Method and apparatus for joint communication and sensing

Abstract

An example embodiment of the present disclosure discloses a serving base station serving a user equipment, comprising components for: transmitting a scheduling grant for uplink transmission to the user equipment; transmitting sensing support information associated with the scheduling grant to at least one support base station; receiving an uplink transmission from the user equipment according to the scheduling grant; sensing information is determined based on the received uplink transmission. The invention further discloses a method executed by the service base station. A supporting base station supports a serving base station serving a user equipment in a sensing operation; a method performed by the supporting base station; a sensing management function; comprising means for performing a sensing management function, and a system comprising at least one user equipment, at least one serving base station and at least one supporting base station.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and in particular to cellular communication systems (e.g. 5G Advanced, 6G or future standards). More specifically, the present disclosure relates to so-called joint communication and sensing in such systems, and in particular uplink multi-static sensing in such systems. The present disclosure relates in particular to a serving base station serving a user equipment, a method performed by a serving base station, a supporting base station supporting the serving base station serving the user equipment in a sensing operation, a method performed by a supporting base station, and a sensing management function. Background Art

[0002] A telecommunication system including a serving base station and a supporting base station has been introduced for uplink transmission processing. In some implementations, the user equipment, the serving base station and at least one supporting base station are configured for uplink (UL) based multi-static user equipment (UE) sensing. Summary of the invention

[0003] While the so-called sensing in joint communication and sensing can be achieved by multiplexing a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) waveform with communication, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) radar technology forms an attractive waveform basis for multiplexing communication and sensing signals.

[0004] In order to perform sensing using OFDM radar technology, the transmitted signal should be known at the receiver, allowing equalization of the output transmitted data and obtaining channel state information (CSI). The CSI can then be used to extract sensing information which is outside the scope of this document. When using uplink transmission, sensing can be performed in two different ways.

[0005] In a first aspect, sensing can be based on the use of uplink pilot information. For example, as in known positioning operations, an uplink sounding reference signal (SRS) with an adapted configuration can be used for sensing purposes. Channel state information can be obtained by equalizing the output of a known transmitted SRS from the received signal.

[0006] On the other hand, sensing can be performed by using both uplink pilot information and uplink data. The received data can be decoded and remodulated even if the receiver does not know the transmitted data. The effect of the known transmitted data can then be equalized out of the received signal to obtain channel state information.

[0007] The present disclosure focuses on the latter option, where it is desirable to implement efficient uplink multi-static sensing operations in a data channel. Specifically, it is desirable to allow at least one sensing receiver to obtain transmitted data signals and / or data symbols and their corresponding mapping in a frame structure without severely impacting hardware requirements and signaling overhead. In general, it is desirable to optimize uplink data channel procedures and / or operations to enhance sensing performance.

[0008] It is worth noting that certain embodiments of the present disclosure may have the effect of enabling the UE to efficiently notify the network of position estimation results (such as GNSS position estimation). Certain embodiments may have the technical effect of reducing or minimizing network signaling overhead and energy consumption at the UE.

[0009] In a first example aspect, a serving base station serving a user equipment is disclosed, comprising components for: sending a scheduling grant for uplink transmission to the user equipment; sending sensing support information associated with the scheduling grant to at least one supporting base station; and receiving uplink transmission from the user equipment based on the scheduling grant.

[0010] In a second example aspect, a method performed by a serving base station is disclosed, the method comprising: sending a scheduling grant for uplink transmission to a user equipment; sending sensing support information associated with the scheduling grant to at least one supporting base station; and receiving uplink transmission from the user equipment based on the scheduling grant.

[0011] In a third example aspect, a supporting base station is disclosed for supporting a serving base station serving a user equipment in a sensing operation, comprising components for: receiving sensing support information associated with a scheduling grant from the serving base station, wherein the scheduling grant relates to an uplink transmission sent by the user equipment and intended for the serving base station; and receiving an uplink transmission from the user equipment based on the sensing support information.

[0012] In a fourth example aspect, a method performed by a supporting base station is disclosed, the method comprising: receiving sensing support information associated with a scheduling grant from a serving base station, wherein the scheduling grant relates to an uplink transmission sent by a user equipment and intended for the serving base station; and receiving an uplink transmission from the user equipment based on the sensing support information.

[0013] In a fifth example aspect, a sensing management function is disclosed, comprising components for: receiving measurement information about at least one of the following items from at least one base station positioned within a sensing area cell: a transmission power level, a position of at least one base station, a direction of at least one base station relative to at least one other base station, an area covered by at least one of the at least one base station; comparing the measurement information received from at least one base station with a predefined threshold, and determining, based on the comparison result, whether at least one base station is a candidate for a supporting base station for a serving base station serving a user equipment located within the sensing area cell, and if at least one base station is determined to be a candidate for a supporting base station, sending to the serving base station serving the user equipment located within the sensing area cell: information about at least one base station determined to be a candidate for a supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004).

[0014] In a sixth example aspect, a network entity is disclosed, the network entity comprising means for performing a sensing management function.

[0015] In a seventh example aspect, a system is disclosed that includes at least one user equipment, at least one serving base station, and at least one supporting base station.

[0016] According to each exemplary aspect, a corresponding method is also disclosed.

[0017] Aspects disclosed therein allow for providing transmitted uplink signals and / or symbols and their corresponding mapping into a frame structure for sensing operations to one (a) receiving sensing entity or multiple receiving sensing entities (e.g., a next-generation Node B, or a next-generation Node B transmit and receive point, a TRP of a gNB).

[0018] Unlike positioning operations, in which the position of a user equipment or a telecommunication network entity is determined, sensing operations allow determining information about objects of the environment of the user equipment or the telecommunication network entity, wherein the objects are not part of the telecommunication network itself and are not transmitters or receivers. Sensing operations allow generating spatial knowledge of the physical environment, in particular of the surroundings of the user equipment and / or at least one base station. Introducing sensing capabilities in a communication network can be used to improve the performance of the network itself. Spatial sensing can be provided as a service to users or applications outside the network.

[0019] Any device (device, network entity) disclosed may generally be a fixed device or a mobile device. The device may specifically be a terminal device, such as a user device, such as a mobile device, such as a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable device, a smart watch, a low-power device, an IoT device, an industrial IoT device, a vehicle, a truck, a drone, an airplane, etc. The device may specifically be a LPWAN device, a NB-IoT device, or an eMTC device. The device may specifically be able to communicate with a network or a network device (such as a base station of a communication network) (send and receive signals and / or data to / from a network or a network device). The device may at least be able to communicate with a non-terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network entity, such as a satellite. Nevertheless, the device is still able to communicate with a terrestrial network entity.

[0020] A network entity may be understood as a wireless communication station installed in a fixed or mobile location, and in particular may be or include an entity of a wireless access network of a communication system. For example, a network device may be, include or be part of a base station of any generation of a communication network of the 3GPP standard (e.g., gNB, eNodeB, NodeB, BTS, etc.). However, a network entity may also be or act as a relay station (e.g., a mobile relay satellite communicating with a fixed ground base station, which may all be considered as a network entity according to the present disclosure). A network entity may be implemented in a non-ground entity (e.g., a satellite) or communicate with a non-ground entity. In the example of a 5G network, a non-ground network entity (e.g., a satellite) may also include a gNB-DU, while a gNB-CU is implemented in a ground base station. In general, a network entity may be or include a hardware or software component that implements a specific function. In one example, a network entity may be an entity defined by a 3GPP 5G or NR standard (also referred to as a gNB). Therefore, although a network entity may be understood as being implemented in a single device or module or being a single device or module, a network entity may also be implemented across multiple devices or modules or include multiple devices or modules. Thus, the network entity may be specifically implemented in a satellite or be a fixed device that communicates with the UE using a satellite. The multiple network entities of the exemplary aspect may specifically establish a communication system or network, which may specifically be a New Radio (NR) or 5G System (5GS) or part thereof or any other mobile communication system defined by past or future standards (in particular a successor to the current 3GPP standards). The network device of the exemplary aspect may be able to communicate directly and / or indirectly with the exemplary device of the first aspect.

[0021] The components or functions of any disclosed device or network entity may be implemented in hardware and / or software. They may include one or more modules or units that provide the corresponding functions. They may, for example, include at least one processor for executing computer program code to perform the desired functions, at least one memory for storing program code, or both. Alternatively, they may include, for example, circuits designed to implement the desired functions, such as implemented in a chipset or chip, such as an integrated circuit. Typically, these components may include, for example, one or more processing components or processors.

