 1120, depending on the desired functionality. According to some embodiments, wireless communication-based position determination and / or other determinations may be provided in the processor 1110 and / or the wireless communication interface 1130 (discussed below). The base station 1100 may also include one or more input devices, which may include but are not limited to a keyboard, a display, a mouse, a microphone, buttons, a dial, a switch, etc.; and one or more output devices, which may include but are not limited to a display, a light emitting diode (LED), a speaker, etc.

[0106] The base station 1100 may also include a wireless communication interface 1130, 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 a Bluetooth Device, IEEE 802.11 device, IEEE 802.15.4 device, Wi-Fi device, WiMAX device, cellular communication facility, etc.), etc., the wireless communication interface may enable the base station 1100 to communicate as described herein. The wireless communication interface 1130 may permit the communication (e.g., sending and receiving) of data and signaling to UE, other base stations / TRPs (e.g., eNB, gNB and ng-eNB) and / or other network components, computer systems and / or other electronic devices described herein. Communication may be performed via one or more wireless communication antennas 1132 that transmit and / or receive wireless signals 1134. According to some embodiments, the one or more wireless communication antennas 1132 may include one or more antenna arrays capable of beamforming.

[0107] The base station 1100 may also include a network interface 1180, which may include support for wired communication technologies. The network interface 1180 may include a modem, a network card, a chipset, etc. The network interface 1180 may include one or more input and / or output communication interfaces to permit data to be exchanged with a network, a communication network server, a computer system, and / or any other electronic device described herein.

[0108] In many embodiments, the base station 1100 may also include a memory 1160. The memory 1160 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 may be configured to implement any suitable data storage, including, but not limited to, various file systems, database structures, etc.

[0109] The memory 1160 of the base station 1100 may also include software elements ( Fig.11 1100 ), including an operating system, device drivers, executable libraries, and / or other code (such as one or more applications), which 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 1160 that can be executed by base station 1100 (and / or processor 1110 or DSP 1120 within base station 1100). Then, in some embodiments, such code and / or instructions may 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.

[0110] Fig.12 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a computer system 1200 that may be used in whole or in part to provide the functionality of one or more components and / or devices as described in the embodiments herein, including a server that communicates with a base station and a UE to coordinate RF sensing as described in the embodiments herein. This may include, for example, a computer server, a personal computer, a personal electronic device, etc. It should be noted that Fig.12 It is intended only to provide a generalized illustration of the various components, any or all of which may be utilized as appropriate. Fig.12 Broadly illustrates how various system elements can be implemented in a relatively separate or relatively more integrated manner. In addition, it can be noted that Fig.12 The illustrated components may be localized to a single device and / or distributed among various networked devices that may be located at different geographical locations.

[0111] The computer system 1200 is shown to include hardware elements that can be electrically coupled via a bus 1205 (or can communicate in other ways as appropriate). The hardware elements may include a processor 1210, which may include but is not limited to one or more general-purpose processors, one or more special-purpose processors (such as digital signal processing chips, graphics acceleration processors, etc.) and / or other processing structures, which can be configured to perform one or more of the methods described herein. The computer system 1200 may also include one or more input devices 1215, which may include but are not limited to a mouse, a keyboard, a camera, a microphone, etc.; and one or more output devices 1220, which may include but are not limited to a display device, a printer, etc.

[0112] The computer system 1200 may also include (and / or communicate with) one or more non-transitory storage devices 1225, which may include, but are not limited to, local and / or network accessible storage devices, and / or may include, but are not limited to, 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 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 to one or more devices via the hub, as described herein.

[0113] The computer system 1200 may also include a communication subsystem 1230, which may include wireless communication technologies managed and controlled by a wireless communication interface 1233, as well as wired technologies (such as Ethernet, coaxial communication, universal serial bus (USB), etc.). The wireless communication interface 1233 may include one or more wireless transceivers, which may transmit and receive wireless signals 1255 (e.g., signals according to 5G NR or LTE) via a wireless antenna 1250. Thus, the communication subsystem 1230 may include a modem, a network card (wireless or wired), an infrared communication device, a wireless communication device and / or a chipset, etc., which may enable the computer system 1200 to communicate with any device on the corresponding network (including user equipment (UE), base station and / or other transmission / reception point (TRP), and / or any other electronic device described herein) on any or all of the communication networks described herein. Therefore, the communication subsystem 1230 can be used to receive and transmit data, as described in the embodiments of this article.