[0022] Therefore, according to various exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, in each case, a corresponding device or network entity is also disclosed, including at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable the device to at least perform the method according to the various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] However, any of the exemplary aspects described above can generally be performed by an apparatus, which can be a module or component of a device, such as a chip. The disclosed apparatus can include the disclosed components, such as a part, a processor, a memory, or can also include one or more additional components.

[0024] According to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, there is also disclosed in each case a computer program which, when executed by a processor of an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform a method according to the respective aspect.

[0025] The computer program may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium, in particular a tangible and / or non-transitory medium. The computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, a disk or a memory. The computer program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium in the form of instructions encoding the computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may be used to participate in the operation of a device, such as an internal or external memory of a computer, such as a read-only memory (ROM) or a hard disk, or for the distribution of the program, such as an optical disk.

[0026] The supporting base station disclosed therein is different from the serving base station and may not be configured or intended to provide services to the user equipment. Specifically, the supporting base station may not establish a control plane connection with the user equipment served by the serving base station.

[0027] The sensing support information may be information about: enabling and / or allowing a supporting base station to receive uplink transmissions, receive scheduling authorization information about uplink transmissions, receive uplink data, store received uplink transmissions, obtain uplink transmissions from its own circular buffer memory, and send determined sensing information to a sensing management function.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment of a serving base station, supporting base station or sensing management function, means are provided for determining sensing information based on received uplink transmissions.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the sensing support information includes at least one of the following items: a request for at least one supporting base station for supporting the serving base station or support control information. The request for at least one supporting base station for supporting the serving base station is used as support sensing information so that the serving base station can be connected to a base station that meets predefined criteria and is a suitable candidate for supporting the serving base station. Examples of such criteria may be geographic location, location relative to a user equipment and / or a serving base station. The support control information enables the supporting base station to perform a sensing operation based on the received uplink transmission. Specifically, the support control information may include pilot information that has been used by the serving base station to command an uplink transmission by the user equipment. This allows channel state information (CSI) to be obtained by processing the uplink transmission with OFDM operation at the supporting base station.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the sensing support information includes at least one of the following items: a resource element (RE) map for uplink transmission, resource allocation information about uplink transmission; a physical resource block (PRB) map for uplink transmission, physical resource block allocation information about uplink transmission; reference signal information about uplink transmission, demodulation reference signal (DMRS) information about uplink transmission, sounding reference signal (SRS) information about uplink transmission; modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information about uplink transmission; scrambling information about uplink transmission; location information about user equipment, geographic location information about user equipment, geographic location information about user equipment relative to the telecommunications network entity to which the user equipment belongs; angle of arrival (AoA) about uplink transmission. Such sensing support information can enable at least one supporting base station to perform sensing operations with improved reliability and accuracy. Specifically, providing a supporting base station that provides multiple parameters as listed herein can allow data symbols from received transmissions to be mapped with higher accuracy, while keeping hardware requirements for performing sensing operations at the supporting base station low.

[0031] The angle of arrival may be the angle of arrival that the user equipment should have when sending the uplink transmission to the serving base station. Additionally or alternatively, the sensing support information may include the angle of arrival that the user equipment should have when sending the uplink transmission to the supporting base station. An example of the angle of arrival included in the sensing support information may be the angle of arrival for receiving the uplink transmission sent by the user equipment according to the scheduling grant.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the sensing support information includes multiple arrival angles AoA of uplink transmissions, and the multiple arrival angles AoA of uplink transmissions include at least one of the following items: the arrival angle of line-of-sight (LOS) propagation of the uplink transmission at the serving base station; the arrival angle of non-line-of-sight (NLOS) propagation of the uplink transmission at the serving base station. The arrival angle of LOS propagation can be used as a reference for impairment correction. The arrival angle of NLOS propagation can correspond to the arrival angle that the uplink transmission has at the serving or supporting base station, which is reflected to or more generally reflected to the serving or supporting base station after interacting with or being affected by one or more physical elements located in the transmission trajectory. Therefore, the arrival angle of NLOS propagation may be of interest for searching for such (multiple) physical elements in the physical environment of the user equipment.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the serving base station also includes a component for processing an uplink transmission received from a user equipment to obtain uplink data; and sending uplink data to at least one supporting base station. Processing the uplink transmission received from the user equipment to obtain uplink data can be performed by a processor, a memory, and a computer program stored therein. The uplink data obtained by the serving base station and provided to the supporting base station allows the supporting base station to perform a sensing operation even when the signal-to-noise ratio value of the uplink transmission received at the supporting base station is insufficient. When the SNR is below a threshold, the SNR can, for example, be considered insufficient. The threshold can, for example, be dynamically determined or predetermined. Sending uplink data to at least one supporting base station can be performed by a communication unit of the serving base station, which is configured accordingly.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, based on the received uplink transmission, determining the sensing information includes estimating the channel state information based on at least one of the following items: pilot signaling; or uplink data of the uplink transmission. The use of pilot information or pilot signaling allows the estimation of the channel state information to be performed based on a reference signal or pilot information known from other operations such as positioning communications. When the pilot signaling and uplink data of the uplink transmission are considered simultaneously to estimate the channel state information, the SNR of the channel state information estimate increases, thereby improving the accuracy of the estimate. Specifically, using uplink data covering a larger frequency and time domain as pilot signaling can help to significantly improve the SNR of the channel state information, thereby allowing subsequent sensing operations based on the estimated CSI to have higher quality.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, determining sensing information based on a received uplink transmission includes estimating a quality of the estimated channel state information based on pilot signaling of the uplink transmission, and comparing the estimated quality to a threshold quality, and if the comparison results in the estimated quality being equal to or below the threshold quality, estimating the channel state information based on uplink data of the uplink transmission. The quality of the estimated channel state information may be represented as a signal-to-noise ratio value. Estimating the quality of the estimated channel state information and, if necessary, re-estimating the channel state information using the uplink data as well as the pilot information to react accordingly allows for improving the overall quality of the channel state information, thereby enabling the obtained channel state information to be processed later with higher accuracy and performance (e.g., better range), particularly for sensing operations. The requirements for the estimated channel state information for sensing operation purposes may be different than the requirements when the channel state information is used for communication or positioning purposes.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the serving base station further comprises means for sending the determined sensing information to the sensing management function. Thus, the sensing management function may also process the sensing information to determine the environmental characteristics of the user equipment sending the uplink transmission. Sending the determined sensing information to the sensing management function may be performed by a communication unit of the serving base station, the communication unit being configured accordingly.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the serving base station further comprises means for receiving from the sensing management function at least one of the following: sensing management information; information about at least one potential supporting base station; or a request for resource pre-allocation for sensing operations. Thus, information is provided to the serving base station that allows requesting support at base stations that the sensing management function has estimated as qualified, thereby increasing the probability that the serving base station will successfully connect to the requested base station. Receiving from the sensing management function at least one of the following: sensing management information; information about at least one potential supporting base station; or a request for resource pre-allocation for sensing operations may be performed by a communication unit of the serving base station, which is configured accordingly.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment of a serving base station, the means for transmitting sensing support information to at least one supporting base station is adapted for information transmission via Xn, or for information transmission via a sensing management function (eg via NRPPa or an evolution thereof).

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment of a supporting base station, the means for receiving sensing support information from a serving base station is adapted for information transmission via Xn, or for information transfer via a sensing management function (eg via NRPPa or an evolution thereof).

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the sensing management function includes means for communicating information with a serving base station and at least one supporting base station via the sensing management function (eg, via NRPPa or an evolution thereof).

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the sensing management information includes at least one of the following items: information about the quality of service required for subsequent sensing operations; information about high-level resource allocation required at the serving base station; wherein the information about potential supporting base stations includes at least one of the following items: a reception threshold derived from a selection function of the sensing management information; the number of supported base stations derived from the selection function of the sensing management information; information about supported base stations determined by the sensing management function; information about base stations set as supporting base stations by the sensing management function.