[0114] In many embodiments, the computer system 1200 will also include a working memory 1235, which may include a RAM or ROM device, as described above. The software elements shown as being located within the working memory 1235 may include an operating system 1240, device drivers, executable libraries, and / or other code (such as one or more application programs 1245), 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 of the procedures described with respect to the methods discussed above may be implemented as code and / or instructions that can be executed by a computer (and / or a processor within a computer); then, in one aspect, such code and / or instructions may 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.

[0115] The set of these instructions and / or codes may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (such as the storage device 1225 described above). In some cases, the storage medium may be incorporated into a computer system such as computer system 1200. In other embodiments, the storage medium may be separate from the computer system (e.g., removable media such as an optical disk), and / or may be provided in the form of an installation package so that the storage medium can be used to program, configure, and / or adapt a general-purpose computer using the instructions / codes stored thereon. These instructions may take the form of executable code that can be executed by the computer system 1200, and / or may take the form of source code and / or installable code that, when compiled and / or installed on the computer system 1200 (e.g., using any of a variety of commonly available compilers, installers, compression / decompression utilities, etc.), takes the form of executable code.

[0116] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that substantial modifications may be made according to specific requirements. For example, customized hardware may also be used, and / or specific elements may be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software, such as applets, etc.), or both. In addition, connections to other computing devices such as network input / output devices may be employed.

[0117] With reference to the accompanying drawings, components that may include memory may include non-transitory machine-readable media. As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" refer to any storage medium that participates in providing data that causes a machine to operate in a particular manner. In the embodiments provided above, various machine-readable media may be involved when providing instructions / codes to a processor and / or other devices for execution. Additionally or alternatively, machine-readable media may be used to store and / or carry such instructions / codes. In many specific implementations, computer-readable media are physical and / or tangible storage media. Such media may take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile media and volatile media. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example: magnetic and / or optical media, any other physical media with hole patterns, RAM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or memory box, or any other medium from which a computer can read instructions and / or codes.

[0118] The methods, systems and devices discussed herein are examples. Various embodiments may omit, replace or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For example, the features described in certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the embodiments may be combined in a similar manner. The various components of the drawings provided herein may be embodied in hardware and / or software. In addition, technology may evolve, and therefore many elements are examples, which do not limit the scope of the present disclosure to those specific examples.

[0119] It has proven convenient at times, primarily for reasons of common usage, to refer to such signals as bits, information, values, elements, symbols, characters, variables, terms, numbers, digital symbols, and the like. However, it should be understood that all of these or similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels. Unless otherwise specifically stated, as will be apparent from the above discussion, it should be understood that throughout this specification, discussions utilizing terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "ascertaining," "identifying," "correlating," "measuring," "performing," and the like refer to the actions or processes of a particular device such as a special-purpose computer or similar special-purpose electronic computing device. Thus, in the context of this specification, a special-purpose computer or similar special-purpose electronic computing device is capable of manipulating or transforming signals, typically represented as physical, electronic, electrical, or magnetic quantities in a memory, register, or other information storage device, a transmitting device, or a display device of the special-purpose computer or similar special-purpose electronic computing device.

[0120] As used herein, the terms "and" and "or" may include multiple meanings that are also intended to depend at least in part on the context in which such terms are used. Generally, "or", if used in association with a list, such as A, B, or C, is intended to represent A, B, and C (inclusive meanings are used here) as well as A, B, or C (exclusive meanings are used here). In addition, as used herein, the term "one or more" may be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in the singular form, or may be used to describe a certain combination of features, structures, or characteristics. However, it should be noted that this is merely an illustrative example, and the subject matter claimed is not limited to this example. In addition, the term "at least one of...", if used in association with a list, such as A, B, or C, may be interpreted to represent any combination of A, B, and / or C, such as A, AB, AA, AAB, AABBCCC, etc.

[0121] Several embodiments have been described, and various modifications, alternative configurations, and equivalents may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the above elements may be components of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedence over the application of the various embodiments or otherwise modify the application of the various embodiments. In addition, multiple steps may be performed before, during, or after considering the above elements. Accordingly, the above description does not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0122] In view of this description, various embodiments may include different combinations of features. Specific implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0123] Clause 1. A method for implementing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication network at a base station, the method comprising: transmitting a message from the base station to a user equipment (UE) indicating that an RF sensing signal is to be used for the RF sensing, wherein the message indicates: the RF sensing signal includes an improved synchronization signal block (SSB) for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility, or the RF sensing signal includes a non-SSB sensing reference signal (S-RS) of a secondary cell (Scell) and has a quasi co-location (QCL) relationship with a root SSB of a primary cell (Pcell); and sending the RF sensing signal.