[0042] The sensing management information may help to improve resource distribution or allocation within a telecommunications network, in particular between a plurality of supporting base stations.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the supporting base station also includes a component for receiving uplink data obtained by the serving base station by processing uplink transmissions between the user equipment and the serving base station from the serving base station, wherein the sensing information is determined based on the received sensing support information and based on the received uplink transmission and is also based on the uplink data received from the serving base station. The uplink data obtained by the serving base station and received at the supporting base station allows the supporting base station to perform a sensing operation even when the signal-to-noise ratio value of the uplink transmission received at the supporting base station is insufficient. Receiving the uplink data obtained by the serving base station by processing uplink transmissions between the user equipment and the serving base station from the serving base station can be performed by a communication unit of the supporting base station, which is configured accordingly.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the supporting base station also includes a component for storing the received uplink transmission according to the sensing support information. Therefore, the uplink transmission can be received at the supporting base station at a first time point and saved for later processing. Specifically, this allows at least the uplink transmission to be saved until the uplink data processed by the serving base station is received at the supporting base station at a second time point, and the second time point is later than the first time point. Therefore, the processing of the uplink transmission received from the user equipment and the uplink data received from the serving base station can be used to process the uplink transmission, especially in the sensing operation for obtaining channel state information (CSI). Storing the received uplink transmission can be performed by a memory of the supporting base station. Therefore, after the user equipment sends the uplink transmission, the sensing support information can be sent from the serving base station to the supporting base station. This can simplify the coordinated transmission at the serving base station, especially when the serving base station jointly sends the decoded uplink data and the sensing support information.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the supporting base station also includes a component for continuously buffering received uplink transmissions in a circular buffer memory, wherein the continuous buffering includes buffering uplink transmissions received from a user equipment; and based on the sensing support information, obtaining the uplink transmissions received from the user equipment from the circular buffer memory.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, the supporting base station further comprises means for sending the determined sensing information to the sensing management function. This allows the sensing information to be processed at the sensing management function. In particular, when the sensing information is sent to the sensing management function by a plurality of base stations, the accuracy of the processing result may be improved, for example by aggregating the sent sensing information. Sending the determined sensing information to the sensing management function may be performed by a communication unit of the supporting base station, the communication unit being configured accordingly.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the sensing management function further includes a component for receiving first sensing information from a serving base station serving the user equipment, and receiving at least one second sensing information from at least one supporting base station supporting the serving base station, and aggregating the first sensing information with the at least one second sensing information. Thus, the sensing management function may collect sensing information from multiple entities or base stations, and aggregate the collected sensing information for further processing for sensing operations. Specifically, the sensing management function may be used to centrally process sensing information generated by multiple entities within a telecommunications network.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the sensing management function also includes means for sending a request for resource pre-allocation for data-assisted sensing operations to at least one of the serving base station or the at least one supporting base station. This example of the sensing management function is then configured to coordinate resources of the at least one base station or a system having the serving base station and the at least one supporting base station to enhance performance.

[0049] In one example, the system disclosed herein further includes a network entity, in particular a network entity disclosed herein.

[0050] It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are presented by way of illustration only and not limitation.

[0051] Here, the disclosure of a method step should also be regarded as the disclosure of an apparatus for implementing the corresponding method step. Likewise, the disclosure of an apparatus for implementing a method step should also be regarded as the disclosure of the method step itself. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be a definition of the limitations of the present disclosure, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should also be understood that the drawings are not drawn to scale and are only intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

[0053] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a joint communication and sensing system based on uplink multiple static user equipments;

[0054] Figure 2 A flow chart illustrating one example of the operation of OFDM radar processing;

[0055] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a serving base station;

[0056] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating example operations for a serving base station;

[0057] Figure 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a support base station;

[0058] Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating example operations for a supporting base station;

[0059] Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating example operations for a system having a user equipment, a serving base station, and a supporting base station;

[0060] Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating example operations for a system having a user equipment, a serving base station, and a supporting base station;

[0061] Fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating example operations for a sensing operation;

[0062] Fig.10 is a flow chart illustrating example operations for a system having a user equipment, a serving base station, and a supporting base station;

[0063] Fig.11 is a flow chart illustrating example operations for supporting management functions;

[0064] Fig.12 A schematic diagram illustrating an example radio environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed;

[0065] Fig.13 A schematic diagram showing a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the present disclosure;

[0066] Fig.14A schematic diagram illustrating an example of a tangible and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] The following description is intended to deepen the understanding of the present disclosure, and should be understood as a supplement to and read together with the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provided in the above Abstract section of this specification.

[0068] Figure 1 An exemplary system 100 is shown, which includes a user equipment 102 (UE), a serving base station 104 (BS), and a supporting base station 106. The serving base station 104 and the supporting base station 106 are connected via a communication connection 108 or an inter-base station interface, which is configured for transmission of signals and information. Various aspects of the present disclosure may be described in detail in the following examples. Figure 1 The scenario shown is used.

[0069] In the exemplary operation of the illustrated system 100, the user equipment 102 transmits electromagnetic waves 110a, 110b carrying signals, wherein the electromagnetic waves 110a, 110b pass through the physical space near the user equipment 102. The signal may be referred to as an uplink transmission including pilot information and / or uplink data, wherein the uplink data may include data symbols and / or information bits. While passing through the physical space, the uplink transmission may eventually reach the serving base station 104 and the supporting base station located near the user equipment 102. However, the uplink transmission may also encounter one or more other physical objects, obstacles or elements 112 in the physical environment located within or near the path or range or coverage of the electromagnetic waves 110a, 110b. The electromagnetic waves 110a, 110b or uplink transmission may be diffracted, reflected or more generally interacted with or affected by one or more physical elements 112 at one or more physical elements 112 located in the trajectory according to the physical parameters and characteristics of the electromagnetic waves 110a, 110b themselves and the one or more physical elements 112. The physical properties of the medium in which the electromagnetic waves 110a, 110b propagate may also affect the propagation of the electromagnetic waves 110a, 110b. After being deflected or reflected, the electromagnetic waves 110a, 110b carrying the signal or uplink transmission originally sent by the user equipment 102 continue to propagate until reaching, for example, the serving base station 104 and / or the supporting base station.

[0070] Thus, an uplink transmission sent by the user equipment 102 may be received at the serving BS via the first travel path 114 as a direct uplink transmission, wherein the electromagnetic waves 110a, 110b travel directly to the serving BS, i.e., no diffraction or reflection occurs on their trajectory from the user equipment 102 to the serving BS, and may be received at the serving BS via the second travel path 116 as an indirect uplink transmission, i.e., the electromagnetic waves 110a, 110b are diffracted, reflected, or more generally affected by the object 112 on their trajectory between the user equipment 102 and the serving BS. In the same manner as just described, i.e., via the first travel path 114b and the second travel path 116b, the uplink transmission sent by the user equipment 102 may be received at the supporting BS.

[0071] In one example, an uplink transmission from a user device 102 to a (serving and / or supporting) base station may experience line-of-sight (LOS) propagation. Therefore, a direct uplink transmission may be a LOS transmission. In one example, an uplink transmission from a user device 102 to a (serving and / or supporting) base station may (also) experience non-line-of-sight (NLOS) propagation. Therefore, an indirect uplink transmission may be a non-line-of-sight transmission. An uplink transmission may also experience LOS and NLOS propagation simultaneously. In one example, an uplink transmission may experience multipath propagation from a user device 102 to a base station.

[0072] If there are objects close to the user equipment 102 and / or in or close to the signal propagation path between the user equipment 102 and the (serving and / or supporting) base station, the properties of these objects 112 (such as position, size, geometry, etc.) can be derived from the signals received by the corresponding base station.

[0073] In one example, the UL transmission received at the serving BS 104 is considered as the sum of the uplink transmission received via the first travel path 114 and via the second travel path 116, where the first and second paths 114, 116 are together considered a "channel". Estimating the channel state information CSI allows data to be obtained from the received uplink transmission received via the "channel". It is then desirable to separate the components corresponding to the interaction of the UL transmission with the final sensing object 112 from the obtained CSI.

[0074] In an exemplary embodiment, the serving BS and the supporting BS form a system that is configured to process uplink transmissions received at the serving BS via the first travel path 114, uplink transmissions received at the supporting BS via the first travel path 114, uplink transmissions received at the serving BS via the second travel path 116, and uplink transmissions received at the supporting BS via the second travel path 116 for joint communication and sensing operations (JCAS).

[0075] Corresponding processing operations, in particular sensing operations, may include the use of techniques similar to radar technology to achieve object detection, recognition and / or classification. Figure 1 1. As shown in the system 100, the sensing operation may result in the detection of the physical element 112 because the physical object reflects uplink transmissions toward the serving BS and the supporting BS.

[0076] It should be noted that Figure 1 The uplink transmission is shown to be reflected or diffracted by a physical element, but such representation does not limit the subject matter of the present disclosure to such a configuration. Specifically, the uplink transmission originally sent by the user equipment 102 or the corresponding electromagnetic waves 110a, 110b sent by the user equipment 102 may be affected by at least one of: a possible plurality of physical elements 112 or a change in the physical environment of the user equipment 102, which may affect the travel or trajectory of the transmitted electromagnetic waves 110a, 110b, or in particular the travel or trajectory of the uplink transmission. In the event that multiple physical elements affect the propagation of the uplink transmission, the serving BS and / or the supporting BS may receive the uplink transmission originally sent by the user equipment 102 via multiple travel paths, wherein the multiple travel paths may include a path for direct uplink transmission and multiple paths for indirect transmission.

[0077] It is also contemplated that the serving BS and / or the supporting BS may receive indirect uplink transmissions and may not be able to receive direct uplink transmissions, particularly when the physical element 112 is located between the user equipment 102 and the serving BS and / or the supporting BS.

[0078] Joint communication and sensing operations may be achieved by using uplink transmissions, wherein electromagnetic waves 110a, 110b having a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) waveform are transmitted for purposes of the sensing operation portion, and wherein the electromagnetic waves 110a, 110b having a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) waveform are multiplexed with electromagnetic waves 110a, 110b for communication operations, wherein the electromagnetic waves 110a, 110b for communication may be configured in a manner known in the art.

[0079] Additionally or alternatively, the uplink transmission sent or transmitted by the user equipment 102 may comply with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) radar technology and rely on electromagnetic waves having a corresponding waveform. Current communication standards use OFDM, which can easily equalize channel effects (first-order equalization). In order to access radar functions on the basis of communication, it is necessary to use the waveform specified by orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) radar technology.

[0080] Figure 2A flowchart showing an example of OFDM radar processing operations in a mobile communication network is shown. The operations shown may be performed at a receiver of an uplink transmission. Figure 1 In the context described, Figure 2 The illustrated operations may be performed, for example, at a serving BS and / or a supporting BS.

[0081] Starting with data 200 being provided to modulator 202, OFDM modulation operations are performed by inverse fast Fourier transform unit 204, CP adder 206, and D / A converter 208, and the resulting output is transmitted by transmit front end Tx 210 as signal 212. The transmitted signal 212 may include information about, for example, an uplink transmission to be performed by a user equipment. As an example, signal 212 may include a scheduling grant for an uplink transmission.

[0082] At the receiver front end Rx 214, a signal 216 (e.g., an uplink transmission sent by a user equipment) is received and forwarded to an A / D converter unit 218, and then to a CP removal unit 220 and a fast Fourier transform unit 222, which together are configured for an OFDM demodulation operation, wherein the uplink transmission conforms to the information (e.g., a scheduling grant) sent by the front end Tx 210. After the OFDM demodulation operation, the signal is forwarded to a divider unit 224, which retrieves the data output by the modulator 202. The output of the divider unit 224 is then processed for periodogram calculation by a fast Fourier transform unit 226, an inverse fast Fourier transform unit 228, a unit 230 for calculating the absolute value square |.|2, and a clipping unit 232. The result of the periodogram calculation operation is forwarded to an object detector 234 and an interpolator 236 for post-processing operations.

[0083] Figure 3 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a network entity 300 (e.g., a base station (particularly a non-terrestrial network entity or gNB), particularly a serving base station) according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. For example, the network entity 300 may be configured to schedule and / or transmit signals to a UE, as described above.

[0084] The network entity 300 includes a processor 302. The processor 302 may represent a single processor or two or more processors, for example, which are at least partially coupled, for example, via a bus. The processor 302 executes program code stored in a program memory 304 (for example, a program code that enables the network entity 300 to execute an embodiment or part thereof alone or together with an embodiment of the apparatus 1300 according to the present disclosure) and interfaces with a main memory 306.

[0085] Program memory 304 may also include an operating system for processor 302. Some or all of memories 304 and 306 may also be included in processor 302.

[0086] In addition, the processor 302 controls the communication interface 308, which is configured to communicate according to a cellular communication system (such as a 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G cellular communication system). The communication interface 308 of the device 300 can be implemented by, for example, a radio head and can be used for communication between a network entity and the device, as described above.

[0087] The components 304 to 904 of the network entity 300 may be connected to the processor 302 , for example, via one or more serial and / or parallel buses.

[0088] It should be understood that the apparatus 1300, 300 may include various other components.

[0089] The communication interface 308 is configured to send a scheduling grant for uplink transmission to the user equipment. The communication interface 308 is also configured to send sensing support information associated with the scheduling grant to at least one supporting base station, and receive uplink transmission from the user equipment according to the scheduling grant.

[0090] Figure 4 4 is a flow chart illustrating example operations 400 for a serving base station, and in particular a method performed by a serving base station, according to an aspect of the present invention. Action 402 includes sending a scheduling grant for uplink transmission to a user equipment. Action 404 includes sending sensing support information associated with the scheduling grant to at least one supporting base station. Action 406 includes receiving an uplink transmission from the user equipment according to the scheduling grant, and action 408 includes determining sensing information based on the received uplink transmission.

[0091] Figure 5 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a network entity 500 (e.g., a base station (particularly a non-terrestrial network entity or gNB), particularly a supporting base station) according to one aspect of the present disclosure. For example, the network entity 500 can be configured to schedule and / or send signals to a UE as described above.

[0092] The network entity 500 includes a processor 502. The processor 502 may represent a single processor or two or more processors, for example, which are at least partially coupled, for example, via a bus. The processor 502 executes program code stored in a program memory 504 (for example, a program code that enables the network entity 500 to execute alone or together with the device 1300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure or a portion thereof) and interfaces with a main memory 506.

[0093] Program memory 504 may also include an operating system for processor 502. Some or all of memories 504 and 506 may also be included in processor 502.

[0094] In addition, the processor 502 controls the communication interface 508, which is configured to communicate according to a cellular communication system (such as a 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G cellular communication system). The communication interface 508 of the device 500 can be implemented by, for example, a radio head and can provide for communication between a network entity and the device, as described above.

[0095] The components 504 to 904 of the network entity 500 may be connected to the processor 502 , for example, via one or more serial and / or parallel buses.

[0096] It should be understood that the apparatus 1300, 500 may include various other components.

[0097] The supporting base station is used to support a serving base station serving a user equipment to perform a sensing operation. The communication interface 508 is used to receive sensing support information related to or associated with a scheduling grant from the serving base station, wherein the scheduling grant relates to an uplink transmission sent by the user equipment and intended for the serving base station. The communication interface 508 is also used to receive an uplink transmission from the user equipment based on the sensing support information.

[0098] Figure 6 6 is a flow chart illustrating example operations 600 for a supporting base station, in particular a method performed by a serving base station, according to an aspect of the present invention. Action 602 comprises receiving sensing support information associated with a scheduling grant from a serving base station, wherein the scheduling grant relates to an uplink transmission sent by a user equipment and intended for the serving base station. Action 604 comprises receiving an uplink transmission from the user equipment based on the sensing support information. Action 606 comprises determining sensing information based on the received sensing support information and based on the received uplink transmission.

[0099] Figure 7 7 is a flow chart showing an example operation of a system having a user equipment 700, a serving base station 702 and a supporting base station 704. It should be noted that Figure 7 One supporting base station is shown, and this representation does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In fact, multiple supporting base stations that support the serving base station may be provided, wherein each supporting base station may be configured to perform the functions described herein. Figure 7 The operations described in the support base station are represented in FIG.

[0100] like Figure 7As shown, in action 706, the serving base station sends a scheduling grant for uplink transmission to the user equipment. In action 710, which may be performed in parallel with or after action 706, the serving base station sends sensing support information associated with the scheduling grant to the supporting base station. In action 708, the user equipment receives the scheduling grant sent by the serving base station. In response, in action 714, the user equipment sends an uplink transmission according to the scheduling grant. The uplink transmission is received at the serving base station (action 716) and the supporting base station (action 718).

[0101] Once the serving base station receives an uplink transmission from the user equipment according to the scheduling grant, the serving base station processes the uplink transmission received from the user equipment to obtain uplink data in action 720. To this end, the serving base station performs FEC decoding. In a subsequent action 722, the serving base station performs a CRC check. If the CRC check result is a confirmation, the serving base station sends the uplink data to the supporting base station in action 724. In action 726, the serving base station remodulates the uplink data. Then, in action 728, the serving base station determines the sensing information based on the received uplink transmission (i.e., based on the remodulated uplink data generated from the uplink transmission received from the user equipment). Then, the serving base station performs post-processing in action 730, and optionally, subsequently performs a data compression action 732. In a subsequent action 734, the serving base station forwards the output of the post-processing operation (or the output of the optional compression action) to another entity. Post-processing may include determining a periodogram.