[0124] Clause 2. A method according to clause 1, wherein the improved SSB comprises: an SS burst set transmitted without beam scanning, multiple SS burst sets in which each SSB is transmitted using a different beam for each SS burst set, SS burst sets in which phase continuity is guaranteed, or SS burst sets having a longer burst duration than conventional SS burst sets, or any combination thereof.

[0125] Clause 3. A method as described in any of clauses 1 to 2, wherein the RF sensing signal includes the Improved SSB, and transmitting the RF transmit signal is in response to receiving a request for the Improved SSB from the UE at the base station.

[0126] Clause 4. A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 2, wherein the RF sensing signal includes the S-RS, and wherein the QCL relationship with the root SSB includes a QCL relationship with at least one intermediate signal, and the at least one intermediate signal has a QCL relationship with the root SSB.

[0127] Clause 5. The method of clause 4, wherein the at least one intermediate signal comprises a periodic tracking reference signal (P-TRS).

[0128] Clause 6. The method of any one of clauses 4 to 5, wherein the at least one intermediate signal comprises a signal of the Pcell, a signal of the Scell, or both.

[0129] Clause 7. A method for implementing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication network at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving, at the UE, a message from a base station indicating that an RF sensing signal is to be used for the RF sensing, wherein the message indicates: the RF sensing signal includes an improved synchronization signal block (SSB) for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility, or the RF sensing signal includes a non-SSB sensing reference signal (S-RS) of a secondary cell (Scell) and has a quasi co-location (QCL) relationship with a root SSB of a primary cell (Pcell); and performing measurement of the RF sensing signal.

[0130] Clause 8. The method of Clause 7, further comprising determining the presence of one or more objects based on the measurements of the RF sensing signals.

[0131] Clause 9. The method of clause 8, further comprising transmitting a report indicating the presence of the one or more objects to the base station, to a server, or to both.

[0132] Clause 10. The method of clause 7, further comprising transmitting a report indicating the measurement to the base station, to a server, or to both.

[0133] Clause 11. A method according to any one of clauses 7 to 10, wherein the improved SSB comprises: an SS burst set transmitted without beam scanning, multiple SS burst sets in which each SSB is transmitted using a different beam for each SS burst set, SS burst sets in which phase continuity is guaranteed, or SS burst sets having a longer burst duration than conventional SS burst sets, or any combination thereof.

[0134] Clause 12. The method of any one of clauses 7 to 11, wherein the RF sensing signal comprises the Improved SSB, and wherein the method further comprises transmitting a request for the Improved SSB to the base station prior to receiving the message.

[0135] Clause 13. A method according to any one of clauses 7 to 11, wherein the RF sensing signal includes the S-RS, and wherein the QCL relationship with the root SSB includes a QCL relationship with at least one intermediate signal, the at least one intermediate signal having a QCL relationship with the root SSB.

[0136] Clause 14. The method of clause 13, wherein the at least one intermediate signal comprises a periodic tracking reference signal (P-TRS).

[0137] Clause 15. The method of any of clauses 13 to 14, wherein the at least one intermediate signal comprises a signal of the Pcell, a signal of the Scell, or both.

[0138] Clause 16. A base station for implementing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication network, the base station comprising: a transceiver; a memory; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: transmit a message to a user equipment (UE) via the transceiver indicating that an RF sensing signal is to be used for the RF sensing, wherein the message indicates: the RF sensing signal includes an improved synchronization signal block (SSB) for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility, or the RF sensing signal includes a non-SSB sensing reference signal (S-RS) of a secondary cell (Scell) and has a quasi co-location (QCL) relationship with a root SSB of a primary cell (Pcell); and send the RF sensing signal via the transceiver.

[0139] Clause 17. A base station according to clause 16, wherein the one or more processors are configured to include in the improved SSB: an SS burst set transmitted without beam scanning, multiple SS burst sets in which each SSB is transmitted using a different beam for each SS burst set, SS burst sets in which phase continuity is guaranteed, or SS burst sets having a longer burst duration than conventional SS burst sets, or any combination thereof.

[0140] Clause 18. A base station as described in any of clauses 16 to 17, wherein the one or more processors are configured to transmit an RF transmit signal in response to receiving a request for the Improved SSB from the UE via the transceiver.