[0102] In action 736, the supporting base station, if possible, eliminates (blank) its own cell uplink resources to reduce interference with the sensing signal. In action 738, the uplink transmission received from the user equipment (in action 718) is stored. In action 740, the uplink data obtained by the serving base station by processing the uplink transmission between the user equipment and the serving base station is received from the serving base station at the support. As an example, the supporting base station can store the received uplink transmission on the resource map (RE map). Then, in action 742, the supporting base station remodulates the uplink data received from the serving base station. Subsequently (action 744), the supporting base station determines the sensing information, in particular the channel state estimation, based on the sensing support information received at action 712, the uplink transmission received at action 718, and the uplink data received from the serving base station at action 740. Afterwards, in action 746, the supporting base station performs post-processing operations on the sensing information obtained from action 744, and optionally performs data compression in action 748. Finally, in act 750, the supporting base station sends the output of the post-processing operation of act 746, or alternatively, the output of the data compression of act 748, to another entity for subsequent analysis along with the output of the serving base station sent to the same entity in act 734. Post-processing may include determining a periodogram.

[0103] Figure 8 8 is a flow chart illustrating example operations for a system having a user equipment 800, a serving base station 802, and a supporting base station 804, the system being configured to perform data-assisted multi-static sensing operations. Figure 8 As shown, the serving BS notifies the UE in action 806 with an UL scheduling grant (which may be conventional, in terms of communication). In addition, before the scheduling grant, in order to account for supporting BS signaling and processing delays, the serving BS notifies one or more supporting BSs in action 808 with sensing support information to request support from the supporting base stations, together with support control information containing a resource element map (or PRB map), where the UE data is located in time and frequency; the MCS of the data; scrambling information and any other operations that have been performed to enable later remodulation; the UE location (e.g., which can be obtained through wireless access-based positioning techniques) and / or the relative angle of arrival (AoA) from the supporting BS to the UE. In the case of a typical distributed and central unit (DU, CU) split, the sensing support indicator can be sent from the DU to the CU via the F1 interface by the serving base station, then to the supporting cell BS CU via the Xn interface, and then to the corresponding DU via F1. Note that sensing usually relies on line-of-sight conditions (LoS), so the AoA can be simply calculated based on the UE and BS location geometry. In addition, the necessary information to calculate the DMRS used by the UE during transmission is also shared.

[0104] Note that the scheduling grant should be on sufficient resources in the future to allow the sensing support indicator information to be communicated to the supporting BSs, allowing them to prepare to receive the sensing information (if they are interested). In optional action 810, the supporting BS may eliminate its own UL resources at the time-frequency locations where it must assist. This will reduce interference to the sensing signals. Once the UE UL transmission occurs in action 812, the supporting BS uses appropriate spatial processing techniques (preferably multiple beamformers pointed at the UE and the sensing angles of interest) in action 814 and stores the corresponding time-frequency portion of the received signal, as it will most likely not be able to decode it due to more severe path loss compared to the serving cell. The serving BS may perform FEC decoding in action 818 and confirm that the decoding is correct through a successful cyclic redundancy check (CRC) operation in action 820. In action 822, the decoded data (information bits) may be sent over the F1+Xn interface (as described by the sensing support indicator).

[0105] The serving and supporting base stations may attempt to perform channel state information estimation using DMRS (if known) pilots for sensing. If the achieved quality (e.g., in terms of SNR) is insufficient, the base station should also resort to data symbols to achieve higher processing gain and improve the SNR.

[0106] Therefore, both the serving BS and the supporting BS may remodulate (including re-encoding and re-scrambling) the UE TX signal with the decoded data (available locally at the serving BS, or transmitted to the supporting BS) in respective actions 824 and 826, so that the resulting orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) resource element symbols may be used as additional pilot / reference symbols for performing channel state information estimation for sensing purposes in respective actions 828 and 830. The sensing channel estimation may include methods of utilizing the direct signal from the UE as a source of carrier and timing offset (CFO+TFO) correction, and methods of using spatial processing to separate object of interest reflections from the direct path to the UE.

[0107] Further post-processing can be performed in corresponding operations 832 and 834 to obtain a periodogram by DFT / iDFT operations to represent the signal in the delay-Doppler plane, and then extract the target of interest using, for example, a constant false alarm rate (CFAR) method and a clutter removal algorithm. In corresponding actions 836 and 838, the target extraction alone is already a compression action of the sensed information, for example, when only the delay, Doppler and power signals are used to transmit the relevant target of interest. In order to signal the obtained results, further compression, quantization and source coding techniques can be applied in corresponding actions 840 and 842.

[0108] In action 844, the sensed information is then aggregated at a central point, preferably located in a sensing management function (SeMF).

[0109] Fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating example operations for sensing operations based on uplink transmissions sent by a user equipment received in accordance with a scheduling grant. Fig. 9 The sensing operation shown can be performed at a serving base station serving the user equipment and / or at least one supporting base station supporting the serving base station, wherein at least one supporting base station can be a supporting distributed base station processing element with split processing capabilities, such as having a radio unit (RU), a distributed unit (DU) and a central unit (CU) with different splitting options. The following actions may be performed in sequence, wherein each action may be omitted or repeated if necessary: ​​MAC 900, encoding 902, rate matching 904, scrambling 906, modulation 908, layer mapping 910, precoding transmission power 912, resource element mapping 914, optional beamforming port extension 916, inverse fast Fourier transform 918, cyclic prefix insertion 920, RF 922; RF 924, cyclic prefix removal 926, fast Fourier transform 928, optional port reduction 930, resource element demapping 932, channel estimation 934, diversity combiner 936, equalization 938, inverse discrete Fourier transform 940, demodulation 942, descrambling 944, rate matching 946, decoding 948, medium access control (MAC) 950.

[0110] After resource element demapping 932, channel state information may be estimated based on a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) in action 952. When the CSI estimation operation is performed by a serving base station, the demodulation reference signal may be known from a scheduling grant sent to a user equipment from which an uplink transmission processed in the CSI estimation operation originates. When the CSI estimation operation is performed by a supporting base station, the supporting base station may receive the demodulation reference signal as sensing support information associated with the scheduling grant, the sensing support information being provided by the serving base station.

[0111] Subsequent action 954 includes estimating the quality of the estimated channel state information based on the pilot signaling of the uplink transmission, and comparing the estimated quality with the threshold quality. Specifically, the quality can be estimated as a signal-to-noise ratio. If the comparison result is that the estimated quality is higher than the threshold quality, the estimated CSI is further processed in action 956 to extract sensing information. Action 956 can be performed at least in part locally at the base station, serving base station, supporting base station, user equipment, sensing management function, or in a centralized manner at the base station, serving base station, supporting base station, user equipment, sensing management function.

[0112] If the comparison result is that the estimated quality is equal to or lower than the threshold quality, then in action 958, the channel state information is further estimated based on the pilot signaling and uplink data of the uplink transmission obtained from the above decoding operation, wherein the uplink data has been remodulated and encoded (action 960) including re-scrambling for additional CSI estimation in action 958. The output of the CSI estimation is then considered for processing, as in action 956.

[0113] Fig.10 1 is a flow chart showing an example operation of a system having a user equipment 1000, a serving base station 1002 and a supporting base station 1004. It should be noted that Fig.10 One supporting base station is shown, and this representation does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In fact, multiple supporting base stations that support the serving base station may be provided, wherein the corresponding supporting base stations may be configured to perform the functions described herein. Fig.10 The operations described in the support base station are represented in FIG.

[0114] In action 1006, the serving base station sends a scheduling grant for uplink transmission to the user equipment. In action 1008, the user equipment receives the scheduling grant sent by the serving base station. In response, in action 1010, the user equipment sends an uplink transmission according to the scheduling grant. The uplink transmission is received at the serving base station (action 1012) and the supporting base station (action 1014). Once the serving base station receives the uplink transmission from the user equipment according to the scheduling grant, the serving base station processes the uplink transmission received from the user equipment in action 1016 to obtain uplink data. To this end, the serving base station performs forward error correction (FEC) decoding. In subsequent action 1018, the serving base station performs a cyclic redundancy check (CRC). If the result of the CRC is confirmation, the serving base station transmits the uplink data and sensing support information related to the scheduling grant to the supporting base station in action 1020.

[0115] In action 1022, the serving base station remodulates the uplink data, which may include re-encoding and re-scrambling. Then, in action 1024, the serving base station determines sensing information based on the received uplink transmission (i.e., based on the remodulated uplink data originating from the uplink transmission received from the user equipment). Then, the serving base station performs post-processing in action 1026, optionally followed by a data compression action 1028. In a subsequent action 1030, the serving base station forwards the output of the post-processing operation (or optionally, the output of the compression action) to another entity or function in the telecommunications network, such as a management function, in particular a sensing management function.