[0141] Clause 19. A base station according to any one of clauses 16 to 17, wherein the one or more processors are configured to include in the message an indication of a QCL relationship with the root SSB including a QCL relationship with at least one intermediate signal, the at least one intermediate signal having a QCL relationship with the root SSB.

[0142] Clause 20. The base station of clause 19, wherein the one or more processors are configured to indicate that the at least one intermediate signal comprises a periodic tracking reference signal (P-TRS).

[0143] Clause 21. A base station as described in any of clauses 19 to 20, wherein the one or more processors are configured to indicate that the at least one intermediate signal includes a signal of the Pcell, a signal of the Scell, or both.

[0144] Clause 22. A user equipment (UE) for implementing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication network, the UE comprising: a transceiver; a memory; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: receive a message from a base station via the transceiver indicating that an RF sensing signal is to be used for the RF sensing, wherein the message indicates: the RF sensing signal includes an improved synchronization signal block (SSB) for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility, or the RF sensing signal includes a non-SSB sensing reference signal (S-RS) of a secondary cell (Scell) and has a quasi co-location (QCL) relationship with a root SSB of a primary cell (Pcell); and perform measurement of the RF sensing signal.

[0145] Clause 23. The UE of clause 22, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine the presence of one or more objects based on the measurements of the RF sensing signals.

[0146] Clause 24. The UE of clause 23, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit a report indicating the presence of the one or more objects to the base station, to a server, or to both.

[0147] Clause 25. The UE of clause 22, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit a report indicative of the measurement to the base station, to a server, or to both.

[0148] Clause 26. A UE according to any one of clauses 22 to 25, wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive in the improved SSB: an SS burst set sent without beam scanning, multiple SS burst sets in which each SSB is sent using a different beam for each SS burst set, SS burst sets in which phase continuity is guaranteed, or SS burst sets having a longer burst duration than conventional SS burst sets, or any combination thereof.

[0149] Clause 27. A UE as described in any of clauses 22 to 26, wherein the one or more processors are configured to transmit a request for the improved SSB to the base station before receiving the message.

[0150] Clause 28. A UE according to any one of clauses 22 to 26, wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive the RF sensing signal including the S-RS and the QCL relationship with the root SSB includes an indication of a QCL relationship with at least one intermediate signal, the at least one intermediate signal having a QCL relationship with the root SSB.

[0151] Clause 29. The UE of clause 28, wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive an indication that the at least one intermediate signal comprises a periodic tracking reference signal (P-TRS).

[0152] Clause 30. A UE as described in any of clauses 28 to 29, wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive an indication that the at least one intermediate signal includes a signal of the Pcell, a signal of the Scell, or both.

[0153] Clause 31. An apparatus having means for performing the method of any one of clauses 1 to 15.

[0154] Clause 32. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions comprising code for performing the method of any one of clauses 1 to 15.

Claims

1. A method for implementing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication network at a base station, the method comprising: A message is transmitted from the base station to a user equipment (UE) indicating that an RF sensing signal is to be used for the RF sensing, wherein the message indicates: (i) the RF sensing signal includes an improved synchronization signal block (SSB) for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility, or (ii) the RF sensing signal includes a non-SSB sensing reference signal (S-RS) of a secondary cell (Scell) and has a quasi co-location (QCL) relationship with a root SSB of a primary cell (Pcell); as well as The RF sensing signal is transmitted.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said improving SSB comprises: The set of SS bursts sent without beam scanning, For each SS burst set, multiple SS burst sets of each SSB are sent using different beams. The set of SS bursts that ensure phase continuity, or SS burst sets with longer burst durations than conventional SS burst sets, or Any combination of them.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the RF sensing signal includes the Improved SSB, and transmitting the RF transmit signal is in response to receiving a request for the Improved SSB from the UE at the base station.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the RF sensing signal comprises the S-RS, and wherein the QCL relationship with the root SSB comprises a QCL relationship with at least one intermediate signal, the at least one intermediate signal having a QCL relationship with the root SSB. The method of claim 4 , wherein the at least one intermediate signal comprises a periodic tracking reference signal (P-TRS). 6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the at least one intermediate signal comprises a signal of the Pcell, a signal of the Scell, or both.