[0116] In parallel with actions 1006 to 1014, in action 1032, the supporting base station stores the received signals and transmissions in the ring buffer memory unit, in particular performing continuous ring buffering. In action 1014, the supporting base station receives uplink transmissions from the user equipment and stores the received uplink transmissions in the ring buffer memory unit. In a subsequent action 1034, the supporting base station receives from the serving base station uplink data obtained by the serving base station by processing uplink transmissions between the user equipment and the serving base station and sensing support information associated with the scheduling grant. The sensing support information may include, for example, information about Figure 8 The support control information described.

[0117] In action 1036, the supporting base station retrieves or obtains the uplink transmission received from the user equipment in action 1014 in the circular buffer based on the sensing support information received from the serving base station. Fig.10 The illustrated operation supporting base station includes means for continuously buffering received uplink transmissions in a circular buffer memory, wherein the continuous buffering includes buffering uplink transmissions received from a user equipment; and obtaining uplink transmissions received from the user equipment from the circular buffer memory based on sensing support information.

[0118] Then, in action 1038, the supporting base station remodulates the uplink data received from the serving base station. Subsequently (action 1040), the supporting base station determines sensing information, in particular a channel state estimate, based on the sensing support information received in action 1032, the uplink transmission received in action 1014, and the uplink data received from the serving base station in 1032. Thereafter, in action 1042, the supporting base station performs post-processing operations on the sensing information obtained from action 1034, and optionally performs data compression in action 1044. If the buffer is per antenna port, spatial domain RX processing can also be performed as variable post-processing.

[0119] Finally, the supporting base station sends the output of the post-processing operation of action 1042, or optionally the output of the data compression of action 1044, to another entity in action 1046 for subsequent analysis together with the output of the serving base station sent to the same entity in action 1030.

[0120] Fig.11 is a flow chart for the operation of the sensing management function (SeMF) 1100 .

[0121] In action 1102, the sensing management function receives measurement information about received signal power levels from at least one base station located within the sensing area cell. In addition or instead of the received signal power level measurement information, the SeMF may use other information to determine the supporting base stations, such as the location of at least one base station, the direction of at least one base station relative to each other, and thus their coverage areas.

[0122] In the case of measurement information about received signal power levels, the measurement information may be a user equipment handover measurement, such as an RSSI. The base station may be located or situated within a sensing area cell of interest, wherein the sensing area cell of interest may be a cell area defined based on user equipment location information obtained by, for example, a positioning operation based on a 5G or 6G RAT. The measurement information may include information of a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or information corresponding to a received signal strength indicator (RSSI), from which RSSI path loss information may be derived. In the event that the sensing management function receives multiple measurements for a sensing area cell, the sensing management function accumulates multiple measurement information for the sensing area cell (optional action 1104).

[0123] In action 1106, the sensing management function receives a service request for a sensing operation, wherein the service request for the sensing operation may include signal quality (QoS) and / or resource allocation requirement information for the sensing operation. The sensing management function may receive the service request for the sensing operation from a user equipment, a base station, a serving base station, a supporting base station, a telecommunication network entity, a telecommunication network, or other functions of the network.

[0124] In action 1108, the sensing management function compares the measurement information received from at least one base station with a predefined threshold value of received signal power. Then, the sensing management function can determine whether the at least one base station is a candidate for a supporting base station as a serving base station for a user equipment located in a sensing area cell based on the comparison result. When the sensing management function compares a plurality of received measurement information, the sensing management function can determine a list of at least one base station determined as a candidate for a supporting serving base station located in the sensing area cell based on the comparison result with the threshold value of received signal power. Determining whether at least one base station is a candidate for a supporting base station can also be based on information from a service request for a sensing operation, such as information on signal quality (QoS) and / or resource allocation requirements.

[0125] The selection of the threshold value may be related to the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the regional cell of interest. The sensing management function may adjust the threshold value and the number of candidate base stations in optional action 1110 to meet the signal quality requirements received with the sensing operation request. For example, the number of candidate base stations may be increased to improve the sensing position estimation accuracy. Action 1110 may be performed directly after action 1106 or at a later stage of operation.

[0126] As an option, the sensing management function may send a resource pre-allocation request for sensing operations to at least one base station in action 1112. The request for resource pre-allocation may include information about time frequency density requirements. The resource pre-allocation request may be sent from the sensing management function to the serving base station and optionally to at least one base station identified as a candidate to support the serving base station.

[0127] In action 1114, the sensing management function sends a control signal to the serving base station of the sensing area cell, wherein the control signal includes at least one of the following items: sensing management information, information about at least one potential supporting base station, or a request for resource pre-allocation for sensing operations. Specifically, the sensing management function may transmit information about at least one base station determined as a supporting base station candidate to the serving base station serving the user equipment located in the sensing area cell.

[0128] In a later stage and action 1116, the sensing management function may receive first sensing information from a serving base station serving the user equipment and receive at least one second sensing information from at least one supporting base station supporting the serving base station. In action 1118, the sensing management function may aggregate the first sensing information with the at least one second sensing information. The sensing management function may then process the aggregated sensing information to extract physical environment information of the user equipment located in the cell of the area of ​​interest.

[0129] Configured to execute as Fig.11The sensing management function of the illustrated operation may include at least one of the following elements: a component for: receiving measurement information about a received signal power level from at least one base station located within a sensing area cell, comparing the measurement information received from the at least one base station with a predefined threshold of the received signal power, and determining, based on the comparison result, whether the at least one base station is a candidate for a supporting base station as a serving base station serving a user equipment located within the sensing area cell; if the at least one base station is determined to be a candidate for a supporting base station, sending information about at least one base station determined to be a candidate for a supporting base station to the serving base station serving the user equipment located within the sensing area cell; a component for: receiving first sensing information from a serving base station serving the user equipment, and receiving at least one second sensing information from at least one supporting base station supporting the serving base station, aggregating the first sensing information with the at least one second sensing information; or a component for: sending a resource pre-allocation request for a data-assisted sensing operation to at least one of the serving base station or at least one supporting base station.

[0130] The sensing management function may be arranged at a base station, in particular at a base station located in a sensing area cell, or arranged on a server. The sensing management function may be provided as a computer program on a memory, which, when executed on a processor, causes the device to perform at least one of the following items: receiving measurement information about a received signal power level from at least one base station located in the sensing area cell, comparing the measurement information received from at least one base station with a predefined threshold of received signal power, determining whether at least one base station is a candidate for a supporting base station as a serving base station serving a user equipment located in the sensing area cell according to the comparison result, and if at least one base station is determined to be a candidate for a supporting base station, sending information of at least one base station determined to be a candidate for a supporting base station to a serving base station serving the user equipment located in the sensing area cell; receiving first sensing information from a serving base station serving the user equipment, and receiving at least one second sensing information from at least one supporting base station supporting the serving base station, aggregating the first sensing information with the at least one second sensing information; or sending a resource pre-allocation request for a data-assisted sensing operation to at least one of the serving base station or the at least one supporting base station.

[0131] The sensing management function, the serving base station, the user equipment and at least one supporting base station may be included in a cellular network system for telecommunication.

[0132] like Fig.12 As shown, as an example of a user equipment of an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a user equipment (UE) 1200 is connected to cell 1 of a network entity or base station gNB 1208 via a communication beam of cell 1. Fig.12In the example shown, the gNB 1208 is equipped with a CU 1210 and two DUs 1212 and 1214, which are connected to the CU 1210 via an F1 interface. The DUs 1212 and 1214 may have another distributed implementation where the RUs are connected via a forward backhaul. Fig.12 As shown in the example of , there are multiple additional cells to which the first UE 1200 can be connected. Naturally, in each cell, multiple UEs can exist and connect to the corresponding cells. Similar to cell 1202, cells 1204 and 1206 are controlled by gNBs 1216 and 1218, respectively, and each cell provides multiple beams 1220, 1222, 1224, which can be used for beam diversity or beam hopping. Fig.12 As shown, each base station or gNB of the cell is connected to the core network 1226 (e.g., 5GC) via a corresponding interface (indicated as NG interface). In addition, each gNB of the cell is connected to each other through a specific interface (e.g., called Xn-C interface). According to the present disclosure, any of these network entities (e.g., gNB, gNB-DU, gNB-CU and / or 5GC) can be used alone or together as an example of a base station or a part thereof.

[0133] Now go to Fig.13 , a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus or UE 1300 according to the present disclosure is shown. For example, UE 1300 may be a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a LPWAN device, an IoT device, an eMTC device, or a vehicle or one of its parts.

[0134] UE 1300 includes a processor 1302. Processor 1302 may represent a single processor or two or more processors, for example, which are at least partially coupled, for example, via a bus. Processor 1302 executes program code stored in program memory 1304 (e.g., program code that enables mobile device 1300 to connect to a network entity or base station), and when executed on processor 1302, processor 1302 performs one or more embodiments of the method according to the present disclosure or a portion thereof, and interfaces with main memory 1306. Program memory 1304 may also include an operating system for processor 1302. Some or all of memories 1304 and 1306 may also be included in processor 1302.