7. A method of implementing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication network at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving, at the UE from a base station, a message indicating that an RF sensing signal is to be used for the RF sensing, wherein the message indicates: (i) the RF sensing signal includes an improved synchronization signal block (SSB) for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility, or (ii) the RF sensing signal includes a non-SSB sensing reference signal (S-RS) of a secondary cell (Scell) and has a quasi co-location (QCL) relationship with a root SSB of a primary cell (Pcell); as well as Measurement of the RF sensing signal is performed. 8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising determining the presence of one or more objects based on the measurements of the RF sensing signals.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising transmitting a report indicating the presence of the one or more objects to the base station, to a server, or to both.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising transmitting a report indicating the measurement to the base station, to a server, or to both.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said improving SSB comprises: The set of SS bursts sent without beam scanning, For each SS burst set, multiple SS burst sets of each SSB are sent using different beams. The set of SS bursts that ensure phase continuity, or SS burst sets with longer burst durations than conventional SS burst sets, or Any combination of them.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the RF sensing signal comprises the Improved SSB, and wherein the method further comprises transmitting a request for the Improved SSB to the base station before receiving the message.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the RF sensing signal comprises the S-RS, and wherein the QCL relationship with the root SSB comprises a QCL relationship with at least one intermediate signal, the at least one intermediate signal having a QCL relationship with the root SSB.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one intermediate signal comprises a periodic tracking reference signal (P-TRS).

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one intermediate signal comprises a signal of the Pcell, a signal of the Scell, or both.

16. A base station for implementing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication network, the base station comprising: Transceiver; Memory; as well as one or more processors communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: transmitting, via the transceiver, to a user equipment (UE), a message indicating that an RF sensing signal is to be used for the RF sensing, wherein the message indicates: The RF sensing signal includes an improved synchronization signal block (SSB) for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility, or The RF sensing signal includes a non-SSB sensing reference signal (S-RS) of a secondary cell (Scell) and has a quasi co-location (QCL) relationship with a root SSB of a primary cell (Pcell); as well as The RF sensing signal is transmitted via the transceiver.

17. The base station of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are configured to include in the improved SSB: The set of SS bursts sent without beam scanning, For each SS burst set, multiple SS burst sets of each SSB are sent using different beams. The set of SS bursts that ensure phase continuity, or SS burst sets with longer burst durations than conventional SS burst sets, or Any combination of them.

18. The base station of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are configured to transmit an RF transmit signal in response to receiving a request for the improved SSB from the UE via the transceiver.

19. A base station according to claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are configured to include in the message an indication of a QCL relationship with the root SSB including a QCL relationship with at least one intermediate signal, wherein the at least one intermediate signal has a QCL relationship with the root SSB.

20. The base station of claim 19, wherein the one or more processors are configured to indicate that the at least one intermediate signal comprises a periodic tracking reference signal (P-TRS).

21. The base station of claim 19, wherein the one or more processors are configured to indicate that the at least one intermediate signal comprises a signal of the Pcell, a signal of the Scell, or both.

22. A user equipment (UE) for implementing radio frequency (RF) sensing in a wireless communication network, the UE comprising: Transceiver; Memory; as well as one or more processors communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: receiving, via the transceiver, from a base station a message indicating that an RF sensing signal is to be used for the RF sensing, wherein the message indicates: The RF sensing signal includes an improved synchronization signal block (SSB) for supporting both sensing and initial access / mobility, or The RF sensing signal includes a non-SSB sensing reference signal (S-RS) of a secondary cell (Scell) and has a quasi co-location (QCL) relationship with a root SSB of a primary cell (Pcell); as well as Measurement of the RF sensing signal is performed.

23. The UE of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine the presence of one or more objects based on the measurements of the RF sensing signals.

24. The UE of claim 23, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit a report indicating the presence of the one or more objects to the base station, to a server, or to both.

25. The UE of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit a report indicating the measurement to the base station, to a server, or to both.

26. The UE of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive in the improved SSB: The set of SS bursts sent without beam scanning, For each SS burst set, multiple SS burst sets of each SSB are sent using different beams. The set of SS bursts that ensure phase continuity, or SS burst sets with longer burst durations than conventional SS burst sets, or Any combination of them.

27. The UE of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are configured to transmit a request for the improved SSB to the base station before receiving the message.

28. The UE of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive an indication that the RF sensing signal includes the S-RS and the QCL relationship with the root SSB includes a QCL relationship with at least one intermediate signal, the at least one intermediate signal having a QCL relationship with the root SSB.

29. The UE of claim 28, wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive an indication that the at least one intermediate signal comprises a periodic tracking reference signal (P-TRS).

30. The UE of claim 28, wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive an indication that the at least one intermediate signal comprises a signal of the Pcell, a signal of the Scell, or both.

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