[0135] One or both of the processor's main memory and program memory (e.g., program memory 1304 and main memory 1306) may be fixedly connected to the processor (e.g., processor 1302) or at least partially removable from the processor, for example in the form of a memory card or memory stick.

[0136] The program memory (e.g., program memory 1304) may be, for example, a non-volatile memory. For example, it may be any one of a FLASH memory (or a portion thereof), a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an MRAM or a FeRAM (or a portion thereof), or a hard disk (or a portion thereof), to name a few examples. For example, the program memory may, for example, include a first memory portion that is fixedly mounted and a second memory portion that is removable, for example in the form of a removable SD memory card.

[0137] The main memory (e.g., main memory 1306) may be, for example, a volatile memory. As a non-limiting example, it may be, for example, a DRAM memory. For example, it may be used as a working memory for the processor 1302 when executing an operating system, an application, a program, etc.

[0138] The processor 1302 also controls a communication interface 1308 (e.g., a radio interface) that is configured to receive and / or send data and / or information. For example, the communication interface 1308 may be configured to send and / or receive radio signals from a radio node (e.g., a base station), in particular as described herein. The communication interface 1308 may be particularly configured to communicate with an NTN and a GNSS. However, it may not be possible to operate the communication interface to communicate with an NTN and a GNSS simultaneously. It should be understood that any computer program code-based processing required to receive and / or evaluate radio signals may be stored in the communication interface 1308's own memory and executed by the communication interface 1308's own processor, and / or it may be stored in, for example, the memory 1306 and executed by, for example, the processor 1302.

[0139] In addition, the communication interface 1308 may also include a BLE and / or Bluetooth radio interface, including a BLE transmitter, receiver or transceiver. For example, the radio interface 1308 may additionally or alternatively include a WLAN radio interface, which includes at least one WLAN transmitter, receiver or transceiver.

[0140] Components 1304 to 1308 of terminal device 1300 may be connected to processor 1302 via one or more serial and / or parallel buses, for example.

[0141] It should be understood that the terminal device 1300 may include various other components. For example, the terminal device 1300 may optionally include a user interface (eg, a touch display, a keyboard, a touch pad, a display, etc.).

[0142] Fig.14 is a schematic diagram of an example of a tangible and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to the present disclosure, which can be used, for example, to implement Figure 3 or Figure 5 Memory 34, 504 or Fig.13 Memory 1304. To this end, Fig.14 Shown is a flash memory 1400 that may be, for example, soldered or bonded to a printed circuit board, a solid-state drive 1402 including multiple memory chips (e.g., flash memory chips), a magnetic hard drive 1404, a secure digital (SD) card 1406, a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick 1408, an optical storage medium 1410 (e.g., a CD-ROM or DVD), and a magnetic storage medium 1412.

[0143] Any connection presented in the embodiments should be understood as the components involved being coupled in operation. Therefore, the connection may be direct or indirect, with any number or combination of elements in between, and the components may only have a functional relationship.

[0144] Additionally, the term "circuitry" as used herein refers to any of the following:

[0145] (a) Pure hardware circuit implementation (e.g., using only analog and / or digital circuits)

[0146] (b) a combination of circuitry and software (and / or firmware), for example: (i) a combination of processors, or (ii) portions of processor / software (including digital signal processors), software and memory, which work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone) to perform various functions) and

[0147] (c) Circuitry that requires software or firmware to operate, such as a microprocessor or portion of a microprocessor, even if the software or firmware is not physically present.

[0148] This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this document, including in any claims. As another example, as used herein, the term "circuitry" also covers an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware. The term "circuitry" also covers, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or an applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone.

[0149] Any processor mentioned in this document, in particular but not limited to Figure 3 and Figure 5 Processor 302, 502 or Fig.131302 in the figure may be any suitable type of processor. Any processor may include, but is not limited to, one or more microprocessors, one or more processors with attached digital signal processors, one or more processors without attached digital signal processors, one or more special-purpose computer chips, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more controllers, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more computers. The relevant structure / hardware has been programmed to perform the described functions.

[0150] In addition, any actions or operations described or illustrated herein may be implemented using executable instructions in a general or special purpose processor and stored on a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., disk, memory, etc.) for execution by such a processor. References to "computer-readable storage medium" should be understood to cover special purpose circuits such as FPGAs, ASICs, signal processing devices, and other devices.

[0151] In addition, any actions described or illustrated herein may be implemented using executable instructions in a general or special purpose processor and stored on a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., disk, memory, etc.) for execution by such a processor. References to "computer-readable storage medium" should be understood to cover special purpose circuits such as FPGAs, ASICs, signal processing devices, and other devices.

[0152] The phrase "A, or B, or C, or a combination thereof" or "at least one of A, B, and C" may be understood as non-exhaustive and includes at least the following: (i) A, or (ii) B, or (iii) C, or (iv) A and B, or (v) A and C, or (vi) B and C, or (vii) A, B, and C.

[0153] It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are exemplary only, and any features presented for a specific exemplary embodiment may be used alone with any aspect of the present disclosure, or in combination with any features presented for the same or another specific exemplary embodiment and / or in combination with any other features not mentioned. It should also be understood that any features presented for exemplary embodiments in a particular category may also be used in a corresponding manner in exemplary embodiments of any other category.

[0154] Example 1. A serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002), the serving base station serving a user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200), comprising components for:

[0155] sending a scheduling grant for uplink transmission to the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200);

[0156] sending sensing support information associated with the scheduling grant to at least one supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004);

[0157] An uplink transmission is received from the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) according to the scheduling grant.

[0158] Example 2. The serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) of Example 1, further comprising means for:

[0159] Sensing information is determined based on the received uplink transmission.

[0160] Example 3. The serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) of any of the preceding examples, wherein the sensing support information comprises at least one of the following:

[0161] a request for the at least one supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) for supporting the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002), or

[0162] Supports control information.

[0163] Example 4. The serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) of any of the preceding examples, wherein the sensing support information comprises at least one of the following:

[0164] a resource element RE map for the uplink transmission;

[0165] A physical resource block (PRB) map for the uplink transmission;

[0166] Information about a demodulation reference signal DMRS for the uplink transmission;

[0167] information about a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for said uplink transmission;

[0168] information about scrambling of the uplink transmission;

[0169] Location information about the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002);

[0170] Angle of arrival AoA of the uplink transmission;

[0171] Timing information, such as frame, subframe and / or slot indices.

[0172] Example 5. The serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) of Example 4, wherein the sensing support information comprises a plurality of angles of arrival AoAs of the uplink transmission, the plurality of angles of arrival AoAs of the uplink transmission comprising at least one of the following:

[0173] an angle of arrival for line-of-sight (LOS) propagation of the uplink transmission at the serving base station;

[0174] An angle of arrival of non-line-of-sight (NLOS) propagation of the uplink transmission at the serving base station.

[0175] Example 6. The serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising means for:

[0176] processing the uplink transmission received from the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) to obtain uplink data; and

[0177] The uplink data is sent to the at least one supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004).

[0178] Example 7. The serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) of any of the preceding examples, wherein determining the sensing information based on the received uplink transmission comprises estimating channel state information based on at least one of:

[0179] pilot signalling; or

[0180] The uplink transmission includes uplink data.

[0181] Example 8. The serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) of Example 5, wherein determining the sensing information based on the received uplink transmission comprises:

[0182] estimating a quality of the estimated channel state information based on the pilot signaling of the uplink transmission, and comparing the estimated quality with a threshold quality, and

[0183] If the comparison result is that the estimated quality is equal to or lower than the threshold quality, channel state information is estimated based on uplink data of the uplink transmission.

[0184] Example 9. The serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) of any of the preceding examples, further comprising means for:

[0185] The determined sensing information is sent to the sensing management function (1100).

[0186] Example 10. The serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) of any of the preceding examples, further comprising means for:

[0187] Receiving at least one of the following from a sensing management function (1100):

[0188] sensing management information;

[0189] information about at least one potentially supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004); or

[0190] Request for resource pre-allocation for sensing operations.

[0191] Example 11. The serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) of Example 10,

[0192] The sensing management information includes at least one of the following items:

[0193] information about the quality of service required for subsequent sensing operations;

[0194] information about an advanced resource allocation required at the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002);

[0195] The information about the potential supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) includes at least one of the following items:

[0196] a reception threshold derived from a selection function of the sensing management information;

[0197] a number of supported base stations (106, 704, 804, 1004) derived from the selection function of the sensing management information;

[0198] information about supported base stations (106, 704, 804, 1004) determined by the sensing management function (1100);

[0199] Information about a base station set as a supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) by the sensing management function (1100).

[0200] Example 12. A method performed by a serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) serving a user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200), the method comprising:

[0201] sending a scheduling grant for uplink transmission to the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200);

[0202] sending sensing support information associated with the scheduling grant to at least one supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004);

[0203] An uplink transmission is received from the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) according to the scheduling grant.

[0204] Example 13. The method according to Example 12, further comprising:

[0205] Sensing information is determined based on the received uplink transmission.

[0206] Example 14. A supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) supporting a serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) serving a user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) in a sensing operation, comprising means for:

[0207] receiving, from the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002), sensing support information associated with a scheduling grant, wherein the scheduling grant relates to an uplink transmission sent by the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) and intended for the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002);

[0208] The uplink transmission is received from the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) based on the sensing support information.

[0209] Example 15. The supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) of Example 14, further comprising means for:

[0210] Sensing information is determined based on the received sensing support information and based on the received uplink transmission.

[0211] Example 16. The supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) of Example 14 or 15,

[0212] The sensing support information includes at least one of the following items:

[0213] a request for the at least one supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) for supporting the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002); or

[0214] Supports control information.

[0215] Example 17. The supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) of any one of Examples 14 to 16, wherein the sensing support information comprises at least one of the following:

[0216] a resource element RE map for the uplink transmission;

[0217] A physical resource block (PRB) map for the uplink transmission;

[0218] Information about a demodulation reference signal DMRS for the uplink transmission;

[0219] information about a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for said uplink transmission;

[0220] information about scrambling of the uplink transmission;

[0221] information about the location of the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002);

[0222] The angle of arrival AoA of the uplink transmission.

[0223] Example 18. The supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) of Example 17, wherein the sensing support information comprises a plurality of angles of arrival AoAs of the uplink transmissions, the plurality of angles of arrival AoAs of the uplink transmissions comprising at least one of the following:

[0224] an angle of arrival for line-of-sight (LOS) propagation of the uplink transmission at the serving base station;

[0225] An angle of arrival of non-line-of-sight (NLOS) propagation of the uplink transmission at the serving base station.

[0226] Example 19. The supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) of any one of Examples 15 to 18, further comprising means for:

[0227] receiving uplink data from the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002), the uplink data being obtained by the serving base station by processing the uplink transmission between the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) and the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002),

[0228] Wherein determining the sensing information based on the received sensing support information and based on the received uplink transmission is further based on: the uplink data received from the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002).

[0229] Example 20. The supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) according to any one of Examples 15 to 19,

[0230] Wherein determining the sensing information comprises: estimating channel state information based on at least one of the following items: pilot signaling, or uplink data of the uplink transmission.

[0231] 21. The supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) of example 20, wherein determining the sensing information comprises:

[0232] estimating a quality of the estimated channel state information based on the pilot signaling of the uplink transmission, and comparing the estimated quality with a threshold quality, and

[0233] If the comparison result is that the estimated quality is equal to or lower than the threshold quality, channel state information is estimated based on uplink data of the uplink transmission.

[0234] Example 22. The supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) of any one of Examples 14 to 21, further comprising means for:

[0235] The received uplink transmission is stored based on the sensing support information.

[0236] Example 23. The supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) of any one of Examples 14 to 22, further comprising means for:

[0237] continuously buffering uplink transmissions received in a ring buffer memory, wherein the continuously buffering comprises: buffering the uplink transmissions received from the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200); and

[0238] The uplink transmission received from the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) is retrieved from the ring buffer memory based on the sensing support information.

[0239] Example 24. The supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) of any one of Examples 14 to 23, further comprising means for:

[0240] The determined sensing information is sent to a sensing management function.

[0241] Example 25. A method performed by a supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) supporting a serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002), wherein the serving base station serves a user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200), the method comprising:

[0242] receiving, from the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002), sensing support information associated with a scheduling grant, wherein the scheduling grant relates to an uplink transmission sent by the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) and intended for the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002);

[0243] The uplink transmission is received from the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) based on the sensing support information.

[0244] Example 26. The method according to Example 25, further comprising:

[0245] Sensing information is determined based on the received sensing support information and based on the received uplink transmission.

[0246] Example 27. A sensing management function (1100) comprising means for:

[0247] Receiving measurement information about at least one of the following from at least one base station located within the sensing area cell:

[0248] Transmit power level,

[0249] the location of the at least one base station,

[0250] the direction of the at least one base station relative to at least one other base station,

[0251] an area covered by at least one of the at least one base station;

[0252] comparing the measurement information received from the at least one base station with a predefined threshold,

[0253] determining, based on the comparison result, whether the at least one base station is a candidate for a supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) for a serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002), the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) serving a user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) located in a cell of the sensing area,

[0254] If the at least one base station is determined to be a candidate for a supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004), information about the at least one base station determined to be a candidate for a supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) is sent to the serving base station serving the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) located in the sensing area cell.

[0255] Example 28. The sensing management function (1100) of Example 27, further comprising means for:

[0256] receiving first sensing information from a serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) serving a user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200),

[0257] receiving at least one second sensing information from at least one supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) supporting the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200), and

[0258] The first sensing information and the at least one second sensing information are aggregated.

[0259] Example 29. The sensing management function (1100) of Example 27 or 28, further comprising means for:

[0260] A request for resource pre-allocation for data assisted sensing operations is sent to at least one of: the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002), or the at least one supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004).

[0261] Example 30. A network entity comprising means for performing a sensing management function (1100) according to any one of Examples 27 to 29.

[0262] Example 31. A system comprising: at least one user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200), at least one serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) according to any one of Examples 1 to 11, and at least one supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) according to any one of Examples 14 to 24.

[0263] Example 32. The system of Example 31 further comprising the network entity of Example 30.

Claims

1. A serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002), the serving base station serving a user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200), comprising components for: sending a scheduling grant for uplink transmission to the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200); sending sensing support information associated with the scheduling grant to at least one supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004); An uplink transmission is received from the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) according to the scheduling grant.

2. The serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) of claim 1, further comprising means for: Sensing information is determined based on the received uplink transmission.

3. The serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for: processing the uplink transmission received from the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) to obtain uplink data; and The uplink data is sent to the at least one supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004).

4. The serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) of claim 2, wherein determining the sensing information based on the received uplink transmission comprises: Channel state information is estimated based on at least one of the following: pilot signaling; or The uplink transmission includes uplink data.

5. The serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) of claim 4, wherein determining the sensing information based on the received uplink transmission comprises: estimating a quality of the estimated channel state information based on the pilot signaling of the uplink transmission, and comparing the estimated quality with a threshold quality, and If the comparison result is that the estimated quality is equal to or lower than the threshold quality, channel state information is estimated based on uplink data of the uplink transmission.

6. A supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) supporting a serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) serving a user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) in a sensing operation, comprising means for: receiving, from the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002), sensing support information associated with a scheduling grant, wherein the scheduling grant relates to an uplink transmission sent by the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) and intended for the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002); The uplink transmission is received from the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) based on the sensing support information.

7. The supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) of claim 6, further comprising means for: Sensing information is determined based on the received sensing support information and based on the received uplink transmission.

8. The supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising means for: receiving uplink data from the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002), the uplink data being obtained by the serving base station by processing the uplink transmission between the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) and the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002), Wherein determining the sensing information based on the received sensing support information and based on the received uplink transmission is further based on: the uplink data received from the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002).

9. A sensing management function (1100), comprising means for: Receiving measurement information about at least one of the following from at least one base station located within the sensing area cell: Transmit power level, the location of the at least one base station, the direction of the at least one base station relative to at least one other base station, an area covered by at least one of the at least one base station; comparing the measurement information received from the at least one base station with a predefined threshold, determining, based on the comparison result, whether the at least one base station is a candidate for a supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) for a serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002), the serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) serving a user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) located in a cell of the sensing area, If the at least one base station is determined to be a candidate for a supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004), information about the at least one base station determined to be a candidate for a supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) is sent to the serving base station serving the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200) located in the sensing area cell.

10. The sensing management function (1100) of claim 9, further comprising means for: receiving first sensing information from a serving base station (104, 702, 802, 1002) serving a user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200), receiving at least one second sensing information from at least one supporting base station (106, 704, 804, 1004) supporting the user equipment (102, 700, 800, 1000, 1200), and The first sensing information and the at least one second sensing information are aggregated.

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